The Life and Dying of Mientje Vrijdag (5)

As far as it concerns the Church, the Lord has also showed Mientje Vrijdag much out of Jeremiah 12:7. She has also met the Church in Jonah 1:11-13—Jonah overboard, the Church attempted rowing to bring the ship to shore, but the storm became more tempestuous, and, finally, Jonah was prepared to be thrown overboard. She has also met the entire Church in the prodigal son—how that at God’s time the entire Church, with the prodigal son, would make confession of guilt and return unto the God of their fathers; that the Lord would return with great mercies so that she has embraced out of the covenant of God the afflicted seed and also the returning Church. Yea, she has even met the old covenant people of Israel, and God Almighty shall cause that people to return. That all occurred with great simplicity and the deepest dependence, along with veneration.

What more shall I testify of all these things? Many of the burdens of God’s servants were carried up by her to God’s throne. She was united very closely to my spouse. Even after the death of my beloved wife, Mientje has faithfully carried our burdens and sorrows. I was completely unworthy of that, and it caused me to continually weep with wonderment.

In this manner her life was as a stranger here upon earth. She was not at home here. How she longed to be delivered from her post with patience and watching. Her inclinations and her meditations were continually directed to above. Often, she has lingered above in the spirit. She spoke much of the daily life with her God. Her earthly tabernacle, however, became weaker and weaker. Finally, the hidden disease, cancer which was present in her body, was revealed. Then it became apparent from where the hidden pains and stings came. This laid waste her body, but she dragged herself onward. If her nature had not been so cheerful, she would have been bedridden much earlier; the last months of her life she spent lying in bed. Even in the greatest misery she was very meek and serene. She could testify of the salutary lessons which flowed forth from the continuous Fatherly chastisements. She spoke much of the bitter suffering of her Bridegroom and the comforts of the Spirit. She also spoke encouraging words to all who visited her or warned them. In this manner she praised the blessed service of God.

She spoke much about her expected home, namely, that upcoming life in heaven where without interruption, without sin, one would reside in blessed communion with God. In the strength of the Lord, she was able to point the enemy to her Surety so that he had to continue to walk away as a thief. If she were left over to herself because of the oppression of the old man and her depravity, then she would come low in guilt and weep a flood of tears. Then she could not endure that any separation had come.

While suffering continual pain she was prepared for death. Finally, her earthly tabernacle was broken down. On the 27th of July, 1943, she entered eternal glory. The gates of the heavenly Paradise were opened wide upon the full mediatorial work of Immanuel. Her life was Christ, and her dying was gain. Death was not a payment for sin but a dying of sin and an entry into eternal life.

She left behind her father, now eighty-seven years old, her old aunt at eighty years of age, a blessed God-fearing brother, who now held an office in God’s church, as well as her son who was thirty-two years old.

“Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.” That was also the case for this blessed widow of fifty-nine years of age.

(This installment marks the end of this series.)

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