been widely misused and sadly
misapplied. Because David's babe was taken from him as a chastisement
(2 Sam. 12:14), many thoughtlessly conclude that every babe's death is
meant for a chastisement for the father and mother; and many apply
"Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth" to all of the sorrows and
sufferings of God's children. But there is another purpose
accomplished by some sufferings, in "that the trial of your faith
being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be
tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the
appearing of Jesus Christ."--1 Peter 1:7. "And he shall sit as a
purifier and refiner of silver."--Matt. 3:3. The silver is not to
blame for the dross; nevertheless, it needs to be burned out. A child
stole a piece of bread; the father chastised the child for it. That
chastening was suffering. But the same child was born a cripple. In
straightening the foot, the father forced many weeks of fearful
suffering on the child, but the suffering was not chastisement.
Chastisements are sufferings of God's children for wrongdoing to
correct them; but there are sufferings that are not chastisements for
wrongdoing, but are to take out of us defects, or to develop us.
Hence, to say to some one who is suffering from sorrow or affliction,
"Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth," is often cruel and untrue.

VI

REWARDS--DEGREES IN HEAVEN

"I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish."--John
10:28.--"Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven."--Matt. 6:20.

"By grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of
yourselves; it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any one
should boast."--Eph. 2:8, 9.--"Each man shall receive his own
reward _according to his own labor_."--1 Cor. 3:8.

"Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus
Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver,
costly stones, wood, hay, stubble; every man's work shall be made
manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be
revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what
sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon,
he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he
shall suffer loss, but he himself shall be saved, yet so as through
fire."--1 Cor. 3:11-15.

"But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul