The Lord knows the way of the righteous and loves them, (Psa. 1:6; 146:8). His favor encompasses them as a shield, (Psa. 5:12). His eyes are constantly upon them and His ears attentive unto their cry, (Psa. 38:18; I Peter 3:11). He upholds them -- never permitting them to be moved, (Psa. 55:22; 15:2). For them He lays up sound wisdom, and His secret is with them, (Prov. 2:7; Jer. 20:22; Psa. 25:14). Great reward will be bestowed upon them by the Judge of all the earth, (Psa. 58:11). They shall inherit the land (earth), and dwell in it forever, (Psalm 37:29).
    Since promotion comes from God, "The horn of the righteous shall be Exalted", (Psa. 75:10). They shall flourish like the palm tree, and grow like the cedars of Lebanon, (Psalm 92:12). Blessed is he that doeth righteousness at all times; his desire shall be granted and his expectation blessed with joy, (Psa. 106:3; Prov. 10:24, 28). The house of the righteous shall stand, (Prov. 12:7; 26). Even the hoary head is a crown of glory if it be found in the way of righteousness, (Prov. 16:31). The work of righteousness shall

be peace; and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever, (Isa. 32:17). The wicked flee when no man pursues; but the righteous are as bold as a lion, (Prov. 28:1).
    "The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world", (Tit. 2:11-12). And we are admonished to "Put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness", (Eph. 4:24).
    Jesus warned that, "except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven", (Matt. 5:20). He admonished: "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you", (Matt. 6:33). The righteous have hope in death (Prov. 14:32). They shall go into "eternal life" -- ultimately shining forth "as the sun, in the kingdom of their Father", (Matt. 13:43; 25:46).
The path of righteousness is the only way to true and lasting joy. Are YOU on the right way?

    "Ecclesiastical" is defined by Webster as: "of or relating to a church -- especially as a formal and established institution". And "agnosticism" comes from the Greek "agnostos", meaning "unknown" or, perhaps, "unknowable", ECCLESIASTICAL AGNOSTICISM, then involves the assumption of an "ignoramus" (know-nothing-for-sure) attitude relative to the nature, order and perpetuity of New Testament churches.
    So rapid has been the erosion of (apostasy from) the faith during the past 20 years that one familiar with the situation needs help to miss the impact of Jesus' question "When the Son of man cometh, shall he find (the) FAITH on the earth?" (Luke 18:8).
Nor are these pseudo-Baptist agnostics content to wrestle privately with their doubts. Instead, they militantly insist that since

the New Testament is not written like a simplified service manual (though they regard all "rules and regulations" as "legalistic" and unacceptable for liberated Christians); since they cannot, therefore, PROVE (by specific, detailed commands) exactly how the Lord's church was designed to function (in every conceivable situation); and since THEY cannot prove, historically, that any SPECIFIC local assembly has descended (through an unbroken chain of such assemblies) directly from the Jerusalem church; therefore, they cannot know that ANY specific assembly is really scriptural. The next logical step (so far as an ignoramus can be logical) is to ASSUME that every man must be his own judge as to what God is most likely to accept! And if this is anything short of CARNAL RATIONALISM, then I fail to understand the clear meaning of those terms!
    In reality, I have watched with increasing alarm as this movement developed from a rolling stone, to a small landslide; and now stand horrified as it threatens to trigger an avalanche!
    The carnage of such unbelief all begins with a despising of the discipline that God either APPOINTS or ADMINISTERS for the good of those upon whom He has bestowed a special, unmerited love, (Heb. 12:5-8). It gains momentum when individual hearts begin to rebel against His wise appointment of the church to exercise authority over its own members. So few are willing to surrender their own personal, private, pet interests to the surpassing interests of "the whole body"

and the glory of God. And, rather than be offensive, churches sometimes cease to faithfully exercise the authority of discipline that Christ has given for the good of all; thus, ALL SUFFER! And once this happens it is not long before there creeps in an attitude of laxity and indifference toward the ORDINANCES -- designed to safeguard the entrance and maintain the purity of witness in the body.
    By such spiritual default: the ranks of Protestantism is enlarged, the light of distinctive truth is extinguished, the glory of the living Christ is tarnished and all who abandon themselves to such a walk forfeit all right to the blessed inheritance of the kingdom of God as "joint heirs" with the Christ; they have proved themselves unwilling to "bear His reproach". E.G.


    Our hearts greatly rejoice in the addition of Sister Bonnie Goodwin to our membership, on the profession of her faith and baptism, since the last issue of the CLARION HERALD. Here is proof, once again, that the Lord hears the prayers of His people. May this new relationship prove to be a mutual blessing to all! EG


    In our service last Sunday morning it was agreed to continue meeting at SIX O'CLOCK for our Sunday evening services. Will YOU make a special effort to be present THIS SUNDAY?

    "He knoweth the way that I take"
... "Man's goings are of the Lord;
how CAN a man then understand his
own way"? (Job 23:10; Prov. 20:24).

   Be quiet, why this anxious heed
   About thy tangled ways?
   God knows them all, He giveth
      speed,
   And He allows delays.

    Thoughtless men sometimes complain of the slow, dull lives they are forced to live; of their humble spheres of action; of their lowly positions on the scales of society; of no opportunity to make themselves known; of wasted energies and years of patience -- though clearly manifesting an irritated impatience.
    What fools we are to imply that our heavenly Father has so forgotten us as to cease His providential direction of our lives! With blatant boldness we presume to judge what is best for ourselves. Men of little faith, we often lose the true benefits of the quiet years.
    Because we are not used in such a way as to win the admiration and praise of men, must we conclude that God has forgotten us? Is it really impossible to be about our Father's business without all the bluster and din of a hurried pace? 0, that we might view such times as a means of God's maturing us for richer, fuller and more glorious service! What a difference such an attitude would make.
    He knows. Are we willing to entrust ourselves to His wise control?

"He retaineth not his anger forever, because he delighteth in mercy", (Micah 7:18).
MERCY! What a glorious sound! It is the cheerer of the heart, the liberator of our song, the delight of heaven, the envy of hell and the distinguished attribute of God, (Ex. 33:19). As He excels in all that is good, so in the manner of His forgiveness. His love is

infinite; His mercy incomparable, (Psalm 103:1, 12).
    At times God brings His people to grief because of their sins, but once they are humbled under a sense of guilt He has compassion on them and forgives their transgressions, (Psa. 86:5). Though slow to anger, He is swift to show mercy, (Neh. 9:17).
    Though God's anger is of short duration, His mercy is everlasting, (Psalm 30:5; 136). He first turns us to Himself, and then turns Himself to us, that He may have mercy upon us. And He does this because He DELIGHTS in mercy (Isa. 54:7-8). No sinner can have greater joy in receiving mercy than God has in bestowing it.
    The soul who trusts in God need not be afraid; Jesus, the Saviour, ever lives to make intercession for him. And because He ever lives, so shall we, (John 14:19). Though Jonah cried out of "the belly of hell", he was not beyond the reach of divine mercy. Thus, there is no need for YOU, dear soul, to fear that you are beyond His mercy; He is still attentive to the humble sinner's cry. Even your repeated relapse into sin will, not prevent a further manifestation of His grace -- provided you loathe the sin and earnestly desire to depart from it. If God cannot pardon for YOUR sake, He will do it for His OWN sake, "because He DELIGHTETH IN "MERCY".
    Will you ACCEPT the offered mercy? And claim the grace that will be sufficient to make you triumphant over the world, the flesh and the devil! It is YOURS, if you will only entrust your all to Him.