BIBLE QUIZ

21. The man of God who came to Jeroboam said, “I will not______in with thee, neither will I eat bread or drink water in this place.”

22. Jesse said unto David, “Take these______ loaves, and run to the camp of thy brethren.”

Your answers should be sent to:

Garret J. Moerdyk

52I1 Woodmont Drive

Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001.

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

“Yet All This Availeth Me Nothing”

— Esther 5:13

Youth —Ecclesiastes 12:1

Earth —Psalm 104:24

Treasure —James 5:3

Armies —I Samuel 17:45

Lackest —Mark 10:21

Lose —Mark 8:36

Trust —Mark 10:24

Help —Matthew 15:25

Ichabod —I Samuel 4:21

Salvation —Genesis 49:18

Affliction — Hebrews 11:24–25

Vanity — Ecclesiastes 1:2

Achan —Joshua 7:21

Iniquity —Genesis 44:16

Little —Psalm 37:16

Evil —I Timothy 6:10

Tent —Genesis 13:12

Hence —Exodus 33:15

Martha —Luke 10:41–42

Empty —Luke 1:53

Numbered — Daniel 5:26

Occasion — Daniel 6:4

Tillest —Genesis 4:12

House —II Samuel 7:1

Image — Genesis 5:3

Near —Ruth 2:20

Good —Luke 16:25

Answers have been received from the following:

Ricky Arnoldussen

Aron Bazen

Carrie Bazen

Amy Beeke

Bill Beeke

Karrie Beeke

Katie Beeke

Lori Beeke

Jeff Bisschop

Yvonne Bisschop

Lorraine Blom

Jeremy Boot

Erick Brouwer (2)

Fred Brouwer (2)

John Brouwer (2)

Neil DeBoer

Peter DeBoer

Rachael De Bruine

Peter Den Boer

Sonya Den Boer

Arlen Den Hoed

Bruce Den Hoed

Glen Den Hoed

Susan Den Hoed

Tim Den Hoed

Jodi Deur

Kevin De Visser

Leah De Visser

Fred De Vries

Karen L. De Vries

Kristi De Vries

Stephen De Vries

Anita Droge

Gordon Eckhardt

John Eckhardt

Susy Eckhardt

Rachel Ekema

Jason Engelsma

Kristie Engelsma

Remco Funcke

Benjamin Hayes

Daniel Herfst

David Herfst

Jason Herfst

Kevin Herfst

Wieska Hoedeman

Katie Hoogerheide

Charmain Huisman

Cynthia Huisman

Jeremy Kaat

Debbie Kanis

Kathleen Kanis

Ken Kanis

Frank Kardux (2)

Janet Kardux (2)

Myrna Kardux (2)

Rosemary Kardux (2)

Jody Kegel

Stephanie Kegel

Hugo Kranendonk

Jim Kranendonk

Joanna Kranendonk

Mary Kranendonk

Ronald Kranendonk

Susan Kranendonk

Cindy Kreft

Derek Kreft

Garry Krygsman

June Krygsman (2)

Peter Krygsman

Wilma Krygsman

Jason Lagge (2)

Rachel Lagge (2)

Tara Lagge (2)

Joan Lamain

Kristy Lamain

Sara Lamain

Erik Langerak

Gerald Liefting

Henry Liefting

Tony Liefting (2)

George S. Lubbers (2)

Pam Lubbers (2)

Steve Lubbers (2)

David Marcus

Nicole R. Meeuwse

Marian Muis (2)

Nathan Meeuwse

Billy Middendorp

Bobby Middendorp

Sarah Middendorp

Leanne Neels

Mark Neels

Alyce Nieuwenhuis

Rob Nieuwenhuis

Karen Nyenhuis

Melanie Osman

Craig Phillips

Wendy Phillips

John Polderman

Kevin Post (2)

David Rose

Jennifer Sue Rose

Anita Roth

Julia Roth

Krista Roth

Lenny Roth

Darla Rus

Jason Rus

Darlene Anne Ryniak

Anne Schelling (2)

John Schelling (2)

Pam Schelling

Rebekah Schelling

Renita L. Schelling (2)

Elise Schipper (2)

Kristina Schipper

Estella Schouten

Philip Schouten

Darryl Slingerland

Diane Slingerland (2)

Jolene Slingerland

Kevin Slingerland (2)

? Slingerland

Marco Slingerland

Cara Smith

Laura Smith

Joel Stam (2)

Nelly Stam (2)

Kevin Stubbe

Steven Stubbe

Jonathan Ten Elshof

Tim Ten Elshof

Brian Teunissen

Lance Teunissen

Linden Teunissen

Craig Timmer

Sally Van Bemden

Linda VanBrugge

Mary Ellen VanBrugge

Peter C. VanBrugge

Peter M. VanBrugge

Renie VanBrugge

Andre VandeBruinhor

? VandeBruinhorst

Danny VandeLagemaat

Louie VandeLagemaat

Ted VandeLagemaat

Leona VandenBrink

Louise VandenBrink

Marvin VandenHoek

Patricia VandenHoek

Jon VandenToorn

Jaclyn VandenToorn

Kim VandenToorn

Lisa VandenToorn

Marsha VandenToorn

Michael VandenToorn

Tammy VandenToorn

Benjamin VanderMeulen

Dave VanderMeulen

Fran VanderMeulen

Bob VanderZand

Rodney VanderZand

Laurens Van Pegee

Cory Van Tilburg

Trina Van Tol

Kristi Van Veldhuizen

Rebecca Van Veldhuizen

Robert Van Veldhuizen

Phyllis Van Veldhuizen

Sheila Van Veldhuizen

Janelle Van Voorst

Larissa Lynn Van Voorst

Rachel Van Voorst

Corinna Van Wingerden

Mark Van Wingerden

Mariene Van Wingerden

Jacqueline Velthove

Pieter Len Velthove

John Wesdyk

Karen Wesdyk

Eric Wielhouwer

Cindy Ymker

Denise Ymker

Gregory Ymker

Jeff Zevenbergen

Kristen Zevenbergen

And again we have some letters to answer —

Cindy Kreft

Your letter is on top, Cindy, so it will be answered first. I usually make the Bible quizzes, with the exception of the crossword puzzles, which my daughter makes. As you study science, you may see the wonders of creation, each thing having its own characteristics.

Remco Funcke

What is there about school that you like Remco? Or asked in another way —what is there that you don’t like? We don’t always realize the purpose or the use we might have for certain parts of our education, but later in life, may find them to be quite helpful.

Benjamin Hayes

We are glad to have you join in answering the quiz, Benjamin. Have you always lived in New Zealand? Your Bible lessons in school will certainly make the answering of the quiz somewhat easier. We hope we may continue to hear from you.

Ricky Arnoldussen

Yes, Ricky, the Lord Jesus spoke of one thing needful, and all the other things are of so much lesser value. Congratulations on your birthday; we hope that you may have many more, but that you may also have a second birthday.

Charmain Huisman

We had a warm summer, Charmain, but warm weather in the summer is to be expected. In one of the psalters we sing, “The seasons are fixed by wisdom divine,” and we cannot but be amazed at the wisdom displayed in it. Did you do any travelling during the summer?

Estella Schouten

What did you conclude was the difference in foods between America and New Zealand, Estella? Never having been in New Zealand, I wouldn’t know the answer. I would imagine that there are some foods that are quite common in both places.

Nelly Stam

No, Nelly, at present I am not on the school board. Now that you are back in school, how are you enjoying the seventh grade? Each year more is expected of you, but each year you may also increase in knowledge. In the Bible we read of one who increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. Do you know who it was?

Derek Krek

The leaves are also falling here, Derek, but certain trees lose their leaves sooner than others. We have a number of oak trees, and they seem to keep them somewhat longer. You must have had a real cold night in order to have that much ice. It is a sure sign that winter is coming near.

Leona Vanden Brink

One of my daughters took French for one year, Leona, but it is really a foreign language for me. I know that in the eastern part of Canada it is quite common, but do you find it used in your area to any extent? It is quite useful to know more than one language. We read that also the apostle Paul was able to speak more than one language.

Philip Schouten

What will you be doing during the summer months, Philip? It always seems strange to speak of your summer when we are entering the winter season. There are certain things which can be put to one side during the summer months, but there are other things which should be a part of every day throughout the year.

Cynthia Huisman

Your letter is the last one, Cynthia. You certainly had a full house with all your guests. It is also good when God’s house may be filled with hearers, but we do know that there are many different kinds of hearers. Our prayer should be, “Lord, give me an hearing ear.

Many thanks to all for your replies to the quiz. May the Lord apply that which we have learned and read so that it might be for an eternal blessing.

With love,

Your friend,

“Uncle Garret”

A SAMPLE COPY OF DANIEL

The Daniel magazine is a Dutch periodical published by the Jeugdbond (the Young People’s Society) of our churches in the Netherlands. Those desiring to receive a sample copy may do so by writing Bible Truth Books, P.O. Box 2373, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49003.

“HE REDEEMED ME!”

The tears of a slave girl, just going to be up for sale, drew notice of a gentleman, passing through the auction mart in a southern slave state. The other slaves standing in line did not show much fear, while each knock of the hammer made her shake. The kind man stopped to ask her why she alone wept, she answered that for the others they were used to this, and so might be glad for a change for the better, but she had been brought up with much care by a good owner, and was terrified to think who would buy her. “Her price, her price.”

He thought little when he heard the great ransom, but he put it down, yet no joy came to this poor slave girl’s face, when he told her she was free, and knew not what freedom meant. Her tears fell warm and fast on the signed parchment, which this kind man brought to her to prove her freedom. She only looked at him with fear.

At last when he made ready to go on his way, and he told her what she must do when he was gone, it began to dawn on her what freedom was. “What shall I do? Where can I go? I will follow him! I will serve him all my days.” And to every reason against it, she only cried, “He redeemed me; he redeemed me!” When friends would visit her master’s house, they would notice, as all did, the loving, constant service of this happy girl, and they would ask her, “Why is it you serve so eagerly, night after night, day after day?”

She had but one answer, and she loved to give it: “He redeemed me! He redeemed me!”

“And so,” said the servant of Christ who spent a night on his trip in a Highland Glen, and told this story in a meeting, where every heart was thrilled, “let it be with you. Serve Jesus as sinners bought back with blood, and when men take notice of the way you serve Him, give the same answer: ‘He redeemed me; He redeemed me!’“

MERCY AND JUSTICE

A little girl of twelve being asked by her mother if she were afraid to die, replied, “No mother.”

“On what are you depending?” her mother asked.

“On the justice of God,” said the little girl.

Her mother was surprised, and said, “You mean the mercy of God, don’t you, dear?”

“No, mother,” said the little girl, “I mean the justice of God. You know, mother, all my sins were laid on Jesus, and He bore my punishment. God in His justice will not punish me too.” “God is just and the Justifier of him which believeth in Jesus” (Rom. 3:26).

CHRISTIAN COURAGE

Algerius, an Italian martyr, thus wrote from his prison a little before his death: “Who would believe that in this dungeon I should find a paradise so pleasant; in a place of sorrow and death, tranquility, hope and life; where others weep, I rejoice?”

JUSTIFYING FAITH

Upon the whole the best and clearest and most perfect definition of justifying faith, and most according to Scripture, is this: faith is our soul’s entirely embracing the revelation of Jesus Christ as our Saviour. It is the whole soul according and assenting to the truth, and embracing it. There is an entire yielding of the mind and heart to the revelation, and a closing with it, and adhering to it, with the belief and with the inclination and affection. The freeness of the covenant of grace is represented thus, that the condition of finding is only seeking; and the condition of receiving, asking; and the condition of having the door opened, is knocking. From whence it is that faith is a hearty applying unto God by Christ for salvation, or the heart’s seeking it of God through him.

HANDICAPPED TOM

The following narrative shows that the most adverse circumstances, even with constant suffering, need not prevent a life of devotedness to the Lord, and for the salvation of men.

In one of the miserable East London homes, in a wretched room at the top of a house, lay a boy who was crippled. He had lain there for over two years, greatly neglected. When quite young his parents had died, leaving him to the mercy of an aged relative, whom he called “Granny.”

Born handicapped, he had always been a sufferer; but as long as he was able he had gone on short errands on his crutches, to earn a few pennies. But soon after his parents’s death, the boy had to stay in bed. Very ungraciously the old woman allowed him to occupy the top room in her house, which room he never left again.

His mother had taught him to read and write, but, not knowing the truth herself, she never told him of Jesus Christ. Sometimes, however, on a snowy night, when the wind was blowing hard and cold, the boy had crept into the mission hall, not far distant, merely for the sake of getting warm by the comfortable stove. Numb with cold and weary in body, he took little heed of what he heard on those nights; but afterwards, lying alone day after day, there came into his mind the memory of it, and by degrees he was possessed with a great longing to know more about the things of God, and to have a Bible of his own. He knew that it was from the Bible the speakers had spoken to the people, and that was all. Summoning up courage one day, he consulted Granny about it, and was answered by an ironical laugh. Bibles! What did a boy like him want with Bibles! So the matter was dropped for a time, but the boy’s desire to possess one for himself did not grow less.

One day, however, up the creaking stairs came boisterous Jack Lee, the only friend the handicapped Tom had in the world. “Hurrah! hurrah! Got a new job. Off north to-morrow! Come to say good-by, Tom,” he cried excitedly, seating himself on the bed, and wiping the perspiration from his brow; “but I’ve got a real beautiful present for you, my friend,” he said, and took from his pocket something wrapped in a bit of brown paper and handed it to Tom.

Tom raised himself on his elbows, not at all gladdened by the news he had heard. “A crisp $5 bill for you, Tom,” said Jack. “And you’re not to spend it until you want something real special.”

“Oh, Jack! you are good; but I do want something now, very special.”

“You do! what’s that?”

“I want a Bible!”

“A Bible! Well, I never! Who ever heard of a poor boy spending all that on a bible, when I had to scrape for months to save it.”

“Don’t be angry, Jack,” said Tom. “You’re going away and I shall be lonelier than ever, and I do so want a Bible. Please get it, Jack—this very evening, at Fisher’s, before the shop closes. Granny never would; she’d spend it on gin if I let it get into her hands.”

“What can you want with a Bible, Tom? Only scholars understand those things,” he answered rather crossly.

“Maybe so, Jack, but I’m longing for one; for I must find out whether those people in the mission hall you and I sometimes used to go to, told the truth about someone they called Jesus. Let it be your parting gift, Jack, and you will make me so glad.”

“Very well, then, I’ll go; but I don’t know anything about buying Bibles.”

“Fisher has them for $5, for I saw them marked in the window when I used to go by. Quick, Jack, or the shop will be closed!”

Jack complied, ungraciously, and descended the stairs less rapidly than he had mounted them. But he got over his disappointment before he returned with the Bible. “Fisher says I couldn’t leave you a better friend, Tom, and he declares the $5 couldn’t be invested better; and he says, ‘It may be worth a thousand dollars to Tom!’ So it appears there’s something in it we both ought to know about.”

Tom’s joy and gratitude were unbounded. “I know it, Jack. I know it!” hugging the book to his breast. “And I’m happy now. How kind you were to save that $5!”

The boys never met again; but if the errand boy could only have known what a precious treasure that Holy Book became to his handicapped friend he would have been well rewarded for the sacrifice he had made.

After a month of reading Tom Reed knew more about his Bible than many who have professed to study it for twenty years. He had learned the way of salvation, with the Holy Spirif as his only teacher. He had learned also that obedience to God’s will meant a desire to save others.

“It won’t do to keep all this blessed news to myself,” he said; so he thought and thought, until a simple task was decided on. His bed was close by a low window-sill, and by making a bargain with Granny he got a pencil and paper and wrote out different texts; these he would fold, and with prayer drop them into the noisy street below, addressed: “To the passer-by—please read.”

He hoped that by these means some one might hear of Jesus and His salvation for lost sinners. This service of love went on for some weeks, when one evening he heard footsteps on the stairs, and immediately after a well-dressed gentleman entered the room and took his seat by Tom’s bed.

“So you are the boy who drops texts from the window, are you!” he asked, kindly.

“Yes,” said Tom; “Have you heard of someone who has got hold of one!”

“Plenty, lad, plenty! Would you believe it if I told you that / picked up one last evening, and God blessed it to my soul?”

“I can believe in God’s Word doing anything, sir,” said Tom, humbly.

“And I am come to thank you,” said the gentleman.

“Not me, sir! I only do the writing God does the blessing.”

“And you are happy in this work for Christ?” said the visitor.

“Couldn’t be happier, sir. I don’t think nothing of the pain in my back, for shall I not be glad when I see Him, that I did all I could to serve Him? I suppose you get lots of chances, sir?”

“Ah, Tom, I have neglected them; but, God helping me, I mean to begin afresh. At home in the country I have a sick son dying. I had to come to town on pressing business. When I kissed him good-by he said, ‘Father, I wish I had done something for Jesus,’ and the words stuck with me all day long and the next day too, until, in the evening as I was passing down this street, your paper fell on my hat. I opened it and read, I must work the works of Him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work’ (John 9:4). It startled me, and brought me to my knees that night, and I could not sleep until I could sing:

Oh, the cleansing blood has reached me.

Glory, glory to the Lamb!

When I found out who dropped these texts into the street, and why it was done, it so shamed and humbled me that I determined to go home and work for the Master that you are serving.”

Tears of joy were rolling down the boy’s face.

“Tell me how you managed to get the paper to start this, Tom.”

“That wasn’t hard, sir. I just had a talk with Granny, and offered to give up my milk she gives me most days if she would buy me paper instead. You know, sir, I can’t live long. The doctor says a few months of cold weather may take my life, so a drop of milk isn’t much to give up for my blessed Jesus. Doesn’t it make us happy?”

The visitor sighed, as he said, “Oh, lad, you are happier in this poor room, making sacrifices for Jesus, than thousands who profess to belong to Him, with time, talents and money, and do little or nothing for Him.”

“Knowing is loving and loving is doing sir. It isn’t love otherwise.”

“You are right, Tom. But now about yourself. I must begin by making your life brighter. How would you like to be in a home for handicapped boys, where you would be nursed and cared for; where you would see the trees and flowers, and hear the birds sing? I could get you into one not far from my home, if you liked.”

The weary boy looked with desire into the man’s kindly face, and after a few moments silence answered:

‘Thank you, sir; I’ve heard of them before, but I’d rather be carrying on this work till Christ comes to fetch me.” The visitor felt more reproved than ever.

“Well, my boy, then I will see that you have proper food and all the paper you need while you live. I will arrange it all with one of the Bible women. Now, before I go, pray aloud for me.” As he made the request, the strong man knelt by the dying boy’s bedside. When Tom saw that bowed form, and heard a half-stifled sob, he knew he ought to comply with the request.

With upturned face, he said in a tone of the deepest reverence: “Lord Jesus, I know you’re listening; and I’m much obliged to Thee for sending this friend to cheer me. Now, Lord Jesus, he’s troubled about not having worked for Thee. Wilt Thou help him so that there’s nothing left undone in the coming days. Please, Lord, make him tell the other men that they don’t know Thee if they aren’t seeking and serving Thee. And I’m grateful to Thee for all the paper and the food that’s coming to me while I live. Now, Lord Jesus, please bless this kind friend, always. I ask this for Thy name’s sake. Amen.”

Then the gentleman rose and said farewell.

Before leaving London he made arrangements for Tom to be cared for, and with a gladder heart went back to his country home and lived unto Christ. He built a mission hall on his own grounds, and spoke to the villagers about the gospel way of salvation. When he confessed his sin of negligence towards them, and told them of his new consecration through the handicapped boy, many of them were led to “seek Jesus.”

News of the dying boy reached them from time to time, but it was not till winter set in, and the snow had fallen that they heard that the dear boy had “gone to be with Jesus.” Tom’s much prized and much-used Bible was a precious “relic” in that beautiful home; for, when Tom’s friend lent it to his youngest son to read, the careful marking the short, simple prayers written on the margin, and his dying wish on the fly-leaf, written about a week before his death, that “this Holy Book may be as great a friend to someone else as it has been to me,” made such a deep impression on the youth, that he was converted by the Lord, and later on went to mission work in foreign fields. Out in Central Africa he has shown that worn Bible to many native Christians when telling them about Tom and his texts.

Do you see what one consecrated life can do under God’s blessing? And is there not something terribly wrong when a true believer’s life is for self instead of for Christ?

Thousands of weary hearts are needing the little ministry of love that we might render. Shall we then take our ease, enjoy our pleasure, or indulge in our luxuries? There is need all around us; souls are groping in darkness, while many of us, professing to love Christ, live self-centered and self-indulgent lives! Oh, that the Spirit of God would, by His mighty power, cleanse away all slothfulness, unreality, and self-complacency from our lives; for following Christ means self-sacrifice, self-denial, and there is no true holiness without it.

If a dying boy, in suffering and destitution, could joyfully deny himself the little sip of milk which partly fed his weary body, surely it is possible for us to do more!

Who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the Lord?

—Adapted

THROUGH THE FLOOD WAVES

A Narrative of the Floods in the Netherlands in 1916

Things had not been right for many years between Gerrit and Kees Hospels. They were both sons of the old Kris Hospels and the dividing of the inheritance was the beginning of the brothers’ feud.

Until the death of their old father, both had been employed on the farm. It was a large farmstead, situated on the inside of a dike, and a distance of fifteen minutes walking from the village.

When the old man died, Gerrit and Kees were the only heirs, and since their mother had also passed away several years earlier, they could now divide the inheritance that was left to them.

And that happened. But that is also when the feud started. Not about the farm. They agreed on that. Father had determined that Gerrit, who was the oldest, should stay on the farm. Kees was to use the money which came to him to start on another homestead. That was no problem.

No, the feud started about a small, oak chest. It was a solid little box, with copper fittings and beautiful carvings. The lid was decorated with the symbols of faith, hope and love. It was an heirloom, that had been passed from father to son over the past two hundred years. The old Kris Hospels had used it to save precious and important documents. Since they were little children, both boys had been familiar with the little chest. But with the division of the inheritance, the little chest had disappeared. Kees had accused Gerrit of embezzlement, and Gerrit suspected Kees had taken it. They both accused the other, without offering any proof. The only ground Gerrit had was, that, while his father was already ailing, shortly before his death, he had been away for a week to attend a market at Honover. To him it was obvious that the chest had disappeared then.

In the meantime the brothers could not come to peaceful terms because of this, and the unfortunate chest was the cause of years of discord.

Gerrit and his family took over on the old homestead, and Kees moved to a neighboring polder, where he built himself a new homestead. Things went very well for him there, and gradually he bought all the land that bordered his farm. Within a few years he owned the whole polder. Gerrit was also successful with his farm, although he could not match the quests of his younger brother. He did not buy any additional land, but was satisfied, nonetheless. Year followed year, and yet there was no sign of any reconciliation between the two brothers. The pastor had applied all his persuasive powers, sometimes with the one, and sometimes with the other, always without success.

One certain winter evening, Gerrit and his family were sitting by the wood-stove. Outside a storm was raging fiercely. It had been stormy for a week already, but it had not reached the severity of this particular evening, the 14th of January, 1916. To make matters worse, a north westerly wind blew incessantly, and the sea rushed into the harbors and river inlets.

“Is everything locked up well, Jan?” Gerrit Hospels asked his young hired hand, who had joined the family by the stove.

“Yes, boss, I sealed all the windows and locked all the doors,” said Jan, “but I will walk around to check if everything is still okay.”

Jan went, but came back quickly with the message that everything was in order. Gerrit Hospels was satisfied. “And how is the wind, Jan?” he asked. ‘“Still steady north-westerly,” replied the young man, “that will mean a tidal wave if it keeps up, boss.”

Hospels took out his almanac and looked up the tides. “At eleven-thirty it’s high tide,” he announced, “that will be quite a tide!”

“We won’t be in danger here, will we?” asked the farmer’s wife, as she paused with her mending.

“No, fortunately for us,” said the farmer, adding after some thought, “but by brother Kees it could mean disaster.”

At the usual hour, the family Hospels made ready for bed, and soon all were resting peacefully. Only Gerrit could not fall asleep. The fear for the water filled his mind. He could not explain why. In all the years in the polder he had experienced many fierce storms. But he never had such a premonition of disaster as he had now, that it kept him awake.

He tossed and turned in his bed. He heard the storm roar, and the old elms creak and groan. Again he thought of his brother. What if something should happen? Something really terrible. What if the dike can’t hold the water out, and the polder would be flooded?

He could not rest, but just wanted to be sure. Quietly he left his bed, dressed himself, and went outdoors. Quickly he walked to the top of the dike, and what he saw caused great alarm within him.

The polder there in front of him, the polder where his brother Kees lived, was one mass of water! The embarkment had not been able to resist the battering waves, and gave out. As a tiny island in the middle of a sea, the farmhouse of Kees Hospels stuck up above the water. From the attic window, a light could be seen, and now Gerrit thought he saw someone’s head outside the window. Then he heard a muffled call for help. What could he do? Only a few meters away the water dashed against the dike. The village was far away, and it was almost midnight. No one else would be aware of their plight more than he. Should he help his brother? Again he thought about the chest, but immediately he forced those thoughts out of his mind.

A silent sigh for help went up to God for the safety of his brother and his family. Gerrit called with both hands as a trumpet that help was on the way. Then he turned and ran. Shortly all the family at his home were up and listened with bewilderment to the story of the farmer. “We must try to pull the boat over the dike,” said Gerrit, “that’s all we have. There’s no other boat nearby.”

It was a big job, struggling with the heavy boat in the middle of the night. When the boat was finally in the water, the farmer and Jan stepped in. They were about to cast off, when they heard a splashing in the water, and a moment later a black dog scrambled up the dike. It was Bello, Kees Hospels’ dog. Bello was carrying a soggy piece of paper in his snout. By the light of the lantern they had brought with them, Gerrit read that Kees and his family were desperate for help. They were in the attic and water was still rising fast. Kees had sent Bellow with this message in the hope that it would bring help to them. Quickly they rowed toward the farm. What misery! They found the family shivering with cold, in the attic. First the children were wrapped in blankets and delivered to the dike, where Gerrit’s wife took them in her care. Then they went back for Kees and his wife.

“Did you see Bello already?” asked Kees.

“Yes I did, but we were already on our way to save you. What happened to the animals?”

“They all drowned,” was the listless answer. Silently they rowed further to the dike.

The farmstead on the other side of the dike was a flurry of activity that night. An unfortunate family, suddenly robbed of house and home, was taken in with sincere hospitality. There was not a thought about the feud. The gulf that for so many years had separated the two brothers, flowed away with the floodwaters. Although not completely erased, at least for the present it was not visible. Gerrit did not think of a precious chest, or valuable papers, of a rich farmer who may have embezzled a portion of his inheritance. His only thought now was of a deeply tried man, with an unfortunate family, and he was filled with deep sympathy for him.

“Kees,” said Gerrit, “Jan and I will row back to the farm once. Maybe there will still be something floating around, that we can save. If we wait until daylight it might be too late.”

Kees made no objections, although he did think Gerrit was going through too much trouble for him. Gerrit was determined, and the rest of the night he and Jan searched the water around the farm. Towards dawn, they returned with a boat full of rescued items. Kees stood waiting on the dike and grabbed the rope to pull them in.

“Jan,” said Gerrit, “go to the barn and get the horse and the cart, to load up all these things.” And as soon as Jan left, Gerrit said, “Kees, come here in the boat.”

Kees stepped in. Then Gerrit pulled a few items out of the way, and uncovered the chest with the copper fittings, and showed it to his brother. The symbols of faith, hope and love were exposed on the lid.

Ashamed, Kees lowered his gaze. He stammered a few words, which were meant to ask for forgiveness, and a promise to return everything he could.

“You won’t have to return anything, Kees,” said Gerrit. “It has been taken away from you fourfold by the flood-wave, and I thank God that this flood has been used to bring us together again. It is a heavy blow for you, Kees, a heavy cross, which the Lord has used to that end.”

Kees gave no answer, but the handshake that he offered his brother was answer enough.

Thanks to a tidal wave, the gulf between two brothers disappeared from the earth.

— translated from: “DE GEZINS GIDS”

January 7967

Renewal and Gift Subscriptions

Most subscriptions to The Banner of Truth expire with the December 1987 issue. To avoid missing future issues, please forward your renewal for 1988 prior to January 1. A self-addressed envelope is provided in this issue. Please note that if your church assumes payment of The Banner of Truth, you need not respond to this notice.

In either case, we wish to thank you for your continued support, prayers, and gifts. A particular thanks to those who forward amounts in excess of the subscription price. As you know, we are dependent on your donations to meet our costs. Please assist us if you are able.

Once again we wish to continue the valuable service of providing our periodical to various seminaries and pastors, many of whom have expressed their appreciation for this gift. Please check the appropriate box on the provided envelope if you desire your donation to be used for this purpose.

Finally, a heart-felt thanks to all those who have assisted us in providing our 53rd year of Banner of Truth reading material: our ministers, elders, and assistant editor for their timely contributions; our business manager and those who assist with updating files and mailings; our typesetters who work at cost; our cover artist; our faithful printers; and our Banner of Truth Committee.

May God continue to command and add His blessing upon the reading of our Banner of Truth to many hearts—also to you and yours, out of the rich abundance of His grace.

— JRB

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