The strong and the weak are all without strength unless the Lord give it. This afflicted brother's experience compared with yours, is plain proof that we are all helpless before God and alike dependent on Him.

William Callough is not blessed with a sound mind, so his coming for membership caused some fears. Will this feeble brother be entitled to give satisfactory reasons of his hope? How will the church dispose of this case? These were the puzzling questions.

When the minister told the young brother if he wanted to talk to the church to proceed, he gave his conflict with satan as if in conversation with the tempter. He began about as follows, "I was troubled about my sins, and met the devil. The devil said, 'Where are you going?' I said, 'I am going to meeting.' But he said, 'Come and go with me.' I told him no, 'I want to go to meeting. Then the devil said, 'Oh no, you come and go with me.' But I said 'no, I must go to meeting.'" Now looking into the minister's face, William earnestly continued, "I love Jesus, and Jesus says, 'If ye love me keep my commandments.' I want to join the church." And as if fearing a denial he beseechingly repeated, "I love Jesus, and Jesus says, 'If ye love me keep my commandments.'"

Many hearts were touched with emotion. The strong and the weak were made to weep. The church warmly received the applicant with rejoicing and thankfulness to God for this display of His power to save. Truly, "Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise." (Matt. xxi. 16.) 

While listening to this sweet Christian experience I was made to think of my own hope with increased joyfulness. When this precious brother told of meeting satan and resisting his temptations through love to Jesus, I felt sure that this agrees with my experience. For I also have met the devil to my sorrow, in the way of trying temptations; and he often  seeks to persuade me to turn from the right way, and go and serve him.

Brother Callough has continued faithful. Let this be an exhortation to all that read this. May we all have grace to subdue our pride, and to make us as truly humble as this dear brother. Brethren and sisters, may we ever meet temptation with the firm and loyal reply, "No I must go to meeting--I must serve my Lord." "HOW can I do this wickedness, and sin against God?" For Jesus says, "If ye love me keep my commandments."

Dear Saviour, show thy wounded hands,
And safely lead thy feeble-lambs;
Thus cause thy weak and trusting bride
To turn from sin and seek thy side.

Sparta, Tex. M D. DENMAN.