Late word from Missionary Carlton Elkins informs us that their hoped-for return to the U.S. has been delayed until next year. This must have come as a blow to their yearning for fellowship and refreshment among the brethren, but there is not the slightest indication of bitterness. They know that "God moves in mysterious ways His wonders to perform".
    A Special Fund to provide transportation for the Elkins' to travel among the churches while in the States is being accumulated by the Landmark MBC here in Rockford, Illinois. A few churches have already made liberal contributions toward this goal with their consent, the funds will be deposited in a special interest-bearing account so that it will grow during the next few months of waiting. Others may feel free to add to that fund if they desire. Anything received above what is necessary to purchase a means of transportation will be given to the missionary to ap1y toward his return passage to the mission field.
    Above all, remember the Elkins', and other faithful missionaries, in your prayers. E.G.

    Justifying God, in His rejection of Israel, Paul stressed the fact of her persistent unbelief, (Rom. 9:30-33). They had faced the age-old problem of "How to attain right standing with God". From ancient times the question had been posed: "How can man be JUST before God?" (Job 9:2; Psalm l43:2). So long as the world stands, sinful and unbelieving men will still wrestle with this problem -- endeavoring, by their own wisdom, to find a satisfying and rational solution.
    The Jews assumed that the solution was to be found in their own endeavors -- that right standing before God would be assured by their own efforts at law-keeping. The law, divinely given on Mt. Sinai, was the most gracious order that God could establish to bring this people to Himself; but, none were ever to have right standing with Him through their own flesh-efforts at law-keeping, (Rom. 3:20). That very law was designed to show the covenant nation the utter hopelessness of their attaining right standing with God on the oasis of their own works of merit -- imprisoning

them in a state of conscious bondage until liberation was divinely-provided for them, (Gal. 3:19-29). The law-principle was NOT OF FAITH; but, justification is BY FAITH, (Gal. 3:11-12; Rom. 5:l; Gal. 5:4).
    The provision that God made for mankind, in the death of His own dear Son, was rejected by Israel. So, they continue in spiritual bondage -- finding no way of acceptable approach to the One Whom they still insist on calling their "Father". To them the Christ was "a stone of stumbling and rock of offence" -- His very righteousness condemning their vanity, (Psa. 118:22; Isa. 8:13-14; 28:16; Luke 2:34; Matt. 2l:33-46; I Pet. 2:6-7; I Cor. 1:23). In rejecting the Christ, they have brought upon themselves age-long shame and perplexity, (Rom. 11:7).
    By way of contrast, believing Gentiles have obtained the very thing that Israel sought, but failed to obtain. They made no effort

to prove themselves righteous. Rather, through a faith-commitment of their lives to the rightful lordship of Jesus Christ, they stand justified before God, (Gal. 3:13-14).


    Paul wants no misunderstanding regarding the cause of Israel's miserable failure; it was due to their stubborn refusal to BELIEVE Him Whom God had sent, (Rom. 10:1-13). He desires, yearns and prays for their salvation, (9:1-3; 10:1). He acknowledges their zeal, but declares that it is without discernment, (vs. 2; comp. Col. 1:9; Gal. 4:7).
    From his own experience Paul knows something of their sincere and zealous devotion to what they hold dear, (Acts 22:3; Gal. 1:14; Phil. 3:6). Yet, he now understands that the "natural man" cannot know or serve God acceptably (Rom. 7:14; 8:7-8). They know "the letter" of both the law and the prophets; but, have no true insight into the spiritual significance of God's word and purpose.
    Ignorant of the righteousness God had provided for them, in His Son, they refused to yield themselves to His order. Rather, they persisted, through their efforts at law-keeping, to establish a righteousness of their own (vs. 3; Phil. 3:9). But, even Moses had shown that law-keeping availed nothing unless one kept THE WHOLE LAW; and no one had ever succeeded in doing that, (Lev. 18:5; Neh. 9:29; Ezek. 20:11, 13, 21; Gal. 3:12; Jas. 2:10).

    Paul insists that Israel's long-expected Messiah (her rightful king) HAS ALREADY COME. By a perfect life, He has fulfilled every righteous demand of the law -- challenging the zealots of the law by His inquiry: "Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, WHY DO YE NOT BELIEVE ME?" (John 8:46). Then, taking upon Himself the sins of the whole world, He has satisfied the just demands of the law FOR ALL WHO TRUST IN HIM.
    Thus, Jesus has taken the law "out of the way -- nailing it to His cross" and establishing a NEW ORDER, (Col. 2:14). The law had been a divine insertion in God's plan -- a mere preparatory device, designed to prepare a people for the coming of Messiah. Now that Messiah has come, He is both worthy of, and requires, the full allegiance and trust of the covenant nation.
    The righteousness which is "of faith" recognizes that God's grace has already provided all that He requires for such as trust in Him, (vs. 6-13; comp. Phil. 2:12-13). It knows that the Messiah-Redeemer has already come; the very "Word of God" manifested in human flesh, (Jn. 1:1, 14, 49; Matt. 16:13-16).
    It is not necessary to seek the messianic will and word by ascending into the heights -- to bring Christ down. Nor is one excused for rejecting the word of Him Who has descended into the realm of the dead, but is now ALIVE FOREVERMORE! (Eph. 11:7-11). True faith recognizes man's helplessness and lays

hold upon God's sufficiency. The "righteousness which is of faith" accepts the "word of faith" proclaimed by the holy apostles. It is a word that is NEAR, (vs. 8; Dt. 20:12-14). It is a word to which all may readily respond -- if they WILL! The command of the Most High is to be proclaimed to EVERY CREATURE!
    Nor is it merely a matter of one's lips; it is also a HEART matter, (vs. 9-10). To "faith" the risen Christ requires the exercise of heart -- from whence are the real issues of life, (Jn. 1:12; Lk. 8:l5; Heb. 3:12; 10:22). On the basis of such faith one is like Abraham, "counted righteous", (Rom. 14:2-3). With his LIPS the believing one acknowledges his recognition of the risen Christ as his Saviour and Lord, (Matt. 10:32; Luke 12:8; Acts 8:36-37; Phil. 2:11; I John 14:2-3; 2 John 7).
    But, God's provision, in Christ, is not for Israel alone; it is for men of ALL RACES -- Jews and Gentiles alike, (vs. 11-12). No one will be put to shame for trusting in Him, (Jer. 17:7; Isa. 28:16; 49:23; Rom. 9:33). His ear is open to Jew and Gentile alike; He is "lord" of ALL -- manifesting the riches of His grace toward all who call Upon Him, (Rom. 3:29; I Tim. 2:5-6; Acts l5:9; Rom. 3:21-22). And whoever calls upon Him finds Him both Mighty and faithful to save (vs. l3; 1:16). This is true of one's initial trust in the Lord for deliverance from the guilt and penalty of sin. It continues to operate as the principle whereby believers may find

deliverance from the power of daily temptations. Thus, there is constant need for ALL to REGULARLY "call upon the name (power, authority and sufficiency) of the Lord" for the exercise of His saving power, (I Cor. 1:2). E.G.

    "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in DEPARTING FROM the Living GOD! But exhort one another daily while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin", (Heb. 3:12-13).
    The apostle Paul found it necessary to direct such a warning to a people who had been awakened and brought to Jesus Christ as their sin-bearer and Saviour. But, they had not followed on in the path of faith-obedience; thus, were turning aside, or going backward instead of forward.
    If such was necessary for them, how much more so for a generation of half-hearted, lukewarm professors of godliness who have become almost unsusceptible to the movements of God's Spirit upon their hearts -- which have gradually been hardened through the deceitfulness of sin!
    Nothing is more treacherous than sin. It so easily deceives those who have renounced it -- but only partially. Very skillfully does it manipulate the person who does not so fear its malignancy as to utterly reject it and, with humble heart,

flee into the protective arms of his loving Saviour.
    It is so easy for evil to be hidden away in some remote corner of the human heart -- making it an unbelieving heart -- one that easily backslides from the way of holiness, while it clings to the "dead letter" of religion in forms and habitual exercises of outward show. But, since Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit, is not permitted to dwell therein it is a heart that has no peace.
    What is the real danger that is faced by such a heart? Simply this: it is open to the entrance of another who brings with him seven spirits more wicked than himself and takes possession of one's life FOR EVIL, (Matt. 12:43-45). But, can such a thing happen to a person who has truly been saved? YES!
    Why does Paul portray such a person as departing from "the Living God"? Because, to the person who rejects the rule of Christ within, God is dead! Of course, God LIVES! But, He is NOT living TO YOU unless you are CONSCIOUS of His life, His Spirit and His power within you. You have only the idol of a spiritless "letter" and of the empty word. All this is the direct result of the deceitfulness of sin. So long as the Spirit of Christ is not permitted to dwell and rule within your heart, sin is quite willing to let you retain the respectable symbols of religiosity. For sin is given full scope to rule.
    But, this MUST NOT BE! Sin must be mortified that Christ may LIVE His life in and through you! Until

    The tremendous response that has come from our request to hear from the readers of the CLARION HERALD during the past month has been a cause for great joy and encouragement. In fact, we would like to share with our readers just a few notes from our correspondence.
    "We receive such a blessing from your paper each month. We want to keep receiving it. We can 'hear' your heart in the articles because the same spirit is in our own heart. May you be blessed and encouraged to continue this ministry".
    "Thank you for keeping us on your mailing list all these years! We do appreciate the spirit and tone of your articles -- offering positive encouragement to God's people to draw closer to Him".
    "We do appreciate the CLARION HERALD and your other writings. It is the smallest second class publication I receive. But it has more substance than most".
    "I want to continue receiving your paper. It is a blessing to me. I dig out some older issues and put together a thought once in a while for a devotional. It is also a source of spiritual food that I can partake of in moments of just relaxing and reaching in the bookshelf for something good to read."
    "The CLARION HERALD has been a part of our family scripture studies. Please continue to send it to our address".

    For the last time we are running the clip-out coupon at the bottom of this page as a reminder for YOU to send it in (if you have not done so already) if you want to continue receiving the CLARION HERALD. It will be necessary for us to revise our mailing list before sending out another issue.

    PLEASE, do NOT ask us to drop your name just because you are not able to contribute to the support of this ministry. If you will read the paper, and can profit from it, we WANT to keep sending it. But, we must know that you want it.

    We want to be a blessing to the hearts and lives of others.

Christ is given His rightful place within your heart and life your religious exercises are empty idols that only harden your already deceived heart.
      Help me to watch and pray,
      And on the Lord rely;
      Stedfast to walk in Christ's
        own way,
      And God to glorify!!

    "The merciful man doeth good to his own soul", (Prov. 11:17).
    Someone has referred to "mercy" as: "the cheerer of the heart, the burden of our song, the wonder of heaven, the envy of hell, the admiration of men and the distinguished attribute of God".
    When provoked or wronged, the godly man "remembers mercy". Instead of resenting injuries, he forgives them; he is ever disposed to manifest undeserved kindness toward all.
    The merciful man desires the hurt of no one. His delight is ever to do good. Nor does anything delight him more than an opportunity to show mercy to the "good of his own soul".
    With the law of love written on his heart, he endeavors to search out, bind up and heal every Wound that distress has made -- yearning to see every living soul rejoice. If he has a known foe, it rejoices the heart of the godly man to find an opportunity to DO HIM GOOD!
    And the merciful man "shall obtain mercy" -- divine and everlasting. The great "beatitude" found in Matthew 5:7; is designed as an antidote for self-love. He who cares for no one but himself is the greatest enemy of his own soul.
    Each of us may expect to be dealt with (by the Lord) as we deal with others. May He grant to all of us hearts that are devoted to His glory and praise!
    "Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful" (Luke 6:36). E.G.