self, and the world is of necessity to a certain extent influenced by them. The influence of Christianity is seen in the political, commercial and social life of the day, and in that sense the world might be said to be growing better. On the other hand, every person who is open-eyed to what is going on in the world to-day, must see that there is what the Scripture predicted there would be, the development of the "mystery of lawlessness" (II Thess. 2:7). There is, it is true, at present some restraining power, but nevertheless the "mystery of lawlessness doth already work,' resulting in increasing error and apostasy in the professing church, as well as out of it, and in the growing immorality (for example along the lines of divorce and impurity and immodesty in dress, etc.) and especially by the development of anarchy or "lawlessness" among all classes of society. In this sense the world is growing worse. We should not be at all disheartened by this fact. It is a fulfillment of prophecy. Indeed, the darkest clouds that are gathering are but harbingers of the golden day that is coming when our Lord Himself shall return and take up the reins of government.

CHAPTER VI

We should be always ready-We should be looking, expectant-We should be earnestly long

ing-The preciousness of the words, "Jesus is coming."

"For the grace of God hath appeared bringing salvation to all men, instructing us, to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, and righteously, and godly in this present world (aion, age) looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the Great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ."

TITUS 2:11-13.

CHAPTER VI.

OUR ATTITUDE TOWARD THE RETURN OF OUR LORD JESUS.

T

HE all-important practical question for us all in connection with our Lord's Return is what should be our personal attitude toward His coming again. It is this question which is especially answered in the Bible. The Bible treatment of the doctrine is intensely practical.

1. In the first place, WE SHOULD BE READY FOR OUR LORD'S RETURN WHENSOEVER HE MAY COME. We should hearken diligently to our Lord's own commandment "Be ye also ready, for in an hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh." We should not only hearken to these words, but we should keep them in mind every day of our life. Every morning when we rise we should say to ourself, "Be ready for your Lord's return, for He may come to-day." Every night before we lie down to sleep we should ask ourselves the