"Glorious things of thee are spoken, Zion, city of our God; He, whose word cannot be broken, Formed thee for His own abode."
    Since the days of Abraham, Jerusalem has played an increasingly important role in the Biblical revelation; though it was not to wear this name for hundreds of years. There the "Friend of God" was met and blessed by Melchisedec, the King - priest of Salem, and to him the patriarch paid tithes.
    In the Amarna Letters, dating from the 14th century B.C., it is called "Urusalem". It was for many years a Jebusite stronghold called Jebus. The Jebusites were successful in resisting Israelite strength until the time of David who captured it, changed its name to Jerusalem, and made it the capitol of a united Israel. The prophets referred to this place by the poetical name of "Ariel" which means "Lion of God". More than once it is called "the Holy City". Mount Zion is the largest and highest of the four hills located within the ancient city.
    While there are many peaks higher than Mt. Zion, on which Jerusalem stands, few cities in Palestine

are built on so lofty a site. Many are the scriptural allusions to this beautifully located "holy hill", unto which the eyes of Israel will be lifted; upon which God will set His King; and in which the faithful will share the intimacy of His blessedness, (Psa. 48:12 12:1; 2:6; 15:1).
    Jerusalem means: "Founded in peace", though for centuries, as threatened by prophets, and due to the iniquities of the covenant people, it has known anything but peace. Plundered, ravished, pillaged, humiliated and destroyed, it has never experienced the blessedness which the Covenant God has offered and promised to effect. Thus, the fulfillment of the Messianic passages as related to the Holy City still await their fulfillment. For this reason it is imperative that they be examined with the utmost care. They may still be the basis of hopeful and joyful anticipation, though the nation as a whole has long since ceased to look for the personal Messiah of the covenants, psalms and prophets.

    Throughout the history of Israel, even in times of her greatest apostasy from the covenant faith, there

has been a remnant of faithful ones who deeply loved and manifested a constant concern for the welfare of the Holy City. Such an attitude is seen in the psalmist who expressed his sentiments in Psalm 122.
    "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. Our feet shall stand within thy gates, 0 Jerusalem. Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together; Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD. For there are set thrones of the house of David. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good."

    Four hundred years later the captives of Judah sat beside the rivers of Babylon. There they hanged their harps upon the willows and wept at the remembrance of Zion. When their captors required of them one of Zion's joyful songs, their hearts responded with the words of Psalm l37:4-6. "How shall we sing the LORD'S song in a strange land? If I forget thee, 0 Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy".

    According to Psalm 132, Jehovah has chosen Zion, desiring it for His dwelling place. Concerning it He has spoken: "This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it. I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread. I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy. There will I make the horn of David to bud."
    God has in this Psalm identified Himself with the throne of David. Dwelling personally in Jerusalem "forever". Henceforth, Jerusalem will be the "City of God" who dwells there in the person of His Son-King (Psa. 2) Whom He has enthroned upon Mt. Zion -- His holy hill.
    Hear the exulting of psalmist and prophet, as they anticipate the blessedness of Mt. Zion when the divine Messiah begins His reign. 'There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of

    The favorite past - time of some professing Christians appears to be an endless search for perplexities - something over which they may fret and complain. Some worry over the fate of the heathen, and inquire whether God can be just in doing this - or - that. Others are perplexed over the seeming inequities of life. The righteous are so often plagued by troubles while the wicked prosper. And some think their own lot in life is unbearably hard. Complaining of trials and disappointments, they are obviously not content with what God has done for them. Though they may say that "God is good", their chronic grumbling implies that they think He is not as good to them as He ought to be.
    How much better it would be to confront all such perplexities with the attitude of Abraham who asked: "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" (Genesis l8:5).
    Surely we can trust Him with all such things --- confident that He will do what is right in EVERY case. These words of Abraham ought to rebuke every complaining heart.
    What we call "trouble" may be a richer blessing than what we call "prosperity". And, though there may be certain inequities in this life, God has an eternity in which to adjust them. He WILL do right! Let us trust Him fully.
    "Commit thy way unto the Lord; Trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass."
    What has been the response of YOUR HEART to God's goodness?

    One of the most enjoyable weeks of my life was recently spent with Pastor James S. Mitchell and the Corinth Missionary Baptist Church of Dry Prong, Louisiana. God richly blessed His Word to the stirring of hearts and the salvation of souls. The hospitality of these Louisianans is not surpassed anywhere!
    It was a joy to see the deep interest, of young and old, in the Word; to observe the progress (both spiritual and material) made under the leadership of Bro. Mitchell since my last visit; and to make several new acquaintances.
    Few churches among us have the potential for growth that this one has RIGHT NOW if every member will keep his eyes on the Lord and rejoice to follow His direction. And I pray that they will! E.G.

    A recent letter from Pastor Leonard Ford tells of God's blessings on the work in Anchorage, Alaska. Bro. Ford has labored on this difficult field for several years ---- supporting himself at a secular job in order that he may hold forth the Word of life and light.
    If any reader of the CLARION HERALD can furnish Bro. Ford with the names and addresses of relatives, friends, or servicemen that may be contacted in behalf of the Christ and His church, it will be deeply appreciated. Write to:
      Pastor Leonard Ford
      8434 Vernon Street
      Anchorage, Alaska 99502

    God, the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge', (Psa. 46:4-7).
    'Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness. Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north,

the city of the great King, God is known in her palaces for a refuge. As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it for ever....Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments. Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof. Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following. For this God IS OUR GOD for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death (or, forever)', (Psa. 48:l-3, 8, 11-14).
   This same hope is expressed by Isaiah. "Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities; thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken. But there the glorious LORD will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams; wherein shall go no galley with oar neither shall gallant ship pass thereby. For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our King; he will save us", (Isa. 33:20-22; See Jer. 3:l4-18).

    The business of a New Testament Church is the responsibility of EVERY MEMBER. Let every member, therefore, accept his responsibility and be present at 7:00 P. M. this Saturday evening!