The Little Gleaner Part 41

But as surely as He speaks, we shall, sooner or later, _know_ His voice, and long and love to hear it.

Then Jesus promises that all His people, of all nations and all ages of time, shall become one flock--one in Jesus; one in heart, and mind, and judgment--and the whole redeemed and gathered flock shall at last dwell in one fold--the fold of heavenly, eternal life and glory.

"From sorrow, care, and pain, And sin they shall be free, And perfect love and friendship reign Through all eternity."

"And there shall be one Shepherd." "Jesus only" shall be seen, acknowledged, and followed. Now He is loved and honoured as the great Chief Shepherd of the sheep, and the ministers of the Gospel are pastors, or shepherds, serving under Him. Christ brings them forth, gives them their work, and blesses their careful labours. But He removes them one by one. He alone abides for evermore. And in the fold above, the pastors appear no more as shepherds, but as sheep, the redeemed and saved people of the Lord.

Yet, wonderful to relate, the one divine Shepherd is called "the Lamb"

(Rev. vii. 9-17)--"the Lamb of G.o.d," all-seeing and almighty, yet the Lamb that once was slain.

"His life and blood the Shepherd paid, A ransom for the flock."

And this wonderful work is to be remembered while the years of eternity roll, therefore it is "the Lamb in the midst of the throne that shall feed them, and lead them to fountains of living waters; and G.o.d shall wipe away tears from all eyes."

Shall we be among them? Let us rather ask, Are we asking Him to be our Leader now? Are we "hungering and thirsting after righteousness" now?

And are we mourning over sin, and after Him? If so, our Leader in this world will be our Leader still.

"He that hath fed will feed; He that hath blessed will bless; He that hath led will lead; Can He do less?"

And we shall hunger and thirst no more in that blessed fold, where "in His presence there is fulness of joy, and at His right hand are pleasures for evermore." This is the life He gives His ransomed ones.

May it be ours.

Our next subject will be, _Elisha and the Shunammite_ (2 Kings iv. 8-37; viii. 1-6).

Yours affectionately, H. S. L.

BIBLE SUBJECTS FOR EACH SUNDAY IN JUNE.

June 3. Commit to memory Prov. x. 27, June 10. Commit to memory Prov. x. 28.

June 17. Commit to memory Prov. x. 29.

June 24. Commit to memory Prov. x. 30.

A SANCTIFIED heart is better than a silvered tongue.

PRIZE ESSAY.

WHAT MARKS DO THE LAMBS OF JESUS CHRIST BEAR?

True Christians may be known by their walk and conversation. They are anointed ones, and they walk in the narrow way, following in Christ's footsteps. They look unto Jesus, who is "the Author and Finisher of their faith." They are a despised or persecuted people, as true Christians have been in all ages.

The lambs of Christ have always a great deal of trouble, and are tried and tempted in many ways, but it is for a token of their eternal salvation, if G.o.d sanctifies the trouble. If their affliction drives them to G.o.d, it is a sanctified affliction, and is for their souls'

good.

An infallible mark of a regenerated character is, when he begins to hate evil, and where there is the Spirit's work, there is the panting after G.o.d.

A child of G.o.d looks within, and feels that there is no putting away sin but by the blood of Jesus Christ, and no pardon for poor sinners but by His sacrifice.

We cannot make ourselves clean, or walk in the right way in our own strength, but G.o.d will help us if we ask Him in the right way.

The lambs of Jesus Christ are "poor in spirit" and "pure in heart." They "hunger and thirst after righteousness." Although they are often "persecuted for righteousness' sake," yet Christ's righteousness is imputed to them, because He has atoned for their sins. In speaking of truly good men, Mr. Gadsby said--

"Life, light, and holiness divine From Jesus they by faith receive; The Spirit makes His graces shine, And gives them power in Christ to live."

JANE BELL (Aged 14 years).

_Sydney House, Sleaford, Lincolnshire._

[Very creditable Essays have been received from Eleanor Saunders, Lilly Rush, A. Pease, W. E. Cray, and Laura Creasey. We hope our young friends will follow up the various subjects, as the study of them may do them good.]

[The writer of the above Essay receives a copy of "The Dairyman's Daughter."

The subject for August will be, "Contrast the Lesson Taught by the Conduct of Solomon and of Rehoboam, at the Commencement of their Reign"; and the prize to be given for the best Essay on that subject, a copy of "The Life of George Whitfield." All compet.i.tors must give a guarantee that they are under fifteen years of age, and that the Essay is their own composition, or the papers will be pa.s.sed over, as the Editor cannot undertake to write for this necessary information. Papers must be sent direct to the Editor, Mr. T. Hull, 117, High Street, Hastings, by the first of July.]

ANSWER TO BIBLE ENIGMA.

(_Page 106._)

"_Lamb of G.o.d._"--JOHN i. 29. "_Lord of all._"--ACTS x. 36.

L emue L . Proverbs x.x.xi. 1.

A cch O . Judges i. 31.

M ibza R . 1 Chronicles i. 53.

B ilda D . Job ii. 11.

O n O . 1 Chronicles viii. 12.

F ar of F . Ephesians ii. 13.

G abbath A . John xix. 13.

O phe L . 2 Chronicles xxvii. 3.

D ia L . 2 Kings xx. 11.

CLARA ELLIS (Aged 14 years).

MANY wish to be like Christ in _bliss_ who seek not to be like Him by _grace_.