A PERIODICAL FOR YOUNG AND OLD

THE CONFESSION OF FAITH ARTICLE XXXV

Of the Holy Supper of our Lord Jesus Christ

After the article regarding holy baptism, our confession proceeds to the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. Baptism is the sacrament of incorporation in the Christian church, while the Lord’s Supper is given for the support of spiritual life. This unity between the sacraments is also described in this article, where it reads, “We believe and confess, that our Savior Jesus Christ did ordain and institute the sacrament of the holy supper, to nourish and support those whom He hath already regenerated, and incorporated into His family, which is His Church.” The same relationship exists between baptism and the Lord’s Supper as existed between circumcision and the passover.

The passover supposes circumcision, as is evident from Exodus 12:48, “Let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it.” The passover had an historical meaning, namely the deliverance of Israel, but also a spiritual meaning, as we will find explained in the New Testament. Christ Himself is called the Lamb and the Paschal Lamb (see John 1:29 and I Corinthians 5:7). The similarity between the Paschal lamb and Christ is so clear that in the New Testament Christ is portrayed as the Lamb. Did not Isaiah do the same? He wrote, “He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter.”

In Christ we find the fulfillment of the passover sacrifice. The believing Israelite under the Old Testament looked by faith through this sacrifice at Christ Who would come. The Lord Jesus Himself brought this relationship to the foreground when He instituted the Lord’s Supper. He could have instituted it at another time, since they ate together each day and the cup then also went from the one to the other. However, it was not at one of these meals, but at the passover that the Lord instituted the holy supper. It was also a prophecy of that which would take place at Golgotha.

The Holy Supper is also a spiritual meal by which is commemorated the deliverance out of the house of bondage by the blood which is poured out for us. It is a deliverance from the satanic Pharaoh by the blood of the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. In the Lord’s Supper God’s people are strengthened by the crucified body and shed blood of Christ.

Holy baptism is the sacrament of incorporation or birth, whereas the Holy Supper was instituted in the first place to the commemoration of Christ’s death, but was also given for the strengthening of faith. In a beautiful though simple way this is described by our fathers in the confession, “Now those, who are regenerated, have in them a twofold life, the one corporal and temporal, which they have from their first birth, and is common to all men: the other spiritual and heavenly, which is given them in their second birth, which is effected by the word of the gospel, in the communion of the body of Christ; and this life is not common, but is peculiar to God’s elect.”

In this part our confession describes the believers as children who are brought by God into His family, which is the church, where He also nourishes them. The Holy Supper is not a means to work faith, but it is given to strengthen the faith which has been worked, the faith which is present. Faith is worked by the Word under the administration of the Holy Ghost. Just as creation took place by the Word, so likewise does recreation. It is incomprehensible for us that the world was created by the Word only, and so it is also in regeneration. We know only that the Holy Spirit binds Himself powerfully to the Word to work irresistably in the hearts of the elect.

That which is visible in the administration of grace is entrusted to men, but the distribution of the invisible the Lord has reserved for Himself. The heart of the elect is prepared by the Spirit to receive the seed of the Word, which will bring forth fruit in faith and in conversion. When faith has been worked, it has to be continually strengthened. Just as the seed in the ground needs air, rain and sunshine, so the spiritual seed in the believer needs protection, but also nourishing. Strengthening of faith is given by the Lord in the preaching of the Word, but He has also especially given the Lord’s Supper for this.

The confession states, “In like manner God has given us, for the support of the bodily and earthly life, earthly and common bread, which is subservient thereto, and is common to all men, even as life itself. But for the support of the spiritual and heavenly life, which believers have, He hath sent a living bread, which descended from heaven, namely, Jesus Christ, Who nourishes and strengthens the spiritual life of believers, when they eat Him, that is to say, when they apply and receive Him by faith in the spirit.”

The Lord’s Supper is a meal whereof the Lord Jesus is not only the Institutor, but is also the Host and Administrator, while the true believers are His guests. The institution of this sacrament is described in many places of God’s Word. The fact that it is a Divine institution is of the greatest importance, since without being so it would not be a sacrament at all, but at the most a moving ceremony. The sacraments are signs and seals instituted by God. Paul told how the Lord had given him a special revelation that Christ had instituted this sacrament and that it would be in force until the end of the world.

How was it instituted? First, the Lord had taken the bread and the cup, which showed His willingness to die. Secondly, He gave thanks for the bread and the cup, whereby He made the bread and wine the signs of His body and blood. In the third place, He brake the bread, and later gave it and also the wine to the disciples to eat and drink. He gave the command to take, to eat and to drink; after this He gave a promise and an explanation, namely, this is My body, which is broken for you, and this is My blood which is shed for you. He also gave a mission for the future, This do in remembrance of Me!

The Lord nourishes and strengthens the spiritual life of the believers when they eat and drink Him, that is to say, when they apply and receive Him by faith in the spirit. As natural bread is not only for adults, but also for children, so likewise the Lord’s Supper is for the assured church, but also for those who have a weak faith. Therefore we read in the catechism that the holy Ghost works faith in our hearts by the preaching of the gospel and confirms it by the use of the sacraments. Here again it is emphasized that we must have faith in order to come to the Lord’s table.

Young people, I hope that the Lord may teach us our misery first. For many conversion begins with the Lord’s table, but this is not scriptural. Ask for a conversion as it has always been in the past and that we may not deceive ourselves for that great eternity.

Sioux Center, Iowa

BIBLE QUIZ

Dear Boys and Girls,

When the Lord Jesus was on earth, He had the power to know the thoughts of others, because He was also God. We read of the scribes who were reasoning in their hearts because of what He had said, and He said to them, “Why reason ye these things in your heart?” Time and again He knew their thoughts.

But also today the Lord knows the hearts of men. Even though our thoughts are hid from our parents, our friends, our teachers, and others, the Lord knows them. The poet said, “O Lord, my inmost heart and thought Thy searching eye doth see.” And this would not be so bad if we could say that our thoughts are all good thoughts. But that is not true. Therefore, before the all-knowing God our daily prayer should be as we sing in Psalter 61,

“My sins and faults of youth,
Let them forgotten be,
And for Thy tender mercies’ sake,
O Lord, remember me.
For Thy Name’s sake, O Lord,
With Thee I humbly plead
To pardon my iniquity,
For it is great indeed.”

The Bible quiz this month will show us more about the heart. The first letters of the answers will spell out six words from Jeremiah 17.

In Genesis we read that God saw that every ____ of the thoughts of man’s heart was only evil continually.

David cried unto the Lord in Psalm 51, “Behold, Thou desirest ______ in the inward parts.”

Peter, in one of his epistles, wrote, “______ yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God.”

The Lord Jesus said, “For out of the heart proceed ________ thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.”

In his farewell to the people, Joshua said, “Incline your heart unto the ______ God of Israel.”

In Philippi there was a woman named Lydia, whose heart the Lord ______ that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.

Paul wrote to the Hebrews of Esau, who found no place of ______, though he sought it carefully with tears.

James wrote, “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but ______ his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.”

Daniel said to Nebuchadnezzar, “But there is a God in heaven that revealeth ______”

Hanani said to Asa the king, “For the ______ of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth.”

Of ______, the son of Joash, we read, “He did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a perfect heart.”

In Proverbs Solomon told how his father taught him and said unto him, “Let thine heart ____ my words: keep my commandments and live.”

Solomon also said, “My son, if sinners entice thee, ______ thou not.”

The Lord said to Samuel, “Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the ______ “

On Mount Carmel Elijah cried out, “Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that Thou art God, and that Thou hast ______ their heart back again.”

Of Jehu we read, “But Jehu took no ______ to walk in the law of the Lord God of Israel with all his heart.”

In Psalm 26 the psalmist cried, “______ me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.”

When the Lord Jesus appeared to the eleven as they sat at meat, He upbraided them with their unbelief and ______ of heart.”

Two men travelling to ________ were addressed by the Lord Jesus, “O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken.”

Solomon wrote, “In all thy ways ______ Him, and He shall direct thy paths.”

Hannah prayed, and said, “My heart ______ in the Lord, mine horn is exalted in the Lord.”

Of old Eli we read, “Eli sat upon a seat by the wayside watching: for his heart ______ for the ark of God.”

(Send your answers to Garret J. Moerdyk, 5211 Woodmont Drive, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001.)

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

ACROSS

1. Pomegranate - I Samuel 14:2

8. Cinnamon - Revelation 18:13

9. Onion - Numbers 11:5 10. Beans - II Sam. 17:27–28

13. Hyssop - Exodus 12:22

15. Rue -Luke 11:42

16. Tares - Matth. 13:24–25

17. Fig - John 1:48

19. Corn - Genesis 42:2

20. Stacte - Exodus 30:34

22. Frankincense - Matthew 2:11

24. Rose - Song of Solomon 2:1

25. Cedar - II Samuel 7:2

DOWN:

2. Olive -Genesis 8:11

3. Grass - Genesis 1:11

4. Aloes -John 19:39

5. Thorns - II Chron. 33:11

6. Mint - Matthew 23:23

7. Willows - Psalm 137:1–2

10. Box -Isaiah 60:13

ll.Almug -I Kings 10:11

12. (Water) Lily- I Kings 7:19

13. Herb -Exodus 9:25

14. Pine - Nehemiah 8:15

15. Rie -Exodus 9:32

18. Cassia - Exodus 30:24

21. Oaks -Amos 2:9

22. Fir - I Kings 6:34

23. Oak - Genesis 35:8

Answers to the quiz were received from the following girls and boys -

Cindy Markus

Ray VanderKooi

Carl J. Mast

Bobby VanderZand

Rodney VanderZand

Julie VanGemert

Jeff Rosendall

Kristi Rosendall

Rachel Rosendall

Julie DeBruine

Randy DeBruine

Sally VanBemden

Debbie VanBemden

Mike VanBemden

Allan Post

Michael Post

Larry Roelofs

Dan Roelofs

David Roelofs

Jeff Boot

Jim Kraayeveld

Jeremy A. Boot

Jolene VandenBerg

Lyle VanRavenswaay

Norman VanRavenswaay

Lisa VandenToorn

Mariene Vandenberg

Denise Peters

Lisa Peters

Rhonda VanVeldhuizen (2)

Sheila VanVeldhuizen (2)

Audrey VanVeldhuizen (2)

Phyllis VanVeldhuizen (2)

Kristi VanVeldhuizen (2)

Alisa Stam

Neil Stam

Angela Stam

Charley Stam

Steve VanOostenbrugge

Joel VanderKooi (2)

Glen VanderKooi

Bettina Slingerland

Mary VanGiessen

Cathy Both

Colen Both

Bob Huisjen

Steve Huisjen

Laura Jane Troff

Artis denHoed

Dorenda denHoed

Judy denHoed

Robert denHoed

Ronald Bertram (2)

Rieneke Bertram (2)

Tammy VanderToorn

Jon VandenToorn

Douglas J. Mol

Jim Bazen

Karen Bazen

Linda Bazen

Elaine Frens

Margaret Karelse

Shirley Karelse

Karen Karelse

Tim Nieuwenhuis

Rob Nieuwenhuis

Alyce Nieuwenhuis

Jason DeSmit

Julie DeSmit

Michael DeSmit

Jody Ann Ymker

James VandenBrink

Steven Baum

Sandra VanBeek

David Hoogendoorn

John Lee Fluit

Dwaine Johnson

Steven Johnson

Lisa Stalker

Joanne Boerkoel

John Boerkoel

Robert Boerkoel

Ronald Kranendonk

Susan Kranendonk

Randy VanderStel

Peter VanderStel

Andy DeVries

Brian DeVries

John VanGemert

Vicki VanGemert

Steve VanGemert

Stephanie Kegel

Jody Kegel

Leah Talbot

Laura Talbot

Linda Talbot

Sharon Talbot

Mark Talbot

Karen VanGinkel

Laurie VanEss

Dan Kwekel

Tom Kwekel

Rich Carlson

Randy Carlson

Scott Van’tZelfde

Vicky Post

Doug Post

Karen Wesdyk

John Wesdyk

Sharon Bazen

Peter Bazen

Ed Bazen

Dan Bazen

Diana VanDeMoere

Denise VanDeMoere

Shelley Hoogendoorn

Lisa Hoogendoorn

Michelle Klaasen

Philip Schouten

Estella Schouten

Anita Schouten

Glenda Slingerland

Darryl Slingerland

Rosemary Kardux

Janet Kardux

Petra Muis (2)

Leona Brink

Annette Brink

Louise Brink

Trudy Viets

Constance VanderMeulen

Elizabeth VanderMeulen

Steve Bleeker

Laurie Bleeker

Lena Neels

Jack Neels

Marianne Neels

Joanna Kranendonk

Hugo Kranendonk

Doug Maljaars

Judy Maljaars

Eddie Maljaars

Rick Maljaars

Arlen Klarenbeek

Darwyn Klarenbeek

Leann Klarenbeek

David Klarenbeek

Len DenBoer

Peter DenBoer

Yvone Kegel

Brian Kegel

Kristy Lamain

Sara Lamain

Aimee Beth Engelsma

Hilda VandenHoek

Anthony VandenHoek

Renita Schelling

Pamela Schelling

Cindy Hulshof

Ronald Hulshof

Dan Kamp

Frances VanderMeulen

David VanderMeulen

Benjamin VanderMeulen

Karl VanderMeulen

Ann VanderMeulen

Margaret Scholten

Johanna Scholten

Joan VanGiessen

Leslie VanWijk

Jeffrey VanWijk

Edward VanWijk

Debbie Witvoet

Carrie Witvoet

Jennifer Sue Rose

Karen VandenBeukel

Erika VandenBeukel

Tom Hoefakker

Anita VanTilburg

Ted VandeLagemaat

Louie VandeLagemaat

Beth VanderKooi

Steven Baum

Allan Jay Baum, Jr.

Robert Thomas Baum

Amy Ruth Baum

Ellen Marie Baum

Cheryl VandeStouwe

Myra VandeStouwe

And now to answer the letters which we have received—

BETTINA SLINGERLAND - From the names of your kittens, I can almost tell what they look like, Bettina. Do you have names for all the others, too? We hope, D.V., to give a book again at the first of the year. It has been quite a long time ago that we gave one.

DEBBIE WITVOET - It has also been cool here in Kalamazoo, Debbie. Today is the first day of autumn, but we have already had some fall weather for several weeks. God has said that seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, will not cease while the earth remaineth. We see the truth of His Word also in these things.

ANTHONY VANDENHOEK - It was good to hear from you again, Anthony. There are many occupations to choose from, but may we seek to obey the command, Honor the Lord with thy substance. Of the prodigal son we read that he wasted his substance, which was later a great grief to him.

LENA NEELS - What do you do at the greenhouse, Lena? It is nice to see the various plants grow and the buds to blossom into beautiful flowers. Do you sometimes stop to think that we cannot make one seed or one blade of grass by ourselves? They are the work of the Great Creator.

KAREN WESDYK - How is Miss VanderValk getting along now, Karen? It takes only one wrong step or one wrong movement, and we tumble and fall. The poet said, “Hold Thou my hand lest I should falter”, but there he was especially speaking of wrong steps into ways of sin.

SUSAN KRANENDONK - Do you have a lot of trees which you can cut down for firewood, Susan? Some say that it will be a very cold winter, while others don’t think so, but we do know that winter is not far away. Solomon spoke of the wisdom of the ant in preparing for the winter.

JOHN WESDYK - I am sure you are watching the building of your new school very closely, John, since you hope to be one of the students there. It probably seems to go slow at times, but there is lots of work involved in building a school. May the Lord give wisdom in the building of it, but also in its use in later years.

PHILIP SCHOUTEN - I am sending you a copy of the magazine which you asked about, Philip, so that you can see what it is like. Do you like to read? Today there is much reading matter, but we find much that we cannot call good. The printing press was a wonderful invention, but is not always put to a right use.

JULIE DE SMIT - You have also been busy this summer preparing food for the winter, Julie. Our whole life is also a time to prepare. Do you know for what we must be prepared? Many, many people do not give this any thought at all.

ANNETTE BRINK - Yes, Annette, you caught another of our mistakes. No matter how hard we try, they seem to creep in here and there. But we are glad to see that you are finding them, as it shows you are studying the quiz carefully. How do you like the addition of your school?

HILDA VANDEN HOEK - It is wonderful to see the schools growing as they are, Hilda. We must always remember that the Lord has provided these things for us, and that from day to day the teachers and the pupils still need His help and His blessing.

RONALD BERTRAM - With the cassette tapes those who could not go to church can also hear the sermon, Ronald. And it is also possible to listen to it again, even though we were in church. What did you do during your holidays?

ESTELLA SCHOUTEN - Do sheep have quadruplets very often, Estella? Since you live where there are many sheep, you will know better than I. Congratulations on your birthday, and we hope that you may have many more, but that you may also learn to know of a second birthday. Do you know what that is?

MICHAEL DE SMIT - I can imagine that you were tired after a long day at the zoo, Michael. When we visit the zoo, we realize somewhat how many animals there must have been in the ark of Noah. Each animal was created for a purpose, and each provided for by the Lord. We sing, “The life of each creature the Lord makes His care.”

ANITA SCHOUTEN - What a blessing it is, Anita, when we may learn to know of that Great Physician, Who can help, not only in our bodily needs, but also in the needs of our souls. When we are born, a leprosy is already within us. Are you doing quite well now after your sickness?

REINEKE BERTRAM - How necessary it is that we understand what we read when we read God’s Word, Rieneke. And only the Lord can give us that right understanding. Do you ask Him for this before you go to church or read your Bible? We hope all the boys and girls will remember to do this.

Again we thank you, boys, and girls, for your replies to the quiz. It is such a great blessing that we may have God’s Word, but if we only leave it lay on the bookshelf, it remains a closed book for us. Especially in this month when we remember the struggles of the reformers of years ago in bringing God’s Word to the people, we must appreciate that which they have given us as a means in the hand of the Lord. Then Reformation Day, October 31, will be a day whereon we honor not men, but the Lord Who has given these shining lights in dark times, continuing even until today. Also in these days may He give us men to proclaim His Word in truth for us and coming generations.

With Love,

Your friend,

“Uncle Garret”

THE BIRTHDAY OF THE REFORMATION

There are many months in a year which are of special importance to us. If I were to ask you, which particular month is of the most importance to you, you might tell me the month in which you were born. Surely that is of great importance. Every year you celebrate your birthday. It is a day on which your whole family expresses their best wishes to you. It surely would be sad if your family would forget this day. We all forget on occasion. This you can forgive, but, if they intentionally forget and find other pleasures for that day, it would make you feel sad. Of such a day I am presently thinking, not of your or my birthday, but of a birthday which the church should remember—the birthday of the Reformation. You are all acquainted with this day, aren’t you? Your Pastor will preach about it, and if you attend a Christian school your teacher will tell you about it.

To appreciate the birth of the Reformation you should acquaint yourselves with the persecution of the saints—the children of God. Many books are written on this subject. If you haven’t any in your home, ask your parents to buy them for you. The more often one reads them the more you will appreciate the kindness of God Who brought deliverance to the church from the tyranny of the Roman Catholic Church. They have tortured millions of God’s people, have given them over to the wild beasts, have burned them at the stake, and have slaughtered many with cruel death. “Why?” you may ask. It is because God’s people believed the Word of God, which teaches that the death of Christ is the only complete propitiatory way of salvation for sinners, and that Christ only is the head of His church, also upon earth. This the Pope, and the Roman Catholic Church deny. The Pope places himself as the Vicar of Christ (regarding himself as the earthly representative of Christ). Even the nations must be subject to his demands. In the dark ages of 1500, the Lord converted many from the Popish heresy. He also called Dr. Martin Luther, who by the grace of God, received the courage to place his ninety-five theses on the Castle Church of Wittenberg on October 31,1517. This was the birthday of the Reformation. A worthy day to be remembered, a day the church of Christ will remember till the end of time.

But now this is the sadness of the commemoration of this day. The Roman Catholic Church, and its rulers, do not want you to remember this great event as historic to the Protestant churches, in giving thanks to God for the day of Reformation. They have invented something else to occupy the minds of the people on this day. They call it Halloween (All Saints Day), which is now generally celebrated with fun making and masquerading. When the youth of this nation go from house to house making fun, many Protestants also take an active part in this fun. “Trick or Treat” is the slogan. Many have found an excuse for it, calling it “innocent fun.” Proverbs 24:9, “The thought of foolishness is sin.”

The birth of our great Reformation is slighted. God’s wonders forgotten. Children, I hope that none of you take part in this God dishonoring celebration. If you have, kindly take this message as a warning. The Lord is not well pleased when we despise the tokens of His mercy. May I advise you of something which you could do to commemorate this special event. Read the books of the martyrs, or the life of Dr. Martin Luther, or other good books. Please remember that the Roman Catholic Church has not changed at all. It may again persecute the church. It is the enemy of God and His church. May you learn to hasten for the time is short, and the young can die. Ask the Lord to create within you a love to Him, to His Church and His people.

C.F. Boerkoel, Sr.

THE OLD WEAVER

John Mullane had been at work at his loom for some time in silence, but he suddenly laid down the shuttle and said to his wife who was knitting by the fire, “What are we to do, Kathleen, if we can’t make up the rent by Michaelmas; and it’s coming fast?”

“Don’t be downhearted, John, dear; only put your trust in God, and perhaps He will help us.”

“True enough, wife, and that was the very thing my boys said in the last letter.”

“And I’m thinking, John, there might come another letter soon, and help in it too, as you often got before.”

“So it might, wife, for sure never was a father who had two such sons as I have.”

“And, for that matter, never was a step-mother who had two such step-sons as I have. Wasn’t it only this time twelvemonth they sent me something to buy a new coat, for fear I should be cold when winter came? But, oh, John, isn’t it a pity that they’ve picked up such queer notions about religion in the strange country?”

“Well, Kate, I don’t know what to say about that. I have been thinking a great deal about it, and isn’t it plain, I ask you Kate — isn’t it plain that if these new notions about religion, as you call them, are queer, they are good too, for isn’t it they that made the boys that they are? Broken-hearted I was the day they turned their backs on old Ireland to go to America. I can’t deny they had their faults like other people’s children, and could be a little idle and a little wild too, sometimes, and I had not much hope of their doing well in the strange land. It was the book they met in America — the Word of God, as they call it in their letters — that made the great change in them; or as they themselves say, it was God Himself by the book who did it. You know, Kathleen, how they tell me every time they write to get that book and read it for myself, because it shows how to be blessed in this life and forever.”

“I know it, John? still, I’d advise you to do nothing about it until you tell the priest, at any rate.” The old weaver did not reply, but took up the shuttle and went on with his usual work.

Not many days after this conversation, Mrs. Mullane’s hopes concerning a letter from America were realized. Old John received one from his sons containing not only enough to pay his rent, but what would be suffient to make the old couple very comfortable during the coming winter. Like previous letters from these two dutiful young men to their father, this one was most interesting, being written not only with great love, but also with much wisdom. They never failed to entreat their parent to procure immediately a copy of the Word of God, and to offer up all his prayers through the only Mediator, because the Scriptures assure us that there is “one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Tim. 2:5).

The old weaver appeared to have taken the advice of his absent children as kindly as it was offered. At length it was put into his heart, doubtless by the Holy Spirit, to act accordingly. He found means to purchase a Bible privately, and anxiously began the perusal of a book from which his sons had learned so many good things.

This precious volume the old man kept concealed in a hole in the wall, close to his loom. When he became tired at his work, he had recourse to the Bible, and as he read it, his soul began to understand the experience of those to whom God teaches knowledge and doctrine. “This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing” (Isaiah 28:12). The moment he heard a footstep on the path leading to his cabin door, or any other sign of interruption, he would at once replace the Bible in its hole and stop the hole with a stone, so that not even his nearest neighbour ever suspected that he had a Bible.

After awhile John’s strength began to fail. He declined rapidly, then became seriously ill, and it was clear that his end was near. With great sorrow his wife read the signs of approaching death, for they had been affectionate companions in weal and woe. They were just then expecting the usual remittance from America, and she said to him one day, “Is it your will, John, that part of the money we are to get from your boys be given to the priest after your death to say masses for your soul?”

Her husband replied, “No, wife, no. You have been a kind and faithful partner to me since we came together. If any money should be sent by my sons, it is yours. But as to giving any to the priest, oh, don’t think of it — don’t think of it. All my trust is in the great High Priest. What should I want with masses? I want no masses, for I believe that the blood of Jesus Christ has cleansed me from all sin.”

In this blessed hope the old Irish weaver passed away. Unknown to men, God had called him from darkness into His marvellous light just by reading His Holy Word. “True it is”, said the narrator of this interesting case, “that the Lord calls out His own and brings them to Himself, where, when and how He will.”

Young People’s Magazine

THE SABBATH DAY

How sweet is the day
When, leaving our play,
The Saviour we seek!
The fair morning glows,
When Jesus arose,—
The best in the week.

The dear place of prayer,—
Our teachers are there,
To point us above;
Their hearts burn with zeal
That children may feel
The Saviour’s kind love.

To school, then, we’ll go,
For surely we know
Our Sabbaths must end;
Oh, then, to the skies
Redeemed may we rise, —
To Jesus our friend.

Submitted

Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.

Proverbs 4:1

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