The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1915-02-04

we are to be amongst the accepaDle
Jewels we have need to give diligence
and TO cooperate with the great Mas
ter Workman, that the shaping and
polishing Of our hearts, our Wills, may
/ be perfected quickly, and that we may
! be ready to share a glorious part when
lie comes to make up His jewels.
Through the Prophet the Lord indi-
Gates that as soon as His jewels shall
| have been gathered, there will be n
| general change In His dealings with
the world. Our context shows how It
| is at the present time, while the pol
ishing of the jewels progresses, Ere
uuently the unfaithful and the world
/ ly seem to have the advantage; but
after this polishing of the jewels Is
completed, and they have been set in
the crown of rejoicing at the end of
this Age, "Then shall ye return, and
discern between the righteous and the
wicked, between him that serveth God
and him that serveth Him not"
Now, while evil predominates, while
the Prince of this world reigns and
while they that tempt God are even
delivered, 1t would be difficult by out
ward evidences to judge who are the
Lords favored ones. Indeed, his liv-
ing Jewels seem to be less favored and
to have more Affections, trials, perse-
cutions and difficulties than others.
Consequently amongst them are not
found many great or rich or wise, but
chiefly 'the poor Of this world, rich
in faith" But when these shall be
glorifed with their Lord in the King
dom. then there will be general
change. No longer will the wicked
and those who tempt God be found in
power, influence and prosperity, and
the meek, the godly, suffer persecution
and tribulation. On the contrary, OF
the time when Christ's Millennial
Kingdom shall be inaugurated 1t Is de
clared prophetically, "ln His Day the
righteous shall flourish "evil-doers
shall be cut off," and Satan shall be
D0unu.-ISalm iZ,i-5i 81 10
Fellowship Of the Brethren.
Our context gives another suggestion
respecting the disposition Of this jew
ell class during the time OF their pol
ishing. We read, 'They that feared
[reverencedl the Lord spake often one
to another: and the Lord hearkened
and heard" What could be more nat
ural than q desire for communion with
all who are of "like precious faith,
all who are similarly undergoing pol
ishing at the hands Of the great Lapi-
darist, all who are of the same dispo-
sition as respects God and righteous
ness? Our Lord points out that love
Of the brethren will be marked quail
ity I'm all the jewel class; and the tend
ency of 1.-THE brethren" is to meet fire.
quently, either in person or through the
printed page, and to speak to each
other Malachi 316.
The Apostle Paul distinctly calls to
our attention the necessity FOR this
class to meet together. He exhorts,
Forget not the assembling Of your
selves together, and so much
the more as ye see the Day drawing
nigh"--the Day Of gathering OF the
jewels. II is to this same end that our
Lord has made some Of His promises
to His people collectively, saying.
Where two or three Of you are met In
Ny name, there am In the midst"
When we read that these faithful
ones "spake together" we naturally
inquire respecting the subject upon
which they communicate. 1t Is not
stated here, but is clearly pointed out
elsew here in the Word Of God The
Apostle calls attention TO the fact that
such mind Heavenly things" and con
trasts them with those who mind
earthly things" Their conversation, |
therefore, will not be respecting earth |
ly pleasures, food and raiment, the |
ambitions OF the natural mind, the |
pride OF life. etc, but will be respect |
ing the things which are uppermost In |
their hearts; they are seeking first the |
Kingdom Of God and His righteous
ness" and In earthly matters are con
tent with such things as they have"
1.-THE Lord Hearkened and Heard"
Another thought In this connection,
which we should not overlook, Is that |
brought to our attention In the words,
aAp d the ard heark pnpd and bpa ri /
As the sons OF God meet 10 talk over |
the Divine Plan. the Divine Wisdom,
Justice and Love, 10 help one another
and TO encourage one another with
psalms, hymns, spiritual songs and the
exceeding great, and precious promises.
how much they would be blessed II
only they could always have In mem.
DRY this statement! Whenever the PEG
ME of God are speaking together, He /