A PERIODICAL FOR YOUNG AND OLD

Dear Boys and Girls:

Do you remember which was the very first psalm you ever learned to say from memory? I would not be surprised if some of you are answering, “I know — I learned Psalm 23 first. I remember when I was small, and my father and big sister and brother were in church my mother and I would be at home together. My mother would say one line, and I would say it after her, so that by the time they came home from church, I was able to say the first verse to my father; and he said I had been good, because I had been learning the psalm.” Then you felt very happy because your father had said this, and the next Sabbath you wanted to learn more of the psalm, and soon you were able to say it all. Then after you went to Sunday School, perhaps the teacher said, “boys and girls, we will learn Psalm 23,” and in a very short time you were able to say it, because you had already learned it at home. So now I am sure you all know how Psalm 23 begins. Shall we say the first verse together?

“The Lord’s my Shepherd, I’ll not want,

He makes me down to lie

In pastures green He leadeth me

The quiet waters by.”

You all, I am quite sure, know what a shepherd is. Again I seem to hear you say, “I know. He is a man who looks after a flock of sheep.” Quite right, the shepherd looks after the sheep, watches over them in case they come to harm, and sees that they will not “want” anything. This is the word we have in the psalm, and it may puzzle you a little, because you use the word “want” much more often in another way. You may say “I want my book” when someone has it, (and I hope you always remember to say “please”, too), when you mean you wish to get these things for yourself. But the “want” in the psalm has a different meaning. It means to be without something or to lack something. God gives his people all that they need because He is their Shepherd, just as every shepherd who really cares for his sheep will see to it that his sheep will not lack anything that they need, such as food and drink and shelter. He will lead them out to the green fields or pastures where they may eat as much as they please, and he will guide them to the cool, quiet streams of water where they may get drink when they need it.

I am sure most, if not all of you, know who made up, or as we say, composed this very beautiful psalm. Yes, it was David. And was not David himself a shepherd? He was. David looked after his father’s sheep, and he looked after them very well, too. We know this because the Bible tells us of at least two very brave deeds that David did when he was looking after the sheep in the fields. Maybe you know what they were, — we might be able to go over them another time.

And now, boys and girls, I wonder if you know any other parts of other psalms as well as Psalm 23, which tell us that God is a shepherd. At least two come to my mind. You look up Psalm 95, and you will find a verse there which says:

“He is our own God and leads us,

We the people of His care,

With a shepherd’s hand He feeds us

As His flock in pastures fair.” And we have in Psalm 100 this verse :

“Know that the Lord is God indeed;
Without our aid He did us make ;
We are His flock, He doth us feed,
And for His sheep He doth us take.”

If you do not already know these beautiful psalms, I hope you will make up your minds now to learn them next Sunday or even before then.

Your sincere friend, A Teacher

Let dogs delight to bark and bite,
For God hath made them so;
Let bears and lions growl and fight,
For ‘tis their nature too.
But, children, you should never let
Such angry passions rise;
Your little hands were never made
To tear each other’s eyes.
Let love through all your actions run,
And all your words be mild;
Be like the virgin’s blessed Son,
That meek and holy child.

—Cheering Words

Bible Quiz

Dear Boys and Girls:

This issue brings us to the last issue of the year 1966, and it has been two years since “Timothy” became a part of the “Banner of Truth.” The number of answers received from month to month has been real encouraging to us, but most of all we hope that your Bible study may have been, or may yet be, blessed unto your souls.

In this month we set aside a day in which we remember the birth of the Lord Jesus in the little village of Bethlehem many years ago. As you have probably learned in your catechism classes, this was the first step of His humiliation, whereby He purchased salvation for His people. I hope that the true meaning of the day will be remembered by all of you.

The first letters of the answers to our quiz will spell out that in which Jesus was wrapped by His mother when He was born in Bethlehem.

What did the angel tell the shepherds there was born unto them?

What was one of the names of this child, as foretold in the book of Isaiah?

Who warned Joseph to take the young child and His mother, and flee into Egypt?

As mentioned in the song of Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, in whose house was a horn of salvation raised up?

Who tempted Jesus in the wilderness?

When Jacob, while upon his death bed, blessed his son Judah, what did he say would not depart from between his feet until Shiloh came?

What prophet prophesied, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given”?

Where did Jesus and His parents live after returning from Egypt?

What was one of the gifts given unto the Lord Jesus by the wise men from the east?

Who made a decree that caused Mary and Joseph to go to Bethlehem?

In Matthew 13, what is one of the things to which the Lord Jesus compared the kingdom of heaven?

In the genealogy in Matthew, who was the son of Ruth?

For what purpose did Mary and Joseph go to Bethlehem before Jesus was born?

In the days of what king was the Lord Jesus born?

What was another name by which the Lord Jesus was to be called, as told by the angel to Joseph?

Which judge of Israel was to be a Nazarite, as foretold by an angel to his parents?

Answers to our quiz of last month are as follows:

“His Unspeakable Gift”

Hezekiah

Isaiah

Sarah

Unbelief

Naaman

Simon

Peter

Elymas

Abihu

Korah

Amram

Bush

Lamech

Esther

Gideon

Ichabod

Feasting

Terah

—Isaiah 38:1-5

—Isaiah 38:4-5

—Genesis 18:9-15

—Hebrews 4:6

—II Kings 5:11-14

—Acts 8:18-20

—Acts 8:20-23

—Acts 13:8-11

—Leviticus 10:1-2

—Numbers 16:1-32

—Exodus 6:20

—Exodus 3:1-2

—Genesis 5:28-29

—Esther 4:16

—Judges 6:36-40 —I Samuel 4:21

—Esther 9:21-22

—Genesis 11:.27

During the past month, answers to our quiz were received from the following boys and girls:

Sheryl Van Giessen . . Sandy Van Giessen . . Gary Van Giessen . . Sharon Bouma . . Mark Teunissen . . Diane Teunissen . . Joyce Van Veldhuizen . . Corinne Van Veldhuiz-en . . Nancy Drost . . Mary Verhey . . Janice Kaat . . Tamara Kaat . . Jeff Kaat . . Jimmy Westrate . . Sandy de Jong . . Herlan Zomer . . Nellie Heykoop . . Phillip Kaat . . Janet Arlene Sweetman . . Judy Sweetman . . Dick Westrate . . Lorraine Kievit . . Ruth Kievit . . Cathy Droogers . . John Van Woudenberg . . Sandy De Visser . . Shirley De Visser.

Wilma Droogers . . Harry Koppert . . Peter Koppert . . Alice Koppert . . Archie Van Wingerden . . Sjaane Van Wingerden . . John Van Wingerden . . Bill Van Wingerden . . Margaret Van Wingerden . . Ruth Kamp . . Kay Kamp . . John W. Kamp . . Joyce Kamp . . Dicky Stubbe . . Johnny Stubbe . . Janet Van Sweden . . Jane Verblaauw . . Gloria Gay Spaans . . Maria Stryd . . Gary Rooz-enboom . . Marsha Koedam . . Jackie Grisnich . . Pat Boluyt . . Viola Van Beek . . Dianne Van Ravenswaay . . Marilyn Van Ravenswaay.

Joanne Beeke . . Mike Meeuwse . . Ruth Meeuwse . . Joe Beeke . . Ruth De Meester . . Kathy De Meester . . Donna De Meester . . Jane De Meester . . Alice Moerdyk . . Geraldine Moerdyk . . Joanie Mol . . Michael Mol . . Len Mol . . Ann Boluyt . . Kris Vander Male . . Martha Vander Male . . Mary Jean Vander Male . . John R. Kamp . . Dave Kamp . . Louis De Maagd . . George De Maagd . . Marilyn De Maagd . . Gertrude Spaans . . Joanne Spaans . . Dena Spaans . . Tom Blok.

Joan Van Zweden . . Betty Joosse . . Jim Vander Boon . . Ron Vander Boon . David Vander Boon . . Linda Kay Bleeker . . Linda Sue Vissia . . Rita Stam . . Andy Stam . . Emily Stam . . Connie Stam . . Linda Schal-koort . . Larry Rozeboom . . Leonard Rozeboom . . Heman Rozeboom . . Harry Rozeboom . . Gail Hoogendoorn . . Betty Van Stelle . . Kathy Van Stelle . . Mary Van Stelle . . Nick Greendyk . . Tony Kreft . . Trudy Kreft . . Brenda Fletcher . . Roelie Stapel . . Rudolph Stapel . . Henrietta Stapel . . Bill Boesterd . . John Vander Waal . . Betty Vander Waal.

And now our mail —

But first I have some sad news to tell you. On Monday morning, November 14, our dear little friend, Jackie Grisnich, passed away. Again we see, boys and girls, that young children can also die. Although some people may become seventy, eighty, or even one hundred years old, yet how different it can be. Therefore we are told in God’s word — “Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth”. I am sure you join with me in expressing our sympathy to Jackie’s family. That the Lord might comfort them in this, their loss.

TRUDY KREFT—Tell Tony “Thank-you” for the picture, Trudy, and I am looking forward to receiving yours, too. We have had only one snowstorm so far. I don’t think we have as much snow here as you do. It is pretty to see, but not so nice for driving or working outside.

SANDY DE JONG — I was glad to hear from you again, Sandy. Summer is a busy time, especially when you have visitors. How did your aunts like Canada? Did you teach them to speak English? Congratulations to your parents — I hope they may be spared together many more years.

HERLAN ZOMER — Sorry I had your name wrong, Herlan. I looked in the November issue and I see I had it right that time. Mistakes do happen, even though we try so hard to keep things straight. How are you getting along in school?

BILL BOESTERD — Thank you for your picture, Bill. It looks like you have two nice sisters. Be sure to say “Hello” to them for me. I don’t know what that one line of print meant either. It seems the printer had some letters left over. I hope your pony doesn’t grow any smaller. Or are you growing taller?

BETTY VAN DER WAAL — So you have a music teacher who isn’t very patient? Do you think that you would be a “patient” teacher, Betty? It isn’t always easy to be patient. What did your brother feed the pigeon when it was real small? I imagine it is quite tame.

CONNIE STAM — You will have to write me more about the new teaching machine, Connie. When I went to school, they didn’t have anything like that. The coal slide in Wales was a sad event for many families, wasn’t it? As one of our catechism books teaches us, “we are not assured of our life for one moment”.

EMILY STAM — Do you have catechism classes on Friday evening, Emily? In Kalamazoo we have them on Sunday morning after church. How were the report cards? You must live about the same distance from your school as we do. Alice also likes to ride her bike when the weather is nice.

ANDY STAM — The Stam family did real well in writing letters this month, Andy, all except Joannie, and I think she’s a little young. But it is real nice to hear from all of you. Yes, we have our rainy weather too; in fact, it is raining right now as I am writing this.

RITA STAM — We are all well in Kalamazoo, Rita, and were glad to hear that you were fine, too. I think your sister Joannie gets quite lonesome when you are all off to school, so it is no wonder she wants you to play when you get home. Do you like to read to her?

LINDA SCHALKOORT — I was happy to hear from you, Linda. Did you find the quiz quite easy? I hope you will send in your answers more often, and also write when you can. Do you like school?

BETTY JOOSSE — How is Jake’s mouth, Betty? I suppose it was one of his front teeth that came out, wasn’t it? Car accidents often happen so quickly. How is your sister Linda? We often talk about our visit with you last summer.

NELLIE HEYKOOP — Thank you for your picture, Nellie. It is very nice. I didn’t have any trouble reading your handwriting, so it can’t be so bad. And they say, “practice makes perfect”, so you will have to write more often. You will probably receive this a little late, but “Happy Birthday”, may you have many more of them.

PHILLIP KAAT — How is your mother’s ankle, Philip? I hope it is much better. And did the neighbor’s dog recover? I see you have figured out how many cabbage heads in an acre. It sure sounds like a lot of them.

CATHY DROOGERS — Your answers arrived in ample time, Cathy. I was sorry to hear that you had the flu. It usually lasts only a few days, so I hope by this time you are all better. Do you sing soprano or alto in your choir?

VIOLA VAN BEEK — I was glad to hear that your brother was still well, Viola. Do you know where he stayed while in the Philippine Islands? I was also there while in the service, that would be twenty years ago. But I still remember some of the places there.

WILMA DROOGERS — It was nice to hear from you again, Wilma. I think the Bible quiz is good for fathers and mothers, too. Although they don’t get their name listed for working it out, yet I’m sure that they have to do some searching sometimes to find the answer. I hope your cold is better by this time.

DICKY STUBBE — Yes, it had been a long time since you last wrote, Dicky. But with all the work you did this summer, I’m sure you didn’t have much spare time. I hope you didn’t mean that picking cucumbers was a sad time, because when you can help your father with his work, that should be a happy time.

JOHN STUBBE — Did you help your father put out the fire in the corn field, John? I suppose it is hard to stop once it has started. I am going to tell the printer not to make mistakes right in the middle of the quiz, because everyone wonders what it means. Do you think it will help?

JOHN VAN WOUDENBERG—Have you moved into the new church yet, John? Be sure to write me about it when you do. We are also building a new church, but are only nicely started. And since winter weather will soon be here, it makes it more difficult to continue building.

JOAN VAN ZWEDEN — My, there certainly were a lot of letters this time, Joan. And a lot of answers to the quiz, too. How are your brothers and sisters. I can imagine they are growing, too. The time passes by so quickly, and they don’t stay little very long.

And again this finishes the letters for this month. Thanks again for your answers and letters. You all have my best wishes for the year that lies before us. As we study the Bible together, may it be our desire to know Him and to love Him, for He is speaking to us in His word.

With love,

Your friend,

“Uncle Garret”

Timothy Mission Fund

Again we gratefully acknowledge the receipt of contributions in the amount of $118.00 during the month of October. As our churches are presently financing the training of a nurse for duties in the mission fields, we have forwarded a check for this purpose in the amount of $100.00 to the treasurer of this fund. That the Lord might further incline many hearts unto generosity for this cause.

From Rhodesia:

Mbuma Mission Hospital

Bulawayo, Rhodesia

October, 1966

Dear Friends,

We are indebted to the “Timothy Mission Fund” and wish to acknowledge a check for $100.00 received. Many thanks indeed.

We have much sadness just now around us at Mbuma. Many children are dying with measles and some homes have lost three children. Of course many African children are already suffering from malnutrition before they get the disease. Two of our children have measles and I am concerned about the baby who is only five months. So far she has not taken it. “The Lord is a present help in trouble.” May we really experience this at this time of trouble.

The heat is very great and we long for the rains, which, humanly speaking, help to reduce the spread of disease.

Yours very sincerely,

Margaret van Woerden

From Brazil:

Nanuque, Minas Gerais

October, 1966

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your June gift to Bible translation for the Max-akali Indians.

This past month Harold took two trips into the tribe instead of the customary one. On the first trip he sought permission to take an Indian out to our base here for concentrated re-checking of the gospel of Mark prior to printing, and was refused. Because of abuse of the privilege by others for political purposes the government revoked all such privileges. On the other hand, Harold had the unusual privilege of presenting the gospel to a large group of Indians and non-Indians one Sunday morning, and noting the receptivity of a significant number. The message was presented in Portuguese and in Maxakali, so that all might clearly understand. Quite a number of them probably heard the gospel for the first time in their lives.

Here at the base Harold has been devoting himself to the job of Anthropology consultant for the Brazil branch. This is the job of helping fellow missionary workers ... by correspondence ... to analyze and understand the customs in the particular tribe, on the basis of reported incidents, and intertribal relationships. The job demands quite a bit of study on Harold’s part.

In our base town we enjoy the fellowship of the Brazilian believers and the opportunity of serving them in small ways. Harold and I both do substitute teaching in Sunday School. I play the organ and am now teaching music to four teen-agers, since the church has no one who plays when I am unable. All in all, we are busy and well and happy.

Harold and Fran Popovich Wycliffe Bible Translators

THE BOOK OF CREATION

The book of nature open lies,
With much instruction stored!
But till the Lord anoints our eyes,
We cannot read a word.

Philosophers have pored in vain,
And guessed from age to age:
For reason’s eye could never attain
To understand a page.

Tho’ to each star they give a name,
Its size and motions teach;
The truths which all the stars proclaim,
Their wisdom cannot reach.

With skill to measure earth and sea,
And weight the subtil air:
They cannot, Lord, discover Thee,
Though present every where.

The knowledge of the saints excels The wisdom of the schools,
To them his secrets God reveals,
Though men account them fools.

To them the sun and stars on high,
The flowers that paint the field,
And all the artless birds that fly.
Divine instruction yield.

The creatures on their senses press,
As witnesses to prove Their Saviour’s
power and faithfulness,
His providence and love.

Thus may we study Nature’s book,
To make us wise indeed!
And pity those who only look
At what they cannot read.

By John Newton

HOW EDWARD BEGAN THE NEW YEAR

One pleasant New Year morning, Edward rose, and washed and dressed himself in haste. He wanted to be first to wish a happy New Year.

He looked in every room, and shouted the words of welcome. He ran into the street to repeat them to those he might meet.

When he came back, his father gave him two bright new silver dollars. His face lighted up as he took them. He had wished for a long time to buy some pretty books that he had seen at the bookstore.

He left the house with a light heart, intending to buy the books. As he ran down the street, he saw a poor German family, the father, mother, and three children shivering with cold.

“I wish you a happy New Year,” said Edward, as he was gaily passing on. The man shook his head.

“You do not belong to this country,” said Edward. The man again shook his head, for he could not understand or speak our language.

But he pointed to his mouth, and to the children, as if to say, “These little ones have had nothing to eat for a long time.”

Edward quickly understood that these poor people were in distress. He took out his dollars and gave one to the man, and the other to his wife.

How their eyes sparkled with gratitude! They said something in their language, which doubtless meant, “We thank you a thousand times and will remember you in our prayers.”

When Edward came home, his Father asked what books he had bought. He hung his head a moment, but quickly looked up. “I have bought no books,” said he, “I gave my money to some poor people who seemed to be very hungry and wretched. I think I can wait for my books till next New Year. Oh, if you had seen how glad they were to receive the money!”

“My dear boy,” said his father, “here is a whole bundle of books. I give them to you, more as a reward for your goodness of heart than as a New-year gift.

“I saw you give the money to the poor German family. It was no small sum for a little boy to give cheerfully. Be thus ever ready to help the poor, and wretched, and distressed, and every year of your life will be to you a happy New Year.”

—Youth’s Living Ideals

THE LITTLE CIRL CARRIED OFF BY INDIANS, AND HER HYMN

About the year 1754, when war was raging between the French and English in Canada, and when the Indians took the part of the French, it happened one day that a party of Indians surrounded the house of a poor family from Germany, at a time when the mother and one of the sons were absent. The father however was at home, as were also the eldest son and two little girls, named Barbara and Kegina. The savages burst into the house, killed the men, and carried off the little girls, together with many other children of their own age, leading them by forced marches, and through trackless woods, in order to escape pursuit. Arrived at the Indian encampment, the little captives were divided amongst their captors. At this time Barbara was ten years old, and Regina nine.

What became of Barbara was never known, but Regina was given to an old widow, who was very harsh and cruel to the little captive. Here she remained ‘til she was about nineteen years old. But she did not forget her early prayers night and morning, often repeated the verses from the Bible, and sang the little hymns which she had learned at home. Especially would she often sing— “Alone, yet not alone am I, Though in this solitude so drear.”

It was her one hope and constant prayer that our dear Lord would in His own time restore her to her friends. In the year 1764 the long-deferred hope was at last realized. An English colonel discovered the Indian encampment, attacked and took it by storm. Peace was made with the Indians on condition that they should give up all their prisoners, when no less than 400 captives were brought in by the Indians and handed over to the English. Many of them had quite forgotten their native tongue, and most of them were so strangely altered that their own mothers could not recognise them. After being fed and clothed, they were taken to a town named Carlisle, and it was published in the newspapers that all parents who had had children carried off by the Indians might come there and reclaim them. Amongst others, there came to Carlisle poor Regina’s sorrowing mother. She searched up and down the ranks of the recovered captives, but nowhere could she discover her daughters. So great and bitter was her disappointment, that she burst into tears. The bystanders endeavoured to console her. The colonel asked her, “Do you remember nothing by which your children might be discovered?” She answered, that she only remembered a hymn which she used to sing to them when babies. The colonel told her to sing this hymn, which she did as follows:

“Alone, yet not alone am I,

Though in this solitude so drear;

I feel my Saviour always nigh,

He comes the weary hours to cheer.

I am with Him, and He with me, Even here alone I cannot be.”

Scarcely had she begun to sing when Regina rushed from the crowd, began to sing it also, and threw herself into her mother’s arms. Thus the early training in religious things had brought about this meeting and recognition.

UNNECESSARY WORRY

An ambassador during a period of great tension became so worried that he made himself very ill. At length an old servant asked if she might ask him a question. “Certainly you may,” he replied. “Did God rule the world before you came into it?” asked the old lady. “Of course,” he replied. “Will He rule it after you are gone out of it?” she then asked. “Certainly,” he replied. “Then can you not trust Him to rule it while you are in it?” she asked. The ambassador turned in his bed and went to sleep.

As Dr. Gifford was one day showing the British Museum to some strangers he was much struck by the profane language of a young gentleman belonging to the party. Taking down a Greek copy of the Old Testament he showed it to the youth, who on seeing it, exclaimed: “Oh! I can read this.” “Then,” said the doctor, “read that passage,” pointing to the commandment, “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.” A quiet but needed reproof.

“THUS THEY GOT OVER”

Then said the men that met them, You have but two difficulties more to meet with, and then you are in the City.

Christian then and his companion asked the men to go with them: so they told them they would. But, said they, you must obtain it by your own faith. So I saw in my dream that they went on together till they came in sight of the gate.

Now I further saw, that between them and the gate was a river; but there was no bridge to go over; and the river was deep. At the sight therefore, of this river, the pilgrims were much stunned; but the men that were with them said, You must go through, or you cannot come at the gate.

The pilgrims then began to inquire, if there was no other way to the gate? To which they answered, Yes ; but there hath not any, save two, Enoch and Elijah, been permitted to tread that path since the foundation of the world, nor shall until the last trumpet shall sound. The pilgrims then, especially Christian, began to despond, and looked this way and that; but could find no way by which they might escape the river. Then they asked the men if the waters were all of the same depth? They said, No; yet they could not help them in that case; for, said they, you shall find it deeper or shallower, as you believe in the King of the place.

THEN THEY ADDRESSED THEMSELVES TO THE WATER, and entering, Christian began to sink, and, crying out to his good friend Hopeful, he said, “I sink in deep waters; the billows go over my head; all the waves go over me”. Selah.

Then said the other, Be of good cheer, my brother; I feel the bottom and it is good. Then said Christian, Ah! my friend, “the sorrows of death hath compassed me about”, I shall not see the land that f loweth with milk and honey. And with that a great darkness and horror fell upon Christian, so that he could not see before him. Also here he in a great measure lost his senses, so that he could neither remember nor orderly talk of any of those sweet refreshments that he had met with in the way of his pilgrimage. Here, also, as they who stood by perceived, he was much in the troublesome thoughts of the sins that he had committed, both since and before he became a pilgrim.

Hopeful therefore here had much ado to keep his brother’s head above water; yea, sometimes he would be quite gone down, and then, ere a while, he would rise up again half dead. Hopeful also would endeavor to comfort him, saying, Brother I see the gate, and men standing by to receive us; but Christian would answer,

‘Tis you, ‘tis you they wait for, you have been hopeful ever since I knew you. And so have you said he to Christian. Ah! brother (said he) surely if I were right, he would now arise to help me; but for my sins he hath brought me into the snare, and hath left me. Then said Hopeful, My brother, you have quite forgot the text where it is said of the wicked, “There are no bands in their death, but their strength is firm; they are not troubled as other men, neither are they plagued like othe rmen”. These troubles and distresses that you go through are no sign that God hath forsaken you; but are sent to try you, whether you will call to mind that which heretofore you have received of his goodness, and live upon him in your distresses.

Then I saw in my dream, that Christian was in a muse a while. To whom also Hopeful added these words, Be of good cheer, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole. And with that Christian brake out with a loud voice, Oh, I see him again! and he tells me, “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee”. Then they took courage, and the enemy was after that as still as a stone until they were gone over. Christian therefore presently found ground to stand upon, and so it followed that the rest of the ground was but shallow: THUS THEY GOT OVER.

John Bunyan’s

Pilgrim’s Progress

A RUNAWAY SLAVE

One Sabbath afternoon as I was drawing near to our village school I came face to face with a farmer, who said to me, “I have just been asking those lads how many chapters there are in the Book of Oba-diah.” The boys to whom he referred were waiting near the school for the door to be opened, and I do not know how they answered the question. The farmer is not a church-going man, though he tells me he knows all there is in the Bible, but he had learned when a boy that the Book of Oba-diah consists of a single chapter. It is the only book in the Old Testament containing only one chapter. In the New Testament there are four: the Epistle to Philemon, which tells about the runaway slave, and three others — the second and third Epistles of John, and the Epistle of Jude. The Epistle to Philemon is just before the Hebrews, and the other three just before the Revelation.

The runaway slave mentioned in the Epistle to Philemon was named Onesimus. He had run away from his Christian master, and possibly had stolen some money, for the Apostle Paul, who wrote the letter, said to Philemon: “If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account; I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it.”

Onesimus lived in a house where the Lord was loved and honoured, but he was not influenced for good. After he had left his master, he at last got to Rome. At that time the Apostle Paul was a “prisoner of the Lord,” as he calls himself, in this important city. We are not told who brought Onesimus to see, or how it was that they came into contact, but we do know that the Lord had mercy on the runaway slave, and saved him by His grace through His servant Paul, who calls him “My son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds.” So great was the change in the life and character of this young man that Paul referred to him both in this Epistle and in Colossians 4, 9 as “a brother beloved.” When sending him back to his master, the Apostle said that he would like to have kept him as his attendant, but he would not do so without consulting Philemon.

This beautiful letter shows lis how eagerly and earnestly the Apostle Paul sought the salvation of sinners wherever he went. How tender was his care for the runaway slave! He pleads so affectionately for him to his master.

It is very interestng, too, to notice how lovingly Paul speaks of Philemon in the letter. He is “dearly beloved” and a “fellow-labourer.” Christians met together for worship at his house. He was one for whom Paul always prayed, and he thanked God for his love shown to other Christians, saying, “We have great joy and consolation in thy love.” Philemon was marked, too, by his faith in God. May the same evidences of His grace be seen in us!

ADDRESSES FOR

TIMOTHY CORRESPONDENCE

Timothy Section—

Thomas Moerdyk

1222 Vassar Drive

Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001

Timothy Mission Fund—

c/o Adriana Kievit 1121 No. Westnedge Avenue

Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007

Bible Quiz—

Garret J. Moerdyk

1104 Roseland Avenue

Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001

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