A PERIODICAL FOR YOUNG AND OLD
O Timothy keep that which is committed to thy trust. II Timothy 6:20
THE BIBLICAL VIEW OF WOMEN IN THE CHURCH
What is the place of women in the church? It is very timely to speak about this, for many say that women need and have a right to a better place than they have had so far — not only in society, but also in the church. The women’s liberation movement has brought new ideas among the people both outside and inside the church. In most of these the cry is heard that women have been exploited and enslaved, and now it is time for them to be emancipated.
The drive is for a uni-sex society where all distinctions between sexes are obliterated. They go so far as to say, “If women want to go out into the world and make the living, then the men ought to stay at home and care for the children. Too long have women been forced to waste their talents and frustrate themselves in being housewives.” The feeling which prevails in some segments of society today is that the role played by most women of the past was wrong. But this opinion is also heard in many churches that call themselves churches of Jesus Christ. They say, “We must give women the opportunity to be ministers, elders and deacons.” In many churches we now have women serving in these capacities.
The great question is: What do the Scriptures say about this matter? The Holy Scriptures have been given to us to be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. We must always say, “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” (Isaiah 8:20). Dogmatic, experimental, cultural or sociological arguments must not be our basis in any area of faith or practice in the Christian church. Therefore we must examine what we read in Scripture about this, especially (1) what women may not do, but also (2) what women must do.
Let us first look at what women may not do in the church. One of the basic passages that speak about women’s place in the church is found in Ephesians 5:22–33, “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and He is the savior of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it; That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless, let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.”
In the first three chapters of the book of Ephesians, the Apostle Paul tells us about the great doctrines of faith, and how God has blessed His church with many spiritual and temporal blessings in Jesus Christ. He speaks about election, about predestination, about adoption, and about how God has quickened sinners with Christ out of spiritual death. Then in the fourth chapter he turns from doctrinal matters to those of practical life. He gives general principles for christian living. Where does he start when he speaks about christian living? He starts with the most important relationship among men, namely, the relationship between husband and wife. Why?
This is the most fundamental of all human relationships. Our entire society and life is based upon this relationship. It is more basic than the relationship between parent and child. God did not call us to leave our fathers and mothers and cleave to our children. When children come to years of discretion, they are allowed to leave father and mother and to cleave to their husband or wife in a lawful christian marriage. But of husband and wife it is written: “What God has joined together, let not man put asunder.” It is for always, and for better or for worse.
What does Paul say about the relationship of husbands and wives? In verse 22 we read — “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands as unto the Lord.” Paul makes it very clear that the husband is to be the head of the home. The husband is to rule the home and is responsible for authority, guidance, direction and provision. Nowhere does this passage say that it is the wife’s responsibility to support her husband. (Paul does not forbid women to work outside of the home, and we do not dare to do so either, as long as there are no children.)
This passage declares that the husband is to be the head of the family and the wife is to be in submission, a submission similar to the submission that the church owes to the Lord, for he says, “as unto the Lord”. Unless her husband asks her to do something which is contrary to the revealed will of God, she ought to submit herself. For instance, if asked to steal, she must refuse. In such cases she must always obey God more than her husband.
The same rule is laid down by the apostle in I Corinthians 11:3, where we read, “I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man, and the head of Christ is God.” He gives more reasons for this arrangement, saying, “For the man is not of the woman, neither was the man created for the woman.” Paul takes us back to creation and tells us that it was not the man that was made out of the woman, but God made the woman out of the side of Adam. Neither was the man created for the woman. God did not look down and see the woman and say: “It is not good for Eve to be alone; I will make her a help meet.” No, He looked down and saw Adam and said: “It is not good that the man be alone; I will make him a help meet for him.” The Lord teaches us here the purpose of woman’s creation — to be the help meet of their husbands. That is her place according to creation.
But, you will say, this holds only for the married women. And Paul speaks only about the place of women in the home. About this we hope, the Lord willing, to write next month.
Rev. C. Harinck
BIBLE QUIZ
Dear Boys and Girls,
This month we again have a gift for you for answering the Bible quiz. It is our wish to encourage you to study God’s Word as much as possible, and it is our prayer that it may be done with the Lord’s blessing upon it. But we know you will also be reading other books, and we hope you will always try to read good books. There are many books in the world today, but, sad to say, many are not good books. Therefore we would like to see you start your own collection of good books and, of course, hope you will read them again and again. I am sure your parents still have some of the books which were given them when they were young and which they have read many times. Treat your books with care and they too can be kept for many years. Even if you already have read all of these books, it is nice to have one of your own and to read it again at a later time. You will find the books listed below and you may each choose any one of the books listed.
First, of course, you must do the quiz. The first letters of the answers will spell out three words from the fourth article of the Apostles’ Creed. Send your answers to Mr. Garret J. Moerdyk, 1104 Roseland Avenue, Kalamazoo, Mich. 49001. Be sure to put your name and address on your paper (including zip code) and also the name of the book which you would like to receive. You may each have one of the following books —
Bible Miracles
The Martyr of the Catacombs
Golden Chain
Here is the quiz —
To the two travellers to Emmaus the Lord Jesus said, “Ought not ________ to have suffered these things?”
Simon, the father of Alexander and ________, was compelled to bear the cross of Jesus.
To a maid of the high priest Peter said, “I know not, neither_____________ __________ I what thou sayest.”
What was the name of one of those two travellers to Emmaus?
Mark tells us that Barrabas had committed murder in the_____________,
The interpretation of Jesus’ cry at the ninth hour was — My God, my God, why hast Thou ______________me?
Pilate washed his hands and said, “I am ________ of the blood of this just person”.
What village was about threescore furlongs (about 7 miles) from Jerusalem?
Pilate’s wife sent to him, saying, “I have suffered many things this day in a ________ because of him”.
Jesus turned unto some who followed him, and said,” ________________of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children”.
When they heard Jesus call out, some that stood near the cross said, “This man calleth for______________”.
Of what city was Joseph, who went unto Pilate and begged the body of Jesus?
The high priest said, “Ye have heard his blasphemy. What think ye?” and the people answered, “He is guilty of_______”.
Pilate said, “Whom will ye that I release unto you? _______________or Jesus which is called Christ?”
When Pilate declared him innocent, the people said, “His blood be on ________ and on our children”.
The body of Jesus was laid in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a ________.
And they brought him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being __________ ,The place of a skull.
At the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “___________, lama sabachthani.”
Peter, on the day of Pentecost, spoke to the Jews, saying, “Him, being delivered by the ___________counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, etc.”
Answers to the quiz of January are as follows —
“Born of the Virgin Mary”
Blasphemies Mark 2:1–7
One Mark 1: 23–24
Rising Luke 2:34
Nathanael John 1:45–46
Obey Matthew 8:23–27
Father Isaiah 9:6
Teacher John 3:1–2
Head Matthew 8:20
Egypt Matthew 2:13
Voice Matthew 2:18
Immanuel Isaiah 7:12–14
Rock Matthew 7:24
Gifts Matthew 2:11
Israel Matthew 2:4–6
Nazarene Matthew 2:23
Manger Luke 2:5–7
Augustus Luke 2:1
Receipt Matthew 9:9
Years Luke 2:41–42
During the month answers to the Bible quiz were received from the following boys and girls —
Alida Greendyk (2)
Bobby Greendyk (2)
Tom Greendyk (2)
Billy Greendyk (2)
David Greendyk (2)
Betty Kamp
Linda Kamp
Mary Kamp
Henry Kamp
Mary Vander Male
Lilly Ann Vander Male
Donna Zaremba
Denise Zaremba
Nellie Hey koop
Adrian Heykoop
Cory Heykoop
Helen Heykoop
Karen Easterhoff
Bruce Blok
Joy Lynn Mast
Jane Mast
Neil Mast
Carol Van Bemden
Harlan Rus
Gloria Rus
Melvin Jay Rus
Cindy Hoogendoorn
John Verhey
Dave Verhey
Julie Ann Van Middendorp
Ruth Meeuwse
Kay Meeuwse
Joanne Giebink
Marnie Giebink
Trudy Van Veldhuizen
Debbie Droogers
Billy Droogers
Dennis Lee Hup
Harvey Andrew Hup
Alfred Hup
Cheryl Kalee
Deb Kalee
Karel Kalee
Karl Van Oostenbrugge
Mary Van Oostenbrugge
Henrietta Stapel
Janice Stapel
John Stapel
Ruth Boonzaayer
Karl Boonzaayer
Maria Boonzaayer
Elise Polderman
Esther Boonzaayer
Marcia Spaans
Sheryle Spaans
Ken Spaans
Joan Lugthart
Val Lugthart
Gladys Van Bochove
Rhonda Van Bochove
Richard Rozeboom
Harlan Rozeboom
David Kwekel
Gary Kwekel
Nancy Kwekel
Alma Van Beek
Anden Van Beek
Joann Van Beek
Carol Mol
Bob Mol
Mary Van Tilburg
Leah Van Tilburg
Jane Van Den Top
Joyce Van Den Top
Gloria Van Den Top
Darlene Van Den Top
Eldon Van Den Top
Daryl Van Den Top
Gary Roozenboom
Dan Meeuwse
Mark Meeuwse
Marilyn Van Ravenswaay
JoAnn Van Ravenswaay
Esther Van Ravenswaay
Arline Kieboom
Ella Kieboom
Juli Frens
Mary Frens
Sharon Frens
John Boluyt
Neil Boluyt
Richard Van Ess
Susan Van Ess
Tom Vander Stel
Brad Vander Stel
Barbara Kamp
Richard Kamp
Robert Kamp
Laura Rosendall
Jimmy Rosendall
George Van Strien
Rhea Stubbe
Albert Van Grouw
Neal Boerkoel
Ruth Boerkoel
Randy Van Giessen
Gary Van Giessen
Amy Lou Kaat
Denise Van Ravenswaay
Alane Van Ravenswaay
Kenneth Van Wingerden
Billy Van Wingerden
Nicholas Bush
Adrian Bush
Janet Van Zweden
John Van Zweden
Joan Van Zweden
Mary Van Zweden
Ralph Van Zweden
Mark Van Zweden
Tammy Troff
Marilyn De Maagd
Sue Vander Boon
John Vander Boon
Paul Vandenberg
Henry Vandenberg
Cordy Vandenberg
John Vandenberg
Jeanette Vandenberg
Ellen Polderman
Janice Polderman
Gary Blok
John Blok
Abraham Korevaar
Andy Korevaar
Adrian Korevaar
John Korevaar
Mark Heystek
Albert Bouma
Karen Easterhoff
Hermina Faye Hubers
Donna Marie Hubers
Helen Hubers
Marcia D. Hubers
Harriet Hubers
Gywen Hoogendoorn
LaRae Hoogendoorn
Robert Vanderknyff
Mary Kievit (2)
Tim Van Stelle
Andy Van Stelle
Teresa Vander Meulen
Frances Vander Meulen
Joyce Vander Meulen
Harmen Vander Meulen
Sidney Vander Meulen
Kaye Vande Berg
Billy Blaak
Deanna Lynn Wynia
Darlene Velier
Joy Lynn Velier
Jay Lee Velier
John Goeman
Karen Goeman
David Goeman
Brian Westrate
Judy Sweetman
Jenny Lee Sweetman
Daniel John Sweetman
Tunis Sweetman, Jr.
Janet Sweetman
Donna Densel
Ruth Ann Van Dalen
Jacob Van Dalen
Jan Van Dalen
Beverly Southway
Barbara Southway
Jeanette Slingerland
William Slingerland
Judy Slingerland
Marinus Slingerland
Gretta Noorlander
Ken Noorlander
Patricia Noorlander
( ? Slingerland?)
Mineva Ymker
Kristine Rieder
Raymond Rieder
Gordon Boluyt
Steven Boluyt
Miriam Kuperus
David Kuperus
Hans Kuperus
Arlene Kuperus
Wendy Grisnich
Cheryl Grisnich
Bernie Vlietstra
Fred Vlietstra
Daniel Ymker
Conny Boesterd
Francina Boesterd
George Feyter
Lisa Carlson
Anna Moore
Leah Moore
Carl Moore
Billy Oudshoorn
Benny Oudshoorn
Wilma Oudshoorn
Martin Oudshoorn
John Oudshoorn
Diane Oudshoorn
Jane Marie Korevaar
Evelyn Jane Korevaar
Wilma Korevaar
John Rosendall
Richard Rosendall
Janet Bouma
Mariene Van Veldhuizen
Jeff Roskam
Gloria Roskam
Alvin Roskam
Todd Vande Stouwe
Nancy Vande Stouwe
Julie Ann Van Middendorp
Todd Van Middendorp
Gerarada Grinsnich
Arlene Sterk
Roger Erickson
Rita Erickson
Debbie Erickson
Deanna Erickson
Rhonda Van Moorst
Linda Vande Waerdt
Wayne Vande Waerdt
Jannie Slingerland
Nellie Slingerland
Delia Vanden Brink
Roy Vanden Brink
Stephan Vanden Brink
Gerda Vanden Brink
Bill Kroesbergen
Bill Kamp
Marilyn Kamp
Tom Kamp
Debbie Kamp
Janice Vlietstra
Jonathan Vlietstra
Martin Peter Vlietstra
David Charles Vlietstra
Christon de Leeuw
Gerrit de Leeuw
Willy de Leeuw
Willem Den Boer
Margaret Den Boer (2)
Janet Remus
Linda Remus
John Remus
And now we shall answer the mail —
TRUDY VLIETSTRA — It was nice of you to write, Trudy. With a little help from your older brothers and sisters, I am sure you will be able to find the answers to the quiz. And since we are giving a book this month, it ought to be worth some extra hard work.
RUTH ANN VAN DALEN — I have never been in Washington, D.C., Ruth Ann, but it must be very interesting to see some of the things we learn about in school. In Bible times the children of Israel also had reminders set up of God’s help in former days. Can you name any of them?
ROBERT VANDERKNYFF — We are all quite well, Robert. Is it only in certain months that you have the “chinook” winds? Or is it all during the year? I am sure your father appreciates it when you shovel out the driveway. Willing workers are always to be found when there is work to do.
TAMMY TROFF — Very good, Tammy; you found the text about spiders. Very often in the Bible animals and insects are mentioned in order to teach us lessons. Do you know what the Bible tells us about the ants? That is also found in the book of Proverbs.
JOAN VAN ZWEDEN — Thank you for your New Year’s wishes, Joan, and we wish the same for you. Just as when we are travelling down a highway and see the trees and poles go by, so the beginning of a year, a month, a week, a semester, all show us that time is flying by. The road ahead often looks long, but the end is soon reached.
DAVID VLIETSTRA — Are you the keeper of the chickens, David? Just like boys and girls, they require shelter, food, and protection. Sometimes their keepers are not the best, but I’m sure that wouldn’t be true in your case. Psalm 121 tells us about a “Keeper” Who never sleeps, and He is a Keeper of His people.
DELLA VANDEN BRINK — It was nice to hear from you again, Delia. Were your report cards as good as you expected? Or maybe even a little better than you expected? Tests and marks were also given in Bible days. Do you know where we read of some young men who studied, were tested, and received a high score?
CONNY BOESTERD — We had several days of mild weather recently, Conny, but now we are having snow again. It sounds like Bill keeps really busy with the calves. I suppose you were busy when your mother was in the hospital and when she first came home. Say Hello to her and your father for us.
NELLIE SLINGERLAND — The weather has not been so very cold here, Nellie — at least not much below zero. But it can soon change overnight. Are you one of the older ones in your family or are you in the middle? How are you getting along in school?
RHONDA VAN VOORST — Do you have any big hills nearby where you can go sliding, Rhonda? When you receive this issue, the end of winter will not be too far away anymore. Which time of the year do you like the best?
JOHN VAN ZWEDEN — Have you been getting lots of use of your skates, John? If I remember correctly, you have a pond to skate on quite close to home. Do you still find time to skate, or does your school work keep you too busy?
WILMA KOREVAAR — Some of my relatives live in Tholen in the Netherlands, Wilma. Do you know where that is? Perhaps some day you will be able to make a trip into Michigan. It really isn’t so far away — at least not as far as the Netherlands.
ARLENE STERK — It was nice to hear from you, Arlene. We are quite happy to see a long list of names this month, and to have your name among them. Do you still live on a farm? I heard you had moved from the farm where we visted you.
HENRIETTA STAPEL — Yes, Henrietta, we do not know what lies ahead of us. Often we make plans for next month and next week, or even for tomorrow, and we do not know that we shall live that long. Moses prayed that the Lord would teach us to number or count our days. It would be a great blessing if we could do this in the right way.
JANICE VLIETSTRA — Do the Rieder’s live quite near you, Janice? If you can have a joint garden, you ought to have many willing workers. They say, “Many hands make work easy”, and I think you will agree. Do you collect the eggs every morning and evening?
AMY LOU KAAT — I do enjoy writing to my young friends like you, Amy, and getting letters in return. Do you like to write letters? I imagine you are busy at school every day. What are you studying about just now?
MARGARET DEN BOER — How much water did you have in the basement, Margaret? Do you live in a low area or near a river? Many people depend on glasses in order to read or see things plainly. But it is not nice when you have to wear them while still young.
JANET VAN ZWEDEN — We very seldom have a problem of getting to church because of the snow, Janet, but we don’t have to travel very far either. How many miles is it from your house to the church? Since you travel that distance every week, you probably know exactly how far it is.
FRANCINA BOESTERD — Is your mother’s leg much better now, Francina? We are so dependent on our legs, but often we don’t realize it until we can’t use one of them. You certainly can write nice long letters; it is always nice to hear from you.
RHEA STUBBE — You mentioned you received a Dutch ring; what is the difference between that and a Canadian ring, Rhea? We read in the Bible about several people who received a ring — can you tell me who they were?
JANE-MARIE KOREVAAR — I notice you write your name with a dash between Jane and Marie. Do they always call you Jane-Marie? Each year might be better than the previous one if we might, as Samuel, grow in favor both with the Lord and also with men.
ARLINE KIEBOOM — We are all quite well, Arline, and were happy to hear from you. It is true — we do not know whose funeral will be next. Usually we would guess it would be some old man or woman, but, as you see, it can also be some young boy or girl.
GERARDA GRISNICH — It doesn’t happen very often that we have a temperature of twenty degrees below zero, Gerarda. You don’t stay out very long when it is that cold. 1600 head of cattle must eat a lot of food very day. Did you ever have more than that at one time? Give our greetings to your parents and grandparents.
MARY VAN ZWEDEN — Since many people in your church have to travel some distance to get there, I imagine it is quite empty when you have a bad snow storm. And it usually takes much longer to get to church when the roads are covered with snow and ice. Do you always start early enough, Mary?
EVELYN JANE KOREVAAR — I was glad to hear that you were feeling better again, Evelyn. Each sickness, each accident, and each funeral is a warning to each of us. How old was the boy who was killed by a horse? Did he live in your neighborhood?
And that again brings us to the end of our letters. We hope to hear from all of you again next month and maybe even a few new ones. Don’t forget to select the book you would like to have, and be sure to place your address on your answer sheet.
With love,
Your friend,
“Uncle Garret”
COUNSELS OF THE AGED TO THE YOUNG
(continued)
18. Cherish and diligently cultivate genuine piety. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”
Early piety is the most beautiful spectacle in the world. Without piety, all your morality, however useful to men, is but a shadow. It is a branch without a root. Religion, above every other thing acquired, enriches and adorns the mind of man; and it is especially congenial with the natural susceptibilities of the youthful mind. The vivacity and versatility of youth, the tenderness and ardour of the affections in this age, exhibit piety to the best advantage. How delightful is it to see the bosoms of the young swelling with the lively emotions of pure devotion! How beautiful is the tear of penitence or of holy joy, which glistens in the eye of tender youth!
Think not, dear young people, that true religion will detract from your happiness. It is a reproach cast upon your Maker to indulge such a thought. It cannot be. A God of goodness never required any thing of His creatures which did not tend to their true felicity. Piety may indeed lead you to exchange the pleasures of the theatre and ball-room for the purer joys of the church and prayer-meeting. It may turn your attention from hooks of mere idle fancy and fiction to the Word of God, which to a regenerated soul is found to be sweeter than honey and more excellent than the choicest gold; but this will add to your happiness rather than diminish it.
We would then affectionately and earnestly exhort and entreat you to ‘remember now your Creator in the days of your youth’. This will be your best security against all the dangers and temptations to which you are exposed; this will secure to you ‘the favor of God which is life, and His loving kindness which is better than life’. Delay not your conversion. Every day is lost time which is not spent in the service of God. Besides, procrastination has proved ruinous to many. Eternity is at hand; the judgment day must be met, and how can we appear there, without piety? This is our only preparation and passport for heaven.
Dear youth, be wise, and secure an inheritance among the saints in light. God invites you to be reconciled. Christ extends His arms of mercy to secure you. Angels are waiting to rejoice at your conversion and to become your daily and nightly guardians. The doors of the church will be opened to receive you. The ministers of the Gospel and all the company of believers will hail your entrance and will welcome you to the precious ordinances of God’s house. And, finally, remember that ‘now is the accepted time and the day of salvation’.
(A. Alexander)
(to be continued)
“HERRINGS FOR NOTHING”
I want you to think of a bitter east windy day, snow falling fast, and a bleak street in London. Add to this the picture of a tall stout man in a rough great-coat, and with a large muffler round his neck, thrusting his way against the wintry blast. It is I, a minister of the Gospel, passing through a district where some of my flock live. Darkness is beginning to fall, and a man with a basket on his head turns the corner of the street crying loudly, “Herrings! three a penny! Red herrings, good and cheap, three a penny!”
So crying, he passes along the street, crosses to its end, and comes to where I have stopped to watch him. He pauses, lowers his basket to the ground, and blows on his cold hands. Then, apparently looking for someone to talk to seeing that trade is so poor, he addresses me.
“Governor, what do you think of these ‘ere Herring?” Three, balanced on his practised hand, are presented for my inspection .”Don’t you think they’re good?” and he offered me the opportunity to test them by scent, which I firmly declined. “And don’t you think they’re cheap as well?”
I agreed that they were good, and cheap.
“Then, look you, governor, why can’t 1 sell ‘em? I’ve walked a mile and a half along this dismal place offering these good and cheap uns; and nobody don’t buy none!”
“I do not wonder at all at that,” I answered, to his astonishment.
“Tell us why not, governor.”
“The people have no work and many are starving, there are houses here that have not a single penny in them.”
“Ah, then, governor,” he rejoined, “I’ve blundered this time. I knew they was very poor, but I thought three a penny would tempt them. But if they haven’t a penny, they can’t spend ‘em; so there’s nothing for it but to carry ‘em back and try to sell ‘em elsewhere.”
“How much will you take for the lot?” I inquired.
He looked keenly at me, then down at the fish in the basket. Then followed a mental calculation with face screwed up in the effort, then a grinning inquiry — “Do you mean profit and all, mister?”
At my nod he declared, “I’ll take four shillings, and be glad to get ‘em.”
I put my hand in my pocket, found that amount and handed it to him.
“Right, governor, thank you! Now, what’ll I do with ‘em?”
“Go round this corner into the middle of the road, and shout as loudly as you can, ‘Herrings for nothing!’ and give three to every man, woman or child who comes to you till the basket is emptied.”
He looked keenly at me as if questioning strongly the sincerity of my request. But when I made it clear that I meant exactly what I said, he hoisted his basket onto his head again and set off on his errand. His cries rose loud and clear despite the wind; “Herrings for nothing! good red herrings for nothing!”
From an inconspicuous position I watched him go along. A tall woman stood at a first floor window watching. “Here you are, missus,” he bawled, “herrings for nothing! a fine chance for yer; come and take ‘em.” The woman shook her head unbelievingly and turned away from the window.
“Wot a fool!” said he, “but they won’t all be so. Herrings for nothing!”
A child came out to look at him, and he called to her, “ ‘ere my dear, take these in to your mother; tell her they’re for nothing. That’s cheap enough, ain’t it?” But the child seemed afraid of him and them, and ran indoors. So down the street in the slush and mud went the vendor of cheap fish crying, “Herrings for nothing!” He reached the end and turned, but now to each cry of “Herrings for nothing!” which awakened no response, he added in a lower key, “Oh you fools!”
“Well!” I said calmly as he reached me.
“Well!” he exploded, “Do yer think so? When you gave me the money for herrings as yer didn’t want, I thought you were out of your mind. Now I thinks all the people round here are fit companions for yer. But what’ll I do with the fish if yer don’t want ‘em, and they won’t have ‘em?”
“We’ll try again together,” I replied. “I’ll come with you, and we’ll both shout.”
So into the road we went, and he shouted, “Herrings for nothing!” and then I called out also. “Will anyone have some herrings for tea?”
They heard the voice, and they knew it well; and they came out at once, men, women and children, all striving eagerly to reach the welcome food. As fast as I could take them from the basket, I handed three to each eager applicant until they were all disposed of. By that time the crowd who had none was greater than those that had been supplied, but they were too late.
Foremost among the disappointed was the tall woman who with a bitter tongue began vehemently, “Why are there none for me? Ain’t I good as they? Ain’t my children as hungry as theirs?”
Before I could reply, the vendor stretched out his arm towards her saying; “Why, governor, that’s the very woman I offered ‘em to first, and she turned up her nose at ‘em.”
“I didn’t,” she cried passionately; “I didn’t believe you meant it!”
“Yer just goes without, then for yer unbelief!” he retorted. “Good-night, and thank ‘ee, governor.”
Perhaps you smile at the story which is strictly true. But are you sure you would not have been as unbelieving as they? Are you sure, in fact, that you are not ten thousand times worse? Their unbelief only cost them a hungry stomach, but what may a sinner’s unbelief of God’s offer of mercy cost him, cost you if you are still in unbelief? God has sent his messengers to you repeatedly for years, to offer pardon for nothing. Peace for nothing! Salvation at no cost! He has sent to you the most loving, and tender, and inviting offers of grace, and what have you replied? Have you, like that woman, turned away in scornful unbelief? Or run away, like the child, in fear of what was offered you?
God is saying, “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” He is saying also, “I am the bread of life; he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst.” God is saying, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” And to the obstinately impenitent and unbelieving, God says, “Because I have called, and ye refused: I stretched out my hand, and no man regarded: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh.”
(These four texts are to be found in Isaiah 55:1, John 6:35, John 3:16 and Proverbs 1:24,26.)
— Young People’s Magazine
“THOU KNOWEST NOT WHETHER SHALL PROSPER’ EITHER THIS OR THAT” (Ecclesiastes 11:6)
A lady related to me the following very interesting story: —
“The other day,” said she, “I happened to pick up quite casually an old magazine and found in it a story of a man who was called by grace in India in a rather curious way. The man called on a missionary and asked him if he had ever heard of a Dr. Hawker, and, if he had, could he tell him where he could obtain any of his writings. The minister told him as much as he knew, but wished to know what special reason the man had for asking this question. And this was his reply — ‘Sir, I once went down to the shore near my home to see a ship sail for England, but it had just gone when I got there. The people who had gathered for the same purpose were all coming away. As I was turning to go home I noticed, scattered along the beach, a number of pieces of paper, some of which I picked up. I found they were tracts written by a Doctor Hawker. At that time I was quite ignorant of the way of salvation, and knew nothing of my own state. Those tracts were so used of God to my good that my eyes were opened to both. I was led to the Bible, and, I believe, to the Lord through them. And now I have great desire to read whatever other books this good man has written. That is why I asked you.’
The lady continued: — “When I was a child, I lived at Plymouth, and my dear mother was a constant attendant on Dr. Hawker’s ministry, which she greatly loved. My father had been dead many years, but I had one brother who unhappily was getting rather wild and beyond my poor mother’s power to control. Living as we did in a great seaport, he was determined to see the world, and nothing would do for him than that he should go to sea. This was very painful to my mother, and she tried hard to persuade him against it, but with no success. In her trouble she sought advice from Dr. Hawker, who, seeing that my brother would never settle on shore, used his influence with a commander whom he knew to be a worthy man, and obtained a berth for him on board ship. My mother took care that he should not leave these shores without his Bible, and also a supply of tracts written by her pastor Dr. Hawker. She bid him read the Bible daily, and the tracts she made him promise to distribute during his stay in India, where he was bound.
“My brother remained abroad several years, and upon his return, my mother, who had not forgotten the tracts, asked him what he had done with them. He confessed that a false shame had prevented him from giving them away until he was on the point of returning to Europe. When he thought about his promise, he was unwilling to face his mother without some kind of performance to it, and it caused him to think of what he could do with them. ‘So’ said he, ‘I took the whole packet and strewed them along the shore the very day we sailed. I thought perhaps someone might pick them up, read them, and so my mother’s intentions may be fulfilled in this way.’
“My brother soon after went to sea, and we never saw him again; but my mother was a woman of faith and prayer, and she always felt the tracts were not lost, and that her poor son would be saved in the end. From what he said in his last letter home, and the accounts we received of his dying hours, we had good ground of hope that this was so.
“As to the tracts, I had not the least expectation of hearing of them again, but when I read the story in the old magazine, I felt sure that my mother’s prayers for a blessing to rest on them had also been heard and answered. I have not the slightest doubt that the tracts which that poor man picked up, and which were made the channel of light and blessing to his soul were the identical ones my brother had strewn upon the shore.” (The Sower, 1892)
Prayer is asking for rain and faith is carrying the umbrella.
THE PRODIGAL SON
Afflictions, though they seem severe,
In mercy oft are sent;
They stopped the prodigal’s career,
And forced him to repent.
Although he no relentings felt
Till he had spent his store;
His stubborn heart began to melt
When famine pinched him sore.
“What have I gained by sin,” he said,
“But hunger, shame, and fear;
My father’s house abounds with bread,
While I am starving here.
I’ll go and tell him all I’ve done,
And fall before his face.
Unworthy to be called his son,
I’ll seek a servant’s place.”
His father saw him coming back,
He saw, and ran, and smiled;
And threw his arms around the neck
Of his rebellious child.
“Father, I’ve sinned — but O forgive!”
“I’ve heard enough,” he said;
“Rejoice, my house, my son’s alive,
For whom I’ve mourned as dead.
Now let the fatted calf be slain,
And spread the news around;
My son was dead, but lives again,
Was lost but now is found.”
‘Tis thus the Lord His love reveals,
To call poor sinners home;
More than a father’s love He feels,
And welcomes all that come.
— John Newton
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Bekijk de hele uitgave van donderdag 1 februari 1973
The Banner of Truth | 20 Pagina's
Bekijk de hele uitgave van donderdag 1 februari 1973
The Banner of Truth | 20 Pagina's