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youth. In London there were a quarter more con- victions of youth from seventeen to twenty-one in 1958 than in 1957, and the latter year showed a twenty-five per cent increase over 1956. Since 1953 the figures for youth crime have doubled Key both in London and over the whole country. One of the maps at New Scotland Yard on which a record is kept of every crime committed in the London Naturally, these figures are reflected in the pri- Metropolitan area. son population, which in 1958 was over 20,000 as against about 8,000 twenty years ago. Nor is this trend confined to our own country. THE CURE FOR CRIME The Federal Bureau of Prisons in the United States has just published its report which showed that It FOR a long time the impression has been at the end of 1958 there were 205,643 behind I. deepening in the minds of thinking people that prison bars, which is 225 per cent over the prison the wave of lawlessness which began to rise after population of ten years ago. And the crime statis- World War II must be reaching a new and sinis- tics of other countries doubtless reveal the same ter peak, for hardly a day now passes without its tragic trend. quota of foul murders, bank raids, and coshings, Commenting on the figures in his own report, besides the constant stream of lesser crimes. Sir Joseph Simpson, London's Chief Commissioner This impression has been confirmed by the pub- of Police, makes a remark of the deepest signifi- lication, during the past few weeks, of the 1958 cance. "Perhaps the most disturbing feature of the crime statistics for the City of London and for rise of crime today," he says, "lies in the fact that the United Kingdom as a whole. neither the absence of real poverty nor the more In London the figures for indictable offences progressive methods employed in dealing with de- last year were nearly eighteen per cent higher than linquents appears to have done anything to reduce in 1945, the previous "peak," and sixty per cent the volume of crime." higher than in 1938. For the whole country, the The reason that the situation is so "disturbing" increase was fifteen per cent over last year, with to so many social thinkers of our time is because a similar proportionate increase over earlier years. for decades the evolutionary philosophy has been Most disturbing of all the grim figures pre- given currency that as poverty is eradicated and sented is the rocketing increase of crime among men are better educated for citizenship, man's

Covea Therein: : WestrMnster Abbey from St. James' Park. L. SIVIS0111. PRICE: FOURPENCE

"natural goodness" will manifest itself and crime Jesus Himself declares that the world will will progressively disappear. But the figures now sink to such a depth of corruption and vio- published indicate an absolutely opposite tendency. lence as to be comparable with "the days of Lot" The raising of standards of living seems to have and "the days of Noah," and that the human provided men with more opportunity for illicit situation will demand as desperate a remedy. conduct, the increase of knowledge has led to the In other words, the Bible clearly reveals that devising of more cunning methods of criminal the one hope for a world which is plunging to action, and progress has forged new weapons of moral and spiritual ruin is for God to step in unrighteousness. again, through the personal return of His Son, It is only an evasion of the real import of the to eliminate sin and sinners and to supersede "this reports to suggest, as some have done, that the present evil world" by a "new heavens and a new trouble lies in the inadequacy of the police forces earth wherein dwelleth righteousness." of the country. If the elimination of poverty and While, therefore, we give all honour to the the spread of education were the most potent fac- forces of law and order, both national and inter- tors in the elimination of crime there should by national, which are striving to restrain the tide now be a progressively decreasing and not in- of evil which is rapidly overwhelming the world, creasing need of police forces. we believe that the most important work that can The blunt fact is that these statistics are a crush- be done today is the carrying of "this Gospel of ing indictment of the materialist and humanistic the kingdom" to "every nation, and kindred, and philosophies which for years have been driving tongue, and people," that all who will may have God and spiritual values from the minds of men. the opportunity, through the operation of divine For to divorce morality from religion is to take grace, of finding a place in God's coming kingdom away the only effective power for moral decision. of righteousness and peace. These figures provide new emphasis for what the Bible has always said, namely that crime is the outworking of sin in the human heart, and sin Second Vatican Council is the result of departure from God. And until WHILE the official title of the forthcoming papal man returns to God and seeks the spiritual power Council has not been announced it seems to be to conform to His commandments, the present generally thought that it will be called the Second crime wave will never be reversed. Vatican Council. It will probably be held in 1961 If the Bible is so right in its diagnosis of the and the venue will be either the Church of St. causes of crime, we may well ask what hope it ex- Peter's or that of St. John Lateran. tends of such a return to God and His righteous- Archbishop Basher who has jurisdiction over ness. There are Christian social reformers who the Orthodox in North America has described believe that a Christian state and a Christian Pope John as "sent from God to accomplish a world, ordered in truth and righteousness is a sacred mission and bring unity to Christendom." justifiable hope and an attainable goal, but wherever they got this idea from they did not get it from the Bible. Sad to say, the Bible holds out no hope of any nation-wide or world conversion to God and His righteousness. Rather do the Scriptures foresee "evil men and se- ducers" waxing "worse and worse, deceiv- ing, and being deceived." 2 Tim. 3:13. "This know also," asserts the apostle Paul, "that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to par- ents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, in- continent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Keystone t r ait or s, heady, highminded, lovers of plea- Mr. Kruschev shows his appreciation of Vice-President Nixon's speech at the opening of the United States ex- sures more than lovers of God." 2 Tim. 3:1-4. hibition in Moscow.

SEPTEMBER 24, 1959 THREE Israeli girls prepare to take up arms in defence of their country. Planet

WILL ISRAEL SURVIVE? tip MANY were shocked by the sabre-rattling East life, the bitter quarrel is certain to disrupt threats of Egypt's president, reported recently every beneficial initiative which may be taken to from Alexandria. Colonel Nasser celebrated the end the friction between Arabs and the West. seventh anniversary of his country's revolution by By their military successes in the Suez campaign publicly declaring the irreconcilable hostility of and elsewhere, the Israeli Jews have aggravated Egypt toward Israel. "We await a decisive battle," Arab fears that they would enlarge their borders. he said, "to get rid of Israel once and for all. Hatred has so deepened that extermination of This is the dream of every Arab." Israel is task number one in the Arab national A Jewish invasion of Sinai would be welcomed, policy. he said, for it would provide the newly equipped Survival prospects for the one and a half million and greatly strengthened Egyptian army with the Jews in their tiny territory seem slender indeed, opportunity of wiping out the Jews: "If there's surrounded as they are by forty million hostile a challenge, we accept. If there's any decisive Arabs. battle, we want it." That the Jewish people can find no security in Like a Moslem prophet, he predicted the even- their national home is a sad situation in view of tual extermination of Israel. He felt sure that since their tragic sufferings throughout the ages. It is Egypt's own munitions factories will soon be pro- also a situation fraught with danger for the whole ducing tanks and other war material, he would world, since the interests of the great national have little difficulty in achieving the Arab dream titans are definitely focused on this strategic area. of liquidating the Jews. The question is : Will feelings one day change Which ugly episode highlights a perennial pro- toward the Jews ? Time, we know, is a great healer. blem of the Middle East. The dispute between Given enough of it, may we expect the disease of Jews and Arabs seems likely to wreck any plan anti-Jewish hostility to be healed? Will the present for lasting pacification in that whole area. Intrud- deep-rooted antipathy one day give place to uni- ing as it does into all departments of Middle versal tolerance?

FOUR OUR TIMES WIDESPREAD ANTIPATHY propaganda of the lowest kind, and even tolerant President Nasser's admitted hatred is by no Britain of pre-war days got used to the ubiquitous means peculiar to himself and his fellow Arabs, "Perish Judah" signs which were plastered in or to our time. Hostility to and persecution of the prominent places by black-shirted thugs. In Ger- Jews can be traced back through the centuries to many, with the outbreak of war, the storm of the time when they were driven out of the land pent-up hatred burst in full fury upon the hapless of their fathers. Wanderers on the face of the children of Israel. They were chosen as the scape- earth after the final suppression of Jewish sove- goat for a nation suffering from a sense of frus- reignty by Emperor Hadrian in A.D. 120, God's tration. Nazi policy which had declared Jews to one-time "chosen people" have endured humilia- be low and degrading in their influence, now tion, persecution, and martyrdom at the hands of sought to settle the so-called Jewish problem by a every civilized race and in every age. campaign of mass extermination. It did not suc- The report was widely believed in the early ceed, but six million Jews were put to death be- centuries, that, in mockery of the crucifixion of fore the war ended. Jesus, the Jews habitually sacrificed Christian Ingrained antipathy still exists, as the recent children, their blood being used in the Passover Arab outbursts clearly testify. ceremonies. Century after century, and in all places, this accusation was renewed, and invariably ALL NATIONS BLESSED led to mob "justice," mass condemnation, and a Yet the world as a whole has good reason to trail of bloodshed. be grateful to the Jews. God's ancient pronounce- This frightful fable was accepted even by the ment was, "In thee shall all families of the earth poet Chaucer, who actually enshrined it in his be blessed." Gen. 12:3. It has been even so. God's famous tales. The city of Lincoln still has the well truth, His law, His plan of salvation, were all in the legendary "Jews' Court" on Steep Hill, revealed through the Jews, who were made the where the child martyrs are supposed to have been repositories of the Holy Scriptures. All humanity thrown. Yet there is no element of truth in these long ago would have sunk to the fearful level of stories, which are wholly unsupported by evidence, the subhuman natives of Central Africa, were it and actually have been denied by suc- cessive popes and other authorities. In various places, especially Germany, anti-Jewish hostility wrought fearful bloodshed at the time of the Great Plague. The Black Death scourge, which decimated whole populations, left the Jews almost untouched—doubtless due to their health principles based on Bible teaching. This fact angered the popula- tion, and the story was widespread that

By R. D. Vine

the Jews had caused the disease by poison- ing the wells "with a concoction of spi- ders, frogs, lizards, Christian hearts, and consecrated hosts." Three hundred and fifty entire Jewish communities were wiped out by angry mobs as a result of An Israeli patrol in the southern desert. Planet this single story. Thus through the centuries the proverbial not for the exalted moral and religious teachings "wandering Jew" has been buffeted, vilified, and of the Bible—which came to us through the Jews. exterminated. Yet it was left to our own en- The Christian church began as a Jewish church; lightened age to plumb the depths of anti-Jewish its founders were Jews; Jesus Christ Himself was infamy. Whole nations have been subjected to (Continued on page 16.)

SEPTEMBER 24, 1959 FIVE The Seven Deadly Sins.-1 wHy SATAN FELL?

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deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." But "if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:8, 9. Since our generation is rather disposed to deny sin, or ignore its deep-seated existence, we should note that the presence of sin in our hearts is evi- denced by the occurrence of sins in our lives. Satan Sins are the symptoms of sin. As therefore we in his pride study these "seven deadly sins," we become deeply plans a revolt conscious of the presence and power of sin and against the govern- the need of its eradication by grace from our ment of God. R lives.

WHY SATAN FELL IP MEDIEVAL writers, such as Piers Plowman, Pride may well be placed first because it was Chaucer, and Spenser frequently referred to the the primary sin that led to Satan's downfall. Under "seven deadly sins." the figure of an indictment of the Prince of Tyre, Concerning these the medieval theologians de- Ezekiel describes the fall from grace experienced bated long and earnestly, arguing that they were by the Prince of darkness. "Thou wast perfect all exhibited in the fall of Satan and subsequently in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, in the relationships of the human race as it became till iniquity was found in thee. . . . Thine heart subject to satanic influence. These seven sins were was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast variously classified, but almost invariably "Pride" corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy bright- was placed at the head of the list. ness." Ezek. 28:15, 17. It may be noted in passing that the Scriptures In a similar vein is Isaiah's condemnation of teach that God is more concerned about sin than "Lucifer, son of the morning!" He exposes the about sins. Particular sins may be quelled for a egocentric and unholy ambition generated by the time, but "sin will out," unless it is dealt with by burning pride of Satan's mind. "For thou hast divine grace. "If we say that we have no sin, we said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I

SIX OUR TIMES will exalt my throne above the stars of God : I Jesus Christ. Of Him the apostle wrote that al- will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, though He was "in the form of God," He "coun- in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the ted it not a prize to be on an equality with God, ▪ heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, High." Isa. 14:12-14. being made in the likeness of men ; and being Such was the pride that led Satan to pit his found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, will against the will of God, and to set out on a becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death course of rebellion that precipitated "war in of the cross." Phil. 2:6-8, R.V. heaven." "Michael and His angels fought against Jesus, for the love He had for man and to mani- the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, fest the redeeming grace of God, descended the and prevailed not; neither was their place found ladder of self-forgetfulness, round by round, un- any more in heaven." Rev. 12:7, 8. It is for this til in utter self-abnegation He died upon the cross. reason that the Bible records that God hates "every He left the riches of eternity for the poverty of one that is proud in heart." Prov. 16:5. time; He left the homage of angels, for the curses As we reflect on the behaviour of our fellow- of sinful men ; He left the glory of Deity for the men, how often we find the saying true that humility of humanity descending even to the death "pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty of Golgotha. spirit before a fall." Prov. 16:18. Outstanding As we examine the life and teachings of our examples in our own time were Hitler and Mus- Lord, we discover that repeatedly He rebuked solini. Both these men rendered valuable services pride and appealed to His hearers to practise to their respective nations, and had they remained humility. His stinging castigation of the pride and humble, their generation would have called them hypocrisy of the Pharisees brought Him into con- • benefactors. Unfortunately, their vanity grew and flict with the religious leaders of His race. With grew until, in the arrogance of their pride, they a slightly humorous twist Jesus pictured a feast destroyed themselves and their associates. to which some of the Pharisees were invited. It is a curious reflection on the insidious nature Those who felt that they should occupy the fore- of pride that men of genius and great talent have most seats arrived early in order to reserve their often fallen victim to its blight. Many centuries places. The Saviour suggested that it was more ago the inspired Psalmist spoke of such men that sensible to take a lower seat and later be asked to "pride compasseth them about as a chain." Psa. "step up" than to seize a higher seat and have 73 :6. The wise Solomon similarly wrote, "A man's the humiliation of being ordered to "step down." pride shall bring him low." Prov. 29:23. The (Luke 14:7-11.) The lesson was clear for all to list of eminent men who have verified this proverb learn. "For every one that exalteth himself shall in their rise and fall is both long and illustrious. be humbled ; and he that humbleth himself shall Pride lurks within every human heart and we be exalted." R.V. need to pray daily to be delivered from its sting. Jesus exemplified genuine humility. In His The deadly sin of pride has its small beginnings, heart there was no pride of race, of opinion, of and it is easier, by the grace of God, to nip it in rank, or of intellect. His attitude to all forms of the bud than to kill it when it is full-grown. pride and snobbery is well expressed in the words Snobbery is an insidious form of pride, and He addressed to His disciples: "Beware of the each of us has some measure of snobbery in our scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and character. Hence Paul wrote to the Christian be- love salutations in the marketplaces, and chief seats in the synagogues, and chief places at feasts; which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence By J. A. McMillan make long prayers : these shall receive greater con- demnation." Luke 20:46, 47, R.V.

lievers in Rome, where pride of place and of opinion was all too easily engendered, "Don't be- WE NEED A NEW HEART It is deeply significant that the Saviour recog- come snobbish, but take a real interest in ordinary people." Rom. 12:16. (Phillips' translation.) nized pride as being in "the heart of men." To be delivered from the deadly taint of pride, we need SELF-ABNEGATION OF CHRIST to have a surgical operation. The old heart of pride The most truly humble of men was our Lord (Continued on pinge 13.)

• SEPTEMBER 24, 1959 SEVEN One is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren." Matt. 23 :8. Thus, in spite of the fact that the impetuous Peter was often the spokesman for the disciples (though his utterances frequently manifested more haste than wisdom), it was obviously not the

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Saviour's intention that Peter, or any one of the others, should be actually, or even tacitly estab- The famous statue of Peter in St. Peter's, Rome. lished as the sole leader of the rest. Moreover it is evident that Peter himself never 411 THE elaborate Romish ritual, which, in effect, considered that he was called to any position of substitutes a spectacular religious performance eminence or supremacy. For in his first epistle, for the more personal demands of spiritual wor- written probably during his later years, when he ship, is largely based on the papal claim that the was well known and deservedly honoured as one apostle Peter was the first bishop of Rome and the of the principal ministers of the early church, he divinely-appointed primate of the entire Christian writes, "The elders which are among you I ex- church. Upon this assumption, historically unsure hort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the and Scripturally untenable, the Romanists have sufferings of Christ." 1 Peter 5:1. Here Peter built a highly-organized church of world-wide simply adopts the comparatively humble title and scope and influence, and of truly enormous wealth. standing of "elder" in the church, in addition to There are many passages in the gospels which his being a living witness of the life and sacrifice clearly imply that Christ, in dealing with the of our Lord. But nowhere does Peter ever dream varying dispositions of His disciples, never in- of making the Romish claim to being the "Vicar tended to bestow a position of sole leadership of Jesus Christ" upon earth. upon any one of them. He knew our frail human nature too well to entrust complete authority in PETER TOOK "INSTRUCTIONS" FROM THE APOSTLES His church to any one erring man. Further, it is very significant that Peter re- On one occasion the Saviour specifically re- garded himself as being under the orders of the minded His disciples, "Ye know that they which apostolic group in their general direction of church are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise affairs. For we read that "when the apostles which lordship over them ; and their great ones exer- were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received cise authority upon them. But so shall it not be the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and among you." Mark 10:42, 43. And He further John." Acts 8:14. Thus, Peter, in his accepted added, "Be not ye called Rabbi [or Master]: for capacity of elder and witness, is glad, with his • EIGHT OUR TIMES

apostolic colleague, to undertake missionary work Night was normally the best time for fishing. among the once-despised Samaritans, at the request Yet, in the full glare of day, and while still of the responsible church council at Jerusalem. apparently close inshore, because of His kindly Indeed, when, in A.D. 46, a council of the concern, they "let down the net. And when they apostles and elders was held, Peter being present, had this done, they enclosed a great multitude of it was James who summarized the council's find- fishes." So much so, that eventually, they "filled , ings, and who announced their decision. (Acts both the ships, so that they began to sink." Luke 15:6-29.) Also, on another occasioh, the apostle 5:5-7. Paul found it necessary, however reluctantly, to Thus does Jesus reward those who faithfully differ most strongly from Peter, and to withstand serve and implicitly obey Him. How often, before "him to the face, because he [Peter] was to be the astonished eyes of His humble followers, does blamed." Gal. 2:11. He not delight to "pour you out a blessing, that Hence, however much the other apostles may there shall not be room enough to receive it" ! have esteemed Peter as a man, and have truly Mal. 3:10. loved him as a brother in Christ, they certainly However, this unexpected and overwhelming were never of the opinion that his position was munificence was rather too much for the tender- supreme, or that his sayings and doings were in- hearted Peter. He realized that here was Someone fallible. Indeed Peter was known and loved, not divinely resourceful and reliable. More than that, for his supremacy, but for his obvious and very he saw in Jesus of Nazareth an innate compassion genuine humility. For while he undoubtedly pos- allied with impeccable holiness. So, with mixed sessed qualities of mental alertness which go with feelings of gratitude, adoration, and personal un- leadership, he was always willing to accept the worthiness, he cried out, "Depart from me, for I more sober and slower judgment of his brethren. am a sinful man, 0 Lord!"

NOT "POSITION" BUT "DISPOSITION" "PRIMACY" WITH GOD So that it is in Peter's humble Christlikeness, Those who, down the ages, might be considered in his converted disposition, rather than in any as mankind's spiritual primates, have, in the pre- exalted ecclesiastical position, that we may joyfully (Continued on page 16.) accept the apostle's "primacy." Indeed Peter was never nearer to a true and exalted spiritual primacy than when he confessed to his Lord, with heart- felt wonder and contrition, "I am a sinful man, 0 Lord." Luke 5 :8. This candid confession was wrung from the awe-stricken disciple's lips after one of his early experiences with Christ, when he witnessed some- thing of the Saviour's divine power as Creator, as Provider, and as Instructor.

By Ernest Cox

The Master had used Peter's boat as a pulpit that He might the more effectively address the thronging multitude packed on the shore to hear Him. After His address, He proceeds, in His usual quiet, kindly, and practical way, to help those who have been so willing to help Him. He knows that they "have toiled all night and taken nothing." He knows that poor fishermen's families have to be fed, and other working expenses paid. In His efforts to provide spiritual food, Jesus never

thoughtlessly ignored His followers' material By C. S. Dixon Newton needs. (John 4:8.) "Lovest thou Me?" Jesus asked Peter.

SEPTEMBER 24, 1959 NINE

The tomb of the Great at Pasar- gadee.

dente and shortly afterward for the throne of the empire. In the ensu- ing conflict with Astyages, Cyrus lost two battles, but won the war when Harpagus, the Median com- mander, betrayed his king and turned the country and its capital Ecbatana over to Cyrus. When the victor marched into Ecbatana, pro- bably in 550 s.c., he took posses- sion of an empire that reached from the wastelands of eastern to central Anatolia, and from the high mountains of to the hot shores of the Persian Gulf. The cometlike ascendancy of Cy- rus was viewed with awe and fear by the nations of his time. Easily recognizing the handwriting on the w a 11 , of ,

MY visit to Pasargadx, the ruins of the ancient T.= capital and the last resting place of Cyrus the

Great, reminded me of the exploits of this truly 11 P\ 17; great monarch of the ancient world, who was ad- ,„ , I, mired by his friends, respected by his enemies, and praised in the Bible. ra-vets Ai When Isaiah, one of the greatest prophets of the Old Testament, mentione 1 his name more than one hundred years before his birth, predicted - • his ascendancy to power, his conquest of , and his favourable attitude toward God's people Amasis of Egypt, the city of Sparta in , and (Isa. 44:28 to 45:8; 41:2-6; 46:11), he gave to of concluded an alliance against Cyrus a stamp no other pagan ruler ever received. Cyrus. But the dynamic new ruler in the east Cyrus was the son of Cambyses I, a Persian moved so swiftly that all efforts to stem his ad- vassal ruler of the Medes, and of Mandane, the vance proved futile. daughter of Astyages, who was the last real king As soon as Cyrus had consolidated his position of the Median Empire. Greek stories tell how his and organized his forces, he turned against the grandfather Astyages, fearing that young Cyrus Lydian kingdom, which possessed the western would become a menace to his throne, made half of Asia Minor. In 547 B.C. King Croesus several attempts to put him away, and how his life was defeated, Sardis, his seemingly impregnable was preserved through some remarkable coinci- fortress capital, taken, and his territory incorpor- dences. Whether any of these stories is true is ated into the Persian Empire, which thus was difficult to ascertain, but it is certain that Cyrus extended to the Ionian Sea. finally succeeded his father as ruler over the Persian tribes in the southern part of Iran, re- maining at the same time a vassal of the king SHOWDOWN WITH BABYLONIA of Media. A few years later Cyrus was ready for a show- However, Astyages' suspicion of Cyrus' ambi- down with Babylonia. Nabonidus, the last king tions seems to have been well founded, because of Babylon, may have foreseen that he could not the young ruler of Persia soon strove for indepen- hold his capital against the irresistible forces of the

TEN OUR TIMES

Medes and Persians, and had built a second capital to accept Cyrus as their new lord. The people were at Tema in Arabia, allowing his depraved son Bel- not disappointed. When Cyrus was made ac- shazzar to reign over Babylon in the meantime. quainted with Isaiah's prophecies concerning his It was all to no avail. work and God's purpose for him, he issued a Cyrus, after consolidating his power over the proclamation: "The Lord God of heaven hath conquered territories in the west, and after gain- given me all the kingdoms of the earth ; and He • ing, by good fortune, Babylonia's eastern province hath charged me to build Him an house at Jeru- of Guitium, whose governor treacherously turned salem." He allowed the exiled Jews also to re- it over to the Persians, in 539 B.C., attacked the turn to their homeland. (Ezra 1 :2.) In a similar Babylonians at on the near the Median proclamation addressed to the Babylonians, in- wall built by Nebuchadnezzar as a protection scribed on a cuneiform clay barrel, which was against an invasion from the north. found during excavations at Babylon in 1879, Cyrus said, " 'He [] examined all the The Persians were able to cross the Tigris, de- countries, looked out for him [and) searched for a feat the hastily called up Babylonian army, and fan righteous ruler . . . [and] appointed him to be out against the main cities of Babylonia while the the ruler of all the world. . . . I [Cyrus] returned whole country lay open to the apparently invin- cible conquerors. , lying about twenty-five miles west of Opis, fell to the Persians a few days after the battle of Opis, and Babylon, the Sculptured • seemingly impregnable capital, shared the same Photos by figure in the fate two days later when the Persians took the city entrance hall of the Author. by surprise, cutting down its king in a palace the great palace. • scuffle only a few hours after a mysterious hand

• 5. and His Capital

• By Siegfried H. Horn

had spelled out his fate on the plastered wall of his banquet hall. Cyrus' fame preceded his ar- rival in every country and city, and wherever he appeared he I was greeted as liberator and

friend. The records tell us that The only remaining not only exiled people like the column in the audi- Jews in Babylon welcomed Cy- ence chamber of rus as their liberator, but that Cyrus' palace. • even the Babylonians, dissatis- fied with the misrule of Naboni- dus and , were happy

SEPTEMBER 24, 1959 ELEVEN to the cities of the Tigris, whose sanctuaries had the palace garden and well guarded. The Greek been in ruins for a long time, the images which historians claim that Cyrus' body was still in his [used] to live therein, and established for them golden sarcophagus in the tomb chamber. An permanent dwellings. I [also] gathered all their inscription in on stone tablets fas- [former] people and rebuilt their habitations.' tened to the wall above and on the sides of the Cyrus thus fulfilled the hopes and expectations entrance contained the following words, accord- of suppressed people everywhere, and ruled them ing to one Greek version: with a tolerant and humane spirit such as the "0 man, I am Cyrus, who gained rulership for world had never seen before. It was therefore a the Persians, king of Asia. Do not begrudge me major tragedy for the empire and the whole this monument." world when he died in a campaign against re- Another Greek version gives the following bellious tribes only nine years after the conquest text: of Babylon. That he deserved the epithet "great" "0 men, whoever you are and from where you is due to his merits and successes already des- may come, for I know that you will come, I am cribed, but even more so to the good foundation Cyrus, who gained rulership for the Persians. he laid in building his empire. It survived him Do not begrudge me this piece of ground, which by two centuries, whereas Nebuchadnezzar's em- covers my body." pire fell to pieces only twenty-three years after The tablets carrying this inscription vanished his death and Alexander's far-flung empire hardly long ago, but their dowel holes are still visible survived its builder a year. If an empire builder in the walls on both sides and above the door. is judged not only by the extent of his empire, We are told that Alexander, after viewing Cyrus' but by its internal strength and durability, Cyrus remains, sealed the entrance and had the tomb deserves to be ranked among the few really great AP. guarded by his own soldiers. Like most ancient kings this world has seen. tombs it was later spoiled of its contents and is now empty. Not knowing its real purpose, but connecting It is good to have the history of this great soldier all ancient structures with popular heroes of the and king in mind when visiting the city he foun- Bible or the Koran, the local people have for a ded. It is known usually under its Greek name long time known Cyrus' tomb as "the tomb of the Pasargadze. It lies about thirty miles north of mother of Solomon." Historical and archaeological on the road from Teheran to the Per- investigations carried out during the last decade sian Gulf, and is best known for the well pre- have dispersed any doubts concerning the iden- served tomb structure of Cyrus, which forms a tification of the monument. It is now generally landmark. As we came near Pasargadx we were accepted as the real tomb of Cyrus the Great. scanning the horizon with binoculars to get the Not much needs to be said about the ruins at first glimpse of this famous tomb, which has been Pasargadw, which are not so well preserved as described by historians since the time of Alex- those of Persepolis. The modern visitor will find ander the Great. Having read the stories of Alex- only a few remains of Cyrus' palace buildings ander's visit to this tomb and seen many pictures and other structures, which have been excavated of it, I was excited when we finally discovered it in recent years. For example, not much more than in the far distance aginst the background of the the foundation stones remain of the great en- mountains. trance hall to the palace grounds. Fragments of Reaching Pasargadx over a poor branch road, human-headed winged bulls have been found and we found Bedouins encamped right in the shade show that the gates of this entrance hall must of Cyrus' tomb. The tomb proper, built of lime- have had an appearance similar to those at Per- stone blocks in the form of a house with gabled sepolis, which are much better preserved. The roof, stands on a pyramidal basis of six steps. only well-preserved sculpture of this hall depicts The whole structure is thirty-six feet high, and in a cherublike being with four wings and an its simplicity is an impressive monument. It is re- Egyptianized crown, over which a trilingual in- markably well preserved, although it shows gaping scription formerly read: "I Cyrus the king, the holes where the iron clamps connecting the blocks Achxmenid." This inscription was copied for the of stone have been chiselled out. last time in 1840, but since that time has been When Alexander reached while pur- cut off. In the great audience hall of Cyrus one suing Darius III he found this tomb standing in forty-foot-high column is still standing; of all

TWELVE OUR TIMES others only their bases and a few column stumps the voice of God is heard appealing to the proud are preserved. heart of man, "He hath showed thee, 0 man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, "THE GREAT KING" but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to humble As in other Persian palaces the walls were built thyself to walk with God." Micah 6:8 (margin). of bricks, which have long since disappeared, but When the disciples desired the chief positions the doorjambs and sills were of stone, and some of trust and responsibility in the kingdom of God, of them are still standing. Each carries cuneiform Jesus told them that "if any man desire to be inscriptions in the Persian, Elamite, and Baby- first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of lonian scripts and languages. All of them are all." One deeply spiritual author has this com- rather brief. Those executed before Cyrus had ment to make: "Those who were actuated by pride become king of the empire read merely, "I, Cyrus, and love of distinction were thinking of them- the king, the Achmmenid," while others of a later selves and of the rewards they were to have, rather period read, "Cyrus, the great king, the Achx- than how they were to render back to God the menid." Also the remains of Cyrus' residential gifts they had received. They would have no palace have been excavated. Only the foundation place in the kingdom of heaven, for they were stones, some column bases, a few doorjambs, and identified with the ranks of Satan." broken sculptures are silent witnesses of the splen- dour that was once displayed at this palace. FATE OF THE PROUD • Not very far from this palace are the ruins of This is surely the meaning of that dread picture a towerlike structure called by the local people drawn by Malachi, the last of the Old Testament "the prison of Solomon." Some scholars have con- prophets: "For, behold, the day cometh, it burneth ~ sidered it to be a fire temple, while others believe as a furnace; and all the proud, and all that work it to be the tomb of Cambyses, Cyrus' son and wickedness, shall be stubble: and the day that successor, who conquered Egypt but died on his cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of way back from the south when he heard that the hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor false Smerdis had usurped the throne. branch." Mal. 4:1, R.V. On some hilltops of Pasargadx can be seen the The deadly sin of pride shall reduce to "ashes" remains of the city's fortification walls. Built all who have cherished it. But those who walk against one hill is a massive 40-foot-high and 260- humbly with God shall be exalted to the com- foot-long platform erected of huge blocks of panionship of the immortals. "For thus saith the stone. Called now "the throne of the mother of high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose Solomon," its original purpose is not definitely name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, known. The most plausible interpretation is that with him also that is of a contrite and humble on this easily defensible platform stood formerly spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to the treasury of Cyrus, to which he took the trea- revive the heart of the contrite ones." Isa. 57:15. sures of the Medes after the conquest of Ecbatana. From his prison cell in Bedford, John Bunyan sang: "He that is down need fear no fall Why Satan Fell! He that is low, no pride; He that is humble ever shall (Continued from page 7.) Have God to be his guide." must be removed, and a new heart of humility must be put in its place. This is just what the If only pride were exorcised from the human divine Physician has promised to do. The Lord heart, most of the problems of church and state, promised Israel in the days of Ezekiel, "I will of the home, the workshop, and society would give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit disappear. Let each of us then heed the tender within you; and I will take the stony heart out of appeal of Peter, "Yea, all of you gird yourselves their flesh: . . . that they may walk in My statutes, with humility, to serve one another: for God re- and keep Mine ordinances, and do them: and they sisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. shall be My people, and I will be their God." Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty Ezek. 11:19, 20. hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time; Only by this spiritual regeneration can a human casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He being come into harmony with God. In every age careth for you." 1 Peter 5:5-7, R.V.

SEPTEMBER 24, 1959 THIRTEEN THE JUDGMENT of God for us." Heb. 9:24. (See also verses 11, 12.)

The tabernacle in the wilderness, with its ceremonies, As there were two holy places in the earthly typical was a "shadow of . . . things to come:' Heb. 10:1. sanctuary and, therefore two phases of ministry (a) the Among the "things" foreshadowed were salvation and daily intercession; (b) the annual atonement or judgment judgment. day, so the same two phases belong to the ministry of Jesus in the heavenly sanctuary. "Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things." Heb. 8:5. "Which was 1. The daily intercession has gone on uninter- a figure for the time then present." Heb. 9:9. ruptedly since the ascension of our Lord: "Where- fore He is able also to save them to the uttermost The judgment was foreshadowed particularly through the that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth Day of Atonement services which were an annual type to make intercession for them." Heb. 7:25. of "the hour of God's judgment for the world." 2. The "day of atonement" phase, or investi- "Whatsoever soul it be that shall not be gative judgment—a phase that does not supersede afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut the intercessory ministry of Christ, but is ad- off from among his people." Lev. 23:29. ditional to it. This investigative phase must pre- "On that day shall the priest make an atone- cede the return of Jesus, for when He comes He ment for you, to cleanse you, that ye may makes the awards resulting therefrom. "Behold, be clean from all your sins before the Lord. I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to . . . He shall make an atonement for the give every man according as his work shall be." tabernacle." Lev. 16:30, 33. Rev. 22:12.

For very good reasons, God has made known to us the When Jesus had provided the atoning blood by His sacrificial death, the earthly temple services automatically time when that judgment phase of our Lord's ministry ceased to function. This was revealed, dramatically, by would begin. Through an elaborate prophecy given to Daniel the prophet, this remarkable information was made the rending of the temple veil. known. "Jesus . . . yielded up the ghost. And, be- "Unto two thousand three hundred days hold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain then shall the sanctuary be cleansed." Dan. from the top to the bottom." Matt. 27: 8:14. 50, 51. Note.—These "days," being prophetic days, represent ordinary years. This is not only stated Thereafter the ministry of Christ was transferred to the heavenly sanctuary. in Ezekiel 4:6 and Numbers 14:34, but the solu- tion, as provided by the angel Gabriel (Dan. "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to 9:22-27), confirms it. enter into the holiest [the heavenly sanctu- ary] by the blood of Jesus, by a new and The 2,300 years were to begin at the time of the Per- living way, which He hath consecrated for sian decree to restore Jerusalem. This was in 457 B.C. us, through the veil, that is to say, His And this long period was sub-divided into two parts— flesh . . . and [become] an high priest over the 70 weeks or 490 "days" (years) and the remaining 1810 years. the house of God." Heb. 10:19-22. "Christ is not entered into the holy places made with "Seventy weeks are determined [Old English hands [the earthly temple] . . . but into for cut off from—meaning cut off from heaven itself, now to appear in the presence the 2,300 unexplained days of Daniel 8:143.

FOURTEEN OUR TIMES Know therefore and understand that from A graphic scene of the heavenly Assize is portrayed for the commandment to restore and build Jeru- us in the . salem." Dan. 9:24, 25. "The Ancient of Days did sit. . . . Thousand Note.—The 490 years (the 70 "weeks") begin- thousands ministered unto Him, and ten ning in 457 B.c. ended in A.D. 34. Of the whole thousand times ten thousand stood before period of 2,300 years, there remain 1,810 years. Him: the judgment was set, and the books Adding the 1,810 years to A.D. 34 one reaches the were opened." Dan. 7:9, 10. (See also Reve- year A.D. 1844. It was in the middle of the last lation 20:12, 13.) seven years of the 490-year period, that Jesus was crucified (A.D. 31). It is this great event which As the Supreme Advocate and Defender—the Pleader of provides the key to the validity of the whole pro- His own substitutionary life, Christ Jesus is specifically phecy. portrayed. "Behold, one like the Son of man . . . came We have now learned that the "cleansing of the sanc- tuary," by the analogy of the typical "day of atonement," to the Ancient of days, and they brought refers to judgment. Also, that the time of this judgment Him near before Him." Dan. 7:13. was to be from A.D. 1844 to the close of human pro- bation. Already, Christ has offered to defend His overcoming "Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the children, that their names might for ever stay upon the hour of His judgment is come." Rev. 14:7. records of the living. "He that overcometh, the same shall be Since 1844, then, the world has been living in the period clothed in white raiment, and I will not blot known as "the hour of His judgment." This is the judg- out his name out of the book of life, but ment that precedes the second advent of Jesus and I will confess his name before My Father." which will determine the future of all those who have Rev. 3:5. professed allegiance to and faith in the Son of God. "The time is come that judgment must begin Before the executive phase of the judgment takes place, at the house of God: and if it first begin at a just God gives the "children of the kingdom" an op- us, what shall the end be of them that obey portunity of conducting the second investigative judgment, viz., upon the wicked. This takes place during the "thou- not the Gospel of God?" 1 Peter 4:17. sand year" period intervening between time and eternity. "He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness." Acts "Do ye not know that the saints shall judge 17:31. the world?" 1 Cor. 6:2. "I saw thrones, .. . and judgment was given Those who have wilfully rejected eternal life have no unto them and . . . they lived and reigned part in the investigative phase of judgment. They are with Christ a thousand years." Rev. 20:4. the "tares" which, at Christ's coming, will be separated from the "wheat." There is, as we have seen, a time of judgment. That is "The Son of man shall send His angels, and inevitable. But there is also a time when salvation and they shall gather out of His kingdom all pardoning grace can be enjoyed. And that time is NOW. things that offend, and them which do ini- "God shall judge the righteous and the quity." Matt. 13:41. wicked: there is a time there for every pur- pose and for every work." Eccles. 3:17. The "children of the kingdom" who, through the merits "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, of their Saviour-Advocate pass the test of investigation, now is the day of salvation." 2 Cor. 6:2. will hear the voice of approval and commendation.

"I will come again and receive you unto My- And it is well to remember that the love of God is self." John 14:3. offered freely to every soul coming into the world. His "Well done, . . . enter thou into the joy of mercy is still ours to enjoy. thy Lord." Matt. 25:23. "Come, ye blessed "God so loved the world, that He gave His 1 of My Bather, inherit the kingdom prepared only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth for you." Matt. 25:34. in Him should not perish, but have ever- Note.—The "children of the kingdom" will, lasting life." John 3 :16. of course, include all those who have been raised "God our Saviour; who will have all men in the great resurrection at the time of the Lord's to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge return. of the truth." 1 Tim. 2:4.

SEPTEMBER 24, 1959 FIFTEEN Will Israel Survive? trembling heart, . . . and sorrow of mind: and (Continued from page 5.) thy life shall hang in doubt before thee. . . ." Deut. 28:15, 37, 64-66. a Jew. The Son of God who, for love of helpless The Jewish situation could not be more cor- sinners, chose to tabernacle in human flesh in order rectly described. Their fate through the centuries, to bring us salvation, was begotten, on His human and their present troubles, are in precise fulfil- side, by the Jewish virgin, Mary, of the royal ment of God's Word. Prophecy said, "Thou shalt line of David. Every branch of learning, and every find no ease." Here is the conclusive answer to line of human endeavour, has been enriched by our question. Whether the Israeli State survives Jewish genius. Jewish philanthropists have done as a national entity or not, certain it is that to the much to uplift and help the human race. Jewish end of time they will find no real rest. political giants have steered this and other nations This wonderful yet tragic race provides for us into paths of prosperity. today one of the greatest proofs of Bible prophecy. Every Jew we see should confirm our confidence REASON FOR HOSTILITY in God's Word. In view of their striking contribution to the Even more important is the spiritual lesson we betterment and uplift of the world, why should should learn: that true peace and security can the Jews be regarded with such hostility? come only to those who honour and uphold God's Strange as it may seem they have brought it upon Word. As true as ever is the ancient assurance, themselves through the curse which leading Jews "Great peace have they which love Thy law; and in Christ's day called down upon their nation. nothing shall offend them." Psa. 119:165. This Though the pagan Pilate was willing and anxious blessing applies to individual Jews as to individual to release Jesus who was on trial for treason, the Gentiles. And it will hold good until the impend- Jewish leaders, supported by the mob whom they ing kingdom of everlasting peace and security 4. had incited, insisted that our Lord be condemned under Christ the King, is ushered in. to death. Even Pilate's sense of justice, blunted as it was by his own evil ways, was outraged by the prospect of executing One so obviously innocent, noble, and upright. Signifying his unwillingness Peter's True "Primacy" to pass sentence, he publicly washed his hands. (Continued from page 9.) "I am innocent of the blood of this just Person," sence of their Lord, invariably been similarly he said. This cowardly gesture was promptly and affected. clamorously answered by the assembled people: The saintly Isaiah, prostrated by a blinding "His blood be on us, and on our children." Matt. vision of God's temple-filling glory, becomes im- 27:24, 25. mediately conscious of his own unworthiness and It has been even so. Their children, and chil- the great need of his people and himself to be dren's children, right to our present day, have cleansed before the Lord. borne that curse's bitter fruit of hatred and per- Saul of Tarsus, cultured, aristocratic Jew and a secution. Roman citizen, after meeting his Saviour on the BIBLE PROPHECY FULFILLED Damascus Road, becomes Paul, the faithful apos- The significant thing that all should know, how- tle, the persecuted preacher, and to quote his own ever, is the fact that the Bible's prophetic picture words, the "bond-slave of Jesus Christ," and the foresaw and described precisely the judgment "chief" of "sinners." Rom. 1 :1 ; 1 Tim.. 1 :15. which would inevitably fall upon the Jews as a The faithful and devoted John, who so tenderly result of their departure from God and rejection loved his Master while He was on earth, never- of His Son. theless becomes faint with wonder and awe as Four thousand years ago, God warned His peo- he beholds Him in heaven, for he says, "When I ple whom He had chosen to be the world's en- saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead." Rev. 1 :17. lighteners and benefactors: "If thou wilt not This strong sense of personal unworthiness, hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to arising from an ever-increasing perception of the observe to do all His commandments, . . . thou glory and majesty of God, alone establishes a shalt become . . . a proverb, and a byword, among man's primacy with heaven. If Peter is rightly all nations whither the Lord shall lead thee. . . . honoured, it is not through any doubtful claim And the Lord shall scatter thee among all people. of the College of Cardinals, but because Peter . . . And among these ?rations shalt thou find no was a faithful, humble follower of the meek and ease: . . . but the Lord will give ghee there a lowly Jesus.

SIXTEEN OUR TIMES

Peter was privileged to see his Master gloriously But the apostle who had denied his Lord, now transfigured. After that his faith enabled him, denied himself the right to die exactly as his Mas- momentarily, to walk on the sea. At the last sup- ter had done. He chose to add ignominy to agony per, he at first shrank from the sight of the Savi- by suffering crucifixion head downward. our's humility, then, characteristically, he begged Peter's "primacy" surely rests upon a founda- for the fullest possible cleansing from sin. tion much more noble and enduring than the Before the disciples left the upper room, Peter gaudy homage of surpliced dignitaries. It rests made emphatic and thrice-repeated protestations upon the apostle's own unshakable assurance that, of undying affection and faithfulness. Later, he after a life of devoted ministry, there remains for showed a certain militant courage when facing him "a crown of glory, that fadeth not away." armed men, but collapsed tragically and ignomi- 1 Peter 5:4. niously before a servant girl's jibes. The all-too- human Peter knew well how to boast, but once he saw the enormity of his sin, he was not ashamed bitterly to weep. Surely it was his tears My Saviour's Face of contrition, rather than all his imagined prowess, 0 Lord, my God, if I but had the skill which brought him primacy with God. To paint the vision now upon my heart, According to Jerome, Peter was eventually made I would not take one moment's rest, until bishop of Antioch, then he preached at Pontus, Before the gaze of man, I would impart finally going on to Rome to refute the heresies of The greatest wonder ever seen in art— Simon Magus. (Fausset in Bible Cyclopedia, page The wonder of my Saviour's lovely face, 560.) It was at Rome that Peter was arrested and So meek, so lowly, and so full of grace. condemned to crucifixion. S. Combridge.

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SEPTEMBER 2 4 , 1 9 5 9 SEVENTEEN dow. "Coo-ee, what do you want ?" "Can I change your library book ?" asked Leslie. "I'd be very glad if you would." And Mrs. Black told her what kind of book to select. Down went Leslie to the library on her bicycle. Within half an hour she was back again, with a different book. "I brought you back some ice-cream as teatni a Secret well," Leslie said, her rosy little cheeks smiling all over. "What By Nanette Smillie else can I do?" Mrs. Black, who was greatly cheered, suggested that she go LESLIE lives in the lovely little "Oh, I just ride round and to Mrs. Fox, who asked her to yellow house just across the road. round on my bicycle, but I'm collect some firewood. Her hus- "Hello," she called out to getting tired of that." band usually collected it for her, me one day, as I was weeding "Why don't you try to help but he had twisted his ankle. the garden. "I'm bored." someone? Poor Mrs. Black's ill "Thank you, my dear," she "Hello!" I said. "Nobody to again. Run over and see if you said. "Now I can have a lovely play with again ?" can lend a hand." fire. Otherwise I would have "There's nobody of my age Leslie pulled a face, but rang had to sit in the cold." staying anywhere near here, and Mrs. Black's door-bell all the Later Leslie said: "It's fun it's awful," she said. same. helping people. I went right I laughed. Poor Mrs. Black, who is grow- down the street and such a lot "What do you do with your- ing very old, and can't walk of people were in need of help. self all day?" well, called out from her win- Old Mr. Granger asked me in to have tea. He said nobody ever went to see him, and he was ever so glad to have a visitor." "You have learned a great secret," I told her. "If you go out and help people, you will See how nicely always find plenty to do, and you can paint never be bored." this picture and "I'll never waste time play- send it with ing ball or Ludo in future," your name, age, and address to said Leslie. Auntie Pam, "Nonsense," I said. "Jesus The Stan- loves to see us playing happily. borough Press He loves to hear our laughter, Ltd., Watford, and doesn't want us to be too Herts., not later than solemn. Let's have a game right October 8th. now." [Please do not "And tomorrow?" paste your pic- "Tomorrow we'll have an- tures on stiff card as the best other game, and then we'll go entries are to the hospital together and dis- mounted in our tribute flowers." special collection "Happy?" I asked. of paintings which you can "Very happy," she replied. see if you visit "Even if I'm wrong in all us!] my sums I can still feel useful!" * * *

I am sure Auntie Pam would be happy to learn about your I good deeds. EIGHTEEN OUR TIMES rod, lords and ladies, parson-in- steam-ships, aeroplanes, t r ain s, the-pulpit, monk's cowl, priest's electricity, gas, wireless, television, Cherry Tree Farm cameras, anaesthetics, and indeed hood, ladies' fingers, and pos- most of the things which we take sibly other names as well. It so much for granted today, were By Ronald James depends on which part of the then unheard of. It was even im- country you are in. Arguing possible to send a letter to differ- ent parts of the country by any "WHY on earth are you pick- about the names of plants is other means than by horse-back. ing those things?" demanded 'hazardable,' as Lijah would Then the post-horses were n o t Tim sternly. say." allowed to travel faster than seven His sister Kay looked at the miles per hour, and the charge for your letter would have been 24d. bright, scarlet berries, densely per mile ! I don't think an "Aun- clustered around their fleshy KEPT BY THE POWER tie" of those days would have re- stems. ceived many letters, do you, Sun- "Because they are pretty; I'm OF GOD beams? Even a poor child in this coun- going to take them home and By ELLEN HIGH try today, has many advantages put them in water," she replied. that a little prince of the past "But it's cuckoo pint, and the Early in my childhood days, would have envied. berries are poisonous," Tim pro- May I seek to know Thy ways; This is truly a wonderful age in Give me understanding true, which to be living. Sunbeams. We tested. Kay seemed quite uncon- In the things I ought to do. are right now in the time just cerned at this infcrmation. Be my vision, clear my sight, before the coming of Jesus. These "I think you've made a mis- May I see Thy path aright. are the days which Daniel fore- take," she laughed. "To start May I listen to Thy call, told in chapter twelve, verse four- And obey Thee, first of all. teen, when "many shall run to and with, Lijah calls it 'wake robin' fro, and knowledge shall be in- and they can't be poisonous be- Give me wisdom in the way, creased." cause birds eat them." As I travel on each day; Soon Jesus will come again to "I tell you it's cuckoo pint," Teach me Thy commandments true, take us to live with Him. Now Tim insisted. "I'll show you the Write them on my heart anew. is the time to prepare ourselves to meet Him, because we all want picture in my book. There's a All my talents I commend to be ready when He comes, don't coloured plate with all Britain's To the service of my Friend. we? poisonous berries, and cuckoo Take my voice, my heart, my Yours affectionately, hands, pint is there, and it's the same For a part in Thy great plan. AUNTIE PAM. as the berries you're holding." • "What about Lijah calling it As I journey into youth, May I always know the truth. Re.sulb of Competition No. 15. 'wake robin' ?" said Kay, be- May I daily grow more good, ginning to look a bit doubtful. And in knowledge of my Lord. Prig-winners.—Stella Ruddick, 88 Kemne Road, Enfield, Middx. Age 9; "I expect you've got it all Keep me by the power divine, Sylvia Floate, Foxgrove Lodge, 29 Fox- grove Lane, Felixstowe, Suffolk. Age 5. wrong," replied Tim cheerfully. May Thy presence round me shine; "I have not!" cried Kay an- Daily may I read Thy Word, Honourable Mention.—Valerie Rogers Learn its lessons—know its worth. (Waltham Abbey); John Blackburn grily. "Besides, I told you birds (Watford); Clifford Keith Ridler (New- port); Martin Clee (St. Agnes); Stuart often eat them." Martin (South Yardley); Janet Blyth "That does not mean they are (Lincoln); Susan Floate (Felixstowe); Doreen Floate (Felixstowe); Gillian not poisonous, Kay," commented Foster (Plymouth); Melvin Lee (Kil- Farmer Jones who had heard his — Your Letter — burn); Sonia Orsman (Plymouth). daughter's remarks. "Birds eat My clear Sunbeams, Those who tried hard.---Margaret Brown (Colchester); Janette Howgate various species of berries which JUST a few clays ago I visited one (Leeds); Linda Stace (Hastings); Nor- are poisonous to humans, but of the most famous palaces in ma Pauline Woodward (Hanley): Lor- which are apparently good for Britain. The walls were hung with raine Butcher (Tottenham); Teresa priceless portraits of solemn-faced Butcher (Tottenham); Estella Bailey birds." (Gloucester); Jean Ellis (Jamaica); ladies and gentlemen who gazed Mercian Morgan (Trowbridge). "Well, any rate Liiah does call down upon me; and beautifully it 'wake robin,' " said Kay sulk- carved and moulded antique fur- ily. niture, and other invaluable pos- The Bible and "Why not? It is 'wake ro- sessions were displayed around the OUR TIMES ancient halls. (Formerly "Present Truth") bin,' " her father answered. The old castle just seemed to "There you are! Tim says its breathe the atmosphere of bygone Vol. 75. No. 20. Price 4d. cuckoo pint," crowed Kay in days, and T began to think about Printed and published in Great Britain fortnightly on Thursday by triumph. some of the privileges that an ordinary boy or girl, such as you The Stanborough Press Ltd., "Tim is quite right, too," who are reading this letter, may Watford, Herts. chuckled the farmer. "Wake ro- now enjoy, as compared with a EDITOR : W. L. EMMERSON bin and cuckoo pint are different child who may have lived in that very palace a few hundred years Twelve months 13/- post free names for the same plant. In- ago. Six months 6/6 post free cidentally, it is known as Aaron's Such modern inventions as cars, SEPTEMBER 2 4 , 19 5 9 NINETEEN • Jhe mind of Christ By Alfred S. Jorgensen

are transformed as our minds are renewed. When our mind has been renewed it is not just the old mind patched up, improved, or given a "new look." Rather, it is a completely new mind, resulting in a new man. "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature." 2 Cor. 5 :17. fp "LET this mind be in you," wrote the apos- We cannot renew the mind ourselves. Ac- tle Paul in his letter to the Philippians. He tually, there is only One who can renew it by was referring to the mind of Christ, the Son His grace. If we would be renewed in mind we of God, who willingly and gladly "made Him- must set our minds upon the "things," the self of no reputation," in order that He might concerns, of the Spirit. "For those who live accomplish His redeeming purpose toward men. according to the flesh set their minds on the (Phil. 2:5, 7.) On earth He occupied no posi- things of the flesh, but those who live accord- tion or rank. Men called Him "Jesus of Naza- ing to the Spirit set their minds on the things reth" to distinguish Him from others who bore of the Spirit." Rom. 8:5, 6, R.S.V. the same name, Jesus. "Rabbi" was only a cour- We must co-operate with God. We have to tesy tide, for He was never attached to a syna- "set" our minds. The set of the sail determines gogue. He was accorded no status in the temple the course taken by the craft. The mariner has or the Sanhedrin. Indeed, the one thing that no control over the wind, but he can set his immediately impresses us about Him is His sails so that they will catch its fullness and entire selflessness, His complete self-abnegation. power. Likewise we have to set our minds Supremely, He gave Himself. upon the things of the Spirit to realize His He "took upon Him the form of a servant." transforming grace in heart and life. Phil. 2:7. "The Son of man came not to be We grow to be like that which we contem- ministered unto, but to minister" (Matt. 20: plate. Psychologists say that contemplating a 28), to the point of washing the feet of those noble ideal is one of the "drives" in character who should have washed His feet. (John 13: formation. Thus, "we all, with unveiled face, 1-20.) He trod the rath of humiliation. In beholding the glory of the Lord, are being doing this, He revealed the character of God. changed into His likeness from one degree of We are to have this same mind. "Let this glory to another." 2 Cor. 3:18, R.S.V. mind be in you, which was also in Christ The more we set our minds upon Christ Jesus." Phil. 2:5. To have the mind of Christ and contemplate His character, the more we will we must be entirely selfless and utterly devoted grow to be like Him. Having His mind, we to God and to His service. The moment we will have fellowship with Him. We will ap- become selfish and self-centred, we begin to preciate His passion for the unsaved multitudes reveal the mind of Satan. Sin originated when of men. We will participate with Him in the he sought his own glory. working out of His redemptive purpose for IOW" How can we achieve such a mind ? We have ourselves and for the human race. W-2 wiii be NFONV4 NV "Nit the answer in Romans 12:2: "Be ye trans- one with Him in love, in communion, in ser- formed by the renewing of your mind." We vice.