A PERIODICAL FOR YOUNG AND OLD

DOES GOD SPEAK????

My dear friends,

Did you notice a difference in the topic? If not, please look at it again. The difference is in the first word. In the previous articles I wrote about subjects centered around the word “did”. My topics were — “DID GOD CREATE???”, and “DID GOD SPEAK???”. But in this article and those that follow I have changed from “did” to “does”.

I know that for some of you (perhaps many of you) a major problem is not whether God “did”, but whether God “does”. There are those who believe that God created the world and that He spoke in the past unto Adam, Eve, Cain, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, etc, and to numerous others by the prophets, by angels (as to Zacharias and Mary), by His Son, and by His servants the apostles, yea, that God spoke in His Word as written down centuries ago. But these persons are concerned with questions about what God does at the present. They believe firmly the testimonies and experiences of godly people who were instructed by God’s Word and Spirit, or wonderfully helped by God’s providential care in time past, but often wonder whether these things still occur in the present time. Although they would not, nor dare not join with others, who declare that God is dead, yet ... . they have their doubts and questions. Knowing from experience the paralizing effects of these doubts and fears, I’ll try to be of some help in the struggle against the many words of unbelief coming from others and the many thoughts of unbelief arising within their own heart.

The question, “DOES GOD SPEAK?”, cannot be answered before the question, “DOES GOD KNOW?”, is given an answer. Does God really know what is taking place in the world, in the church, in our family, in our life, and in our heart? Although even God’s people have times in which they are tossed to and fro due to their infirmities (“How does God know? and is there knowledge in the Most High?” — Psalm 73:11), yet they may at times experience the opposite.

I know of someone (who is yet living) who was once asked by a person who did not believe anything concerning God as to how he could prove the existence of a living God, Who knows everything, Who governs everything, and Who actually helps in times of need. The person of whom the question was asked answered, “Because I have experienced it in the past, and am still experiencing it”. The atheist laughed at this answer, but then was told the following story.

“One day I was in serious financial trouble on account of unforeseen circumstances. Although it would have been possible to ask some friends to loan us some money, yet my wife and I laid the need at the feet of Him Who said, “Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him and He shall bring it to pass.” As the day approached on which a large amount of money had to be paid and the money was not yet present, we were forced to call time and again on Him Who said, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee,” (Psalm 50:15), and “The silver is mine and the gold is mine” (Haggai 2:8). After the children had gone to sleep, my wife and I also made ready to go to bed. But first I thought to check the mailbox to see whether there had been any mail that day, and in it I found an envelope. Having already experienced many times the Lord’s wonderful help in times of need, I could feel my heart beating rapidly as I opened the envelope. Inside was the amount we needed to meet our obligation along with an unsigned note. Only the Lord could know of our circumstances, and thus He showed us that He not only knew our need, but that He could and did provide for the things needed” the atheist was perplexed, and said, “I have had financial problems, but have never found an envelope with money in my mailbox”.

After the person who told this story had left, the atheist’s wife went out to do some shopping. She met another woman, to whom she related the story, adding that she did not believe that it was true. This woman was also acquainted with the person who had told of his experience to the atheist. When she heard this story, she was also perplexed, but for a different reason. Some time before her husband had told her that he felt there was a financial need in the family of the above-mentioned person. Although he and his wife were not wealthy and also had a large family, they decided to deliver some money to the family which they felt needed it. They had placed it in the mailbox, and had never heard whether their feelings were right or not, and whether the money had been sufficient, until that moment. In this way all things worked for good, both for those who cried unto God for His help and for those who were used as God’s instruments. Both had received evidence that the Lord DOES know and that the Lord DOES speak and help.

In addition to the above story, many more could be added to prove that the Lord is not dead, but that he lives, and is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. If there were more humble walking with the Lord, it would be experienced more that the Lord fulfills His promise: “Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it”. In 1969 the Lord’s hand is not shortened that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy that it cannot hear. He helps the needy and regards their cry. God does speak in His providence, but He also speaks by the means of His Word. About that.....next time, the Lord willing.

Your friend,

Rev. A. Elshout

18617 Cortner Avenue

Cerritos, California 90701

Bible Quiz

Dear Boys and Girls,

It has been quite some time since we have had a quiz for which the answers are numbers, so this month I have one for you. All the numbers from one to fifteen are used, but, of course, the questions are arranged so that the numbers are not in order. But I don’t think you will find them too difficult.

How many sons did Jesse (the father of David) have:

In the parable about the good Samaritan, how many men passed by before the Samaritan came along?

At the marriage in Cana where Jesus was present, how many stone water-pots were sitting there?

How many years were added to the life of Hezekiah when he prayed to the Lord, after Isaiah told him that he would die?

How many camels did Abraham’s servant take with him when he went to seek a wife for Isaac?

How many men were chosen by the apostles to served as deacons, among whom was also Stephen?

Jesus said unto Martha, “But thing is needful”.

When Jesus fed the five thousand men beside women and children, how many loaves of bread did the disciples have?

How many years were spent by Soloment in building his own house?

In Joseph’s dream, how many stars did he see bowing to him?

How many men were sent to Cornelius to seek for Peter in the city of Joppa?

When Jesus healed the ten lepers, how many did not return to give him thanks?

How many years did Jacob serve Laban for his wives, Leah and Rachel?

When Jesus fed the five thousand, besides the women and children, how many baskets of fragments remained?

How many days had Lazarus lain in the grave when Jesus arrived in Bethany?

The answers to our quiz in the February issue are as follows —

Quail Numbers 11:3

Ram Genesis 22:13

Kine Genesis 41:1-2

Frogs Exodus 8:1-7

Grasshoppers Numbers 14:33

Bullock I Samuel 1:25

Oxen I Kings 19.19

Horses II Kings 2:11

Mule ? Samuel 18:9

Locust Mark 1:6

Calf Exodus 32:1-8

Adder Genesis 49:17

Peacocks I Kings 10:22

Apes I Kings 10:22

Bees Judges 14:8

Eagles Daniel 4:33

Answers to the January quiz were received from the following boys and girls:

Conny Boesterd (2)

Esther Boonzaayer

Henry Rosendall

Joan Van Zweden

John Van Zweden

Jane Zevenbergen

Peter Zevenbergen

Brian Zevernbergen

Denise Carol Zaremba

Donna Lyn Zaremba

Joanne Beeke

Gloria Boluyt

Julie Boluyt

Marilyn De Maagd

Louis De Maagd

George De Maagd

Dave Verhey

Arlene Wallenburg

Carol Wallenburg

Wanita Wallenburg

Ken Lugthart

Val Lugthart

Joan Lugthart

Mike Mol

Leonard Mol

Joan Mol

Tom Blok

Martha Vander Male

Kris Vander Male

Mary Jean Vander Male

Lilly Ann Vander Male

Cheryl Berman

Lillian Berman

Ruth Meeuwse

Eleanor Meeuwse

Mike Meeuwse

Alice Moerdyk

Geri Moerdyk

Mary Rozeboom

Linda Kamp

Betty Jean Kamp

Mary Ann Kamp

Sally Ann Stoutjesdyk

Tim Vander Waal

John Vander Waal

Betty Vander Waal

Teresa Vander Meulen

Frances Vander Meulen

Tommy Greendyk

Bob Vander Boon

Dave Vander Boon

Susan Vander Boon

David Greendyk

Linda K. Bleeker

Jim Bleeker

Billy Greendyk

Nick Greendyk

Bill Boesterd (2)

Martin Peter Vlietstra

Sharon Bouma

Peter W. Kievit

Debra Vos

Donald Vos

Annette Koutstaal

Wilma Koutstaal

Larry Van De Vendel

Howard Van De Vendel

Marsha Koedam

Darla Groeneweg

Gary Roozenboom

Rodney Dean Dibbet

Alfred Hup

Sharon Spaans

Carolyn Spaans

Gertrude Spaans

Joan Spaans

Clarice Rus

David Spaans

Larry Spaans

Janice Spaans

Bruce Blok

Christine Koppert

Nelly Koppert

Alice Koppert

Peter Koppert

John Van Woudenberg

Joe Van Woudenberg

Ed Van Woudenberg

Elizabeth Van Woudenberg

Linda Vande Waerdt

Dianne Van Ravenswaay

Marilyn Van Ravenswaay

JoAnn Van Ravenswaay

Danny Lords

Herman Schut

Billy Van Wingerden

John Van Wingerden

Janny Van Wingerden

Judy Elizabeth Sweetman

Tunis Sweetman, Jr.

Janet Arlene Sweetman

Sander de Jong

Curt Jenison

Bill Van Den Toorn

Andrew Van Den Toorn

Marlene Jo Van Den Toorn

Doris Gorter

Darrell Gorter

John M. Goeman

Linda Schalkoort

Jill Ellen Ripma

Willis Van Roekel

Phillip Kaat

Ruth Kievit

Randy Vande Stouwe

Ruth Ann Van Dalen

Donna Klarenbeek

Debbie Droogers

Billy Droogers

Wilma Droogers

James Van Tilburg

Mark Van Tilburg

Albert Van Grouw

Janet Van Grouw

Carolyn Van Grouw

Arie Vandenberg

Janetta Vandenberg

Paul Vandenberg

Cordy Vandenberg

Janet Van Driel

Wendy Grisnich

Rhonda Grisnich

Bobby Greendyk

John Oudshoorn

Billy Moerdyk

Conrad Vlietstra

Bernie Vlietstra

Fred Vlietstra

Peter Feyter

Marcia Kros

Judy Mae Koedam

Denise Van Ravenswaay

Alane Van Ravenswaay

Corney Van Wyk

Billy Van Wyk

Corrie Van Wyk

Sandy Van Giessen

Gary Van Giessen

Sheryl Van Giessen

Jim Van Giessen

Rudolph Stapel

Henrietta Stapel

Janice Stapel

Roelie Stapel

Cindy Hoogendoorn

Gail Hoogendoorn

Stephan Vanden Brink

Delia Vanden Brink

Cindy Sue Erickson

Deanna Erickson

John Remus

Linda Remus

Janet Remus

Jeffrey Roskam

Alvin Roskam

Gloria Roskam

Arlene Southway

Peter Southway

Joyce Kamp

Thomas Jay Kamp

Ruth Lynn Kamp

John W. Kamp

Nancy Kay Vande Stouwe

And now it is time to reply to the many letters —

BILL BOESTERD — I have two letters from you, Bill, so we will start with your letter. Everyone in your area has been writing about the real winter weather you have been having. Chopping a hole in the ice to get water for the cows sounds like a real chore. But I think that not so many years ago this was quite common.

CONNY BOESTERD — Thank you for the picture, Conny. It was very nice. I looked at an older picture, and can see you have grown up. We are having quite nice weather just now, but I think we will have some more snowy days before the winter is gone.

DELLA VANDEN BRINK — I am quite well, Delia, and hope you are also. You mentioned that you had a “chinook”, and I had to look in the dictionary to be sure what it was. I think some will think it is some sort of animal. Did you like the quizzes about the animals of the Bible?

JOAN VAN ZWEDEN — Do you think you would like to have an igloo as your home, Joan? How much we would miss our warm homes and nice beds. I imagine when you receive this issue, the snow will be all gone, and the garden fence uncovered again.

JOHN VAN ZWEDEN — Did you have a good report card, John? Did you know that there were so many different animals mentioned in the Bible? I think most of the boys and girls found the quiz quite easy, as we have quite a large number that sent in then-answers.

JOHN REMUS — Thank you for your letter, John. We were glad to hear from you, and to receive the answers from you and your sisters. You did real well in answering, as they were all correct. We hope you will continue with us each month.

MARTIN PETER VLIETSTRA — Thank you very much for all the stamps, Martin. Now that the strike is over, they will again accept packages to be sent to the Netherlands. Did you catch up on all the school work you missed while you were sick?

STEPHAN VANDEN BRINK — You will have to work extra hard in school to make up for all those days when school was closed because of the weather. Or maybe you will have an extra week or so at the end of the term. Your baby sister will soon be old enough to play with you.

LINDA SCHALKOORT — I think your parents had many things to tell about when they returned home from the Netherlands, Linda. Do they have many relatives living there? This time of the year we can expect foggy weather, so we can never be certain when the planes will be flying.

PHILLIP KAAT — How are you, Phillip? I’m wondering if you did get the measles after your friend had them. Are foxes quite common in your area? We read that Samson went and caught three hundred of them; so they must have been quite plentiful then.

ED VAN WOUDENBERG — How do you catch the pigeons, Ed? Do you use a box trap? We have had some snow here, but when we read about all the snow they had some places, I guess we can’t say it was so much. Say Hello to your brothers and sister for me.

JAMES AND MARK VAN TILBURG — Thanks for the stamps, boys. I have quite a few of them to send away again. You were correct — the answer to our riddle was Mary Magdalene. When all of our clues are not right, it is so much more difficult to come up with the answer.

WENDY GRISNICH — How is Mariene now, Wendy? I certainly hope she is all better again. I suppose you had a good report card. Which subject in school do you like best — spelling, arithmetic, geography, or what else? What did you use to build an igloo in school?

HERMAN SCHUT — We are happy to have you join in answering the Bible Quiz, Herman. We like to see lots of answers come in, as in this way we know that boys and girls are making use of it. We hope we will be hearing from you every month.

SANDER DE JONG — From the pictures you sent me, I can see that you were having lots of snow, Sander. It is a good thing that you have a generator when the electricity is off in such winter weather. You don’t realize how much is done with electricity until it is cut off. My congratulations to the new parents.

JOHN OUDSHOORN — Thank you for the painting, John. You do real well in making pictures, which is something I don’t do very well. I have never seen the temperature down to 48 below zero, but I would imagine that it is really cold then.

CONRAD, BERNIE, AND FRED VLIETSTRA — It was nice to hear from you, boys. There sure were a lot of closed schools because of the winter weather. Does your father have many relatives in the Netherlands? I imagine you would have liked to go with him.

DEBRA AND DONALD VOS — You probably noticed from the previous letters that we had a little confusion in the clues to our riddle. It wasn’t on purpose, though. We hope you will always remember the Bible stories your grandmother tells you, just as she remembers those her father told to her.

ROELIE STAPEL — You are doing quite well in school, Roelie. The grades on our report cards quickly tell us which subjects need a little more effort put to them, unless one is satisfied in “just getting by”. In the book of Ecclesiastes there is a verse that tells us to put forth effort in what we do. Can you find the text?

NELLY KOPPERT — We are happy to have you answer the Bible questions, Nelly. I think some of them your mother or father will have to help you with, but that is the way to learn. Each time it will be a little easier. Say “Hello” to them for me.

PETER FEYTER — Bible study is good for the whole family, Peter. How many things we do not know about it, even though we have read it for many years. Especially on Sunday we should put aside our daily studies, and spend our time in studying God’s Word.

PETER KOPPERT — I am glad to see that so many caught our mistakes in the riddle. That shows that it is being read carefully. We try hard not to make them, but they do happen sometimes. Do you still have some animals on the farm?

JOHN SCHUT — We are happy to have you join in answering our Bible Quiz, John. It seems there are a number of new boys and girls this month, which makes us real happy. Did you get your guinea pig? Do you have a place to go ice skating near your home? We hope to hear from you next month, if all is well.

ALICE KOPPERT — Do you pick the Bible verses that you want to learn, Alice, or does the teacher tell you which ones to study? It is nice when you have a good memory. But for some boys and girls it is quite a problem to learn verses. Did you ever count how many verses you have learned in all?

CORNEY VAN WYK — It was nice to hear from you, Corney. How are you getting along in school? I suppose that you are already looking forward to summer vacation. Or would you rather go to school? I think everyone likes vacation, even though they like school real well.

GARY ROOZENBOOM — Gary, I noticed you asked me the same question that I asked Roelie Stapel — as to who slew a lion in a pit on a snowy day. We must have thought of it about the same time, because when I received your letter, my material had already gone to the printer. We do have blizzards in Kalamazoo, but not like you do in the wide open country.

RODNEY DEAN DIBBET — We are having quite nice weather in Kalamazoo at the present time, Rodney, especially for the month of February. We didn’t have so much snow this winter, at least not so far. Do you live in Sioux Center, or do you live on a farm?

BILLY VAN WYK — I sure have a lot of letters this time, Billy. Did you know all the Bible stories which told about the animals mentioned in your quiz? Most of them should be well known to you. Be sure to write again, won’t you.

PETER W. KIEVIT — Thanks for the stamps, Peter. And congratulations on your new niece. Since you already had a niece, I suppose you would have liked to have a nephew. It must make you feel quite old since you are an uncle. Give our regards to your family.

SHARON BOUMA — Thank you for the riddle, Sharon. It is a rather difficult one, but we will put it in and see if some of the boys and girls will come up with the answer. Here it is —

Before Adam breathed, I had my birth,

And went abroad through all the earth ;

I helped to gladden his open eyes, And filled him with sublime surprise.

Without me men could little know, Or even enjoy the things below.

For without me they’d ne’er delight In things so bounteous in their sight.

What am I?

(Hint: It was one of the first things created)

DEBBY DROOGERS — Your riddle is much easier, Debby, so I’m going to put it in also.

It is a Book of the New Testament

The first letter is in “look”,

But not in “watch”.

The second letter is in “bug”,

But not in “insect”.

The third letter is in “king”,

But not in “queen”.

The fourth letter is in “come”,

But not in “go”.

What is it?

And that is all for this time. As you work out the Bible quiz, be sure to learn something about the stories in which the answers are found. So many boys and girls do not know anything about the Bible, and therefore how much we should value it. Also we hope that all of you read, or ask your parents or older brothers and sisters to read, the articles and stories published in our magazine. May the Lord remember us together,

With love,

Your friend,

“Uncle Garret”

Missionary Corner

Timothy Mission Fund

During the month of January we received gifts totaling $95.00 for our mission fund, which we again acknowledge with sincere thanks. Checks were sent out in January in the amount of $100 each to the Spanish Evangelical Mission, and to Rev. L. Huisman in the Netherlands for the new mission project, “The Hand to the Plow”. We also wish to acknowledge those who have been sending in used postage stamps. They are real happy to receive the commemorative stamps, which they are able to sell at a better price.

(During the past year a new project was begun by the mission committee in the Netherlands, which they have called, “The Hand to the Plow”. Its purpose is to provide agricultural equipment and farm animals for New Guinea. In the near future, the Lord willing, a Mr. Fahner will also go there to be with Rev. Kuijt. He is an agricultural specialist, and in this way they hope to equip him with the necessary means. They have already arranged for the purchase of calves, goats, and geese, which would provide milk and eggs for food. It is this type of food which is so lacking in the daily diet of the natives. T.M.)

This picture shows Mrs. Kuijt in conversation with the native children. In trying to learn their language, she is pointing to her chin, and asking them what this is called in their language. It is a slow process, but it is the only way to learn.

Acknowledgment from the Spanish Evangelical Mission:

February 12, 1969

Dear mission friends,

We were very happy to again receive your mission gift. The Lord is maintaining His own work. As Nehemiah we experience it — and therefore we understand him — when he said, “Let us rise and build”. The Lord giveth His blessing so that the Bibles purchased may be sent to Spain, and may be to the blessing of souls. The Lord shall build up His Church in Spain by Word and Spirit.

One of our evangelists is in contact with a priest who is leaving the Roman Catholic church. A tract about Luther and Calvin is now in the hands of the printer, as also the tract entitled, “A Roman Catholic priest put to shame by a young girl from a mission school”. In addition a second Bible-van is to be placed in use, and we will be giving some help to the Protestant school in Madrid. We have been in contact with a Scottish minister who had been in Italy in 1968, and who is going back to establish a mission-post in Northern Italy. We are very busy with the translation of the children’s Bible story by Mr. Vreugdenhil, of which two sections are complete and progress is being made on the third section. Also in December we were able to help minister in difficult circumstances.

Mission friends, the Lord blesseth also the coming work in His Kingdom for His glory. With all good wishes and prayers for your well-being,

Very truly yours in the Lord,

J.R. Van Oordt, Secretary

Acknowledgment from the Wycliffe Bible Translators in New Guinea :

February 5, 1969

Dear friends,

Thank you very much for your recent gift of fifty dollars to Wycliffe Bible Translators. This gift was given to us as emergency support and we wanted to write and tell you how much we appreciate it.

It has been just a little over two years since we arrived on the field in New Guinea, and we’re still amazed that the Lord saw fit to call us and use us in this way . . . Since I had radio training in the service I serve as base radio operator and as a radio technician here at Ukarumpa. Every day I keep scheduled talks with translators in tribal villages ranging from Bouganville Island on the east to the border of West Irian on the west. My wife, Joy, has worked in the print shop proof reading and checking translated materials, caring for little ones in the nursery while their mothers worked, and now does bookkeeping for the radio department as well as some group ordering.

Even though we are here on base and not in the front lines like those out in the villages, we are constantly reminded how much these people are in fear of the spirit world and in bondage to Satan. Do pray for them and for witness and testimony to them.

Yours in Christian love,

Joy and Walter Bowles

SPIDER

“The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in the kings’ palaces.” What look so much like hands are really the creature’s legs which it uses like hands to spin its web and to demolish it again if needs be. The spider is here the symbol of private industry; purposeful, patient, persevering, thorough and ingenious. Not for show does she work but for her own private purposes. Seldom is her handywork admired; more often it is swept away as soon as it is detected. What we must learn is to emulate the Spider by faithfully discharging all our duties, doing them as to the Lord and not to men. God’s glory should be the great end behind all our efforts. “Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Cor. 10, v 31.

You may have noticed that the spider is not discouraged by repeated damage done to its web. Again and again it will turn to and repair the gaps. In the same way, no number or kinds of setbacks and difficulties should deter us from our God-appointed tasks. The Saviour says that “he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Another feature of the spider’s behaviour which calls for imitation is the perfection of its workmanship. Whether making a new web or repairing an old one, it does the work thoroughly. What a lesson to us who are only too apt to be slip-shod in some tasks and to leave others unfinished! Can we be too particular when God is the ultimate Master for whom we labor?

Conscientious work, done for the glory of God, will not leave the doer at a loss, even in this world. Joseph rose by this means to be head of Potiphar’s household, then to be trusted in the prison, and finally to be second only to Pharaoh. It is to be feared that not many follow this rule today, but God honours and rewards those who do so. And whether or not it will take the Christian to a palace in this world, it will bring him at last into the palace of the great King, there to abide forever. Wouldn’t you say now that the wisdom which prompts a sinner, young or old, to seek salvation now, to seek it in Christ the Rock of ages, and to work harmoniously with others for the strengthening of Christ’s cause on earth, and to do all as unto God, is the highest form of wisdom? Are you seeking it?

Young People’s Magazine

BY ME KINGS REIGN

My dear young friends,

We read in Proverbs 8:15-16 — “By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth”. This text came to my thoughts, when I heard about the outcome of the presidential election. Millions of people have followed with excitement, the campaign of the presidential candidates. Millions of dollars are spent by the political parties, to convince the public that their candidate was the most capable person to lead the country. The candidates themselves with their running mates did everything possible to win the public with appearance, with friendliness, and speeches. Many voters have seriously considered what candidate would be the best for our country. Who is the most able man to dissolve the many serious problems of our day and time? The war in Vietnam? the housing problem? the civil rights questions? the riots? inflation? depression? the economy of the country? Indeed if we look at all the trouble at home and abroad, we would say we need a super man to be a president of the country. After the campaign was closed, I heard people say, “Now it is up to the American voter, who will be the president elect”. Is this so, my young friends? If a house must be built by a carpenter, do we say now it is up to the hammer to drive the nails into the lumber? We know better; the hammer is just a tool in the hands of the carpenter. So are the voters just a tool in the hand of the Lord to place a new president into office. Civil government is a divine institution. This might be denied in our modern times, with all education and science and inventions. Nevertheless, it is so, and it shall be so as long as the world stands. It is the downfall of a country if people think or say that religion is no issue in the election or in the administration of a government. Psalm 127:1 — “Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain”. Now it is so important for a country that we have a government who reigns in the favour of the Lord. Those that are entrusted with the administration of the government, have their commission from Christ. It is a branch of His Kingly office. “By me kings reign, and princes decree justice”. Religion is very much the strength and support of the civil government; it teaches subjects their duty, and so by it kings reign over them more easily; it teaches justice while they rule in the fear of God. Those rule well whom religion rules. Out of the history of the Bible, we observe that Israel prospered when they were reigned by a king who feared the Lord. With other words, if Israel had a government who were obedient to the Lord, they did well. We have seen this also in the history of America. At the time that Abraham Lincoln was president, America was blessed and prospered. To reign a country, a person must have wisdom. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The word of God was for Lincoln, a fountain of wisdom. Psalm 119:105 — “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path”.

The word of God discovers to us, concerning God and ourselves, that which otherwise we could not have known; it shows us what is amiss, and what will be dangerous. It directs us in our work and way, and a dark place indeed the world would be without it. Young friends, knowing that Christ places, according to his supreme power and authority, kings and presidents in office, we must respect them and be obedient to them for the Lord’s sake. We must support them with our prayer and ability. The rulers of the country must be dependent upon the Lord, so that they may rule in his favour. The dissolvement of all the trouble and dangers of our time is in the true prayer of the president and the prayers of the inhabitants of the country. We hope that the individual person shall pray, “Lord bless us with obedience to Thee, for myself, my home and relatives, for our country, for our government. Bless our present and the next president with grace to know Thee and obey Thee”. And America shall be blessed!

Your friend and minister,

M.R.

THE GOLDEN CALF

When Israel heard the fiery law
From Sinai’s top proclaimed,
Their hearts seemed full of holy awe,
Their stubborn spirits tamed.

Yet, as forgetting all they knew,
Ere forty days were past,
With blazing Sinai still in view,
A molten calf they cast.

Yea, Aaron, God’s anointed priest,
Who on the mount had been,
He durst prepare the idol beast,
And lead them on to sin.

Lord, what is man, and what are we,
To recompense Thee thus!
In their offence our own we see,
Their story points at us.

From Sinai we heard Thee speak,
And from Mount Calvary too;
And yet to idols oft we seek,
While Thou art in our view.

Some golden calf, or golden dream,
Some fancied creature good,
Presumes to share the heart with Him,
Who bought the whole with blood.

Lord, save us from our golden calves,
Our sin with grief we own;
We would no more be Thine by halves,
But live to Thee alone.

John Newton

ANNUAL YOUTH DAY CONFERENCE

Again this year we have received a notice from the consistory of the Vineland Congregation that they plan to sponsor a Youth Day Conference, which is to be held in their church Tuesday, July 1, the Lord willing.The first of July is a holiday in Canada, being Dominion Day, which is comparable to the 4th of July in the United States. It is hoped that many friends will be able to attend.

Those who would like to participate in the program are requested to contact Mr. A. Van Driel, Read Road, R.R. No. 2, St. Catharines, Ontario, before the first of June, so that plans can be formed for the program.

ADDRESSES FOR TIMOTHY CORRESPONDENCE

Timothy Section-

Thomas Moerdyk

1222 Vassar Drive

Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001

Timothy Mission Fund—

c/o Miss Adriana Kievit

1121 North Westnedge Avenue

Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007

Timothy Bible Quiz-

Garret J. Moerdyk

1104 Roseland Avenue

Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001

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