Paul, the man who wrote these words, lived a joyful life himself. Such cheerfulness, serenity and calmness of spirit as characterized his later years was possible ONLY because His very soul was stayed on His Lord. Remember, he wrote this letter from a Roman PRISON!
    Again and again he strikes this one note: "Rejoice in the Lord!" Jesus Christ is the source and secret of ALL true, abiding joy. "The joy of the Lord" is the sustaining strength of those who fully cast their care upon Him. This is the joy of FELLOWSHIP with our benevolent and loving Lord Jesus, (I Jn. 1:3-4; comp. Jn. 3:29-30). Only IN HIM may one grasp such a perspective of life as can stand the shock of sin, suffering and sorrow.
    Remembering what Jesus Christ had come to mean in his own life- experience, Paul added: "Again, I say, REJOICE!" For him, this was no mere passing emotion. It was such a settled principle as underlies the storm-tossed waves that are visible everywhere on the surface of life. No one could rob him of this Joy in Him who fully

    The following confession of faith, signed by John Bunyan and forty other elders, deacons, and brethren, and approved by more than 20,000 others, was presented to King Charles II, in London, 1660. They declared "We are not only resolved to suffer persecution to the loss of our goods, but also life itself, rather than decline from the same". Where are the Baptists of 1660?
    ART. 22. "We believe that the same Lord Jesus who showed himself alive after his passion, by many infallible proofs, (Acts 1:3) which was taken up into heaven, (Lk. 24:51) shall so come in like manner as he was seen to go into heaven, (Acts 1:9-11) - 'And where Christ, who is our life, shall appear, we also shall appear with him in glory'. - Col. 3:4. 'For the kingdom is his, and he is the governor among the nations,' (Psa. 22:28) and "king over all the earth,' (Zech. 14:9) 'and we shall reign with him on the earth.' - Rev. 5:10. The kingdoms of this world (which men so mightily strive after here to enjoy) shall become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ - Rev. 11:15. 'For all is yours,' (ye that overcome this world,) 'for ye are Christ's, and

Christ is God's.' - I Cor. 3:22, 23. 'For unto the saints shall be given the kingdom, and the greatness of the kingdom, under the whole heaven.' - Dan. 7:27. Though alas! now many men be scarce content that the saints should have so much as a being among them, but when Christ shall appear, then shall be their day, then shall be given unto them power over the nations, to rule them with a rod of iron. - Rev. 2:26, 27. Then shall they receive a crown of life, which no man shall take from them, nor they by any means be turned or overturned from; for the oppressor shall be broken in pieces, (Psa. 72:4) and their vain rejoi cings be turned into mourning and lamentations, as it is written - Job 20:2-7."
    "We believe that there will be an order in the resurrection; Christ is the firstfruits, and then next, or after, they that are Christ's at his coming; then, or

afterward, cometh the end. Concerning the kingdom and reign of our Lord Jesus Christ, as we do believe that he is now in heaven at his Father's right hand, so we do believe, that, at the time appointed of the Father, he shall come again in power and great glory; and that at, or after his coming the second time, he will not only raise the dead, and judge and restore the world, but will also take to himself his kingdom, and will, according to the Scriptures, reign on the throne of his father David, on Mount Zion, in Jerusalem, forever."
    "We believe that the kingdom of our Lord will be an universal kingdom, and that in this kingdom the Lord Jesus Christ himself will be alone, visible, supreme Lord and King of the whole earth.
    "We believe that as this kingdom will be universal, so it will be also an everlasting kingdom that shall have no end, nor cannot be shaken; in which kingdom the saints and faithful in Christ Jesus shall receive the end of their faith, even the salvation of their souls; where the Lord is they shall be also.
    "We believe that the New Jerusalem that shall come down from God out of heaven, when the tabernacle of God shall be with them, and he will dwell among them, will be the metropolitan city of this kingdom, and will be the glorious place of residence of both Christ and his saints forever, and will be so situated as that the kingly palace will be on Mount Zion, the holy hill of David, where his throne

was." -- Crosby's History of Baptists, vol. ii, App. 85.

satisfied the needs of his own soul. To him, Christ was ALL!
    Paul's joy in the Lord was enough to make his soul SING - constantly and increasingly. It is a shame that so very little of this abiding and conquering joy is evident in the lives of God's people today. Such joy is not only an irresistible WITNESS for Christ; it is also an effective antidote for grief! And when was there ever a greater NEED? E.G.


    "Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand", (Phil. 4:5).
    Gentleness of spirit, attitude and action involves such KINDNESS as is obviously the activity of genuine Christian love. Paul urges that such Christian graciousness be manifested - NOT by way of self - advertisement, but by a sweet and reasonable spirit in one's dealings with others. This is something desperately needed in our homes, our churches and our everyday lives (Matt. 5:15-16).
    More than self-restraint, gentleness involves a positive readiness to SURRENDER one's own preference in a matter to the reasonable desires of another. Nor is this a surrender to superior force or weightier argument; it comes as the noble impulse of an unfeigned Christian generosity, (Rom. 12:10; Phil. 2:3). The very opposite of stubbornness; true gentleness in-

volves real graciousness - requiring spiritual strength and balance of character. It involves such mildness of disposition as will assure a quality of, FAIRNESS thai goes far beyond the mere "letter" of the law.
    In 2 Corinthians 10:1, Paul couples "gentleness" with "meekness". James views it as essential in the life of a pastor, (Jas. 3:17). Surely, then, it is a grace that every child of God should cultivate and exercise for the glory of God.
    The exercise of this grace is within the reach of all who live in the consciousness that "The Lord is AT HAND" - to sustain His own as they walk in the way of His appointment, (Psa. 145:18; Matt. 28:20). Consciousness of the Lord's NEARNESS will effectively destroy a "nit-picking" spirit - which is one of the greatest hindrances to fellowship among the saints! Trivial wrongs in others OUGHT to be left for our Lord to adjust. Our business is to get on with the business of serving and honoring Him with both our lives and attitudes! (Eccl. 12:14; 2 Cor. 5:10- 11; Rom. 12:19). E.G.


    During the past month it has been the privilege of Landmark ME Church to hear four missionaries: Brethren Nathaniel Elkins, Edgar Sullivan, Paul Rose and Bob Berkey. It is always a joy to receive and share a time of fellowship with such brethren. E.G.

    Jude has just warned of spiritual darkness in "the last time" - of ungodly mockers who live only for the gratification of their own sensual lusts, and with no moral scruples. The word of God reveals shat some of the richest spiritual blessings ever experienced have come to those who trust God IN THE DARK, (2 Chron. 30; 34:3, 7, 18; 35:1, 18; Neh. 8:1-10, 17).
    In view of the approaching darkness, Jude submits a positive fourfold program for the maintenance of spiritual vitality within the church. This will involve:
    1) A MUTUAL UPBUILD1NG (edification, and encouragement) ON THEIR HOLY FAITH, (vs. 20a; Col. 2:6-7; I Thes. 5:9-11; Eph. 4:29; I Jn. 5:4). More than strict adherence

to creed (however Biblically sound) this involves the exercise of the very "faith of Christ" - as total dependence; absolute and loving trust in the faithfulness of God.
    2) PRAYER - motivated and directed by the Holy Spirit, (vs. 20b; Eph. 6:18; Rom. 8:26-27). This will not be the kind of praying that is obsessed with one's self, or with the desires of the flesh. It will be, largely, characterized by gratitude, thanksgiving, adoration and praise - rooted in remembrance of God's faithfulness, mercy and love.
    3) KEEPING OURSELVES IN THE LOVE OF GOD, (vs. 21a; Jn. 15:9b-10; 14:15; I Jn. 5:2-3; 3:21-24). This will not be accomplished by a straining of the flesh to so please God as to GAIN His love. It is, rather, a loving walk in the way of God's appointment, by those who DELIGHT to do His will!
    4) A CONFIDENT EXPECTANCY OF THE LORD'S MERCY until entering into the glorious fulness of eternal life - the fulness of which awaits our Lord's coming and kingdom, (vs. 21b; Tit. 3:5; 2:11-14; Heb. 9:28; 2 Pet. 3:12; I Cor. 1:7b-8).
    Failing to follow this program, some will stumble and fall in the midst of darkness. They must not be abandoned, but dealt with in faithfulness and compassion. Love will rescue others from the very fires of destruction - while despising the very garments spotted by the flesh, (vs. 22-23). But victory is assured for those who commit ALL into the hands of God! (vs. 24-25). E.G.