Bible Readings for the Home Circle Part 186

1. What was the character of Christ's work among men?

"Who went about _doing good_." Acts 10:38.

2. What will His true followers do?

"He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so _to walk, even as He walked_." 1 John 2:6.

3. In ministering to the needy, whom are we really serving?

"Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, _ye have done it unto Me_." Matt. 25:40.

4. How long will there be poor in the world?

"Ye have the poor _always with you_." Matt. 26:11.

5. What relation do all sustain to G.o.d?

"The rich and poor _meet together_: the Lord is _the maker_ of them all."

Prov. 22:2.

6. What is one good evidence of genuine repentance?

"Break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by _showing mercy to the poor_." Dan. 4:27.

7. What is one evidence that one has a knowledge of G.o.d?

"He _judged the cause of the poor and needy_; then it was well with him: was not this to _know Me_? saith the Lord." Jer. 22:16.

8. What cla.s.ses are subjects for Christian help work?

"Pure religion and undefiled before G.o.d and the Father is this, To visit the _fatherless_ and _widows_ in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." James 1:27.

9. Is it our duty always to give what is expected or asked?

"Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but _such as I have give I thee_: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk." Acts 3:6. See 2 Cor. 12:8.

10. What is sometimes of greater value even than money to discouraged souls?

"I _smiled on them_ when they had no confidence." Job 29: 24, margin R. V.

11. What divine law of retroaction attends giving?

"_Give, and it shall be given unto you_; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For _with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again_." Luke 6:38. See Ps. 18:25, 26; 109:17; Gal. 6:7.

12. What is promised those who give to the poor?

"He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and _that which he hath given will He pay him again_." Prov. 19:17. "He that giveth unto the poor _shall not lack_." Prov. 28:27.

13. How did Job learn of the needs of the poor?

"The cause of him that I knew not _I searched out_." Job 29:16, R. V. "I used _to investigate_." Jewish Version.

14. What parable ill.u.s.trates practical Christian help work?

The parable of the good Samaritan. Luke 10:30-37.

15. When Christ sent out the seventy, what did He tell them to do in the cities whither they went?

"And _heal the sick_ that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of G.o.d is come nigh unto you." Verse 9.

16. Amidst poverty, suffering, and distress, what kind of workers does G.o.d wish to see?

"But this is a people _robbed_ and _spoiled_; they are all of them _snared in holes_, and they are _hid in prison-houses_: they are for a _prey_, and NONE DELIVERETH: _for a spoil_, and none saith, RESTORE. Who among you will give ear to this?" Isa. 42: 22, 23.

17. What is our duty toward the outcast and wandering?

"_Hide_ the outcasts; _bewray not him that wandereth_. Let Mine outcasts _dwell with thee_." Isa. 16:3, 4.

18. What incentive have Christians for doing prison work?

"_I was in prison_, and ye came unto Me." Matt. 25:36.

19. Who notes the groans of the prisoner?

"From heaven did _the Lord_ behold the earth; _to hear the groaning of the prisoner_." Ps. 102:19, 20.

20. What work const.i.tutes the fast most acceptable to G.o.d?

"Is not this the fast that I have ordained, to untie the knots of wickedness; to relax the burden of the yoke; and rescue those who are oppressed by violence: and that ye withdraw every yoke? Is it not to part thy bread with the famished, and to bring the vagrant poor into thy house?

when thou seest the naked, that thou clothe him?" Isa. 58:6, 7, Spurrell's Version.

21. What promises are made to those who thus minister to the wants and distresses of others?

"If thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday: and the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not." Verses 10, 11.

Somebody near you is struggling alone Over life's desert sand; Faith, hope, and courage together are gone: Reach him a helping hand, Turn on his darkness a beam of your light; Kindle, to guide him, a beacon-fire bright; Cheer his discouragement; soothe his affright; Lovingly help him to stand.

Somebody near you is hungry and cold; Send him some aid today.

Somebody near you is feeble and old, Left without human stay: Under his burdens put hands kind and strong; Speak to him tenderly, sing him a song; Haste to do something to help him along Over his weary way.

MRS. E. E. WILLIAMS.