Timothy

THE CONFESSION OF FAITH ARTICLE XV (continued)

Of Original Sin

In our previous discussion regarding this article we have seen that original sin extended to all mankind; even the small children are polluted by this sin. This takes place by imputation. The sin of Adam is also our sin, as he was the head of the covenant of works, and therein he represented us. It also takes place by heredity. This is a subject of which much is written in these days, but, as we will see, often it is not in accordance with God’s Word.

Children are heirs of their parents. When the parents die, then the children receive then-possessions. These are not the only things which we inherit from our parents, but we also inherit all sorts of sin. Our whole being is affected by this corruption - our minds, our souls, our wills, and our bodies. Nothing is clean in us, so that we have become incapable of doing any good, spiritual good, but are inclined to all evil. By nature we don’t like to read such statements, because we cannot believe that it is this bad with us. We say, “We are not heathens, we always go to church!” I know it is difficult to accept it, but it is the Lord Who teaches this - not only in His Word, but also in the hearts of His people. Then they must confess before the Lord that they have sinned against all His commandments time and again.

Did you ever come unto that place? It is so necessary shall it be well for eternity. In the life of all saints something of this confession can be found. This is the place where God is glorified to the highest and the sinner humiliated to the lowest.

Thus far we have stated that we are unable to do any spiritual good — this does not include moral good. We can do and perform naturally good things, such as working, eating and drinking, also good things socially when we fulfill our duties in society by being good citizens, not livng in sin, and being examples for others. It is also possible that we do good external religious works, going faithfully to church and reading the Bible regularly. It is good that we do all these, but they are the morally good things among men. The spiritually good works whereof we speak are not horizontally between men, but they are vertically between God and man.

We must love God above all, and flowing from this love which God works in the heart of His elect is the love for our neighbor. By nature man is inclined to hate God and his neighbor; likewise we are inclined to all kinds of sin. There is a difference in being inclined to something, and actually doing it. If we did all those things which live within our hearts, then it would be a hell upon earth. In God’s common goodness we are yet bridled, so that we don’t perform that which is living in us.

In order to restrain us from these, the Lord uses several means, such as education, civilization, conscience, and fear for shame and punishment. Especially the fact that we live under the truth is a great blessing, so that we know of sin and the coming judgment. It is as a brake in the life of many. However, there are also among us those who try to keep the law of God out of love for the Lord. He is so worthy to be served! This is not the fruit of their own heart, but it is the fruit of God’s work in them. Young people, how is it in your heart? Are there also among you those who have a desire to speak well of the Lord? Not in a parrot-like manner, but because of what the Lord has worked in your heart.

There is a growing need of this in our congregations, because the grace of former days is declining so rapidly, and the world seems to take the upperhand. This is a need in the offices of the church also. For this we don’t need rich young men, but poor young men who condemn themselves because they are such great sinners and yet at moments may tell that the Lord is a wonder-doing God in their lives. Such people really believe and have experienced that they are inclined to all evil. Original sin is the mother of it and the actual sin the daughter; original sin is the beginning of the evil in man, and this has spread over our entire life.

Thus even infants are affected, or perhaps better expressed as our article states, infected before their birth. If a child were not infected with the sin of Adam before its birth, then it could not die before it was born, but as this does happen, it is a clear testimony of the misery of man even before he has come into the world. So we have seen that man is unclean before God by imputation and heredity.

Today we sometimes read that a certain person is the “victim of heredity”. The term is used in the courts to prove that a boy or girl is not responsible for that which they have done wrong. They say that man is a product of his environment, doing what the parents and grandparents have taught or following the example which they have given. If the father was a criminal, you cannot expect a better result. Therefore the boy or girl must not be punished, but efforts must be made to rectify the errors, and they are placed in a reformatory. This probation system has good and wrong aspects. It is good when a criminal has undergone punishment that he is helped in finding a place in society again, but it is wrong when attempts are made to withhold just punishment from him because of his background. We are rational creatures and are responsible for our deeds.

All people on earth are partakers in the sin of Adam! Mary too? Yes, Mary also, as she herself confessed, “My spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour.” Only Christ was without original and actual sin. He was born outside of the covenant of works, as He was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Therefore the sin of Adam could not be imputed unto Him. The second Person in the Divine Being assumed our human nature. He is before Abraham and Adam.

Young people, may the Lord open our eyes to see our state of misery which we are in by nature, and cause us to realize our dreadful fall in Adam, so that we may obtain redemption in Christ by faith.

Rev A M Den Boer

Norwich

Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. Proverbs 4:1

BIBLE QUIZ

Dear Boys and Girls,

If we see ourselves as the Lord sees us, then the words of the Psalmist are so true, “There is none that doeth good, no, not one.” What a sad condition we are in, more so when we think of how perfectly we were created. But it is so important that we learn to see ourselves in this way, for otherwise there is no need for that precious remedy given under heaven among men whereby we must be saved, the Lord Jesus Christ.

The prodigal son also was brought to think about what he once was and to see his sad condition, and he turned back with a humble confession unto his father. Part of what he said will be spelled out by the first letters of our answers. Be sure to read the whole story again, and may the Lord Himself show us our picture there.

Ezra in prayer cried out, “Our iniquities are ________ over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens.”

Jeremiah said, “Oh that my ____ were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night....”

In Psalm 32 David said, “I______ my sin unto Thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid.”

Joseph’s brethren said to each other, “We are________guilty concerning our brothers.”

Who said of his brother, “He took away my birthright”?

Paraoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, “I have______ against the Lord your God, and against you.”

Judah said to Joseph, “God hath found out the________ of thy servants.”

The Lord Jesus said, “The men of ________ repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold a greater than Jonas is here.”

Who said to a king, “Thou art the man”?

David in Psalm 51 said, “Against Thee, Thee only, I have sinned, and done this________in Thy sight.”

Nehemiah in prayer said, “We have ________ very corruptly against Thee, and have not kept the commandments.”

Who said, “The woman who Thou gavest me to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat”?

Cain said, “My punishment is __ than I can bear.”

Jonah cried out while in the fish, ‘‘ I cried by reason of mine ____ unto the Lord.”

Judas said to the chief priests and elders, “I have sinned in that I have betrayed________blood.”

When the prodigal son was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran and fell on his________and kissed him.

The publican’s prayer was, “God be merciful to me a________’’

Abraham said to the Lord, “Behold now, I have________upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes.

To whom was Isaiah sent by the Lord to say to him, “Thus saith the Lord, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears”?

Who said, “The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat”?

Job said to the Lord, “Wherefore I ________ myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”

Daniel cried out in prayer, “Neither have we obeyed the ________of the Lord our God to walk in His laws.”

Jacob said to Paraoh, “Few and ________have the days of the years of my life been.’’

David’s heart smote him after that he had ________ the people, and he said unto the Lord, “I have sinned greatly in that I have done.”

(Your answers should be sent to Garret J. Moerdyk, 5211 Woodmont Drive, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001)

The answers to the quiz of last month are:

“And Was Baptized, He and All

His” Acts 16:33

All -Matthew 28:19

Name - Matthew 28:19

Dove - Luke 3:22

Wilderness -Mark 1:4

Ananias -Acts 9:10-18

Stephanas -I Corinthians 1:16

Baptized - Mark 1:8

Arms -Mark 10:13-16

Preaching - Luke 3:3

Tabithacumi -Mark 5:41

Instruction -Proverbs 4:1

Zacharias - Luke 1:67-76

Eunuch - Acts 8:35-36

Dead -Mark 6:14

Household - Acts 16:14-15

Exact -Luke 3:12-13

Abraham - Genesis 17:9-14

Ninety-nine - Genesis 17:23-24

Daniel -Daniel 1:8

Accuse -Luke 3:14

Lord - Acts 10:47-48

Land -Exodus 14:21

House - Acts 18:8

Insurrection - Acts 18:12

Simon -Acts 8:9-13

Answers to the quiz have been received from the following -

Joel VanderKooi

Ray VanderKooi

Judy VanVoorst

Jay VanVoorst

John Spaans

Gary John Sommer

Irene Sommer

Ingrid Sommer

Janet Sommer

Carolyn Sommer

Norman VanRavenswaay

Esther VanRavenswaay

Carol Boluyt

Glen VanderKooi

Margot Mast

Randy VanGiessen (2)

Mary Lisa Van Giessen (2)

Larry Slotsema

Dick Spaans

Rebecca Spaans

Ken Spaans

Rick Rosendall

John Rosendall

Kristi Rosendall

Jeff Rosendall

.Rachel Rosendall

Sherry Fluit (3)

Judy Fluit (3)

Mary Rosendall

Laura Rosendall

Ronald Bertram

Steven VanOostenbrugge

Karl VanOostenbrugge

Mary VanTilburg

Leah VanTilburg

Edward Vandenberg (2)

Mariene Grisnich

Richard Grisnich

Annette Meeuwse

Carrie J. Blok

Sarah Spaans

Karol Spaans

Carla Spaans

Tim Nieuwenhuis

Robert Nieuwenhuis

Jane Mast (2)

Carl Mast (2)

Joylynn Mast (2)

Daniel Bazen

Peter Bazen

Steve Bazen

Bob Maljaars

Arlene Remus

Marie Remus

Janet Remus

Janice Vlietstra

David Vlietstra

Janice Vlietstra

Jon Vlietstra

Ella Kieboom

Karen Bazen

Linda Bazen

Jim Bazen

Anton Slingerland (2)

Jane Slingerland (2)

Elaine Frens

Sharon Frens

Leonard Frens

Douglas John Mol

Susan VanRavenswaay

Joanne Slingerland

Joel VanRavenswaay

Minda VanRavenswaay

Andrew Kieboom

Jackie VanHoepen

Nancy Hoogmoed

Joanne Hoogmoed

Helen Hubers

Marcia Hubers

Harriet Hubers

Howard E. Hubers

Duane Hubers

Mary D. Hubers

Tom Kwekel

Dan Kwekel

Joyce Koopelaar (2)

Nicholas Koppelaar (2)

Walter Koppelaar

Debbie VanBemden

Mike VanBemden

Kathy VanBemden

Michele Seabert

Anita VanMourik

Dave Neels

Elisabeth Verbeek

Melanie VanBrugge

Jackie VanKlei

Carol VanKlei

Bert deJong

Nancy deJong

Jackie deJong

Leah Talbot

Laura Talbot

Linda Talbot

Sharon Talbot

May VanBrugge

Nelly VanBrugge

Corry VanBrugge

Helen VanBrugge

Gail denHoed

Artis denHoed

Judy denHoed

Bob Huisjen

Mary Kievit

John Bosh

Loretta Faye Olivier

Nadine Luteyn

Ken Luteyn

Lisa Neels

Cathy Neels

Coby VanSaane

Henry Jansen

Anne Jansen

Becky Markus

Cindy Markus

Lisa Markus

Elwyn Hoogendoorn

Wayne VanderWaerdt

Kristi Boluyt

Steve Boluyt

Jim Rosendall

Mary Rosendall

Laura Rosendall

Ed Laman

Paul Laman

Randy DeBruine

Julie DeBruine

Sidney VanderMeulen

Joyce VanderMeulen

Harmen VanderMeulen

Danny Kamp

Robert Kamp

Jonathon Kamp

Ruth Bouma

Deb Kamp

Bill Kamp

Marilyn Kamp

Denise Peters

Lisa Peters

John Stapel

Beverly Heerschap

Joanne Heerschap

Jane Ellen VanderWiele

Judy Lynn VanderWiele

Ellen Vroegindewey

Kathy Vroegindewey

Gail Vroegindewey

Joy Vroegindewey

Herman VanderMeulen

Ann-Marlene VanderMeulen

Karl VanderMeulen

Edward Dekker (2)

Caryn Dekker (2)

Rick VanManen

Mary VanManen

Bill VanManen

Cathy Kroesbergen

Ken Kroesbergen

John Kroesbergen

Jane Kroesbergen

Beverly Kroesbergen

Adrian Bush

Nick Bush

Debra Witvoet

John VanDyke

David VanDyke (2)

Daniel VanDyke (2)

Judy Maljaars

Doug Maljaars

Juanita Lagemaat

Tim Lagemaat

Les Lagemaat

Martin Schouten

Anita Schouten

Jenny Lee Sweetman

Robert Fletcher

Virginia VanderWaal

Tonia VanderWaal

Stan VanderWaal

Jane Kroesbergen

John Kroesbergen

Cathy Kroesbergen

Sue VanEss

Laurie VanEss

Rick VanEss

Laurie Bleeker

Steven Bleeker

Bob Maljaars

Sandra Maljaars

Darwyn Klarenbeek

Arlen J. Klarenbeek

David Klarenbeek

Thomas Berkenbush

John Boerkoel (2)

Joanne Boerkoel

Bob Boerkoel (2)

Neal Boerkoel

Connie Blom

Angela Stam

Alisa Stam

Terry Roos

Angela Schipper (2)

Edward VanWyk

Jeffery VanWyk

Leslie VanWyk

Martin Van Wyk

Ronald Bertram (2)

Yvonne Herfst

Robert Herfst

Kevin Verbeke

Cheryl Groen

Janet Groen

Mariene Grisnich

Gordon denBoer

Myra VandeStouwe

Cheryl VandeStouwe

Bob VanRee

Tim VanRee

Bob Southway

Sandy Southway

Bob Kelderman

Sue Kelderman

John VanGermert

Julie VanGermert

Steve VanGermert

Mariene Van Veldhuizen

Audrey VanVeldhuizen

Karen Kersbergen (2)

Margaret DenBoer

Andy DenBoer

Leonard DenBoer

Karen Spaans

Nellie Slingerland

Dave Kwekel

Wayne VanderWaerdt (2)

Lois Heerschap

Bob Maljaars

Vicki VanGermert

And now to answer the letters which we have received -

RONALD BERTRAM - I see there are two letters from you, Ronald, so we will place your letter at the top. Has the approval arrived for your school? Did you also have the mumps? We hope your sister got over them O.K. Give our greetings to your parents.

SANDRA MALJAARS - We are happy to have you join in answering the Bible quiz, Sandra. Did school open on time? There must have been lots of work to be done during the last weeks. It doesn’t seem possible that summer is almost past again, but, as the Bible tells us, our days are like a shadow that passes by.

CATHY KROESBERGEN - Is Six Mile Lake very far from your home, Cathy? It is nice to be at the lake during the summer months. Did you learn to swim? How did you win the Psalter at Bible School? We also enjoyed our summer months this year, as we were able to take a trip to New Jersey and Washington, D.C.

KEN LUTEYN - We are all quite well, Ken. Did you finally get your book? It sometimes can get confusing when we have so many to send out. Now you should be able to know your Bible better. It is so important for us to know it well.

LISA NEELS - You must have picked a lot of berries in order to earn a bike, Lisa. What kind of bike is it? Will you be able to ride it to school, or don’t you live close enough? I am sure you will take good care of it, since it was the result of lots of hard work.

HELEN VAN BRUGGE - Did you get lots of produce from the garden this summer, Helen? It should be a great wonder to us when we see how much we receive from the little packages of seed which are planted in the spring. We can plant the seeds and water them, but the Lord must give the increase.

DEBRA WITVOET - Are you glad to be back in school again, Debra? What grade are you in this year? We are starting our own school in Kalamazoo. The word ‘school’ is only found once in the Bible, and that is in Acts 19. Perhaps you can look it up. We also find the word ‘schoolmaster’ two times in the Bible.

NANCY DE JONG - Would you like to live in Nigeria, Nancy? I am sure it would be very difficult for us to live there. We have so many blessings in our daily lives, but do we use them to the honor of God? May the Lord show us our blessings and the right way to use them.

ELISABETH VERBEEK - We were very sorry to hear that your father had died, Elisabeth. It again shows us that we do not all become so very old. We hope that the Lord will remember you and your family in all your needs, and that you will help your mother in every way possible.

ELLA KIEBOOM - Did you have a good trip to the western part of the country, Ella? We hope everything went well. I’m sure it seemed good to be home again. Did they find a teacher for your school? There just can’t be a school without a teacher.

JANE SLINGERLAND - How do you like the 5th grade, Jane? What parts of the school day do you like best? We hope you are studying hard, even though you don’t like certain things as well as others. Give our greetings to your parents.

COBY VAN SAANE - I think some of your class have continued to answer that Bible quiz, Coby, but you probably can pick them out better than I can. It won’t be long and you will be answering them in class again. How is the man who had polio? We hope that he is getting better.

ANITA VAN MOURIK - No, Anita, we do not live near a lake. We do have a stream behind our house. We do not seem to be having such a hot summer as we sometimes have in Michigan. Did you think the questions were quite difficult this time?

MARTIN SCHOUTEN - Is your dog learning its lessons well, Martin? Are you a good teacher? We hope there wasn’t too many books missing in your father’s order of books. We hope that the Lord might bless them to the person who took them, but then he would be unable to live with the stolen books in his possession.

JACKIE DE JONG - Are you a bird watcher, Jackie? It is amazing to see the many varieties of birds located in just one particular area. Polio is a very serious sickness. Each day we must ask the Lord to protect us from every harm and every danger.

NELLIE VAN BRUGGE - How nice that you can continue to go to your own school, Nellie. Do you know how many students you have there this year? How many do you have in your classroom? I suppose it was nice to meet all your friends at school again.

BERT DE JONG - Your letter is the last one this time, Bert. Yes, there are things we must do which we don’t like to do, and that is true for older people as well as boys and girls. It would be a strange world if everyone did only what they liked to do. Don’t you think so?

Many thanks to all the boys and girls for their answers again this month. We hope that the Lord will give you wisdom in your studies at school, but also that wisdom to walk in His ways. We must also be taught the Lord’s ways, for we read that the psalmist also prayed for it, saying, “Shew me Thy ways, O Lord; teach me Thy paths.” Hoping to hear from you again next month.

With Love,

Your friend,

“Uncle Garret”

MAKING CONFESSION WHERE ?

Article 28 of our Netherlands Confessions of Faith speaks about the duty of every one to join himself to the true church. No one ought to live in a separate state from it, but is in duty bound to join himself with it. The purpose of this is the maintaining of the unity of the Church, by submitting themselves to the doctrine and discipline thereof, bowing their necks under the yoke of Jesus Christ, etc. (see Article 28).

If we read that article, we can clearly see that our fathers felt themselves compelled to join the true church. The question which keeps many busy, especially in the time of much confusion such as now, is: Where is the true church?

Article 29 of the Netherlands Confession of Faith says: “since all sects which are in the world assume to themselves the name of the church,...”. These words do not speak of the external confession in the church, for we know that a church of only true believers cannot be found. Jesus compares the church to a thresh-ingfloor with chaff and wheat, a fish net with good and bad fish, a vine with good and bad branches. Article 29 therefore speakes of the many at that time who were outside the true church, yet were described as the church.

In our so-called enlightened age the sects and diverse beliefs have greatly multiplied. This was fortold by Jesus in Matthew 24. In verse 4 of this chapter He said to His disciples, “Take heed that no man deceive you.” In the fifth verse He says, “For many shall come in My name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.” Jesus speaks of the offense of many and of many false prophets which shall arise. They shall deceive many, and because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

In verses 23 to 25 He says, “Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders, insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before.” How necessary it is to try the spirits whether they are of God; especially because the spirits usually come in the pretence of godliness, and under the appearance of religion and kind-heartedness. If we consider the starting point of the many false religions, even though they may appear quite refined, they all desire to place some ability in man so that he has somewhat within himself whereby he can make himself acceptable to God.

The Lord says expressly in His word that there is no one who asketh for God or seeketh after God. Paul teaches us in Ephesians 2:4 & 5, “But God, Who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us; even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved).” We are in a state of death, in a state of unbelief by nature, and the elect also are born in this state of death. They are children of wrath by nature, even as all others. By grace God’s children learn to know this through the Holy Ghost Who is given them.

But what is now the terrible phenomenon of our time? That men, either secretly or publicly, deny the death state of man, and thus also the invincible working of God’s Spirit. Many will mention the point of misery, but there is no mention of experiencing it. Many are rich with a Jesus of five letters (thus, in name only), without ever having learned the state and origin of misery. Then our belief is nothing else than an artificial flower which has no root. The devil is an artist of a thousand crafts, and Luther called him the ape of Christ.

What are then the marks of the true church? Our Netherlands Confession of Faith mentions three marks:

1. if the pure doctrine of the gospel is preached there;

2. if the sacraments are purely administered as instituted by Christ;

3. if church discipline is exercised in punishing of sin.

Rev. A. Hoogerland

CLOSING REMARKS UPON THE YOUTH DAY

(In Franklin Lakes - July 1,1978)

A young person returned from a church service (or perhaps it was a meeting such as Youth Day), and was asked, “Is it all done?” His answer was, “All has been said, but all is not done!”

Here today much has been said. The speakers will perhaps not agree that all has been said that could have been or should have been said, but yet with that which was said, we must also say, “All is not done!” You will say, “What is there yet to be done?” Perhaps we should then ask as to your purpose in coming here today. Certainly not merely to be entertained! Or was it only to see old friends? We hope it was to receive instruction, based upon the Word of God.

What do we do with this instruction? Paul and Silas were required to depart from Thessalonica because of the enmity of the Jews there. They then came to the city of Berea and found a better reception for their words. For we read that they of Berea received the word with all readiness of mind and searched the Scriptures daily whether those things were so. Should we not do likewise?

It should not be done in a critical manner, and not subject to your own views and opinions. In Jeremiah’s days we find that Johanan, the leader of the people, and others came to Jeremiah with a request. They asked him to seek instruction of the Lord, saying “That the Lord thy God may show us the way wherein we may walk, and the thing that we may do.” When Jeremiah brought the word of the Lord to them, they said, “Thou speakest falsely, the Lord our God hath not sent thee to say this.” And they obeyed not. They were not willing to receive instruction from the Lord by the hand of Jeremiah, but wished to walk in a way most convenient to themselves. Notice that they did not say, “The Lord speaketh falsely”. They did not go that far. However, they told Jeremiah that he had twisted the words of the Lord and that He was speaking contrary to the intent of the Lord.

Perhaps some of us are saying, “Some things are of minor importance. In very weighty matters, we see a necessity, but many things are not so critical to our way of life.” Let us take notice of another Biblical example, that of the Rechabites. Their father had said “Ye shall drink no wine, neither ye, nor your sons, forever.” Even though Jeremiah set wine before them and said, “Drink ye wine,” they declined to do so. It was an example used by the Lord to point out to the children of Israel their disobedience to the Word of God and His commandments, whereas these Rechabites obeyed a command of their father who was long dead. The Lord blessed this household for their exemplary life and obedience.

Young friends, there are no insignificant instructions in God’s Word. Moses received detailed instructions in regard to the service of the Lord, very exact dimensions for the tabernacle, very minute details for the furnishings. And of it all we read, “It was done as the Lord commanded Moses.”

May there therefore be a searching of God’s Word, and a careful consideration given to the matters brought to us today. We have heard much, much has been said, but “All Is Not Done”. May we seek the Lord for His Spirit to work in us to become, not only hearers of the word, but doers of the same.

Submitted

NOT BY CHANCE

A doctor wanted to impress on the mind of his little six-year old son the important truth that God had made him, and he told the following:

In the corner of a little garden, I wrote in the dirt with my finger the three initials of his name. In these furrows I sowed seeds, covered them up carefully, and smoothed the ground, without telling him of it. Ten days after this he came running to me, and with astonishment told me that his name was growing in the garden. I laughed, pretending not to believe it, but he insisted that we go to see it.

“Yes,” said I, upon seeing it, “but what is there worth noticing? Isn’t it just by chance?” As I walked away, he followed me, saying, “It cannot have happened by chance. Someone must have arranged it.”

“So you think,” said I, “that what appears as the letters of your name cannot be by chance?” “Yes,” said he firmly, “I think so.”

“Look at yourself,” I replied, “and consider your hands and fingers, your legs and feet; are they not regular in appearance and useful to you?” He said they were. “Did you then come by chance?” I asked. “No,” he answered, “that cannot be; something must have made me.” “And who is that something?” I asked. He answered, “I do not know.”

I had reached my point, and saw that his reason snowed him that what is must have a cause, and what is formed with regularity must have an intelligent cause. I then told him of the Great God Who made him and all the world, and such other information as I thought he could somewhat understand. The lesson affected him greatly, and he never forgot either it or the event that was connected to it.

(Adapted from John Whitecross)

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