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By the UNION PUBLISHING CO. YOL. XII. “TO DIE IS CAIN!” —PHII.IPPIANS I, 21. The following meditation was written Sunday evening, January 26, 1896, upon the death of Mrs. J. E. Bond, which occurred in Atlanta, Ga., on Saturday morning, January 25, 1896, for the comfort and joy of her family, relatives and friends, and all who have a heart to be # v a concerned: w As this brief life passes on, one by one, effective tilings take place to wean us away from it. It is the Lord’s way and may be mysterious in our understanding, but not long, for one day soon we shall know more of the depths of His great wisdom, as well as grace and love. And how full—what a joy it will be! I cau rejoice in the prospect, and iu little else. For how true we see all things else, os but a shadow touched by the withering hand of sin and death. Even our closest earthly ties, memories, interests— all must be, will be, broken and dissolved, sooner or later, and at furthest, it is soon. How little the time seems when we see the crumb¬ ling going on! And what a forcible appeal it is to lay up treasures iu Heaven. There alone tilings are abiding, roal, everlasting. If we grieve over tilings down here, does it not prove a want of interest up there? If all our treasures, all our interests, all our hearts, were up there, wherein could we grieve when a dear one goes to the place of our joy—their home and our home? I have thought our sadness most should be on account of our being left in the wilderness, for who can really love the pilgrim life which is ours here? Not that death is to be desired and craved, but the coming of the Lord, which is our hope and our longing—the completion of the joy aud deliverance for the family of God. Until then we may not supremely enjoy our Father’s House wherein the many mansions are. As our dear ones go hence, may we not look up and think one more of the family has readied home?—there to wait for the redemption of the body, which will be but a little while. Truly there is nothing to lament when those, who are the Lord’s alone, pass over Jordan to Canaan, leaving the wilderness behind. Aud the goodness of the Lord is iu it for us as well, when we know that all things work together for good to them that love the Lord, and so it is meant for us. How earnest we should be to catch and realize the purpose of the hand of the Lord in all His dealings, which bear upon us and speak to us! Thai we might be careful,to catch every accent, and bend forward to hear every whisper. That consciences were moved to bring us more in His love, and conform us more to His pleasure, till we become partakers i’ of His holiness! That is among His purposes iu the various bearings these dispensations are intended for. Do we realize it in its deepest effects? Painful as is the expe¬ rience, do we count it all as the actings of His love, to be overruled for good and glory? Under all the weight and gloom that presses upon us, do we look up to Him with a spirit and heart sensible of the fact that it is His will and He doeth all things well? We know not the complete fullness of His dealings, but we may gather the gooif for us, If devoted aud earnest in heart. We may learn over again more effectually, what we have long known—the uncertainty and short¬ ness of this life as a hand-breadth. We think over the life of the dear one just passed, from early child¬ hood to the last evening—now gone already! How soon! Just gone, gind strange to us yet, because we The l Union. could not stay it—because we are as worms in our power over these things! We see solemnly and truly that this life must dissolve with us all, and that there Is no abiding place here. But 0! do we seek a country, an habitation which hath foundations, since there are none here? Do these serious experiences not call us away from things that perish, to the tilings imperishable? We are continually prone to be attracted tolfts world, though black with sin and death, and often are fondling our little interests, here may be to the neglect of our treas¬ ures in Heaven. Something, as the death of a dear one, comes home to us. Do we then see the vanity, aud our interests here tnrn into worth less toys? If so it is well, for such is tlie course of this world, and it should be ever sensible to us. If we Fail to be conscious, the Lord in love would remind us, aud His lessons are eternal and full of meaning. Let us not count them hard and severe, but accept iu meekness and His fear. I feel sure one day we shall be amazed at His wisdom aud love in dealing with us, for we neod much—prone, stumbling, failing children as we are. His hand alone could bring us through a wilderness, sinful world as this. As we contin¬ ue to look to Him who now bows us in sorrow and gloom, we know that it is not His pleasure, but a yearn¬ ing heart He ever has over us, until one day wo too shall be with Him and like Him, at tlie time, soon no doubt, when we all who are saved by His grace,' dead ajjd alive, are caught up to meet Him in the air. “My hope on nothing loss is built Than Jesus and the blood He split; 1 dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on His great name. On Christ the solid rock 1 stand, All other ground is sinking sand!” E. B. It T| m )> “We do not deny,” say tlie doubt¬ ers of the Gospel, “that so long as a believer lias Christ, lie has life, or sternal life; but if he sin, lie uo longer lias Christ; and, therefore, uo longer lias eternal life - ” This is, perhaps the most; seducing doc¬ trine that Satan can bring against tlie real child of God. By this wile uf the enemy, numbers of Godjs deal children are hindered from all en¬ joyment of peace with God. Let not my reader, however, sup¬ pose that a mere profession, cover¬ ing over a wilful course of sin and wickedness, is what is here defend¬ ed. No; there are thousands of unconverted professors hastening thus to destruction, to whom that passage applies, “He that commit¬ ted! sin is of the devil.” (1 John iii,8) Yes, be uotdecieved; if tlie Holy Ghost has ix^t brought you, as a lost finner, to receive Jesus as your Savior—your Savior from the guilt ind condemnation of sin, by His death on tlie cross, and your living Savior to deliver you from the present power of sin—no matter what profession you make, no matter what you have; if you have not Christ, you have not life. “He that hath the Son hath life; he tiiat hath not the Son of God, hath not life.” (1 John v, 12.) Indeed this first Epistle of John was written to meet these two very deadly errors, so prevalent in our day; on the one hand, that it is enough to take the name of Christ, and attach it to an unconverted, unholy life; and, on the other hand, if a true child of God should be overcome and sin, he no longer has Christ, aud, therefore, no longer eternal life. Now, the true child of God, oue of whom this verse speaks —“I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you, for His name’s sake” (l John ii, 12), "United m Stand, Divided we Fall ”— CANON, GEORGIA, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1896. yes, one who is born of God, has the very nature of Christ, and this uew, divine nature canuot sin; as it is written, “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sla; for his seed remainetn in him; and lie can not sin because he is born of God. Yes, though every child of God has this new, divine nature, in which he stands before God, and which shall endjure led holiness, for e ve# jteh'-can not be vot m touched because “as He is, so are we, in this world.” Yea, though uo language can express the perfect, blameless standing of every new creatiou believer in Christ, yet every child of God must, at once, admit that we have, whilst here below, still to wage fierce battle our old nature, corrupt with all its lusts: nay, further, that “if we say tiiat we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is notiu us.” (Chap, i, 8.) Y’es, tlie beloved dis¬ ciple, John, puts himself with us, in that little word, “we.” If yon, my reader, are a child of God, can you uot say, that this very sin itself in your old nature, is the greatest trouble you have? “If we say tiiat vve have not sinned, wo make Him a a liar, and His word is not in us.” Can you say, you have never sinned since your conversion? Impossible; nay, sin, before your conversion, appears nothing compared with sin against one who has so loved you. Aud now, says (lie wily enemy (spoken of 2 Cor. xi, 14) to tlie true little children of God, “If any man sin, he nolonger lias Christ; and, therefore, nolonger has eternal Doar fellow-tempted believer, if were true, what would become of thee and me? If we had no«Christ, when vve need Him most, oh, where would be tlie uso of His living priesthood on high? But, bless be the God of all grace, we can tlie adversary with, “it is written. My little children, these things write I unto you, tiiat ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ tlie righteous; aud Ho is a propitiation for our sins, &e. I do uot see how it coulcl be plainer. Satan, through men, says to the children of God, if any man sin he QO longer lias Christ. The word of God says, carefully limiting this to the children of God, that though this is written that we may not sin— and surely it is the inmost desire of every true child of God not to sin— yet, if any man sin, sliowiug that every child of God is liable to fall, iu the hour of temptation, that if he should sin, we have then Christ iu a very special way. And now, mark, it does not say, if lie repeat, of if he .veep bitterly— no, it is, if he sin. I say, above all tilings, is not this just where the weak, failing believer needs Christ—if he sin? When he sees iu that look of unchagned love, such as Jesus gave to Peter, that he still, though so utterly unworthy, has Christ, and. therefore, still has eternal life, he will repent, and be will be sorry, But lest this should oe put as a merit, it is plain out, “if any man sin.” Now, at such a sad moment, what is Christ to him? An advocate. Aud what is an advocate? It is one who stands up, in open court to plead and maiuta’u tlie cause of another. Aud it is true, that, oven when the true Christian sins, that he not only still has Christ, but that Christ stands up to plead aud maintain cause? Yes, it is written so. “Oh!” says the believer, “on whatever ground can Christ maintain my cause, iu the high court of heaven? Whatever can He plead, wheu I sin?” He pleads His own prevail¬ ing blood. He is the righteous One. And He is the propitiation for our sins. And, mark whom He pleail^ with: it does not say no, with the Father, Even isve sin, still He owus'us breth reu. ft is my Father and your Father, the Father. Oh, what a aecub resting-place for the weary heart is this endearing name, the Father! He does chasten us as sons, but|is ever the Father. How perfect this living work of Christ! Oh, ble sed, loyiug, watchful shepherd! oh, thou all-prevailing priest and advocate! my only security is thy faithfulness to me, not my faithful¬ ness to thee. bellow-believers, let us walk In the light, as He isiu the light. With such an advocate, let us fully con¬ fess our sins “for He is faithful and just to forgive us oursihs, and to cleanse us from all unrighteous¬ ness.” “The blood of Jesus Christ Hi^ Son, cleanseth us from all sin,” Everlasting is the efficacy of that precious sacrifice for our sius. Everlasting is the life we have in Him. Everlasting is His love to us. He can not break His promise; “and this is thy promise that He hath promised us, eternal life.” God will not alter His own record, “and this is tlie record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Sou.” It is not because we do this or that but “because He liveth, we shall live also.” Before one of Christ’s sheep can perish, one must be fouud more t] God. “For,” says ttjjiinto them eternal ||ball pay never perish, pluck them out of m ft y Father, which gave )ern m ® greater than all; and is able to pluck them out of lather’s hand.” (John x, 28.) my fellow-Christian, reject not precious words of life. Thou surely nee^est them, or they would not be given jthee. Say uot, if this may sin as I like. ' believer can say so. Htrcari hot like sin. SiD can not be the believer’s object. It was so with Judas; lie sought opportunity to betray Christ. Not so with Peter, yet he fell. Ob, beware! Watch pray, lest thou enter into temp¬ tation. Still, child of God, for thy comfort, remember—“My littla chil¬ dren, these things write I uuto you, ye sin not; and, if any man sin, [we have an advocate with tlie Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, and He is the propitiation for our sins.” C. S. “THE LIVE BIRD LET LOOSE.” How very good God has been in giving us such plain pictures iu His Word; setting forth man’s moral condition, and his own great deliv¬ erance, through tlie death and res¬ urrection of Jesus. And certainly there are few more striking than the picture or type of the two birds. To a person deeply anxious to know, with certainty, that he is cleansed from sin, this picture is most valua¬ ble, I have seen such, brought by the blessed truth set forth in this type into tlie most abiding confi¬ dence of faith. And God gives me this confidence, tiiat many more will be brought, by this little paper, into His own perfect peace. Let us now look at the picture. This was the law appointed of God, in Israel:—“The leper in whom the plague is, his clothes shall be rent, and his head bare, and he shall put a covering upon his upper lip, and shall cry, ‘unclean, unclean,’ all the days wherein the plague shall be in him, he shall be defiled; he is unclean; lie shall dwell alone, without the camp shall his habita¬ tion be.” What a terrible picture of ain, leproay is—what a living death of wretchedness and desolation. The disease itself most loathsome. The l»Sf&Qn covered with sores so as to Term: One Dollar /W\T«p\ be unfit for human eye. Wander¬ ing alone or with others in like wretchedness. Those most dear to him not allowed to come near. His food left him by a brook, or under a tree; or living as best he could from the wild fruits of the desert. At times there must have been heart aching longings for home. One thing was very remarkable, if the leprosy liacl covered him all over, from head to foot, all turned white; then he was clean. The priest is appointed of God to express God’s mind, or judgment, in in tlie case. The manner of his cleansing was this:—"Then shall the priest co'mmand to take for him that is to be cleansed, two birds (the margin reads two sparrows) alive and cleau, aud cedar wood and scarlet, aud hyssop. And the priest shall command that one of the birds be killed in an earthen vessel over running water: as for the living ■ bird, he shall take it aud the cedar wood, and the scarlet and the hys¬ sop, and shall dip them aud the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over running water. Aud he shall sprinkle upon him that is to be cleansed from the lep¬ rosy seven times, and shall pro¬ nounce him cleau, and shall let the living bird loose into the open fields.” (Lev. xiv, 4, 7.) Then the priest comes down to this poor , anxious leper, by the brook in the valley. Solemn moment for the poor leper; will he be rejected and left in l\is wretchedness;or cleansed and restored to his longed-for-home) He watches every movement of the priest; one bird is killed: its blood falls into the earthen vessel. How expressive of the death of Christ. Aud now the priest takes the other bird in his hand; watch him. He clips it in the blood of the dead bird; you see the blood on its feathers. He sprinkles the blood on the poor leper seven times, the perfect num¬ ber. He is about to speak the sen¬ tence of God upon the poor, anxious leper; the leper listens with breath¬ less silence. He fixes his eyes on that live bird, held captive in tlu priest’s baud— thoughts of happy home rush into his mind—his libertj is bound up iu this little eruptive bird. If it is let go, then the leper h free. The priest pronounces him cleau- the bird is let loose into the open field—tears of joy gush down the cheeks of the cleansed leper ins streaming eyes gaze on the flight of the blood-stained bird, a living witness of Lis cleansing and liberty. Ask him how he knows he is cleansed, and his reply would be,— the priest of God pronounces me clean. The bird is free and flown away, that is how I know. Yes, as certain as the living bird is flown away, so certain is it that lie is cleansed. For this is the way God has made known iiis mind to the poor leper. The bird could not be set free, until he was pronounced cleansed. Then followed tlie wash¬ ing of his person in water. could be more plain, or more pre¬ cious, than the truth thus get forth. The one bird showing the death, fhe other the resurrection of our b’essed Lord. This is God’s on'y way o* cleansing toe wretched sin¬ ner from his sins. Aud, blessed be God, your case can not bo too bad for God’s cleaus*ng. If you are a sinner all over; if like the leprosy, having speut itself turns wiibe; if you hove speut all in sin; if charac¬ ter, health, friends, home—if all is gone. If weary of life; however wretched add desolate, God meets you in the death of His own Son, with the certainty of the for¬ giveness of all sins, through His blood, tb every one that believes. I think I hear my reader saying, Yes, yes, I have read that the blood of Christ cleanseth from all sin, how I am I to know that it NO. 5. me? You say, “My poor, trembling, auxious heart wants to know tiiat! cau you tell me?” Oh, yes, blessed be God, His word leaves no uncer¬ tainty. How did the leper know he was cleansed? He believed God’3 priest, aud the token he gave him in the living bird. And has not the precious blood of Jesus been shed; has it not been spilt on this earth, us the blood of the bird that was killed? One bird could not be killed and then let fly, so there had to be two, to show the death and resurrection of our precious Sub¬ stitute. Watch that bleeaing Surety 'lie for sin, and then laid captive for you (trembling believer) in deaUi. Now, a3 the blood of the bird was sprinkled seven times on the leper, before the living bird could be set free, has not God as surely pro¬ nounced His judgment, as to the perfect and everlasting efficiency of the blood of Jesus for every one that believes Him? The bird was let loose because the leper was cleansed —Christ is risen—the believer is purged. You don’t suppose that the priest, if he had the mere feeling of man, would pronounce the words so is the leper could not tell whether he was cleansed or not—nothing could be more cruel than such un¬ certainty. There was the priest’s word, and the bird was flown loose xway. This gave him the utmost certainty and joy. And can we then suppose that God has spoken in His word so indistinctly, as to leave the auxious believer in cruel uncertainty? Ob, no; God could not have spoken more plainly. He says, having raised the captive surety from the dead, “Be it known unto you, therefore, men and brethreu, ihat through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins, ind by Him all that believe are justified from all tliiugs. ” Do yon relieve Jesus died on the cross, bearing your sins iu His own body on the tree, there taking your place is substitute for your sins? Just as the bird could not be let go unless the leper was pronounced clean; so Christ our Surety could not be let go from the prisou of death, if His blood bad not purged our sins. But God by the very raising of our Substitute from the grave, pronoun¬ ces every believer justified from all things. I repeat again, the leper knew he was cleansed; the priest ■laid so; the bird was free in the open field, I know I am forgiven, aud justified from all things. God says so, and my captiye Surety, the blessed Jesus, is risen, and free iu the highest heavens. God could not give me a greater f>roof of the certainty of my justification, than He has iu raising Jesus from the .lead for my justification. Then do you believe the precious blood of Jesus has been shed? And do you believe that God hath raised him from the dead ? Theu God pro¬ nounces the forgiveness of all your fins tb rough Jesus. Nay, more, He pronounces you and every believer justified from all things. God pronounces every believer justified. This gives you the clearest cer¬ tainty. Now, as the leper being cleansed by tlie sprinkled blood, then washed his person in water; so, my fellow believer, being justified, let me beg of you to seek the constant washing of the Word. Your standing is cer¬ tain, justified from all things in the risen Christ. But your walk needs the constant washing of His precious service. As the blood upon the ear, the thumb, aud the toe of the cleansed leper, and the oil upon the blood, so may we who are bought with His precious blood be filled, led and kept by the Holy Ghost. Yea, may body, soul, and spirit, be henceforth sanctified wholly unto Him. C. S,