DESIGN FOR EUROPE DID JESUS NEED TO DIE? CALLED BY NAME 4 THE TRAVAIL OF HIS SOUL By A. J. Raitt The Saviour bled on Calvary's tree Sin's power to bind and men to free; And in the lives He thus made whole, He saw the travail of His soul, And He was satisfied. Not only when on yonder strand His ransomed ones triumphant stand, Will Jesus' heart within Him glow, His cup of joy and love o'erflow, And He be satisfied: But here and now, when sinners turn To God, and every evil spurn, Confessing only Jesus' love, And seeking rest in heaven above, Is Jesus satisfied. THE BIBLE AND A Family Journal of Christian Living. Dedi- cated to the proclamation of the Everlasting Gospel. Presenting the Bible as the Word of God and Jesus Christ as our All-Sufficient Saviour and Coming King. W. LESLIE EMMERSON ASSISTANT EDITOR ART DIRECTOR � C. M. HUBERT COWEN CIRCULATION MANAGER J. H. CRAVEN CONTENTS EDITORIAL GENERAL ARTICLES Why Was Jesus Crucified? � J. R. Lewis Keynotes of the Christian Faith.-3 Did Jesus Need to Die? � J. A. McMillan Finished to Begin � R. T. Bolton How I Discovered the Advent Hope � L. C. Lee Heroes of the Reformation.-5 The Challenge of Martin Luther . . . Charlotte Hastings 14 Which is "The Day"? . . ...... Dr. F. C. Shone 16 The Vatican Council and Church Unity.-5 The End of the Beginning � B. B. Beach, PH.D. 18 Called by Name � Mary J. Vine 20 Will Rome Change?-4 Counterfeit Forgiveness REGULAR FEATURES Great Texts of the Bible � S. G. Hyde 27 Children's Pages � 32 Mirror of Our Time � 35 POEM The Travail of His Soul � A. J. Raitt 2 Corer Picture: "Spring Flowers" 11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111;111 VOLUME 79 � • � APRIL, 1963 � • � Price r, - THE BIBLE AND OUR TIMES is printed and published monthly in Great Britain by The Stanborough Press Limited, Watford, Hertfordshire. SUBSCRIPTION RATES SIX MONTHS 8/- • TWELVE MONTHS 16/- � Post Free Please notify change of address promptly This Month . UNDOUBTEDLY t h e greatest political sensation of recent times was the collapse of the Common Market negotiations in Brussels. Our editorial discusses this and the prophetic significance of the rival "designs for Europe."—Page 4. At this time in the Christian year our thoughts turn again to the cross and its meaning for each one indi- vidually and for the world. J. R. Lewis asks and answers the question. "Why Was Jesus Crucified?" (page 7), while J. A. McMillan considers the related question, "Did Jesus Need to Die?"—Page 8. In his article, "Finished to Begin," R. T. Bolton also writes on the Easter theme, showing that when Christ ended His work on earth He returned to heaven there to continue His mediatorial work.—Page 10. Jesus triumphantly returned to heaven after accomplishing the pur- pose of His first advent. But the Bible declares that one day He will come back to deal finally with sin and establish His everlasting king- dom on earth. See L. C. Lee's article, "How I Discovered the Advent Hope."—Page 12. Visiting the scenes of the great Reformation movement in Germany, Charlotte Hastings presents "The Challenge of Martin Luther."—Page 14. Which is "the day which the Lord bath made," referred to by the Psalmist? Dr. F. C. Shone examines this much-misunderstood text.—Page 16. In this issue Dr. B. B. Beach ends his on-the-spot report of the first session of Vatican Council II. See his article, "The End of the Begin- ning."—Page 18. From the Easter story Mary J. Vine also draws an encouraging message in her article "Called by Name."—Page 21. Once again Ernest Cox asks the question, "Will Rome Change?" this time in connection with the "Coun- terfeit Forgiveness" she offers.— Page 22. Our "Great Text" this month is, "He is not here: for He is risen.- -Page 27. Be sure to let the children read their special pages, 32-34. EDITOR RAYMOND D. VINE 11111111111111111 11111111111111111111111iliiiiiiiiimmmiliniiiiiiiiimimiuminitilliiiiiiiiliti..........,. Design for Europe 7 8 10 12 Ernest Cox 22 CURRENT EVENTS IN THE LIGHT OF THE BIBLE . . . By The Editor THE TIMES = �- ..---.- = � -.. ".-". ---= � ...-•'. = �_ = Design for EUROPE T HE first reactions to President de Gaulle's veto of British entrance into the Common Market gave the im- pression that the cause of European Union was doomed, that the unity of the West- ern world had suffered a shattering blow, and that the only power which would get any satisfaction out of the impasse was Russia. Now that the first wave of alarm has spent itself it is possible to attempt a calmer appraisal of recent events and their probable effect on Europe, the West, and the world. To begin with, this is by no means the end of the conception of United Europe. West German Vice-Chancellor Ludwig Erhard, may have hastily declared that the Common Market is no longer "a living thing," but he knows perfectly It was General de Gaulle's insistence on his "design for Europe" which, a few weeks ago, brought the Common Market talks to a sudden halt. well that its vitality is not likely to be permanently diminished by what has happened. It may be, as Mr. Macmillan has said, "the end of a chapter" but it is not "the end of a volume." If General de Gaulle has put "the brake on Europe," it is only to keep it a European association and to prevent it becoming a vague geographical grouping of "eleven and then thirteen, and then perhaps eighteen" nations which "would no longer resemble . . . the one which the Six built." In the second place, the comparison of de Gaulle with Hitler, Napoleon, and Charlemagne, and the derisive description of the French president by Lord Gladwin as "King of Europe," is the height of exaggeration. General de Gaulle has no intention of adding one more to the long list of European dictators. "We shall delude ourselves," asserts Walter Lippmann in the New York Herald Tribune, "if we regard the general as a relic of the past, say as an imitation of Napoleon. For however irritating he may be, General de Gaulle is not and never has been a fool, and though his roots are deep in the past, again and again it has been shown that he is endued with second sight about the future." Actually, he has all the time opposed a tight federation of Europe, such as is favoured by the Benelux countries, and made (Above).—Mr. Macmillan's meeting with Pres- ident Kennedy at Nassau convinced de Gaulle that Britain was "not ready" to enter Europe. (Below).—The British Prime minister sees the Pope soon after the breakdown of negotiations. very clear his desire for a "Europe of States," that is to say, an association of separate and sovereign powers, working together for their common good and in friendly relation with the rest of the world. If he desires France to be the leading power in this association of sovereign states, he is wanting no more than the "Anglo-Saxons," America and Britain, and being a Continental power he feels he has more right to the position. Mr. Sandys goes much too far when he accuses de Gaulle of being a "mis- guided man" who "seems to think France is Europe and that he is France." It is equally untrue to say that General de Gaulle is intent on building in Europe a "third force" which would be neutral so far as East and West are concerned, and that he might even seek to "reorientate" European policy "toward Russia and away from the United States." Because he believes that Russia is primarily "a white race of Europe," linked unnaturally at present with "the yellow multi- tudes of China," he is less pessimistic than Americans about the possibility of an accommodation with Russia, but whatever future relations may become possible with Eastern Europe, Western Europe, in his view, will always be closely associated with America. What President de Gaulle wants to do, says Herve Alphand, French Ambassador in Washington, is "to create a strong Europe. . . . This strong Europe will remain the friend and ally of the United States so that it will be a third force in a way, but a third force allied and completely friendly to the United States." Fourthly, it is not true that de Gaulle wishes permanently to exclude Britain from Europe. His argument is simply that, by virtue of its geography, its history, and its present alignments, Britain is "not ready" yet to play its full part in a European union. The long negotiations so far, he contends, have shown that Bri- tain only wants to be just sufficiently European to get onto the economic bandwagon. And if Britain can only with difficulty adjust herself to the economic rules of the "club," what will happen when they begin to discuss the political rules ? The Guardian expressed de Gaulle's own fears when it said, "In the last resort Britain is an Atlantic power before she is a European one." At the same time the French President holds out the possi- bility that "one day England might manage to transform herself sufficiently to become part of the European community, without restriction, without reserve and preference for anything whatso- ever; and in this case the Six would open the door to her and France would raise no obstacle." From all this it is evident that what President de Gaulle wants to see, and what he is prepared to stand for alone, if necessary, is a Europe run by Europeans and not a mere appendage of "a colossal Atlantic Community under American dependence and direction." The President believes, moreover, that when the furor against him has died down, the "Five" will be glad for the stand he has taken and will support him in his aim of achieving an independent, while at the same time interdependent, Europe. With this end in view, General de Gaulle is already making himself "very friendly" with Spain, and before long, in spite of the Belgian socialists, we may find Spain admitted as a full mem- ber of the European union. It has indeed been reported that high For eighteen months, Mr. Heath had negotiated patiently for Britain's entry into Europe. Spanish statesmen have put entry into the Common Market "the nation's_ top priority of 1963." Portugal will probably follow and, according to the journal America, Ireland is prepared to "go all the way, giving up as much of her sovereignty as may be necessary" to secure entry into United Europe. Far, therefore, from de Gaulle's action threaten- ing the existence of European Union, he is making certain that it will eventually come to fruition, and that when it does it will be master of its destiny. The student of Bible prophecy cannot but be deeply concerned at this significant trend of events in the Western world, for in one of the great prophecies of the Old Testament and two others in the New Testament, this very development is set forth as one of the most important "signs" of the last days. In the basic panoramic prophecy of Daniel two, The cementing of Franco-German relations is undoubt- edly a great step toward the building of a United Europe. speaking of the broken fragments of the old Roman Empire which constitute the nations of Western Eur- ope today, the prophet declared, "They shall not cleave one to another." That is to say, no monolithic empire like ancient Rome would ever again be set up in Europe. Charlemagne, Charles V, Louis XIV, Napoleon, Kaiser Wilhelm, and Hitler in turn set out to reverse the divine dictum, but the seven words of Daniel two defeated them all, and they would defeat General de Gaulle if he tried to dominate post-war Europe. In the prophecy of Revelation seventeen, however, it is indicated that in the very last days of earth's history the "ten" nations which stemmed from the old empire would come "to one mind." Rev. 17:13. They will not be joined together in another Europe- wide empire; they will not even become a federated "United States of Europe," as the Americans would like to see. No, Europe will remain a "Europe of States," to use President de Gaulle's own phrase, but instead of quarrelling with each other as they have done almost continually since the fourth century of the Christian era, they will come to a "common mind" for mutual protection and prosperity. And the signi- ficance of the recent Franco-German pact of friend- ship is that the two principal contenders for power in Europe have publicly declared their intention to bury the hatchet for ever! From Revelation sixteen we learn further that the united sovereign states of Europe will take their place as one of four separate and independent group- ings of nations which will occupy the world stage in the final crisis. (Rev. 16:12-14.) We cannot here go into a full exposition of the "Big Four" of last-day Bible prophecy; it is only necessary to point out that two of the four, "the false prophet" (which is iden- tical with the lamb-like beast of Revelation 13:11-18) and "the beast" represent respectively the United States of America and the nations of the Roman earth, or Western Europe. It would seem, therefore, that President de Gaulle is fulfilling prophecy in making sure that Europe will be independent, as well as united, when it comes to play its part in the final drama of history. There is, however, another important development brought to view in these prophecies which we must not overlook. In the latter part of Revelation 17:13 we are told that in order to secure spiritual reinforce- ment for their union, the nations of Western Europe will "give their power and strength" into the hands of the dominant religious force in the territory of "the beast," that is, the Papacy. We know that five of the present Six are Roman Catholic countries and erstwhile Protestant Holland is steadily moving in that direction. If Roman Catho- lic Spain, Portugal, and perhaps Ireland were added, the association would indeed be overwhelmingly weighted in support of Roman Catholic policies. It is little wonder, therefore, that through all the nego- tiations toward European unity, the Papacy has made no secret of its profound interest. And it is significant also that within a few days of the present breakdown, Prime Minister Macmillan, with Mr. Heath, paid his second visit to the Pope—the first was in November, 1960—and President Kennedy has indicated that he will seek an audience—his third—with the Pope when he visits Italy in the not distant future. The Protestant churches in this country have good reason for being anxious about the consequences of Britain's association with a United Europe in which she might well be religiously in a minority of one! And their concern is justifiably increased by the reali- zation that, after 1966, the power of veto which France is now exercising, will be abolished, and that then she could be outvoted on any issue by a simple majority. (Continued on page 25.) 6 WHY WAS JESUS CRUCIFIED ? Why did it happen ? By J. R. LEWIS C RUCIFY Him," howled the mob, and again in shrieking crescendo, "Crucify Him! Cru- cify Him!" And the judge, shrinking back from the hot-breathed fury of the demand, ordered his Prisoner to be delivered to be crucified. Thus Jesus, the Founder of Chris- tianity was dragged through the streets with His cross; was spiked through the tender palms; was hung to parch beneath the noonday sun, convulsed, with every nerve a fibre of flame; until, His heart burst and broken, He died. "Father, forgive them ; for they know not what they do," were His dying words. Why was our Lord so treated ; why was He executed as a common criminal? There are so many today who live in apathetic ignorance of our Lord's existence and presence, that it is hard to believe that in His own day, Jesus was hated with venom and spleen; the very mention of His name in some circles caused outbursts of anger and fury. There were priests, rulers, lawyers, and teachers who could not endure the teaching of any man who had not been given authority and instruction at their own hands; and when such a man added to this offence the rebuking of their public and private misdeeds, they became enraged. Victim of sinful pride My security, right or wrong, is a dangerous attitude to strike; so is pride of position held at all costs. The Jewish hierarchy, manifesting a (Continued on page 28) J. A. McMILLAN IN THE THIRD ARTICLE OF HIS SERIES, "KEYNOTES OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH," DISCUSSES THE QUESTION • W HY did Jesus have to die? This is not a question about the inevitability of death, for "it is appointed unto men once to die." Heb. 9:27. If we accept the claims of Christ that He came forth from the Father and was the in- carnate Son of God, the question immediately arises, why did He need to die? Here was One who committed no sin. He "knew no sin." 2 Cor. 5 :21. He was "holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens." Heb. 7 :26. He could claim that "the prince of this world cometh, and bath nothing in Me." John 14:30. And to the severe critics who dogged His steps from place to place, He could throw out this unique challenge, "Which of you convinceth Me of sin ?" John 8:46. Yet the paradox of this is that Jesus was born into this world in order that He might die. Listen to the awesome words spoken to some of the Pharis- ees who listened to His teaching: "Therefore doth My Father love Me, because I lay down My life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of My Father." John 10:17, 18. The New English Bible has even stronger force: "No-one has robbed Me of it; I am laying it down of My own free will. I have the right to lay it down, and I have the right to receive it back again; this charge I have received from My Father." It is evident from this teaching that the death of Jesus was not an accident. Nor was it due to the jealousy and envy of the Jewish leaders or the venality of Pontius Pilate. These human factors provided the occasion for His betrayal and cruci- fixion, but as Peter with inspired insight declared to the Jews, "He had been given up to you, by the deliberate will and plan of God." Acts 2:23, N.E.B. Divine love intervenes Why? The answer lies back in the truths dis- cussed in the previous two articles. God created man a perfect human being in the image of God, endowed with a noble intellect, and placed in a •‘• DID JESUS 0 veritable paradise. Adam had everything required to lead a full and satisfactory life. But he was put under test, and in the hour of temptation, he fell. By his disobedience he forfeited his life, for "the wages of sin is death." Rom. 6:23. The dread penalty of wilful sin confronted the guilty pair. "In the day that thou eatest thereof, dying thou shalt die." Justice demanded that this sentence be carried out. But divine love intervened. How? It was impossible even for God in His love and mercy to ignore the sin or set aside the just demands of His law. The penalty must be paid. But by whom? If man paid the penalty, that would satisfy justice, but man would be exterminated. So God decided to pay the penalty Himself, thus satisfying the law and delivering man. The divine fiat went forth, "Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found an atonement." Job 32:24, margin. Moffatt gives us a vivid translation of verses twenty-two to twenty-four: "His life is on the verge of death, near the destroying angels. But another angel comes to his aid, One of God's thousand angels; he tells the man his faults, and then in pity intercedes for him, that his life may be saved from death, since He has found a ransom for the man." 8 If we accept this as a vision of that first man and his sin, then the "angel" would be none other than "the Angel which redeemed" (Gen. 48:16), "the Angel of His presence" (Isa. 63:9), and the mind goes immediately to, "Michael the Archangel" (Jude 9), "the great Prince which standeth for the children of Thy people." Dan. 12:1. Who could this august Person be? since the divine law demanded life as a satisfaction for offended justice, if man was to be delivered from eternal death, only One whose life was equal to the lives of all sinners, and whose own life was completely free from any sin, could make atonement. There is only One known to holy Scripture and human experience who could meet such exacting Because "God so loved the world" His Son Jesus came down to earth to "pay the price of sin" and redeem lost sinners from death to glorious life. Zechariah refers to a mysterious "counsel of peace" that was held between "the Lord of hosts" on the one hand, and on the other, "the Man whose name is The BRANCH." Zech. 6:12. Other scriptures ascribe deity to this "Branch," who is also called "the Lord our Righteousness." Jer. 23:5, 6. So when Paul declares that "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself," he is tying up a number of scriptural thoughts and revealing that this counsel of peace was between the Father and Son regarding the plan of salvation. Creation and redemption were the dual purpose and action of the Father and Son. This is called "the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord." Eph. 3:9-11. "No other good enough" Since man by his sin had forfeited his life, and tests. "In Jesus, however, we do see One who for a short while was made lower than the angels, crowned now with glory and honour because He suffered death, so that, by God's gracious will, in tasting death He should stand for us all." Heb. 2:9, N.E.B. "There was no other good enough To pay the price of sin; He only could unlock the gate Of heaven, and let us in." Cecil F. Alexander. His avowed purpose in coming to our world is clearly set forth in the Lord's own words, "He did not come to be served, but to serve, and to surrender His life as a ransom for many." Matt. 20:28, N.E.B. Over and over again, the New Testament repeats the truth that "Christ died for our sins." 1 Cor. 15 :3. Paul never tired of telling his converts that Jesus "gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father." Gal. 1:4. (Continued on page 24.) 9 FINISHED TO BEGIN by R. T. BOLTON T HESE last words of Christ upon the cross are a fitting subject for meditation at this Easter season. In them is gathered up not only the pent-up feelings of the suffering Christ, but an assurance of the accomplishment of the divine purpose for the salvation of a fallen race; a paradox indeed that death should spell victory, but it was even so. Christ had declared, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone; but if it die it bringeth forth much fruit." John 12:24. And the fruit of Christ's sacrificial death is still being gathered and will continue to be gathered while the results of that sacrifice continue to be applied in His mediatorial work at the "right hand of the throne of God." In the prayer of Jesus to His Father offered shortly before the poignant events of Gethsemane and Calvary, He declared, "I have glorified Thee on the earth: I have finished the work Thou gayest Me to do." John 17:4. By comparing this statement with the one quoted above, it will be noticed that When Jesus had "finished" His work on earth He returned to His Father to continue His mediatorial work in heaven. Christ speaks of "glorifying" His Father in two distinct ways—one in His death on the cross and the other in His ministry. These were the two aspects of His work which needed emphasis. A "finished" work of ministry Jesus had first to meet the tempter face to face with "It is written." He must meet the lawyers, scribes, and Pharisees of His own nation and tell them to "render unto Cxsar the things that are Cxsar's, and to God the things that are God's." The testimony of His miracle-working power must be borne, the lame were to walk, the blind to see, the lepers must be cleansed, the hungry fed, the dead raised to life. His Sermon on the Mount and His gracious words to multitudes, to the twos and threes, and to the one-man audiences had their place in demonstrating that God had visited mankind so that He could declare, "He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father," and that the people would bear their testimony that "no man spake like this man." By His life and work it was to be put beyond a shadow of .1 doubt that what He did in word or in deed was "in order that the Scriptures might be fulfilled." What Jesus "finished" on the cross Having "finished" His work of ministry, what did He "finish" on the cross? Peter in his first sermon at Pentecost said as we read in Acts 2:23: "Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain." This "deter- minate counsel" and "foreknowledge" was now being fulfilled. He was "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world ;" the One through whom all the families of the earth were to be blessed; the One of whom the inspired Simeon spoke, "Behold, this Child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall not be spoken against." Luke 2:34. At last, in this declaration on the cross, was fulfilled the words of patriarchs and prophets and the symbols of the typical blood sacrifices of the temple services, whose united testimony was that God Himself would provide a lamb, and that the battle would be joined, so early spoken of in the words, "I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her Seed; It shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise His heel." Gen. 3:15. Now the supreme act in the great controversy between Christ and Satan was accomplished. In the words, "It is finished," the penalty for sin was paid and its power broken. Henceforward man was delivered from the dominion of Satan. At last the purpose of "the counsel of peace" was to be consum- mated, the lost dominion restored, and the gates of Eden, so long closed, were now open to all mankind. The way into the presence of God was now made manifest that through Christ we all may "boldly approach the throne of our gracious God, where we may receive mercy and in His grace find timely help." Heb. 4:16, N.E.B. A eecondinuing" ministry in heaven Our meditation on these last words of Christ, "It is finished,- will not, however, be complete unless we remind ourselves that there is a sense in which Christ had not yet finished His work. Indeed He has a work which will not be finished until the close of earth's history. He is no longer in the tomb. He :s risen and now ministers for us the benefits of His sacrifice. As Questions on Doctrine, page 348, makes clear: "We believe that the sacri- ficial atonement was made on the cross and was provided for all men, but that in the heavenly priestly ministry of Christ our Lord, this sacrificial atonement is applied to the seeking soul." The earthly sanctuary was "after the pattern" of the heavenly sanctuary "not made with hands." With this the Rev. Sadler in his Commentary on John's Gospel agrees: "The sacrifice for sin was finished, so far as its expiatory pains were con- cerned. . . . But the great work of applying that sacrifice to men, and representing it before God, had not yet begun, and could not till the High Priest had ascended and taken His seat at the right hand of God."—Page 462. The earthly ministry was finished, an end had been made of sacrificial offering in Christ's death on the cross once and for all. There now remained the application of that sacrifice in His mediatorial high priestly work for us in heaven. Thus the finished sacrifice of the cross finds continual applic- ation to all who offer their prayers of confession and repentance to God in the name of Jesus. Paid has been put to the bill of sin; paid has been put to the power of sin, and it is paid for us all. The devil is a defeated foe; his power is circumscribed until it is for ever destroyed at the end of the age. Let us then never cease to meditate on these words of our Saviour, "It is finished," for they will be a continual reminder, when we are buffeted by the evil one, that the victory over sin, its power, and its death, has been won; and in Him who obtained the victory, victory is ours. 11 fourth chapter of Matthew I got the idea Christ was coming to restore the Jewish nation and to punish their enemies. But I could not understand why He would wait 2,000 years, when the ones who caused the trouble were all dead. The twenty-fifth chapter of Matthew gave me a different picture. This showed that wisdom would be rewarded and that those who were foolish would be left out- side Christ's kingdom. The wise virgins got in. Those who used their talents wisely were given more, and those who were kind to others were counted as doing good to Christ Himself. The thirteenth chapter of Mark pictured Jesus as a householder, the rightful Owner of this earth going away and promising to come back to take possession. This fitted in with what I had read in the Old Testament and with the teachings of Matthew's gospel that Jesus was in the royal line of David. Also Jesus had admitted under oath to Pilate that He was the King of the Jews. (Matt. 27:11.) By the time I got to John's gospel I was begin- ning to get the whole picture straight in my mind. Jesus Christ was a divine Being who had shared eternity with the Father. He had created this world (John 1:10), and when it fell into sin and rebellion HOW t DISCOVERED I HAD been a Christian for years before I heard about the second coming of Christ. I had read most of the Old Testament and some of the New and had the idea that religion meant that I must be good because God was watching me. It was at a country church revival meeting that I first heard that Jesus was coming back to this earth. I knew that He had been here once centuries ago, had been misunderstood, mistreated, and cru- cified. I had read about His resurrection and ascension, but I went away from that meeting wondering why He would want to come back. I kept wondering where He had been and what He had been doing all this time. I had read the Old Testament through first be- cause it came first in the Bible. But as I read the New Testament I looked for information about Christ and His second coming. From the twenty- He volunteered to become a member of the human race and be its Saviour. The coming King At first I didn't see why I should be concerned. Jesus was a Jew, claimed to be King of the Jews, and was coming back to reign over the Jews. But the more I read, the clearer it became that He was coming back to take Adam's place and be the King of the whole human race. Over and over I saw where Adam and Christ were compared and contrasted. Here are two: "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." 1 Cor. 15 :22. "And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit." Verse 45. As I studied these scriptures I remembered a prophecy I had read in the book of Daniel about 12 When Jesus comes again He will reap the "harvest" of the earth and gather the wheat, His redeemed people, into the heavenly garner. the kingdom that was to be like a great mountain and fill the whole earth. "And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever." Dan. 2:44. Another verse seemed to make it even clearer that at the second coming of Christ He would take over the rulership of the world with His saints: "And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him." Dan. 7:27. I tried to imagine what this world would be like with a single righteous ruler. There would be no sin or selfishness, and no warring nations. Without the terrible expenditures for war there would be plenty and to spare for all. There would be an end to poverty and class discrimination. This would surely be the Utopia that men had dreamed of but had been trying in the wrong way to get. I was so thrilled with my new-found knowledge of the soon coming of Jesus to set up an eternal kingdom that I began to tell everybody about it. Most did not share my enthusiasm. They were like the people in the parable of the man who made a great supper but whose guests were too busy to come. (Luke 14:15-24.) THE ADVENT HOPE By 1. C. lee The time secret Some people told me that Jesus had already come. They had no scripture to prove it, and I had plenty to disprove it, so I dismissed that. Some said Christ would come secretly as a thief in the night, and gave such texts as 1 Thessalonians 5:2, "For your- selves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night," and 2 Peter 3:10, "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up." I pointed out that in both verses it is the day that is to come as a thief. In both verses day is (Continued on page 25.) A We went to look at his statue on a stepped ped- estal in a small square. At the base, scenes in bas- relief depict work at the primitive press, and a bronze plaque, in Latin, reads, "The skill which by grace was given to this German, together with his ingenuity, enabled him to bequeath this great benefit to mankind everywhere." Luther's great stand Continuing our journey south we came to another river city where, in the providence of God, a man of surpassing courage also came to accept the chal- lenge of this hour. Summoned to Worms from Wittenberg University to attend the Imperial Diet of Emperor Charles V, and to defend his faith as set forth in his writings, the monk, Martin Luther, bravely took his stand before the august assembly of nobility, leading ecclesiastical dignitaries, and foreign ambassadors, including one from England, in all 204 persons. And such was the power of his witness that the whole of Christendom was shaken, and a new chapter opened in European history. As we drew up before the old medieval walls and fortifications still standing, we thought of the arrival of Luther over four centuries ago in the modest horse-drawn wagon. Word of his coming had spread, and a cavalcade of knights in armour, HEROES OF THE REFORMATION CHARLOTTE HASTINGS visits some of the centres of the Reformation in Germany and reminds us of— e C ETI O vER the northern spurs of the Ardennes, .with their c'ense deer forests, we left Bel- gium, crossed the German frontier, and commenced the descent to the fine old cities of the Rhine Valley. At Mainz on the left bank of the river, the reddish sandstone cathedral rises high above the picturesque streets. In this busy city is the original dwelling where Johann Gutenberg set up the first printing press to use movable letters. With what joy would this forerunner of modern typography have held in his hand the first two bound volumes of the Holy Scriptures, with their double-columned pages of Gothic type and beautiful initial letters imitating the style of the old MS. Now known as the Mazarin Bible, this is the most valuable printed work in the world. One of the few copies still in existence can be seen at the British Museum. sympathetic to his cause, had gone out along the dusty road to meet him. At the sound of the trumpet by the watchman on the church tower, some two thousand citizens crowded to the gate, others to their windows, all curious to see this intrepid Augustinian theologian, dressed in the black habit of his order, who had openly opposed the false doctrines and superstitions promulgated by the Papacy. A letter had been handed to him from his great friend Spalatin, confidante of Elector Frederick of Saxony, urging him not to enter. His reply echoes down the ages : "Even should there be as many devils in Worms as there are tiles on the house-tcps, still I would go thither." The source of his confidence is clear from the hymn of praise which he composed, "Ein' feste burg—A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing." 1-i When the conveyance stopped at the inn, Luther alighted, declaring, "God will be my defence." Here he rested until the next day when he was called to the Council Hall at the Bishop's Palace. This is not standing now, but a walled garden of shrubs and flowers occupies the site. Upon the wall an inscribed plaque reads: "Here is one of the most impressive memorials of the Western peoples." In their sequence on this spot had been erected: "A Roman Temple; Castle of the Nibelungs ; The Imperial Castle of Charlemagne; and the Palace of the Archbishop of Worms, in which were held more than a hundred Assemblies of Princes and Government. Here stood before Emperor and State, Martin Luther." The great fundamental truth which was the central issue of the controversy with Rome was Justification by Faith. Urged to action by the scan- dalous sale of indulgences by Friar John Tetzel to raise funds for the building of St. Peter's in Rome, Luther had nailed his 95 theses upon the door of the Castle church of Wittenberg. To quote only two: "Every Christian who truly repents of his sins, enjoys an entire remission both of the penalty and of the guilt, without any need of indulgence." (No. 36.) "They preach mere human follies who maintain, that as soon as the money rattles in the strong box, the soul flies out of purgatory." (No. 27.) From that time, with tireless endeavour, Luther presented, both to the scholarly and the unlearned, the case for the Reformation. His book, On the Babylonian Captivity of the Church, struck at the false claims of the Roman church, and before a large gathering at Wittenberg he burnt the Papal Bull of condemnation issued against him. Now at Worms, with the fl:ckering light of many torches illuminating the splendour of the old historic hall, and the Emperor Charles V upon his canopied (Continued on page 26.) Top.—Luther burns the papal bull condemning his teachings. Centre (left to right).—Philip Melancthon, Luther's friend and co-worker; The Luther monument at Worms; Luther nails his theses on the church door at Wittenburg. Below.—Luther makes his historic stand at the Diet of Worms. WHICH IS "THE DAY"? by Dr. F. C. Shone SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT T HIS is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Psa. 118:24. This text is a favourite one with the advocates of Sunday observance. Many quote it quite regardless of its context as if it was uttered in direct reference to the first day of the week as a holy day. Some even quote it as if it occurred in the gospels in connection with the day of the resurrection of Christ. Thus Dr. Adam Clarke in his comments on the verse says, "Which without doubt is the day of His resurrection." Scott, in his commentary, says it refers to "that blessed day which saw our Redeemer rise from the dead and has ever since been commemorated every week in the Christian church." These writers are typical of many others who, as Ezekiel says, "prophesy out of their own hearts," instead of explaining what God has spoken. (Ezek. 13:2.) Surely the prize for inaccuracy and for "wresting" the Scriptures must be given to Archdeacon Hessey, who, in his Bampton lectures on Sunday, says that "the ancient church almost with one voice have applied" the words "to the Lord's Day." In actual fact, neither in this lecture, nor in any of his other lectures, does he give a single instance of any early Christian writer so applying the words of the Psalmist. In spite of his categorical statement, he could not find such an instance in any of the Ante- Nicene writers, that is, before the Council of Nicea in A.D. 325. True, many of them quote the psalm, but not one applies the twenty-fourth verse to Sunday. Clement of Alexandria is the only one who applies it to any day of the week, and he applies it to the Sabbath of the fourth command- ment in an allegorical manner. Dr. Hessey is but one of many theological writers who make state- ments which sadly lack the accuracy which one has a right to expect from those who undertake to expound religious truth. The truth is that Eusebius, bishop of Cxsarea, who flourished in the early part of the fourth century, is the first writer who directly applied Psalm 118:24 to Sunday. This he does in his commentary on the psalms. He was the close friend and biographer of the Emperor Constantine, a man of great learning, and has been extolled as "the most learned prelate of his day." He took a prominent part in the famous Council of Nicea and was chosen to deliver the opening address of welcome to the Emperor. He is generally known as "the father of church history." Not without reason he could equally be called "the father of the Sunday-Sabbath." Eusebius took a leading part in the matter of Easter observance, which was one of the important subjects discussed at the Council of Nicea. He was an eminent chronologist and the council en- trusted the task of settling the Easter festival to "the man who on general grounds was most fitted to undertake it." (Dean Stanley.) Bearing in mind the close connection between the observance of the Easter festival and the observance of Sunday, we can well understand the extensive influence of Eusebius in exalting Sunday as a day of popular religious worship. His day was one of great difficulty and change. The church was divided by innumerable sects and the empire was divided between Christians and pagans. The Emperor had a difficult task to perform in trying to unite the discordant elements, and he turned for counsel to Eusebius, whom he had chosen as a personal friend and whom he held in high regard and affection. Few men can stand on a lofty eminence without danger, and Eusebius tried to please the Emperor by effecting a compromise betweeen Christianity and paganism. What could more effectually further this project than a universal festival day in which both parties could unite? Sunday was the popular pagan festival and could be set forth as a Christian day of worship. Eusebius and other church leaders urged the Emperor to pass a Sunday law for this purpose. Consantine did this in his famous Sunday law of A.D. 321. Eusebius may thus be regarded as the first promoter of the Sunday-Sabbath, in 16 471, Every Saturday at le 12 midnight G.M.T. I U THE VOICE OF PROPHECY RADIO SERVICE VOICE OF PROPHECY, 113 REGENT ST.. LONDON, W.I . RADIO EUROPE which he was followed by other prominent church leaders. The learned Benedictine Montfaucon says that Eusebius expounded in great detail and strongly maintained that Sunday had taken the place of the Sabbath. Eusebius undoubtedly was "a man of great read- ing and erudition." (Mosheim.) "He was beyond question the most learned man and the most famous living writer at this time." (Bishop Lightfoot.) His commentary on the Psalms was highly valued and his views exerted a strong influence on the church of that and succeeding ages. And it is in his exposition of Psalm ninety-two that he used all his most subtle arguments in defence of his new Sunday-Sabbath. In fairness to Eusebius, however, let it be said that he does not, like many modern Sunday advocates, claim that Christ or His apostles changed the Sab- bath. He says plainly, "All things that were com- manded to be performed on the Sabbath these we have transferred to the Lord's Day (Sunday]." He goes on to give reasons why he regarded Sunday as "a better day and worthy of more honour" than the seventh day, which he stigmatizes as the "Jewish Sabbath." His reasons are mostly fanciful, such as that it was the day of light when the Sun of Righteousness arose. He quotes Psalm 118:24, "This is the day which the Lord has made," and applies it to Sunday. At great length he attempts to prove that this day of which the Psalmist speaks is not the Sabbath, but Sunday, which he calls "the Lord's Day." He goes so far as to say that the first day of Creation was "the first Lord's Day" and de- clares that he has fully proved that the "day which the Lord has made" is "plainly the Day of Resur- rection and the Lord's Day." A study of this psalm, however, shows how gratuitious are the assumptions of Eusebius and all who have followed him. In this song of conflict and triumph David sets forth in exalted language the life of our Lord, assaulted by Satan, despised and rejected of men, but finally triumphant and returning in glory and majesty while the worship- Eusebius was probably one of Constantine's chief counsel. lors in framing the first Sunday law. ping universe bows in adoration before Him. The statement, "This is the day which the Lord has made," comes between the exaltation of Christ to the right hand of God and His coming in glory at the second advent. It certainly then •refers to a time subsequent to the ascension and could not therefore refer to the day of the resurrection. Some expositors apply it to the Sabbath, and if it did refer to some day of the week, such an ap- plication would seem most sound, for the Sabbath is the only day which was made: "The Sabbath was made for man." Mark 2:27. Therefore we might justly say, "This is the day that the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Other expositors, say the Psalmist refers to "the day of salvation" as it is closely connected with the cries of "Hosanna" to the Lord of our salvation. But perhaps it can best be applied to the great day which the apostle Paul calls the "Day of Christ" (2 Thess. 2:1), and "the Day of Jesus Christ" (Phil. 1:6), when He will "appear the second time without sin unto salvation." Heb. 9:28. In that day He will come with power and great glory, and then it will be said, "Blessed is the King that cometh in the Name of the Lord." That will indeed be a great day, the day long expected and "we will rejoice and be glad in it." Then the "gates of righteousness" will open and the King of Glory will enter and lead in His redeemed people, whose faith is in Him and who keep His commandments. (Psa. 118:19, 20 cf. Rev. 22:14.) Are YOU looking for health, happiness, security and a key to the future? THEN TUNE IN TO Dr. B. B. BEACH ENDS HIS ON-THE-SPOT REPORT OF THE VATICAN COUNCIL THE VATICAN COUNCIL AND CHURCH UNITY So far about 115 hours of debate have taken place, spread out over thirty-six general congregations (plenary sessions). Approximately 600 fathers have spoken and well over 500 have given their opinions in writing. This means that nearly half of the Council membership has taken part in the debate. For three hours most mornings bishops took turns for a ten-minute spell at one of the Council micro- phones. Dr. J. C. Heenan, the Archbishop of Liver- pool, says that both fascinating and boring speeches were given. "Some who spoke had nothing to say," but did not want to go home to their dioceses A FTER lasting almost two months, the first session of the Second Vatican Council closed on December 8th, the same date on which the First Vatican Council opened back in 1869. Before the opening of the Council, several members of the Catholic hierarchy warned that we shouldn't expect spectacular and im- mediate results from this Council, but there is no question about the historic relevance of this first session. We must, of course, reserve judgment while everything is still in flux. Already, however, some writers are talking about the end of the "Age of the counter-Reformation," and some have even talked about the "end of the post-Constantine era." So far the Council has accomplished a work of examination, rather than committing itself definitely regarding the proposed schemata. Pope John has unleashed some powerful, and perhaps surprising, forces within the Roman Catholic world. The question we cannot yet answer, is, How strong and lasting will these forces be? Though the tangible results seem quite meagre, we know that a mass of theological material has been put in motion. As one of the Protestant observer- delegates wrote me in answer to the question of what he thought had been accomplished in St. Peter's so far: "Not very much in concrete terms as yet, but very much in setting the kettle to the boil." Let us try to obtain a bird's-eye view of happenings in Rome during this first session. The raw material for the session was composed of some twenty volumes containing the private and confidential opinions of the whole Catholic episcopate. The deliberations have been similarly secret. However, it is only fair to state that plenty of "leaks" have been permitted and the seal of secrecy has been interpreted quite loosely, certainly less absolutely than at the First Vatican Council a century ago. The Pope on his throne in St. Peter's during the ceremony which ended the first session of the Vatican Council. without having said something—somewhat like poli- ticians facing their constituents during a con- gressional or parliamentary recess! In their labours the fathers are being assisted by over 200 experts ("periti"), of which approx- imately one-third are Italians. Shortly before the close of this first session, Dr. Hans Kung, the liberal Swiss-German Catholic theologian, was ap- pointed as one of the expert-advisers. To date about 35 votes have been taken (28 regarding the preface and the first chapter of the Liturgy schema alone). Thus, so far as voting is concerned, the Council members have just touched the beginning of their work. The council "time-table" Originally the Vatican hoped the Council would be able to terminate its activities prior to Easter, 18 1963, after a Christmas pause of one month. It soon became quite obvious, however, that this would not be possible, and plans were made for a five months' recess beginning before Christmas and giving the ten commissions and the Secretariat for the Union of Christians more time to rework some of the more controversial proposals. There was then to be a second and final session, from May 12 to June 29, 1963. As the first session continued it became more and more manifest that even this time-table would be unworkable. Despite the Vatican claim that this Council is the best prepared one in their church's history, in practice it was soon found that the proposals prepared and the work outlined by the preparatory commissions was insufficient and wholly Reporters busy at work in the Council press room just off St. Peter's square. inadequate. It was felt that often excessive doctrinal details, sometimes outdated, were underlined, while on the other hand questions of great practical import, such as the population explosion, hunger, justice, peace, and evangelism of the poor were almost totally ignored. It was then decided to pro- long the recess interval from five to nine months, in order to take up some of these themes and give the commissions adequate time to do their work. September 8th of this year has now been fixed as the opening date for the second session. No duration has been set; however, the Pope in his speech closing the first session expressed the hope that Vatican II will finish its proceedings before Christmas, 1963, the 400th anniversary of the closing of the Council of Trent. Some prelates feel that these hopes are too sanguine and that the Council might last for several years. One thing should not be forgotten. A Roman Catholic council is not a conventional parliament, which makes laws that the next session can sub- stantially amend, or even entirely revoke. This church teaches that its decrees are infallible and are binding until the end of time and therefore their substance cannot be changed. No wonder some Catholic prelates feel there is plenty of time. In his closing speech, John XXIII called the first session, the beginning of the Council, the present interval between the first and second sessions, the continuation, and the period that will follow, the fruits of the Council, when a great effort will be needed on the part of Catholic clergy and laity to carry out the decisions of the Council. The first session, said the Pope, was like a "slow and solemn introduction." This was the break-in period, during which time the bishops endeavoured to find their bearings and get acquainted with each other. Consideration was given to five schemata: (1) Liturgy, (2) Sources of Revelation, (3) Means of Social Com- munication and Entertainment, (4) Unity of the Church, and (5) The church. A sixth schema dealing with the Virgin Mary was introduced, but the Fathers preferred to discuss the project dealing with the church. Certain liturgical reforms were approved authorizing the bishops of the various countries to decide when and where the vernacular is to be used in some teaching parts of the Mass. This decision seems to open the way for a certain amount of decentralization in the government of the Catholic church. Probably the most crucial and stormy debate of the first session dealt with the schema regarding the Sources of Revelation. Here one of the several antinomies of the Council appeared in an acute form. The Roman church has always recognized two distinct sources of divine revelation—Scripture and Tradition. The schema presented for debate had b:en prepared by the Holy Office's archconservative Cardinal Ottaviani and it clearly re-emphasized the separate- ness of the two sources. Three-fifths of the Council Fathers, but not the required two-thirds to block discussion, voted to shelve the uncomprom- ising scheme, in favour of a project which would present Scripture and Tradition "as two channels in the same stream." The impasse was resolved when Pope John declared the relative majority to 19 Watching the Conciliar Fathers arriving for one of the sessions of the Council. be sufficient and withdrew the schema, handing it over to another commission, with Cardinals Ottaviani and Bea as co-presidents. These two leaders of the opposing wings of the Council must now work out a project mutually agreeable. This was clearly the Pope-in-Council taking charge. The "man of the year" One of the most evident results of the Council so far is the growing world stature of Pope John. An evidence of this is Time's choice of the Pontiff as "Man of the Year" for 1962. There is no doubt that he is the most popular Pope for a very long time. He has succeeded in projecting an image of himself as a shepherd-priest who loves one and all. On the other hand, he also presents the less notice- able profile of the master-politician with considerable intuitive powers. The very calling of the Council was a masterpiece of political timing, which has paid in- estimable propaganda dividends to the Papacy. He has shown real intuitive judgment in his fine-fingered dealing with the "separated brethren." He has given evidence of a shrewd handling of the progressives and the conservatives to prevent the Council becom- ing one-sided. Another evidence of the Pope's adroit leadership is the institution of an interim super- commission to co-ordinate and harmonize the work of the commissions. This assures his clear control of the commissions' activities during the interlude between the first and second sessions of the Council. The present nine months' pause, which the Pope has called the "continuation," or second phase of the Council, will be much more important than the intervals between sessions in preceding councils. The already mentioned super-commission of cardinals and bishops, under the presidency of the Secretary of State, Cardinal Cicognani, will direct and super- vise the conciliar commissions, who in their turn are charged with re-examining the schemata and with reducing their number from the original sev- enty-three to about twenty. During the present "continuation" period an epistolary debate will take place, so to speak by "mail order." The bishops in their respective dio- ceses around the world will be studying and ex- pressing their written views regarding the projects submitted to them as the work of the commissions in Rome progresses. Thus it is hoped that the next session beginning in September will advance more quickly than in the two months of the first session. "Shepherds" and "fishermen" The Protestant observers have been favourably impressed by the freedom of discussion which seems to reign in St. Peter's Council Hall. As soon as the Council met, two broad tendencies showed themselves, the contrasts and divisions of opinion being not so much an expression of individual bishops (as was generally the case at Vatican I), but of "group positions." These block opinions are the result of national episcopal conferences, a somewhat new conception that has emerged from the first session. Various names have been used to identify each tendency. While one side has been called the "static wing" of the Catholic church, or the integrist, traditionalists, and conservatives, the other faction is identified as the "marching wing" of Roman Catholicism, or the autonomist, progres- sives, liberals, and innovators. Some Catholic writers prefer to use terms with a non-political connotation and speak about "Shepherds" and "Fishermen." "Shepherds" are those conservative bishops who are primarily interested in safeguarding the faith and morals of their members, while "Fishermen" want to bring Catholicism to those millions who have left this church or who have never been a part of it. The conservative faction does not seem to expect very much from the Council. The Catholic magazine, The Tablet (December 8, 1962) has this to say: "The Shepherds . . . only want to be back in their dioceses, to resume their old routine. . . . They do not understand why [the Pope) thought there had to be a Council, and they would still like to see it closed as decorously and expeditiously as possible, after giving a kind of auditor's report that the affairs of the church are in good shape and that there is very little alteration to be recommended." Before leaving for Rome the Abbot of Downside (Continued on page 30.) 20 being called Phyllis or Gwendoline or Dorothea. But Harriet (that was the first of my tale), and Alice, and Elizabeth, and Mary— By way of comfort, for it was he who had been responsible for their bestowal, my father would counter that at least he had arranged them in good order, but their euphony was no compensation at all. Harriet, Alice, Elizabeth, Mary, and the rest— I couldn't abide one of them. "If ever I grow up," I would cry, "I won't call my children after anybody," and such was that childhood resentment that I almost didn't either. CALLED BY I AM told, by someone very dear to me, whom I once entrusted with an errand thereto, that in the records in Somerset House mine takes up two lines whereas most folks' only occupy one, but now of course I don't mind one little bit. In my chequered childhood, however, I minded very much, particularly when I moved from one school to another. "Your full name, please?" they would say. It was always disastrous. The good mistress would look at me askance almost disbelieving, and again I would be enmeshed in the very thing I had hoped so much to avoid. By this time my future classmates would every one be properly alerted, holding their breath, I could have declared, so as not to miss one ghastly syllable of it, It was like a blow. "Would you repeat them again, please?" I could never, I felt, with a name like that, get off to a good start—not anywhere. For I had been named after almost every female relative that I possessed, and though, fortunately, two of my aunts were named after my grandmothers, it was still a most formidable appendage for a small girl. At least, that was the way I felt about it. I could certainly distinguish no envy in the curious looks of my fellow-pupils when I would be shown to my seat, and I would complain bitterly when I finally reached the safety of home again, not the least burden of my complaint being that they were such old-fashioned names. There wasn't one pretty one among them, I would cry. My friends, of course, were called Phyllis and Gwendoline and Dorothea. Now there were names for you, charming names. A girl wouldn't mind by Mary J. Vine But for myself I feel most warmly toward those good old-fashioned names now, especially as, at the moment, I read again the Easter story. The Easter story In our reading of the Good Book we have all probably, at some time, wished that we could have witnessed some of the manifestations of divine power therein described; stood with Noah perhaps, and seen the rebirth of a world, or watched the waters stand in heaps beneath Moses' rod while (Continued on page 30.) T HE Papacy is, in effect, a vast tribunal—a spiritual judicature which claims a despotic, and even an eternal, authority over the des- tinies of men. The presiding judges are her priests, whose unchallengeable decrees concern not only this present world, but also the unknown realms of reward or retribution beyond the grave. Around the inside of the gigantic dome of St. Peter's, in Rome, is plainly inscribed the Latin text, which translated, reads, "Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." Matt. 16:18, 19. Rome regards these words as the very foundation of her ecclesiastical authority. She contends that they are a perpetual testimony to her unique position as the sole arbitress of divine favour on earth and future felicity in heaven. Claiming—against many evidences to the contary—that Peter was her first "Pope," she arrogates to herself the far-reaching ERNEST COX continues his examination of the unscriptural doctrines of Rome. ernaum, and many were deserting Him, Jesus addressed to His disciples the searching, sorrowful, question, "Will ye also go away?" It was the loyal Peter who instantly replied, for himself and his companions, "Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." John 6:66, 69. After this incident, Jesus preached for a while around Tyre and Sidon, then, turning southward, He ministered along the shores of Galilee and finally approached the Roman city of Caesarea Philippi. It was here that the servile Herod the Great (anxious to ingratiate himself with his imperial master, the self-styled "divine" Emperor Augustus) had recently erected a temple of glistening white marble in Caesar's honour. Probably within sight of this massive pagan monument to human arrogance, Jesus spoke to His followers concerning Himself. "Whom say ye that I am ?" He inquired of the twelve. And again the faithful and perceptive Peter immediately re- sponded, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." Matt. 16:15, 16. It was then that the Saviour gave utterance to those remarkable words which have now held a place of honour in Rome's principal cathedral for hundreds of years, and which the Papacy claims as her specific charter and charge. Christ the "Rock" not Peter A consideration of other Bible passages, however, CAW KTJAV-IXJI •1111111. ,111••••••• � IMM•1111 � ••1=.1.11 � 0.111.•• powers and prerogatives which were supposedly bestowed upon the apostle. Undoubtedly Peter was well fitted, initially, to be the leader of the apostolic group. Often, in times of crisis, he promptly became spokesman for the rest, and courageously expressed confidence in his Master. On one occasion, while at hostile Cap- will show that in making this assertion, Peter was simply and believingly identifying himself with Christ, the only true and enduring Rock in whom men's faith may rest, and on whom alone the Chris- tian church of all ages can be built. Isaiah proph- etically declares that He, the Messiah, is "a Stone, a tried Stone, a precious Corner Stone of solid 22 foundation; he that hath faith [in Him) shall not give way." Isa. 28:16. (Cheyne's trans.) Paul adds that Christ is "the chief Corner Stone; in whom all the buildings fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord." And Peter him- self further significantly declares that while to the believer Christ is infinitely "precious," to the unbeliever and the disobedient He is a "Rock of offence." Eph. 2:20; 1 Peter 2:8. That Jesus could not at Czsarea Philippi have been designating Peter as the foundation-rock of His church becomes evident when we notice that immediately after this incident, Peter, for all his admirable qualities of initiative, also showed marked traits of instability and unwisdom. So much so that Jesus had to take him aside and sternly rebuke him, saying, "Thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men." Matt. 16:23. But in spite of his early mistakes, Peter even- tually became a prominent and powerful preacher for his Master. Indeed his mighty sermon on the morning of Pentecost resulted in three thousand conversions. Thus, by means of the "master-key" of his inspired preaching and personal witness, Peter was able to open the door of faith to a mul- titude of repentant Jews, and, beginning with Cornelius, he initiated the work of salvation among the Gentiles. Clearly then, the "keys of the kingdom" (Matt. 16:19) are not just an insignia on a papal banner, nor the adornment of a triple crown. Rather they symbolize the saving words of Gospel invitation, whether preached in city church or village chapel, in market place or mission hut, by devoted men of God in every age. To hear and to accept the Gospel call opens at once the door to eternal life. On the other hand, to ignore or to refuse the offer of God's grace can only issue in tragic loss, and may eventually "close the door" to heaven itself. For Jesus Himself said, "The words that I speak unto you, . . . they are life." John 6:63. To obey these words is to enter into life; to turn away from them is to "close the door," oneself, against the heavenly kingdom. Christ alone can forgive It is also evident that Peter did not consider that he himself, or his apostolic companions, still less any of their supposed "successors," had recieved authority from God to forgive sins. He plainly declared that God had exalted Jesus alone to be our "Prince and Saviour," and thus it is His personal prerogative "to give repentance . . . and forgiveness of sins." Acts 5:31. Paul also adds 23 his testimony to the same effect, when he declares, "He [Jesus] whom God raised again, saw no cor- ruption. Be it known unto you therefore, . . . that through this Man is . . . the forgiveness of sins: and by Him all that believe are justified." Acts 13 :37-39. It is surely apparent from these passages that any sinner may come to his Saviour at any time. Without the aid or intervention from any priest, he may receive from heaven full and free forgive- ness of sin. (Acts 4:2.) Rome falsely places her priest between the sinner and his Saviour. By her insistence upon the use of the "confessional" she intervenes, and indeed interrupts, in the most sacred and intimate of all interviews—the communion of a man with his Maker—the approach of a burdened wrong-doer to his just but benevolent Saviour. The Roman Catholic practice of secret auricular confession tends to debase both speaker and hearer. A sensitive soul must often be tempted to prevari- cate in making a full confession to a fellow human being, however much he may esteem, or fear, his priest. For his part, too, a busy parish priest, com- pelled to hear probably hundreds of confessions each week, is inevitably driven into a formal attitude, thereby depriving some souls of the patient attention and individual sympathy they need. In such cases the penances imposed will be a routine transaction, and the final absolution, a counterfeit forgiveness. A further moral danger arises when the "con- fessional" is allowed to take the place of the open and urgent duty of admitting guilt to others con- cerned. Many an unfortunate and distraught girl would be well advised to make her first full con- fession to her mother. Many an erring wife should first seek her husband's forgiveness, just as the way- ward husband should first acknowledge his guilt to his wife. This takes more courage, but it will surely bring Heaven's greater blessing. Many a doubtful trading transaction should first be rectified in the market, according to Jesus (Matt. 5:23, 24), before the house of God is even entered! The Second Vatican Council now meeting in Rome has the opportunity to re-study the whole sub- ject of penances, absolutions, indulgences, and auri- cular confessions. Rome has too long surrounded the whole matter with ecclesiastical abuses and traditional restrictions. Will Rome have the courage henceforth to allow men, without hindrance, without restriction, without penance, to approach their heavenly Father, and enjoy the glory of His full and free forgiveness? Did Jesus Need to Die ? (Continued from page 9.) The apostle Peter reminds the believers that "it was no perishable stuff, like gold or silver that bought your freedom from the empty folly of your traditional ways. The price was paid in precious blood, as it were of a lamb without blemish— the blood of Christ." 1 Peter 1:18, N.E.B. He adds the additional thought that Christ, "in His own person . . . carried our sins to the gallows, so that we might cease to live for sin and begin to live for righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed." 1 Peter 2:24, N.E.B. John, the beloved disciple, wrote his epistle to exalt love as the crowning virtue of the Christian life. But throughout his epistle, there runs a double refrain. "God is love," and this love is demon- strated and manifested in the atoning death of Jesus Christ for the sins of mankind. "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." "He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." "In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.'' Yes, the glorious and triumphant message of this inspired herald for God is that "the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world." 1 John 1:7; 2:2; 4:9, 14. We are living at a time when this very core of the Gospel is denied, not only, as ever, by the unbelieving world, but by many professing Chris- tians. The Gospel is emaciated into a series of sentimental platitudes. If Peter could return to hear their rejection of a blood atonement, he would use again the words he addressed to similar teachers in the first century. He called them "false teachers." He charged them with "imparting disastrous heresies, disowning the very Master who bought them, and bringing swift disaster on their own heads." 2 Peter 2:1, N.E.B. The Gospel of Jesus Christ insists on the prin- ciple that "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." Heb. 9:22, N.E.B. The divine law stands immovable. Justice demands expiation and God has upheld the perpetuity of His law, His justice, and His righteousness by providing, out of His infinite compassion and grace, a propiti- ation for the sins of mankind in Christ Jesus. These, then, are God's terms for salvation. Man must acknowledge the spiritual claims of the divine law, he must confess that by transgression of the same, he stands convicted as a sinner. He must accept by faith that Jesus, as his substitute, bore his sin, and suffered his death, thus releasing him from his guilt and conferring on him the gift of imputed righteousness. He must by faith accept the gift of eternal life through the death of Jesus on his behalf. When John in vision was shown the redeemed in eternal glory, he marvelled at the vast multitude 24 who were mustered before the blazing throne of God. He had been accustomed to small groups of Christians, hounded by Jews and Romans alike, many suffering martyrdom for their faith. Now, he writes, "I looked and saw a vast throng, which no-one could count, from every nation, of all tribes, peoples, and languages, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were robed in white and had palms in their hands, and they shouted together : Victory to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb! . . . "Then one of the elders turned to me and said, `These men that are robed in white—who are they and from where do they come?' But I answered, 'My lord, you know, not I.' Then he said to me, `These are the men who have passed through the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. That is why they stand before the throne of God and minister to Him day and night in His Temple; and He who sits on the throne will dwell with them.' " Rev. 7:9-15, N.E.B. When Jesus beholds this vast throng, redeemed and saved eternally in His kingdom through His atoning sacrifice, "He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied." Isa. 53:11. May every reader of these words be there. • How I Discovered the Advent Hope (Continued from page 13.) the subject of the sentence. My mind went back to Pearl Harbour, when carrier-based planes dropped death and destruction upon the naval base. That infamous day, December 7, 1941, came upon the United States like a thief in the night; but when the bombs began to fall there was certainly nothing secret about it any longer. D-day came upon the Germans like a thief in the night. They knew it was coming, but they did not know when. There was nothing secret about the Japanese raid or the allied invasion except the time. It was the day that came as a thief. So it is only the time of Christ's coming that will steal upon us as a thief. The Scriptures teach that at the coming of Jesus the righteous dead will rise from their graves and the living righteous will be changed from mortal to immortal in the twink- ling of an eye. (1 Thess. 4:16, 17; 1 Cor. 15:52.) When I got to the book of Revelation I found more on the return of Jesus. John, in Revelation 1 :7, confirmed what other prophets had written about the power and glory of Christ's appearing: "Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. Even so, Amen." I also read in the fourteenth chapter of Revelation the prophet's description of his vision of the second coming. He saw Jesus with a sickle in His hand reaping the harvest of the earth. Being a farm boy, I was interested in the harvest. But I knew there had to be a planting or there would be no harvest. I knew from the stories Jesus told that there would be the good grain and the tares in the harvest. Jesus had said, "He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; the field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; the enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world." Matt. 13:37-39. As I finished reading the Bible I was struck with the unity of the whole story from Genesis to Revelation. I saw how that sowing of good and evil began in the Garden of Eden. I saw how the first book of the Bible told of a beautiful new world fresh from the hand of God. It told of the beginning of sin and rebellion and the promise of a Saviour. The last book of the Bible ended as the first had begun, with a new heaven and new earth. The first book told of the beginning of sin in the earth; the last book told of its end and final destruction. I realized that the first coming of Christ as man to conquer for us as Adam failed to do, and His second coming as God to destroy sin, were the very warp and woof of Scripture truth. Yes, Jesus is coming again, to bring eternal life to as many as have chosen to share eternity with Him. He promised to come back for those who love Him, and He will not fail His word. I do not know when He is coming, but I want to be ready when He appears. I have chosen Him as my King and Lord, for I am one of the lost for whom He died and His love has won my heart. He created the world. He redeemed it when it was lost. He sowed the seeds of righteousness and is coming to gather the harvest. I can be a part of that harvest. What a blessed hope for all who look for His appearing! Design for Europe (Continued from page 6.) The dramatic happenings of the past few weeks, therefore, far from threatening the development of the "European idea," reveal that events are moving inexorably toward the climax foretold in the pro- phetic delineations of Daniel and John. They serve to emphasize once again how speedily the stage is being set for the final crisis of history. Certainly the words of Jesus to the church down the ages were never more pertinent than they are today, "What I say unto you I say unto all, Watch." Mark 13 :37. 25 The Challenge of Martin Luther (Continued from page• 15.) throne, surrounded by white-robed ecclesiastics, the princes, and many others, the undaunted Martin Luther, "clear in his voice, modest but firm, and abiding by his conviction," discussed his books, first in Latin, then in German. With indignation the speaker of the Diet, the Chancellor of Treves, demanded, "Will you, or will you not, retract?" To which Luther made an eloquent reply, con- cluding with the memorable testimony: "Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason, for I do not accept the authority of popes and councils because they have frequently erred and contradicted each other—my conscience is bound by the Word of God—I cannot and I will not retract, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I can do no other: may God help me! Amen!" Memorial of the reformer From the site of the Bishop's Palace we went to see the most imposing memorial of the great German Reformer. Upon the massive platform, forty-eight feet square and nine and a half feet high, are seven pedestals, with a higher central one which supports the bronze statue of Martin Luther, who took the battle for the supremacy of God's Word right into the camp of the adversary, and, endued with divine power, broke the stranglehold of en- trenched error. Looking upward, in one hand he holds his beloved Bible. At his feet are the four precursors of the Reformation—Peter Waldo of France, John Wyclif of England, Jan Hus of Czech- oslovakia, and the Italian Girolamo Savonarola. Standing upon small granite blocks at each corner are the four others who greatly aided the progress of the Reformation: Frederick the Wise, Elector of Saxony; Philip Landgrave of Hesse; his friend and counsellor Philip Melancthon; and John Reuchlin, the learned German doctor of Hebrew and Greek who through his dictionaries and grammars in these languages, fostered the study of the Old and New Testaments in the originals. The Elector Frederick, knowing the grave peril which faced Luther as he left Worms, laid secret plans for his friendly capture, and for some time he did not know that the Reformer had been taken to the castle of Wartburg, amid the wooded heights and valleys of the Thuringian forest. Although we could not visit the Soviet zone, we were able to gather some interesting facts. The castle of Wartburg still remains, together wit'l the chapel and the Ritterhaus, wherein he abode. His study has an old tiled stove, portraits of his parents and his own by Cranach, a chair, stone table, and carved chests containing copies of his writings, including his German translation of the Bible. While in retirement here, he commenced this great work. "Scripture without any comment," said he, "is the sun whence all teachers receive their light." By 1533, fifty-eight editions of the New Testament from the original Greek had been published. We visited Speyer and Augsburg where significant Imperial Diets were subsequently held. In the former city the towers of the vast, imposing basilica rise high above the trees on the grassy bank of the Rhine. In the episcopal palace, the Princes, representing Reformers in various states, firmly grasped the torch brandished by Luther, and obtained, by the vote of the majority, toleration for religious worship. Here at a later date they made the further solemn declaration, "In matters of conscience the majority has no power." Against the threatened repeal which would have again brought back the dominance of the Roman hierarchy, they promulgated their fam- ous Protest, from which the name "Protestant" is derived. It was no negation, but the positive stand for the truth contained in Holy Scripture, and for personal liberty of conscience, with no intrusion by church or civil authorities. When Luther came here to defend his doctrine before Cardinal Cajetan he stayed in the cloister of St. Anna's as guest of the prior Frosch, who accepted the Reformed faith and became its pioneer in Augsburg. In the remains of the monastic build- ings of this church on Anna Strasse, the custodian pointed out to us the window of the room which Luther occupied, looking out onto an enclosed walled garden. Just north of the Wartburg is the little town of Eisenach. In the market square is the Church of St. George which, although damaged in the last war, has been repaired. As a schoolboy, by his sweet singing and reverence, Martin Luther first came to the notice of Frau Ursula Cotta, who did much to relieve his extreme poverty. Eisleben, the place of his birth and death, is farther north on the way to Wittenberg. At Wittenberg, so specially con- nected with the Reformer, the places of interest are all undamaged. St. Andrew's church, with its draped pulpit from which he preached his last sermon, is still standing. Engraved upon six panels of the ten foot high bronze door on the north side of the Schloss Kirche, is a replica of the 95 Theses in Latin. As we think of those dramatic days, and of the truth and liberty which the Reformers won for us at infinite cost in suffering and martyrdom, shall we not declare, even as did Martin Luther, "Here I stand !" With all eternity at stake, we surely can do no other. 26 11 111111111 11111110'mm 111111 II EASTER TEXT: MATTHEW 28:6 " He is not here: for He is risen." T HIS is the Easter message. It is also the basic affirmation of the Christian faith for all times, "for upon the fact of the historic resurrection stands or falls the whole fabric of Christianity," said Dr. Campbell Morgan. For three days following the crucifixion and the interment of our Lord, a dreadful hush settled over the world. The Son of God, the Incarnate One, had died and had been buried. Now what? Had the powers of darkness triumphed? Would the claims of Christ and the plan of God fora. resurrection prove to be false? Heaven and earth waited for the answer. None of Christ's own followers believed in it. But when, for other reasons, they visited the tomb and found it empty and they heard the angel herald an- nounce, "He is risen," then they, and all others, knew that the plan and the promise had been fulfilled. In- deed, as Peter said a little later, "it was impossible" that it should have been otherwise. Yes, as Strauss once remarked, "The resurrection message is the cen- tre of the centre" of Christian faith and concept. At the dawn of history, following the tragic entry of sin and the banishment of man from Paradise, the voice of hope was heard and the divine plan and promise announced—the Seed of God would bruise the serpent's head. "I will put enmity between thee [Satan) and the woman [the church) and between thy seed and her Seed; It [He) shall bruise thy head, and thou [Satan) shalt bruise His [Christ's) heel." Gen. 3:15. The death of Jesus and subsequent resurrection. provided the joyous and complete fulfilment of that Edenic promise. With the resurrection an accom- plished act, three things were determined: a. The ultimate destruction of all evil. "For this purpose was the Son of God manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil." 1 John 3:8. At the "empty tomb." b. The ultimate destruction of the devil himself. He (Christ) "took part of the same [flesh and blood of mankind); that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil." Heb. 2:14. c. The execution of this destruction would be ac- complished within the space of a "short time." "Woe to the inhabiters of the earth.. . . The devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, be- cause he knoweth that he hath but a short time." Rev. 12:12. The resurrection was God's answer to the devil. It turned the cross of shame and apparent defeat into a sign of glorious victory and a symbol of power. "Concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, . . . declared to be the Son of God with power, . . . by the resurrection from the dead." Rom. 1:3, 4. NOTE.—"In the act of the crucifixion of the Christ man turned his back upon God. In the fact of His resurrection, God turned His back upon His enemies." "Up from the grave He arose, With a mighty triumph o'er His foes; He arose a Victor from the dark domain, And He lives for ever with His saints to reign; He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!" Prophetic witness was given both of the passsion and resurrection of Christ, by the Psalmist. "For Thou wilt not leave My soul in hell; neither wilt Thou suffer Thine Holy One to see corrup- tion." Psa. 16:10. Jesus Himself gave notice of His resurrection, not only by the analogy of Jonah and the whale (Matt. 12:40), but by one of the most remarkable references to His passion uttered in the presence of unheeding disciples. "Therefore doth My Father love Me, because I lay down My life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from Me. but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of My Father." John 10:17, 18. NOTE.—"He is risen" was the most joyous message given to man since the Fall. Fo: then, as Dr. Camp- bell Morgan affirmed, "Christ became absolute Master and His church is not fighting a conflict the issue of which is uncertain. The victory has been won, and therefore it must be won. Standing by the risen Man of Nazareth, each one putting trust in Him may say with reverent and holy fear, and yet with certainty and absolute boldness: My heart is glad, my tongue rejoices, and my flesh also shall dwell in hope." The Christian faith and hope depends absolutely upon the fact of the resurrection. This truth is presented graphically and urgently by the apostle Paul. "If Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God. . . . If Christ be not raised; . . . ye are yet in your sins." 1 Cor. 15:14-17. If Christ did not rise from the dead the saints of God went to their sleep without any hope of living again. For, contrary to the teachings of many, the sleeping saints do not go to heaven at death. They will be "raised" from the dead by virtue of Christ's resurrection. "If Christ be not raised . . . then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. . . . But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man [the Man] came also the resurrection of the dead. . . . But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at His coming." 1 Cor. 15:17-23. The Easter message then, is the message that says, "Death does not end all." There is life beyond the tomb—but that life depends absolutely upon the ultimate resurrection of saints. And the resurrection depends upon the promised return of our Lord. "For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." 1 Thess. 4:16, 17. Why Was Jesus Crucified ? (Continued from page 7.) very human unwillingness to accept enlightenment, desiring to hold their own dogmas and ways as sac- rosanct and inviolable, resisted all the appeals of mercy extended by Jesus. To protect their own privileges, to silence all opposition to their views, the priests were driven to their dark work, the rejection of their Saviour, and the handing of Him over to the Roman authorities to be crucified on perjured evidence. In no small way, our Lord's death was due to the inherent perversity of human nature. It was sin, sinful tendencies fully fruited, that led Jesus to His execution. In the days when Jesus lived and taught, the political relationship between Judea and Rome was tense, uneasy; frequent acts of violence occurred; tragedy, insurrection, and death often broke out. Yet the Jewish leaders themselves were well fed and cared for by their Roman overlords; they were therefore as desirous as the Roman procurator him- self to keep mob demonstrations at a minimum. The appearance of Jesus, supreme, leading crowds of ten thousands of people, was not a scene that min- istered to their peace of mind. Were Jesus to strike a blow for His claims, as they thought He might, then Roman retaliation might be bloody and severe. The high priest, Caiaphas, advised in the council, that Jesus be put to death, that the nation be saved any disciplinary punishments that might be meted out as a result of His activities. "Consider," he said, and perhaps not without his tongue in his cheek, "that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not." John 11:50. Our Lord was well aware of the danger in which He stood ; of the spies who were daily watching 28 Him; of the plots being hatched to trap Him; of the fact that one of His disciples was to betray Him; but He made no attempt to hide or escape into seclusion. Instead, He deliberately journeyed to Jerusalem, and for several days spoke in full view of the people, drawing every attention to Himself. It was like stirring up a nest of hornets, bearding a lion in its den, and fully calculated to bring down upon His head the full wrath of the authorities. When, inevitably, He was arrested in the darkness of early morning by the mob and rabble who came with the officers, "with swords, and staves, and torches," He made no effort to defend Himself, to rally His supporters in His defence, to break away and escape; rather, He stretched out His hands in voluntary surrender to be manacled, and without resistance, allowed Himself to be led away. Redeemer of the world Actually the death of Christ was planned and arranged more than four thousand years before it happened; indeed, it was planned before the world began. "Ye were redeemed . . . with the precious blood of Christ, . . . who . . . was foreordained before the foundation of the world." 1 Peter 1:18- 20. Jesus was "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." Rev. 13:8. No man has ever died, and been buried, and in his death and burial ful- filled so many prophecies concerning these events as did Jesus Christ. Over the passage of centuries, God spoke by visions, and other revelations to in- dividuals of His choice, and these men "at sundry times, and in divers manners" wrote down much of the details of the sufferings of Christ. Moses, in the fourteenth century B.C., indicated the sacrificial nature of His death; David, in the tenth century, revealed details of the crucifixion scenes (Psalm 22) ; Isaiah, in the sixth century, told of His coming sor- rows and burial (Isaiah 53) ; Daniel, also in the sixth century, wrote down the year of the Lord's coming decease (Daniel 9:26) ; and Zechariah, in the fifth century, made reference to the betrayal of Christ for thirty pieces of silver. (Zech. 11:13.) Indeed, it may be asserted that one reason for our acceptance of Christ's claims to be the Son of God, was the remakable way in which the whole pattern of our Lord's life and death followed the already written prophetic outline. These features make the death of Jesus unique. His death was divinely planned. There is an old story which commences thus: "Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him upon the altar, upon the wood; and Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son." Gen. 22:9. This story of a youth about to die had a happy ending; as the knife was about to fall, the old man saw a ram caught in a nearby thicket; this animal he caught, and held, while the youth, released from the altar, jumped down with a great sigh of relief ; a few minutes later, the ram was dying, a sacrifice on the altar just vacated. The youth should have died; the ram died as his sub- stitute. The ram's death was vicarious; it suffered instead of another. Thus yet another Old Testament story illustrates for us the work and ways of Jesus; our Lord had no cause to die, but the Bible teaches that His death was substitutionary; it was vicarious; He died as a substitute for the whole human race. He died that we might live This statement about the death of Jesus being vicarious needs to be more understood. Wrong doing brings disobedient men under condemnation, and the judicial penalty of death. There is no room in the universe for any rebellion against the sov- ereignty of the Creator's ways. "The wages of sin is death." Rom. 6:23. But is not God merciful? Scripture replies, "He delighteth in mercy." "He desireth not the death of a sinner, but that the sinner may turn from his ways and live." A thief may live to be eighty before he dies; an adulteress may live until she is seventy- five. That is the mercy of God extended to them and to us. Our Father gives life to drunkards, liars, lechers, and murderers in order that during their extended days they might find a substitute to bear the divine penalty for their own folly. That sub- stitute is the Lord Jesus Christ. He died that man might live. "As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." 1 Cor. 15:22. "He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; . . . and with His stripes we are healed." Isa. 53:5. As our Creator, and loving the race of humanity whom He had made, He could not envisage their loss and separation; there followed a council of peace between Christ and the Father, and Jesus offered Himself freely to die vicariously to save His people. The story is told of an American father walking to the village cemetery every week, his small son trotting by his side. There was a handful of flowers to be arranged on a grave, and a moment or two of silence in respect for the one now dead. Came the day when the child asked, "Who is dead, there, Father?" That was the time for the father to tell of the day when he had been called to leave home, join the army, and do battle for his leaders; there had been farewells to say, and tears to shed, a wife, mother, and family, and one unborn to leave be- hind; there had been a young volunteer, a youth yet unmarried, a neighbour, a friend, and he had gone to war in the father's place; and wounded, and returning home ill, had died, and here was buried. "Son," said the father, "I am here alive today 29 with you because that young man took my place before a bullet," and father and son paid tribute together to the fallen, whose sacrifice was their life. So Jesus died that we might live. He died at the hands of sinful humanity; He died to save the "holy" nation; He died voluntarily; He died at "the fullness of time;" He died to give life to all. Welcome, then, Good Friday, and all such suitable occasions when we can remember in a special way how Jesus was executed to "bear the sins of many," and to give eternal life to all who so desire it. The End of the Beginning (Continued from page 20.) is quoted as having stated that the "dice were heavily loaded against the more liberal-minded of the Fathers." Upon returning from Rome, however, he is supposed to have said that, because of the Pope, the climate has changed and the dice are no longer loaded. From the viewpoint of an onlooker it would seem that the views of the liberals are prevailing, despite some determined opposition from the Roman Curia, the focal-point of conservative strength. However, the apparent defeat of the trad- itionalists cannot be considered as final, for the conservative tendencies in the Catholic church are very deep-rooted, and there is no real evidence so far that the aged pontiff is favourable to radical changes. It is in the context of Catholic-Protestant unity that the divisions of opinion within the Council membership take on their major significance. The object of the "Fishermen" though vigorously sup- porting Catholic dogma, is primarily to avoid insistence on elements which would deepen the age-old chasm between Rome and other Christians. The "Fishermen" believe that if the language of the Catholic church regarding certain doctrines, such as the relation of Tradition to Scripture is changed, it will be easier to attract Protestants toward the Papal See. It should not be forgotten, however, that the division of opinion is not concerning the goal, the unity to be reached, but solely concerning the methods to be used to attain this end Some eighteen non-Catholic religious bodies either sent observer-delegates or were represented at this first Council session by observers invited as guests by the Secretariat for the Union of Christians. The observers are unanimous in praising the moving cordiality with which they have been received. Archbishop Heenan of Liverpool, a member of the Secretariat for Christian Union, claims that the Council has increased Protestant respect of the Catholic church. There is no question but that forces of rapprochement have been set in motion which will have important results in the future. Many religious leaders think a definite start has been made toward the distant and elusive goal of Christian unity. Dr. Lukas Vischer, representing the Geneva World Council of Churches, made this statement: "The first session of the Council has demonstrated the will to walk together. The road is long. One thing is certain, we have begun to travel along this road." Nevertheless, most church leaders, both Protestant and Catholic, feel that union is generations away, perhaps even centuries. Time went so far as to state categorically: "No-one believes that the Christian churches will join to- gether in this century." In fact, one observer in Rome told me: "I think I can leave the worry about unity to my grandchildren!" The debate with the separated brethren has not begun yet, and despite the new conciliatory tone, and the resulting psychological relaxation, it is hard to see exactly where Catholics and Protes- tants will find a common platform on which to construct unity. Of course, the chasm between atheistic and anti-Christian secularism and Christi- anity is deeper than the divisions between the Chris- tian churches, and some have suggested that oppos- ition to secularism and materialism could form this common denominator. Pope John XXIII has asked non-Catholic Chris- tians to pray for the success of the Council, for cer- tainly what happens in Rome will not only affect Roman Catholics, but will leave its indelible mark— for good or ill—on human history. We are convinced that there is a deep yearning in certain segments of Roman Catholicism for spiritual renewal, and a host of Catholic laymen and ecclesiastics are thirsting for righteousness. In their October message to the world, the Council Fathers gave expression to their desire for spiritual self-renewal in order to become more faithful witnesses of the Gospel of Christ, "our only Saviour." We may well pray therefore, that many Catholics may come to know Jesus Christ as their only Saviour and allow the New Testament message to "break through the manifold fetters and incrustrations" with which centuries of Papal and Conciliar dogmas and teach- ings have overlain the Gospel of salvation. Called by Name (Continued from page 21.) we, with the triumphant throng, passed dry-shod to the other side. Had we seen "the man Moses" coming radiant from the Mount, not we to murmur and complain. Thereafter we would have been one with Joshua and Caleb and made our successful entry into the Promised Land. Much more even had we lived in the time of our Lord. 30 Not we would have rebuffed His "little ones." Not we would have doubted His power and authority. Not we to fear—to sleep—to doubt— - If only we had been there, upon the Mount, upon the sea, in the gloom of the garden, even among the angry mob, not we to turn tail and flee, not we to deny, not we to follow afar off But me, I have often wished that I could have been that woman in the garden. "The first day of the week cometh Mary Mag- dalene early, when it was yet dark." She couldn't wait any longer. He was dead, but He was still "her Lord," and she—drawn like a magnet to the pole—followed the promptings of her faithful heart and "early," before any others, came to the quiet garden and found the empty tomb. She was distraught. So blinded by her grief was she that even the presence of "angels in white" failed to startle her into awareness. They could have been the veriest of mortals, so insensible was she. She "turned herself back," the Record tells us. And then Another asked her that self-same question. "Woman, why weepest thou?" and she didn't even register who it was who spoke to her. Until— "Jesus said unto her, 'Mary.' " I wish I had been that Mary that morning. How often had that Mary been afraid of the sound of her name! The kindly Luke describes her as "a woman in the city which was a sinner." Mary of Magdala, a woman of evil reputation, a grief of mind to her loved ones, seven times laid hold upon by the Lord. A girl with a history like that must many times have suffered humiliation. But today, as she knelt before the Master and heard His lips articulate her name, she knew her- self for what she really was, the chosen of the Lord, a daughter of Zion coming to her Saviour in garments of needlework of His own weaving. I wish I had been she. But thanks be, the promises of God are such that we can every one of us put ourselves in Mary's place as it were, and He asks us all the self-same question: "Why weepest thou?" For what He did for Mary He can and does do for us. "Fear not," He says, "for I have redeemed thee; I have called thee by thy name, thou art Mine." So let us not weep. The message of Easter tells us, above all, to lift our eyes to His dear face and see who it is that speaks to us, and the glory of it is that if we will only listen we shall hear accents just as sweet, just as loving, just as intimate and personal as did Mary on that blessed resurrection morning. Thanks be, when the dear Lord thinks of us, which He does continually and without the minutest intermission, He thinks of us individually, by name. We can imagine Peter incredulous on that Sunday morning; poor, defaulting Peter. "And did they really specially mention me?" We can imagine him seeking that confirmation again and again, and, oh, the joy it would bring to his bruised heart. But it was true. "Go tell His disciples—and Peter," the angels had said. Despite all his failure, because of all his failure, Peter especially was to be reassured. Wrote the Psalmist David: "I am poor and needy, yet the Lord thinketh upon me." Praise be, He is thinking on us, too, today, and whatever we have been it doesn't matter. Let us look up and see the love-light gleaming in His blessed face, and henceforth follow Him so closely that we shall at last hear our names ring through the heavenly courts, for it will be no hole-in-the- corner business, His welcome. "Come, ye blessed of My Father," He will say, "Come Mary, Come Peter, Come David, Come Abraham." Let us make exceedingly sure that we are there to hear Him then. COPYRIGHT ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Cover picture : John Baker, Barnaby's; page 2, Religious News Service; pages 4, 5, 6, Keystone; page 7, Braun et Cie; page 9, Religious News Service, Pallas Gallery; page 10, S.P.C.K.; page 11, R. & H.; page 12, V. T. Kanerva; page 13, Newton, Studio Lisa; page 14, Topical; page 15, Mansell; page 17, R. & H.; pages 18, 19, 20, Keystone; page 21, Studio Lisa, S.P.C.K.; page 22, Topical; page 23, Keystone; page 27, Braun et Cie. WE ARE SURE YOU HAVE ENJOYED READING THIS ISSUE OF "OUR TIMES." WHY NOT BECOME A REGULAR READER ? Fill in the coupon below and post with cheque or postal order to: The Circulation Manager, The Stanborough Press Ltd, Watford, Herts. MI MIMI MOM K My postal subscription of I6/- for twelve months. El My postal subscription of 8/. for six months. Place a tick against the order of your choice. Mr./Mrs./Miss � Address Block letters please Ma Lin � tip Ee921 OW as �MI MI � .11 I I I I I A Bible Story Re-told By Josephine Walton A DOWNHEARTED group of men sat huddled together on the pebbly beach by the lake-side. They were tired and sad. Two days earlier they had ar- rived in Galilee from Jerusalem, feeling quite beaten and dejected. Not even the startling message from one of their women-folk, claiming to have seen their Master again, had served to cheer them up. They didn't know whether to believe the message or not. The women had been so distraught at the time, it would be easy for Mary to have been mistaken. How could a man who had been crucified and whom they had seen die with their own eyes, come alive again? And promise to meet them here in Galilee? The tallest and most powerfully built man among them, headstrong, impulsive but lovable Simon Peter, suddenly jumped to his feet cast- ing aside his cloak. His voice was determined: "Well, I don't know about you fellows, but I'm not sitting here moping any longer. I'm going fishing !" He said it with an inquiry in his tone, "Did any of them want to go with him ?" They scrambled to their feet one by one. "We too!" said Andrew and Thomas. James and John also agreed. The sun sinks fast in the Middle East, and so it was dark as they launched the boat loaded with fishing gear. While following Jesus, they had been a long time away from the nets, but they felt their old skill return to them as they pushed off from the shore. The moon rose high in the heavens, the nets were cast. Then they were drawn, and cast again, and again. Simon stood singing softly in the prow of the boat, his deep bari- tone recalling a little hymn the Master had taught them to love. All through the long night hours they toiled, but they caught nothing. "It's no use, we'll have to leave it until later," said James, as they watched the first red glints of the dawn appear in the sky. Together they pulled for the shore. Simon Peter was thoroughly disheartened by this time, and his face showed it. He fumbled with one of the nets that had got a jagged tear in it, trying to mend it with quivering fingers. "Nothing's gone right for us since the Master was taken from us," he grumbled. "Have patience, Simon," his brother Andrew admonished him. "The Master said He would meet us here, and He has never yet let us down!" "Umph !" grunted Simon. "Ju- das thought the Lord had let us down. . . ." "Yes," Thomas butted in, "and look what happened to him. He found out how wrong he had been . . . when it was too late !" The boat was steadily approach- ing the shore, when John, who had been sitting silently in the stern, suddenly spoke close to Simon's ear. "Look! Look there . . . on the beach! Someone is waving to us." "Wonder who it is? He's got a fire going, too," observed Simon. A voice hailed them from the shore: "Have you caught anything, boys ?" "No!" shouted Simon. H e sounded irritable. Andrew nudged his brother : "Have a care, Simon," he said, "you don't know who it is." With gentle voice he chided the big man. "Cast your net on the right side of the boat," called back the Stranger. 32 "Does he think we don't know how to fish?" muttered Simon in disgust. But nevertheless he felt compelled to obey the command and he helped to cast the net yet again. Almost before the net touched the bottom of the lake, it was filled with a great number of fishes. One hundred and fifty-three they counted out later. Enlightenment dawned on John. He grabbed Simon's arm excitedly. "Simon, it is the Lord !" he exclaimed, his voice tremulous. Simon Peter jerked up his tousled head. He took another look at the Stranger still standing patiently at the water's edge, and with a loud cry of recognition, he cast aside the garment he had previously wrapped around him for warmth in the chill morning air, and leapt over the side of the boat into the water. Splashing his way through the shallows he stumbled over the pebbles and threw himself at the feet of Jesus. Great sobs shook his massive shoulders as Jesus laid a gentle hand on the tangled curls. "Come, Simon, son of Jonas, bring Me some fish and let us eat. You must all be hungry." At the tone of the Master's beloved voice, Simon jumped to his feet joyfully, and in a sudden burst of his old enthusiastic pride in his physical strength, he shouted to the others: "Let me have the net, you fellows. I'll bring it in !" Exerting all his powerful mus- cles, he dragged the heavily laden net clean out of the water onto the beach, and laid it at Jesus' feet. Soon they were all seated hap- pily round the small fire in the light of the early morning, mun- ching the bread cakes Jesus had provided, and eating the cooked fish as they all talked at once. The whole world seemed different now. The Master had kept His word! He was here, just as He had pro- mised! Mary had not been mis- taken after all. They were content and happier than they had been for a long time, sitting here in His presence, just like the old days. Questions could wait. Right now they were going to make the most of this hour. Jesus was theirs once again. itees oi the ',bible By Felicity Fayers IT is interesting to consider the many different trees mentioned in the Bible. Look up as many pas- sages as you can, and make a list of Bible trees. This Quiz will help you in your search. QUESTIONS : 1. Under what kind of tree did an angel of the Lord appear to Gideon, the "mighty man of val- our"? 2. The wood of what two trees did Hiram, king of Tyre send to Solomon to use in the building of the Temple? 3. When the Jews were in exile in Babylon, on what tree does the Psalmist tell us they hung their harps? 4. In their travels, the Israelites came to Elim where there were twelve wells of water. What kind of trees were growing round the wells? 5. What trees, according to the Psalmist, are a house for the stork? 6. In Isaiah 41:19 the prophet mentions seven trees that the Lord will plant in the wilderness. Look them up and add them to your list. 7. In Hosea 4:13 the prophet mentions three trees under which the Israelites used to burn incense. What were they? 8. Under what tree did Elijah sleep when an angel visited him, and told him to rise and eat? 9. Find three trees mentioned in Isaiah 44:14 that a carpenter hews down, and another that he plants. 10. When Nathanael spoke with Jesus, the Lord said He had seen him when he was under what kind of tree? 11. What kind of tree did Zacchaeus climb so that he could see Jesus? See how nicely you can colour this picture and send it with your name, age, and address to Auntie Pam, The Stanborough Press Ltd., Watford, Hert.., not later than May 5th. [Please do not paste your pictures on stiff card as the best entries are mounted in our special collection of paintings which you can see if you visit usl] 33 12. What kind of tree did John speak of in Revelation when he saw two trees and two candle- sticks standing before the God of the earth? Nem, � la/un By Ronald James T HE junk-man will be calling next week," Tim reminded his sister Kay. "Are you sure you have remembered everything?" "Of course I have," Kay replied. "No 'of course' about it; last year you forgot to include all the bones we'd collected." "Well, you forgot horse-shoes the year before," Kay reminded him. "I say, I forgot to tell you. Li- jah says there's a lot of horse- shoes in the old barn in Pope's field. I heard him telling Sam. He said 'There's a nice little old parcel of horse-shoes in the old barn this year.' "You talk about me forgetting things," sniffed Kay. "Oh, well, I'll get a sack and we'll go and collect them," sug- gested Tim. Every year, the junk-man, as the children called him, visited Cherry Tree Farm. Tim and Kay were allowed to accumulate anything in the form of scrap iron, bones, and other unwanted trifles. The money which they received was divided between them. "Jolly cold !" shivered Kay as they crunched their way over the frozen grass. "Yes; hope it lasts, then there'll be skating," answered Tim hope- fully. Let's run and we'll soon be warm." The reached the old barn, breathless but a great deal warmer. "Beastly dark in here. Good TREE QUIZ ANSWERS 1. Oak (Judges 6:11); 2. Cedars and firs (1 Kings 5); 3. Willow (Psa. 137: 2); 4. Palm trees (Exod 15 :27); 5. Firs (Psa. 104:17); 6. and 7. References given with questions; 8 Juniper tree (1 Kings 19:5); 9. Reference given with question; 10. Fig tree (John 1:48); 11. Sycamore tree (Luke 19:4); 12. Olive tree (Rev. 11 :4). job I brought my torch," said Tim. He shone the light slowly around. Rolls of old netting, sacks, various farm implemens, and a great many cobwebs were re- vealed. Of horse-shoes there was no sign. "What a swindle! dragging all this way for nothing!- grumbled Tim. "You misunderstood what Lijah said I expect," Kay laughed. "No, I did not, he said—I say !" Tim broke off, "just look at all the bats up there." High in the roof hanging from the rafters a number of bats were clustered. "Switch the torch off, we might wake them," said soft-hearted Kay, after they'd had a good look at the odd little creatures. "What queer faces they have. What kind were they, do you think?" asked Kay, as they entered the farmhouse. "I don't know," her brother YOUR LETTER My dear Sunbeams, ON the desk beside me as I write, I have a copy of one of Holman Hunt's famous paintings called, "The Light of the World." It shows Jesus Christ standing outside a door which is tightly closed and over- grown with weeds and vines. He wears a royal robe, and upon His head is a kingly crown which is en- twined with thorns. In His left hand He holds a lantern, and His right hand is raised in the act of knock- ing upon the fast-closed door as if He hopes the occupant will admit Him, because there is no handle on the outside. Like a parable, this picture has a hidden meaning, and represents Christ knocking on the door of our own heart and depending on us to let Him in. However, that is not the end of the story. When the frame of Hol- man's original painting had to be removed for repair, right down in one corner of the picture was found this inscription in Latin, "Nec me proetermittas, Domine !" which means in English, "Neither pass me by, 0 Lord !" This was Holman's humble prayer that the Light of the World, Christ Himself, would enter his own heart and dispel the dark- ness of sin. And so, as we especially remember at Easter the great sacri- fice of Jesus in giving His life for us, we too can say this prayer, that admited, "their ears looked funny to me, too." "Hallo! whom have you been watching? Visitors from outer space?- chuckled Farmer Jones, overhearing the children's com- ments. "They were horse-shoe bats," he explained, after receiving a des- cription of the hibernators in the old barn. "Of course, that's exactly what their faces looked like; little horse- shoes," cried Kay. "Yes, that is the feature which gives them their name," smiled the farmer. "Another distinguish- ing feature is that their ears lack lobes." "Thought they looked different from other bats I've seen," said Tim. "Well, we didn't get any more scrap iron but I'd rather have seen the bats," Kay remarked. "Me too!" agreed her brother, enthusiastically. Jesus may not pass us by because we have ignored His call, but that He may come and dwell in our hearts. When we have Christ the Light of the World in our hearts, we can- not help shining ourselves, and after all, this is what Sunbeams are for, isn't it? Good-bye for now. Keep shining brightly ! Yours affectionately, RESULTS OF JANUARY COMPETITION Prize-winners.—Deirdre M. Landels, 23 Hil'park Avenue, Edinburgh, 4. Age 15; Gordon Burgess, 53 Fuller Road, Wat- ford. Age 11 Honourable Mention.—Sylvia Floate (Felixstowe); Stephanie Robinson (Brigh- ton); Graham Hall (Plymouth); Denise Goulstone (Garston); Christine Binder (Lincoln); Doreen Floate (Felixstowe); Shan Phillips (Southgate); Carolyn Tur- ner (Edinburgh, 4); Barbara Wells (Lin- coln); Carol Y. Hall (Plymouth); Robin Clee (Royton); Pamela Ware (St. Bud- eaux); Martin D. Clee (Royton); Andrew Smith (Ipswich); Dawn Bosustow (Devon- port). Those who tried hard.—Stephen Gibbs (Theydon Bois); Yvonne Grover (Brix- ton); Linda Brimming (Swilly); Ruth Teare (Ipswich); Simon Plunkett (Stret- ford); Elaine Burgess (Portadown); An- thony Crunden (Ipswich); Anne Holden (Portslade); Gordon Graffin (Randals- town); Marilyn Gibbs (Theydon Bois); Carol Savins (Whitleigh); Robin Gibbs (Theydon Bois); Christine Fuller (Thun- dersley); Gary Freeman (Clapham); Janet Dust (Enfield). 34 MIRROR OUR TIME, ,05- ...60:110:14:11111ellsrj A European Europe INTERPRETING General de Gaulle's design for Europe, M. Couve de Murville said: "We are not seeking to maintain a large or small Europe, but to know if the Europe we are creating is a European Europe." Coming great church As a •result of the "unexpected and dramatic quality" of the Vatican Council "raising hopes for Chistian unity on a scale hitherto impossible," says the Rev. Patrick C. Rodger of the Faith and Order Department of the World Council of Churches, "it is possible now in a new way to look beyond the sad divisions of the past to the 'coming great church' whose features are known only to God." British "micro-brain" THE necessity of reducing rocket and space guidance systems to the smallest possible dimensions has resulted in the development in Britain of a "micro-brain" containing 3,438 components in a volume of just over seventeen cubic inches, and weighing less than two pounds. Fourth "courtesy call" WHEN the Rev. Leslie Davison, president of the Methodist Conference in Britain visited the Pope recently, he became the fourth head of a major non-Catholic church to pay his respects to the Pope. Lord Fisher called on him in December, 1960, while Archbishop of Canterbury. Dr. Arthur Lichten- berg, president of the American Episcopalian Church called in November, 1961 and Dr. Archibald Craig, Moderator of the Church of Scotland, in March, 1962. Protestants in South America THE report of a conference of Protestant churches in Latin America claims that there are about 7,300,000 Protestants in the continent today. Of these, 4 million are in Brazil, with a million each in Chile and Mexico. Toward African unity IN North Africa there are two competing pan- African unity movements, the sixteen nations of the Monrovia group comprising the twelve states of former French Africa, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, and Liberia, which Madagascar also is to join, and the Casablanca powers—Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Morocco, Algeria, and the United Arab Republic. Delinquent children THE Home Secretary speaking in Preston, stated that among boys between fourteen and seventeen, one in forty every year is found guilty of an indict- able offence. Though the proportion is less among girls, it is three times as high as before the war. Polar strategy A RUSSIAN nuclear submarine recently cruised under the ice to the vicinity of the North Pole to demonstrate its capacity to prevent "enemy" rocket- carrying submarines from delivering an attack from the polar regions upon the Soviet Union. Creeping shadow "CHINA casts a shadow over the world that looks as if it will grow longer every year," asserts the Sunday Times. "Sea of trouble" AN article in U.S. News and World Report truly calls the ocean between South-east Asia and Australia, a "sea of trouble." Sukarno is a "man in a hurry" seeking to expand Indonesia from New Guinea in the east to Malaya in the west and from North Borneo in the north to Timor in the south. Space "hikers" FROM the Manned Space Flight Centre in Texas comes the news that by 1964 or 1965 it may be possible for 'spacemen to leave spaceships equipped with a portable backpack for the purpose of explor- ing the moon. 11111111111111111M11111111011111111111111111111111no111111111011111111111iiiiii1111111111111111111111110111111111111111iiiiiimmill111111111111mii1111111101111111111111111111111 You are under no time. The Bible is your only to -Bible courses are available languages including B ake and find a window through doubt and find a prescription for fear and know why God permits suffering and find if the dead are and find the secret of ha and find how God still New-Free HOME BIBLE STUDY COURSE TAKE HIS WORD A new series of 29 stimulating book- lets bringing fresh insight to your personal problems. They emphasize the value of a practical Christian faith and point to the return of Christ as the only hope for lasting world peace. 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