A PERIODICAL FOR YOUNG AND OLD

THE BIBLICAL VIEW OF WOMEN IN THE CHURCH

(continued)

It is indeed said in Scripture, and very clearly, that God wanted women to be in submission, and that there are certain things in the church which God does not permit them to do. But this does not mean that God does not highly value their persons and their service. A study of Scripture concerning this matter will show that God has important and various services for women to do.

We have already mentioned what Paul says in I Corinthians 14 about women — that they must be silent in the churches. And, when writing to Timothy, he states it more emphatically, “But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.” (I Timothy 2:12). Does this mean that a woman can never speak about God and what the Lord has done for her soul? Of course not. Paul is in all these instances referring to public worship.It is not that women may not speak at all about God, His Word, and His ways but notin public worship.

As proof of this, we must read I Corinthians 11:5, where the apostle says, “But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head.” Paul is not here condemning a woman praying or prophesying, but condemns a woman doing so with her head uncovered. If a woman is allowed to pray and to prophesy — as Hannah did in the temple and as Esther did with her servants — what does the apostle mean by this? He certainly does not mean that she can pray and prophesy in public worship, for then he would be contradicting himself.

We must consider that in this chapter the apostle speaks primarily about the modesty of women, and not about public worship. Women must show their modesty, not only in the place where the church is gathered, but also in other assemblies. When prophesying is mentioned here, it does not mean to preach or to teach, but the extraordinary gift of revealing the future and receiving a message directly from God. It is quite an unusual and extraordinary gift. Paul speaks about it as a gift which will disappear, when he says, “Charity never faileth, but whether there be prophesies, they shall fail.” (I Corinthians 13:8). Prophesy in the sense of supernatural gifts would fail, because when the entire sixty-six books of the Bible were completed, there would no longer be a need of direct revelation.

Today we no longer need such extraordinary gifts, as we now have the complete Word of God. The age of prophesy has ended and God teaches us through His Word. Those who now speak about revelations outside of the Word of God and claim to receive new teachings from God outside of and above Scripture are only deceiving themselves. But in the apostolic times there were God-fearing men and women who had a charismatic, supernatural gift from God and brought direct revelations of God’s will. Paul says that those prophesies will fail and that faith, hope and charity would remain. But there were gifts of prophesy in the first Christian church. When a woman had such a revelation from God, she was allowed to speak about it in an assembly of Christians, but never with her head uncovered.

But this does not open the pulpit door to women. And, although the pulpit is closed to them, women mayspeak about God and His work to others. Anna prayed and gave thanks in the presence of others. The woman with the issue of blood was even asked by Christ to tell the people what the Lord had done to her. He sought from her a public testimony in requesting her to declare why she had touched His garment. In John 4 we read about the woman from Sychar who, after she had come to believe in Christ as the Messiah, went into the city and said to all whom she could, “Come and see a man who told me all things that ever I did.” As a result of her testimony, the whole town came out to meet Jesus. And then there was Mary Magdalene, of whom we have already mentioned that she was the first human messenger of the fact that Jesus was risen from the dead.

From all these incidents which I have drawn from the Bible, we may learn that, although women must be silent in public worship and in their whole behavior show submission to their husbands as their heads, they are allowed to speak with others, even in small assemblies, about what the Lord has done to their souls, as long as they are not engaged in public teaching and exercising authority over men. We stress that this is true as long as it is not in public worship, for then it is strictly forbidden in Scripture.

The first field in which a woman is allowed to speak about God and His deeds is in her family. She may (and must) speak to her children. Many places in Scripture refer to this important task. In I Timothy 2:15 we read that women shall be saved in ‘child bearing,’ and in I Timothy 5:10 we are told that women shall “bring up” their children. According to these verses and many others, children are to be the special domain of women; they are to be their special concern. Of course, the fathers are also involved in the bringing up of their children, but the Bible shows us that here the women have a special place above the men.

And what does ‘bringing up’ involve? It does not simply mean bringing them up physically, but means also and especially to bring them up “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” It involves the spirit as well as the body of the child. See, women, this is your special domain! The book of Proverbs frequently speaks about the teachings of a mother. Proverbs 1 verse 8 states, “My son, hear the instruction of thy father and forsake not the law of thy mother.” Proverbs 6 verse 20 says, “My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother.” Children are taught by God to obey their mothers as well as their fathers. Certainly, here is a vast and important field for the woman to teach and speak about God, His Word, His ways and His deeds.

The influence of a mother is indeed great. The old saying is so true, “The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.” Think of Hannah’s influence upon Samuel, the contribution of the mother of James and John unto her children, the instruction of Lois and Eunice given unto Timothy. Time and again Scripture, when speaking about great men of faith, mentions the mothers of those men, as in the case of Jacob, Moses, Samuel, Solomon, Hezekiah, John, James, and Timothy. What a heavy duty, but also a blessed duty, women have in bringing up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Another thing which women can and may do is to teach one another. In Titus 2 we read about this when the apostle writes, “that the aged women should be teachers of good things, that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children.” Bunyan says, “The older women have to teach the younger ones by a Godly conversation, by visiting and praying with the sick and afflicted, by encouraging the inquirers and directing their ways to the Kingdom of God.”

There are so many things which women can do — things which they can perform better than men. Dorcas did not preach. She was not an elder or even a deacon, but she washed the feet of the saints and made coats for the widows who needed them. There are things women may not do, but enough which they may do, according to their nature and ability.

When the Lord appeared to Abraham at Mamre and asked where Sarah was, he replied, “She is in the tent.” That is the special domain of women. Therefore, mothers, I beseech you, do not neglect your special domain. Your place is in the family and the children are your preeminent task. Of Timothy it is written, “And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation.” Timothy had a God-fearing mother. No, that is not a perfect mother. Eunice, who was a Jew, was married with a Greek man, a heathen. But she catechized her child in the true religion and from a child told him about the God of Israel.

We often complain about the youth that they have no respect for God and His ordinances, but would it not be better to examine ourselves as to whether we are doing what a mother should do? May the Lord make us teaching and praying women in the midst of our families.

BIBLE QUIZ

Dear Boys and Girls,

This month we have arrived at the 7th article of the Apostles’s Creed. On the last day of this month is Ascension Day, when we especially remember that the Lord Jesus ascended into heaven. That was the subject of the 6th article of the creed. But the Bible then tells us how He shall come again in that “great and terrible day”, as mentioned by the prophet Joel. It is the nature of man to put this day away from us, but God’s Word tells us it shall come as a thief in the night, when we least expect it. That is why God sends His servants to speak to young and old, “Seek the Lord today. Behold, now is the day of salvation.” Boys and girls, ask the Lord to give you hearts to seek Him, for then only will we become seekers for Him.

Here is our quiz for this month. The first letters will spell out five words of the 7th article of the creed.

The last verses of the Bible tell us, “If any man shall take away from the words of this book, God will take away his part out of the book of life and out of the__________ city.”

In the last chapter of Ecclesiastes, we read, “For God shall bring every work into judgment, whether it be good, or whether it be __________

The Lord Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Except a man be born again, he cannot________the kingdom of God.”

The Lord Jesus spake a parable, saying, “The kingdom of_________is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son.”

The king sent forth his servants to the invited guests to say, “__________ things are ready, come unto the marriage.”

Peter on Pentecost said to the people, “God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both __________ and Christ.”

The Lord Jesus instructed his disciples, saying “Remember__________’s

wife.”

The angel said to the disciples, “This same Jesus shall so__________in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”

In Revelations 20, John saw the dead, small and great, stand before God, and the books were_________.

Samson, the son of__________, judged Israel twenty years.

Of whom did Jude write that he prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints.”

In Matthew 13 we find the parable of the__________, which at harvest time are gathered and burned in the fire.

In the parable of the ten virgins, the five foolish ones had taken no __________with them.

In Revelations 21 we read that the apostle John saw the holy city, new__________, coming down from God out of heaven.

Solomon asked the Lord to give him an__________heart to judge the people, that he might discern between good and bad.

In Psalm 2 we read of the Lord’s enemies, “The Lord shall have them in.__________”,

The Lord Jesus explained that in the last day there will be a separation, just as a shepherd separates his sheep from the__________.

At that day the righteous (the sheep) shall enter into life________.

Answers to our quiz of last month are as follows —

“He Ascended Into Heaven”

Heavens Acts 7:1–56

Everlasting Psalm 24:7

Ascended Psalm 68:18

Saul Acts 7:58–59

Cloud Acts 1:1–9

Enoch Genesis 5:24

Not Colossians 3:1–2

Damascus Acts 9:1–3

Ethiopia Acts 8:26–35

Descending Genesis 28:10–12

Intercession Hebrews 7:25

Name Acts 3:2–6

Three Acts 9:8–9

Omega Revelations 1:10–11

House John 14:2

Esaias Acts 8:27–28

Ananias Acts 9:10–18

Vine John 15:1

Elijah II Kings 2:11

Numbered Acts 1:15–26

(Your answers to the quiz should be mailed to Garret J. Moerdyk, 1104 Roseland Avenue, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001)

Answers to the quiz have been received from the following boys and girls —

Karl Van Oostenbrugge

Mary Van Oostenbrugge

Trudy Van Veldhuizen

Mark Bleeker

Donna Zaremba

Denise Zaremba

Marilyn De Maagd

Mary Vander Male

Lilly Ann Vander Male

Steve Slotsema

Shirley Slotsema

Larry Slotsema

Cheryl Kalee

Debbie Kalee

Karel Kalee

John Rademaker

Kris Rademaker

John Blok

George Van Strien

Carol Mol

Brian Westrate

Gary Blok

Francina Boesterd (2)

Conny Boesterd (2)

Steven Boluyt

Gordon Boluyt

Ruth Boerkoel

Bobby Boerkoel

Neal Boerkoel

Kathy Van Bemden

Carol Van Bemden

Jim Rosendall

Laura Rosendall

Henry Rosendall

Nellie Heykoop

Cory Heykoop

Adrian Heykoop

Helen Heykoop

Mary Kievit

Karen Van Kekerix

Ellen Elizabeth Kros

David Klarenbeek

Marilyn Van Ravenswaay

JoAnn Van Ravenswaay

Esther Van Ravenswaay

Joylynn Mast

Neil Mast

Jane Mast

Tim Van Stelle

Andrew James Van Stelle

Linda Bazen

Janet Sweetman

Judy Sweetman

Tunis Sweetman, Jr.

Jenny Lee Sweetman

Daniel John Sweetman

Paul Greendyk

Gary Roozenboom

John Verhey

Dave Verhey

Nelly Koppert

Elizabeth Koppert

Christine Koppert

Peter Koppert

Don Stubbe

Bill Stubbe

Henrietta Stapel

Janice Stapel

John Stapel

Tammy Kaat

Jeff Kaat

Juli Frens

Mary Frens

Sharon Frens

Leonard Frens

Arline Kieboom

Ella Kieboom

Debbie Kamp

Marilyn Kamp

Bill Kamp

Tom Kamp

Joanne Giebink

Mamie Giebink

Darlene Velier

Amy Lou Kaat

Billy Greendyk

Alida Greendyk

David Greendyk

Kaye Vande Berg

Mark Vande Berg

John Martin Vander Wiele

Jane Ellen Vander Wiele

Linda Schelling

Elizabeth Schelling

Robert Van Ree

Priscilla Van Ree

Albert Bouma

Ruth Bouma

Nancy Kwekel

David Kwekel

William Slingerland

Judy Slingerland

Ray Rieder

Kristine Rieder

Mary Van Tilburg

Leah Van Tilburg

William Van Wingerden

Kenneth Van Wingerden

Jeanette Slingerland

Kenneth Rus

Cordy Vandenberg

Paul Vandenberg

Henry Vandenberg

Jeanette Vandenberg

John Vandenberg

Tammy Troff

Herbie De Kok

Henry De Kok

Cornell De Kok

Andre De Kok

Jany De Kok

Gerarda Grisnich

Ellen Van Ginkel

Jany Neels

Tammy Koedam

Richard Van Ess

Susan Van Ess

Sheryl Spaans

Marcia Spaans

Ken Spaans

Barbara Kamp (2)

Robert Kamp (2)

Richard Kamp (2)

Beverly Southway

Barbara Southway

Alane Van Ravenswaay (2)

Denise Van Ravenswaay (2)

Albert Van Grouw

Roy Vanden Brink

Stephan Vanden Brink

Delia Vanden Brink

Gerda Vanden Brink

Julie Van Middendorp

Todd Van Middendorp

Edward Nieuwenhuis

Maria Boonzaayer

Karl Boonzaayer

Arie Van Vuyt

Linda Van De Vendel

Sharon Van De Vendel

John Van Zweden

Ralph Van Zweden

Joan Van Zweden

Mark Van Zweden

Janet Van Zweden

Mary Van Zweden

Hans Kuperus

David Kuperus

Miriam Kuperus

Arlene Kuperus

Carla Van Grootheest

Jonathan Van Beek

David Van Beek

Roger Van Beek

Teresa Vander Meulen

Frances Vander Meulen

Joyce Vander Meulen

Harmen Vander Meulen

Sidney Vander Meulen

Peter Feyter

John Goeman

Karen Goeman

David M. Goeman

Dan Meeuwse

Mark Meeuwse

Hermina Hubers

Donna Marie Hubers

Helen Hubers

Marcia D. Hubers

Harriet Hubers

Bill Kroesbergen

Marianne Van Hoepen

Patricia Noorlander

Ken Noorlander

Gretta Noorlander

Joann Van Beek

Anden Van Beek

Alma Van Beek

Jackie Walma

Andy Walma

Daniel Ymker

Kenneth Ymker

Tim Westrate

Nellie Heykoop

Adrian Heykoop

Cory Heykoop

Helen Hey coop

Martin Oudshoorn

Benny Oudshoorn

Wilma Oudshoorn

Billy Oudshoorn

John Oudshoorn

Diane Oudshoorn

John Van Hoepen

Mark Fintelman

Tom Greendyk

Bobby Greendyk

Gloria Rus

Harlan Rus

Melvin Jay Rus

Paul Verhoef

Hank Verhoef

Michael Fintelman

Julie Van Gemert

Dave Pluim

Abraham Korevaar

Andy Korevaar

John Rosendall

Richard Rosendall

Billy Blaak

Martin Vlietstra

David Vlietstra

Janice Vlietstra

Jonathan Vlietstra

Mary Kamp

Henry Kamp

Betty Kamp

Linda Kamp

Janet Remus

Linda Remus

John Remus

Francina Boesterd (2)

Sharon Van Grouw

Jill Van Grouw

Brian Van Grouw

Amy Mieras

Mark Heystek

John Moore

Leah Moore

Joe Moore

Annie Moore

Carl Moore

Arthur Denbok

Evelyn Jane Korevaar

Jane-Marie Korevaar

Wilma Korevaar

Adrian Bush

Nicholas Bush

Randy Teunissen

Rose Pluim

Jerry Pluim

Gloria Pluim

Marlene Van Veldhuizen

Jannie Slingerland

Nellie Slingerland

Rhonda Van Voorst

Marie Rozeboom

Glenn Rozeboom

Gladys Van Bochove

Rhonda Van Bochove

Ruth Ann Van Dalen

Jonathan Van Dalen

Jan Van Dalen

Jacob Van Dalen

Rhonda Grisnich

Walter Rozeboom

Mary Rozeboom

Jim Van Giessen

Kathy Van Giessen

Richard Rozeboom

Harlan Rozeboom

Kathy Overeem

Corrie Overeem

Jenny Overeem

Joanne Overeem

Casey Overeem

Cheryl Grisnich

Wendy Grisnich

Paul Verhoef

Hank Verhoef

Hilda Zomer

Kathleen den Hoed

Maryjean den Hoed

Aruthur den Hoed

Joleen den Hoed

Jane Derksen

Roger Derksen

Russell Derksen

Randy Van Giessen

Gary Van Giessen

Bernie Vlietstra

Fred Vlietstra

Trudy Vlietstra

Debbie Droogers

Bill Droogers

Joanne Vande Waerdt (2)

Linda Vande Waerdt (2)

Wayne Vande Waerdt (2)

Margaret Den Boer

Willem Den Boer

Todd Vande Stouwe

Nancy Vande Stouwe

George Karl Veltman

And now it is again time to answer some letters —

TRUDY VLIETSTRA — It was nice to hear from you again, Trudy. Have you caught up with your work in school which you missed while you were in the hospital? We were glad to hear that everything had turned out well. It coud be so different.

PAUL VANDENBERG — You are really fast in answering the quiz, Paul, if you get it done the same day it arrives in the mailbox. Your mother knows that if you put such things off from day to day, they will just never get done. How are you getting along in school?

EVELYN JANE KOREVAAR — We are glad you liked the book, Evelyn. I think everyone should have received their book by the time they receive this issue. And we hope that everyone will have been busy reading them. We have been having some nice weather lately.

JACKIE WALMA — Your answers arrived in plenty of time, Jackie. If you get them mailed by the 15th of the month, it is still early enough. Here school is not finished until the second week of June, so you do get out of school quite early. Time does go by quite rapidly.

JANET VAN ZWEDEN — I do not recall reading the book, “The Young Pilgrim.” Is it about a certain person? You will have to tell me more about it, Janet. How thankful we should be that there are so many good books for young people to read.

TAMMY KOEDAM — How many calves do you have on the farm just now, Tammy? Do you know the story in the Bible where the calves were taken from their mothers? There are also other stories where calves are mentioned. Perhaps you can find quite a few of them.

TAMMY TROFF — This is good weather for flying a kite, Tammy. In the Bible we also read about the kite, but there it is a bird. How much string did you have on your kite? It is quite surprising how high they will go.

JEANETTE VANDENBERG — I can well imagine that you are happy that Rev. Den Boer is coming to Norwich, if all is well. When do you expect him to arrive? Do you have a place for him to live? We had quite a lot of snow the same weekend you did.

KRISTINE RIEDER — Is your garden growing already, Kristine? Do you have any problem with rabbits eating your lettuce? The Bible does not mention lettuce or radishes, but we do read about cucumbers in those days. Do you know where?

BETH SCHELLING — We are quite well, Beth, and were happy to hear from you. Since you are the oldest in your family, I suppose you set a good example for your brothers and sisters. We should be an example for others even though we aren’t the oldest.

JENNY OVEREEM — We were glad to hear that you did get a pen-pal, Jenny. What was her name? Does she also answer the Bible quiz? Do you still have vegetables left to sell at this time of the year? We hope to hear from you again next month.

MARK HEYSTEK — Do you attend school right in Lynden, Mark? I recall that there are some other small cities or villages near by. Thank you very much for your gifts to the mission fund. As you can read in the acknowledgments, these gifts are put to good use.

HANK VERHOEF — We were happy to hear that your father was home again, Hank. How is he feeling now? Be sure to say Hello to him and your mother for us. Are you getting used to living in Chilliwack? I suppose you still miss Lethbridge sometimes.

NELLIE SLINGERLAND — You were correct, Nellie. The answer to Debbie Droogers’ quiz was Nehemiah. During the month of April we can usually expect a few snowstorms. Sometimes they even come in May. But the snow doesn’t stay very long.

JOAN VAN ZWEDEN — You are probably becoming an expert on the Bible quizzes, Joan. As you notice, most of the questions each month are about the same subject. In this way you can study the subject even after you have answered all the questions.

CONNY BOESTERD — I can imagine you were all quite busy while your mother was in the hospital, Conny. We certainly hope she is getting along well now. You really are making some useful articles in school. Say Hello to your parents for us.

SHARON AND JILL VAN GROUW —

Did you find your names listed this time, girls? If you answer every month, you don’t notice the difference, but we really are always a month behind with the names. That means when you answer the April quiz, your name does not appear until June. I hope that doesn’t confuse you.

ELLEN KROS — We are glad to have you join with the other boys and girls in answering the quiz, Ellen. Thank you for the picture which you sent. Do you live near the church in Clifton? We hope we will be hearing from you each month.

AMY LOU KAAT — We were sorry we did not get to see you in Sheboygan, Amy. Have you been reading the book which you received? We hope we didn’t miss anyone in sending them out, but there were quite a few, so it could happen.

FRANCINA BOESTERD — I see that there are two long letters from you, Francina. Your kitchen and dining area must be real nice now. Perhaps some day we can pay you a visit and see it, if we live and are well. Are you still working on that 50 mile run? That will take a long time.

HENRIETTA STAPEL — It was nice to see you again, Henrietta. Now I think it is your turn to visit Kalamazoo. Now that you are nearing the end of the school year, you are probably working extra hard. Do you have any term papers to write?

NELLY KOPPERT — How do you like your new home, Nelly? I’m afraid we won’t be able to find you if we come to Canada again. Are you very far from where you lived before? We hope that your new minister may be a blessing to many in your congregation, both young and old. In I Corinthians 3 Paul tells us that ministers can labor, but it is God Who must bless it.

ARTHUR DENBOK — And a welcome to you, too, Arthur. Each month we seem to find some new friends. I notice that you live near your minister. Do you have quite a few stamps? In collecting stamps you soon learn to know of many different countries.

JANET REMUS — Did you have a good camping trip, Janet? I hope it didn’t rain too much, as that doesn’t make it too enjoyable. Did you think the Bible quiz was very difficult this time? To know what is written in God’s Word is so important for boys and girls, but also for fathers and mothers.

J ANNIE SLINGERLAND — Your answers were all correct, Jannie. We don’t usually find too many mistakes. Usually if we hurry too fast in doing things, mistakes will happen, and that is also true of the Bible quiz. Do you have three extra weeks of school to make up for the time the teachers were on strike?

PAUL VERHOEF — How long were you in Holland, Paul? I suppose you don’t have any problem talking Dutch there. Would you like to live there again? I am sure there are things which you think are nicer in Holland than they are here in Canada.

LINDA SCHELLING — Do you live on a farm, Linda? How far is Armour from Corsica? I have been in Corsica only once and that is a number of years ago. As we think back in our life of things that happened years ago, we realize somewhat how old we are getting to be.

MARK VAN ZWEDEN — Our weather is nice at present, Mark, but still rather cool. They are predicting frost again this weekend, which can be quite damaging to fruit trees and other crops. We are constantly reminded that it is the Lord Who controls and must bless the work of our hands.

RUTH ANN VAN DALEN — Are you looking forward to summer vacation, Ruth Ann? It isn’t so very far away anymore. Do you like to sew? There are many things that you can make if you know how to sew well. Are you going to get an “A” in sewing?

MARY VAN ZWEDEN — We were sorry to hear about the accident of the husband of your teacher, Mary. How quickly and unexpectedly accidents can happen. That is why the apostle James tells us that when making plans, we should say, “If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this.” Can you find that text?

LINDA REMUS — Your letter is at the bottom this time, Linda. As you can see, there were again quite a few of them. We hope and pray that all of our young friends will find the One Great Pearl in the Bible, which is worth more than all riches. Do you know what that pearl is?

Many thanks to all of you for your answers and letters, boys and girls. We hope that we may hear from each of you again next month, and, with God’s Word as our guide, may learn to walk in wisdom’s ways.

With love,
Your friend,
“Uncle Garret”

COUNSELS OF THE AGED TO THE YOUNG

(continued)

20. I conclude my counsels to the young by a serious and affectionate recommendation to every one who reads these pages, to make immediate preparation for death. I know that gay youth are unwilling to hear this subject mentioned. There is nothing which casts a greater damp upon their spirits than the solemn fact that death must be encountered, and that no earthly possessions or circumstances can secure us from becoming his victims on any day. But if it is acknowledged that this formidable evil is inevitable, and that the tenure by which we hold our grasp of life is very fragile, why should we act so unreasonably, and I may say, madly, as to shut our eyes against the danger? If, indeed, there was no way of preparing to meet this event, there might by some reason for turning away our thoughts from immediate destruction: but if by attention and exertion it is possible to make preparation for death, then nothing can be conceived more insane than to refuse to consider our latter end. How often are we called to witness the decease of youth in the midst of all their pleasures and prospects! Such scenes have been exhibited within the observation of all of you. Dear friends and companions have been snatched away from the side of some of you. The grave has closed upon many whose prospects of long life were as favourable as those of their survivors.

Now, my dear young friends, what has so frequently happened in relation to so many others, may take place with regard to some of you. This year you may be called to bid farewell to all your earthly prospects, and all your beloved relatives. The bare possibility of such an event ought to have the effect of engaging your most serious attention, and of leading you to immediate preparation. Do you ask what preparation is necessary? I answer, reconciliation with God, and a meetness for the employments and enjoyments of the heavenly state. Preparation for death includes repentance towards God for all our sins, trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and reliance on His atoning sacrifice, regeneration of heart, and reformation of life; and finally, a lively exercise of piety,accompanied with a comfortable assurance of the divine favour. In short, genuine and lively piety forms the essence of the needed preparation. With this your death will be safe, and your happiness after death secure. But to render a death-bed not only safe but comfortable, you must have a strong faith, and clear evidence that your sins are forgiven, and that you have passed from death unto life. Be persuaded then, before you give sleep to your eyes, to commence your return unto God, from Whom like lost sheep you have strayed. ‘Prepare to meet your God.’ ‘Be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of man cometh.’

Seek deliverance from the fear of death by a believing application to Him who came on purpose to deliver us from this bondage. With His presence and guidance we need fear no evil, even while passing through the gloomy valley and shadow of Death. He is able by His rod and His staff to comfort us, and to make us conquerors over this last enemy.

(A. Alexander)

(These articles were taken from the book, “Thoughts on Religious Experience “)

UNKNOWN TO US?

A minister, while preaching, quoted the words, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come into him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.” He then pictured the Lord of glory, patiently and lovingly, standing at the door of men’s hearts and waiting to be welcomed and received, but still unknown and unrecognised.

In the course of his sermon he told a story. It was that of a young Scottish prince of a bygone age who, in disguise, knocked on the door of a nobleman’s palace. It was the day when his only daughter was about to celebrate her coming of age. Many suitors were waiting for her hand. Leaning on a crutch and dressed as a tramp, this disguised prince inquired if he might see the young lady who was being honored that day. When at last she came to the door, she asked him of his errand. “I have come,” he answered, “to ask your hand in marriage.” For a moment she looked into his face and then put out her hand and said — “Very well, here it is.” The “tramp”, with evident joy, then asked about the day when the marriage should take place. The young lady replied, “This day twelve months hence.”

The incident was much enjoyed by her attendants who were looking on, and who thought it a good and easy way of getting rid of such a poor, unbalanced wretch. But the incident ceased to be amusing, when, on that day and throughout the intervening months, she refused every offer of marriage on the grounds that she had already given her heart and hand to another. Her father pleaded with her not to act so foolishly as to tie her life to an unknown pauper. But nothing would move her from her purpose. She had given her word and made her choice.

It was exactly a year from that day that the inmates of the castle heard the sounds of many pipes and drums. And over the crest of a distant hill they saw a procession moving toward them, headed by the king’s son riding her favorite horse. He was no longer the unrecognised “tramp” in rags, for he came dressed in royal garments. He had come, as he said he would, and at that castle door his loved one stood waiting for him. It was then that the astonished company realised who the disguised and ill-clad visitor of the year before really was. She alone had recognised him then, and in recognizing him, she had pledged herself to be his forever.

The minister who told this story was the famous Lachlan MacKenzie. The story was meant to warn his hearers against judging by appearances. The Lord of glory entered our world in disguise. We little know who Christ Crucified is. Many exclude Him from their lives. The offence of His Cross is still a persistent obstacle in the way of many. For Him there is no room “in the inn.” We welcome others, but Him we leave to stand outside. He is still standing at many a door, unknown and unwanted. But what anguish awaits all those who refuse Him, when, surrounded by the hosts of the heavenly world, He shall re-appear in all the dignity of His exalted glory. “I was stranger and ye took me not in” is a fearful judgment to face. And only those who had recognised and welcomed Him when He knocked at the door shall be admitted into His glorious presence to share in the fulness of joy which is for ever more at His right hand. (Psalm 16).

Our salvation, therefore, required not only that He should love and redeem us. It requires also that by a miracle of grace our souls should be quickened, and our inner eyes unveiled — and that all barriers between us and God should be removed. (Rev. M. Campbell — “The Loveliest Story Ever Told”)

SINNING AGAINST GOD

“When I was a little child,” said a good man, “my mother used to bid me kneel beside her, and to place her hand upon my head while she prayed. Before I was old enough to know her worth, she died, and I was left much to my own guidance. Like others, I was inclined to evil passions, but often felt myself checked, and, as it were, drawn back by the soft hand on my head. When I was a young man, I travelled in foreign lands, and was exposed to many temptations; but when I would have yielded, that same hand seemed to be on my head, and I was delivered. I appeared to feel its pressure as in the days of my happy infancy, and sometimes there came with it a voice in my heart — a voice that must be obeyed — ‘Oh, do not this wickedness, my son, nor sin against . God’.” (Young People’s Magazine)

THE WONDERFUL BIBLE

I know a book whose pages glow,

With a light no other pages know.

‘Tis the message of God to the earth below,

The wonderful, wonderful Bible.

We who are older hear the bells,

Tinkling sweetly in memory’s cells

Of the story of Joseph which Moses tells,

In this wonderful, wonderful, Bible.

God told it to Moses, don’t you see?

You may know its source by its brevity.

He has kept it living for you and me

In this wonderful, wonderful, Bible.

The story of Joseph fades away

Like the light of the moon in the blaze of day,

As we read of Jesus, and Calvary

In this wonderful, wonderful, Bible.

It shows God’s love to a sinful race,

That Christ should die in the sinner’s place.

And here is the record of this great grace,

In this wonderful, wonderful Bible.

Here’s ease for the sinner whose conscience is sore;

Here’s hope for the dying of life evermore,

And glimpses of glory through

heaven’s wide door,

In this wonderful, wonderful, Bible.

And yet there are those to our wonder and grief,

Who laugh at its words, but their

laughter is brief.

For their judgment is writ on the very last leaf

Of this wonderful, wonderful,

Bible.

Author Unknown

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