2 THE CANADA LUTHERAN. SERMONETTE. The Unchanging Christ. Rev. H. J. Behrens. Heb. 13: 8--"Jesus Christ the same yesterday and to-day and for ever." The passing of the old and the beginning of the new year reminds us forcibly of the instability of this world and our life in it. Nothing in this world is permanent. Storms, floods and earth-quakes bring great changes, not only to the inhabitants, but to the earth itself. The coming and going of planets and comets, and the falling of stars speak to us of the instability of the heavenly bodies. There is change everywhere. In our homes, in our churches, in our communities, and in the nations. What great changes take place in one short year in our lives? Many who were well and strong one year ago, are now stricken with disease, or have departed this life. Many who were living in ease, comfort and contentment a year ago, have been overtaken by some disaster or misfortune, and are now homeless and in poverty. Friends have proven untrue. Our plans have been shattered, our hopes blasted. Truly, nothing in this world is reliable and permanent! Everything is changing and will finally pass away. The prophet in the 102nd Psalm exclaims: "0 my God,--Thy years are throughout all generations. Of old hast Thou laid the foundations of the earth : and the heavens are the work of Thy hands. They shall perish, but Thou shalt endure; yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt Thou change them, and they shall be changed: but Thou art the same, and Thy years ,shall have no end." If the passing of the old year and the beginning of the new reminded us only of the insecurity of our present life in this world, we would have nothing but despair to face, as we enter upon this New Year. But the instability and insecurity that meets us on every hand in this world, drives us to Him "Who changes not. Whose years are throughout all generations." Who in the midst of all the changes in His creation and His creatures is always the same. What a blessed thing it is that we can look out over all the vacillations of the things that can be shaken, and from the passing and fleeting things of this perishing world, turn to Christ and say, "Thou who movest all things, art Thyself. unmoved; Thou Who changest all things, Thyself changest not. Thou art the same yesterday and to-day and for ever." Our God and Saviour Jesus Christ is the same at all times. He has been "our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" in the days that lie in the past, and He will be the same to us in the future. The future lies dark and uncertain before us, but we need have no fear, because the Unchanging Christ will be with us in this New Year every day. He will, if we let Him, be our guide, our shield, our protector and our Saviour. He will forgive us our sins, sustain and comfort us with His grace in every sorrow, temptation, trial and tribulation, and ' He will bless us with Heaven's best gifts in this year also. "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to-day and for ever." This being so, let us go forward, trusting in the great Captain of our salvation, to a more abounding life of faith and hope, and of love and Christlike service. WHY JOIN THE CHURCH? Rev. J. F. Bermon. There are four very good reasons why every one should become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ, and not a single reason why any one should not. The first reason is that God has given an invitation to everyone. "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest," says Christ. In olden times to disregard the invitation of a king was not only a discourtesy, but a crime that was punished by banishment from the king's presence, and sometimes even by death. Dare you then disregard the invitation of Him, who is your King, and the "King of kings ?" The second reason is that every one needs the church. The church is the communion of saints, the congregation of believers. There is no salvaton outside of the church. You may be a good man, enjoy an excellent reputation, have respect unto the law of your land, but unless you are a member of the Church of Christ, you are doomed to eternal separation from your God. Every one needs the church, because the church is essential to salvation. "There is no other name under heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved," except the name of Jesus only. And Jesus is the Head of the Church. The third reason is that the church needs every one. God works through