and those that rejoice, and with those that possessed, and with those that use this world

(verses 29-31). "The time is short" wrote the Apostle, for, at any moment, the repentance

of Israel might then have ushered in the day of the Lord. But that period has passed. The

"any-moment" theory of the second coming is not true to-day, and the attempt made by

some to prevent believers from marrying is therefore mistaken, and will finally be found

to be in line with the propaganda of the last days, which includes "forbidding to marry"

(I Tim. 4: 3).

With the Epistle to the Ephesians before us, and a heart-belief that its doctrines are

inspired, we cannot pass over this matter as of small account: we cannot, without protest,

allow any to teach otherwise, without betraying our stewardship.

circumstances permit, it is as much an act of faith and obedience for a man and woman

who rejoice in the revelation of the mystery to marry as it is for both to endeavour to keep

the unity of the spirit. It is impossible to read the words of Eph. 5: 22-27 without seeing

that marriage provides a wonderful opportunity for manifesting both to the Church, to the

world, and to the principalities and powers that are learning by the Church, something of

the fullness of meaning that is intended when the Church is called "the body of Christ",

and that His great self-sacrificing love, together with the Church's willing submission to

His headship, is robbed of a means of manifestation when, other circumstances

permitting, man or woman neglects or refuses to enter into this closest of all bonds.

There are homes where this unity is not evident. Many a husband loves himself rather

than his wife: wives fail to recognize that it is a privilege, as members of the one body,

to reverence their husbands, as the Church reverences the Head. All this is sadly true,

and even where there is unselfish love or genuine submission, it must necessarily be

marked with the imperfections that will ever characterize all service here below. But

admitting all this and more, the truth still stands that in the union of man and wife we

have a God-given means of manifesting the Mystery.

We now have before us the last occurrence of the word "mystery" in Ephesians which

is in the Apostle's request for prayer on his behalf. It comes as a surprise to some to

realize that the only specific mention of the mystery in the practical section of Ephesians

is in the fifth chapter, where the relationship of husband and wife is in view. The

"mystery" will be "manifested" far more truly by our "manner of life" than by our church

activities, and it is of especial importance to remember this in a day when home life is the

subject of attack, and when organized church work presents little evidence of life and

power. In the first chapter of Ephesians the Apostle had prayed for the believers. Now,

in the last chapter, he asks them to pray for him. In his prayer, he had asked that there

might be given unto them the spirit of wisdom and revelation. In their prayer for himself,

he desires that they should ask that there might be given to him utterance. In the prayer

for them, he prayed that they might know; in this prayer for himself he asked that he