A PERIODICAL FOR YOUNG AND OLD

“WHO ARE YOUR FRIENDS””

(An address spoken at the recent Youth Day Conference)”

When we look back to one year ago when you held your last conference, I’m sure we all agree how quickly the time has fled away. But boys and girls, young men and young women, and older ones too, have we considered that we are also 365 days closer to the day of our death. And we all know what the Bible tells us — after death, the judgment. We are not asked if we would like to go or if we are ready to go, but at God’s appointed time each one is called from this world. Then we must stand before a Holy God to give an account of all our deeds done in the flesh, of all the blessings granted unto us, and of all the means of grace bestowed upon us to cause us to repent and turn from our sins unto the Lord.”

As parents we often hear our children wishing they were older so that they could do this or do that. Our young teenagers wish they were old enough to drive a car, others wish they were graduated from high school, etc. The future seems to hold so much for the young, or so they are led to believe. But sad to say, the young, and even the majority of us as adults, are so filled up with the world and have our stakes driven so deeply in the earth that we think (so it seems) that we shall live forever.”

The world is full of disappointments, and we soon find out in our life that there is nothing here that can give satisfaction. We look forward to a certain experience in our life, but the day finally comes, and then we are looking for something else again. And so our life flies away. “The world passeth away with the lust thereof, but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.” May it by the grace be our portion to have that privilege of Abraham to dwell in tents. We know that this was the custom in the Eastern countries, but what I’m trying to say is that we should not become too attached to those things of this earth which shall all perish with the using. Labor to have that heavenly treasure. For God’s Word says, “For where the treasure is, there shall the heart be also.””

Since this conference is directed primarily to the youth of our congregations, I thought it fitting to say a few words about our friendships that we form and our associations we keep with those about us. If you will read a few verses from the book of Acts, chapter 4, beginning with the 7th verse, you will find related how that Peter and John were examined by the rulers and elders of the people. And in the 13th verse of this chapter, we read, “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” It is this verse that I would like to hold up before you while considering these few thoughts on friends.”

“And they took knowledge that they had been with Jesus.” Oh, what a testimony — a testimony even from their enemies. Their enemies could say nothing; their mouths were stopped. They had seen the lame man healed and had heard the testimony from his own lips, and now they beheld the boldness of Peter and John speaking with freedom and liberty in the face of all their enemies.”

“They took knowledge that they had been with Jesus.” Friends, what can be said of our lives? Jesus said, “by their fruits ye shall know them.” We show by our lives which master we serve. We don’t always have to say so much, as deeds speak louder than words. There is a saying, “I can’t hear what you say because what you do sounds so loudly in my ears.” Oh, friends, we know that we cannot earn salvation. It is a free gift of God. And the Bible states so clearly, “by the works of the law shall no man be justified before God.” But it behooves all men to serve the Lord, our Creator and Benefactor. And that same wonder which was performed in the hearts of Jesus’ disciples and of all God’s people is still possible today. “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” Oh wonder of wonders, Jesus merited all with His own precious blood for all His dear people.”

“They took knowledge that they had been with Jesus.” Thus you see, young people, we betray what type of people we are by the company we keep. Impressions and opinions can quickly be formed of us by the friendships we keep and the associations we form. In the epistle of James, chapter 4, verse 4, we read, “Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” God’s Word Cuts Close! Children, do not associate with boys and girls who swear or take God’s name in vain. Warn them if you have an opportunity, for they have a soul too, but find other friends who have respect for God and His holy Name. Some may immediately say, “We can’t live all by ourselves,” which is true, but we should avoid keeping company with those who have no respect for the Word of God. I hear others saying that we should mix with them to try to persuade them to change their ways. If the opportunity and occasion arises, then it is always our duty to uphold the honor of the Lord and to testify for His name. But to throw ourselves into worldly company is nothing but bringing ourselves into’ temptation.”

The greatest trouble is that we all carry within us a wicked heart, prone to all evil. Boys and girls, you have all probably heard the little story of what happens if there is one rotten apple in a basket of good ones. What happens? It doesn’t take long before you see rotten spots in all the apples that come in contact with the first rotten one. Satan comes into the heart to persuade us that there isn’t so much wrong with doing this or that, and the next thing we know our own evil hearts agree with it and are plunged into sin. Only an almighty power can restrain us. We have such a nice example of godly fear in the story of Joseph, when Potiphar’s wife tried to make him fall into sin. He said, “How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” Be careful that you do not place yourselves into temptations, and expect to come through in your own strength.”

In our day education is necessary, but what a lot of problems it brings with it. Parents are afraid to send their children off to college, and they have good reason, especially in our day when morality is thrown to the wind and God’s commandments are trampled upon. Where is the teacher or professor who still upholds the teaching of the Bible? I was surprised in reading the other night that there were still two states in the United States where the theory of evolution is outlawed, namely Arkansas and Mississippi. Now even in our so-called Christian colleges there is a teaching of atheistic evolution. They are taught that we should not believe anything until it has been researched, in other words it has to be rationalized even though they have to begin with a hypothesis. Those who have not left the Word of God in name are now trying to explain the Bible through science instead of interperting science through the Bible. Oh, young people, there are many things in the world that we will never be able to understand. Can man, who is but dust himself, understand his great Creator? What judgments are on the way for pulling the honor of God down and setting man on the throne. In the first chapter of Corinthians, the 19th verse, we read, “For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?””

Stay by the word of God, let man say what he wishes. We do not have to answer to man but to a holy and an all-knowing God. “Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord.”—Jeremiah 17:5. You will be ridiculed and scoffed at, but beg of the Lord to give you strength and courage to stand up for the Word of God, and to hold His name in high esteem. Perhaps some of you have learned the little verse,”

“Dare to be a Daniel, dare to stand alone,
Dare to have a purpose firm, dare to make it known.””

I hope we may all learn more of our own inability, and that we may ask the Lord to uphold us and to lead us in the right way.”

And again speaking about friends, some of our so-called religious friends can be our greatest enemies. That does not mean we cannot associate with them, but beware of their doctrines. The devil uses religion probably more in our day to deceive the people than in any other day. Where is the separation between the world and the church? “Come out from among them, saith the Lord,” II Corinthians 6:17. The impressions of natural men are rapidly fading. We also see examples of this in the Bible. Lot’s wife was brought out of Sodom, but perished; the rich young man inquired at the feet of Jesus, but went away sorrowful — a flash of conviction gone like a morning cloud; Felix trembled at the preaching of Paul. Oh, young people, do not go over the speaking of your conscience. Consider it still a blessing that it speaks. It is working to convince you of sin, that you might turn from your sns and seek the Lord while it is yet the day of grace. Do not let your friends entice you into sinful acts. Remember that an all-seeing God observes every action and knows every thought.”

And you who have come to choose a partner for life, may I just say a few words to you. Our first mistake is that we do not make it a matter of prayer before God. How can two walk together except they be agreed, says the Bible, and nothing is closer than man and wife. The Lord can perform miracles and He will perform them, but seek out a partner who agrees with our doctrine and is convinced that it is the only way. Get things settled about religion before marriage, and do not sell your soul for the flesh. Consider that we have a soul created for eternity, and what is this life compared to time that has no end. Hold the Word of God in the foreground. Do not neglect the means of grace. Settle down in a place where you can come under the pure preaching of the gospel.”

In closing I wish to tell a little story I read some time ago. There was a funeral of a very well-to-do Southern gentleman, and the minister who spoke at the service was telling about all the things done by this man during his life, and of him now away from all sorrow, enjoying the blessings of heaven. After the service, an old servant of the man came to the minister and said, “I don’t think my master is where you preached him to be.” The minister said, “What makes you say that,” The reply was, “Well, sir, you know my master did a lot of travelling, and before he went on a journey, he was busy the night before with his maps planning how he was going to get there and acquainting himself with the places he was to visit. He spoke much about his trips. He is now gone to an endless eternity, but I never saw him study his Bible, nor did I much hear him speak anything about it.” Oh, friends, if it isn’t our life here on this earth, let us not be so foolish as to assume that we will ever get to heaven.”

“And they took knowledge that they had been with Jesus,” Boys and girls, young men and women, pray much that the Lord may remember you. In Proverbs 8:17 we read, “I love them that love Me, and those that seek Me early shall find Me.””

G. Deur”

Bible Quiz”

Dear Boys and Girls:”

Your summer vacation will soon be ended. How quickly those weeks passed by. Soon the school bells will be ringing again.”

During the summer some of you may have done some travelling with your parents, and possibly have seen some mountains. If I were to ask you about Mount Rushmore, or the Rocky Mountains, I am sure some of you could tell me quite a little about them. But do you know that there are also many mountains mentioned in the Bible? This month our quiz has to do with the various mountains, especially those that are mentioned in some of the well-known histories. If you have a map of Bible times, you will probably also be able to find where they are located.”

Upon what mountain did Noah’s”

ark rest?”

In what mount did Joshua build an altar after destroying the city of Ai?”

In what mount was Joshua”

buried?”

In what mount were Saul and his three sons found slain?”

In what mount did Laban overtake Jacob and his family as they fled away from him?”

Upon what mount did Jotham, the son of Jerubbaal (Gideon) cry out a parable to the men of Shechem?”

On the top of what mountain did Aaron die?”

In what mount did King Solomon build the house of the Lord?”

In what mountain did Moses die?”

As King David fled from Jerusalem before his son Absalom, what mount did he go up?”

As Moses blessed the children of Israel before he died, from what mount did he say that the Lord shined forth?”

Upon what mount were the ten commandments given to Moses?”

To what mount did Deborah and Barak take the army of men which they had gathered?”

As told in the book of Obadiah, upon what mount would there be deliverance and holiness?”

The answers to the July quiz are as follows:”

3— Acts 9:9”

5— II Samuel 4:4”

7— II Kings 5:10”

12— II Kings 21:1”

23 — Psalm 23”

30— Judges 14:12”

40— Judges 5:31”

60— Daniel 3:1”

70— Exodus 15:27”

85— I Samuel 22:18”

127— Esther 1:1”

276— Acts 27:37”

365— Genesis 5:23–24”

600— Exodus 14:7–8”

1100— Judges 16:5”

3000— I Kings 4:32”

14000— Job 42:12”

Answers were received during the past month from the following boys and girls—”

Deanna Erickson . . Cynthia Erickson . . Michael Mol . . . Joan Mol . . Leonard J. Mol . . Joan Van Zweden . . Gary Roozenboom . . Kathie De Meester . . Donna De Meester . . Jane De Meester . . Ruth De Meester . . Shirley De Visser . . Tom Blok . . Alice Moerdyk . . Dave Verhey . . Kris Vander Male . . Mary Jean Vander Male . . Lilly Ann Vander Male . . Louis De Maagd . . George De Maagd . . Marilyn De Maagd . . James Bleeker . . Linda Kay Bleeker”

Peter Van Strien . . Gerri Moerdyk . . Mark Van Strien . . Frances Vander Meulen . . Teresa Vander Meulen . . Ruth Meeuwse . . Marinus Meeuwse . . Janet Arlene Sweetman . . Judy Elizabeth Sweetman . . John L. Vander Stad . . Marsha Koedam . . Joe Beeke . . Joanne Beeke . . Jimmy “Westrate . . Dick Westrate . . Lorraine Kievit . . Ruth Kievit . . Gail Hoogendoorn . . Mary Jo Rozeboom . . Viola Van Beek . . Dena Spaans . . Gertrude Spaans . . Joanne Spaans . . Sue Vander Stad . . Herbert Van Den Houten . . Corinne Van Veldhuizen . . Joyce Van Veldhuizen”

Betty Joosse . . Sandy De Visser . . Billy Moerdyk . . Barbie Timmer . . Kathy Van Stelle . . Betty Van ‘Stelle . . Mary Van Stelle . . Janice Kaat . . Roger Kaat . . Jeffrey Kaat . . Tammy Kaat . . John Vander Waal . . Tim Vander Waal . . Betty Vander Waal . . Beverly De Visser . . Connie De Visser . . James Van Giessen . . John Van Woudenberg . . Kay Kamp . . Thomas Kamp . . Ruth Kamp . . Esther Boonzaayer . . Joyce Kamp . . Rudolph Stapel . . Henrietta Stapel. . Roelie Stapel . . Peter Feyter . . Bobby Greendyk”

Bill Boesterd . . Peter Kievit . . David Staal . . Bobby Staal . . Ronny Staal . . John Kamp . . Alice Groen . . Phillip Kaat . . Judy Koedam . . Sjaane Van Wingerden . . Margaret Van Wingerden . . Archie Van Wingerden . . Janny Van Wingerden . . Bill Van Wingerden . . John Van Wingerden . . Corrie Van Wyk . . May Van Wyk . . Wilma Droogers . . Debbie Droogers . . Laurie Van Unen . . Mike Van Unen . . Betty Van Unen . . Cheryl Van Unen.”

And now a number of letters to answer—”

BILL BOESTERD — Sorry to hear you had the mumps, Bill. Did your sisters have them, too? Usually if one in the family has them, the others do, too. I was glad to read in your letter that the water wasn’t flooding your basement this year.”

JOHN VAN WOUDENBERG—How did your mother like her trip to the Netherlands, John? I suppose she had many things to tell you about it. Would you like to take a trip there sometime? It once was a long trip, but now with the airplanes it is only a matter of hours.”

JOAN VAN ZWEDEN — Are you learning how to swim, Joan? Or maybe you already know how. Did you make a trip this summer? Some day we hope to see you in Michigan. Be sure to say Hello for me to your parents and brothers and sisters.”

WILMA DROOGERS — No, your quiz still arrived on time, Wilma. It was nice to meet you at the Youth Day Conference. I hope you foot is all better by this time. Sprains can be painful, I know. Are you looking forward to school again?”

PETER KIEVIT — I was glad to hear that you were working for your father this summer. That gives you something to do. Did you do a “good enough job”? It looks like you are going to have to try a little harder in social studies.”

BETTY JOOSE — Thanks for the card and letter, Betty. It was nice to see you again at the Youth Day Conference. We were glad to be there again. Yes, I have seen the Falls at night. How did Linda like her class trip?”

PHILLIP KAAT — I suppose you are already bringing in the crops, Phillip. Or is it too early? I can still picture your fields and farm buildings from when I was there. That certainly was too bad about the boy you knew that drowned in Lake Michigan. It shows that we are not certain that we will grow old.”

VIOLA VAN BEEK — It was good to hear that your brother had returned from Vietnam, Viola. How different it is for many other families. I suppose he had a lot to tell you. Yes, we have had quite a little rain this summer so far.”

GARY ROOZENBOOM — How are your piano lessons coming along, Gary? You probably have learned a number of tunes by this time. Seven inches of rain is a lot. Do you know how many days it rained at the time of the flood in the days of Noah?”

PETER FEYTER — It was nice to hear from you, Peter. Do you have names for all your rabbits, or do you have too many for that? Do you sell them for pets? When you wrote the school year was just ended, but now it is almost time to start again.”

CORRIE AND MAY VAN WYK — I was glad to hear that you had learned something at the Youth Day Conference. We hope that many others did. I did not know all of the boys and girls there, but am getting to know quite a few of them.”

JOHN VANDER STAD — I can imagine that your trip to the Edison Museum was quite interesting, John. The first light bulbs were quite different than they are today, aren’t they? Is the museum quite far from where you live?”

SUE VANDER STAD — You must be a good student, Sue, because school is just over and you are looking forward to when it starts again. But I’m sure you like the summer vacation too. What did you do all summer? Part of the time you probably had to work around the house.”

BETTY VAN DER WAAL — Betty, I see you are the last one this time. I was glad to hear that your goose eggs had hatched, and you now have goslings. How many finally hatched? You have to be real patient when waiting for the eggs to hatch.”

And now, boys and girls, this finishes our letters for this month. We thank you for your replies to the quiz, and look forward to hearing from all of you again next month, the Lord willing.”

With love,”

Your friend,”

Garret Moerdyk”

Missionary Corner”

TIMOTHY MISSION FUND”

During the month of June, gifts totalling $88.00 were received for the Mission Fund. As our fund was practically depleted at the beginning of the month, no disbursements were made in June. We highly value the generosity of those who contribute to this fund, so that we can continue to assist those who labor in bringing the Word of God to those in foreign lands. If we truly value the privilege of having the Bible in our homes and the gospel proclaimed unto us, then our desire shall be that others also shall receive this blessing.”

An acknowledgment from Wycliffe Bible Translators in Mexico—”

Dear friends,”

Through Wycliffe’s Emergency Support Fund we received the Timothy Mission Fund donation. We sincerely thank you for your help.”

“We” are John and Gwen Crawford and five children, ranging in ages from 17 to 5. Our tribal assignment is the Northern dialect of the Mixe Indian tribe in the State of Oaxaca.”

However, we found that a total mission program included more than tribal assignments. We were tapped on the shoulder and John was asked to direct a Dialect Survey Project. This project is to cover all of Mexico and is to determine how many Indian groups there are, how large an area the translators working in 85 locations and the survey is turning up more needy areas. At present there are four survey teams at work. We are very appreciative of these dedicated fellows who have walked a good many miles up and down the narrow mountain trails, slept in any place given them and eaten in Indian homes along the way. We are thankful that the Lord has kept them in good health, and given protection. We would appreciate your prayers for the Lord’s continued guidance and care.”

This past fall at our Mission Conference John was also asked to serve as Associate Director of the Mexican Branch for this year. This is and will continue to be a very busy year for us.”

It is a privilege to serve the Lord in this part of the program. However, we look forward in great anticipation to the day when we will be able to return to our home among the Mixes. There are copies of the Gospel of Mark in some of the homes and we are trusting the Lord to use them to bring more of our Mixe Friends to Himself.”

May the Lord bless you in your service for Him.”

John and Gwen Crawford”

From Nigeria we have heard that our mission station there had to be evacuated because of the civil war in that country. May the Lord spare the missionaries and all those who labored with them. Miss Ann Herfst, who was to leave for Nigeria from this country, has been unable to depart because of the troubles there. We hope that we may soon hear of their return to the station.”

YOUTH DAY CONFERENCE REPORT”

The 1967 Youth Day Conference was held July 3 in the church of the Vineland Congregation. The weather was fair and mild, much different from the uncomfortable temperatures of the preceding year. The church was well filled. The afternoon session was opened by Rev. Heerschap, at which time he welcomed those from far and near. In addition to those from the Canadian churches, quite a number of young people were present from New Jersey, Michigan, and also Wisconsin. Our ministers, Rev. Hegeman and Rev. Kieboom, were also able to attend.”

Rev. Heerschap, who was recently installed as pastor of the Vineland Congregation, served as chairman throughout the day. During the afternoon Rev. Kieboom spoke briefly from Acts 13: 26—”Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of salvation sent.” He pointed out the privilege given us as congregations, in that way we may hear the true gospel from week to week. Rev. Hegeman opened the evening session with the reading of Psalm 20, from which he addressed the young people regarding the seriousness of the times. In addition talks were given by Elder J. Slingerland Elder P. Beeke, Elder J. Beeke, Elder G. Deur, and Mrs. J. Don. As space permits, we hope to publish some of these talks for the benefit of those who were unable to be present. Garret Moerdyk held a Bible quiz in the evening for children under fourteen years, with about forty boys and girls participating.”

Throughout the day a number of Psalter selections were sung, as well as singing by choral groups from Toronto, Vineland, and Kalamazoo, directed by Mr. A. Fintelman. Miss Mary Pels sang several solo numbers accompanied by Miss Wilma Moerdyk at the organ.”

May the Lord follow the warnings, the admonitions, and the instructions with His blessing, especially in the hearts of parents and older ones as well. May He remember us as church and congregations in these dark days.”

IN THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD”

One night, many years ago, a British passenger train raced through the chilly darkness, while fog began to close in around it. Running a train isn’t easy any time, but on this particular evening it was really hard work. Fog pressed in on the speeding train from all sides. Even with the powerful headlight stabbing the darkness ahead, the engineer had to strain his eyes to see the track.”

He was very much annoyed at the fog because today of all days he wanted to make a record run. And the reason was that in addition to the several hundred passengers he was carrying, there was also Queen Victoria, the present queen’s great - great - grand - mother.”

Suddenly a horrified gasp escaped his lips. Straight ahead, and outlined in the brilliant beam of the engine’s headlamp, a figure in a black cloak stood in the middle of the track waving its arms frantically. The engineer made a desperate grab for the brakes and brought the express to a screeching halt.”

After quieting the excited and frightened passengers, the trainmen got out to investigate. They searched and called but there was no sign of the mysterious figure who had flagged their train. Who had he been and why had he stopped the train? The crewmen were puzzled. They decided someone had been playing a joke. Even the engineer was almost convinced that it had either been somebody’s poor idea of a joke or his imagination playing tricks. But he wasn’t absolutely sure.”

Just to play safe, he swung down from his cab and walked up the tracks. Suddenly his f ace grew pale and his heart beat wildly. There a scant two hundred yards ahead of the stopped train, he found a washed-out bridge. The whole thing had toppled into a swollen stream. If it hadn’t been for the mysterious flagman, the train would have plunged into the stream, killing many passengers and crew.”

While the bridge and tracks were being repaired, the train crew made another search, but they couldn’t find the slightest trace of the mystery man who had saved the train. And not until the train reached London safely was the strange mystery to be solved. Lying at the base of the locomotive headlight, the engineer found a huge dead moth. Now most people would have brushed the insect off and thought no more about it. But not this fellow. He held the dead insect gently in his hand and frowned thoughtfully.”

Then he did a strange thing. He wet the wings of the moth and carefully pasted it to the glass of the headlamp. Then he climbed back into the cab of his engine and switched on the light. “Ah!” he cried triumphantly. “I thought so!” For as the bright beam stabbed ahead into the darkness, there appeared once more the figure the engineer had seen arlier. But now the “arms” weren’t waving wildly. They were still.”

Yes, the mysterious rescuer had been this huge moth! Somehow, in the few seconds before the train reached the wrecked bridge, it had flown into the beam of the headlight. And because in the dense fog the trapped insect had resembled a cloaked figure waving its arms, an entire train and many lives had been saved! Later, when Queen Victoria was told of the strange incident she smiled and shook her head. “It was no accident, of that I am sure. It was God’s will.””

“Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the Lord hath wrought this? In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.”—Job 12: 9 and 10.”

A HYMN”

“Be still, and know that I am God.””

Psa. 41:10”

“Let me, thou sovereign Lord of all,”

Low at Thy footstool humbly fall; And, while I feel affliction’s rod, ‘Be still, and know that Thou art God.’”

When or wherever Thou shalt smite,”

I’ll own Thee kind, I’ll own Thee right,”

And underneath the heaviest load,”

‘Be still, and know that Thou are God.’”

Dost Thou my earthly comforts slay,”

And take beloved ones away?”

Yet will my soul revere Thy rod,”

‘Be still, and know that Thou art God.’”

Then be my trials great or small,”

There’s sure a needs be for them all;”

Thus then Thy dealings I’ll applaud,”

‘Be still, and know that Thou art God.’”

Let me not murmur nor repine”

Under these trying strokes of Thine;”

But while I walk the mournful road,”

‘Be still, and know that Thou art God.’”

Still let this truth support my mind:”

Thou canst not err nor be unkind;”

And thus may I improve the rod,”

‘Be still, and know that Thou art God.’“”

FAMILY SAVED FROM FLAMES”

During the holiday week a terrifying fire swept the luxurious Malibu region of Southern California. High and shifting winds, plus the canyons and mountainous terrain on which stood many costly homes, made the inferno almost impossible to combat. Thousands of fire-fighters, including professional experts and whole units from the U.S. Navy and Army stationed in the vicinity, were able to defeat the flames— but only after a week of battling, day and night, and a cost of a quarter of a million dollars.”

One of the remarkable stories which came out of this sensational and baffling fire was also a story of a remarkable answer to prayer. It concerned a man and his wife and their two children.”

They suddenly found their mountainside home surrounded with blazing walls of flames. There was no escape and no way that rescue teams could reach them. The father simply told his frantic family that there was nothing they could do but to pray, and hope that the Almighty would intervene to spare them in this holocaust.”

The father, speaking for his family gently prayed.”

To the amazement of all, including observers in the helicopters overhead, the flames miraculously parted and swept around the entire home and the family. Not one of them was so much as singed. The flames roared on and around them in a way that cannot be understood by natural reason.”

God on His throne heard this desperate prayer, and the raging flames were obedient to Him, the Ruler of all things.”

—Cheering Words”

A SPECIMEN OF FOLLY”

Some years ago, a well-to-do man had in his home a Christian servant girl who, by her industry and integrity won the esteem of the entire family. By and by she married a shiftless, drunken carpenter, and was soon supporting him by her own labours. Her former employer, wishing to do her some permanent good, decided to have built for her a house on land which he owned. To encourage her husband, the work was given him to do, without revealing the purpose in view.”

The benefactor went away from home and was away some months, and the carpenter spun out his work through autumn, winter, and spring, cheating his employer in every way he possibly could. In both materials and workmanship, the house was a botch job.”

When his employer returned in early summer, the builder informed him that the house was finished, and boastfully added, “There isn’t a better house in that district than that house of yours”.”

“Very well”, said his benefactor, “then you go home and tell your wife to move into it immediately. Here is the deed to her of the property. So you see you will have a nice house as long as you live”.”

The man was dazed by the discovery that instead of cheating his employer, he had been cheating himself. As, with the lapse of time, the defects of the house became more and more apparent, he was repeatedly heard to say, “Oh, that I had known it was my own house that I was building!””

Truly, “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Gal. 6.7), whether he be sinner or saint, in time or in Eternity.”

A CHRISTIAN’S REVENGE”

A British sergeant in Egypt was once telling an English minister a few things about how the Lord had been leading him. Thereupon the minister asked him how he had come to the faith.”

“Before we came here,” was the answer of the sergeant, “we were on the island of Malta. A certain soldier in my group had come to conversion, and he was not ashamed to testify of his faith in Christ. With great boldness he often spoke about the Word of God. We gave this young soldier a terrible time, but it did not seem to harm him.”

“One evening we returned to our barracks soaking wet from the rain and very exhausted. Before we went to bed, this soldier kneeled and began to pray. For this he had to suffer. I picked up my heavy muddy shoes and threw one of them at the one side of his head, and then struck him with the other shoe on the other side of his head. I threw them with such force that I could have killed him. He did not react to this, but went on with his prayer very calmly. The next morning, however, I found my shoes carefully cleaned and polished beside my bed. This was the soldier’s answer for the cruel mockery of his sergeant! This broke my opposition, and that same day a change came about in my life. And it pleased the Lord to use it unto my eternal salvation. All honor be to His name!””

ADDRESSES FOR TIMOTHY CORRESPONDENCE”

Timothy Section—”

Thomas Moerdyk”

1222 Vassar Drive”

Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001”

Timothy Mission Fund—”

c/o Miss Adriana Kievit”

1121 N. Westnedge Avenue”

Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007”

Bible Quiz—”

Garret J. Moerdyk”

1104 Roseland Avenue”

Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001”

Deze tekst is geautomatiseerd gemaakt en kan nog fouten bevatten. Digibron werkt voortdurend aan correctie. Klik voor het origineel door naar de pdf. Voor opmerkingen, vragen, informatie: contact.

Op Digibron -en alle daarin opgenomen content- is het databankrecht van toepassing. Gebruiksvoorwaarden. Data protection law applies to Digibron and the content of this database. Terms of use.

Printen