We have entered a race for eternal life, and Christ says,

"he that endureth to the end shall be saved: not one, not two, but all if they endure faithfully unto the end of the race".

I have been in the race thirty-seven years, and have seen many falter by the way. When they entered they were very zealous for the Truth, but alas! the good seed had not much depth of earth, therefore withered away, or else the seed had grown up among thorns (cares — pleasures — and other things), so choked the seed and brought no fruit to perfection. It may be that they had not been able to stand the test which the Truth brings.

Consider the test which many of our young brethren had to endure during the late war, but God gave them courage, because they trusted Him all the way.
Paul says,

"God is faithful, Who will not suffer us to be tempted above that we are able to bear, but will, with the temptation, also make a way to escape, that we may be able to bear it" (1 Cor. x. 13).

God scourgeth every son and daughter whom He receives; but do not be discouraged, for Paul says,

"Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him " (1 Cor. ii. 9).

Narrow and strait is the way which leadeth to life eternal, and few there be that find it. Do not forsake reading the Word; do not forget prayer; and do not neglect the meetings, which afford upbuilding and strength in spiritual things; and then, like the Apostle Paul, be able to say at the end of your probation:

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the Faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day, and not to me only but unto all them who love His appearing" (2 Tim.iv. 7, 8).

W. Finnemore

"I have been young and now am old", having attained to honourable mention in Psalm xc. 10; and although by reason of strength one is still able to "provide things honest in the sight of men", and also to call the attention of one's fellows to the inexhaustible store of "the true bread from heaven", the stern truth has to be recognised that the greater part of one's life is now history and cannot be recalled.

Any regrets?

Aye! many. But all overshadowed by "the goodness and mercy of God, which have followed me all the days of my life", and the unspeakable privilege and honour of being permitted to know and proclaim the truth. To give a message to those who are to carry on the work demands the God-given wisdom of Solomon and the divinely-guided eloquence of "our beloved brother Paul".

"Give attendance to reading and studying the word, but cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of know-ledge".

"And now, beloved young brethren and sisters, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them that are sanctified".

S. A. Garside

There is nothing in the world so valuable as the Truth. It is the "one pearl of great price". Its joys are constant, and will last to the end of our pilgrimage. Sweet was our first love, when we grasped the precious promises, and learned to love and honour those who were in Christ before us.

New joys came when we were allowed to take our humble part in the work, and with God's blessing saw the ecclesias prosper and the number of believers increase. Those were days of small things, labourers being few, though the harvest was great.

Now there are many earnest and capable workers in the vineyard. Long years of toil have brought days of feebleness, when the younger brethren take our places, and with splendid courage continue the work. This is the crowning joy, especially if some of our own beloved children are found among them.

W. Buckler (sen.)