PASTORAL LETTER TWENTY-TWO: HOPE

Dear Fellow Salvationists,

I write in the Name of Jesus to greet and encourage you.

Here in London we are in the late weeks of the Autumn season, but the weather is unusually mild just now and we can venture out of doors, without the need for heavy clothing, to enjoy the falling leaves as the trees turn golden brown. The children walk and skip to school with a carpet of fallen leaves beneath their feet. As they kick happily at the gathered gold, a sudden gust of wind will propel the fallen foliage once again into the air. It is an enchanting season. In the southern hemisphere you are in Spring-time, with promise and hope bursting outward and upward from the earth to remind you of new life.

Like all Christian believers, Salvationists are a people of hope. In mentioning hope I do not mean that shallow, facile optimism that says, ‘Things will probably turn out alright in the end.’ Christian hope proclaims the certainty that in Christ Jesus all is well now, regardless of our outward circumstances, and that we have the gift of hope from God not only for this life but for all eternity too. In 1 Corinthians 15:19 we are reminded that we have hope in Christ not only for this earthly life. Were this untrue then we are to be pitied above all others.

Titus 3:7 describes true believers as ‘heirs having the hope of eternal life’. In this promise, and in many more found in Scripture, we sense the certainty of God’s provision and the sureness of His promises. He does not toy with us. He offers us the gift of hope. We are free to accept or to reject His offer. My heart is filled with praise to God for each one of you reading this who has gladly and wholeheartedly accepted the Heavenly Father’s infinitely gracious offer of hope – hope for today and for all our tomorrows.

I am very aware that as I write to you there remain only a few months of my term as the General of The Salvation Army. I will hand over to another, technically at midnight at the close of Friday April 1, 2011. The theme of hope is therefore very close to my heart in these days. I am full of hope for the future of the Army. I am full of certainty that God will bless and use to His glory the person, as yet unknown, who will become the General after me.

I urge every one of you to be filled with that same hope at this time. The 109 members of the High Council will gather at Sunbury-on-Thames near London in January 2011. They will come together from every corner of the earth on January 16th for a few days under my leadership as the General’s Consultative Council. Then on January 21st the formal High Council proceedings begin, with the Chief of the Staff presiding over the opening session before a President is elected. The President then guides the Council in the election of the next General.

The High Council members will travel to London filled with holy hope. They will believe that God will guide them in their task. They will be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. The Army world will cover them with prayer. These will be sacred days, days brimming with holy hope.

I close this Pastoral Letter by thanking you again for your fidelity to Christ and for your sanctified obedience to the divine leadings of God in your life and in your Army service.

Thank you too for your prayers for Commissioner Helen and for me. I am fully fit and well again. Commissioner Helen awaits the results of further scans to find out the full effect of recent radiotherapy. With me, she commits you all to the matchless love of Christ.

Together we say to you, with the Psalmist: ‘Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord’ (Psalm 31:24).

God be with you and make you a blessing to others.

Yours in Christ,

Shaw Clifton
General

Advent: Green is the Colour...

Presented to Swift Current Corps 28 November 2010
By Captain Michael Ramsay

Today is the first Sunday of Advent and in Advent we have the Advent wreath, of course. I don’t know if you know some of the significance of the Advent wreath. One key point is that it is traditionally made from evergreens. I thought the idea of forever green is very appropriate for today. I think that the province at large this year is really getting into the Advent celebrations with the whole ever-green idea. I’ve heard of whole towns painted green this Sunday and look at the number of people wearing green here today; building up to Advent, the Premier of Saskatchewan has even declared one day this week as 'Green Day'. I have even heard that great ever-green hymn a lot recently: ‘Green is the colour….’ We’ll talk a little more about the evergreen and Advent, a little less tongue in cheek, in a little bit.

First we will talk specifically about Psalm 122, a psalm of David...

read more: http://sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/2010/11/psalm-1221-let-us-go-to-house-of-lord.html

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Check out Captian Michael Ramsay's new book (PTL4Covenants) on-line @ www.sheepspeak.com/

Miracle Room Grand Opening

Salvation Army Christmas Campaign
Miracle Room grand opening
The Southwest Booster
Published on November 24th, 2010

http://www.swbooster.com/News/Local/2010-11-24/article-1991256/Salvation-Army-sets-%24125%2C000-Christmas-Campaign-target/1

Sharing the warmth of Christmas will be highlighted during the coming weeks after the Swift Current Salvation Army launched their 2010 Christmas Campaign.

This year’s Christmas Campaign has a $125,000 target, and the public has a number of opportunities to support the campaign before December 25.

“This seems to be the biggest year for need across the country in quite a while, so the more that people are able to pitch in and help out, the more we’ll be able to give hope today to people in our community,” explained Captain Michael Ramsay during Saturday’s official campaign launch.

“I think we’re doing that in faith. It’s a very generous community and I believe we should have no problem reaching that,” he said of their $125,000 campaign target.

The Salvation Army’s Miracle Room has been opened at the Wheatland Mall as a hub for festive donations. The Miracle Room is located in the former Tanjay and right beside the Coles bookstore.

“It’s a wonderful room we’ve got this year. They’ve done a great job of setting it up, and we’d like to thank the Mall for donating this room to us,” Capt. Ramsay said of the Miracle Room’s 2010 home. “People can bring their food by here as well as their donations for the kettles, and it’s the headquarters for the Angel Tree.”

The Angel Tree generates age-group Christmas presents for youngsters. Supporters simply have to take an angel from the tree, and purchase a boys or girls present for a specific age group. They can then take their unwrapped gift to the Miracle Room for Salvation Army volunteers to wrap so the proper gift gets to the appropriate child.

People are invited to bring donations to the Food Bank to the Miracle Room, or to a newly constructed bin at Wal-Mart.

The Swift Current Broncos are hosting their annual Teddy Bear Toss during their Dec. 3 game against the visiting Everett Silvertips. In addition to generating stuffed animals to be distributed at Christmas, Bronco fans can also bring food donations which will be collected at the door.

Food donations are also being taken at the CP Holiday Train stop in Swift Current on Dec. 7 at 11:15 a.m. Featured on the Holiday Train for the second year in a row will be recording artists The Odds. The Holiday Train will also be stopping in Maple Creek for a 2:30 p.m. performance. The Canadian Pacific’s Holiday Train has been responsible for generating $4.8 million and over 2.3 million pounds of food for food banks across Canada and the United States since the Holiday Train program began back in 1999.

The Miracle Room also boasts a number of displays on Salvation Army works in the community.

“A lot of people don’t realize just the number of things the Salvation Army actually does do in Swift Current here. So it’s a good chance to come and take a look and just see how many things we really are involved in. We really keep a lot of staff and volunteers very active in trying to help those in need in our community.”

The Kettle Campaign has begun around the city, with kettles situated at a number of business locations.

Capt. Ramsay noted that Wal-Mart announced they are matching the first $2,000 donated through their kettle location.

“Maybe we can throw out a challenge to people who are hosting other kettles,” he said.

Swift Current City Council member Gord Budd, who made the ceremonial first contribution in support of the Kettle Campaign, said giving during the Christmas season is one of the strengths of the community.

“Swift Current is a caring community. This is only one example of the caring that the residents of Swift Current show every year. And particularly at Christmas it’s very important because we have a number of people in our community that are perhaps less fortunate than others and they need a little extra help this time of the year. And what better venue than Salvation Army kettles,” Budd said.

“You’ve got to feel good when your helping out your fellow man. I honestly think that’s why we’re put on this earth, is to help one another, and this is one way of showing it.”

The Salvation Army on the front page of the Prairie Post

http://content.yudu.com/Library/A1q23z/PrairiePostEastNovem/resources/index.htm?referrerUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.yudu.com%2Fitem%2Fdetails%2F252783%2FPrairie-Post-East-November-26--2010

Dignity for all

Christmas Dates to Remember:

Kettle kick-off /Miracle room opening (Wheatland Mall):
Sat. Nov 20 at 10 a.m. (Angel Tree gifts accepted until Dec.15)
To volunteer for kettles call 778-0886 Mon to Thurs 10:00 - 4:00

Christmas food hamper applications accepted:
Mon., Nov.22 to Thurs., Nov.25 from 10-12 & 1-4
Mon., Nov.29 to Thurs., Dec.2 from 10-12 & 1-4
(No appointments necessary- first come, first serve)

Christmas Tree Lighting:
Nov. 25th

Broncos Teddy Bear Toss:
Friday, Dec. 3rd

Holiday Train:
Wednesday, Dec.7th at 11:15am.

Christmas hamper pickup:
Wednesday, Dec.22 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Community Christmas Dinner: Saturday, December 25
Salvation Army hall @ 2 p.m. Cost is $1.00.

Wishing you a very joyous and blessed Christmas holiday from The Salvation Army Swift Current

Up to date info on-line: http://www.sheepspeak.com/christmas.htm

A good Christmas present...

www.salvationarmy.ca/giftsofhope

Couch-surfing homeless..

Ottawa— The Canadian Press
Published Friday, Nov. 19, 2010 9:20AM EST
Last updated Friday, Nov. 19, 2010 9:32AM EST
Available on-line from The Globe and Mail: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/health-of-400000-nearly-homeless-canadians-as-poor-as-those-on-streets-study/article1805746/

Research in Vancouver, Toronto and Ottawa over a two-year period suggests that for every person sleeping on the street, there are 23 more who are at risk of becoming homeless — living in unaffordable, crowded and unsafe conditions.

That's approximately 400,000 people across Canada — a “hidden emergency” that is being ignored, researchers say.

The Research Alliance for Canadian Homelessness, Housing and Health says that while these so-called “vulnerably housed” people may have roofs over their heads, they are plagued with the same devastating health problems as the homeless.

Half of them have a history of mental illness, and almost two-thirds have had a traumatic brain injury at some point.

Many of them are dealing with harsh physical-health issues too, such as arthritis, Hepatitis B, asthma and high blood pressure.

A third of them say they're having trouble finding enough to eat.

“Before now, researchers and decision-makers have often thought of these groups, the homeless and the vulnerably housed, as two distinct populations, with two different levels of need,” said Dr. Stephen Hwang of St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto.

“This study paints a different picture.”

The study tracked 1,200 homeless and precariously housed people in the three cities over a two-year period. Researchers plan to track them in the coming years to see how their housing and health status have changed.

So far, they've concluded that the biggest gulf in health outcomes is not between the homeless and the housed. Rather, it's between those who have adequate housing and those who don't.

Their lifespans are about seven to 10 years shorter than the general Canadian population, the study found.

Men in vulnerable housing situations have the same chance of living to the age 75 as an average man in 1921 — before antibiotics were around. They're more than twice as likely as the average Canadian to commit suicide.

Women in similar situations are as likely to survive to the age of 75 as an average woman living in Guatemala. They're six times more likely to commit suicide than the average Canadian.

The solution, the research network argues, is for Ottawa to set standards for access to adequate housing.

“The key point is that Canada needs a national housing strategy,” Dr. Hwang said.

“We all recognize that health care is important for good health, and so we have universal health care. Decent and affordable housing is just as essential for good health.”

The call for a national housing strategy is the third such appeal from a major national group this week alone. Ottawa argues that it has provided plenty of money for housing construction, and is working with the provinces to make sure the money is well spent.

The research network includes St. Michael's Hospital, Carleton University, the University of Ottawa, the University of British Columbia and several community-services organizations and mental-health groups. The study was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

What does it mean to walk in the counsel of the wicked and how do we avoid it?

What does it mean to walk in the counsel of the wicked and how do we avoid it? Does it mean that we should not spend time with so-called ‘sinners’? Does it mean that we should not be around people who aren’t ‘holy’? Does it mean that we should spend our whole lives either at home or at church and not be around anyone else in this corrupt, fallen world? Is that what it means? I’m sure we’ve all heard the old expression that bad company corrupts good character. Is that what this is talking about when it says that we should not walk in the counsel of the wicked? Not really: let us not forget that it is only when we are around people that need the Lord that we have any opportunity to share the Lord with them.

The Lord birthed The Salvation Army through the Booths by doing just this – serving the Lord by helping the marginalized in society and sharing the love of God with others. Consecrating our soldiers from the profane world through our covenant, the Lord is able to use the Army in the world to reach many people who may otherwise just slip through the cracks. We do not hide from the wicked. And Jesus, himself, when his disciples are asked why he eats with tax collectors and sinners answers “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick…For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Matthew 9:12, Mark 2:17, Luke 5:31). Jesus does not separate himself from the everyday people of the world in this way. And the Apostle Paul tells us that he has become all things to all people so that by all possible means some may be saved (1 Corinthians 9:22). Jesus and his disciples spent their ministry showing mercy to the people of the world, to the outcasts of society: the poor, the widow, the immigrant. When Jesus is confronted with a women caught in adultery (John 8:1-11), a woman guilty of the death penalty, what does he do? Does Jesus shun her? Does he say ‘bad company corrupts good character’? Does Jesus condemn her? No. Does Jesus accept her sin and tell her to not worry about it because we all sin all the time anyway. No way! He saves her and then Jesus tells her to go and sin no more and if indeed she decides to reject his salvation and does sin again, she will probably receive the due penalty for her sin (Romans 6:23). Jesus, his disciples and apostles do spend time with the outcasts and with sinners; so removing ourselves from them, shunning the sinner can’t be what this psalm should mean to his followers. So what does it mean in Psalm 1, the introduction to this whole anthology of music and poetry, in this the preface to the Hebrew Psalm-book, what does it mean when it says, “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked” (Psalm 1:1)?

What does it mean to walk in the ways of the wicked? What does it mean to follow their counsel? It means...

read more: http://sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/2010/11/psalm-11-2which-one-of-these-things-is.html

Food Bank use on the rise!

Last Updated: Tuesday, November 16, 2010 1:42 PM ET
CBC News : http://www.cbc.ca/m/rich/news/story/2010/11/16/food-bank-survey016.html

Food bank use across Canada is at the highest level since 1997, with nearly 900,000 people turning to them in March 2010, says a survey released Tuesday.

The HungerCount 2010 survey found that 867,948 people used food banks in March 2010, an increase of 9.2 per cent or more than 73,000 people compared with the previous year. The figure was 28 per cent higher than in 2008.

"This is a reality check. Food banks are seeing first-hand that the recession is not over for a large number of Canadians," Katharine Schmidt, executive director of Food Banks Canada, which co-ordinated the annual national study, said in a statement.

"We are hearing that it is really tough out there. Many people who lost their jobs during the recession have now exhausted their unemployment benefits, and are looking to self-employment or to temporary and part-time jobs for income," she said.

"Others have been forced to fall back on social assistance. These options aren't paying the bills, and people are accessing food banks to fill the gap."

Among the survey's other findings:

* 80,150 people or 9.2 per cent used a food bank for the first time.
* Food bank use grew in every province in 2010.
* 38 per cent of those assisted by food banks were children under 18.
* Half of assisted households are families with children.
* 17 per cent of households that used food banks have employment income.
* Seven per cent of assisted households have a pension as their primary source of income.

"Though the recession has made things worse, the causes of hunger and low income run much deeper than the recent economic crisis," said Schmidt.

"The need for food banks is a result of our failure as a country to adequately address a number of social issues, including a changing job market, a lack of affordable housing and child care, and a social safety net that is ineffective."

Food Banks Canada made several recommendations to address the issue including:

* Implementing a national poverty prevention and reduction strategy.
* Creating a federal housing strategy.
* Maintaining current levels of federal transfer payments to provincial, territorial, and First Nations governments.
*Addressing rates of low income among seniors.

HungerCount has collected data on food bank use every March since 1997.

Check out some more from DR Was!

http://drwas.blogspot.com/

Read the Bible in a year on-line:
Job 39-40 and 1 Corinthians 13-14

Check out DR Was!

http://drwas.blogspot.com/

Read the Bible in a year on-line:
Job 37-38 and 1 Corinthians 12

Doughnuts anyone?

Remembrance Day Address 2010

Presented to the Premier of Saskatchewan, the Mayor of Swift Current, our Federal MP, Royal Canadian Legion Branch #56 and their guests.

On November 11th we remember our friends and families who served in the World Wars, Korea, peacekeeping missions and subsequent conflicts in the 20th and 21st centuries. My own grandfather returned home to Saskatchewan from California, where he was working when the Second World War broke out, to join the Canadian Army. He eagerly grabbed some friends from Cut Knife and they all signed up for our armed forces. Of the men that enlisted that day with my grandfather, I believe, only he lived to see the end of the war. John 15:17, in the Bible, records:'Greater love has no man than to lay down his life for his friends'

The Salvation Army was also present in both these wars – actually in the trenches -offering material and emotional support and the love of God to the soldiers. I am humbled and honoured to share with you today some of what the Lord has done through the Canadian Salvation Army in the conflicts of 20th Century.

During both world wars and throughout the Cold War, The Salvation Army was very active. We provided military personnel with basic comforts and helped maintain morale by establishing leave centres for rest and recreation providing a degree of civility amidst the loneliness and dehumanizing conditions of war. As an Officer in The Salvation Army, I thank you today for the opportunity that those who went before me had to serve.

In World War I, The Canadian Salvation Army ran hundreds of well-equipped huts, canteens, and rest facilities, as well as hostels in Britain, France and Belgium. At these hostels our war-weary troops could bathe, do laundry, eat decent food, and prepare themselves physically, mentally, and spiritually for the always-difficult return to the trenches. And when they returned to those trenches on the front lines they were met with more Salvation Army Officers providing refreshments and amenities. Canadian soldier Will Bird wrote: “Every front-line soldier of World War I knew that his true friend was the man in The Salvation Army canteen.”

It is at this time in WWI that we actually got our nickname: ‘Sally Ann’. The troops coined this affectionate nickname ‘Sally Ann' to describe The Salvation Army and also our Red Shield logo that we all know – it began as the symbol of our First World War relief efforts. Also – Doughnuts: did you know that doughnuts were first introduced to North America through Salvation Army canteens. Next time you go through the Timmy’s Drive Thru think of a veteran. As an Officer in The Salvation Army, I thank you for the opportunities that we have had to serve.

In World War I, on the home front, in Canada, the Salvation Army Home League sent tens of thousands of comfort packages containing socks, underwear, Christmas presents, and other items directly to the Salvation Army chaplains for distribution to Canadian troops right in the trenches. Salvationists also visited the homes of deceased soldiers in Canada regularly to look into the welfare of their dependants and comfort many bereaved families.

The Salvation Army in 1918 organized our first ever nation-wide appeal for funds – and this was to assist returning soldiers in the often-disorienting days following their discharge. From this, we raised enough money to open hostels across Canada, each offering a quiet retreat for soldiers on their way home or awaiting demobilization. As an Officer in The Salvation Army today, I thank you for that opportunity to serve.

Now when war broke out again in September 1939, we were there. Our responsibilities again included showing movies, establishing canteens, organizing recreational activities such as concerts and sporting events, providing reading material and stationery. At our leave centres in London, soldiers could obtain a bed, a breakfast, and a bath. We comforted the wounded and even helped bury the dead. In short, we did whatever was necessary to help maintain military morale. The Salvation Army instructed its supervisors to "care for the body, mind and soul of every [service person] irrespective of creed or personality." This is still our mandate today. As historian Scott Young has written, the Salvation Army "provided the reassuring link between the fighting man and his world of peace and kindness and sanity."

During Canadian training exercises in Britain, Sally Ann's mobile canteens supplied tired men with coffee, donuts, chocolates, and cigarettes free of charge. The Salvation Army rest camp for the Royal Canadian Navy in Northern Ireland brought with it one very significant consequence: a local judge noted that following the establishment of our facility that the number of Canadian sailors appearing before the courts had dropped by 50%! As an Officer in The Salvation Army, I thank you for that opportunity we have had to serve.

In July 1943, when Canadian troops participated in the Allied invasion of Sicily, The Sally Ann was there. We helped alleviate Canadians’ stressful experience of sustained combat. A number of Salvation Army personnel landed immediately after the initial assault. When, in early September, the Allies invaded the Italian mainland, Sally Ann again quickly followed, establishing a Red Shield Club, a hostel, and canteens. And as more Canadian forces arrived in Italy, more Salvation Army supervisors came with them.

In June 1944 came the invasion of Normandy. Within days of D-Day, The Salvation Army was already set up and at work: we spread heavy tarps over the holed roofs and shattered walls of damaged buildings, proclaimed these sites ‘movie theatres', and welcomed hundreds of exhausted Canadian soldiers in need of a laugh or distraction. The Salvation Army then set up Rec. Centres, one by one in the larger cities, as the Allies liberated them.

Salvation Army personnel were attached directly to many units. During this push for the liberation of Europe each Salvation Army Officer was equipped with a large truck that carried a portable generator, movie projector, turntable, radio, sports equipment, games, and canteen supplies, etc.

In all, The Salvation Army’s Second World War relief effort in Canada and overseas provided Canadians with hundreds of millions of sheets of writing paper and envelopes, nearly 40 million hot beverages from mobile canteens, and about 35 million meals. Almost 70 million people attended Salvation Army films and concerts. The last Salvationist active in the War did not return home until December 1946. In an official letter of thanks following the end of the War in Europe, General Harry Crerar, former commander of the First Canadian Army, wrote: "It would be easier to forget one's name than fail to remember the times without number when the Salvation Army was, in truth, our comforter and friend."

With the onset of the ‘Cold War', The Salvation Army continued its role as friend to Canada's opening many hostels, snack bars, and Rec. Centres for Canadians stationed in Germany with NATO forces. The Salvation Army mobile canteens followed Canadian troops on NATO manoeuvres and served refreshments in the field throughout the Cold War. The Salvation Army also helped incoming military families adjust to their new lives overseas. Many experienced culture shock and marital problems: we assisted with drop-in centres and counselling services. We served alongside our troops throughout the Cold War. As an Officer in The Salvation Army, I thank you so much for that opportunity.

During the deployment of Canadian forces to the Persian Gulf, The Salvation Army sent ‘sunshine bags' of small gifts and comforts to each of the several thousand Canadians serving in that war zone.

When Ottawa later announced that Canadian troops in Europe would be coming home. The Salvation Army stayed with them until the very end. Brigadier-General C.D. Thibeault, Commander, Canadian Forces Europe, wrote "for us, the Salvation Army symbol has always stood for a little piece of Canada and a place of peace."

For more than a century now – we have been active since the Boer War - The Salvation Army has been allowed to provide a small "home away from home" for Canada's military personnel. And as an active Officer in The Salvation Army today, on behalf of The Salvation Army in Swift Current, I thank you soldiers and veterans so much for that opportunity to serve you while you are serving our country.

I am going to pray: Lord, Thank you for all that you have done in the lives of our military personnel and our veterans. Thank you so much for the opportunity The Salvation Army has had to serve you through serving them while they served for us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

http://www.sheepspeak.com/

Have you read Michael's new book -Praise The Lord For Covenants -yet?

Remembrance Day

Canada's Hundred Days

Canada's Hundred Days refers to the last 100 days of World War I, from 4 August to November 11, 1918. During this time period, the Canadian Corps of four divisions fought several battles against approximately one quarter of the Imperial German Army on the Western Front, all with decisive victories.

Along with the battles of Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele, Canada's Hundred Days cemented the reputation of the Canadian Corps as a tough and professional fighting force amongst its allies and foes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada
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JUST WAR - FROM ARMYBARMY

Read Aaron Whites blog of Saturday, November 10, 2007 - In Time for Remembrance Day... It is a very good look at the question of 'is war ever just?' www.armybarmy.com/blog.html
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THE SALVATION ARMY, A PRESENTATION BY THE CANADIAN WAR MUSEUM

"It would be easier to forget one's name than fail to remember the times without number when the Salvation Army was, in truth, our comforter and friend."
- General Harry Crerar (Former Commander of the First Canadian Army, Second World War)

Read more: http://www.civilization.ca/cwm/salvationarmy/index_e.html
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November 9, Let us not forget

The day Canada honours the sacrifices of the First and Second World War and Korea is also the anniversary of a battle that saved the country from an American invasion during the War of 1812. And as the First World War slips from living memory into pure history, how Canadians have marked the other Nov. 11 from our military heritage -- the 1813 Battle of Crysler's Farm -- offers a sobering glimpse of the future of remembrance.read more: http://www.islandnet.com/~havelock/FPNov11AmericanInvasion.html

November 8th - The Great War

Ephesians 6:11-1311Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.Read whole chapter: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=56&chapter=6&version=9

A TOUCH OF HOME:

The War Services of The Salvation ArmyDuring the First World War (1914-18), the Canadian Salvation Army's overseas activities were part of the much larger effort organized by British Salvationists. The latter established over 200 recreational huts (often no more than tents), 40 rest homes, and 96 hostels, all staffed by more than 1200 volunteers. The Canadian SA sent five military chaplains to the front and helped operate well-equipped huts, canteens, rest facilities, and hostels...

Read more (PDF): http://www.civilization.ca/cwm/salvationarmy/sallyanneng.pdf
at 9:31 PM

Is War Ever Just?

Article from the Nipawin Journal: http://www.sheepspeak.com/is_war_ever_just.htm

Winston Churchill on The Salvation Army

Winston Churchill is quoted as saying, "Where there's a need, there's The Salvation Army".Is it as true in the 2000's as it was in the 1940's? I believe so. Let's keep it that way - and more! - mr

Canadian TSA in the World Wars (Part 1).

In 1914 the Army shared in the national tragedy of the sinking of The Empress of Ireland in the St. Lawrence. On board were more than 120 Salvationists, bound for an international congress in London. Most of them, including the national commander and members of the Canadian Staff Band, were drowned. The Staff Band was not re-formed until 1969.

Canada's involvement in the Great War of 1914-1918 saw the appointment of the first Salvation Officer as a chaplain in the Canadian armed forces, and the donation of five motor ambulances to forces serving overseas. At the end of the war, military hostels were opened in Winnipeg, London, Kingston, Toronto, and other cities, for returning soldiers.

All of this demonstrates the unique ability of The Salvation Army to respond to urgent needs...It also reflects the ingenuity, efficient use of resources and a genius for improvisation, which the organization's quasi-military structure fostered. It showed government that in most things the Army could get the job done with greater efficiency and at less cost than almost any other agency, and at the same time it forged a bond of trust between the people of Canada and the 'Sally Ann', a trust that continues to this day...

The onset of World War II found the Army accompanying Canada's armed forces overseas not only as chaplains but as the operators of Maple Leaf Clubs, providing rest and relaxation for the troops. By the end of the war there were clubs in Britain, France, Germany, Belgium, Holland and India. They were mostly staffed by Salvation Army Auxiliaries, some of them as young as twenty years old. They provided a taste of home, with Canadian cooking, mail forwarding and social activities, including dances and short term accommodation. On the home front at the end of the war, Salvationists at Canadian ports welcomed the 'war brides' of Canadian servicemen.

Read more: http://www.salvationist.ca/about/history/


The Salvation Army - From the Canadian Department of National Defence website:

The Salvation Army and the Propagation of the Faith:The central mission of the Salvation Army is evangelism. The Army exists to spread the Word of God through its distinctive methods of outreach to the world. The Church and its members do not hesitate to reach out to the poor and the abandoned, to help all toward salvation.

Read more: http://www.dnd.ca/hr/religions/engraph/religions29_e.asp

Soldiers of the Cross (TSA WWI & WWII Australia and New Zealand)

In April 1915, at a little-known beach in Turkey named Gallipoli, two legends were created. The first was the courage of the Australian soldier: the second was the wartime service of the Salvation Army.

Read more: http://www.anzacday.org.au/spirit/cross/index.html

THE HISTORY OF THE SALVATION ARMY (USA) IN WORLD WAR I

The Salvationist stands ready, trained in all necessary qualifications in every phase of humanitarian work, and the the last man will stand by the President for execution of his orders.-Evangeline Booth, National Commander, April 1918

http://www.worldwar1.com/dbc/salvhist.htm
at 3:38 PM

In the Lead up to Nov 11 - The Salvation Army Position on World Peace

The Salvation Army believes that the plan for creation is that all people shall live in a harmonious relationship with God. It acknowledges that only within this relationship can perfect peace be fully known, and that this peace transcends the circumstances of this life. Greed, selfishness and injustice, however, have entered human lives and often result in conflict and, at times, armed aggression.Therefore, in the light of the Gospel and in obedience to the one who declared, "Blessed are the peacemakers," The Salvation Army through its ministry around the world confronts the poverty, injustice and the inequalities that so often give rise to disharmony and unrest, and seeks to foster mutual respect and understanding between peoples of all races, ethnic origins, socio-economic backgrounds, religions and cultures.

Recognizing the appalling character of modern warfare, The Salvation Army urges nations to eliminate all weapons of mass or indiscriminate destruction and divert those expenditures into measures that will benefit society, and especially into providing services that promote the welfare of the poor, suffering or disadvantaged, and bring about a more just society.

The Salvation Army is ready to work, alone or in partnership with others of goodwill, to bring about an end to armed conflict and to promote reconciliation between opposing factions. It also undertakes to extend in Christian love its practical care to those who suffer because of war, civil unrest or other forms of violence, without discrimination except on the basis of the need being met and its capacity to meet it.

The Salvation Army calls upon all within its influence - members, friends and fellow Christians - to pray for peace, to love their enemies and to work for the betterment of society, witnessing to God as the source of lasting peace and to a right relationship with God as the only path to perfect peace.

More position Statements:
Abortion Artificial Insemination & In Vitro Fertilization Capital Punishment Environment Euthanasia, Assisted Suicide & Advance Health Care Directives Family Gambling Gay & Lesbian Sexuality Human Diversity Marriage Pornography Poverty & Economic Justice Sabbath Substance Abuse Sunday Observance World Peace

They died for us
Remembrance Day (a poem of sorts...)
They didn't die for freedom of speech
They didn't die for freedom of expression
They didn't die for the right to vote
They didn't die for democracy
They didn't die for capitalism
They didn't die for human ideologies
They died for us

John 15:13 reminds us that Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

Psalm book

Can anyone tell me what a psalm is? A poem, a song, a hymn. The Psalms are written by a few different people. King David composed many that are included in our Book of Psalms (among other things, David was a very famous Psalm writer). Psalms is a collection of hymns and songs; in this way is not unlike our Songbook. Now I don’t know if everyone here is aware of it or not but there has been discussion in this last year about maybe updating our Salvation Army Songbook. The ancients had done the same sort of thing with the Book of Psalms on at least one occasion. Psalms, in the form that we have now, was probably pulled together from other Psalm-books for use in worship in the Temple in Jerusalem[1] (Zerubbabel’s Temple, Herrod’s Temple and later the synagogues) the same way we traditionally have used songbooks in worship in The Salvation Army. This version of the Psalm-book that we have in our Bibles with us today may even have been compiled as recently as after the destruction of Solomon’s Temple (586 BCE - 400 BCE)[2] and it could have been used in worship in Zerubbabel’s Temple:[3] this is the temple mentioned in the book of Ezra-Nehemiah which we have been studying here on Tuesdays.

read more: http://sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/2010/11/psalm-11-2which-one-of-these-things-is.html

Beelzebub in the Parable of the Haunted House

He is accused of driving out demons by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of demons (Luke 11:15, Matthew 12:24, Mark 3:22). We are familiar with the term Beelzebub, right? Milton named one of his characters in ‘Paradise Lost’ Beelzebub. In Milton’s story he was the devil’s henchman but Beelzebub, here in scriptures, isn’t the right hand man of the devil.[8] Beelzebub is the devil himself. Beelzebub is another name for the Satan. We remember that the ancient Israelites – long before the time of Jesus’ birth in the New Testament – were often split between those who worshipped YHWH and those that worshipped the Canaanite god named Baal. One of the titles that Baal-worshippers used to call Baal was Baal-Zebul - which literally means ‘Baal the Prince’ (Cf. 2 Kings 1:6; Matthew 10:25; 12:24,27; Mark 3:22; Luke 11:15, 18-19).[9] So the people who didn’t worship Baal gave the Canaanite god a related nickname. They called him Baal-Zebub, which sounds like Baal-Zebul, ‘Baal the Prince’, but in reality can mean Baal, Lord of the flies; Baal the pest; or Baal, Lord of the dung heap.[10] It wasn’t a favourable name, Baal-Zebub. By Jesus time, with Baal-worship finally relegated to the dustbin of history, they couldn’t let this good nickname go to waste; so they applied it to the devil; Satan inherited this nickname. Beelzebub, in the first century CE, was a common derogatory name for Satan.[11] Jesus in our text here is being accused of working for the devil.

In our society today we think nothing of people dressing up like evil characters or using the language of demon-possession and witchcraft: we hear it everyday on TV, radio, in pop culture and in casual colloquial language. I imagine that there will be on TV, tonight alone, dozens of movies and TV shows trivializing or glorifying evil. It is so common in our contemporary Canadian society that many times we don’t even twig when we hear references to sorcery or divination but it was very different in Jesus’ day (cf. Deuteronomy 18:10; 1 Samuel 28:9; 2 Kings 19:22; 2 Chronicles 33:6; Micah 5:12; Nahum 3:4; Galatians 5:20).Witchcraft is a serious crime. It was a sin punishable by death (1 Samuel 28:9, Galatians 5:20). These religious teachers who are accusing Jesus of being an agent of evil here cannot be left to make these remarks unchallenged. It must be addressed. They are accusing Jesus of divination, of witchcraft, of sorcery, and in those days (unlike today when many of our kids and grandkids or their friends will be watching cartoons shows relating to the occult or dressing up as devils and witches tonight) people won’t stand by and let that evil go unchecked.

Jesus doesn’t stand by and let these accusations stand. Knowing their thoughts Jesus tells them....

read more: http://sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/2010/10/luke-1114-28-matthew-1225-29-parable-of.html

The Parable of the Haunted House (2)

There is in Matthew and Mark’s record of this parable also the important, significant, and controversial statement about the one unforgivable sin, which is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:32, Mark 3:29).[6] This sin is almost certainly not a once-off and in this context here, especially in Mark’s version, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit appears to refer to anyone who gets in the way of the work of the Lord or anyone who consistently attributes the work of God to the devil. Luke speaks about sweeping the house clean and then the spirits returning to haunt to the haunted house once more.[7] This is similar to John’s words about the apostate and those who walk with Christ but later reject him (1 John 2:18-26, 5:13-20, 2 John 1:7-11; cf. Matthew 10:14, 12:31-32; Mark 3:29-30, 6:11; Luke 9:5, 12:10; Acts 13:50-52; 2 Peter 2:17-22). These ‘rejecters’ appear to be the ones who have committed the unforgivable sin (cf. TSA Doctrines 7 and 9).

Each of these interesting points we can all talk about later if you like but today I would prefer to concentrate on something else in this, the Parable of the Haunted House. Recorded in Luke 11:17-18 and Mark 3:24 and Matthew 12:25, “…Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall. If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? ...” And Luke 11:23 and Matthew 12:30 each record Jesus’ comment that “He who is not with me is against me” Jesus is drawing the line here. He is being quite clear. Jesus has had a serious accusation levelled against him. He has been accused of exorcising demons by demonic power himself.

read more: http://sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/2010/10/luke-1114-28-matthew-1225-29-parable-of.html

The Parable of the Haunted House (1)

The Parable of the Haunted House – especially noticeable in the Lukan account – talks about a demon-possessed man and a demon-possessed house. Luke 11:24-26: “When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first.” The house is haunted by more demons than it was in the first place. This is in the Parable of the Haunted House.There are many important things to come out of this Parable of the Haunted House. We obviously don’t have time today to spend on them all. One of the key things to come out of this parable is that God is more important than anyone in the Christian’s life.[2] This is especially highlighted in the Markan account (Mark 3:20-35).[3] If even one’s own parents are opposed to the life and work of Jesus, Christ goes as far as to model disowning one’s parents when his mother and brothers came to interfere with his work, to take charge of him and/or arrest him Jesus replies, “Who are my mother and brothers?” (Mark 3:31-34; Matthew 12:46-50; Luke 11:27-28, 8:19-21).[4] We are not to be distracted from serving the Lord by anyone (cf. Matthew 10:38-39, 16:24-24; Mark 8:34-35; Luke 9:23-24, 14:26-27, 17:33; John 12:25; 1 Corinthians 15:31; cf. also Gospel of Thomas 55b).[5] This is very important.

read more: http://sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/2010/10/luke-1114-28-matthew-1225-29-parable-of.html

Answers...

1) What historic event happened in Wittenburg on this date in 1517?
(Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of the church.)

2) True or False: Ghosts are mentioned in the Bible.
(True, especially The Holy Ghost in the Authorized Version)

3) True or False: A king of Israel went to a witch to speak with the spirit of a dead person (True, 1 Samuel 28).
a.Bonus Marks name the King (Saul), the dead person (Samuel), and the witch (the Witch of Endor)

4) How many people can you name who the Bible records God used to raise others from the dead?

a.God used Elijah to raise the son of the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:17-23),
b.God used Elisha to raise the Shunammite woman's son (2 Kings 4:32-37);
c.There was the man they through into Elisha’s grave (2 Kings 13:21)
d.Jesus raised:
i. the widow's son (Luke 7:12-15),
ii. Jairus' daughter (Luke 8:49-55),
iii. Lazarus (John 11:43,44),
e.God used Peter to raise Dorcas (Acts 9:37-40)
f.God used Paul to raise Eutychus (after he had bored him to death? Acts 20:9-12)

5) The man possessed by so many demons that they called themselves Legion, where did he live? (In the tombs, the graveyard near Gerasenes; Mark 5:1,2, Luke 8:26-27)

6) True or False: Jesus tells a parable about a haunted house? (True, Matthew 12:25-29, Mark 3:23-27, Luke 11:17-22)

read the related sermon: http://sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/2010/10/luke-1114-28-matthew-1225-29-parable-of.html

Michael

---
Captain Michael Ramsay
Swift Current, Saskatchewan
and the world for Jesus!

Michael's new book - 'Praise The Lord For Covenants: Old Testament wisdom for our world today' is now available from http://www.sheepspeak.com/

Disputation of Doctor Martin Luther on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences

by Dr. Martin Luther (October 31, 1517)

Out of love for the truth and the desire to bring it to light, the following propositions will be discussed at Wittenberg, under the presidency of the Reverend Father Martin Luther, Master of Arts and of Sacred Theology, and Lecturer in Ordinary on the same at that place. Wherefore he requests that those who are unable to be present and debate orally with us, may do so by letter.

In the Name our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

1. Our Lord and Master Jesus Christ, when He said Poenitentiam agite, willed that the whole life of believers should be repentance.

2. This word cannot be understood to mean sacramental penance, i.e., confession and satisfaction, which is administered by the priests.

3. Yet it means not inward repentance only; nay, there is no inward repentance which does not outwardly work divers mortifications of the flesh.

4. The penalty [of sin], therefore, continues so long as hatred of self continues; for this is the true inward repentance, and continues until our entrance into the kingdom of heaven.

5. The pope does not intend to remit, and cannot remit any penalties other than those which he has imposed either by his own authority or by that of the Canons.

6. The pope cannot remit any guilt, except by declaring that it has been remitted by God and by assenting to God's remission; though, to be sure, he may grant remission in cases reserved to his judgment. If his right to grant remission in such cases were despised, the guilt would remain entirely unforgiven.

7. God remits guilt to no one whom He does not, at the same time, humble in all things and bring into subjection to His vicar, the priest.

8. The penitential canons are imposed only on the living, and, according to them, nothing should be imposed on the dying.

9. Therefore the Holy Spirit in the pope is kind to us, because in his decrees he always makes exception of the article of death and of necessity.

10. Ignorant and wicked are the doings of those priests who, in the case of the dying, reserve canonical penances for purgatory.

11. This changing of the canonical penalty to the penalty of purgatory is quite evidently one of the tares that were sown while the bishops slept.

12. In former times the canonical penalties were imposed not after, but before absolution, as tests of true contrition.

13. The dying are freed by death from all penalties; they are already dead to canonical rules, and have a right to be released from them.

14. The imperfect health [of soul], that is to say, the imperfect love, of the dying brings with it, of necessity, great fear; and the smaller the love, the greater is the fear.

15. This fear and horror is sufficient of itself alone (to say nothing of other things) to constitute the penalty of purgatory, since it is very near to the horror of despair.

16. Hell, purgatory, and heaven seem to differ as do despair, almost-despair, and the assurance of safety.

17. With souls in purgatory it seems necessary that horror should grow less and love increase.

18. It seems unproved, either by reason or Scripture, that they are outside the state of merit, that is to say, of increasing love.

19. Again, it seems unproved that they, or at least that all of them, are certain or assured of their own blessedness, though we may be quite certain of it.

20. Therefore by "full remission of all penalties" the pope means not actually "of all," but only of those imposed by himself.

21. Therefore those preachers of indulgences are in error, who say that by the pope's indulgences a man is freed from every penalty, and saved;

22. Whereas he remits to souls in purgatory no penalty which, according to the canons, they would have had to pay in this life.

23. If it is at all possible to grant to any one the remission of all penalties whatsoever, it is certain that this remission can be granted only to the most perfect, that is, to the very fewest.

24. It must needs be, therefore, that the greater part of the people are deceived by that indiscriminate and highsounding promise of release from penalty.

25. The power which the pope has, in a general way, over purgatory, is just like the power which any bishop or curate has, in a special way, within his own diocese or parish.

26. The pope does well when he grants remission to souls [in purgatory], not by the power of the keys (which he does not possess), but by way of intercession.

27. They preach man who say that so soon as the penny jingles into the money-box, the soul flies out [of purgatory].

28. It is certain that when the penny jingles into the money-box, gain and avarice can be increased, but the result of the intercession of the Church is in the power of God alone.

29. Who knows whether all the souls in purgatory wish to be bought out of it, as in the legend of Sts. Severinus and Paschal.

30. No one is sure that his own contrition is sincere; much less that he has attained full remission.

31. Rare as is the man that is truly penitent, so rare is also the man who truly buys indulgences, i.e., such men are most rare.

32. They will be condemned eternally, together with their teachers, who believe themselves sure of their salvation because they have letters of pardon.

33. Men must be on their guard against those who say that the pope's pardons are that inestimable gift of God by which man is reconciled to Him;

34. For these "graces of pardon" concern only the penalties of sacramental satisfaction, and these are appointed by man.

35. They preach no Christian doctrine who teach that contrition is not necessary in those who intend to buy souls out of purgatory or to buy confessionalia.

36. Every truly repentant Christian has a right to full remission of penalty and guilt, even without letters of pardon.

37. Every true Christian, whether living or dead, has part in all the blessings of Christ and the Church; and this is granted him by God, even without letters of pardon.

38. Nevertheless, the remission and participation [in the blessings of the Church] which are granted by the pope are in no way to be despised, for they are, as I have said, the declaration of divine remission.

39. It is most difficult, even for the very keenest theologians, at one and the same time to commend to the people the abundance of pardons and [the need of] true contrition.

40. True contrition seeks and loves penalties, but liberal pardons only relax penalties and cause them to be hated, or at least, furnish an occasion [for hating them].

41. Apostolic pardons are to be preached with caution, lest the people may falsely think them preferable to other good works of love.

42. Christians are to be taught that the pope does not intend the buying of pardons to be compared in any way to works of mercy.

43. Christians are to be taught that he who gives to the poor or lends to the needy does a better work than buying pardons;

44. Because love grows by works of love, and man becomes better; but by pardons man does not grow better, only more free from penalty.

45. 45. Christians are to be taught that he who sees a man in need, and passes him by, and gives [his money] for pardons, purchases not the indulgences of the pope, but the indignation of God.

46. Christians are to be taught that unless they have more than they need, they are bound to keep back what is necessary for their own families, and by no means to squander it on pardons.

47. Christians are to be taught that the buying of pardons is a matter of free will, and not of commandment.

48. Christians are to be taught that the pope, in granting pardons, needs, and therefore desires, their devout prayer for him more than the money they bring.

49. Christians are to be taught that the pope's pardons are useful, if they do not put their trust in them; but altogether harmful, if through them they lose their fear of God.

50. Christians are to be taught that if the pope knew the exactions of the pardon-preachers, he would rather that St. Peter's church should go to ashes, than that it should be built up with the skin, flesh and bones of his sheep.

51. Christians are to be taught that it would be the pope's wish, as it is his duty, to give of his own money to very many of those from whom certain hawkers of pardons cajole money, even though the church of St. Peter might have to be sold.

52. The assurance of salvation by letters of pardon is vain, even though the commissary, nay, even though the pope himself, were to stake his soul upon it.

53. They are enemies of Christ and of the pope, who bid the Word of God be altogether silent in some Churches, in order that pardons may be preached in others.

54. Injury is done the Word of God when, in the same sermon, an equal or a longer time is spent on pardons than on this Word.

55. It must be the intention of the pope that if pardons, which are a very small thing, are celebrated with one bell, with single processions and ceremonies, then the Gospel, which is the very greatest thing, should be preached with a hundred bells, a hundred processions, a hundred ceremonies.

56. The "treasures of the Church," out of which the pope. grants indulgences, are not sufficiently named or known among the people of Christ.

57. That they are not temporal treasures is certainly evident, for many of the vendors do not pour out such treasures so easily, but only gather them.

58. Nor are they the merits of Christ and the Saints, for even without the pope, these always work grace for the inner man, and the cross, death, and hell for the outward man.

59. St. Lawrence said that the treasures of the Church were the Church's poor, but he spoke according to the usage of the word in his own time.

60. Without rashness we say that the keys of the Church, given by Christ's merit, are that treasure;

61. For it is clear that for the remission of penalties and of reserved cases, the power of the pope is of itself sufficient.

62. The true treasure of the Church is the Most Holy Gospel of the glory and the grace of God.

63. But this treasure is naturally most odious, for it makes the first to be last.

64. On the other hand, the treasure of indulgences is naturally most acceptable, for it makes the last to be first.

65. Therefore the treasures of the Gospel are nets with which they formerly were wont to fish for men of riches.

66. The treasures of the indulgences are nets with which they now fish for the riches of men.

67. The indulgences which the preachers cry as the "greatest graces" are known to be truly such, in so far as they promote gain.

68. Yet they are in truth the very smallest graces compared with the grace of God and the piety of the Cross.

69. Bishops and curates are bound to admit the commissaries of apostolic pardons, with all reverence.

70. But still more are they bound to strain all their eyes and attend with all their ears, lest these men preach their own dreams instead of the commission of the pope.

71. He who speaks against the truth of apostolic pardons, let him be anathema and accursed!

72. But he who guards against the lust and license of the pardon-preachers, let him be blessed!

73. The pope justly thunders against those who, by any art, contrive the injury of the traffic in pardons.

74. But much more does he intend to thunder against those who use the pretext of pardons to contrive the injury of holy love and truth.

75. To think the papal pardons so great that they could absolve a man even if he had committed an impossible sin and violated the Mother of God -- this is madness.

76. We say, on the contrary, that the papal pardons are not able to remove the very least of venial sins, so far as its guilt is concerned.

77. It is said that even St. Peter, if he were now Pope, could not bestow greater graces; this is blasphemy against St. Peter and against the pope.

78. We say, on the contrary, that even the present pope, and any pope at all, has greater graces at his disposal; to wit, the Gospel, powers, gifts of healing, etc., as it is written in I. Corinthians xii.

79. To say that the cross, emblazoned with the papal arms, which is set up [by the preachers of indulgences], is of equal worth with the Cross of Christ, is blasphemy.

80. The bishops, curates and theologians who allow such talk to be spread among the people, will have an account to render.

81. This unbridled preaching of pardons makes it no easy matter, even for learned men, to rescue the reverence due to the pope from slander, or even from the shrewd questionings of the laity.

82. To wit: -- "Why does not the pope empty purgatory, for the sake of holy love and of the dire need of the souls that are there, if he redeems an infinite number of souls for the sake of miserable money with which to build a Church? The former reasons would be most just; the latter is most trivial."

83. Again: -- "Why are mortuary and anniversary masses for the dead continued, and why does he not return or permit the withdrawal of the endowments founded on their behalf, since it is wrong to pray for the redeemed?"

84. Again: -- "What is this new piety of God and the pope, that for money they allow a man who is impious and their enemy to buy out of purgatory the pious soul of a friend of God, and do not rather, because of that pious and beloved soul's own need, free it for pure love's sake?"

85. Again: -- "Why are the penitential canons long since in actual fact and through disuse abrogated and dead, now satisfied by the granting of indulgences, as though they were still alive and in force?"

86. Again: -- "Why does not the pope, whose wealth is to-day greater than the riches of the richest, build just this one church of St. Peter with his own money, rather than with the money of poor believers?"

87. Again: -- "What is it that the pope remits, and what participation does he grant to those who, by perfect contrition, have a right to full remission and participation?"

88. Again: -- "What greater blessing could come to the Church than if the pope were to do a hundred times a day what he now does once, and bestow on every believer these remissions and participations?"

89. "Since the pope, by his pardons, seeks the salvation of souls rather than money, why does he suspend the indulgences and pardons granted heretofore, since these have equal efficacy?"

90. To repress these arguments and scruples of the laity by force alone, and not to resolve them by giving reasons, is to expose the Church and the pope to the ridicule of their enemies, and to make Christians unhappy.

91. If, therefore, pardons were preached according to the spirit and mind of the pope, all these doubts would be readily resolved; nay, they would not exist.

92. Away, then, with all those prophets who say to the people of Christ, "Peace, peace," and there is no peace!

93. Blessed be all those prophets who say to the people of Christ, "Cross, cross," and there is no cross!

94. Christians are to be exhorted that they be diligent in following Christ, their Head, through penalties, deaths, and hell;

95. And thus be confident of entering into heaven rather through many tribulations, than through the assurance of peace.