One abomination of the ancient Ammonites was the sacrificing of their innocent children in the fires of Molech. The Israelites were forbidden to "go in unto them" (1 Kings 11:1-3) lest the covenant nation follow their wicked ways. However, the command of God was ignored. Israel DID "go in unto them" and DID follow their ways - bowing before their idols and casting their infant children into the fires of Molech.
    After pleading with them to repent and return to the path of holiness that He had appointed them, God ultimately sent Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon - in addition to bands of "Chaldeans, Syrians, Moabites and Ammonites" - to DESTROY Judah, according to the warnings of a succession of her faithful prophets, (2 Kings 24:1-4).
    Six hundred years later an unspecified number of "wise men" came to Jerusalem, from the East, in search of Him Who was born to be King of the Jews. The aged Herod was furiously jealous. Pretending a desire to worship the new-born king, this descendant of Amalek (whom Israel failed to destroy) bade the magi bring him word as to where the child might be found.
    Most civilized people are moved to indignation against the wicked king who. unable to locate the Christ-child, sent his army to destroy ALL the male children,

    Politically, religiously, psychologically and socially, tremendous pressure is being applied, In the closing decades of this 20th century, for such compromise as will permit the establishment of a "New World Order", under a single government - offering unity, peace, justice, equality and prosperity for all men. Do NOT count on it happening that way!
    Our spiritual forefathers, the Waldenses, of the Valleys of Piedmont, clearly recognized the difference between "unity" and "uniformity". Though hunted like wild beasts, burned, flayed, tortured, drowned, hanged, impaled, or simply bound and left to perish at the hands of wild beasts or by the elements; they resisted the "uniformity" that Rome (with all its allies) attempted to impose upon them. Nevertheless, there was among them a beautiful and exemplary "unity of the spirit" and "of the faith" in the bonds of peace.
    Though making no demands of "uniformity" upon each other, they were, nevertheless, characterized by such loving unity as the world has seldom observed since the Dark Ages. With the "spirit of Christ", and a mutuality of respect for each other, these brethren were united in:
1. Their love and loyalty to Jesus Christ as Saviour, Lord and coming king;
    2. Their unwavering confidence in the Word of God as their all-sufficient rule of faith and practice;

3. Their fidelity to the "order" of faith and life as set forth in the Holy Scriptures; and
    4. Their readiness to lay down their very lives for the truth, rather than corrupt it - thus bringing shame upon the name of Him Who redeemed them by His own precious blood!
    There is a vast difference between "unity" and "uniformity". No automobile, computer, scientific formula, or new testament church would be functional if "uniformity" were required of all their parts. Who could endure an orchestra that performed with 200 identical (uniform) instruments? And, much as one might enjoy an occasional phrase sung in unison, he would soon become bored if a mighty choir rendered all its singing in this manner. How much more beautiful when sung with a diversity of parts: soprano, alto, tenor and bass, in a "unity" of rich and glorious harmony!
    In both the physical body and the body of Christ, each member maintains and performs its own particular function. (A ton of eyes, ears, noses or toes could NEVER be made to function harmoniously as a BODY!)

    Instead of endeavoring to erase all differences, these varied body-members are so fused together as to harmonize in a larger unity. Nor has God molded "stereotype Christians" to make up the body of Christ!
    Let us recognize that "unity", In the sphere of covenant fellowship, is a matter of "the spirit" not of "the letter" of the heart, rather than the head. It is not something that can be planned, programmed, scheduled, orchestrated or imposed. It can come ONLY as a by-product of a mutual drawing nearer to the Christ: in loving adoration, loyal service, joyful submission of all to His lordship, and a pre-eminent, self-effacing desire for His glory - a forsaking of ALL to follow Him!
    The "unity" for which our Lord prayed was NOT, basically, for that of all Christendom (all the saved), nor of a denomination, but of the local assembly at Jerusalem (in particular) - those whom the Father had given Him "out of the world" along with those who would later be brought into a like relationship with Him through their witness.
    Such unity as is urged upon us by the Word of God is strategically focused within a local New Testament Church, and not without reason. According to God's pattern, its life is woven into the very warp and woof of a local community. It is the instrument-agency in which the Holy Spirit dwells, (Eph. 2:22) - reproving the world "of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment" (Jn. 16:8-11). When it functions according to God's order, and "there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all. And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is IN YOUof a truth!" (1 Cor. 14:24-25).
    May we, therefore, concern ourselves

with such "unity" as is rooted in a mutuality of love and respect; not with such "uniformity" as one's philosophy of history or eschatology might seem to require.

THE CRY. . . continued from page 1

    UNDER TWO YEARS OF AGE, in the whole region surrounding Bethlehem. What senseless sorrow and heartache were caused by Herod's jealous wrath and shedding of "innocent blood"! (Matt. 2:18)
    This ancient abomination seems almost insignificant today, in comparison to the untold millions of innocent children whose blood is being sacrificed to the goddess of sexual lust by "liberated" American women who demand the thrill of an occasional fling of sexual abandonment without accepting any consequent responsibility for their actions - even insisting on their RIGHT to sacrifice "innocent blood"!
    But, has God changed? Can it be imagined that He will NOW pardon what He once REFUSED to pardon as TOO ABOMINABLE? Will He permit the prosperity of a nation that legalizes and defends such wholesale murder as is being committed in so-called "abortion clinics" every day? Will He hold guiltless a professedly Christian people who fail to cry out to heaven, and to their elected officials, against the shedding of such "innocent blood" as the unchangeable God STILL WILL NOT PARDON?
    May the true and living God grant to each of us sufficient wisdom, guidance, grace and courage as will enable us to turn the tide against this stupid, sinful, self - centered sacrificing of "innocent blood" to the gods and goddesses of sexual lusts and pleasure, before divine judgment falls upon this nation that God has blessed so abundantly!

    Pastor John Coleman and the Calvary Cross MBC, of St. Louis, MO, did their usual good job of hosting a Fellowship Meeting over the Thanksgiving holiday. Though attendance was some lower than last year, it was a good meeting.
    Messages were brought by brethren: Homer Bryan, Sam Arnold, Bill Beicher. Edward Byrd, Willard Ramsey, Eugene Garner, Melvin Gray, Roger Sanders and Terry MacDowell.

    As we hasten toward the end of another year, I want to thank all of you who have had a part in the CLARION HERALD ministry - both through your prayers and financial support.
    A special word of thanks to the brethren of First MBC, and Bethel MBC, of Anchorage, Alaska. Both sent liberal offerings last month toward the purchase of new equipment that will, hopefully, enable me to provide more and better devotional and study materials.
    May the Lord richly bless you all. May the coming year bring you good health, spiritual prosperity and such "joy of the Lord" as will make you strong to do His will.
    One of the most admirable things about the Waldenses, of the Piedmont Valleys, was their missionary spirit. Not only did their missionaries visit their brethren in various lands; humble peddlers (travelling merchants) helped spread the Gospel by carrying some pages from the Scriptures, or some tract in manuscript form, and passed them on to those who were favorably disposed to receive and read them.
    In the mld-1800's, the London Christian Observer carried the following verses

as a tribute to these Waldensian peddlers (our brethren) of the Dark Ages.