Would YOUR knowledge of an imminent appointment with God radically change your living? Or do you NOW live as a Christian should?

    It should be the desire of every member in a local, New Testament, church to contribute something toward the maintenance of peace and harmony in the body. To "walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called" involves a definite ENDEAVOR "to keep (maintain) the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace", (Eph. 4:1, 3). On each member rests the responsibility to: "Be of one mind; live in peace"; and to "follow after the things which make for peace", (2 Cor. 13:11; Rom. 14:19).
    To make an argument in favor of "peace" seems unnecessary and foolish; no society can long exist without it. Therefore, it seems best to merely suggest a few of the things that appear necessary to the attainment and maintenance of this desired condition.
    Clothed with humility, the members of a church should subject themselves -- especially their private opinions, likes and dislikes -- to the other members, (I Pet. 5:5). This is not the subjection of an "inferior" to a "superior", but of equals to each other; not something extorted by authority; but voluntarily conceded by love; not yielded as a matter of right, but given

    A Christian is born of God, engrafted into Christ, and an habitation for the Holy Spirit. His nature is renewed, his mind illumined, his spirit changed.
    He is not what he was, for grace has made a difference; he is not what he desires to be, for grace is not yet perfected; he is not what he shall be, for grace shall be consummated in glory.
    The knowledge of Christ is his treasure; the mind of Christ his evidence; the love of Christ his song; conformity to Christ his life; to be with Christ his pre - eminent desire.
    By faith he rests on Christ, receives Christ, and looks to Christ. He hears Christ's words, walks in Christ's steps, and seeks Christ's approval.
    He speaks the language of the Saviour's kingdom, reveres the Saviour's statutes and laws, obeys His ordinances, wears His costume, and lives for His glory.
    The life of Christ within him is

the principle of his being, and because Christ ever lives he shall live also. In the Christian, Christ lives, and speaks, and acts.
    He is Christ's representative on earth, His witness before men, and His follower before God. The Christian hearkens to Christ's teachings, rests on His sacrifice, avails himself of Christ's mediation, and cheerfully obeys His royal laws. He inquires what Christ would have him know, and do, and enjoy.
    To know Christ, is Christianity intellectual; to obey Christ, is Christianity practical; to enjoy Christ, is Christianity perfected. As bread to the hungry and water to the thirsty; as the rock on a sultry day, is Christ to the Christian.
    The Christian is in the world, but not of it; among the world, but separate from it; passing through the world, without attachment to it.
    The idolater boasts of his idols, the Mohammedan of his prophet, and the Romanist in the virgin; the Christian glories only in the cross of his Lord Jesus Christ.
    The Christian is a man and may err; an imperfect man, and may sin; but a renewed man, and shall have his fruit unto holiness and the end everlasting life.
    The Christian is a warrior, and must fight; but he is a conqueror, and must prevail. He sojourns on earth, but dwells in heaven; is a pilgrim in the desert, but an en-tolled denizen of the skies.
    The Christian is the impress of Christ, the reflection of the Father, and a temple of the Holy Ghost.
    Contrast him with the infidel, in his faith; with the profligate, in his life; with the merely moral, in his heart; and with the Pharisee

for the sake of peace: in short, it is a mutuality of subjection rooted in love and humility.
    It is not without significance that Peter specifically advises young and inexperienced members to give respectful attention to the aged. Few things are more inappropriate in a church meeting than for a mere stripling of a lad to arise, with self - confidence and a haughty flippancy, to oppose or (worse) ridicule the views of a faithful old saint who might well be his grandfather. YOUTH LOSES ITS LOVELINESS WHEN IT LOSES ITS MODESTY. But the obligation of subjection does not end with youth. It extends to those of equal age or rank; none must be contentious for attention. Whenever the exercise of liberty, brotherhood or equality becomes a means of turbulence, faction and division it has been abused and perverted into an instrument for invading the rights of others and, thus, retarding the spiritual prosperity of the whole body -- bringing conflict, and not peace.
    A contentious spirit, disguised as "zeal for the common good", is even more divisive than one that makes no such pious pretensions. The apostolic admonition, at this point, is worthy of diligent attention: "Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves" .. "In honor preferring One another", (Phil. 2:3; Rom. 12:10).
    Offences will come, though a "woe" is pronounced on him through whom they come. To maintain peace there must be a proper treatment of

those offences. Every member should be careful not to GIVE offence; this will require love, kindness, courtesy and general civility.
    With equal diligence and forbearance every member should be hesitant to TAKE offence. No one should ever give place to offence until he is certain that offence is INTENDED. And, once offended, he should neither brood over it in silence, or tell it to a third party. Rather, he should go directly to the offender and state to him, in private, his views of the offensive conduct, (Matt. 18:15). But before an offended person goes on such a mission he should "dip his tongue in the fountain of love" -- going in the meek and gentle spirit of Christ. The gentle persuasion of LOVE will be far more effective in bringing an offending brother to repentance than railing accusation and an attempt to extort a confession by threatenings.
    If one succeeds in this private interview (and with a genuine spirit of love he usually will) then the offence may be forgiven, and love restored, without disrupting the harmony of the body. The offence should be forgiven, and forgotten -- never used as a "club".
    Every Christian SHOULD take reproof with meekness. But how few can truly appreciate the words of the Psalmist: "Let the righteous smite me; it shall be kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head", (Psa. 141:5). The Word of God is very severe on those who, with anger, neglect or disgust turn away from the loving admonition of their brethren. 'He that

in his spirit. His pedigree is from Jehovah; his new life, from heaven; and his name, from Antioch.
    0, Christian! Great is your destiny, refulgent your glory and unfailing your Blessed Hope. All things are yours, you are Christ's and He is God's. -- Author Unknown

MUTUAL RESPONSIBILITIES...Continued
despiseth reproof sinneth". "He that hateth reproof is brutish." "He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy' (Prov. 10:17; 12:1; 29:1).
    Do YOU appreciate the loving concern of your brethren?

    It is always encouraging to have visitors in the services at Landmark Church. Several have attended during the past few weeks, and it is our sincere prayer that each one has been aware of Christ's presence and a warm, Christian welcome.
    Your pastor deeply appreciates each effort that is being made in behalf of the church -- its attendance and worship. He especially appreciates the fact that our young people are bringing their friends. Twice, during the past week, young Glen Nunally has brought friends -- even though he is not a member of the church himself. And the Thompson's brought Tim Leyes with them last Sunday --- all the way from Madison, Wisconsin. It was good to see the Todd's in the morning service.
    Let each of us renew our efforts in behalf of Christ and the church during this New Year. If you bring a visitor that your absent - minded pastor fails to recognize, it will not mean that your effort is not appreciated -- only that his mind was occupied with something else.
    How about making certain that the pastor always has the name of every visitor that you bring? Jot it on a card and pass it to him before the service begins. This will go a long way toward making sure each visitor is recognized. But, recognized or not, EVERY VISITOR IS WELCOME; and every effort put forth for the glory of God, and the advancement of the church, IS DEEPLY APPRECIATED! -- The Pastor

    Too many who read this paper are one year CLOSER TO HELL! Why not trust in Jesus & be saved TODAY??