has learnt truth about position-either heavenly or earthly-but whose heart is away from God. It would be an unspeakable blessing to many a dear child of God, if they would go to their knees before the Lord and empty their souls of all their theology and begin to read their Bibles as if they knew nothing; even as newborn babes.

There is yet another class who have a vague apprehension that there is something better in Christianity than they have arrived at, but somehow they cannot get hold of it They have now and again a sweet sense of blessing and liberty; but they scarcely know how they got it, and far less do they know how to keep it. It is with a view to help such that these lines are penned may God grant His blessing both in writing and reading. Before going further, let me say that real, healthy Christian experience is produced in the soul by understanding, and believing the Christian's blessing and portion in Christ. The actual experience of many Christians-indeed of all to some extent-is the result of ignorance, and unbelief. But true Christian experience is that feeling which is produced in the soul by believing what God has said, and understanding what He means. The great secret of learning spiritual truth is to allow faith always to lead, and let all the other faculties of the soul follow in their proper order. Every Christian knows that this was the way we entered the "straight gate" at first, but every Christian does not know that this is the only way of getting joyfully along the " narrow way" to the very end of the journey. Let us then dear reader, in the power of grace, allow our faith to go first, and our reason and understanding to follow; and if we do so we will have very few difficulties with any truth which God has revealed.

We might first glance at the truth of Jesus Christ being in heaven for us. This is taught in the epistle to the Hebrews, especially chap. ix., ver. 24, where we read that Christ" is entered into heaven itself now to appear in the presence of God FOR US," or on our behalf. Were there no other sense in which we are even now in heaven, than by representation, this of itself might well cause our hearts to sing for joy when we reflect on who is our representative, that He is both the SON OF GOD, and also the SON OF MAN-the wellbeloved Son whom the Father heareth always, and also Him who loved us and gave Himself for us. May the Holy Ghost lead us who have rested in the finished work of Christ to have the same unwavering faith in

If

His unfinished work! Many Saints who have no doubt as to the perfection of His work when He "appeared to put away sin," fail very much in exercising faith in His power to maintain our acceptance, and to keep us clean by His appearing now in the presence of God for us. Are you, dear reader, trying to walk alone, or has your conscience known the power, and your heart the sweetness of confiding in His power to "keep you from falling" and to restore you should you fall as you trust in the efficacy of His one sacrifice on the Cross? There may be seasons of joy to the believer, but these will be uncertain and short lived, unless he has learned his need of and has proved the power of the priesthood of the Lord Jesus Christ, as He now appears before God on behalf of every one of those who believe on His name. But in the Epistle to the Ephesians there is something more, or something distinct from Christ being now in heaven for us. There are two expressions that seem to be a key to this Epistle, the word "heavenly" and the two little words—“ in Him". we read carefully over the first two chapters we cannot fail to see that the expression-" in Him" is the key that opens the treasury of infinite riches therein revealed. There are in this Epistle four subjects specially treated of, heavenly position, heavenly state, heavenly walk, and heavenly warfare. And notice the order in which they are taught, first position, then state, then walk, and then warfare; the exact reverse of how we often try to put them. We would first begin to fight, and having disposed of our spiritual enemies we would then be able to walk better-through that we would attain to a better state-and through it we would be able to enjoy or realise our true position. Sense begins at the foot of the ladder and tries to climb up; but faith reckoning with God begins at the top and comes down, filled with heavenly thoughts and clothed with heavenly power, with simplicity and firmness lays hold of her place in Him and her blessing in Him seeks to find out what that is and where He is, and without any reasoning, sits down in her place and feasts on her blessing. The great obstacle to our enjoying our heavenly position is unbelief, reasoning instead of believing.

To use an illustration: we entered the front door by believing, and the door of every store-room of blessing is opened by the same key, and will give way before no other power but the power of faith. Many saints are kept out of the enjoyment of much precious bless

ing in the same way as sinners are often held back from closing with Christ; they want to feel before they believe-and no truth in revelation requires more humility and simplicity of trust than the believer's position in Christ now in the heavenlies. We might also notice two special difficulties that stand in the way of some-first, that of being confused by the thought of material distance. Now it is true that Jesus Christ literally was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight" (Acts i. 9); but the thought in Ephesians is not so much that of His ascension from earth to heaven, as the thought of rank or degree of dignity. God "hath raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power, and might and dominion" (Eph. i. 20, 21); and by virtue of our relationship to Him we rank nearest Him of all created beings; and although the "world knoweth us not," we are really the sons of God by birth; and being sons we are heirs and joint-heirs with the FIRST BEGOTTEN from the

dead.

There is another aspect of the truth which might be explained by referring to Noah and his family in the ark. Noah went into the ark and the Lord shut him in; and when the ark rose upon the waters fifteen cubits above the mountains, Noah and his family were fifteen cubits above them too, because they were in the ark. And in the purpose and mind of God the Church was as really in Christ when he was quickened, raised, and seated on high, as Noah and his family were in the ark; and there is no room for reasoning about it; we have simply to believe it, and then, and only then, will we enjoy it. There is another obstacle in the way of many receiving and enjoying this precious truth, and that is, its reception would involve the mortification of the flesh. Many Christians kick at this truth, and many more hold it only in theory, because its enjoyment will not admit of their fleshly habits of feeling, thought, and conversation. This is the great reason why so very few enter into it and live in it experimentally, because of the holiness of heart and life that it involves, and when it is presented before them the devil keeps them looking at what they would lose, and seeks to blind them to what they would gain, by taking their place and sitting down in Christ Jesus in the presence of God, and living and walking in the power of perfect acceptance there. We repeat, there are comparatively

few Christians who really know and enjoy this truth, because of the holiness of heart and life which it involves. Sin is so deceitful, that they are ignorant of the real cause of their spiritual bondage and barrenness. Some maintain that God meant His children to spend their life down here groaning under the power of sin. Others blame the circumstances and associations of their life, while others cry out about want of proper teaching. But the real cause in most cases is, that the flesh has been pampered until it has fairly got the upper hand. The devil knows quite well that Christians living on the mount with God would do deadly damage to his kingdom, therefore he keeps them under his power, by concealing from them the real cause of their want of joy and strength-that is, their carnality. Again, many who have some discernment of how carnal they are, are engaged in trying to improve the flesh, instead of entering by faith into the enjoyment of their heavenly blessing, and leaving the flesh outside to starve, while they are feasting in the very presence of God on the "all spiritual blessings," with which He "hath blessed us in heavenly places in Christ Jesus". In conclusion, let us bear in mind. that every soul who has been quickened together with Christ, has also been raised up together, and made to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. It is not a thing of attainment; we do not attain to it as we grow in grace and knowledge; it is what God has said regarding every soul whom He has quickened together with Christ; and the way to enjoy it is just the way we enjoyed the gospel at first, i.e., believe it because God has said it.

The truth of the believer's position in Christ in heavenly places is not one that we can get on with or without; and if you, dear reader, are not living in the enjoyment and power of your place and acceptance in Christ before God, I have no need to ask about your state, your walk, or your warfare. I know none of these will be heavenly if your soul is not dwelling in the liberty and power of your heavenly position.

G. A.

COMMUNION.-"I suppose our communion is very much influenced by our knowledge of God in Christ Let the word of gathered from the word itself." Christ dwell in you richly "and then we shall have such enjoyment in communion that out of us will come psalms and hymns and spiritual songs".

IN

ON "SPIRITUAL GIFTS," I CORINTHIANS xii.

N this Scripture, we are taught that before our conversion, we were at the mercy of evil spirits (verse 3), and as we read in Ephes. ii. our course was according to this age, under the guidance of the "prince of the power of the air".

But 1 Cor. xii. 3, indicates we are delivered, in owning Jesus as Lord, and now are under the guidance of His Word and Spirit.

There are different gifts but the same Spirit (verse 4), and while there are different ministries or services each of the servants is responsible to one Lord in the exercise of his ministry (verse 5); and the different operations, are the workings of that one God, who worketh in us, both to will and to do of His good pleasure-the Church of God being intended to be, an anticipative picture of that day, when God shall be all in all. (1 Cor. xv. 28, compare Ephes. iii. 9, 10).

In verse 7th we read, "the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal "—or, as it might be put, the manifestation, or, the result of the working of the Spirit in a man, is given for the profit of all.

For instance, as the manifestation of the Sun is light, and that light is given for our profit, so also the Word or act, in the power of the Spirit, is given for the profit of all. (1 Cor. xiv. 25.) Therefore, all gift in the Church is an expression of God's love. Christ the unspeakable gift, but Paul, Apollos, Phoebe, or Luther, nevertheless gifts.

From verse 8 to 10, we have an enumeration of the gifts, in the gifted men.

The Word of Wisdom-this came to us by the Apostles, they spake the Wisdom of God in a mystery, (1 Cor. ii. 7), Paul pre-eminently (2 Peter iii. 15).

Only through the Word by Apostles, have we come to the knowledge of Christ, the Wisdom of God, and So, when Paul could say "it is preached to every creature under heaven" Proverbs viii. 31 to end, was fully exemplified.

Following in the wake of the Word of Wisdom, comes the Word of Knowledge, through the teacher.

The Apostle's Word, is that on which our faith rests (Ephes. ii. 20), the teacher's gift is but the knowledge of the Apostle's word, and ability to impart it.

Paul had given to Timothy words directly from Christ, the Word of Wisdom (2 Tim. iii. 14), and he

is exhorted to continue in them, and to commit these words to faithful men, who should be able to teach others also. (2 Tim. ii. 2).

Another gift is faith (1 Cor. xii. 9), not what is termed "saving faith," though that also is a gift (Ephes. ii. 8), but that unwavering trust in God, which was seen in our Lord in perfection. But this faith is by the same Spirit, that brought all things to the Apostle's memory, to write for us, or opened the teacher's understanding that he might impart to us. Healing and miracles follow, then prophecy, which is just the same gift as seen in Old Testament prophets, that is, a man speaking as he is moved by the Holy Ghost (2 Peter i. 21), or as David puts it "The Spirit of God spake by me ".

Therefore, there is a wide distinction between this gift, and any we now see in the Church of God, for, it is one thing to speak in the Spirit (using words which the Holy Ghost wrote long ago in Genesis or Revelation), and quite a different thing to be as it were the mouthpiece of the Spirit, to utter a fresh revelation, as a prophet did, in which case, all minor gift had to give place that God might speak (1 Cor. xiv. 30).

Thus in Acts xiii. the Holy Ghost names Barnabas and Saul for a certain work, but verse 1 tells us of certain prophets through whom He did so-it was quite beyond the sphere of the teacher, whose gift lies in unfolding what is already revealed.

We need not consider how far many of the gifts herein enumerated, are now in the Church. Suffice it to say, that one object of the display of miraculous (socalled) gifts was, to authenticate the Word as from God (Heb. ii. 3-4), the Jews required a sign, God gave it.

In verse eleven we read, "God hath set the members in the body, as it hath pleased Him. It is worthy of note, that in this chapter, as in Romans xii.—the figure of the body is brought in, connected with service -it is used to show how God would have the service of each member contribute to the good of the whole.

In the human body, need draws out the action of the members towards each other, and God is glorified in the efficient service of each to the whole.

Even so it ought to be in the mystical body of Christ, need should ever set to work those who are set in the body to meet that need, and God is glorified in the healthy action of each member.

This scripture, taken along with Matt. xxv. 15, "ac

cording to their several ability," clearly teaches that, so far from a man full of the Holy Ghost, being fit for all kinds of service, he is only fit to be used according to the place and function which pertains to him in the and the body, measure in which he has exercised those natural gifts, as we speak, but which are really spiritual when in subjection to the Spirit of God, even as the whole man is spiritual, just as he is subject. (1 Cor. xiv. 37.)

The Spirit of God will not as a rule use a vessel, beyond Creator--given ability—a teacher, besides following the directions of 2 Tim. iii. 15 to 17, must be apt to teach, that is, have what we term a natural aptitude to impart knowledge, which is as truly a gift as any other.

Barnabas was a man full of the Holy Ghost, and in Acts xi. 22 to end, we find him acting in the Spirit— not only looking at his own capacity, but at the capacity of Paul (Phil. ii. 4), and therefore doing nothing through strife or vain glory, and he at once goes in search of Paul, whom he discerns better fitted for the work to be done.

In the human body, let but a thorn get into the foot, and at once the arm, hands, and fingers set to work to get it out, the work is done, because the right members go to work.

This is the teaching of Romans xii. and 1 Cor. xii., need draws forth God-given and God-fitted help towards the weak member.

Is it so in the Church of God, or are we more

another sphere, declare that glory, by simply keeping the place assigned by infinite love.

How fully Paul answered to this! the care of all saints lay heavily on his heart, and the least appearance of anything calling for the exercise of his functions as a member of the body, was sufficient to find him at his post, whether the writing of 1 Corinthians, or the conveying of money to poor saints, that so the love of Christ might be seen. No selfish thought kept him back, he wasted not his precious hours in tears, but put forth his willing hand to help, as pleased to be a messenger of the churches if only God be glorified, as to tell out his knowledge of the deep mystery of Christ.

May we awake to the meaning of the figure of the one body, as displayed in 1 Corinthians xii., and Romans xii., thinking soberly in God's presence, what place we are set in, in the body, and as the hands wait till needed, but are ever ready when needed, so may we wait, and be content to wait, but at the same time see that no cry of need should reach the ear of God without His eye at the same time, discerning the members designed by Him to meet the need, fulfilling their function in the body. Thus, even now, may His manifold wisdom be seen by unseen ones, and God be glorified T. C.

in us.

call of need?

But whether pastors and teachers own it or not, God hath set them in the body as it hath pleased Him and at what a cost, ere one could occupy His place in the body, the Saviour of the body must die, and every member, from the cradle to the grave, has been moulded and fashioned for the place in which He is set in the body.

Paul's great aim was not only to teach the truth of the one body, but to make all see what is the stewardship of the mystery, to the intent, that now, unto the principalities and powers, might be known by the Church, the manifold wisdom of God, in providing through each member what met every need in the body. Thus, had the Church been faithful, the glory of God would have been manifested, and His manifold wisdom declared as truly as sun, moon, and stars in

GOD'S CHOICE NOT MAN'S,

OR,

DAVID CHOSEN FOR ISRAEL.

OST thoughtful Christians admit the value of the historical parts of God's Word. Like all other parts they are not really understood or valued by the natural man. It is true many, old and young, have natural pleasure in reading certain parts of it, but even such do not perceive their true value. None but those who know God in truth can; because the real value of history is that it reveals God and manifests man. was written for our learning; whether therefore it is the history of an individual, a family, a nation, or of the world, of a believer, or an unbeliever, we may expect profit from reading it.

It

Of him who is the immediate subject of this paper, David, we know scarce anything until the time of his anointing by Samuel. A brief notice of him is taken in the book of Ruth (chap. iv. 18 verse), where his descent is traced from Pharez of Tamar. Like most remarkable men, he suddenly appears in public as one