Vol 2:9 (September 1956)
Editorial
The conflict of the ages still rages. Rumours of war still prevail, international tension rises, fear and suspicion permeate the relationship of nations. Nationally, Labour and Capitalism struggle on. Crime increases, morals decrease, for the influence of darkness, the scourge of evil, the power of hell, dominate the thinking of unregenerate man.
The black hand of Satan is discernable in many of the obscure and inexplicable happenings of the day. His power is manifest in a departure from the Christian faith, and in the development of modern cults. Satan is not only the prince of this world, a political title, but the god of this world, a religious title.
Within the Church herself he is active, the deep things of Satan appear fully mature in the Apostate Church, and in a more immature form in every aspect of professing Christendom.
The short, but important, lesson in the Bible Study Section merits the attention of every reader, for in the existence of a real personal devil lies the hidden secret of the confusion and the ruin of man spiritually, morally, and socially.
In contrast to this, we may learn something of the power and guidance for the Christian’s life through the indwelling of the Spirit of God, by the last part of Donald Norbie’s article on the Person and Work of The Holy Spirit in the Doctrinal Section.
Donald Taylor again reaches our hearts through his devotional article, Washing Feet with Tears. The heart can never be thus touched without the feet being definitely influenced for good. The process of moral action is ever the same: the heart, the seat of desire, must be moved, then the will is subdued, and, finally, action is produced.
Of Abel we read, “By it he being dead yet speaketh.” This we may also say of our beloved brother, Paul Plubell. There appears in the Expository Section an address which he delivered during a visit at Sault Ste Marie, Ontario. The message is a timely one, balanced by the weights of the Sanctuary, sharp and cutting. It humbles and yet imparts strength. May it prove as great a blessing to the many readers, as it did to the more limited number of hearers.
The remarks submitted in The Forum summarize some of the statements previously made by other brethren. We are grateful to our brother for his interest and contribution.
The poem, originally from Scotland, in some respects reminds us of Galatians 5:16-24. Its lovely and necessary message should be accepted personally.