Nature and society both were stereotyped in those Bible countries, to be a standing proof of the truth of the Bible history.

We find in Arabia the same kind of life that characterized the times of Jacob and his sons. It stereotypes the patriarchal conditions.

The terrible bloody fact of the extirpation of the enemies of Israel stands with no apology for it. God was pleased to destroy a sinful condition of society which was too bad to be cured, and Israel was the means. The difference of our feelings and the feelings of those who live on the frontiers and suffer from the Indians will illustrate the case in some degree.

The Bashan region is called the place of sacred romance. Elijah was from that eastern region, about Mount Gilead. Jephtha was also from the same region; and to understand these characters we must understand the general conditions of that region, the influence of which is seen in the literature of Israel.

He was

Elijah was a great man, and a rough one. the greatest soul, from Moses up through — a man of great will, who could both speak words of love and slay the enemies of God. Than the example of Elijah in his prayer for rain, there is no better in the Old Testament. He could run better than Ahab's best horses. Balaam was also from the East. He was a professor of religion. Elijah was not much of a professor, but

a confessor. The contrast between Moses and Balaam is instructive. Both were men of great gifts. Balaam

was a great prophet of the old political world, and he foretold Europe. His character is an interesting psychological study.

There is no book of such value for the study of man as the Bible; and the great study of man is that of his will. A man's personality resides in his will.

The Bible deals with man in his relations to the kingdom of God. A man's relations to the kingdom of heaven depend upon the nature of his spirit.

The New Testament finds a place for all the people of the world in the great plan of God. Every nation has had its place and work for the good of the world of mankind.

There are two ways of holding people together: by outward force, as a barrel is held by the hoops, and by the attractive force of love, as the principle of life in a tree. As Christ said, "And I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto me.” Love divine and human, drawing men together, makes the only true church. Love is the attractive and organizing force of the church. Human loves are the cords to draw men to Christ and divine love. A man, to know Christ, must be spiritual; and to be spiritual a man must know Christ This is no contradiction, for in Christ there are two conditions of life, human and divine. See how the apostles went out and brought men together in Christ. They told the simple story of Christ's life, and drew men to love him as a man. From that they came

or were brought to know Christ as still living, to love us as the Son of God. Thus immortality is given to our lives. Mere teaching will not do it. The love of God goes beyond knowledge. The highest manifestation of love made the cross necessary. Angels would not need it, but the hearts of the people must be touched.

A great deal of conversion, it seems to me, is merely .proselyting. The study of the human heart is most necessary to the success of the minister.

church is by preYour own natural The place for a in the midst of

No man is naturally born into the kingdom of God, but I do believe that some are born much nearer to it than others. The church of Christ is the spirit of motherhood. The church begins with the children. "Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not." The way to begin the senting the story of Christ's love. sympathies will do much toward it. man to do his work is right at home, those he loves and who love him. "Go home and tell thy friends what great things the Lord has done for thee." Build up a church only where there is a need of it. The great interests of the Lord are above all denominations. The work should be like that of the leaven. Talk it up from house to house. Let your meeting be the result of a growth in the hearts of the people. That is the way in which Paul did it. What can we do for the community? What can we do for those who are already of Christ? "Meet often and speak to each other." What can we do for the chil dren? Use all the little human attachments to bring them together, and as you make these attachments, tiethem on to Christ.

The meek and quiet Moses chooses for his companion and leader, the warrior, Joshua. According to the law of selection, men seek those who compliment them. We must not think that the man most accessible of God

is the meek, soft, weak man. He prefers the strong and energetic.

God calls men in that way in which they can best understand him. To the star-gazer he gives a star, and, the fishermen are called by a draught of fishes. Moses was called in the burning bush, and Joshua sees a man with drawn sword. Moses was called for a teacher; Joshua for a military man. His age required courage and strength.

The advantage of writing words spoken is that it impresses them upon two senses, both sight and hearing.

LANGUAGE.

The English language is a composite language, and its origin may be traced to many different sources. For this reason it is the most flexible of languages.

The Old World is naturally divided into the north and the south by several great mountain systems; and because of this division there has always been two great races of men known in history as the north race and the south race.

This is no doubt providential, as it is said by the psalmist, "Thou hast made the north and the south." (Psalm 89: 13.)

Differences in climates and productions have their influences upon the characteristics of people and in the formation of their speech and language. For instance, most all the garden vegetables and fruits came originally from Persia.

The necessary occupations of the north and south are therefore different, and each different occupation has its peculiar qualities and modes of speech.

The social state of people is another consideration with respect to language. In the north there was the tribe condition; in the south, the national state. In the north, in the tribe condition, men lived a wandering, active, out-of-door life, and hence physical life was