The Mena weekly star., 1916-05-25


 ten before Him for them that thought upon His name. And they shall be Mine, saith the Lord of Hosts, in that Day when make up My jewels"
 Humility, the speaker said. is a very important trait of character. especially tn the Christian. Weakness. gentle ness and patience are also essential In those who would be used in the Lords service. All mankind have imperfec- tions: and therefore the follower of Christ should fight good fight with the weaknesses of his flesh. But as he puts himself fin line with the Divine will. the Lord by His providences will help His struggling child.
 For instance. it may be that the Christian lacks neekness or gentleness or patience. He may have too high an estimate of himself: he may be rude. may speak and act unkIndly may be impatient with others. The Lord would therefore give him trying expe- riences along these lines to show him his need of these essential qualities and to give him an opportunity to de velop them. He might have tests of love for the brethren, for his own family, for his neighbors. The Lord might even hide His face from such q one for a season to test his love for His Heavenly Father But all such experiences work together for good to them that love God. to the called according to His purpose" This class are those who are desirous above everything else of becoming copies of Gods dear Son With these the Lord is now dealing
 This testing and developing of char acter begins when the Christian is spir- it-begotten. and ends when he dies. But since one cannot be sure that he Is an overcomer until the end of his sojourn in the flesh, he must walk by faith" He may have full assurance of faith" confidence in God. He has entered into covenant with God. (Psalm J0:5.) He has given his time. his strength. his talents--everything that he pos sesses-to the Heavenly Father, who has given him in exchange the beget- ting of the Holy Spirit, His providen- tial care, and His exceeding great and precious promises respecting the flu ture through Christ Jesus.
 Gods Dealings With His Saints.
 Whoever would be an overcomer must study his own character and see to it that he develops the character of | Ch~fok IIo IL tinually-what he does, what he says. what he thinks, how he spends his time. etc. If he has proper love for the Heavenly Bridegroom. q proper ap- preciation of what Christ has done for him, he will not find this work with himself q hardship; for it keeps before his mind thoughts of God, of Christ and of the glorious things in reserva- ton for those who love Him supremeIy.
 Those who are thus exercised are the class mentioned in our text as those that reverenced the Lord and spoke often to one another. They speak to one another in Bible studies, fin prayer meetings. at the Sunday services, in their homes QIebrews 1O:25) The text declares that 'the Lord hearkened and heard, and book of remembrance was written before Him of them that thought upon Ills name" The thought thus expressed is that God does not forget this class who earnestly en- deavor to please Him, but that He loves them. While He loves the world with broad. sympathetic love. yet He h..r -I 1.... A. consecrated themselves to Him during this present time. To these the Mas ter said, "The Father Himself loveth you."-John 1927.
 This book of remembrance was kept for those that thought upon Gods name. In oIden times the name stood for the character. Now we give names too often at random. Frequently a no- ble name is borne by an ignoble char acter. But in olden times the name fitted the one who bore it. For in- stance, our Lords name was Jesus. because He was to save His people from their sins. Gods name stands for His glorious character To many His name stands for One who Is to be feared because of His mighty power. for One who will consign the non- elect to the Devil. But with the chil- dren of God this is not SO They have seen something of the lengths. breadths. heights and depths of the Divine char acter, and they long to know more They are His precious jewels. which He Is cutting and polishing now, to be mounted in the First Resurrection. Then they shall be Royal Diadem in the hand of their God.