Since the entrance of human sin into the world, it has been a world of incessant conflict, division and warfare. It will continue to be so until the coming PRINCE OF PEACE subjects all things under the rule of His "rod of iron" -- reigning universally and gloriously.
    The ancient words of Jeremiah are still most pertinent to the day in which we live. "A noise shall come even to the ends of the earth; for the Lord hath a controversy with the nations, He will plead with all flesh; he will give them that are wicked to the sword, saith the Lord", (Jer. 25:31). The modern translation of Moffatt is most interesting: "The Eternal arraigns the nations, he indicts all mankind ....From race to race calamity extends, a mighty storm is stirring from the earth's far ends".
    Surely the "noise" of these last days includes the political storm warnings that are dinned into our ears day after day from the ends of the earth. But there are also other sounds that are harsh and discordant. Consider the distracting bedlam of our great cities. "Walter Lipman has described it most vividly in his book "Public Opinion":

"Can anything be heard in the hubbub that does not shriek, or be seen in the general glare that does not flash like an electric sign? The life of the city dweller lacks solitude, silence, ease. The nights are noisy and ablaze. The people of a big city are assaulted by incessant sound, now violent and jagged, now falling into unfinished rhythms, but endless and remorseless. Under modern industrialism thought goes on in a bath of noise".
    What can possibly counteract this "bath of noise" -- both from local and international disorder? The only remedy is found in a very ancient antidote recorded by the Psalmist: "Be still, and know that I AM GOD".
    Our generation has NOT outgrown its need of God. God is STILL RELEVENT, active, alive, available and ABLE. He can speak PEACE to the hearts of such as will put their trust in Him. In Him alone may one find shelter from the approaching storm.

Under His wings I am SAFELY abiding. ARE YOU ??

    Of Him who was to come forth "a rod out of the stem of Jesse", the prophet Isaiah declared: "The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD", (11:2).
    The Spirit of God so rested upon Jesus Christ as to make Him of "quick scent", (vs. 3, margin). How quickly He discerned the foul atmosphere of temptation, and perceived the noxious odors of sin. Quick to detect the subtleties of man and Satan, He said, "Why tempt ye me?" He often walked away from the multitude to prevent His being crushed by the crowd, (Mark 3:9). He saw the danger, and knew how to avoid it.
    Jesus learned how to say "goodbye" so as to get away from those who would waste His time when He preferred to be communing with His

Heavenly Father. His discerning spirit and insight made Him quick to detect the need of getting away from the crowds --- up into the mountain of prayer. Up there the air was pure, the view clear; He could feel the stillness of the heavens. He knew what strength He needed and that it could be found "in quietness and in confidence", (Isa. 30:15).
    The people of God today greatly need to develop the art of saying "Goodbye". We must permit the Holy Spirit to make us "of quick scent" so that we too may readily detect the foul odors of temptation and get a way from whatever would contaminate our minds, bodies or souls.
    Such as are matured in Christ will have their faculties trained, by exercise, to distinguish good and evil, (Heb. 5:14). Such exercise will involve: turning off the TV, radio or stereo rather than listening to, or observing, anything that would contaminate the mind; saying "Goodbye" to what is wrong, foul and defiling; and occupying ourselves with that which is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and worthy or praise, (Phil. 4).
    One of the Christian's greatest needs, and perhaps the rarest jewel on earth, is the spirit of discernment. May we desire and cultivate this gift so that, like Jesus, we too may be "of quick scent" --- readily discerning good and evil.

    Jesus Christ claimed for Himself the authority of universal judgment -- saying that the Father had given it to Him, (Jn. 5:22, 27). By His resurrection He was declared to be the "son of God with power", (Rom. 1:4). As the "Son of Man" He claimed the right to the Davidic throne, from whence He will rule in universal righteousness. And He must reign until all enemies are put under His feet, (I Cor. l5:25).
    When the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory all nations will be brought before Him to judgment. Some will be approved and welcomed to an inheritance in the kingdom prepared for them from the foundation of the world. Others will be driven from His presence to experience the "everlasting fire" prepared for the Devil and his angels. Their attitude toward the Christ, as manifested toward His "brethren", will make the difference, (Matt. 25:36-41).
    Jesus' authority of universal judgeship involves mankind in tremendous responsibility. He constantly places great emphasis upon the necessity of a right relationship TO HIMSELF -- the most vital of all relationships. "He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad ... If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a

man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? For whosoever shall be ashamed of me, and of my words, of him shall the Son of Man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels", (Matt. 12:30; Lk. 9:23-26).
   That each man will he judged according to the "light" available, is evident from Jesus' words concerning the rich man in Luke 16. When Dives pleaded for someone to go "from the dead" to witness to his lost brothers, the answer was given him: "If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead", (Luke l6:3l). And the words of Peter are most solemn: "The time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the Gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?" (I Pet. 4:l7-l8).

    "Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation", (Isaiah 12:3). What a fascinating picture! The water of life comes from the "wells of salvation". Jesus is the wellspring of all blessing. All our springs are in Him. Love flows from His heart in irrepressible streams.
    Do YOU need comfort? Then come to Him. Do you need sympathy? Then you may find it in His tears. Do you need courage for some great

task? You may find it in the heart of Him Who is the lion of the tribe of Judah. Do you need meekness? It is available through the lowly Lamb of God. Do you need purity? Find it in His lifeblood; He was purity incarnate. Do you need power? Come to Him. "As many as received Him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name".
    What a well of Salvation!! Have YOU stooped to drink from its life- giving stream? Try it! for life, health, joy and peace.

    This edition of the CLARION HERAID is being prepared early, due to the Editor's desire to attend the Fellowship Meeting at Judsonia, Arkansas April 19-20, plus the fact that he is engaged in a Revival effort with the Hebron Missionary Baptist Church, of Pekin, Illinois during the week of April 23-29.
    Let every member of Landmark be faithful in prayer and life during your pastor's absence. Your faithfulness in the past has been a real source of joy and thanksgiving. EG.