According to the prophet Micah, Zion shall be "plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high place of the forest," (3:12). Nevertheless, the day will come wherein "the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established ... the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem". Israel shall dwell safely, and none shall make them afraid, (Micah 4:1-4).
    Though trodden down of the Gentiles, Israel's house will not always be desolate. The time came when a foundation stone was laid in Zion, (Isa. 28:16). The nation rejected this "stone" -- highly displeasing God -- and was "cast off" as a covenant people, (Psa. 118:22-23; Comp. Matt. 21:33-46). Once God's purpose in this is fulfilled, He will again speak to the hearts of His people and receive them back into the covenant, (Rom. 11:23-29).
    The early ministry of Isaiah was designed (of God) to confirm the nation in its unbelief -- hardening the hearts, and making heavy the ears of the covenant people, (6:9-10). But the second portion of his prophecy begins with a word of com-

fort,(49:2-5; 9-11; 51:3; 52:7-10).
    In Isaiah 49:l3 the command is given: "Sing, 0 heavens; and be joyful, 0 earth; and break forth into singing, 0 mountains; for the LORD hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted." But the nation said: "The Lord hath FORSAKEN me, and my Lord hath forgotten me". Jehovah's reply is given in Isaiah 49:14-24. (Compare Isa. 54:1, 4-8).
    Through the prophet Zephaniah God spoke: "Sing, 0 daughter of Zion; shout, 0 Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, 0 daughter of Jerusalem. The Lord hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the KING OF ISRAEL, even THE LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more ... The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing ... I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the Lord", (Zeph. 3:14-17, 20).
    Messiah's kingdom cannot possibly exist on earth so long as the city of Jerusalem, the spiritual

    During the week of September 4-10 Pastor Leonard Garlington, of the Rock Hill Missionary Baptist Church, West Monroe, Louisiana, is scheduled to be with us for a series of Special Gospel Meetings.
    It was this pastor's privilege to visit briefly with Bro. Garlington and his fine church two years ago. He is a brother who loves the Lord and His church to such a degree that he recently gave up his job as a banking executive to work full-time with Rock Hill Church.
    Let every member of Landmark put forth a serious effort to interest others in attending these special services. And pray that, as the Word of God is preached, lost ones may be saved and the lives of the saints strengthened and challenged to a deeper commitment for the glory of God.

    Several have asked whether we are planning a Fellowship Meeting at Landmark over the Thanksgiving holiday this year. The answer is YES. I trust that many of our readers will plan to share this time of fellowship with us.
    During years gone by we have had some wonderful times together in the Word of God during such meetings here at Landmark. Brethren have come from far and near -- to bless us, and to receive a blessing in return. It is hoped that the meeting this year will be better than any we have experienced.
    Some, who have attended our meetings in times past, have now so far departed from the Word of God that we cannot conscientiously invite them to participate in this meeting as speakers. However, ALL are welcome to attend, and to SHARE OUR BLESSINGS!
    Plan to share with us in these meetings on Thanksgiving Day and until noon on the following day. This will be November 23-24.

    It was my privilege to be with my brother, Albert Garner, last week -- moderating for him as he debated J. T. Smith (representing the Church of Christ) for 4 nites.
    On Wednesday it was my privilege to visit the Michael E. Rogers and the Union Hill Missionary Baptist Church of Bradford, Arkansas.

    In the mind of James, there was only one sure way to counteract temptation --- a faithful response to the word of truth. In the final analysis, this is still the only sure fortress against the enemy of souls. We must learn to let the mirror of God's word do its own speaking. It speaks with clarity, with authority, and without respect of persons. It "Calls 'em as it sees 'em".
    The man of faith is ever attentive to the word of truth. He will listen speedily. No special effort is necessary to "attract" his attention; he will yield it readily and eagerly. Nor will he be too concerned as to who the message - bearer is; his chief concern will be to HEAR what the Word of the Lord is.
    The man of faith will listen considerately. He will respect the word of truth. Laying aside his fantasies and day - dreams, he will give rapt attention. Then he will carefully weigh what he hears. He knows that the King's message deserves his solemn respect and undivided attention.
    The man of faith will hear privately --- for himself alone. And he will hear joyfully, (Psa. 119:14, 111, 97-99, 161-167).
    He who truly believes may be distinguished by his silence: what wisdom is sometimes evidenced in one who can patiently wait until he has enough evidence and time for making a thoughtful and reasoned response. Here is a marked contrast

to "swift hearing"; to speak hastily, without wisdom, is to be more hopeless than a fool, (Prov. 29:20; 10:19; 17:27-28; Eccl. 5:1-2). It is better to be silently wise than fluently foolish; WAIT! Great care must be taken that we always hear first and speak later; listen with the utmost SPEED, but speak advisedly and with reluctance.
    The man of faith will never hasten to wrath, (vs. 20; Prov. 14:29; 16:32; 19:11; Eccl. 7:9; Matt. 5:21-22; Col. 3:8). Everyone has a responsibility to "be angry, and sin not;" never become so self-righteous that you cannot be aroused to wrath against sin. But human wrath that is hasty, carnal and vindictive is never righteous.
    Shunning all evil and impurity, the man of faith will humbly welcome the message that is able to save his soul. He will put away all filthiness; the malice that once overwhelmed his heart will be abandoned. With meekness he will receive the "inborn" Word that is able to save his life for the age to come, (Matt. 13:3-8; 18-23); I Pet. 1:9; 2:1-3). If there is to be any spiritual growth in the lives of God's people there must be a constant, regular and unhindered feeding on the Word of truth, (Heb. 5:11-14; Psa. 19:7-11; 31:8).

inheritance of David's Son, lies desolate. Both the covenants and the prophets demand its restoration as the seat of the Theocratic - Davidic government exercised in One Who is both the Son of God and the Son of David. E.G.

    When trouble is brewing, keep still. When slander is getting on his legs, keep still. When your feelings are hurt, keep still -- at least until you recover from your agitation. Things look different when seen through grace - anointed eyes. In a state of anger and commotion I once wrote a letter. How I wished later that I hadn't sent it. The passing years, with their soul-refining and character ennobling experiences, taught me some needed lessons. Later I had another-

-period of emotional stress. Again I wrote a long letter, but this time I put it in my pocket. How glad I was that I did! With the passing of the days, it seemed less and less necessary to send the message. I was not sure it would do any hurt, but in my doubtfulness I leaned to reticence, and eventually destroyed the letter. Time works wonders. WAIT TILL YOU CAN SPEAK CALMLY, and perhaps you will not need to speak at all. Remember, silence is the most massive thing conceivable! It is strength shown in grandeur!

    "The promises of restoration were never realized in the return from Babylon: not in the King that was to reign over them, not in the magnitude of the return, not in the dwelling safely, removal of sorrow, imparting of prosperity, etc., not in the union of the two Kingdoms or in the protection from enemies and perpetuity of the Kingdom, or in a manifestation of the Branch, or in repentance of the nation occurring as described, or in an engrafting of Gentiles, or in a gathering of nations against Jerusalem and a sudden deliverance, or in a fearful overthrow of nations and corresponding exaltation of the nation, or in a removal from nations so far off that they then did not know them, etc... Prophets AT and AFTER the return from Babylon predict the same glorious restoration."