Common Market Disarray

Students of prophecy will be observing with interest the stresses and strains which are at present appearing among the nine member states of the European Economic Community. The present British Government is pursuing its declared policy of renegotiating the terms of entry, and will propose withdrawal from the Community if satisfactory terms cannot be secured. Whatever the outcome of the present discussions within the E.E.C. the British Government intends to leave the final choice to the electorate, either at a General Election or by means of a referendum.

There are other serious clashes of national interests which in the opinion of some bring into question the ability of the Community to reach the goal of full political unity. Furthermore, the effect of the recent death of President Pompidou of France and of the resignation of the German Chancellor, Herr Willy Brandt, have yet to be assessed. These were two powerful leaders inspired by the vision of a united Europe, and it is not yet known what policy towards the European Community will be adopted by their successors. The decision of the Italian Government to impose import restrictions because of her balance of payments problem was another unexpected turn of events. Addressing the Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg on 8th May, Lord Duncan-Sandys gave this warning:

"The European Community is confronted with a threat to its very existence. The Community, due to policy differences between the Nine, the changed attitude of the new British Government, Italy's import restrictions and the departure from power- of Herr Brandt, is going through an acute crisis of confidence. If it were to be allowed to collapse, it would be an historic catastrophe of the first magnitude."

That seems a fair assessment of the present disarray among the Nine. But no-one can foresee what course events will now take in present world politics the picture can change overnight, so rapid and unpredictable is the course of history. What is underlined for those of us who view world events in the light of prophecy is the danger of hasty assessments of current events. We cannot be sure that "this is that", but "God is His own interpreter, And He will make it plain".

Warfare in the Sanctuary

Reference was made on this page last month to Dr C. M. Luxmoore, who was an editor of this magazine from its inception in 1888 to his lamented death in 1922, when this obituary appeared:

AT REST

Dr Charles Mann Luxmoore fell asleep through Jesus at 10.30 a.m. on the Lordly morning, April 16th, 1922. He was one of the editors of this magazine from its commencement as a quarterly periodical in 1888 until he laid down his pen for ever after writing the contribution, "Across the Ocean", which appears this month. His first signed article bore the title, "Let them make Me a Sanctuary", and we thankfully acknowledge the abundant help God's remnant people have subsequently received from his clear, incisive and stimulating words on many occasions in these pages, either over his name, or without signature, or attributed to "wayfarer".

The present writer can recall encouragement he received in the study of the Scriptures from the oral and written ministry of this able and versatile servant of the Lord. He was' a man of many gifts, and his dedication to the Lord and to His people remain a stimulating memory. He was also a man of prayer. It has been said of C. H. Spurgeon that when he prayed in public it was as if he took his audience by the hand and led them into the very presence of God. This was the impression one gained when Dr Luxmoore led in public prayer.

As indicated in the above obituary the pen-name "Wayfarer" is appended to many of his contributions to this magazine. On page 94 of this issue we reproduce a short extract from an article which was first published in 1916. We do so because it highlights a subject of primary importance and one needing greater emphasis today. In the spiritual conflict men and women of God can only find strength and spiritual power in the sanctuary. There the battle must first be joined; and the words of "Wayfarer", suggesting "that if more attention were paid to warfare in the sanctuary we should find it comparatively easy to fight the enemy in the gate", call for sober reflection. Scripture abounds with examples of the principle he enunciates.

In the sanctuary things are seen in their true light. The psalmist was puzzled and distressed by the apparent prosperity of the wicked, until he "went into the sanctuary of God". There the light of the divine presence exposed his ignorance and folly, and restored his drooping faith. "God is the strength of my heart", he affirmed,

"it is good for me to draw near unto God:

I have made the Lord GOD my refuge" (Psa. 73.17,26,28).

unknown | Jun 1974
Comment By Torchlight