A PERIODICAL FOR YOUNG AND OLD

A MISUNDERSTOOD ANSWER

Dear friends,

Some years ago in a small town there lived a family with small children, of which one of the children got whooping cough. The little child suffered terribly, as did also his mother, who could not do much for him. In addition to asking the family doctor for help in this situation, the mother humbly begged for the help of the heavenly Physician, not only for her suffering child, but also for the other children of the family. How the mother did beg the Lord for His help that the other children might not be affected by the disease.

One day while wrestling in prayer, this portion of God’s Word came into her mind, “And God granted him that which he requested.” The mother was well acquainted with the Bible (What a blessing that is!!). She remembered that the Bible says this of a man named Jabez. After some searching, she found the place where it is written, “And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.” (I Chronicles 4:10). Without looking too much at the first part of that text, the mother most happily embraced that which had been written in the last part of it ... “and God granted him that which he requested.” She was very much encouraged, thinking that those words had come into her mind as an answer to her prayer, and she was most confident that the rest of her children would not be affected by that cough which so easily goes from one child to another, bringing so much suffering to those who have it.

But who is able to properly express the agony of the mother the next day when another of her children started to cough and soon all of her children had the disease. She was at her wit’s end not only because of what she and her children had to go through day and night, but also because of the agony of her soul. She had taken so much encouragement out of the word “and God granted him that which he requested,” thinking that none of the other children would have to suffer from the disease, and now . . . all of the children had it. The mother could not but conclude that she had deceived herself. She could not but think that she was just the same as so many others, who comfort and deceive themselves by appropriating unto themselves some nice passages of the Bible, and in this way build the house of their hope upon the sandy ground of suppositions and imaginations. She knew that many persons do build their hope of salvation upon certain words of the Bible (which enters their minds at one time or another) because those words were so suitable to their wishes. Now she could not but think that she had done the very same thing.

The poor woman did not know where to go in her despair because she felt that nobody would be able to help her. Who could convince her that she did not deceive herself? Her agony was aggravated by the thought that she had not only deceived herself in this particular case, but that all things she had before experienced, which had given her some hope for the redemption of her soul by the Lord Jesus, were also of the same kind.

After the children had recovered from their sickness, the mother remained sick in her soul. She could not find any rest or comfort in prayer nor in reading the Scriptures and other books, which at other times had given her so much consolation. Her condition can best be described by the words we find in Psalm 42:3, “My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?”

Springtime arrived, and with it the annual prayer-day services. Near the town where the woman is still living is one of our vacant congregations, of which she is a member. At that time I was the moderator of that congregation. Although she was tempted to stay home because (as an inward voice told her) there could be no word of instruction or hope for her, such a hypocrite and self-deceiver, nevertheless she could not stay home. Although she could not think of any word that could help her, she went to church and . . . not in vain. That afternoon it pleased the Lord to deliver her from her agony and distress. How?

Because it would take too much space in this issue to tell you, I must ask you to be patient, but in the meantime try to find out for yourself the cause of such deep troubles for this woman. It could be blessed to your own instruction and cure.

Your friend,

Rev. A. Elshout

112 Pratt Road

Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001

BIBLE QUIZ

Dear Boys and Girls,

This month our quiz is based on five books of the Bible, which are Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel. The first four questions will be answered in Isaiah, the next four in Jeremiah, only one in Lamentations, the next four in Ezekiel, and the rest in the book of Daniel. In addition I have again given, in some cases, the group of chapters where the answer will be found. Let’s see if we can’t have just as many replies as we did for the quiz in December.

The first letters of the answers will spell out the words which King Bel-shazzar saw written upon the wall by a part of the hand.

What is the name given the son of the prophet Isaiah? (1–10)

Isaish said, “His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, the ________ Father.” (1–10)

The prophet foretold of the Lord Jesus, “He was ________ with the trangressors.” (51–60)

The Lord’s hand is not shortened that it cannot save, neither his ________ heavy, that it cannot hear. (51–60)

When Jeremiah was sent out as a prophet, the Lord put forth His hand, and touched what part of him? (1–10)

Where was the prophet Jeremiah to go in order to hide a linen girdle in a hole of the rock? (11–20)

Who was the captain of the guard who set Jeremiah free from the chains which were upon him? (31–40)

Who took men and drew Jeremiah out of the dungeon, which was a muddy pit? (31–40)

Turn thou us unto thee, O Lord, and we shall be ________. (Lament.)

What was Ezekiel to do with the roll of a book which was shown to him? (1–10)

Ezekiel was instructed to take a sharp ________ to cut off the hair of his head and of his beard. (1–10)

When Ezekiel had prophesied as the Lord commanded, the dry bones became an ________ great army. (31–40)

When Ezekiel was shown the valley of dry bones, he was asked, “Son of man, can these bones ________ ?” (31–40)

In all matters of wisdom and ________, Daniel and his three friends were found to be ten times better than the king’s magicians and astrologers.

What did Daniel request for food rather than the portion of the king’s meat?

What was the Hebrew name of Shadrach?

What was the name given to Azariah by the prince of the eunuchs?

Nebuchadnezzar said to Daniel, “Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a ________ of secrets.”

When the king saw the handwriting upon the wall, his thoughts troubled him, and his knees ________ one against another.

King Belshazzar said to Daniel, “I have heard of thee, that thou canst make ________ and dissolve doubts.”

The word ‘Mene’ is interpreted, “God hath ________ thy kingdom, and finished it.”

(Send your answers to me — Garret J. Moerdyk, 1104 Roseland Avenue, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001)

The answers to the quiz of last month are as follows:

He Shall Direct Thy Paths — Proverbs 2:6

Hear — Proverbs 1:8

Entice — Proverbs 1:10

Solomon — Proverbs 1:1

Honour — Proverbs 3:9

Ant — Proverbs 6:6

Lay — Proverbs 7:1

Loveth — Proverbs 12:1

Death — Proverbs 14:27

Instruction — Proverbs 13:1

Rivers — Proverbs 21:1

Envious — Proverbs 24:1

Chosen — Proverbs 22:1

Tomorrow — Proverbs 27:1

Time — Ecclesiastes 3:1

House — Ecclesiastes 7:2

Youth — Ecclesiastes 12:1

Preacher — Ecclesiastes 12:8

Admonished — Ecclesiastes 12:12

Thorns — Song of Solomon 2:2

House — Song of Solomon 1:17

Sharon — Song of Solomon 2:1

During the month answers were received from the following boys and girls:

Mary Jean Vander Male

Lilly Ann Vander Male

Cheryl Kalee

Debbie Kalee

Karel Kalee

Denise Carol Zaremba

Donna Zaremba

Neal Boerkoel

Ruth Boerkoel

Ellen Ver Wys

Mary Beth Ver Wys

Kathy Ver Wys

Henry Rosendall

Laura Rosendall

Carol Van Bemden

Kay Meeuwse

Ruth Meeuwse

Laurie Ann Spaans

Curt Jenison

Joanne Beeke

Alice Moerdyk

Caren Nieuwenhuis

Randy Van Giessen

Gary Van Giessen

Sandy Van Giessen

Esther Boonzaayer

Bruce Blok

Tom Blok

Alma Van Beek

Anden Van Beek

Joann Van Beck

Joyce Kamp

Tom Kamp

Marilyn Van Ravenswaay

JoAnn Van Ravenswaay

Esther Van Ravenswaay

Debbie Kamp

Ruth Kamp

Connie Kooiman

Gladys Van Bochove

Marilyn Sue Kamp

Billy Kamp

Steven Boluyt

Gordon Boluyt

Bill Boluyt

James Van Tilburg

Mark Van Tilburg

Mary Van Tilburg

Linda Keizer

Larry Van De Vendel

Howard Van De Vendel

Linda Van De Vendel

Sharon Spaans

Evelyn Van Dyke

Jennie Van Dyke

Helen Van Dyke

Ruth Van Dyke

David Spaans

Larry Spaans

Janice Kay Spaans

John Blok

Gary Blok

Roger Van Beek

Jonathan Van Beek

David Van Beek

Linda Bleeker

Barbara Berkenbush

Bob Vander Boon

Sue Vander Boon

Mary Jane Boluyt

Ann Marie Boluyt

Marilyn De Maagd

George De Maagd

Karel Boonzaayer

Joanne Geerling

Elizabeth Geerling

Lavonne Van Beek

Glenda Van Beek

Nick Greendyk

Tommy Greendyk

Bobby Greendyk

David Greendyk

Billy Greendyk

Alida Greendyk

Steve Slotsema

Sue Slotsema

Shirley Slotsema

Betty Jean Kamp

Mary Ann Kamp

Linda Kamp

Henry Kamp

Sharon Bouma

Albert Bouma

Betty Van der Waal

John Van der Waal

Tim Van der Waal

Gilbert Greyn

Nina Greyn

Larry Greyn

Vernon Greyn

Kathryn Greyn

Linda Greyn

Ellen Van Ginkel

Marsha Koedam

Ruth Boonzaayer

Ed Van Woudenberg

Neeltje Heykoop

Adrian Heykoop

Cornelia Heykoop

Laurie Easterhoff

Jane Derksen

Joyce Derksen

Kenneth Rus

Mary Beth Frens

Julie Frens

Lois Pluim

Kaye Vande Berg

Jim Zomer

Loren Zomer

Herlan Zomer

Val Lugthart

Joan Lugthart

Joyce Van Den Top

Judy Van Den Top

Gloria Van Den Top

Darlene Van Den Top

Eldon Van Den Top

Todd Van Middendorp

Linda Vande Waerdt

Janet Van Zweden

Joan Van Zweden

Gert Spaans

Joan Spaans

John Van Zweden

Ralph Van Zweden

Kathy Van Giessen

Jim Van Giessen

Barbara South way

Beverly Southway

Barbara Sue Kamp

Richard Kamp

Gary Roozenboom

Lana Den Hartigh

Bill Moerdyk

Charles Van Veldhuizen

Mariene Van Veldhuizen

Arnold Van Veldhuizen

Judy Koedam

Teresa Vander Meulen

Frances Vander Meulen

Joyce Vander Meulen

Melvan Jay Rus

Harlan Rus

Gloria Rus

Dave Verhey

John Verhey

Marguerite Vanden Brink

Jane Verblaauw

Bruce Verblaauw

Mary Kievit

Arline Kieboom

Amy Mieras

Ella Kieboom

Roelie Stapel

Linda Remus

Janet Remus

John Remus

Henrietta Stapel

Janice Stapel

Rudolph Stapel

Paul Koedam

Arie Van Vugt

Arlene Wallen burg

Wanita Wallenburg

Michael Ray Hoogendoorn

Judy Teunissen

Lanna Teunissen

Barbara Hendricks

Helen Hendricks

Peter Southway

Jean De Jongh

Roy Vanden Brink

Stephan Vanden Brink

Delia Vanden Brink

Ruth Van Grouw

Gary Kwekel

David Kwekel

Janet Arlene Sweetman

Tunis Sweetman, Jr.

Jenny Lee Sweetman

Judy E. Sweetman

Cindy Hoogendoorn

Nancy Vande Stouwe

Randy Vande Stouwe

Todd Vande Stouwe

Gloria Roskam

Alvin Roskam

Engel Knibbe

Gerarda Grisnich

Peter Grisnich

William Grisnich

Nelly Koppert

Peter Koppert

Alice Koppert

Christine Koppert

Cheryl Grisnich

Rhonda Grisnich

Wendy Grisnich

Martin Oudshoorn

Richard Anker

Joan Velier

Joleen den Hoed

Mary Jean den Hoed

Arthur den Hoed

Kathleen den Hoed

Bonnie Vonk

Peter Kievit

John Van Hoepen

Marianne Van Hoepen

Marty Anker

Randall Vanden Brink

Carl Moore

Lawrence Overbeeke

Paul Vandenberg

Arie Vandenberg

Cordy Vandenberg

Jeanerte Vandenberg

Bill Droogers

Debbie Droogers

Raymond Rieder (2)

Kristine Rieder

Carol Overbeeke

Kenny Overbeeke

Hermina Hubers

Donna Marie Hubers

Helen Hubers

Janet Van Driel

Jim Mol

Jay Mol

Carol Mol

Carolyn Van Koeveringe

John Van Koeveringe

Judy Slingerland

Marinus Slingerland

Peter Feyter

Miriam Kuperus

Hans Kuperus

David Kuperus

Arlene Kuperus

Lisa Lords

Daniel Lords

Kenneth Van Wingerden

Billy Van Wingerden

Shirley Rus

Arnold Rus

Billy Oudshoorn

Diana Oudshoorn

John Oudshoorn

Jacqueline Bolle

Mike Bolle

Marilyn Bolle

Douglas Vlastuin

Donald Vlastuin

Francina Boesterd

Thomas Vlastuin

Conny Boesterd

John Neels

Wilma Hakkenberg

Janice Vlietstra

Martin Peter Vlietstra

David Vlietstra

Brenda Fletcher

Ruth Ann Marie Van Dalen

It looks as if we have lots of letters to answer this month, so let’s see what the mail has brought us.

ARIE VAN VUGT — Your letter is first this time, Arie. What do you do to help in the greenhouse? What do you have growing at this time of the year? I am sure your father was happy to have your help during vacation. Maybe you were happy to be back in school again.

CAROLYN VAN KOEVERINGE — We are all quite well, Carolyn. Did you get those teeth pulled? The dentist has a nice, comfortable chair for his patients to sit in, but I don’t know of anyone who likes to go there. Give our greetings to your parents.

DEBBIE DROOGERS — How early does the bus come by in the morning, Debbie? Before the days of school buses, it must have been a real chore to get to school in cold weather for those who lived quite a distance from school. It has been quite some time since we have had one of these little quizzes, so here it is.

A Man in the Old Testament

The first letter is in Deborah.

The second letter is in Adam.

The third letter is in Vashti.

The fourth letter is in Israel.

The fifth letter is in Daniel. Who is it?

RICHARD ANKER — We are happy to have you join in answering the quiz, Richard. Your answers were all correct. There must be quite a few newcomers to our quiz after looking at the list. How long were you in the hospital? I imagine you were glad to be home again.

CHERYL GRISNICH — Thank you for the picture, Cheryl. It was nice of you to send me one. What are the “coolies” which you wrote about? I can tell from your letter that you like the winter weather. Do you like the winter better than the summer?

MARIANNE VAN HOEPEN — I suppose it was real nice to have your grandfather and grandmother visit you, Marianne. Where do they live? Two feet of snow is quite a lot, especially if it comes all in the same day. With that much snow, snowshoes would be real useful.

ELIZABETH GEERLING — Today we are having lots of sunshine, Elizabeth, and it seems real nice, even though the snow is not melting, which means it is quite cold outside. What was the name of the book which you received? Do you like to read?

ED VAN WOUDENBERG — How glad your congregation must be since you are getting a minister, Ed. We had that same experience in 1969. Do you know when he is planning to arrive? I can imagine that you are anxiously awaiting his arrival.

ROELIE STAPEL — Thank you for the New Year’s wishes, Roelie, and also for the picture. What do you plan on doing after graduation, the Lord willing? Can you tell me where in the Bible we can find it explained how indefinite our plans for the future are?

MARTY ANKER — You wrote a nice long letter, Marty. What subjects do you have this year, Marty? Did you travel through Michigan on your trip to the east? You probably had enough schoolwork waiting for you when you returned, even though you had some advance assignments.

BILL DROOGERS — Have you ever taken a trip by plane, Bill? It certainly doesn’t take very long to cross the ocean that way. Do you take care of feeding all the rabbits? I suppose twenty-four rabbits can eat quite a bit.

MARGUERITE VANDEN BRINK — We also have a new organ at our house, Marguerite, but ours is a Wurlitzer. Are you learning to play on the new one? Thank you for the picture which you sent me. Did you have it taken at school?

ELLEN VER WYS — Which do you like best, Ellen, school or vacation? Maybe you like it just the way it is — some of each. Do you have a hill nearby where you can go sliding? There are lots of boys and girls who don’t live near any hills.

RALPH VAN ZWEDEN — Are you having a lot of snow this winter, Ralph? I don’t suppose you would like to live in the south where they don’t have any snow. It wouldn’t seem like winter, would it? Be sure to say Hello to your parents for us.

RHONDA GRISNICH — Another good letter writer. Thank you for the picture, Rhonda. I received a number of pictures this month. At the moment there is only a little snow on the ground and the roads are quite bare. But I see that they are predicting some more snow for tomorrow.

WILMA HAKKENBERG — How far along are you in answering the questions in the booklets, Words of Wisdom, Wilma? Do you think those questions are quite easy? I suppose your school work is keeping you quite busy. Are you getting some good marks?

WILLIAM GRISNICH — Do you have a name for your pig, William? I can imagine that you take good care of him. Your answers were all correct. With answering our Bible quiz, the questions in the Church News, and those in the Words of Wisdom, you should be learning to know your Bible real well.

JOHN VAN ZWEDEN — Eight degrees below zero is a little too cold for playing outdoors, John. Is that the coldest temperature you have had? We should really appreciate our warm homes and heated automobiles in this weather.

WENDY GRISNICH — Have you finished reading the book you received at the Christmas program, Wendy? Do you like to read? There are many good books for boys and girls to read, but I am sure you know which is the best book. Thank you for the picture you sent me.

ALICE KOPPERT — Do you go to school in Norwich, Alice? If I remember correctly, that should be the closest for you. Do you know of a school mentioned in the Bible? Probably you will have to do some searching in order to find the answer to that.

CHRISTINE KOPPERT — Is your arm all better now, Christine? You must have been trying to win the game. Or did you stumble and fall? To have a broken arm is not nice, but if the Lord would give us a broken heart, it would be a blessing. Can you tell me why this is true?

DELLA VANDEN BRINK — Which subject do you like best, Delia? And which teacher do you like best? I am just wondering if the subject you like best belongs to the teacher you like best. Thank you for the picture which you sent.

BARBARA AND BEVERLY SOUTHWAY — I am not sure which of you wrote the letter, so I’ll make this one to both of you. Do you live quite near Goffle Brook Park? We were glad to hear that you liked the Bible quiz, and hope that you may learn to know the Bible better by doing the quiz.

DIANA OUDSHOORN — Thank you for the stamps, Diana. You had quite a few of them. In the Paulus magazine it sounded as if Mr. Polder thought I had saved them all by myself. I’ll have to explain that many boys and girls are helping me. Did you find any of the lost library books?

AMY MIERAS — Thank you for the stamps, Amy. We have quite a few stamps to send in again. Your Bible was really a nice gift. I think the concordance in the back will help you in finding some of the answers to the quiz.

JOAN VAN ZWEDEN — We were happy to hear that your grandfather was feeling somewhat better, Joan. Be sure to give him and your grandmother our greetings. Thank you for the New Year’s wishes. We wish the same to you and the family.

TODD VAN MIDDENDORP — You asked me about the words, “I have become like a bottle in the smoke” Psalm 119:83. Bottles in those days were made of leather, and if hung in the smoke, became dried and shrivelled. So David had been wasted by age and sickness and sorrow, but he yet sought the Lord.

CONNY BOESTERD — I imagine Grandpa and Grandma are fairly well settled in their new home by this time, Conny. Were you sorry to see them leave? Maybe someday we could make a trip to your part of the country, but I am sure it would be in the summer time. In my last letter I was answering your letter about the tapes.

JEAN DE JONGH — I do not know Drika, Jean. Maybe I have seen her, but I am sure I have never met her. Outside of the city there are quite a few snowmobiles, but since we live inside the city, we don’t see very many of them.

RUTH ANN MARIE VAN DALEN — The schools are closed in Kalamazoo today because of the snow, Ruth Ann. I guess everyone gets a turn. Do you have a place to go ice skating near your home? What was your Sunday school lesson this week?

PETER GRISNICH — Did your mother have a nice trip to Holland, Peter? J am sure you missed her while she was gone. Have you ever been there? Yes, your answers were all correct. Did you think that the quiz was quite easy this time?

JANET VAN ZWEDEN — Did you go to your cousin’s wedding, Janet? Can you tell me where in the Bible we read about a wedding? We wish the bride and groom many happy years together. Will you tell them that for us?

FRANCINA BOESTERD — How is that new little cousin getting along, Francina? Have you seen him already? How far do you live from your church? At one time everyone lived quite close to the church, but that isn’t true anymore.

JUDY AND MARINUS SLINGERLAND — Thank you very much for the New Year’s wishes, and we wish the same to you. I think that you will find the questions a little more difficult this time, and you won’t be able to find them so quickly.

JOHN NEELS — Did you have the blizzard you were hoping for, John. If you miss too many days of school because of the weather, you would probably have to make it up at the end of the semester. And that wouldn’t be so nice either.

LINDA REMUS — How are you getting along in school, Linda? Do you have much homework? It seems that homework is one of the things connected with school that most boys and girls dislike. Will you be getting report cards soon?

ROY VANDEN BRINK — Your letter is last this time, Roy. I thought I would never get to the bottom of the pile. But then we are happy to see that so many boys and girls are working out the quiz. Write me again, won’t you.

Many thanks for all the replies, boys and girls. We hope to hear from all of you again next month, the Lord will-ing and we live.

With love,

Your friend,

“Uncle Garret”

BIRDS OF THE

BIBLE

THE STORK

A Bible verse reads: ‘. . . the stork in the heavens knoweth her appointed times.’ These words refer to the regular arrival of storks in Palestine at about the end of March. They probably came from Africa. Usually appearing in the daytime, these large, wide-winged birds were quickly noticed and welcomed by the people, who were glad of this sign of spring.

The storks would settle by lakes, marshes and rivers and start fishing for food. Fish, frogs, lizards, small reptiles and large insects would be hungrily sought by the newly arrived migrants.

It is possible that David, the lover of nature, was a bird-watcher. He describes the nesting of the stork in the tall fir trees of Lebanon: ‘... as for the stork, the fir trees are her house.’ The flat branches of the fir would provide a good foundation for the nests.

It is said that the Hebrew word for ‘stork’ means pious and kind, which shows that the stork’s kindness to its young, and its dutifulness, had been noted.

It was forbidden to eat the flesh of the stork.

ELIJAH’S PRAYER

Does it not grief and wonder move,
To think of Israel’s shameful fall?
Who needed miracles to prove
Whether the Lord was God or Baal!

Methinks I see Elijah stand,

His features glow with love and zeal;

In faith and prayer he lifts his hand,

And makes to heaven his great appeal.

“O God! If I Thy servant am,

If ‘tis thy message fills my heart,

Now glorify Thy holy name,

And show this people who Thou art!”

He spake, and, lo! a sudden flame

Consumed the wood, the dust, the stone;

The people struck, at once proclaim,

“The Lord is God, the Lord alone.”

Like him, we mourn, an awful day,

When more for Baal than God appear;

Like him, believers, let us pray,

And may the God of Israel hear!

Lord, if Thy servant speak Thy truth,

If he indeed is sent by Thee,

Confirm the word to all our youth,

And let them Thy salvation see.

Now may Thy Spirits’ holy fire

Pierce every heart that hears Thy word,

Consume each hurtful vain desire,

And make them know Thou art the Lord.

— John Newton

THE PREACHING OF JOHN THE BAPTIST

Amongst the people who came to hear John preach in the wilderness were many of the Pharisees and Sad-ducees. Curiosity drew them to hear that famous preacher. It will be well to stop a moment and inquire into the character of these men. They were called Pharisees and Sadducees, not because they belonged to foreign nations, (as we call persons French and some English,) but because they had particular opinions on religious subjects; they belonged to two sects among the Jews.

The Pharisees professed to observe all God’s laws, concerning sacrifices, tithes, and ceremonies, and also many other laws which men had made; and they thought that by doing these things they should be worthy of places in heaven. At the same time they did not love God, but loved money and the praise of men. Such was the character of the Pharisees.

Are there any Pharisees in these days? There are none of us who do exactly the same things as the Pharisees did, but there are many who have the same kind of righteousness; they wish to be religious, or at least appear religious, and therefore they read the Bible, go to church, take the sacrament; and they think they are the better for these services, while their hearts are still full of the love of pleasure, or of money, or of praise. There is only one way of salvation — it is by believing in Jesus Christ; when we believe in Him our sins are forgiven on account of His sufferings, and how our hearts are made holy by His Spirit. Are there any of us who are endeavoring to deceive God by a little outward service? Let us give up the vain attempt — God will not be mocked; unless we really wish to forsake all our sins, we are hypocrites, like the Pharisees.

But who were the Sadducees? They were unbelieving men, proud of their understandings, and who thought themselves much wiser than the common people. They said that there were no angels nor spirits, and no rising again of the dead; and they sneered at those people who believed all the wonderful things written in the Bible. They only professed to believe the first five books of the Bible, called the books of Moses. Are there any Sadducees now? Alas! there are too many who resemble them. Such persons are called infidels and deists. They have written many wicked books for the purpose of turning the Bible into ridicule. Their writings are poison to the mind, and they have destroyed many souls. There are numerous proofs that the Bible is the Word of God. To mention only one or two; behold the desolation of Jerusalem and the scattering of the Jews according to God’s prophecy.

When these self-righteous Pharisees and scoffing Sadducees came to hear John preach, was he afraid of them, because they were rich and learned? Did he preach elegant sermons to please them? No; he spoke plainly and faithfully to them. He said, “O generation of vipers;” he called them the seed of the serpent, or the children of the devil; he said, “Who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” He knew that because they were rich and learned, few would dare to warn them of the wrath to come; therefore out of love to their souls, he warned them. He did not tell them there was no hope for them, but he told them that there was no time to lose. He knew that when he called them children of the devil, they would answer in their hearts. “We are the children of the pious Abraham, not of the devil; we have Abraham to our father.” When ministers are preaching, people are very apt to be making some excuses in their hearts. John told the Pharisees that they would not be saved because they were the children of Abraham according to the flesh, for God could make the stones into Abraham’s children; and God soon did make the Gentiles, whom the Jews despised, as though they had been stones, into the children of Abraham in the spirit. Then John told them of their awful condition, whilst they were bringing forth bad fruit, or doing evil works. The axe, as it were, was laid ready to hew them down. Could we see death and judgment as near as they really are, we should tremble at the thought of continuing in sin.

St. Luke tells us in his gospel, that many people began to think that John was, perhaps, the Saviour so long expected — that is, the Christ or the anointed One. Did John wish them to think this? No; he wished no glory for himself; he said that his baptism was nothing compared to that which Jesus would bestow. John could wash the body with water as a sign of repentance, but Jesus could wash the soul with the Holy Ghost; He could even cleanse it, as by fire. There is nothing cleanses like fire; water cannot cleanse gold from its dross, but fire can. The Spirit of Christ can consume our sins, as fire consumes dross.

Then John showed the terrible consequences of not believing in this Saviour. He compared Jesus to a thresher who separates the wheat from the chaff. We are accustomed to hear of the meek and gentle Saviour, and so He is, for He wipes away the tear of the penitent, and binds up the wounds of the broken-hearted’, but He is also the holy Jesus; He cannot bear proud sinners, and at the last day His wrath against them will be so terrible, that they will call upon the rocks and mountains to hide them from the wrath of the Lamb.

THE LORD IS ABLE

During the retreat of Alfred the Great after the defeat of his forces by the Danes, a beggar came to his camp there, and requested alms. The queen informed him that they had only one small loaf remaining, which was insufficient for themselves and their friends, who were gone in quest of food, though with little hope of success. The king replied, ‘Give the poor Christian one half of the loaf. He who could feed five thousand men with five loaves and two small fishes, can certainly make that half of the loaf suffice for more than our necessities.’ Accordingly, the poor man was relieved, and this noble act of charity was soon recompensed by a providential store of fresh provisions, with which his people returned.

A LETTER TO A COLLEGE STUDENT

My dear friend,

Your letter of the 7th I duly received. Many thanks for writing such a very kind letter to a poor sickly old man, who will soon be in another world. My prayer is that Jesus would raise up for Himself faithful witnesses from among the rising generation for preaching the glad tidings of salvation to perishing sinners, fulfilling that promise, “Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, who thou mayest make princes in all the earth.”

You are aware, dear friend, that you are now far from your parents, being among strangers, and exposed to many temptations to which young people are liable; indeed, you may see more wickedness going on among students at college than perhaps you would see in the town of Thurso, which ought to put you on your guard and remember the example which was set before you in your father’s house. What the Apostle said to young Timothy may be said of you, “And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” You should consider that you are a child of many prayers. Oh! what concern your dear parents have for you at home; what trouble they would put themselves to before they would see you in want of the necessaries of life. You were devoted to the Lord in baptism, you were brought up in a Christian family, and had a Christian example set before you every day you arose, which, I am sure, was safe for you to follow. What great advantage you have had regarding your education above many of your equals, for which you should be thankful. Therefore, I hope you are praying that the Lord may bless to you your many privileges, remembering, although you are separated from your dear parents at present, the eyes of the Lord are upon you, whether you are alone or in company. “The Lord is with you, while ye are with Him; and if ye will seek Him, He will be found of you; but if ye forsake Him, He will forsake you.”

Be diligent at your study, late and early; learn to go to bed in time and rise early in the morning again to your study, always mindful of your health, taking as much exercise as your time can afford; never forget to begin the day with prayer. “Be careful,” says the Apostle, “for nothing; but in everything, by prayer and supplication and thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Keep from bad company. “A companion of fools shall be destroyed.” “Call the Sabbath a delight; the holy of the Lord, honourable.” You see Sabbath-breakers in plenty; but I trust you will shun their company, attending the ordinances of religion, both in public and private.

I have been poorly since I saw you last, but I feel a little better now, though far from being well; however, I have great cause of thankfulness. I have been able to preach every Sabbath to the people hitherto, and feel nothing the worse for it. We must work while it is day, for the night cometh when no man can work. It will not do for poor sinners to be idle, for Satan has work enough for idle folk. The believer can never feel the worse of being employed in the Lord’s service, so long as they get strength according to their day. I hope you will write me again at your convenience. I am, yours affectionately,

(Rev.) Finaly Cook

(written in 1853)

PRAISE TO GOD FOR LEARNING TO READ

The praises of my tongue I offer to the Lord,

That I was taught, and learned so young,

To read His holy Word:

That I am brought to know The danger I was in;

By nature and by practice too, A wretched slave to sin:

That I am led to see I can do nothing well;

And whither shall a sinner flee, To save himself from hell?

Dear Lord, this book of Thine; Informs me where to go

For grace to pardon all my sin And make me holy too.

Here I can read and learn How Christ, the Son of God,

Did undertake our great concern: Our ransom cost His blood.

And now He reigns above, He sends His Spirit down,

To show the wonders of His love, And make His gospel known.

Oh, may that Spirit teach, And make my heart receive,

Those truths which all Thy servants preach And all Thy saints believe!

Then shall I praise the Lord In a more cheerful strain,

That I was taught to read His Word, And have not learned in vain.

Isaac Watts

Little children have but one appetite, know what they want, and can be quieted with nothing else. Would to God I was so.

If I might have my favourite enjoyments, and live cordially to my own will as long as I pleased, I do not perceive that I should choose to die soon, and go to heaven for the sake of being with God and freed from sin.

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