ression? This is a
question with which we have nothing to do. God has given us sufficient
evidence of His love, and we are not to doubt His goodness because we
cannot understand the workings of His providence. Said the Saviour to His
disciples, foreseeing the doubts that would press upon their souls in days
of trial and darkness: "Remember the word that I said unto you, The
servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted Me, they
will also persecute you."(66) Jesus suffered for us more than any of His
followers can be made to suffer through the cruelty of wicked men. Those
who are called to endure torture and martyrdom, are but following in the
steps of God's dear Son.

"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise."(67) He does not forget or
neglect His children; but He permits the wicked to reveal their true
character, that none who desire to do His will may be deceived concerning
them. Again, the righteous are placed in the furnace of affliction, that
they themselves may be purified; that their example may convince others of
the reality of faith and godliness; and also that their consistent course
may condemn the ungodly and unbelieving.

God permits the wicked to prosper, and to reveal their enmity against Him,
that when they shall have filled up the measure of their iniquity, all may
see His justice and mercy in their utter destruction. The day of His
vengeance hastens, when all who have transgressed His law and oppressed
His people will meet the just recompense of their deeds; when every act of
cruelty or injustice toward God's faithful ones will be punished as though
done to Christ Himself.

There is another and more important question that should engage the
attention of the churches of to-day. The apostle Paul declares that "all
that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."(68) Why is
it, then, that persecution seems in a great degree to slumber? The only
reason is, that the church has conformed to the world's standard, and
therefore awakens no opposition. The religion which is current in our day
is not of the pure and holy character that marked the Christian faith in
the days of Christ and His apostles. It is only because of the spirit of
compromise with sin, because the great truths of the word of God are so
indifferently regarded, because there is so little vital godliness in the
church, that Christianity is apparently so popular with the world. Let
there be a revival of the