A PERIODICAL FOR YOUNG AND OLD

PLEASURE — A DANGER TO THE YOUNG

Another danger to the young is the love of pleasure. Youth is the time when our passions are strongest, — and like unruly children, cry most loudly for indulgence. Youth is the time when we have generally most health and strength; death seems far away, and to enjoy ourselves in this life seems everything. Youth is the time when most people have few earthly cares or anxieties to take up their attention. And all these things help to make the young think of nothing so much as pleasure. “I serve lusts and pleasures,” is the true answer many a young person should give if asked, “Whose servant are you?”

Young people, time would fail me if I were to tell you all the fruits this love of pleasure produces, and all the ways in which it may do you harm. All things that give a feeling of excitement for the time, — all things that drown thought, and keep the mind in a constant whirl, — all things that please the senses and gratify the flesh; — these are the sort of things that have mighty power at your time of life, and they owe their power to the love of pleasure. Be on your guard. Be not like those of whom Paul speaks, “Lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God” (II Timothy 3:4).

Remember what I say: if you would cleave to earthly pleasures, — these are the things which murder souls. There is no surer way to get a seared conscience and a hard impenitent heart than to give way to the desires of the flesh and mind. It seems nothing at first, but it tells in the long run. Consider what Peter says: “Abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul” (I Peter 2:11). They destroy the soul’s peace, break down its strength, lead it into hard captivity, make it a slave. Consider what Paul says, “Mortify your members which are upon the earth” (Colossians 3:5). “They that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh, with its affections and lusts” (Galatians 5:24). “I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection” (I Cointhians 9:27). Once the body was a perfect mansion of the soul; — now it is all corrupt and disordered, and needs constant watching. It is a burden to the soul — not a helpmeet; a hindrance — not an assistance. It may become a useful servant, but it is always a bad master.

Consider again the words of Paul, “Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof” (Romans 13:14). “These,” says Leighton, “are the words, the very reading of which so wrought with Augustine that from a licentious young man he turned a faithful servant of Jesus Christ.” Young people, I wish this might be the case with all of you. Remember, again, if you will cleave to earthly pleasures, they are all unsatisfying, empty, and vain. Like the locusts of the vision in Revelations, they seem to have crowns on their heads — but like the same locusts, you will find they have stings, real stings, in their tails. All is not gold that glitters. All is not good that tastes sweet. All is not real pleasure that pleases for a time.

Go and take your fill of earthly pleasure if you will — you will never find your heart satisfied with them. There will always be a voice within, crying, like the horse-leech in the Proverbs, “Give, give!” There is an empty place there, which nothing but God can fill. You will find, as Solomon did by experience, that earthly pleasures are but a vain show, — vanity and vexation of spirit, — whited sepulchres, fair to look at without, full of ashes and corruption within. Better be wise in time. Better write “poison” on all earthly pleasures. The most lawful of them must be used with moderation. All of them are soul-destroying if you give them your heart.

And here I will not shrink from warning all young people to remember the seventh commandment; to beware of adultery and fornication, of all impurity of every kind. The breach of the seventh commandment is the sin above all others, that, as Hosea says, “takes away the heart” (Hosea 4:11). It is the sin that leaves deeper scars upon the soul than any sin that a person can commit. It is a sin that slays its thousands in every age, and has overthrown not a few of the saints of God in time past. Lot, and Samson, and David are fearful proofs. It is the sin that man dares to smile at, and smooths over under the names of Gaiety, unsteadiness, wildness, and irregularity. But it is the sin that the devil peculiarly rejoices over, for he is the “unclean spirit”; and it is the sin that God peculiarly abhors, and declares He “will judge” (Hebrews 13:4).

Young people, “flee fornication” (I Corinthians 6:18) if you love life. “Let no man deceive you with vain words; for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience” (Ephesians 5:6). Flee the occasions of it, the company of those who might draw you into it, the places where you might be tempted to it. Read what our Lord says about it in Matthew 5:28. Be like holy Job: “Make a covenant with your eyes” (Job 31:1). Flee talking of it. It is one of the things that ought not so much as to be named. You cannot handle pitch and not be defiled. Flee the thoughts of it; resist them, mortify them, pray against them, make any sacrifice rather than give way. Imagination is the hotbed where this sin is too often hatched. Guard your thoughts, and there is little fear about your deeds.

Consider the caution I have been giving. If you forget all else, do not let this be forgotten. (Adapted from Rev. J. C. Ryle)

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.-Luke 19:10

BIBLE QUIZ

Dear Boys and Girls,

As I looked over the quiz I had just made, I thought that it might be a little more difficult than usual, so I have tried to give a few hints to help you find the answers. Also the topic is not an easy one to understand, as this month the quiz is based on the 11th article of the Apostles’ Creed, which speaks about the “resurrection of the body.”

What does the word “resurrection” mean? I think most of you know the answer. It is a returning to life. Today many people say that when a person dies, it is the end. They say that the body returns to dust and how shall it ever become a body again. God’s Word tells us something different. There is a day when all who have ever lived shall rise again to appear before God. The Lord Jesus spoke about a rich man who lived as if there were no time after this life. The Word of God had warned him of it, but this he did not believe. When in hell he asked that Lazarus be sent to warn his brothers about the place of misery. He was told that they had the Word of God for their instruction. The word of a mere man they might not believe, but God’s Word was truth itself and was better than any other warning would be.

We, too, have God’s Word telling us about that day when the dead shall rise to appear before God, and we and all men shall be there. How dreadful it shall be if we have lived as the rich man did. Our prayer should constantly be:

Prepare me, gracious God.

To stand before Thy face.

Thy Spirit must the work perform,

For it is all of grace.

The first words of the answers will spell out four words of the 11th article of the Creed.

Martha said to the Lord Jesus, “I know that he (Lazarus) shall ___________ again in the resurrection at the last day.”

In I Corinthians 15 we read, “The last ____________ that shall be destroyed is death.”

One day the __________ came to the Lord Jesus, which say that there is no resurrection.

Paul, speaking before Felix, told how he believed in the resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the _____________.

The Lord Jesus said to Martha, “I am the ___________ and the Life.”

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a _____________ man to enter into the kingdom of God.

Into the grave of what prophet was a dead body thrown, and the body came to life again?

In John 5 the Lord Jesus said, “The hour is ____________ in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice.”

The Lord Jesus said to Thomas, I am the way, the ___________, and the life.”

To King Agrippa, Paul said, “Why should it be thought a thing ______ with you, that God should raise the dead?”

Paul also said to Agrippa, “Having therefore _____________ help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great.”

In a parable the Lord Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven is like a __________ that was cast into the sea and gathered of every kind.”

At a meeting of the disciples after Jesus ascended, Peter said that one must be ____________ (in place of Judas) to be a witness with them of Jesus’ resurrection.

The Lord Jesus, standing at the grave of Lazarus, cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come ___________”.

What was another name for Dorcas, the woman of Joppa who was restored to life by the Lord through the prayer of Peter?

In the sermon on the mount the Lord Jesus said, “Not every one that saith unto me ‘Lord, Lord’ shall enter into the kingdom of ______.”

Jesus asked His disciples, “Whom do men say that I am?”, and they replied, “John the Baptist, and some say ____________.”

In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, the beggar died and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s ____________.

When the five foolish virgins came to the marriage feast, the door was shut, and they called out, “Lord, Lord, ___________ to us.”

Paul, when standing before the council in Jerusalem, cried out, “Of the hope and resurrection of the ___________I called in question.”

Job said, “Though after my skin worms destroy this body, ____________ in my flesh shall I see God.” (Job 19)

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

The answers to the August quiz are as follows—

“The Forgiveness Of Sins”

Taketh John 1:29

Handmaid I Samuel 25:23–28

Exalted Acts 5:29–31

Forgive Matthew 6:9–12

Offering Genesis 4:4

Repentance Matthew 3:7–8

Glory Matthew 6:9–13

Iniquity Jeremiah 3:12–13

Voice Jeremiah 3:13

Evil Genesis 50:15

Nicodemus John 3:9–10

Enmity Genesis 3:14–15

Stone John 8:3–7

Sight Luke 16:11–21

Owest Matthew 18:23–28

Found Luke 16:22–24

Save Matthew 1:20–21

Intreat Exodus 10:16–17

Name Acts 2:37–38

Seventy Matthew 18:21–22

Answers to the Bible quiz were again received from the following boys and girls —

Joan Lugthart

Val Lugthart

Billy Van Wingerden

Kenneth Van Wingerden

Karl James Van Oostenbrugge

Mary Van Oostenbrugge

Kathy Van Bemden

Carol Van Bemden

Ella Kieboom (2)

Arline Kieboom (2)

Dan Meeuwse

Mark Meeuwse

Tunis Sweetman, Jr.

Judy Elizabeth Sweetman

Jenny Lee Sweetman

Janet Arlene Sweetman

Daniel John Sweetman

Cindy Hoogendoorn

Trudy Van Veldhuizen

Gary Van Veldhuizen

Robbie Van Veldhuizen

Marilyn Van Ravenswaay

JoAnn Van Ravenswaay

Esther Van Ravenswaay

Jay Alan Van Middendorp

Todd Van Middendorp

Julie Ann Van Middendorp (2)

Donna Zaremba

Denise Zaremba

Cheryl Kalee

Debbie Kalee

Karel Kalee

Mary Vander Male

Lilly Ann Vander Male

Albert Van Grouw

Tammy Kaat

Jeff Kaat

Gloria Pluim

Jerry Pluim

Rose Pluim

Mark Fintelman

Michael Fintelman

Audrey Kievit

Mary Kievit

Carol Mol

Brian Van Grouw

Sharon Van Grouw

Jill Van Grouw

Janice Stapel

John Stapel

Alane Van Ravenswaay

Denise Van Ravenswaay

Melanie Van Brugge

Adrian Bush

Nicholas J. Bush

Teresa Vander Meulen

Joyce Vander Meulen

Harmen Vander Meulen

Sidney Vander Meulen

Andy Walma

Jackie Walma

John Van Zweden

Mark Van Zweden

Ralph Van Zweden

Joan Van Zweden

Janet Van Zweden

Mary Van Zweden

Connie Fay Bouma

Elwyn Hoogcndoorn

LaRae Hoogcndoorn

Gywen Hoogendoorn

Walter Rozeboom (2)

Mary Rozeboom (2)

Delores Roseboom

Dale Rozeboom

Bonnie Bouma

Nanette Mast

Marilyn De Maagd

Gary Blok

John Blok

Gary Van Giessen

Randy Van Giessen

Gloria Rus

Harlan Rus

Virgil Rus

Ronald Hoogmoed

Gordon Boluyt

Steven Boluyt

Billy Blaak

Susan Blaak

Henry Kamp

Betty Kamp

Mary Kamp

Linda Kamp

Dave Verhey

John Verhey

Evelyn Korevaar

Andrew Korevaar

Jane-Marie Korevaar

Wilma Korevaar

John Roscndall

Ricky Rosendall

Rebecca Markus

Marianne Van Hoepen

Linda Bazen

Juli Frens

Mary Frens

Sharon Frens

Leonard Frens

Barb Hendricks

Helen Hendricks

Adrian Heykoop

Cory Heykoop

Helen Heykoop

Rhonda Van Voorst

Irene Van Heek

Albert Bouma

Ruth Bouma

Peter Feyter

Bill Kroesbergen

Amy Lou Kaat

Susan Van Ess

Rick Van Ess

Janet Bouma

Henry Vandenberg

John Vandenberg

Cordy Vandenberg

Jeanette Vandenberg

Paul Vandenberg

George Van Strien

Laurie Bleeker

Francina Boesterd

Conny Boesterd

Bill Kamp

Debbie Kamp

Tom Kamp

Marilyn Kamp

Jannie Slingerland (2)

Nellie Slingerland (2)

Ruth Ann Van Dalen (2)

Jacob Van Dalen

Jonathan Van Dalen

Kevin Verbeke

Tim Van Stelle

Andy Van Stelle

Nancy Vande Stouwe

Todd Vande Stouwe (2)

Jon Kamp

Robert Kamp

Richard Kamp

Barbara Kamp

Jeanette Slingerland (2)

Helen Hubers

Donna Marie Hubers

Marica Hubers

Harriet Hubers

Ruth Van Dyke

David Van Dyke

Mary Van Tilburg

Leah Van Tilburg

Jane Ellen Vander Wiele

John Martin Vander Wiele

Kenneth Ymker

Mineva Ymker

Hank Verhoef

Paul Verhoef

Linda Sue Schelling

Beth Schelling

Brenda Schelling

Kent Schelling

Tammy Troff

Amy Mieras

Robert Vanderknyff

Joyce Vanderknyff

Mark Heystek

Bobby Greendyk

Paul Greendyk

Tom Greendyk

David Greendyk

Alida Greendyk

Billy Greendyk

Carla Van Grootheest

Margaret Den Boer

Willem Den Boer

John Moore

Carl Moore

Ann Moore

Leah Moore

Joe Moore

Karen Goeman

John M. Goeman

David Goeman

Peter Koppert

Christine Koppert

Elizabeth Koppert

Nelly Koppert

Adrian Korevaar

Abraham Korevaar

John Korevaar

Andy Korevaar

Neal Boerkoel

Ruth Boerkoel

Bobby Boerkoel

William Slingerland

Marinus Slingerland

Judy Slingerland

David Kwekel

Nancy Kwekel

Maria Boonzaayer

Karel Boonzaayer

Gladys Van Bochove

Rhonda Van Bochove

Kathy Van Giessen

Julie Van Gemert

Barbara Southway

Beverly Southway

Gerda Vanden Brink

Roy Vanden Brink

Stephan Vanden Brink

Delia Vanden Brink

Kaye Vande Berg

Maryjean den Hoed

Arthur den Hoed

Kathleen den Hoed

Joleen den Hoed

It is again time to answer our letters, so let’s see who they are from this month -

NELLY KOPPERT — I guess your house won’t be too hard to find, Nelly. Have we had good weather for growing cucumbers this year? There must be quite a few cucumbers in ½ acres. Are you glad that school has started again? Or would you rather work on the farm?

MARIANNE VAN HEOPEN — We were glad to hear that you now have two pen-pals, Marianne. That ought to keep you rather busy. Do you sleep in the tent quite often? If all we had was a tent to live in, we would be anxious to enjoy sleeping in a soft bed again.

CAROL MOL — Do you know who your teacher will be, Carol? I guess when you receive this issue, you will already know for sure. What did you do during your vacation? It will probably be nice to see your friends again at school and tell of all the things you did.

ARLINE KIEBOOM — You had a busy summer, Arline. You could probably write a book about all the places you visited. How many miles did you travel? It is a good thing that you didn’t have to travel that distance with a horse and wagon.

CONNY BOESTERD — Did you make your trip to the Netherlands, Conny? You have quite a lot more distance to go than we do. In what part of the Netherlands do your relatives live? Say Hello to your parents and grandparents for us.

WILMA KOREVAAR — Do you have friends living in Newmarket, Wilma? I have no idea where the city is located. But I am sure there are many more places of which I have never heard. We hope you won’t give up if the questions seem difficult, but instead just work a little harder.

JOYCE VANDERKNYFF — We were happy to have you join in answering the Bible quizzes, Joyce. Do you remember when we had supper at your house? I suppose you have grown quite a lot since then. We hope to hear from you again next month.

PETER FEYTER — We enjoyed our trip to the Netherlands very much, Peter. I think you would like it, too. Did you get more rain in August? So often we look to the clouds for rain, but our needs must be brought unto the Lord, Who giveth rain. This is not only true of rain, but of all things.

MARY ELLEN VAN ZWEDEN — Did you have a busy summer, Mary Ellen? I suppose it was nice to see your cousins from Canada again. Our congratulations to your grandfather and grandmother on their 60th wedding anniversary. Give our greetings to your parents also.

JANNIE SLINGERLAND — Did you enjoy your trip to Chilliwack for the Youth Conference, Jannie? You had quite a distance to travel. Were there quite a few boys and girls at the conference? Just as with our Bible quiz, we pray that the Lord might bless the words which were spoken.

BETH SCHELLING — Sorry to hear of your accident, Beth. What happened? I didn’t have any trouble reading your writing. Were you using your left hand or your right hand? We hope it will be better when school starts, as then you will need to do lots of writing.

MARGARET DEN BOER — We certainly would like to pay another visit to Vancouver Island, Margaret. But we do not have any plans for this at present. How old are the chickens which you have? Do you think they will keep you supplied with eggs?

JACOB VAN DALEN — Where do you spend most of your time, Jacob? In the swimming pool or in the garden? We hope the garden doesn’t suffer for lack of attention. We didn’t see you in Michigan this summer. Did you take a trip?

ROBERT VANDERKNYFF — We are not quite ready to move to Holland, Robert, but we did enjoy our visit there. If we live and are able to do so, we would like to go again sometime. I can imagine that you are happy that your grandparents came to live in Lethbridge.

LINDA SUE SCHELLING — You must have had a bad cut, Linda. Did you fall on something sharp? Accidents often happen where we least expect them. And when we have a need for a doctor, then he becomes an important person. In much the same way, it is only when we have a need for the Great Physician of souls that we turn to Him for our help.

FRANCINA BOESTERD — What did you make in handicrafts, Francina? There are many things that can be made with very simple materials. I am wondering if you made your trip to the Netherlands. Did you pick a lot of berries this summer?

RUTH ANN VAN DALEN — I see there are two letters from you, Ruth Ann. What subjects do you have in school this semester? It is probably rather difficult to study again after a long vacation. Or are you rather glad to be at it again?

AMY LOU KAAT — We hope you had a happy birthday, Amy, even though we are rather late. We look forward to those special days, soon they are here, and then they are past. We hope you may have many more of them. Which did you like best in Milwaukee - the flowers, the zoo, or the museum?

EVELYN KOREVAAR — Have you bought another pony, Evelyn? A pony which kicks all the time does not make a good companion — just like a boy or girl who is always misbehaving. This is a busy time of the year on the farm. Are you glad to see school days back again?

ELLA KIEBOOM — When you receive this issue of the Banner of Truth, Ella, you will probably be busy with school books again. It was nice to have you visit us in Kalamazoo. You must have lots of new friends after travelling to so many places.

LEAH MOORE — Your letter is the last one this time, Leah. Do you have some new pets to take the place of the guinea pigs? What grade are you in now? We hope you didn’t find the Bible quiz too difficult to answer this month.

Many thanks, boys and girls, for your answers to the quiz, and also for your letters. Don’t forget - mail the answers to me at 1104 Roseland Avenue, Kala-mazoo, Michigan 49001. We hope, D.V., to hear from all you again next month.

With love,
Your friend,
“Uncle Garret”

“WHAT THINK YE OF CHRIST?”

In his talk at the Youth Day Conference in Vineland Joe Beeke had this title for his topic and spoke about the reactions which the Lord Jesus met with in His sojourn upon this earth. He then attempted to show that these same reactions are also in existence today.

Six reactions were mentioned, which could be briefly summarized as follows:

(1) No room for Him. “There was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7). “He came unto His own and His own received Him not” (John 1:11). The natural heart is filled with the world, and therefore is a slave to sin and self. There is no room unless the Holy Spirit makes room.

(2) He is from the devil. (Mark 3:22). Self-righteous man is not willing to hear that he is sinful and guilty before God, but would rather be told that he is basically good. When the truth is spoken regarding his sinful condition, he cries out in rebellion, “He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth He out devils.”

(3) “Thou, being a man, makest thyself God.” Thus the Jews spoke to Jesus, and for this reason they would stone Him. (John 10). Many will admit that Christ was a good man and an example for us, but not that He was divine. Whitefield said, “I am persuaded the devil believes more of the Bible than most of us do. He believes the divinity of Jesus Christ; that is more than many who call themselves Christians do.” How ignorant man is of the value of the blessed God-Man Christ Jesus.

(4) Some believed in His divinity, but not in His true humanity. Man is not convinced of the depth of our fall and the necessity that the Son of God must needs become man, fulfilling the law, that sinners might be saved. The necessity of His death on the cross is foolishness to them.

(5) Some, like Pilate, said, “What shall I do then with Jesus who is called Christ?” (Matthew 27:22). The natural man, not knowing himself, says with the church of Laodicea, “I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing,” and knoweth not that he is wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. (Revelations 3:19).

(6) Some, through the working of the Holy Spirit, responded with Paul, “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.” Here is a way of escape from a well-deserved punishment.

The address ended with three questions directed to those present. The first, asked of the Pharisees by the Lord Jesus, was, “What think yeof Christ?” The other two, asked of John the Baptist by the Levites and scribes, were “Who art thouTand “What sayest thouof thyself?”

HAPPY FOR ONE NIGHT

There was once an attractive and charming girl, who, however, had been greatly flattered because of and affected by her charm and beauty. She was a child of many prayers, but she longed to escape from the quietness and sobriety of her home into the bright lights and exciting bustle of worldly pleasure. As this desire became stronger, she was first restrained from joining worldly companions in their gaiety by her mother’s tears and pleadings. Eventually it was only her father’s command that prevented her. Her loving parents made home as agreeable as possible, but her heart still ached for the dance, the theatre, and the gay party. More than once she cried out in impatience and vexation, “I wish I could be happy for one night!”

Her father became ill. One night while he lay only half-conscious, moaning in pain, with his anxious wife watching constantly by his bedside to supply his needs, the daughter stole away to a dance — her first. All night long she made the most of her freedom, and it went on nearly till dawn. By this time she had been missed. The mother, whom she ought to have relieved at the sickbed, alternately prayed and wept through the weary hours of that night. Indifferent to her mother’s grief and concern, the wayward daughter laughed, and sang, and danced her way through the same hours. She mingled with those whose character shut them out from her father’s home; she listened to talk that she had never heard before and was polluted in mind and conscience by it. She tasted to the full the sort of happiness she had long desired.

But with the first light of day it fled. The moment she turned away from the crowd to hurry homewards, fear gripped her heart. Ill clad for the chill damp of the morning, she was shivering violently before she reached her door. Entering quietly, she sought her bed, and died there two weeks later. She had often been reproved, had as often hardened her heart, and now sudden destruction came upon her. “If I had only known,” she moaned day and night. As she felt death approaching, she wailed, “Must I really die? Mother, mother, pray for me.” She cried for her minister at all hours in the hope that he might be able to help her in her remorse and fear. Often enough in the past she had avoided him lest he might speak to her about her soul.

Thus she died, fearful and hopeless. Nothing said to her about divine mercy and the merits of Christ’s death was believed. To every remark and prayer she had but one answer, “Oh! if I had only known this.” Her lovely face and form, the subject of the flattery of worldlings, and her own delight and admiration as she viewed them in the mirror, had proved a snare. Caught in a frenzy of desire to enjoy the pleasures of sin in the company of trifling worldly friends, she had broken loose from the restraints that she needed, and chose vanity as her portion. How true that “she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.”

What we have just told took place long ago, but similar things have happened many a time since. May young readers be preserved from such actions, and led rather to seek Christ and the unfailing pleasures which He gives. (The Young People’s Magazine).

“GOD MOVES IN A MYSTERIOUS WAY”

“No,” said the lawyer, “I shall not press your claim against that man; you can get someone else to take care the case, or you can withdraw it, just as you please.”

“Think there isn’t any money in it?”

“There would probably be a little money in it, but it would come from the sale of the little house that the man occupies and calls his ‘home.’ But I don’t want to meddle with the matter anyhow.”

“Got frightened out of it, eh?”

“Not at all.”

“I suppose the fellow begged hard to be let off?”

“Well, yes, he did.”

“And you caved in?”

“No; I didn’t say so; he didn’t speak a word to me.”

“Well, may I enquire whom he did beg from?”

“God Almighty!”

“Ah, he took to praying, did he?”

“Not for my benefit in the least. You see I found the little house easily enough, and knocked on the outer door, which stood ajar, but nobody heard me, so I stepped in, and saw through the crack of the side door an aged woman on a bed, with her silver head high on the pillows, who looked for the world just as my mother did the last time I ever saw her on earth. Well, I was on the point of knocking, when she said: “Come, father, now begin: I’m ready,” and down on his knees by her side went an old white-haired man, still older than his wife, I should judge; and I couldn’t have knocked then for the life of me. Well, he began. First he reminded God that they were still His submissive children, mother and he, and no matter what He saw fit to bring upon them they would not rebel at His will. Of course, it was going to be very hard for them to be homeless in their old age, especially with poor mother so sick and helpless, and oh, how different it all might have been if one of the boys had been spared! Then the voice broke, and a thin, white hand stole from under the coverlid and moved softly over his snowy hair. Then he went on to repeat that nothing could be so sharp again as the parting with those three sons — unless mother and he should be separated! But at last he fell to comforting himself with the fact that the dear Lord knew that it was through no fault of his own that mother and he were threatened with the loss of their little home, which beggary and the workhouse — a place they prayed to be delivered from entering, if it could be consistent with God’s will. And then he quoted a multitude of promises concerning the safety of those who put their trust in the Lord. In fact, it was the most thrilling plea to which I ever listened. And at last he prayed for those who were about to demand justice.”

The lawyer continued, more slowly than ever: “And — I believe I’d rather go to the poorhouse myself to-night than to stain my heart and hands with such a prosecution as that!”

“Little afraid to defeat the old man’s prayer, eh?”

“Man, you couldn’t defeat it!” said the lawyer. “I tell you he left all subject to the will of God; but he claimed that we were told to make known our desires unto God; and of all the pleadings I have ever heard that beat all. You see I was taught that kind of thing myself in my childhood. And why was I sent to hear that prayer? I’m sure I don’t know, but I hand the case over.”

“I wish,” said the client, twisting uneasily, “you hadn’t told me about the old man’s prayer.”

“Why so?”

“Well, because I want the money the place would bring. I was taught the Bible straight enough when I was a youngster, and I hate to run counter to what you tell me. I wish you had not heard a word about it, and another time I wouldn’t listen to petitions not intended for my ears.”

The lawyer smiled.

“My dear fellow,” he said, “you’re wrong again. It was intended for my ears, and yours, too; and God Almighty intended it. My old mother used to sing about ‘God moves in a mysterious way,’ I remember.”

“Well, my mother used to sing it, too,” said the claimant, as he twisted the claim papers in his fingers. “You can call in the morning if you like, and tell mother and him the claim has been met.”

“In a mysterious way,” added the lawyer, smiling.

“I HAVE ENOUGH”

Oh what a day of discontent,
When all men seem on pleasure bent!
Their main employ, their chief intent;
Yet never can get enough.

“Give us less work and higher pay,”
We hear them cry from day to day.
How strange it would be to hear them say,
“I’m rich, I have enough.”

O foolish man, where is your sight?
Why can ye not perceive your plight?
Against yourselves ye vainly fight,
And so have not enough.

Where is contentment to be found?
‘Tis not on earth’s polluted ground
Where men in their own lusts are drowned,
Yet never can get enough.

Some men there are who might be bold
Enough to say with one of old —
With Esau, for of him we’re told,
He said, “I have enough.”

Enough? Why yes, and some to spare
Of this world’s goods both rich and rare;
And yet, I boldly do declare,
He but dreamed he had enough.

He thought he needed nothing more;
He knew not that his soul was poor;
His fleeting wealth of earthly store
To him seemed quite enough.

But poor (rich) Esau has to die,
And all his riches quickly fly,
With nothing in the grave to lie;
He thoughthe had enough.

At length he stands before the throne,
Yet spurns the blood which does atone,
And pleads the works which “were” his own;
But these are not enough.

He then is cast to endless woe,
Where every self-rich soul must go,
His evil cup does overflow;
And God says, “ ‘Tis enough.”

Jacob, his brother, so we read,
Was also rich, but rich indeed;
His God supplied his every need;
And so he had enough.

His every need, I emphasize,
For Jacob was among the wise;
He store possessed beyond the skies;
‘Twas there he had enough.

Though full of earthly riches great,
The Lord revealed his soul’s true state,
And blessed him ere it was too late;
And Jacob had enough.

Washed in the blood the Savior spilt,
His soul was thoroughly cleansed from guilt;
God said to him, “Ask what thou wilt”;
And thus he had enough.

Enriched by God and blessed indeed,
The Lord did Jacob safely lead;
When from his sinful body freed,
He found he had enough.

He found in God he did possess
An everlasting righteousness,
Wrought out by Christ, a glorious dress;
And then he had enough.

And now I wrestle, Lord, with Thee;
A Jacob’s portion give to me,
That I may sing eternally:
“My God, I have enough.”

Friendly Companion

SCHOOL

As teachers of the rising race,
O Lord, we supplicate thy grace;
Assur’d that all our toil is vain,
Unless we heav’nly influence gain.

But, if thy blessing thou impart,
The shades of error will depart,
And night’s dark shadows flee away
Before the glorious orb of day.

As we assemble in our school once more,
O Lord, thy blessing we implore;
We meet to read, and sing, and pray;
Be with us, then, through every day.

Be with us while we learn to read;
May we attentive be indeed;
And when we in thy house appear,
Teach us to worship in thy fear.

Our childlike prayer to thee ascends,
For parents, teachers, foes, and friends,
O may thy goodness rest on all,
And all before thee humbly fall.

ARE THERE FEW THAT SHALL BE SAVED?

Destruction’s dangerous road,
What multitudes pursue!
While that which leads the soul to God,
Is known or sought by few.

Believers enter in
By Christ, the living gate;
But they who will not leave their sin,
Complain it is too straight.

If self must be denied,
And sin forsaken quite,
They rather choose the way that’s wide,
And strive to think it right.

Encompassed by a throng,
On numbers they depend;
So many surely can’t be wrong,
And miss a happy end.

But numbers are no mark
That men will right be found,
A few were saved in Noah’s ark,
For many millions drowned.

Obey the gospel-call,
And enter while you may;
The flock of Christ is always small,
And none are safe but they.

Lord, open sinners eyes,
Their awful state to see;
And make them, ere the storm arise,
To Thee for safety flee.

(John Newton)

A CLOCKWATCHER IN CHURCH?

The Rev. Donald MacFarlane had a solemn sense of the importance of the ministry. He expected, as every true minister of Christ has a right to expect, that no unbecoming disrespect should be shown to the gospel message in its delivery. It was only occasionally that he rebuked, but when he did so, the rebukes were remembered by the culprit and others. On one occasion he was annoyed by a man continually pulling out his watch to see the time during the sermon. He stopped his discourse and said, “There is a man present who has no interest in what I am saying. His eye is on time; mine is on eternity.” He then quietly proceeded with his sermon. (Rev. D. Beaton).

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