THE FAMILY ALTAR:

May 29.

"And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is

given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye, therefore, and teach

all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the

Son and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things

whatsoever I have commanded you. And, lo, I am with you alway,

even unto the end of the world." Matt. 28:18 — 20.

Our risen Savior remained with His disciples forty days, and

then gave them this great missionary command before He ascended

into heaven. While in the form of a servant here on earth, He

did not use the divine power given Him after His human nature,

but humbled Himself and was obedient to His Father even unto

the death of the cross. But now, having finished His great work

of redemption, He enters on the full and perpetual exercise of His

divine power also after His human nature — for our good, for the

salvation of all the world. For all the world He has gained and

obtained forgiveness of sin, life, and salvation by His atoning

death. Now He commissions His disciples to go into all the

world with the glad tidings: "God was in Christ, reconciling the

world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them;

and hath committed unto us the Word of Eeconciliation. Now,

then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech

you by us; we pray you in Christ's stead, Be ye reconciled to

God !" (2 Cor. 5, 19. 20.) From the Acts of the Apostles and the

annals of church history we learn how zealous and faithful the

dear apostles showed themselves in their great commission, how

in spite of all persecution stirred up by Jews and Gentiles they

preached and taught nothing else than what Christ Himself had

taught them in His Gospel. If we ask what was the secret of

their power, of their success, of their faithfulness unto death,

the answer is: Because their ascended and almighty Savior was

with them. So He is with all His servants who are faithful to

His Word and doctrine. So will He be with us to-day and all

the days of our life if we are His in true faith. 

What greater joy or happiness could we want?

Anywhere with Jesus, says the Christian heart;

Let Him take me where He will, so we do not part;

Always sitting at His feet, there's no cause for fears

Anywhere with Jesus in this vale of tears.

Anywhere with Jesus, for it cannot be

Dreary, dark, or desolate, if He is with me;

He will love me alway, every need supply;

Anywhere with Jesus, should I live or die.