A PERIODICAL FOR YOUNG AND OLD

AN ADDRESSTO THE YOUNG

Seek to come faithfully under the preaching of the Word, and to join yourself to the church to which you already belong by birth and baptism. You cannot remain baptismal members. Confirm by your confession that you do not wish to leave the church, but perpetuate in confession and conversation the blessing God gave you of being reckoned to belong to His visible church. A baptismal member is a minor for whom the parents are responsible. When, however, you assume responsibility for yourself, you are obliged to join yourself to the church, or else you withdraw from the church and choose the world for your portion, treading upon a way that surely will lead to destruction. Oh, young men and young women, do not despise the statutes of the Lord.

Must then everyone that makes confession be regarded as regenerated? Far from it. God made you members of the visible church by birth and baptism, and in making confession you declare that you want to remain so. Could the Lord have made a mistake when He made you a member while you were still unconverted? That is not possible, and therefore we need not consider every confessing member to be regenerated. The church is, as is said of the Kingdom of heaven, as a group of five wise and five foolish virgins, as a field in which wheat and tares grow, as a threshing floor upon which wheat and tares lie, as a net in which good and bad fish are found. They who want a church of only converted people fall into the objectionable doctrine of De-Labadie. (Jean deLabadie, who was minister in Mid-dleburg, Netherlands, in 1666, wanted to have a church composed entirely of true believers, but was sadly disappointed.)

But everyone must search himself whether he is a living member of the church. For one day the Lord shall come with the fan in His hand and thoroughly purge His floor. Oh, unconverted members of the visible church, how terrible your lot shall be then. The chaff will be burned with unquenchable fire, and your lot shall be with the wicked forever in the fire that shall not be quenched. Were they not all Israelites of whom it is written, “But with many of them God was not well pleased?”

I pray you, do not rest upon your membership in the visible church, but let the necessity of regeneration weigh upon your heart. Life and death is placed before you from Sabbath to Sabbath in the pure preaching of the Word of God. Would you just lay that serious preaching aside and think no more about it? Are your thoughts during the preaching and your conversation at the close of the service only about worldly things? How then shall the ministry of God’s testimony ever work upon your conscience? You are withdrawing yourself from its influence. Do not lay the blame upon God if you then live on unconverted, although it is only free grace if the Word is sanctified to you for salvation. Testify here before God whether the Lord did not faithfully warn you about approaching destruction and invite you to salvation in Christ. And if you cannot justify yourself before the bar of the gospel, how will you acquit yourself before God’s judgement seat?

Do not let your poor soul be misled with advice that has become so common, “Just believe and be converted.” The Lord uses His Word, baptismal and confessing members, to discover to you the state of your misery. May one day the arrow that Christ shoots from the bow in His hand strike you, so that you leave the church crying, “It is lost!” Oh, may we never lose sight of the necessity of becoming a living member of the church by regenerating grace, so that all the benefits God has bestowed on us will not testify against us in the day of days. Do not use sovereign election and reprobation as a fig leaf. God’s eternal council shall surely be fulfilled, but we fulfill it, and one day we shall be judged according to our sins. Oh, how our conscience shall then gnaw as a worm in the fire that shall not be quenched, and reproach us, saying, “Your own fault, your own fault.” May God sanctify to your heart the benefit He gave you of belonging to His visible church and living under His Word to your salvation.

BIBLE QUIZ

Dear Boys and Girls,

This month we have arrived at the 9th article of the “Apostles’ Creed,” which speaks about the true church and its members. When the word “catholic” is used here, it does not mean the church of Rome, or as it is sometimes called, the Roman Catholic Church, but the word means a “universal” church. The Lord gathers a church, His people, from the ends of the earth, from all peoples, nations, and languages, to be His true church. May we beg the Lord to make us true members of His church, which will then be to all eternity.

The first letters of the quiz this month will spell out four words of the 9th article.

After Pentecost we read, “And the Lord ______ to the church daily such as should be saved.”

The Lord said to Abraham, “In thy seed shall all the ______ of the earth be blessed.”

In Ephesians 5 we are taught, “For the husband is the _________.of the wife, even as Christ is the _________ of the church.”

In John 10 the Lord Jesus said, “I am the good Shepherd.” He also said, “There shall be ________ fold and _______ shepherd.”

Seth called his son’s name Enos; then began men to call upon the name of the __________.

In his second letter to them, Paul instructs the Corinthians, “Be ye not unequally _________ with unbelievers.”

Psalm 118 tells us, “The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the ________.”

At the burning bush the Lord said to Moses, “I have surely seen the ________ of My people which are in Egypt.”

The Lord told Elijah, “I have left Me seven _________ in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal.”

In the last chapter of Romans, Paul sent greetings to Priscilla and Acquila and the church that is in their ________.

At Bethel Jacob set up a stone for a pillar, and poured _________ upon the top of it and vowed a vow.

On the way to Damascus Saul carried _______ from the high priest so that if he found disciples of the Lord, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

At Bethel Jacob dreamed, and the Lord said to him, “I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of __________.”

The apostle John was to write what he saw in a book, and send it to the seven ________ which are in Asia.

Peter, in a vision, was told by a voice, “What God hath cleansed, that call not thou ________.”

In Psalm 144 David says, “________ is that people whose God is the Lord.”

After returning from the ascension at Mount Olivet, the disciples met together in an ________ room.

When the Lord Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper, He said, “This do in ________ of Me.”

In Ephesians 5 we read, “Husbands, love your wives, even as _______ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it.”

As for Saul, he made ____________ of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women; committed them to prison.

(Your answers to the quiz should be sent to Garret J. Moerdyk, 1104 Rose-land Avenue, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001.)

The answers to the Bible quiz in the June issue are as follows:

“I Believe In The Holy Ghost”

Image

Baptize

Expedient

Lie

Ignorantly

Eshtaol

Void

Ears

Italian

Nazareth

Tongues

Hour

Elamites

Holy

Opened

Lodgeth

Your

Generation

Holy

Owner

Spirit

Three

Genesis 1:23–31

Matthew 3:11

John 16:7

Acts 5:3

Acts 17:22–23

Judges 13:24–25

Genesis 1:1–2

Acts 7:15

Acts 10:1

Luke 4:16–18

Acts 2:3

Acts 2:13–15

Acts 2:5–10

John 14:26

Mark 1:9–10

Acts 10:1–6

Acts 2:37–38

Acts 2:40

II Peter 1:20–21

Isaiah 1:3

Acts 2:14–17

Acts 2:41

During the past month answers to the quiz were received from the following boys and girls —

Laurie Spaans

Dickie Spaans

Marilyn Van Ravenswaay

JoAnn Van Ravenswaay

Esther Van Ravenswaay

Randy Van Giessen

Gary Van Giessen

Arline Kieboom

Ella Kieboom

Helen Hendricks

Barb Hendricks

Gerarda Grisnich

Nanette Mast

Robert Kamp

Barbara Kamp

Richard Kamp

Tammy Koedam

Carolyn Van Koeveringe

Trudy Van Veldhuizen

Gary Van Veldhuizen

Robbie Van Veldhuizen

Harlan Rus

Gloria Rus

Virgil Ray Rus

Ralph Van Zweden

Joan Van Zweden

Lana Den Hartigh

Laurie Den Hartigh

Mary Van Zweden

John Van Zweden

Janet Van Zweden

Mark Van Zweden

Daniel Van Dyke

John Van Dyke

Ruth Van Dyke

Marilyn De Maagd

Kaye Vande Berg

Carol Mol

Susan Van Ess

Richard Van Ess

Janet Bouma

LaRae Hoogendoorn

Gywen Hoogendoorn

Elwyn Hoogendoorn

Gary Blok

John Blok

Donna Zaremba

Denise Zaremba

Mary Vander Male

Lilly Ann Vander Male

Ricky Rosendall

John Rosendall

Kathy Van Bemden

Karel Kalee

Debbie Kalee

Cheryl Kalee

Carol Van Bemden

Dave Verhey

John Verhey

Tammy Kaat

Janice Kaat

Jeff Kaat

Patricia Noorlander

Gretta Noorlander

Ken Noorlander

Joann Van Beek

Anden Van Beek

Alma Van Beek

Joan Lugthart

Val Lugthart

Mary Lou Van Oostenbrugge

Karl Van Oostenbrugge

Melanie Van Brugge

Henry Kamp

Betty Kamp

Mary Kamp

Linda Kamp

Nancy Kwekel

David Kwekel

Gary Kwekel

Mike Eintelman

Mark Fintelman

Peter Koppert

Elizabeth Koppert

Nelly Koppert

Christine Koppert

Albert Van Grouw

Dan Meeuwse

Mark Meeuwse

Ellen Elizabeth Kros

Martin Peter Vlietstra

Janice Vlietstra

Jonathan Edward Vlietstra

David Vlietstra

William Van Wingerden

Kenneth Van Wingerden

Amy Lou Kaat

Jenny Lee Sweetman

Daniel John Sweetman

Judy Sweetman

Janet Arlene Sweetman

Tunis Sweetman, Jr.

Henry Vandenberg

Cordy Vandenberg

John Vandenberg

Paul Vandenberg

Jeannette Vandenberg

Tim Van Stelle

Andy Van Stelle

Juli Frens

Mary Frens

Sharon Frens

Leonard Frens

Tim Westrate

Nicholas Bush

Adrian Bush

John Goeman

Karen Goeman

David M. Goeman

Jim Rosendall

Laura Rosendall

Neal Boerkoel

Ruth Boerkoel

Bobby Boerkoel

George Van Strien

Tammy Troff

Peter Feyter

Gladys Van Bochove

Rhonda Van Bochove

Andy Walma

Jackie Walma

Jonathan Van Dalen

Jan Van Dalen

Jacob Van Dalen

Ruth Ann Van Dalen

Billy Blaak

Susan Blaak

Becky Markus

Gordon Boluyt

Steven Boluyt

Ronald Hoogmoed

Mary Fluit

Gary Roozenboom

Henrietta Stapel

Janice Stapel

John Stapel

Ruth Bouma

Albert Bouma

Mary Kievit

Audrey Kievit

Arie Van Vugt

Carla Van Grootheest

Jonathan Kamp

Rhonda Van Voorst

Robert Van Kempen

Karl Boonzaayer

Ruth Boonzaayer

Esther Boonzaayer

Maria Boonzaayer

Julie Van Gemert

Donna Marie Hubers

Helen Hubers

Marcia Hubers

Harriet Hubers

Carl Moore

Anna Moore

Leah Moore

Paul Verhoef

Hank Verhoef

Teresa Vander Meulen

Frances Vander Meulen

Joyce Vander Meulen

Harmen Vander Meulen

Sidney Vander Meulen

Joleen den Hoed

Maryjean den Hoed

Kathleen den Hoed

Arthur den Hoed

Joanne Vande Waerdt (2)

Linda Vande Waerdt (2)

Wayne Vande Waerdt (2)

Amy Mieras

Bill Droogers

Debbie Droogers

Sharon Van Grouw

Brian Van Grouw

Perry Hoogendoorn

Gene Hoogendoorn

Cindy Hoogendoorn

Gail Hoogendoorn

Paul Greendyk

Bobby Greendyk

Alida Greendyk

Tom Greendyk

Billy Greendyk

Beverly Southway

Barbara Southway

Nellie Slingerland

Jannie Slingerland

Andy Korevaar

John Korevaar

Adrian Korevaar

Abraham Korevaar

Francina Boesterd

John Vander Boon

Judy Slingerland

Cornell de Kok

Andre de Kok

Herbie de Kok

Jany de Kok

Henry de Kok

Jcanette Slingerland

Kenneth Ymker

Daniel Ymker

John Martin Vander Wiele

Jane Ellen Vander Wiele

Arthur Denbok

John Van Hoepen

Marianne Van Hoepen

David Greendyk

William Slingerland

Marin us Slingerland

Delia Vanden Brink

Roy Vanden Brink

Gerda Vanden Brink

Stephan Vanden Brink

Nancy Vande Stouwe

Todd Vande Stouwe

Martin Peter Vlietstra

David Vlietstra

Janice Vlietstra

Jonathan Vlietstra

Jan Van Dalen

Jacob Van Dalen

Jonathan Van Dalen

Denise Van Ravenswaay

Alane Van Ravenswaay

Joyce Van Ginkel

Charlene Van Ginkel

Myron Van Ginkel

Gloria Pluim

Jerry Pluim

Rose Pluim

Dave Pluim

Mark Heystek

And now we shall answer the letters which we have received —

AMY LOU KAAT — Your letter is the first one this time, Amy. Yes, we have much rain in Kalamazoo also. But today was a real nice summer day. Do you know where your grandparents plan to go on their vacation this summer?

HENRIETTA STAPEL — We are all quite well, Henrietta. I hear that you are planning to be in Kalamazoo just when we will be on vacation. We hope that you will be able to come again to visit us. Did you get a good report card?

CAROLYN VAN KOEVERINGE — It was nice to hear from you again, Carolyn. I imagine now that summer is here you are busy on the farm. We visited Mr. Johnson just a few days ago. He is getting along quite well. Since we do not deserve any of God’s blessings, how much we have for which to be thankful.

MARY FLUIT — It was nice to receive a letter from you, Mary. Also the rain is given by God, and it is indeed a great blessing when the land is dry. Did you have a good trip to Michigan and to Canada? You couldn’t have been too far from Kalamazoo.

SUSAN BLAAK — Were you quite sick when you had the chickenpox, Sue? I suppose you were happy you could go back to school again. Are you finding lots of things to keep you busy during your vacation? You can probably give your mother lots of help.

TAMMY TROFF — You must be getting good at playing the piano, Tammy. Now that vacation is here, you will have lots of time to practice. Or don’t you like to practice? We read in the Bible that David played the harp, and can imagine that he practiced too as he took care of the sheep.

RALPH VAN ZWEDEN — What a nice long letter this time, Ralph. Did the brown thrasher’s eggs hatch? You have a nature center of your own in your back yard. What wonders there are in God’s creation if we only take notice of them. How is the garden doing?

RICKY ROSENDALL — I do not remember if I had chickenpox, Ricky. That would have been quite some years ago. I guess I will have to ask my mother. Yes, I liked school when I was your age, but I always liked to see vacation time come.

NELLY KOPPERT — Do you live on the same road you did before, Nelly? I suppose it all seemed strange al first, but it doesn’t take long before you are accustomed to it. Do you have more animals on the farm now? Say hello to your parents for us.

JEANETTE VANDENBERG — Your are progressing very nicely with your Words of Wisdom, Jeanette. I understand that there are 38 booklets for the Old Testament and 34 for the New Testament. So you still have quite a few to go. I don’t think anyone has finished them all.

JOAN VAN ZWEDEN — What are you doing every day now that school is over for the summer, Joan? It probably seems a relief to put the school books to one side for a while. There is perhaps another Book which could be read a little more now that you have more time.

BILLY BLAAK — Did you get the chickenpox too, Billy? Usually if one member of the family gets it, it is passed around to the others. We are glad that you like to answer the quiz, and, of course, glad that there are so many others who do.

HANK VERHOEF — How high is your tree fort off the ground, Hank? You will have to be careful that you don’t fall out. Does it have a ladder for getting in, or do you have to climb the tree? There are a number of Bible stories in which trees are mentioned. Can you name some of them?

LEAH MOORE — You have quite a few pets, Leah, but we have one more than you do. We have eleven goldfish. 1 guess that really doesn’t compare to cats and guinea pigs. What are you doing during the summer vacation? Do you have lots of friends to play with?

RUTH ANN VAN DALEN — We were glad to hear that you liked your book, Ruth Ann. I assume that everyone has received their book; at least we haven’t heard of any who didn’t. Are you and your family planning another long trip with your camper?

JANET VAN ZWEDEN — We hope everyone is feeling well again at your house, Janet. There is so much sickness in the world, but that it may serve to direct us to the Great Physician for help. How are your grandparents feeling? Give them our greetings.

PAUL VERHOEF — How is the garden doing, Paul? I suppose you have already enjoyed the benefits of your hard work. Do you manage to keep the weeds out? Usually the seem to grow the best. Say hello to your parents also.

ARTHUR DENBOK — What do you do in the track meet, Arthur? Do you have different events that you can enter? I imagine it takes quite a bit of practice in order to be good enough, doesn’t it? Yes, I do know the Romeyn family.

FRANCINA BOESTERD — We were happy to hear from you again, Francina. And also that everyone in your family is doing well. We wish your father a very happy birthday and that he may have many more together with you.

NELLIE SLINGERLAND — Do you sometimes get lots of snow in May, Nellie? Are there still coal mines in Diamond City where coal is mined? I never realized that there was much coal in Alberta. Are you still going to school or has it stopped for the summer?

JANNIE SLINGERLAND — We were glad to hear that you received your book, Jannie. Sometimes it takes books a little longer to arrive than other types of packages. What are you going to do this summer when you have vacation?

Boys and girls, many thanks for your replies to the quiz and also for the letters sent us. We hope to meet with you again next month, the Lord willing and we live.

With love,
Your friend
“Uncle Garret”

HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY

A Story for Children

Part I

It is undoubtedly true that sin is the cause of all misery. Had sin not entered into the world, there would be neither death, mourning or sorrow in the earth. But because of sin, this earth is cursed, and it brings forth thorns and briars. What agitations among mankind; what pain and grief. How much lost time and labor there is in this world. How many of the children of men that are blind to the cause of all trouble, weary themselves with that which is all vanity, and at times seek to obtain it in an illegitimate manner. They are not the best advisers. They spend their labor to obtain that which is not necessary, and neglect that which is absolutely essential. What shall it profit a man though he gain the whole world and lose his soul? The little that the righteous has is better than the abundance of the wicked. Diligence and fair dealing shall be blessed.

In a little city, situated by the sea, lived a poor widow. She remembered the time that four children, like olive-plants, were seated around her table. But three of them had died, and only the youngest was left. What pleasant times had she enjoyed in her simple home while her husband was yet alive, and she, with him, shared the Lord’s mercies. For they both were filled with the fear of God. They knew a greater good, and greater enjoyment than that which this world can supply. Their hearts were set upon the one thing needful, in which they also instructed their children. The cup of suffering was not withheld from this widow. Her husband, her support and provider, became sick, and died. She remained with four children, all too young yet to realize the loss and not able to earn a livelihood. But still more grief was laid up for her, since in a short space of time, the Lord removed the three oldest children, and she was left with the youngest boy, named William. What heavy trials, to see husband and children die, and to be left in a needy condition with one little boy of eleven years old. But God remains faithful in all that He does. His ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts higher than our thoughts. He is a Father to the fatherless and a Judge to the widows. All the grief that the Lord brings upon His children, has been measured in heaven before it befalls them. And He will lay no more upon His children than what seemeth good to Him, while this benefit is bound up in it, that with the affliction He sends His consolation.

Many were filled with sympathy towards the poor widow. And whereas she was very handy, and willing to do whatever her hand found, she was enabled to provide for herself in her greatest need by sewing, with which she was supplied plentifully. For a long time she was successful, but eventually she noticed that the work would become too much for her, especially as she had to sacrifice many hours of her night’s rest to supply the most necessary things for herself and her child. At times she would have to deny herself in order to give it to her only lamb. How often did the tears trickle down her cheeks when she thought of the days gone by. However, she did not murmur, but in her need was privileged to cast herself upon God, Who knew all her wants, and Who was able to do above all that which we can desire.

Though William was very young, and although he was not insensible to the admonitions of his dear mother, it was not pleasant to him to note that she began to look pale and sickly. At times he was sad, and in his own way he sought to comfort and cheer his mother. He was an industrious boy. The teachers had no cause for complaint with respect to him. At one time he received, as a present for his diligence, a beautiful Bible, in which was written such a nice testimonial, that the tears welled up in his mother’s eyes when he read it to her.

One morning, about three weeks after he had received that prize, our William was walking along the harbor, looking toward the broad and blue sea and the many ships which were riding at anchor.

The sea had a great power of attraction to him. He could not keep his eyes off the sailors and officers, the loading and unloading of the ships, and the many little boats sailing to and fro. He hoped one day, when he became somewhat older, to be able to sail the sea on some ship and at the same time to work towards the support of his dear mother.

That morning, while William was walking beside the harbor, a stiff breeze was blowing. A strong gust of wind caused him hastily to grab for his cap, but at the same moment something rushed past him, and he heard someone cry, “Stop it! Stop it!” William looked about, and saw close behind him a man in the uniform of a sea captain. His head was uncovered and with wild, fluttering hair he was running to catch his headgear, which had been blown away by the wind. As soon as William saw what had happened, he ran after the cap, glad to be of service to the captain. But to get hold of it was no easy task. At least the captain was soon compelled to give up the race. William, however, continued the chase and finally got hold of the cap.

“At your service, sir,” he said handing the cap to the captain, who had come up to him wiping the perspiration from his brow. The captain, who was a robust man, looked for a moment at the boy, as if he thought to himself, “Should I give him a dime for his running?” He seemed to consider, and at last he said, “I must say, you are lightfooted, little man. Would you have a mind to go with me? I can always use nimble boys, and aboard ship they have a good living.”

That was spoken after the heart of William. The captain had touched the innermost string. If it was up to him, he would have forthwith given his assent. But his mother. “Sir,” he answered, “I would very willingly, but I must first consult my mother about this. May I come and tell you then by and by?”

“Very well,” the captain said kindly, “there lies my ship, the ‘North-star,’ remember this well. But if you come, you must bring a certificate of good conduct, otherwise I can’t use you.”

William ran home and cried to his mother, “Mother, I am going to sea, may I? Ah, come on, say yes, mother. You know I would like to very much.”

The poor widow was altogether dumbfounded and terribly frightened when she heard the sea mentioned. No, nothing could come of that. Though William urged her, it was of no use. She could not part with her boy. At that moment the captain himself stepped into the house and began to converse with the mother in a winning manner. He liked her boy very much and would gladly take him on board. He asked her if she realized that God is able to protect us everywhere. The dangers at sea were great, but those on shore were no less great. And he whom God preserves is well preserved. Though tremblingly and with many sighs, the mother finally consented, with the prayer that the Lord would go with her boy and that He might keep him from all danger.

William was in high spirits. But his joy was tempered a moment when the captain said, “Now you must have a certificate of good conduct. Can you show me that?”

“No, sir,” William answered, embarrassed, “but yes, wait a minute, I have one at that.” He hurriedly left the room and soon returned with his Bible, which he had received as a present from his teachers. He showed the captain what was written on the first page. It was now the captain’s turn to be embarrassed. “Is that your certificate?” he asked. “That is a testimonial within a Testimonial. The best I have ever seen. It is sufficient.”

Two weeks later, William bid farewell to his dear mother. Tears trickled down the cheeks of them both. He came aboard to take a long voyage. The destination was St. Petersburg, or Leningrad, as it is called today, and what at that time was the capital of Russia. That was a strange life to William, withdrawn from the quiet life with his mother, and now over against that, the busy life aboard ship. But in the person of the captain, he had a good keeper, who took care that he did not have it too busy. Now and then he had an hour to himself. And if the weather was nice, then our young friend would get out his beautiful Bible to read a portion therein. Then he was very happy if the sailors came to him and asked if he would read to them. He gladly consented to this, and now and then a conversation about the Truth, and how a person can only be saved by Christ, would be the result. His mother had kept this only way of salvation continually before him, and this had left an impression. The captain saw and heard with great delight whenever William and the sailors were busily engaged in conversation on the one thing needful.

(to be continued)

Submitted

REMEMBER THY CREATOR

Remember thy Creator, in life’s young morning — now,

Ere sorrow’s hand impresses its furrows on thy brow.

While life’s bright sun is smiling, and care is distant yet,

Heed not the songs that tempt thee thy Maker to forget.

Remember thy Creator, the God Who gave thee birth,

And strews thy path with mercies on this His beauteous earth.

Before the dark clouds gather, and evil days appear

And storms and lengthening shadows tell that the night is near.

Remember thy Creator, the God Who reigns above;

‘Tis life to taste His favor, and Heaven is in His love.

O may His rich salvation dawn on thy youthful heart

And grant true consolation when earth’s fair joys depart.

(Young People’s Magazine)

STRANGE DOCTRINES

In Hebrews 13:9 is the warning, “Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines.” The meaning of these words is not a hard thing which we cannot understand. “Be not tossed to and fro,” the apostle seems to say, “by every blast of false teaching, like ships without a compass or rudder. False doctrines will arise as long as the world lasts, in number many, in minor details varying, in one point alone always the same,— strange, new, foreign, and departing from the Gospel of Christ. They do exist now. They will always be found within the visible Church. Remember this, and be not carried away.” Such is Paul’s warning.

The apostle’s warning does not stand alone. Even in the midst of the sermon on the mount there fell from the loving lips of the Saviour a solemn caution: “Beware of false prophets, which come unto you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” (Matthew 7:15) Even in Paul’s last address to the Ephesian elders, he does find time to warn his friends against false doctrines: “Of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them.” (Acts 20:30). What says the Second Epistle to the Corinthians: “I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” (II Corinthians 11:3). What says the Epistle to the Galatians: “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel.” — “Who hath bewitched you that ye should not obey the truth?” — “Having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” — “How turn ye again to weak and beggarly elements?” — “Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you.” — “Stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” (Galations 1:6; 3: 1,3; 4:9, 10, 11; 5:1). What says the Epistle to the Ephesians: “Be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine.” (Ephesians 4:14). What says the Epistle to the Colossians: “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men.” (Colossians 2:8). What says the First Epistle to Timothy: “The Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith.” (I Timothy 4:1). What says the Second Epistle of Peter: “There shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies.” (II Peter 2:1). What says the First Epistle of John: “Believe not every spirit. Many false prophets are gone out into the world.” (I John 4:1). What says the epistle of Jude: “Contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares.” (Jude 1:3,4). Let us mark well these texts. These things were written for our learning.

What shall we say to these texts? Even in Apostolic days, it appears, there were abundant errors both in doctrine and practice. — To tell us, as others do, that ministers ought never to handle controversial subjects, and never warn their people against erroneous views, is senseless and unreasonable. At this rate we might neglect not a little of the New Testament. Surely the dumb dog and the sleeping shepherd are the best allies of the wolf, the thief, and the robber. It is not for nothing that Paul says, “If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ.” (I Timothy 4:5).

A plain warning against false doctrine is specially needed in the present day. The school of the Pharisees and the school of the Sadducees, those ancient mothers of all mischief, were never more active than they are now. Strange subjects are continually propounded by clergymen about subjects of the deepest importance. About the atonement, the divinity of Christ, the inspiration of the Bible, the reality of miracles, the eternity of future punishment, about the Church, the ministerial office, the sacraments, the honor due to the Virgin Mary, prayers for the dead, — about all these things there is nothing too monstrous to be taught by some ministers in these latter days. By the pen and the tongue, by the press and by the pulpit, the country is incessantly deluged with a flood of erroneous opinions. To ignore the fact is mere affectation. Others see it, if we pretend to be ignorant of it. The danger is real, great, and unmistakable. Never was it so needful to say, “Be not carried about.”

Many things combine to make the present inroad of false doctrine peculiarly dangerous. There is an undeniable zeal in some of the teachers of error; their ‘earnestness’ makes many think they must be right. There is a great appearance of learning and theological knowledge; many fancy that such clever and intellectual men must surely be safe guides. There is a general tendency to free thought and free inquiry in these latter days. There is a widespread desire to appear charitable and liberal-minded; many seem half ashamed of saying that anybody can be in the wrong. Men are impatient of inward, invisible heart-work. There is a determination to forget that Satan is often “transformed into an angel of light”. All these things are peculiar symptoms of our times. They tend to make the assaults of false doctrine in our day peculiarly dangerous. They make it more than ever needful to cry aloud, “Be not carried about.”

Does any one ask me, What is the best safeguard against false doctrine? I answer in one word, “The Bible; the Bible regularly read, regularly prayed over, regularly studied.” We must go back to the old prescription of our Master: “Search the Scriptures.” If we want a weapon to wield against the devices of Satan, there is nothing like “the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God.” But to wield it successfully, we must read it habitually, diligently, intelligently, and prayerfully. In an age of hurry and bustle, few read their Bible as much as they should. More books perhaps are read than ever, but less of the one Book which makes man wise unto salvation.

If we would not be carried about by ‘divers and strange doctrines,” we must remember the words of our Lord Jesus Christ: “Search the Scriptures.” Ignorance of the Bible is the root of all error. Knowledge of the Bible is the best antidote against modern heresies. (J.C. Ryle — Warnings to the Churches)

JEHOVAH TSIDKENU

“The Lord Our Righteousness”

(The Watchword of the Reformers)

I once was a stranger to grace and to God,

I knew not my danger, and felt not my load;

Though friends spoke in rapture of Christ on the tree,

Jehovah Tsidkenu was nothing to me.

I oft read with pleasure, to soothe or engage,

Isaiah’s wild measure and John’s simple page;

But even when they pictured the blood-sprinkled tree,

Jehovah Tsidkenu seemed nothing to me.

Like tears from the daughters of Zion that roll,

1 wept when the waters went over His soul;

Yet thought not that my sins had nailed to the tree,

Jehovah Tsidkenu; — it was nothing to me.

When free grace awoke me, by light from on high,

Then legal fears shook me, I trembled to die;

No refuge, no safety in self could I see —

Jehovah Tsidkenu my Savior must be.

My terrors all vanished before the sweet name;

My guilty fears banished, with boldness I came

To drink at the fountain, life-giving and free —

Jehovah Tsidkenu is all things to me.

Jehovah Tsidkenu! my treasure and boast,

Jehovah Tsidkenu! I never can be lost;

In Thee shall I conquer by blood and by field —

My cable, my anchor, my breastplate and shield!

Even treading the valley, the shadow of death,

This “watchword” shall rally my faltering breath;

For while from life’s fever my God sets me free,

Jehovah Tsidkenu my death-song shall be

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