Just as it is time to go to press we have received a typewriter for which we have waited more than three months. Thus, we make our initial experiment on this issue of the CLARION HERALD.
    Some of our readers have made liberal contributions toward the purchase of a machine that will significantly reduce the work load of this editor -- provided that the experiment comes out right.
    It is our desire to increase the size of the paper in the near future, while setting the type for several expository studies that may be of some benefit to others. Beside this, one of our major contributors desires a series of booklets on various doctrinal issues -- such as will be practical for passing out where there is justifying interest or need; and we want to be able to assist in this also.
    If there was ever a time when there existed a greater need for sound, biblically oriented literature, I do not know when it was. Thus, we desire your prayers as we attempt to determine the best way to invest for the future. We desire your prayers in this matter.

    "Up, make us Gods, which shall go before us!" (Exodus 32:1).
    Who would consider making such a demand as this? Was it not a heathen people, who knew nothing of the true and living God? NO INDEED! ! This was the demand of a people specially chosen and blessed of the Lord -- Israel! It was a people who had only recently been redeemed from terrible bondage, (Ex. 14:30). It was a people secured by the visible symbol of God's presence among them -- in the cloud and fire, (Ex. 3:14). It was a nation that had been miraculously sustained by heavenly provisions, (Ex. 16:15). It was made by a people who were on their way to a land promised them for an inheritance by the true and living God -- a land flowing with milk and honey, (Ex. 3:14).
    How could such a people come to such a state of moral insanity? Surely something had gone wrong! They had, first, become dissatisfied with God's methods, (Ex. 32:1). Their divinely-appointed leader had been away for several days. Nor did it matter to them that God had, Himself, called him up into the holy mount. Neither were they

concerned that his absence was on their behalf -- that they might have clearer direction for walking in God's way.
    It seemed to the people of Israel that their progress was far TOO SLOW! If God was truly giving them such a glorious land, then, WHAT WAS HE WAITING ON? They were beginning to get impatient with Him; so, they just took things into their own hands! They did not officially renounce God; they merely added a calf -- creating a god of their own making, which would permit them to do THEIR OWN THING while "feeling good" about it.
    Nor was it long before they concluded that their own ideas were best! They honored the golden calf as the god who had brought them out of Egypt. And Aaron proclaimed "a feast to the LORD", (Ex. 32:6). The people brought their "burnt offerings" and their "peace offerings" -- just as Jehovah-God had commanded; only, now, they would

offer them to the god of their own hands. They sat down to eat and drink; and they rose up to play. These REDEEMED PEOPLE were acting in such a way as to make themselves ridiculous in the eyes of the heathen nations around them, (Ex. 32:25; 2 Chron. 28:19).
    This situation, in ancient Israel, raised one of the most significant questions of the ages: WHO IS ON THE LORD'S SIDE?" Is the majority always right?
    The majority certainly was not right in the days of Noah! (Gen. 6:5-8; I Peter 3:20); nor at the destruction of Sodom! (2 Pet. 2:6-7). The majority would not be permitted to prevail with regard to Gideon and the Midianites, (Judges 7:7); nor was it right in the day of Goliath's defeat by the boy, David, (1 Sam. 17:32-50). The majority did not make a very good judgment on the day of Christ's crucifixion, (Matt. 26:56). He prayed alone in Gethsemane, and died alone at Mt. Calvary. And the majority certainly cannot be followed if one is serious about obtaining eternal life, (Matt. 7:1-4). God is concerned for QUALITY, not quantity!!
    If we would know who is truly on the Lord's side, we must know it on the basis of His Word. One must, first, recognize his sin as a matter of rebellion against his maker -- a personal tragedy that moves him to repentance, (Rom. 3:23; 6:23). Then it is necessary that he accept the provision that God has made for his salvation in the death of His own dear Son, (Heb. 2:9; 9:22; 2 Cor. 5:21). There must

be a yielding of all to God's sovereign authority and actual lordship, (Rom. 12:1-2).
    One who is truly on the Lord's side will love the church, as the "body of Christ" - for which He shed His precious blood, (Eph. 5:25-30; Acts 20:28). He will also love his brethren, whom he can see, (I John 4:20). He will prefer Christ above all other treasures, (Jn. 21:15). And He will joyfully "keep His commandments", (Jn. 14:21). They will not be considered a burden. There will also be a willingness to suffer loss - even "the loss of all things" that Christ may be ALL-IN-ALL! And for Jesus' sake, one will be willing to take the place of DEATH TO SELF -- that the life of Christ may also be manifested in him.
    THERE IS NO OTHER WAY! BECAUSE THIS IS GOD'S WAY!!


Each fretful line upon the brow
    Dug by the plow of care,
Is treason to your pledge of faith
    And satire on your prayer.

The world of sinners know not
      God,
    Nor read the gospel true;
They care not for the Holy Word,
    But they are reading you.

Do you desire that men shall
      think
    That God is what you say?
And that a man who lives like you
    Is on the narrow way?

    "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken; nor his seed begging bread", (Psalm 37:25).
    What a marvelous testimony! How encouraging for others! It is really true that the Lord CARES for the righteous -- those who, conscious of their need of mercy, have trusted in God's promise for forgiveness through the meritorious life and death of His dear Son.
    God has promised never to leave or forsake those who trust in Him; nor will He withhold from them "any good thing", (Heb. 13:5-6; Psalm 84:11). Furthermore, He so cares for their "seed" that there is no need to "beg bread". How wonderful are the testimonies of His provision for orphans in such a way that all have been compelled to acknowledge that "This is the Lord's doing!
    Not only does God provide bread for the mouths of the seed of the righteous; He also provides opportunity whereby they may hear of, seek and obtain that better Bread which came down from heaven -- a bread that endures to everlasting life, (John 6:35-52). Thus are they snatched from the jaws of ignorance and ruin.
    All who have heard, seen and partaken of such divine provision should acknowledge that our God is one who keeps His covenant and is stedfast in mercy. All His promises are faithful and true. He is so utterly trustworthy that one may safely entrust all to His care.
    Let us, therefore, cast all our

cares upon Him -- so fully yielding the loyalty of our hearts to His benevolent care that His goodness may be forever sanctified to our seed.


    There is within the child of God a conflict between the indwelling Holy Spirit and "the flesh" -- the old man who had completely ruled our lives before the divine life-principle was given us when we entrusted our all to Jesus Christ. Because there is a conflict we must "watch and pray", (Matt.

26:41). To set one's mind on following the Holy Spirit means "life"; to follow the ever-corrupting influence of the flesh leads to "death" - as separation from the life-sustaining fellowship of the Most High.
    Many are the admonitions to "walk in the Spirit" by which we are sanctified and renewed - the spirit that condescends to dwell in our hearts and assists in the discharge of our duties, (Rom. 8:9, 26). It is important to walk under the Spirit's guiding influence (Jn. 16:13). Nor should we be discouraged by the consciousness of this warfare within; by the power of the Holy Spirit we may "mortify", or reckon dead, the influences of the old man over our lives, (Rom. 7:22-23; Lk. 11:13).
    When one follows the Spirit he will NOT gratify the lusts of the flesh. Lustful thoughts lead to sin, and sin to death. It is of the Lord's mercy that when one sins he is made conscious of his guilt. The pricking of conscience, the terrors of the law, the consciousness of broken fellowship and dejection of soul are meant to drive one to the Saviour - where there is forgiveness for such as confess and forsake their sin, (I Jn. 1:9).