John xviii. 18.

On that most sorrowful night of our Lord's trial and cruel buffeting, that disciple who had promised to be ever faithful, "followed afar off." And for fear of the Jews and enraged mob, "Peter stood with them," or was conformed to this world. Because the night was dark and the wind was cold, he warmed himself and denied our Lord. But Jesus from love willingly en­dured the cold and bore the cross. Dear lover of Jesus; when it is night with you, and the wind is cold, will you then deny our Lord and please or warm yourself? Beware! Night is the time of wicked men and the power of darkness. Brother, sister, when the clouds are thick and the roads are bad; when the winter cold threatens or the world entices, will you stay away from church to rest in a good place, and warm yourself by the fires of carnality? Remember our Saviour's words, "Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation." Oh ! brethren, although this is a dark time, when the winds of doctrine and the winds of adversity blow cold, let us not deny our Lord and please our­selves. Ah, tired and tempted ones, let us not fear nor murmur, nor be discouraged, nor yield to the inducements of the wicked. Beloved, let us not be so ready to turn back and stand with the world; but, like Jesus, let us willingly endure the cold and bear our cross. O brethren, let us awake to duty! Now, my christian friends, since we are saved from sin and hell by the ex­treme suffering and death of Jesus, may our constant gratitude and obedience to our divine Husband always abound and increase more and more.

Your unworthy brother in bonds and tender love.

Sparta, Tex.          M.D. DENMAN.