Digibron cookies

Voor optimale prestaties van de website gebruiken wij cookies. Overeenstemmig met de EU GDPR kunt u kiezen welke cookies u wilt toestaan.

Noodzakelijke en wettelijk toegestane cookies

Noodzakelijke en wettelijk toegestane cookies zijn verplicht om de basisfunctionaliteit van Digibron te kunnen gebruiken.

Optionele cookies

Onderstaande cookies zijn optioneel, maar verbeteren uw ervaring van Digibron.

Bekijk het origineel

HOW CARL WAS RESCUED FROM THE PERIL OF DEATH

Bekijk het origineel

+ Meer informatie

HOW CARL WAS RESCUED FROM THE PERIL OF DEATH

15 minuten leestijd Arcering uitzetten

Translated from the Holland by Wm. Peters and Submitted by Rev. J. Van Zweden

The time is again approaching when we shall commemorate the birth of Christ and as it has become our custom to distribute some token of remembrance in which this ages-old, but also eternally-new event is spoken of, our younger folks are probably desirous of knowing what will be forthcoming this Christmas.

Yes, what shall it be?

Shall we tell you of the circumstances of that birth? Many probably will say, “That we know long ago. It is the same story every year.”

But it is a story which never becomes old. For that reason this story is told every year in the churches and that has now been going on for more than 1900 years and still it is not tiresome or weary.

Why is it this story never becomes tiresome or weary? We shall tell you.

The birth of the Lord Jesus is the most pleasant and joyful occasion that has ever taken place in this world, for had not Jesus taken on his human nature there would be no deliverance from the wrath of God and eternal death, for one sinner.

Still this occasion is not joyous for all people. Why not? You, children and all people by nature are enemies of God and Christ, and when you are made to believe that you love Jesus, do not believe it; for they that speak thus, are leading you astray.

Those children and people who have received a new heart by regeneration, they alone can exclaim: “I shall love Thee with my whole heart, Lord my strength!”

But there is still a way open for you. Know that outside of Jesus Christ no happiness can be found, for He saith: “all who hate me, love death.”

You know that the Lord has said: “Let the children come unto Me and hinder them not,” and that He has promised, that he who seeketh Him early, shall surely find Him and whosoever findeth Him, findeth life.

Do you ask how you may find Him ? Fall upon your knees and pray that the Lord may grant you a new heart and that you may come to know Him and yourself.

The wise men from the East brought Him costly gifts, but you have something much more costly, and that is your heart. Ask the Lord that he take your heart, and then you will surely give it willingly to Him.

So you see, that, shall you rightly keep Christmas, you must go to Jesus and He has promised that He shall in no wise cast out, they that come to Him.

We wish in this narrative to place our readers in the home of a family where Christmas was a joyous feast, because there were in that household persons who loved the Lord above all. We shall present two different Christmas evenings. May you take it to heart and may it be profitable for your never dying soul.

By the Fireside

In one of the large cities of our Fatherland (Holland), there lived on the main street, a modest man by the name of Cooper. His name was most likely adopted from his trade, inasmuch as his family had for more than one hundred years followed the trade as cooper. He had a flourishing business, wherein more than twenty men had steady employment. Cooper was a man who had much personal belongings and many, had they been in his place, would have had flags and streamers flying.

But Cooper always remained modest and would not that people made a fuss over him. He always said, “God had created man to a certain station in life and it was not proper for one to try and exalt himself above his standing. I am and will remain a tradesman, though I possessed a ton of gold.”

While his family sat by the fireside, warm and comfortable, there appeared at one of the windows a poorly dressed boy, shivering from the cold and who pleadingly cast a glance inside. Father Cooper said: “Look, there stands that boy outside again, shivering from the cold.” Hastily the door was opened, the boy was refreshed with a warm cup of coffee and a thick sandwich and after a friendly word from father Cooper, he went his way after thanking them for the goodness shown him.

When all were again seated, Marie said: “Come father! read us that poem about that boy and about: The Winter is a stern old man.”

Father Cooper could not refuse the request of his loving daughter and read, to the enjoyment of all, that well known, “Winter Song” from Staringh.

When father had finished reading, a consultation was held as to whom may be in need of food or clothing, and both parents and children were ready to help at once. Little Marie said: “Father! if that little boy comes again, may I give him my sandwich?”

Cooper was a man who feared the Lord, and in this he always set an example, in his business as well as his household.

The winter nights were very desirable for his six children, two sons and four daughters. When the daily work was finished, then father and children drew around the fireside and Bible stories and stories of the old Fatherland were related which were so captivating that the evening was far spent before it was realized.

It was a few days before Christmas that the family was again gathered around the fireside. Mother and daughters were busy with some needlework and when father had lighted his long clay pipe he began to talk about the bitter winter weather and related how blessed they were above so many other children of their age who must be in misery and want.

The conversation about winter was again started in the evening, when it suddenly turned to skating. Carl, a fiery lad of 14 years, with a pair of rosy cheeks, became very much interested, for when there was ice, he itched to go skating. But he was forbidden to go by his father. Carl immediately let himself be heard and that not in a very modest manner, for he said: “I cannot understand why father objects to skating, I do not see any evil therein.”

“Child!” said father Cooper; “if your father sees evil therein, then you must realize that you are only a child and that your father is wiser than you and you must be satisfied, albeit you do not understand. I will tell you what evil I see in skating.”

Hereupon father related that the ice was a place of vanity where Satin, the king of the world, ruled, and that he could not answer to God if his children were left to go to such places. It was also a sport to which much danger was attached and whosoever risked life and health in such a manner was guilty of the commandment: “Thou shalt not kill.”

“For that reason,” said father Cooper, “I cannot grant you the liberty to go. I have seen how neighbor, with his skates under his arm, left his home and two hours later was brought home dead. He had drowned. I knew a school teacher who had become wet with perspiration and standing still caught a cold in his bronchial tubes from which he died a few months later. I have seen a young boy brought home with a fractured skull after he had fallen on the ice.”

“I think it is enough for you to see the sin and danger connected with ice skating and why your father forbids it.”

Herewith was the evening ended and after parents and children had united in prayer, they all went restful to sleep, except Carl.

The First Christmas Night

It was somewhat different in the household of Cooper this night than it was a few nights previous when all were sitting by the fireside.

Carl as we have said was a fiery young man, but he caused his parents much concern. He was always mocking and indulged in idle things and sports, so much so, that even during the most earnest admonitions from his father he was hardly able to withhold himself. He was guilty of many wicked things which he tried to conceal from his parents.

This was the reason for the sad occasion we find in the Cooper home.

The fiery Carl was lying on a daybed. His usual red cheeks are now pale and the expressions on his face indicate he is suffering pain.

You ask: “What is the reason for this?” Contrary to the will of his father and lead by a few other young men, Carl went skating. A sharp Northwest wind was blowing that made nearly everyone seek shelter. Carl was soon wet with perspiration and standing around he became so chilled that he, shivering with cold took off his skates and made for home as a thief who was being followed. His conscience followed him and without mentioning a word about what happened, he went to bed early.

The following morning we see him lying on his bed, pale, and hardly able to move one member of his body.

The doctor was called and when he saw Carl and had examined, he shrugged his shoulder and said that his illness would last a long time.

When Christmas night came and Carl lay on his bed moaning, father reminded his children of the consequences of sin, how there is no forgiveness except in and through Jesus Christ and how the glad tidings were proclaimed, to the shepherds, that a child was bornn in the city of David. “That wonder,” said father Cooper, “cannot be comprehended! He who had Heaven and earth as His possessions, became man and came upon this earth in the poorest circumstances. His abode was a stable, His cradle was an unclean manger, for there was no place for Him in the inn. We may also see therein children, that by nature we do not have a place for Jesus in the inn of our heart. But when we come to see that our heart is unclean and we are made to feel this and we have a true sorrow therefore, then will Jesus also make a place in our heart.”

In this manner father Cooper would have his children observe the baseness and horribleness of sinning against our Creator and Benefactor, and how the Lord in His tender mercy had opened a way for sinners to deliver them from the curse and penalty of sin.

“Father! I know a text about that,” said Little Marie.

“Well, let us hear that, little one!” said father, while drawing her upon his knee.

And with her soft child like voice she said: “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; no one cometh to the Father, but through Me.”

“Very good, my little one! May the Lord grant you a desire to seek that Way early and learn to know Him. But come, Henry, you must also relate some of this story to us. The Christmas text you have said and you have heard the minister preach today; let us hear what you know about the birth of Christ.

Henry. It is now more than 1900 years ago that the Lord Jesus was born in Bethlehem. His parents lived in Nazareth, but because of the decree by Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed, Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem because they were of the house and lineage of David, for David was also born in Bethlehem. Because there was no place for them in the inn, they had to stay overnight in a stable. In this stable was born the child Jesus, who had a manger as His crib.

“Just notice children, to what a low state the Lord Jesus humbled Himself,” said father Cooper. “He, who created heaven and earth, the sea and all that is therein; the heaven with stars, the fields with grain, the animals with hides, the birds with feathers and now He lies as a helpless child wrapped in swaddling clothes, in the arms of his poor mother. Yes, poor in worldly things, but rich and blessed in God, her Saviour. But proceed Henry, with your story!”

Henry. There were in the country, shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night. The minister said they were probably speaking together how the Lord had not as yet fulfilled his promise, of the coming of the Messiah, and they were longing for His appearance. And while they were sitting together, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them. The shepherds were filled with great fear, but the angel said unto them, “Fear not, for, behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all the people; for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” No sooner had the angel spoken, when suddenly there was with him a multitude of heavenly host praising God, and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!”

“Yes, children!” said father Cooper, “that is the loveliest song of praise that was ever sung upon earth and that still echoes in the hearts of those in whom God is well pleased. When Adam fell in sin, Paradise upon earth was lost and peace disturbed, but soon through the coming of Christ peace is restored and another and better Paradise for those who are lost in themselves has come in its stead.”

“Now, Henry continue again!”

Henry. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into Heaven, the shepherds said one to another: “Let us now go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.” And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger.

“What poverty!” said father Cooper, “but the shepherds, by faith, see beyond this poverty, the Lord Jesus; they worship Him and related to Mary and Joseph what they had heard and now see of that Child. Just notice children! how this great occurrence was told to these humble and poor shepherds in Bethlehems fields and the beautiful gardens of Augustus and the majestic palace of Herod were passed by. What a blessed night that must have been for these shepherds! Oh! that Jesus Christ, Who yesterday and today is the same unto all eternity, may grant us such a Christmas day by revealing Himself in the dark stable of our heart.”

The family retired for the evening and all slept well, except Carl. As we said before, he lay in the home on a daybed. Now father, and then mother were at his bedside, for he could hardly stir without help.

That was the first night. Many more would follow.

What Followed

The pitiful state of affairs in which Carl was, caused a general feeling of dismay in the household, and although it was known that it came about by his disobedience, still no one accused him of it. Everyone treated him with love and compassion.

The poor boy lay in a very pitiful condition. Just think, children! that Carl was a young man who was always busy. He was always doing something; now he was busy with his school lessons, then he was reading a history book or doing some small jobs, so that to be idle was a burden. Of course that was very praiseworthy of him, for idleness is the devil’s workshop. But what was intolerable, we have already related. It was that continuous mocking of God and His word which at times was unbearable and it caused much sorrow to the minister of the church where he catechized, who would first reprimand him with words of meekness and then with words that were harsh and cutting. But it was all in vain, for the man was often at his wits end as to what to do and often times was on the verge of sending him home, in as much as he would disturb the whole class and cause others to sin also.

There lay the former ruddy cheek lad. His laughing was now changed to weeping and he could not even bring his food to his mouth. This way he lay for several days without uttering a word and did nothing but cry and when anyone came to look at him, he turned his face to the wall and when asked a question, his answers were short and abrupt.

One evening his father, who continually mentioned him in his prayers, came to his bedside when Carl suddenly burst into tears, whereupon his father asked him if he had something to say. He then burst into a loud lamenting cry and said that he had caused his father and mother so much grief and sorrow; that he regretted having gone skating; that he was the cause of the misery that was now in the home and he asked if father and mother would forgive him.

Deze tekst is geautomatiseerd gemaakt en kan nog fouten bevatten. Digibron werkt voortdurend aan correctie. Klik voor het origineel door naar de pdf. Voor opmerkingen, vragen, informatie: contact.

Op Digibron -en alle daarin opgenomen content- is het databankrecht van toepassing. Gebruiksvoorwaarden. Data protection law applies to Digibron and the content of this database. Terms of use.

Bekijk de hele uitgave van maandag 1 december 1941

The Banner of Truth | 16 Pagina's

HOW CARL WAS RESCUED FROM THE PERIL OF DEATH

Bekijk de hele uitgave van maandag 1 december 1941

The Banner of Truth | 16 Pagina's