THE MISSION.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1046, 13 November 1903, Page 2

THE MISSION.

Yesterday tho meeting for girls only had an object lesßon on Bunyan’s famous characters, “ Passion ” and “ Patience." About 40 new members havo joined ono of the throe Protestant branches of the Scripture Union; tbo miesionor begged parents to use it at family prayer. In the evening the Bible was pictured as a palace to which enlightened souls had entry. The approach was a garden, Eden ; the facade was tho five porches of tho Pentateuch. Tho first porch was figured with scones of the birth of this planet, tho selection of a tribe os God’s mouthpiece ; the

second porch pieturod thoir delivctanccs ; the third inscribed their rules; the 4th and sth their many adventures till Canaan was reached. Passing' on, a full-length portrait of a great general, Joshua, arrested attention ; then a picturo gallery of horoes, Judges, in the honor roll of Hebrews ii., who through faith subduod kingdoms and wrought deliverances. The end of tho gallery, a’ window, showed Bethlehem, and Boaz, the wealthy squatter, and the beautiful Moabite, Ruth, who made aright choice, and after hungry search made a full surrender, reaping a rich reward. Next a vonerable and grand figure, Samuel, God’s minister, is seen. Then comes the historical archives of tho nation. Tho dark trial dungeon of the palace is Job ; tho crystal room, or concert hall, full of sacred song, anthem and oratorio, is tho Psalms. Then comes the oracle chamber, wisdom and guidance and warning. Two little conservatories of flowers and birds lead to tho great and smaller prophetical chambers—lights, shadows, hieroglyphics, and mysteries. But a face ever and anon looks out, growing oloarer and more Godlike. An open courtyard is crossed, and “Behold, the Man 1 ” —four full-length portraits, as King of Kings, the servant of servants, our human brother, the Son of God. The face is the Christ’s ; the Lily of the Song, the Root of Isaiah, the Branch of Jeremiah, the Shepherd-prince of Ezekiel, the Ancient of days ofDaniei, the Deliverer of Joel, tho Rescuer of Jonah, the Ruler of Micah, the Yoke broakor of Nahum, the Singing God of Zephaniah, the Desire of all Nations of Haggai, and the Sun of Righteousness of Malachi. Tearing oneself away, at once you enter a workshop, not the words, the Acts of tho Apostles, the Acts of the Holy Ghost shaping His Church. A library of priceless letters; then we enter the last room 1 Another prophetical chamber, the same dark sayings and figures ; but a special blessing to the student, viz , a constant reminder of tho coming of the Christ again to this pianet, this sorrowful star. A little balcony, and you see another garden, Paradise, another river, “ Life ” and its 12 manner of trees, and its multitudes, from north and south and eaßt and west; robed in white, crowned,'and with palms; “ Worthy is the Lamb, slain from the foundation of the world, who hath redeemed us.”