A PERIODICAL FOR YOUNG AND OLD

“HOLD FAST THE FORM OF SOUND WORDS”

Timothy, to whom the exhortation to “hold fast the form of sound words” was first addressed, was a young minister and the close companion of the Apostle Paul. The apostle was shortly expecting to leave this world and to enter the inheritance which is incorruptible and undefiled and fadeth now away, and, for the good of the Church to the end of time, gives Timothy suitable directions with regard to approaching dangers in order that, like a good soldier of Jesus Christ, he might wage a good warfare in the strength of grace. These dangers are all included in the greatest of all disasters which can overtake an individual or a people; and that is — that the Word of God should be wrested from their grasp, and they themselves left to vainly wander in their own devices.

There are two reasons in particular for the apostle thus addressing Timothy. The first was that he was a minister of the gospel, and, as a watchman set on the walls of Zion, he was expected to sound a warning to the people on the approach of danger. To do this required that his own soul would be kept in a healthy state. Therefore he is exhorted, “Take heed unto thyself.” The apostle adds,”- and unto the doctrine” (I Timothy 4:16), indicating the necessity laid on Timothy to “preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine” (II Timothy 4:2). He was also, in the exercise of spiritual discernment, to take note of the events of the past so that he might be prepared for perilous times. The apostle tells him of Phygellus and Hermogenes who turned away from him; of Demas, who forsook him, having loved this present evil world; and of Alexander, the coppersmith, who did him much evil and withstood his words. Timothy was clearly to understand that “all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (II Timothy 3:12), and, therefore, that he would need to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus if he was faithfully to perform his work.

The second reason for the apostle giving Timothy the marks of the perilous times and the necessity of contending for the faith was his youth. The very ardency and hopefulness peculiar to youth was apt to make Timothy lose sight of the adversaries. True, there was a crown of righteousness at the end of the journey, but, in between, there was a warfare to be accomplished and enemies to be overcome who would seek, by various ways, to take God’s Word from Timothy and his hearers. Surely if Timothy, in possession of saving grace and called to the ministry, needed warning and exhortation, so do our young readers in these days of widespread apostasy and decay. Some are of the opinion that the attention of the young should not be drawn to the contendings of the Church. They say that to introduce young people to such matters creates a bad impression on the young mind and all that is needed is that the gospel would be preached to them. Such seek to divorce the preaching of the gospel from contending for the faith. We sincerely hope that none of our young readers will ever become enslaved to a principle so base, so thoroughly unscrip-tural, so utterly devoid of spiritual life, and so abhorrent to every heart that, through divine grace, beats in fervent loyalty of Christ and His Truth. True it is that we are to make a distinction between a contentious spirit and contending for the faith. The former we are to mark and avoid, arising as it does from self-importance and carnal fire; the latter we are to encourage as a fruit of true zeal for God’s glory. Perhaps nowhere is the beautiful union between the preaching of the Word and the contending for the faith so strikingly illustrated as in the words of the apostle after making the announcement, “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand” (II Timothy 4:6). Standing on the brink of the great eternity, he casts his eyes back on the course he had run since the memorable day when Christ met him on the Damascus road, and concludes with these words, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day” (II Timothy 4:7 &8).

The form of sound words brings before us the Word of God in its entirety and reminds us of the “pattern” given to Moses on the mount. All things were to be done according to this pattern because it revealed the mind of God. The Word of God is to be held fast because there the mind of God is revealed to the entent and in the exact way in which God intended it should be, for “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (II Timothy 3:16).

It is evident that Timothy first made his acquaintance with the form of sound words in his family. Both his grandmother, Lois, and his mother, Eunice, were possessors of that “unfeigned faith” by which they looked to Christ for salvation and became the heirs of eternal life. Faith without works is dead and one of the evidences that the faith which Timothy’s mother exercised was a living faith was shown in her instructing her son in the Word of God, so that from a child he knew the holy Scriptures, which were able to make him wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus (II Timothy 3:15). Decay of family religion is the root cause of the present widespread delinquency among children, and the exhortation to hold fast God’s Word starts in the family. It was this that God commended in Abraham. “For I know him that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment” (Genesis 18:19). The fathers in Israel, who received God’s law and testimony, were charged to make them known to their children, that they might know them and set their hope in God (Psalm 78:5–7).

But Timothy also heard the Word of God through the preaching of the Apostle Paul. As far as we can judge, it was through the preaching of the apostle being applied with divine power to Timothy’s soul that he was savingly changed. Paul calls him, “Timothy, my own son in the faith” (I Timothy 1:2), and also, “who is my beloved son and faithful in the Lord” (I Corinthians 4:17), from which expressions we conclude that he was spiritually born again through the instrumentality of Paul’s preaching. To this end the church of God is set up in the world that by it the preaching might be fully known and, through the operation of the Spirit of God, sinners savingly changed and brought into the kingdom of Christ. This Word is the incorruptible seed of the kingdom by which all God’s people are born again and therefore it is indispensably necessary that we hold it fast in all the completeness of its revelation.

In the dark ages prior to the Reformation times the people were denied the Truth in their own language and were sunk in deep superstition, gross ignorance and a very low state of morality. At the Reformation, however, the Word was given to the people and men raised up to proclaim it faithfully. The result was that a great change took place and the Word of God received a supreme place.

When one is commanded to hold anything fast, it means that strong efforts will be made to tear such a thing away. It would be impossible in an article of this description to mention the various attempts made to take God’s Word and worship away from the people of this land. In modern times a method is used of casting doubt upon the authenticity of God’s Word and so they seek to destroy its authority in the consciences of the people. Also the distinctive testimony of the true Church of God is obliterated and faithfulness to the exhortation to hold fast the Truth is conspicuous by its absence. Men do not like to feel that they are considered “behind the times” or “lacking in Christian charity”.

Let our young people hold fast that which has been handed down to them. Let them not turn their backs on the Truth by thinking there is no harm in leaving Christ’s cause by forsaking the testimony preserved until now. Let them rather seek a saving interest in Christ, the Captain of salvation, and then they will see the beauty and preciousness of divine Truth in all its branches. To such the exhortation, “Hold fast the form of sound words” assumes an importance which no tongue can describe. (Young People’s Magazine)

BIBLE QUIZ

Dear Boys and Girls,

The end of the school year has again arrived, and I am sure everyone is glad to have a vacation. School days are times of learning — some in the lower grades learn to read and write, to add and subtract, to multiply and divide, etc. In the higher grades we learn different and more difficult things, but also important. And so we continue to learn.

It is a blessing that we are able to learn — there are many who cannot. But what do we do with our ability? We learn to talk — but what do we speak about? We learn to read — but what do we read? How much and how often we mis-use the blessings of an education. What do we desire? Is it to become rich, to be honored by men, to be important? It should be so different. “To glorify God” is the reason man was created.

It is true — we must learn in order to work — in order to earn a living. But may we together ask the Lord for wisdom to use our learning in a way pleasing to Him. His Word has many instructions for us, and to it we must turn for guidance. There it is written — “In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths”.

The first letters of the answers of our quiz will spell out four words from Proverbs 2:6.

In Psalm 25 David prayed, “Lead me in Thy truth, and ______ me.”

In another Psalm, David says, “As the _____ panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after Thee, O God.”

When Elisha smote the waters of Jordan, he said, “Where is the Lord God of ______”

In Job 28 we read, “Behold, the fear of the _______, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.”

Who said to the prophet Elijah, “I thy servant fear the Lord from my youth”?

In Proverbs 3 Solomon wrote about wisdom, saying, “She is more precious than _______”

In Psalm 90 Moses prayed, “So teach us to number our ________ , that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”

In Genesis 6 we read of much wickedness on earth, “but Noah found ________ in the eyes of the Lord.”

In those days God saw that every ________ of the thoughts of man’s heart was only.evil continually.

And God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with _______ through them.”

Of whom do we read that he despised his birthright?

The Lord’s first question to Adam after he had eaten of the forbidden tree was, ‘‘Where art _______?”

In Proverbs 3 Solomon also wrote, “_______ is the man that findeth wisdom.”

In the beginning the Lord God brought the beasts and fowls to Adam and _______

Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.

At Peniel the Lord told Jacob, “Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but _______”

In II Timothy Paul writes about the Scriptures, which are able to make one wise unto _______ through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Of what man and his three friends do we read that God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom?

In Job 28 Job speaks about finding wisdom, and says, “It cannot be valued with the gold of In Exodus we read that the Lord told _______ that He had filled Bezaleel with the Spirit of God to make things for the tabernacle and its furnishings.

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

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

“All Power Is Given Unto Me”

Matthew 28:18

Arm Exodus 6:6

Leaves Revelations 22:2

Lapped Judges 7:7

Pitchers Judges 7:16

Outcasts Psalm 147:2

Widow I Kings 17:8–9

Earth Joshua 2:9–11

Remember Psalm 20:7

Idolatry Acts 17:16

Strength II Samuel 22:33

Glory Matthew 6:13

Idol I Kings 15:13

Vain Psalm 60:11

Excellent Psalm 8:1 & 9

Nain Luke 7:11–15

Uncertain I Timothy 6:17

Nothing Jeremiah 32:17

Trust Psalm 118:9

Open Psalm 81:10

Might II Chronicles 20:12

Earth II Chronicles 20:24

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

Gerda Vanden Brink (2)

Delia Vanden Brink (2)

Stephan Vanden Brink (2)

Roy Vanden Brink (2)

Linda Van De Vendel

Sharon Van De Vendel

Mary Kievit

Audrey Kievit

Helen Vanderwal

Peter Vanderwal

David M. Goeman

Karen Goeman

John M. Goeman

Tom Timmer

Tammy Troff

Daniel Ymker

Mineva Ymker

Kenneth Ymker

Richard Rozeboom

Rhonda Van Voorst

Glenn Van Ginkel

Mariene Van Veldhuizen

Ruth Etelman

David Etelman

Robert Etelman

Helen Hendricks

Barb Hendricks

Leonard Frens

Sharon Frens

Julie Frens

Mary Frens

Mary Brouwer

Lynn Kamp

Gordon Boluyt

Steven Boluyt

Bill Kroesbergen (2)

Hendrika Kroesbergen (2)

Jan Van Dalen

Jonathan Van Dalen

Ella Kieboom

Arhne Kieboom

Carol Van Bemden

Mike Van Bemden

Kathy Van Bemden

Janet Sweetman

Judy Sweetman

Daniel J. Sweetman

Jenny Lee Sweetman

Tunis Sweetman, Jr.

Thomas John Berkenbush

David Greendyk

Alida Greendyk

Billy Greendyk

Cheryl Kalee

Debbie Kalee

Karel Kalee

John Blok

Richard De Bat

Janice Polderman

Elise Polderman

Mary Polderman

Maria Christine Boonzaayer

Jane De Bat

Randy Van Giessen

Gary Van Giessen

Michelle Timmer

Paula Timmer

Kevin Verbeke

Howard Rus

Edwin Rus

Gloria Rus

Virgil Rus

Harold Rus

Harlan Rus

Melanie Van Brugge

Patty Bouma

Janet L. Bouma

Janice Stapel

John Stapel

Dean Kaat

Carrie Blok

James Sweetman

Marilyn Van Ravenswaay

JoAnn Van Ravenswaay

Esther Van Ravenswaay

Norman Van Ravenswaay

Bonnie Rae Bouma

Dale Bouma

Connie F. Bouma

Jo Ann Giebink

Marnie Giebink

Bill Van Wingerden

Ken Van Wingerden

Lyna Bouma

George Van Strien

Norrine Bouma

Marilyn De Maagd

Shirley Slotsema

Larry Slotsema

John Verhey

Arlen Klarenbeek

Darwyn Klarenbeek

David Klarenbeek

Trudy Van Veldhuizen

Gary Van Veldhuizen

Robbie Van Veldhuizen

Deanna Erickson

Rita Erickson

Roger Erickson

Cindy Erickson

Deborah Erickson

Carol Mol

Marie Rozeboom

Glenn Rozeboom

Stanley Aart Vander Waal

Joan Van Zweden

Mary Van Zweden

John Van Zweden

Janet Van Zweden

Mark Van Zweden

Ralph Van Zweden

Neal Boerkoel

Ruth Boerkoel

Bobby Boerkoel

John Rosendall

Jim Rosendall

Richard Rosendall

Laura Rosendall

Denise Zaremba

Donna Zaremba

Mary Vander Male

Lilly Ann Vander Male

Karl Van Oostenbrugge

Mary Van Oostenbrugge

Peter Moen

Marsha Spaans

Gary Blok

Joan Lugthart

Val Lugthart

Joyce Koedam

Dan Meeuwse

Mark Meeuwse

Kristine Rieder (2)

Donna Marie Hubers

Helen Hubers

Marcia Hubers

Harriet Hubers

Mark Heystek

Anden Van Beek

Joann Van Beek

Alma Van Beek

Terry Van Beek

Kathy Van Giessen

Liz Van Giessen

Jannie Slingerland

Nellie Slingerland

Neil Slingerland

Joanne Slingerland

Wendy Grisnich (2)

Cheryl Grisnich (2)

Richard Grisnich (2)

Rhonda Grisnich (2)

Donna Klarenbeek

Barbara Klarenbeek

Pamela Klarenbeek

Teresa Klarenbeek

Tom Kamp

Marilyn Kamp

Bill Kamp

Debbie Kamp

Cheryl Timmer

Ruth Boonzaayer

Karl Boonzaayer

Ruth Bouma

Albert Bouma

June Sisco

Elizabeth Sisco

Nancy Sisco

John Martin Vander Wiele

Jane Ellen Vander Wiele

Judy Lynn Vander Wiele

Adrian Heykoop

Cory Heykoop

Helen Heykoop

Cindy Hoogendoorn

Gene Hoogendoorn

Perry Hoogendoorn

Carla Van Grootheest

Elizabeth Koppert (2)

Christine Koppert (2)

Joanne Kroesbergen (2)

Marguerite Kroesbergen (2)

Nancy Kwekel

David Kwekel

Paul Verhoef

Hank Verhoef

Andy Van Stelle

Tim Van Stelle

Paul Greendyk

Bob Greendyk

Alan Greendyk

Jane Teunissen

Mary Kamp

Linda Kamp

Henry Kamp

Maryjean den Hoed

Joleen den Hoed

Kathleen den Hoed

Arthur den Hoed

Becky Markus

Albert Van Grouw

Nicholas Bush

Adrian Bush

Teresa Vander Meulen

Frances Vander Meulen (2)

Sidney Vander Meulen (2)

Harmen Vander Meulen (2)

Joyce Vander Meulen (2)

David Van Beek

Jonathan Van Beek

Gladys Van Bochove

Rhonda Van Bochove

Mary Van Tilburg

Leah Van Tilburg

Diane Oudshoorn

Henry Oudshoorn

John Oudshoorn

Martin Oudshoorn

Wilma Oudshoorn

Benny Oudshoorn

Jeanette Slingerland

Kathryn Lynn Schelling

Beth Schelling

Kent Schelling

Brenda Kay Schelling

Linda Schelling

Julie Van Gemert

Mike Neels

Joe Neels

Jim Neels

Robert Southway

Jannie Slingerland

Joanne Slingerland

Neil Slingerland

Nellie Slingerland

Amy Mieras

Billy Blaak

Susan Blaak

Susan Van Ess

Rick Van Ess

John Boerkoel

Alane Van Ravenswaay

Joel Van Ravenswaay

Adrian Korevaar

Andy Korevaar

Janie den Hertog

Joanne Overeem

Kathy Overeem

Jenny Freda Overeem

Casey Overeem

Corrie Overeem

Effle Korevaar

John Korevaar

Wilma Korevaar

Jane-Marie Korevaar

Gloria Pluim

Leslie Van Wyk

Billy Van Wyk

Martin Van Wyk

LaRae Hoogendoorn

Elwyn Hoogendoorn

Gywen Hoogendoorn

Jerry Pluim

Rose Pluim

Irene Van Heek

Ed Menger

Andre de Kok

Henry de Kok

Herbie de Kok

Cornell de Kok

Jany de Kok

Jane Mast

Joylynn Mast

Neil Mast

Ruth Van Grouw

And again it is time to answer our mail —

JANIE DEN HERTOG — Your letter is first this time, Janie. You didn’t include your address with your answers, so we couldn’t send you a book. If you will send it along with your answers this time, we’ll send you one. Did your parents bring you a pineapple?

JAMES SWEETMAN — I looked for you after church, James, but didn’t see you. Did you enjoy your trip to Kalamazoo? I suppose you have read in your book by this time. What do you plan to do this summer? Do you have a garden?

CASEY OVEREEM — How many onions in a row 1,000 feet long, Casey? Sounds like there would be quite a few. Do you know if onions are mentioned in the Bible? Jonah mentions weeds at the bottom of the sea, but those that grow in the fields are called by another name in the Bible. Do you know what it is?

MARY BROUWER — I certainly do remember having lunch at your house, Mary. We were hoping you would be coming to Kalamazoo sometime so that you could have lunch at our house. But we haven’t seen you yet. The mail seems to be coming through O.K. now.

CONNIE F. BOUMA — How did you like your book, Connie? It has lessons in it for boys and girls. When do you expect that your new church will be finished. It is nice to have a minister every Sunday, isn’t it? Tell your father thank-you for the book which he sent me.

STANLEY VANDER WAAL — It was nice to have you join with us in answering the Bible quiz, Stanley. And although your birthday is already past, we hope it was a happy one and that you may have many more of them. Since you are the oldest in your family, I suppose you always set a good example.

JOE NEELS — It was nice to hear from you, Joe. You wrote a nice long letter. It sounds like you are going to be quite busy on the farm this summer. We were in Sardis two years ago, so we weren’t too far from you, I’m sure. Say Hello to your parents for us.

ELLA KIEBOOM — It is amazing what a power there is in a tornado, Ella. In God’s Word we are told that “He commandeth and raiseth the stormy wind”. There are examples of it, such as in the story of Jonah. Can you think of other examples? But we also read about a “covert from storm and from rain”. Perhaps your father will help you find that text.

KAREN SUE GOEMAN — I was glad to read that you like your catechism class in church, Karen. As you may have read in your book, the two men who wrote the Heidelberg Catechism were young men. The Lord had blessed His Word to them and also the instruction that had been given them. Pray much for His blessing on the things you are taught.

ED MENGER — We hope that you may have a good and safe trip to Holland, Ed. We must be spared and protected wherever we are, but we usually think more about it when we make a long trip like that. We hope that when you return, D.V., you will write us all about it.

JANNIE SLINGERLAND — You are right, Jannie, many of the things told in Matthew may also be found in one or more of the other three books (Mark, Luke, and John). But only one text was necessary. I assume you have been reading your book already. Did you like it?

JANET VAN ZWEDEN — I think everyone likes warm weather again after a cold winter, Janet. Most boys and girls will probably be thinking about their summer vacation, what they will do, and where they will go. All of our plans can be changed so quickly, since we do not know what will happen tomorrow or even yet the same day. The Lord Jesus gives us an example of that in the story of the rich man and his barns.

JOHN MARINUS GOEMAN — Reading of good books is a wonderful way to spend spare time, John. But since there are so many worthless books also, we must be careful of the books we read. Do you have quite a few books? And, of course, there is one book which is the best of all books. You know what that is, don’t you?

JOAN VAN ZWEDEN — Did you do quite well in school this year, Joan? It will probably seem good to lay your school books aside for a while. I’m sure you will have other things to keep you busy. How are your grandparents? We hope they are well. If it has been four years since you saw your grandparents in Canada, they will hardly recognize you.

KRISTINE RIEDER — How is the garden coming, Kristine? Are you already enjoying some of the results of your hard work? We were sorry to hear about your grandmother’s back problem. Was she injured in an accident? Although we speak about “strong backs”, we find that if injured, it can be most painful.

RALPH VAN ZWEDEN — It looks as if I have reached the bottom again, Ralph. We have a nice list of names this month, and, of course, we hope that they will all stay with us. Those difficult questions make you work a little harder, don’t they? Give our greetings to your parents.

To all my young friends, again many thanks for your replies to the quiz and for your letters received. (And, I might add, thanks also to those parents who at times have included a note of appreciation and encouragement.) It is our wish and prayer that the Lord may bless you richly as you study His Word, for in this also it may be said, “The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich”.

With love,
Your friend
“Uncle Garret”

THE YOUNG SAILOR

A young sailor in the dress of a midshipman in the navy once entered a shop in a seaport town. The owner was standing behind the counter as he entered, and merrily he asked, “I say, missus, have you got any songs to sell?” ‘

“No, sir, I have not,” she replied. “Humph! have you got any music paper then?”

She produced the paper asked for, and, while he was looking at it, remembered that she had some copies of “Divine Songs” by Dr. Watts, which she thought she would offer to him, although she knew these were quite different than those he was looking for. Showing him a copy, she said, “Here are some songs, sir, if you would like them.”

He took the book from her hand and read the title aloud, “Divine and Moral Songs, by I. Watts, D.D.” He then asked, “What does ‘divine’ mean? Does it mean ‘religious’?”

“Yes, sir,” was the quiet answer.

“Then I don’t want them,” said he, flinging down the book. After a moment’s pause, he added, “But you may sell me some of this music paper.”

“Sir,” said the woman, “if you will allow me to do so, I shall gladly include this book with your music paper.”

“Well! you’re a fine woman to keep a shop. How can you ever expect to make your fortune if you give away your things like that? You may put them in if you like.” So the “Songs” were wrapped up with the music paper and the young sailor, with a few merry, kind-hearted words, went away.

As soon as he had left, the woman fastened the door of her shop and went upstairs to pray that God’s blessing would rest upon the little book she had placed in the young sailor’s hand.

Years flew on — six years, seven years — still the good woman was found behind her counter, not slothful, but fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. Ten years, twelve years, passed away, when one day there entered her shop a lieutenant in Her Majesty’s navy, who, going up to the counter, inquired if she had any of the “Divine Songs” by Dr. Watts.

On being told that she had, he said, “I will buy all that you have of them.” Much surprised, she brought them out; and while she was wrapping them, the lieutenant said, “I do not think you remember me, do you?”

“No, sir, I do not remember ever seeing you before.”

“Do you remember that twelve years ago a sailor came into your shop and bought some music paper, and that you gave him with it a copy of these Divine Songs?”

“Yes, sir, now that you mention it, I do indeed remember it very well;” and she also thought, but did not say, how she had afterwards earnestly prayed for him to whom she had given it.

“Well,” he continued, “I am that young sailor, and that little book has been through the blessing of God the means of saving my soul; and I will tell you about it. Soon after I was here, we went to sea, but before long were in a fearful storm, such a storm as I have never been in, either before or since. We were in great danger and even the oldest sailors among us thought that any moment the ship would go down, in which case every man on board would have perished. I was in great alarm. Death was staring me in the face, and I knew not what to do. At that moment I remembered the little book you had given to me, which I had put away in my locker. I hurried to get it, for I had an ignorant idea that should I die with it in my hand, I should be safer than without it. I opened it and my eye fell upon the hymn beginning with the words:

There is beyond the sky
A heaven of joy and love;
And holy children, when they die,
Go to that world above.”

“The words seemed strange and different from what I had heard for a long time. I read the next verse: There is a dreadful hell

And everlasting pains,

Where sinners must with devils dwell

In darkness, fire, and chains.

“O! my God! I exclaimed, quite forgetting in that hour of danger and in the deep and bitter agony of my soul that a fellow-officer was standing next to me. O! my God! I shall then go to hell.”

“But the storm passed away, and we lived. Things went on again in the ship just as they had done before, but I could not forget that fearful night or the solemn thoughts that it had brought to me. Often did I find an opportunity for looking at my little book, there to read of an Almighty God, in Whose sight our most secret sins and actions, and every sin that we commit, lie open. Then I trembled, for one after another of my thoughtless or sinful words and deeds came back to my memory. But then I came to the words:

And let His blood wash out my stains

And answer for my guilt.”

“At another time I would have laughed at any of my shipmates who would think so much of a book written for children; but now I longed for nothing but to know how I could find peace. Earnestly did I pray that the Spirit of God, Who, I read, could teach us and show us of these great truths, would indeed be pleased to help me. My prayers were answered, and I was able to feel that Jesus was my Savior.”

“There was no real Christian on board; I had no Bible with me, nor could I get one until we again put into port. You can imagine how much I valued the hymns which taught me, as a means, all that I then knew of the gospel.”

“Being once more in this town, I felt that I must call and tell you of the blessing that your gift has been to me. I knew how you would rejoice to hear that it was the means, through the influences of God the Holy Spirit, of awakening a soul from the sleep of death and leading him to that Savior Who was made sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.”

And so our story ends. The Lord will find means to bring His chosen sheep to Himself. Has He brought my reader? Has sin been made your burden? Do you know what it is to have faith in the blood of Jesus? May the Holy Spirit, Who used the truths in Watts’ Songs, use His Word and other good books for the good of your souls.

(Submitted)

FASTING

That this was common among the Israelites we may infer from the words of Joel. For when he says, “Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly, etc.” (Joel 2:15), he speaks as of things received by common custom. A little before he had said that the people were to be tried for their wickedness, and that the day of judgment was at hand, and he had summoned them as criminals to plead their cause; then he exclaims that they should hasten to sackcloth and ashes, to weeping and fasting; that is, humble themselves before God with external manifestations. The sackcloth and ashes, indeed, were perhaps more suitable for those times, but the assembly, and weeping and fasting, and the like, undoubtedly belong, in an equal degree, to our age, whenever the condition of our affairs so requires. For seeing it is a holy exercise both for men to humble themselves, and confess their humility, why should we in similar necessity use this less than did those of old? We read not only that the Israelitish Church, formed and constituted by the word of God, fasted in token of sadness, but the Ninevites also, whose only teaching had been the preaching of Jonah. Why, therefore, should not we do the same?

But that there may be no error in the name, let us define what fasting is; for we do not understand by it simply a restrained and sparing use of food, but something else. The life of the pious should be tempered with frugality and sobriety, so as to exhibit, as much as may be, a kind of fasting during the whole course of life. But there is another temporary fast, when we retrench somewhat from our accustomed mode of living, either for one day or a certain period, and prescribe to ourselves a stricter and severer restraint in the use of that ordinary food. This consists in three things — namely, the time, the quality of food, and the sparing use of it. By the time I mean, that while fasting we are to perform those actions for the sake of which the fast is instituted. For example, when a man fasts because of solemn prayer, he should engage in it without having taken food. The quality consists in putting all luxury aside, and being contented with common and meaner food, so as not to excite our palate by dainties. In regard to quantity, we must eat more lightly and sparingly, only for necessity and not for pleasure.

But the first thing always to be avoided is the encroachment of superstition, as formerly happened, to the great injury of the Church. It would have been much better to have had no fasting at all, than have it carefully observed but at the same time corrupted by false and pernicious opinions. The first thing is constantly to urge the injunction of Joel, “Rend your heart, and not your garments” (Joel 2:13); that is, to remind the people that fasting in itself is not of great value in the sight of God, unless accompanied with internal affection of the heart, true dissatisfaction with sin and one’s self, true humiliation, and true grief, from the fear of God; nay, that fasting is useful for no other reason than because it is added to these as an inferior help. There is nothing which God more abominates than when men endeavor to cloak themselves by substituting signs and external appearance for integrity of heart. Accordingly, Isaiah inveighs most bitterly against the hypocrisy of the Jews, in thinking that they had satisfied God when they had merely fasted, whatever might be the impiety and impure thoughts which they cherished in their hearts. “Is it such a fast that I have chosen?” (Isaiah 58:5). See also what follows. The fast of hypocrites is, therefore, not only useless and superfluous fatigue, but the greatest abomination. Another evil akin to this, and greatly to be avoided, is to regard fasting as a meritorious work and species of divine worship. For seeing it is a thing which is in itself indifferent, and has no importance except on account of those ends to which it ought to have respect, it is a most pernicious superstition to confound it with the works enjoined by God, and which are necessary in themselves without reference to anything else. (John Calvin)

What if God, willing to shew His wrath, and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: and to make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had afore prepared unto glory, even us, whom He hath called, not of the Jews only but also of the Gentiles? —Rom. 9:22–24

One of the first things one notices in a backward country is that the children obey their parents.

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