The Pilot’s Smile

We have had but one aim, in all our endeavors for the soldiers and sailors, and that has been their eternal good. The Lord has given us the work―opened doors of service for us, and strengthened our hands day by day.
Friends all over the world have helped us, and are helping us. The great Societies for Bible and Testament Distribution—the British and. Foreign. Bible Society and the Scripture Gift Mission―have made possible for us what would have been impossible without their help. We have been enabled to procure their Testaments and send them to all parts of the earth. May God bless them abundantly. None can realize like those who are brought face to face with great needs what. We owe to their great and generous organizations.
And we are all working for a Master Whom we love. We are told by a traveler about a vessel off a rock-bound coast, caught by a storm which threatened its destruction. In the midst of all the terror one daring: man, contrary to orders, went to the deck, made the dangerous passage to the pilot house, saw the steersman lashed fast to his post, holding the wheel unwaveringly, and inch by inch turning the ship again to sea. The pilot saw the watcher and smiled. Then the daring passenger went below and gave out a note of cheer. “I have seen the face of the pilot, and he smiled. It is all well.” Blessed is he who in the midst of earthly stress and storm can say with equal assurance, “I have seen the face of my Pilot and He smiled.”
The Diary of a Soul
By the Editor
Pray, my readers, night and day, that from the heart of the Nation a mighty cry of penitence for sin may rise to God, and that the rulers of the Nation may not be ashamed to acknowledge a Nation’s sins to God.
A Startling Sermon
The following cutting from the Exeter and Plymouth Gazette was sent to me: ―
The Rev. Donald Fraser, of Liverpool, began his ministry at George’s Chapel, Exeter, by preaching morning and evening to large congregations. The preacher delivered a startling sermon in the evening, in which he declared that the central idea of orthodox Christianity―that it required a Saviour to die for men-was a Pagan idea, and was responsible for the state of Europe today, the Kaiser being the apotheosis of it Such teaching would have to be cleared out, lock, stock and barrel, or civilization would disappear. A direct attack was made upon this doctrine, and its number was up.
When I read this I thought, it is easy for Mr. Fraser to scoff at the faith that has been dear to the human race for centuries. It is easy for him to speak of clearing out the teaching of the Crucified; but his words are as the froth on the tops of the waves that is blown away by the winds, while the sea of God’s purpose, full and flowing, goes on just the same―He is only shooting peas at the “Rock of Ages,” and using his spear of straw against immutable decrees. The Saviour, who died for men, has been the Hope of millions and so He is today. He says, to Mr. Fraser, and others like him, “Search the Scriptures... they testify of Me.” When Jesus Christ was on earth, God spoke from heaven and said of Him: “This is My beloved Son.” Today, God is sneaking to the world by His Son. “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth upon him. “These are solemn and significant words, and equally solemn and significant are these words of Christ, “If ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins,” John 8:24. There are thousands in England today preaching the blasphemy uttered by Mr. Fraser: The deep dishonor done to the Son of God in our midst is bringing God’s judgment down upon the nation. Who mentions the name of Jesus now? The question was asked when Jesus was on earth. “Have any of the rulers... believed on Him?” How many, believe on Him today? “He is despised and rejected of men” by such men as Mr. Fraser, who talks of clearing out orthodox Christianity, “lock, stock, and barrel,” but while he declaims against the majesty of God’s salvation, and derides the Son of God, “He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall have him in derision.” Psalms 2:4.