A PERIODICAL FOR YOUNG AND OLD

THE CONFESSION OF FAITH ARTICLE XXVIII

That Every One Is Bound To Join Himself To The True Church

(continued)

In our previous article we stated that the condition of the church in our days is sad. Many schisms have taken place in the church, and they are still happening at the present.

How necessary it is to urge unto unity in the church, as it is done in this article: “maintaining the unity of the Church; submitting themselves to the doctrine and discipline thereof; bowing their necks under the yoke of Jesus Christ; and as mutual members of the same body, serving to the edification of the brethren, according to the talents God has given them.” The Lord has said, “For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” The divine service, the practice of true religion and the discipline of Christ, is not a slavish service. The Lord promises, “To him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.” If we do the opposite, forsaking the assembling of ourselves together and despising the sacraments, then we cannot and should not expect the favor of the Lord.

This article not only emphasizes the necessity to join the true church, but also to serve to the edification of the brethren according to the talents which the Lord has given. This can only be done with the help of the Lord! Then we will do it with our heart, being moved about our fellow travellers to eternity. We find this of David in II Samuel 1:26, “I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan.” When the need of Zion is bound upon our heart, then we will ask the Lord, “Do good in Thy good pleasure unto Zion: build Thou the walls of Jerusalem” (Psalm 51:18). We will also edify our brethren with our mouth, assisting by word and deed, praying for each other, speaking good words to the pious. Peter was in prison praying for the church. A word at the right time can sometimes do much good. We should also serve with our deeds, helping the needy as David did to Mephibosheth. We should not forget hospitality! In many ways we can serve the brethren with and according to the talents which it has pleased the Lord to give unto us.

The article continues—”And that this may be the more effectually observed, it is the duty of all believers, according to the Word of God, to separate themselves from all those who do not belong to the Church, and to join themselves to this congregation, wheresoever God hath established it.” Here it speaks of the office of all believers. The apostle has said, “how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.” Every baptized and confessing member of the church should ask the Lord for true conversion, but should also use the means which the Lord has given to His Church. According to the demand of the Lord, none may be unconverted; however, only the true believers know this practically, and they have the commission to exercise the office of all believers.

True Christians are partakers of the anointing of Christ. As Christ was anointed unto prophet, priest and king, so they too must serve as office bearers. As prophet they must confess the Name of the Lord before friend and enemy, as priest present themselves as a living sacrifice of thankfulness to God, and as king fight with a good and free conscience against sin and Satan. The office of all believers is distinct from the offices in the church—ministers, elders and deacons. It is an office given to all believers, and the rights and duties of the “office of all believers” rest upon the whole congregation.

In this article we also find a rather difficult part, namely, “to separate themselves from all those who do not belong to the Church.” It does not say that we may separate from the true church, but must separate from the false church. We first then think of the church of Rome. Our fathers left this church because there was so much in it contrary to God’s Word, such as the mass, the worship of saints and images, the tradition of the church made equal to the Word of God, etc. Such a separation is grounded upon God’s Word; “And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?” (II Corinthians 6:15). Our reformed fathers left the church of Rome because it was a false church, although they did not deny that some truth was yet found in it.

How such a division should take place is not described. Should it be as an individual, as a consistory or by the whole congregation? We must always be careful in labeling a church as a false church and then leaving it. It must be understood that this may only be done on the basis of God’s Word, and from it we must have the proof to justify our deed. Evil, sin, and shortcomings in church life don’t always give us the right to make a separation. The church of Corinth had many sins—divisions, discords, incest, profanation of the Lord’s Supper. The believers were not told to leave the church, but to take away the sin out of their midst. This may not be forgotten in our days, for people change so easily according to their own insight and not based upon God’s Word.

In 1834 in the Netherlands, a secession took place. King William I took most of the power away from the church; at the same time complete freedom of doctrine was permitted and even unbelievers received offices and were allowed to take part in the sacraments. The confession was put aside and edicts (regulations—reglementen) came in its place. A conflict was bound to develop, for this could not go together with the service of the Lord, and the secession became a fact. The Lord gives permission to separate in such circumstances; we may not remain together at the cost of the truth.

We are to join the congregation, “wheresoever God hath established it”. This can be very difficult. It was so in the days of the Reformation, of the Secession, and in the time of Rev. Ledeboer. “Even though the magistrates and edicts of princes were against it.” It is true, man is not almighty, but under the permission of the Lord he can have much power. The reality of this we can find in the books of the martyrs.

Many of our contemporaries think differently about this, believing that in days of persecution you should keep yourselves quiet. They have also given Biblical examples, such as Obadiah at the court of Ahab, Naaman the Syrian, and Nicodemus. In days of prosperity it is easy to write otherwise, they say, but to put it into practice is a different thing. Our fathers never condemned those who, out of fear, bowed before the enemy in certain things, but they maintained that it was wrong. Many heroes of faith are mentioned in God’s Word and in church history, which is only possible with the Lord’s help.

This article concludes with these words, “Therefore all those, who separate themselves from the same, or do not join themselves to it, act contrary to the ordinance of God.” How do we join the church? By baptism as infants we are written in the registers or books of the church, but then we are minor members. By confession we take over the responsibility of our parents. It is not possible to remain a baptized member of the church. At a certain age we should make up our mind to this, and it should not be influenced by secondary reasons, such as that we would like to marry or have a child to be baptized.

We may not join the world, for the displeasure of the Lord will come upon us. We must join the true church, regarding which our following article will speak. Only by regeneration do we become a member of the living church, and it is my wish that the Lord may give this to all of us.

Rev. A.M. Den Boer

Norwich, Ontario

BIBLE QUIZ

Dear Boys and Girls,

The month of March again brings us the spring time of the year. But it also brings us that time of year when as churches we set apart a time to pray for the Lord’s blessings upon the crops and labors of our hands.

Much is said and written about prayer, and God’s Word also gives many examples of prayer. We know that mere words are not true prayer, but that our hearts must also go along with the words of our lips. It is said in one of our psalters that “when the needy seek Him, He will mercy show”. And if we look at the examples of the Bible, then we will see that those with great and deep needs have come in prayer before the Lord. Unto them the Lord has shown that He is the God Who can and does hear and answer prayer.

Our greatest need is the need of our souls, and this especially we do not feel unless the Lord shows us this need. May the Lord grant that we together may learn to know of it by the work of the Holy Spirit within our hearts, and then prayer will become an important part of every day.

The Bible quiz this month is about prayer, and the first letters of the answers will spell out five words taken from the prayer which the Lord Jesus taught His disciples.

In Luke we read that the disciples

came to Jesus saying,________, teach us to pray.”

Of whom did Paul write in the epistle to the Hebrews that he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears?

The request of the travellers to Emmaus to the Lord Jesus was, “__________with us, for .... the day is far spent.”

Isaiah, in the 44th chapter, tells how some make a graven image and pray unto it, saying, “__________me, for thou art my god.”

The prayer of Hezekiah was, “O Lord, I am oppressed;________ for me.”

The psalmist said, “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my__________after Thee, O God.”

On Mount Carmel the priests of Baal cried, “O Baal, hear us”, but there was________voice, nor any that answered.

The prayer of the Pharisee in the parable was, “God, I thank Thee, that I am not as________ men are.”

In Psalm 107 we read how the people cried unto the Lord in their__________and He delivered them.

Of what boy who was dying of thirst do we read that “God heard the voice of the lad”?

Who prayed to the God of heaven as he stood before the king, fulfilling his duties as the king’s cupbearer?

In the psalm written by Moses, he prayed unto the Lord, saying, “__________us to number our days.”

In one of the psalms the Lord says, “__________thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.”

The prayer of Jeremiah in the book of Lamentations was, “Turn Thou us unto Thee, O Lord, and we shall be______.”

Another petition in the prayer which the Lord taught His disciples is, “Deliver us from Who was in Babylon and there humbled himself greatly before the God of his father, and prayed unto Him?

Hannah said, “For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my__________which I asked of him.”

King Darius said, “I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men__________ and fear before the God of Daniel.

Abraham prayed unto God, and God healed__________, and his wife and his maidservants.

When David heard that Ahithophel was with Absalom, he said, “O Lord, __________the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.”

Abraham’s prayer to God was, “O that__________might live before Thee.”

When Elisha was in Dothan surrounded by the enemy, he prayed for his frightened servant, “O Lord, I pray Thee, __________his eyes that he may see.”

In the days of Enos men began to call upon the__________of the Lord.

(Your answers are to be sent to Garret J. Moerdyk, 5211

Woodmont Drive, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001.)

The answers to the crossword puzzle of last month are as follows:

ACROSS:

1. profit -Mark 8:36

4. am - Genesis 25:22

9. Agrippa - Acts 26:27

10. Cain - Genesis 4:9

13. eternal - Mark 10:17

14. Abraham - Genesis 18:23

16. He -Luke 7:19

18. thou -Luke 24:40

19. hand -Job 2:10

23. body - Romans 7:24

25. of - Psalm 8:5

26. sun - Ecclesiastes 1:3

27. tree - Genesis 3:1

28. eunuch - Acts 8:30

DOWN:

1. Pharaoh -Exodus 5:2

2. order - Judges 13:12

3. is -Psalm 24:10

5. man - Genesis 24:58

6. truth - John 18:38

7. opinions - I Kings 18:21

8. Naomi -Ruth 1:11

11. old -John 3:4

12. why - Ezekiel 18:31

15. Who -Acts 9:4

17. Eden - Genesis 3:1

20. art - Genesis 3:9

21. die -Exodus 14:11

22. do - Genesis 39:9

24. one - Matthew 26:40

Answers to the Bible quiz have been received from the following:

Raymond Touw (2)

Cheryl Touw (2)

Margaret Petersen

Allan Jay Baum Jr. (2)

Ellen M. Baum

Robert Baum

Ray VanderKooi

Daniel Markus

Becky Markus

Julie VanGemert

John Fluit

Lisa Markus

Tammy VandenToorn

Rachel Rosendall

Jeff Rosendall

Kristi Rosendall

Edward Vandenberg

Doreen Vandenberg

Mariene Vandenberg

Joanne Schuurman

Corine Schuurman

Douglas John Mol

Dwayne Eppinga

Lyle VanRavenswaay

Norm VanRavenswaay

Kevin Eppinga

JoAnn Heykoop

Ronald Bertram

Reineke Bertram

Elaine Frens

Dan Roelofs

Larry Roelofs

Jeff Boot

Jeremy Boot

Ross Derksen

Leonard VanGrouw

Janet VanGrouw

Sharon Bazen

Ed Bazen

Dan Bazen

Peter Bazen

Darryl Slingerland (2)

Glenda Slingerland (2)

James VandenBrink

Linda Stoutjesdyk

Maria Stoutjesdyk

Curtis Jay Maassen

Margaret Maassen

Sharon Maassen

Jeffrey VanWyk

Ann VanderMeulen (2)

Herman J. VanderMeulen (2)

Benjamin VanderMeulen (2)

Karl VanderMeulen (2)

David VanderMeulen (2)

Helen VanBrugge

Nellie VanBrugge

Corry VanBrugge

May VanBrugge

Carl Mast

Joy Mast

Kenny Kanis

Debbie Kanis

Henry Vandenberg

Elizabeth Vandenberg

David Vandenberg

Geoffrey Erkelens (2)

Lisa Stalker

Kimberly Stelsel

Jolene VandenBerg

Gaylon Rozeboom

Laura Troff

Tom Hoefakker

Darwyn Klarenbeek

LeAnn Klarenbeek

David Klarenbeek

Arlen Klarenbeek

Anita VanTilburg

Judy denHoed

Robert denHoed

Artis denHoed

Karen Bazen

Jim Bazen

Linda Bazen

Jeffry Knibbe

Nora Jane Knibbe

Kristi DeVries

Liz VanGiessen (2)

Joan VanGiessen (2)

Carla Boon

Cornie Boon

Julie Boon

Karen VandenBeukel

Martin Schouten (2)

Anita Schouten (2)

Steven VanOostenbrugge

Vicki Jo VanGemert

John VanGemert

Steven DeBat

Joel VanderKooi

Stephanie Kegel

Kristi Lamain

Les Lagemaat (2)

Robert Lagemaat (2)

Nita Lagemaat (2)

Tim Lagemaat (2)

Leah Pluim

Rachel Pluim

“Bum” Pluim

Chad Wielhouwer

Matthew Schelling (3)

Sheri VanderWaal

David VanderWaal

Craig Tanis

Steven Tanis

Shirley Fluit

Sherry Fluit

Michael Scott DeSmit

Julie DeSmit

Rachel VanVoorst

Judy VanVoorst

Jay VanVoorst

Diana Van DeMoere

Denise Van DeMoere

Sherrie Van DeMoere

Laura Talbot

Sharon Talbot

Leah Talbot

Mark Talbot

Linda Talbot

Carolyn Sommer

Babette Sommer

Kent Hoogendoorn

David Hoogendoorn

Janice Erickson

Rite Erickson

Mark Allan Erickson

Denise Erickson

Tim Erickson

Rachel Erickson

Roger Erickson, Jr.

Debbie VanBrugge

May VanBrugge

Corry VanBrugge

Helen VanBrugge

Annette Brink (2)

David Brink (2)

John Brink (2)

Kathy VanBemden

Mike VanBemden

Sally VanBemden

Debbie VanBemden

Deb Kamp (2)

Marilyn Kamp (2)

Jim Koppert

Jacob Slingerland

Francina Slingerland

Mariene Grisnich

Rich Carlson

Randy Carlson

Treena Kocken

Tom Kwekel

Dan Kwekel

Shawna Koppelaar

Elizabeth DenDekker

Teresa DenDekker

Scott Eppinga

Daniel VanGinkel

Karen Jean VanGinkel

LeAnn VanGinkel

Laura VanGinkel

Jelaine VanGinkel

Tim Nieuwenhuis

Robert Nieuwenhuis

Alyce Jane Nieuwenhuis

Peter Vanderstel

Randy Vanderstel

Steven VanGemert

Mary VanGiessen

Carrie Blok

Hilda VandenHoek (2)

Anthony VandenHoek (2)

Jim Kraayeveld

Kevin Rosendall

Mary Rosendall

Eddie Maljaars

Michelle VanBrugge

Julie DeBruine

Randy DeBruine

Kristi Boluyt

Margaret Karelse

Shirley Karelse

Karen Karelse

Michelle Karelse

Daniel Kamp

Jonathan Kamp

John Heystek

Bob Boerkoel

John Boerkoel

Joanne Boerkoel

Jonas Arnoldussen

Troy VanBeek

Howard Hubers

Duane Hubers

Mary Hubers

Harriet Hubers

Marcia Hubers

Dwaine Johnson

Steven Johnson

Steven Baum

Alan Greendyk

Laura Okken

Laurie VanEss

Rick VanEss

Karen Elizabeth Wesdyk

John Wesdyk

Margaret Scholten (2)

Johanna Scholten (2)

Jody Ann Ymker

Vicki Post

Doug L. Post

Steven Bleeker

Laurie Bleeker

Mary Ann Hendricks

D. Hults

Lysbeth Kroesbergen (2)

Sid VanderMeulen

Elizabeth Ann VanderMeuler

Harmen VanderMeulen

Todd Koedam

Gerrard Stubbe

Shawna Koppelaar

Margaret Petersen

Annette Meeuwse

Glen VanderKooi

Cindy Markus

Daniel Markus

Karen Kievit

Debra Witvoet

Carrie Beth Witvoet

Hendrik Petersen

Anita Kroesbergen

John Kroesbergen

Andy Kroesbergen

Beverly Kroesbergen

Cathy Kroesbergen

Estella Schouten

Ruth Bouma

Bill Bezooyen

Ramona Bezooyen

Scott Van’tZelfde

Stacy Seabert

Michele Seabert

Brian Kegel

Yvonne Kegel

David Vandenberg

Elizabeth Vandenberg

Henry Vandenberg

Herbert VanDenHouten

Elizabeth VanderWiele

Leslie Van Wijk

Jeffrey Van Wijk

Edward Van Wijk

Henderika Kroesbergen (2)

Gerald Kroesbergen (2)

Jim Kroesbergen (2)

Bill Kroesbergen (2)

Maria Stoutjesdyk

Carmel Goudzwaard

Michael Post

Allan Post

Karen VandenBeukel

Janet Kievit

Kenneth Kievit

Kathy Vroegindewey

Gail Vroegindewey

Joy Vroegindewey

Marty Vroegindewey

Bettina Slingerland (4)

Jeanette Slingerland (2)

Kenny Kanis

Debbie Kanis

Trudy Viets

Kevin Verbeke

Jacqueline Leusink

Rita Leusink

Hilda VanderHoek

And now to answer the letters which we have received—

DEBRA WITVOET - Do you have a name picked out for the calf, Debra? Have you ever trained a calf to drink from a bucket before? With the 101 baby chicks, you will have plenty to do. Have you ever seen baby chicks hatching from their eggs? It is really quite interesting to watch. ELIZABETH VANDENBERG -Do you hear regularly from your sister in Nigeria, Elizabeth? Be sure to give her our greetings when you write her. It was only a few years ago that she too was answering Bible quizzes. Does she like it there in Nigeria?

ANNETTE BRINK - We are quite well, Annette. Did you have a good report card? That means half of the school year is past already. Does your sister like her new position at the school? Be sure to say Hello to her for us, and also to your parents. I see I had two letters from you.

RAMONA BEZOOYEN - Welcome to the Bible quiz, Ramona. It is always nice to see new ones added to the list. We hope that you will learn many things about the Bible which you didn’t know before. It is a book which contains treasures.

ANITA SCHOUTEN - Here the weather was quite nice today, Anita. It almost looked like spring, although it is still February when I am writing this. Yes, the Lord provides the rain, the snow, the sunshine, and we have no reason to ask, What doest Thou? Give our regards to Martin, and we hope everything may go well for him at Gisborne. MARGARET SCHOLTEN - Ice skating weather won’t last too much longer, Margaret. One season follows upon the other, and in that way the years go by. The seasons are important, even though we don’t see the value in them. We usually judge such things by our own likes and dislikes.

REINEKE BERTRAM - It is nice to hear that your school continues to grow, Reineke. We hope and pray that the Lord will bless the instructions given in all of our schools. Those years in school are an important period in the life of young people. Greetings to your family.

HILDA VANDER HOEK -Knowing your Bible well is important whether you are a school teacher, a secretary, a clerk, or work at home, Hilda. And teaching is done not only in school, but also at our work. Even mothers in the home have to be good teachers. What a nice school sale you had.

JOHN WESDYK - Have you ever made a trip to the Netherlands, John? After you learn about it in school, I am sure you would find it interesting to visit the country. Perhaps you have some relatives living there. The dikes are important for the country, aren’t they?

TRUDY VIETS - It was nice to hear from you, Trudy. Do you like school? We were glad to be able to see your school building last summer, as we had heard so much about it. Did you have a nice birthday? We hope that you may have many more.

TROY VAN BEEK - Is Dalhart a big city, Troy? I suppose it becomes quite warm there in the summer time. We’re glad to have you join in answering the Bible quiz, and hope that we may hear from you regularly. The quizzes become easier when you do them every month.

JONAS ARNOLDUSSEN -1 suppose you get lots of exercise on the trampoline when the weather is nice, Jonas. But it sounds as if you keep real busy anyway. Do you live on a farm? I remember your grandpa’s farm, even though it has been a number of years ago that we were there.

JOHN FLUIT-I am sure you have found your name in the list this time, John. It could happen that we miss someone, but we try hard not to let it happen. How are you doing in school? I suppose you will soon be having your spring vacation.

RONALD BERTRAM-Is it a long ferry ride to the South Island, Ronald? I probably should get my atlas out and study it a little. Or better yet, perhaps someday I could take a long trip, D.V., and see it for myself. But I really don’t have that much vacation time.

TREENA KOCKEN- There are many books available today, Treena, so that the selection of what we read is most important. At one time some boys and girls learned to read from the Bible, as it was the only book which they had in their home. HELEN VAN BRUGGE - We are most happy to have a minister in our congregation again, Helen. We cannot appreciate it enough that we are so blessed by the Lord. Having a minister is not enough, for the Bible tells us that we must be doers of the word, and not hearers only.

TERESA DEN DEKKER -When you send your answers in for the quiz of this month, Teresa, your name does not appear until the May issue. I think most everyone looks for their name a month early. If you do the quiz regularly, you don’t realize this, since your name appears every month anyway.

KAREN WESDYK-What are you studying about in school now, Karen? I’m sure you have reading, writing and arithmetic, but usually there are also some special places or people which you learn about in class. What is your Bible lesson for this week?

CARRIE BETH WITVOET -The Bible first speaks about eating of meat after Noah came out of the ark, Carrie. You can read about it in Genesis 9. What do you make by latch hook? Your letter was the last one this time, and so we have reached the end again.

Many thanks, boys and girls, for your replies to the quiz. We hope that the Lord may yet bless the study of His Word unto your souls, and that you will learn to know the God of the Bible as He is known by His people.

With love,

Your friend,

“Uncle Garret”

MAKING CONFESSION AND MARRIAGE

It will be appropriate to also briefly consider marriage in connection with our confession. The times in which we live is in all respects dark, also in regard to marriage—the institution of God. Many Christian values are being cast aside and trodden underfoot. The disarray in marriage is very great. Men propagandize for so-called free love, and in our days marriage according to Scripture and confession is considered ridiculous.

Many young people who make confession are married, or soon to be married, or engaged. The choice in marriage is most important. It is true that the marriage form says that God doth as with His hand bring unto every man his wife. But this certainly does not take away our responsibility. There are marriages of which we say that they were performed in God’s disfavor. What do you think of the marriage of Ahab and Jezebel, and the marriage of Jehoram and Athaliah? God permits such marriages, but it is to the destruction of families, and, in the above mentioned instances, to the destruction of the country.

In the choice prior to marriage it is of the greatest importance that the boy and girl are one in confession. Mixed marriages often cause disputings and discord, but also later a division in the family in regard to church life.

In the course of years very many have forsaken the truth because of their marriage. If we as a single person forsake the truth, we have the responsibility only for ourself. However, if that takes place with two young people who have been united in marriage, the responsibility involves a generation. Let us seriously consider this.

The Lord is not an idle observer. A day of death is coming, a day of judgment. One girl once said, “Shouldn’t the wife follow her husband?” Our marriage form says, “in all lawful things”. Also in marriage it holds true—to love God above all and our neighbor as ourself. That is the requirement of the Lord in His law, and it holds true also in our days.

I cannot admonish young people enough—”Hold fast the doctrine which is according to godliness, also in married life”. Ask prayerfully that the Lord will direct your footsteps and life in the observing of His commandments.

Also of the very greatest importance is that there must be natural love unto each other. We live in a time in which divorce is a most common thing. In His Word the Lord teaches otherwise. See Matthew 19:3–9. Because many come together so lightly and alone from passion, the marriage fails. If everything goes smoothly, then they can yet live with one another, but a marriage has its cares, distresses, afflictions, and misery, by reason of sin, says our marriage form. True love strengthens the bond in the distress. Where no true love is present, the bond is loosened by the troubles which come in every marriage. It often becomes apparent that they live next to each other, and are not willing to understand each other. At last they become estranged from each other, and they begin to look outside of their marriage state. The separation finally comes, and it is in most cases impossible to reunite them. By this the honor of God is touched upon, the confession is slandered, and an undisciplined life is the result.

Marriage is an holy institution, and certainly has a very close relationship to our confession. The words of Psalm 133 have great meaning “for there (where love abides) the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.” It is true that with an honorable marriage a spiritual marriage is necessary. Christ bought His bride and church with His precious blood, and unites Himself at His time with His bride through the bonds of faith. But also for this life the Lord gives His blessing upon the marriage that is established with a looking unto Him. Our marriage form says, that God “will aid and protect married persons, even when they are least deserving it.”

Take care, young people, who you take as a marriage partner. It is for life. Ask the Lord for a honorable way of life, in marriage and outside of it.

(to be continued)

Rev. A. Hoogerland

DROUGHT

Saviour, visit Thy plantation,

Grant us, Lord, a gracious rain!

All will come to desolation,

Unless Thou return again:

Keep no longer at a distance,

Shine upon us from on high;

Lest, for want of thine assistance,

Every plant should droop and die.

Surely, once Thy garden flourished,

Every part looked gay and green;

Then Thy Word our spirits nourished,

Happy seasons we have seen!

But a drought has since succeeded,

And a sad decline we see;

Lord, Thy help is greatly needed;

Help can only come from Thee.

Where are those we counted leaders,

Filled with zeal, and love, and truth?

Old professors, tall as cedars,

Bright examples to our youth!

Some, in whom we once delighted,

We shall meet no more below;

Some, alas! we fear are blighted,

Scarce a single leaf they show.

Younger plants—the sight how

pleasant,

Covered thick with blossoms stood;

But they cause us grief at present,

Frosts have nipped them in the bud!

Dearest Saviour, hasten hither,

Thou canst make them bloom again;

Oh, permit them not to wither,

Let not all our hopes be vain!

Let our mutual love be fervent,

Make us prevalent in prayers;

Let each one esteemed Thy servant

Shun the world’s bewitching snares;

Break the tempter’s fatal power,

Turn the stony heart to flesh;

And begin, from this good hour,

To revive Thy work afresh.

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