A PERIODICAL FOR YOUNG AND OLD

A WORD TO YOUNG PEOPLE

The year of 1966 also is behind us, never to return except in that great day when Christ shall come on the clouds of heaven.

Children, a divine wonder of grace must take place in your hearts. In the past year children were also taken away through death, but your lives were yet graciously extended. That in your early youth you may yet learn to seek the Lord. The Lord says in His Word, “Those that seek me early shall find me.” Proverbs 8:17.

Boys and girls, the Lord has yet spared you and protected in the arms of His longsuffering goodness. In the past year much labor to your soul has again been laid to your charge. Oh, that in the day of days it may never testify against you.

Many of our young men have been called into military service, and others will be receiving a call in the near future. Dark clouds drift above us, and at any moment a third world war could break out. When we look upon our sinfulness, then fear should fill our hearts in regards to the future.

How many there are in our rising generation by whom God is no longer acknowledged. Many live as if there shall be no eternity. That the Lord might bind their needs and pour out His spirit in our hearts, so that a cry might yet rise unto heaven.

None shall see the Kingdom of God, unless they are born again. That the Lord might bless His Word in these days, before it shall be forever too late. For those who are saved, it shall be an eternal wonder. It shall only be because of God’s eternal good pleasure — only because it was His will. But nevertheless, those that are lost and shall be lost shall never be able to cast the blame upon God. It shall be our own fault, in that we were not willing that Christ should be King over us.

Boys and girls, stand yet still in your pathway of life. Beg of the Lord that He might give you in truth to consider what is so necessary to your eternal welfare. Because of our fall in Adam, everything was cut off from our side, but God Himself has opened a way in His Son to escape the wrath to come, and to be reconciled in the communion of a triune God.

Rev. W. C. Lamain

Bible Quiz

Dear Boys and Girls:

How well do you know the books of the Bible? Maybe some of you can recite all of them in proper order. Or some can probably get as far as the minor prophets in the Old Testament, and the epistles of Paul in the New Testament. To know the Bible is something that we think is very important to you, and therefore we mention it so often. The Bible is God’s Word to us, and should become our guide in our life.

This month our questions are taken from the books of the Bible in order. The answer to the first question will be found in Genesis, the answer to the second question will be found in Exodus, etc. The first letters will be in proper order according to A.B.C.’s, except we did not use the letters O, Q, R, X, Y, and Z.

What was Noah commanded to make with gopher wood?

What did all the waters and rivers of Egypt become when Moses lifted up his rod and smote them?

What did Nadab and Abihu put fire in and make an offering of strange fire before the Lord?

Who was one of the men who rebelled against Moses, and was swallowed up in the earth?

What was one of the birds not to be eaten by the children of Israel?

Among the stalks of what plant did Rahab hide the spies on the roof of her house?

On the north side of what hill was Joshua buried?

What was being done to the barley when Ruth and Naomi arrived in Bethlehem?

What was one of the sons of Saul?

What was the father of Mephibosheth?

What brook was Shimei not to go beyond in order to stay alive, as appointed by King Solomon?

What did Gehazi become because he tried to deceive Elisha?

Who despised David when she saw him from out of her window as he returned with the ark into the city?

Who was the father of King Jeroboam?

Of what country was the king who proclaimed the building of the house of God in Jerusalem?

Who was one of the men that were grieved because the wall of Jerusalem was being rebuilt?

Name one of the king’s chamberlains, who sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus?

In what land did Job live?

In the 80th Psalm, what had God brought out of Egypt?

What do fools despise?

Answers to the January quiz are as follows:

Mahershalalhashbaz Isaiah 8:3

Moses —Exodus 2:10

Abraham —Genesis 17:5

Ham —Genesis 10:6–9

Esau —Genesis 27:34–36

Rehoboth —Genesis 26:18–22

Samuel —I Samuel 1:20

Hagar —Genesis 16:8–11

Antioch —Acts 11:26

Lamech —Genesis 5:28–29

Altar —Genesis 35:6–7

Loammi —Hosea 1:9

Hosanna —Mark 10:9

Aceldama —Acts 1:18–19

Seth —Genesis 4:25

Herod —Acts 12:20–23

Boanerges —Mark 3:17

Adam —Genesis 2:20

Zacharias —Luke 1:59–63

Timothy Mission Fund

Contributions to the Timothy Mission Fund during the month of December amounted to $183.00, which we again acknowledge with sincere thanks. Checks were forwarded to the Bethesda Clinic in Nigeria in the amount of $50.00, to Mr. and Mrs. Jan van Woerden in the amount of $50.00, and to the Wycliffe Bible Translators in the amount of $75.00.

We are happy to submit the following information as to our disbursements made throughout 1966. Our balance on hand as of January 1, 1966, was $434.00, and a total of $1516.85 was received during the year, giving us a total of $1,950.85.

The following disbursements were made:

Mr. and Mrs. Jan van

Woerden ___________$ 300.00

Bethesda Clinic —

Nigeria ___________ 419.75

Rev. G. Kuijt —

New Guniea ____________ 375.00

Wycliffe Bible Translators

Mr. and Mrs. Harold Popovich in Brazil, and others ____ 300.00

Mr. D. Polder (Netherlands

Mission Fund) ________ 300.00

Miss Ann Herfst, Alberta,

Canada (in training for mission work) ___________ 100.00

Spanish Evangelical

Mission ____________ 100.00

Total ____________ $1,894.75

Balance on hand —

Dec. 31, 1966 ___________$56.10

Those who helped make the above gifts possible are gratefully acknowledged.

An acknowledgment from the Spanish Evangelical Mission:

Through Rev. Lamain we received your splendid gift for our mission work in Spain. The cooperation and support from the other side of the ocean for the church in Spain, oppressed because of the Word of God, is especially appreciated by us, and is very encouraging to us.

May the Lord bless your gift so that fruit may be seen upon the labors to the honor of His Name and to the salvation of souls created for that great eternity.

With friendly greetings, J. R. van Oordt, Secretary

Answers were received during the past month from the following boys and girls:

Herlan Zomer . . Joanne Beeke . . Joe Beeke . . Louis De Maagd . . Brian Zevenbergen . . Marilyn De Maagd . . Kris Vander Male . . Martha Vander Male . . Ruth De Meester . . Jane De Meester . . Donna De Meester . . Linda Kay Bleeker Peter Zevenbergen.

Ruth Meeuwse . . Mike Meeuwse George De Maagd . . Betty Jean Kamp . . Mary Ann Kamp . . Michael Mol . . Joanie Mol . . Leonard Mol . . Gerri Moerdyk . . Alice Moerdyk . . Gary Van Giessen . . Sandy Van Giessen . . Sheryl Van Giessen . . Tom Blok . . Pat Boluyt . . Sally Slotsema . . Susan Slotsema.

Dick Westrate . . Jimmy Westrate . . Marilyn De Vries . . Gary Roozenboom . . Alice Koppert . . Harry Koppert . . Joanne Spaans . . Gertrude Spaans . . Dena Spaans . . Christine Koppert . . Peter Koppert . . Carol Van Tilburg . . Jean Van Tilburg . . Ann Boluyt . . Larry Rozeboom . . Herman Rozeboom . . David Verhey . . Joan Van Zweden . . Dianne Van Ravenswaay . . Marilyn Van Ravenswaay . . Viola Van Beek . . Teresa Vander Meulen . . Cathy Droogers . . Debby Droogers . . Wilma Droogers . . Andrew Van Den Toorn . . Mariene Van Den Toorn . . Dave Vander Boon . . Janet Van Driel . . Jim Vander Boon . . John Van Woudenberg . . Trina Vlietstra . . Linda Sue Vissia . . Corinne Etelman . . Albert Etelman . . Gloria Boluyt . . Peter Kievit . . Janetta Vandenberg . . Cordy Vandenberg.

Arie Vandenberg . . Sandy De Visser . . Sharon De Visser . . Shirley De Visser . . Ron Vander Boon . . Ria van Hierden . . Dick Stubbe . . Merrill Rose . . Kenneth Van Roekel . . Ruth Kamp . . John W. Kamp . . Joyce Kamp . . John Stubbe . . Kay Kamp . . Thomas Jay Kamp . . Corinne Van Veldhuizen . . Joyce Van Veldhuizen . . Wanita Wallenburg . . Carol Wallenburg . . Arlene Walenburg . . Nellie Heykoop . . Betty Joosse . . Judy E. Sweetman . . Janet Arlene Sweetman . . Herbert Van Den Houten . . Harlan Spaans . . David Spaans . . Larry Spaans . . Phillip Kaat . . Betty Vander Waal.

John Van Wingerden . . Sjaane Van Wingerden . . Archie Van Wingerden . . Bill Van Wingerden . . Marsha Koedam . . John Vander Waal . . Timmy Vander Waal . . Rudolph Stapel . . Henrietta Stapel . . Roelie Stapel . . Connie Stam . . Emily Stam . . Rita Stam . . Andy Stam . . Trudy Kreft . . Tony Kreft . . Jane Verblaauw . . Ted Engelsma . . Tom Engelsma . . Sharon Bouma . . Jo-an De Visser . . Jerry De Visser . . Sandy de Jong . . Janice Kaat . . Tamara Kaat . . Jeff Kaat . . Janet Van Grouw and Albert Van Grouw.

I am real happy to see so many have answered the quiz, as you can see from the long list of names. Now let’s see what letters we have:

SANDY DE JONG — Your letter is on top, Sandy, so we’ll take your letter first. We have had quite a little snow and cold weather, but today it was above 50 degrees, so the snow is all gone. I would like very much to hear the tape of the choir singing, but am not so sure when I’ll come to hear it.

ALICE KOPPERT — I hope you are feeling better again, Alice. How is Christine? You had a real nice report card, didn’t you? You must be doing real well at playing the organ if you can play some numbers from the Psalter. Which ones do you play?

HARRY KOPPERT — Yes, Harry, the list of names seems to be growing. Sometimes a few of the regular names drop out, but some new ones take their place. I think they send your report cards by mail so that they will be sure that the parents see them. Some children might throw them away.

PETER KOPPERT — I was glad to hear from you, too, Peter. I think the questions were a little easier in December. Do you think they are quite difficult this time? I have thought of making two sets of questions, one for older boys and girls, and another for younger ones. Do you think that would be better?

VIOLA VAN BEEK — Here the vacation at Christmas time is two weeks, Viola, but this year because of the second of January also being a holiday, it was actually eleven days of vacation from school. It is a blessing that your grandmother still is in good health, even though she is 87 years old. Does she live very far from you?

JOAN VAN ZWEDEN — I am quite well, Joan, and hope you are also. How is Mary Ellen feeling, now that she had her tonsils removed? It is not usually a serious operation, but we never know what may happen. Be sure to say “Hello” to her for me.

TERESA VANDER MEULEN — It was very nice to hear from you, Teresa. I have been looking at the map, and finally found Copetown not too far from Hamilton. We hope you will continue to send in your answers, and hope that Frances will be able to do them, also. I’m sure your mother will help if you can’t find them all.

CATHY DROOGERS — I was glad to hear that your grandmother was getting along quite well, Cathy. That was quite nice of your teacher to furnish a dinner for his class. What did you get to eat? Did you find lots of things to do during your Christmas vacation?

DEBBY DROOGERS — It seems like I have many new friends this month, Debby. Just now the grass is showing all around, but they say that it will probably snow again tomorrow. Do you like lots of snow? I hope to hear from you again.

WILMA DROOGERS — You can imagine that the Grisnich’s have an empty place in their home, Wilma. I hope your cold is better by this time. That you may appreciate your health, your parents, and your family, realizing that it could also be so different.

PETER KIEVIT — How did you cut your hand, Peter? Not jumping off a roof, I hope. I think the doctor must know you quite well by this time. How are you getting along in school? Was it your right hand or left hand?

ARIE VANDENBERG — Thanks for the picture, Arie. It was a nice picture of all your brothers and sisters. It seems you have quite a few books to read now. Do you like to read? Can you read Dutch, too? I still have the books which I received in Sunday School years ago.

DICK STUBBE — It sounds like you enjoyed the school holidays, Dick. Do you have a hill nearby where you can go sliding? How much wood did you have to move? I think your father is happy that he has two boys who can help him with his work.

RIA VAN HIERDEN — I am happy to have you answer the Bible quiz, Ria. You did real well. Are your brothers and sisters older than you? Do you live on a farm? I hope you will write again when you have a chance.

BETTY JOOSSE — I was glad to hear that you were getting along well in school, Betty. Did you figure out how many days old you were? That is quite a multiplication problem. The Bible says, “Our days are as a shadow.” When we are young, we do not realize it as we do when we become older.

JOHN STUBBE — Yes, John, I saw your sister in our church. Some time you will have to come along with her. I don’t use a book for my quizzes, but those you gave me had me working for a few minutes. I will put one of them at the bottom of my letters, so that some of the boys and girls can work on it.

TRINA VLIETSTRA — I was happy to hear that you had a new baby brother, Trina. I can imagine he gets lots of attention with all those brothers and sisters. But with more boys than girls, I think you would have liked another sister. Or am I wrong?

JOHN VAN WOUDENBERG — Thank you for your New Year wishes, John, and that it may also be a blessed New Year for you. No doubt you have been in your new church for some time now. I certainly hope, if we may be spared, to come and see it some time.

BETTY VANDER WAAL — What have you been studing in science, Betty? If it was fun, but you haven’t learned much, it must be something different. And it sounds as if you don’t like math. Math is used every day in some way, so I’m sure it’s good to know.

CONNIE STAM — I see Joanne isn’t satisfied with writing on her own paper, Connie. She even used a corner of your paper. But that is how she must learn. I do enjoy writing letters, especially when I get some in return. A belated “Happy Birthday” to you — may you have many more of them.

EMILY STAM — How is Mr. Pauls, the egg man, Emily? I hope he is somewhat better. A demolished truck is not nice, but a badly injured person is so much more serious. How little do we think of the dangers always about us until something happens to someone we know. We need the Lord’s protection every moment.

TRUDY KREFT — Thank you for your picture, Trudy. My collection of pictures keeps right on growing. I was sorry to hear that you were in the hospital, and hope that you are better again. A ten-foot drift makes quite a pile of snow, doesn’t it?

PHILLIP KAAT — And your letter was at the bottom, Phillip. I don’t keep them in any special order, so I hope you don’t mind. Rain and freezing weather make bad driving conditions, don’t they. And specially when we go a little too fast.

And before I forget, here is the riddle which John Stubbe sent me. See if you can work it out.

Name the book of the Bible (Here are the clues)

The first (letter) is in “kite”

But not in “fly.”

The second is in “height”

But not in “sky.”

The third is in “flute”

But not in “sing.”

The fourth is in “lute”

But not in “string.”

The last is in “sound”

And also is “scent.”

This will be found

In the New Testament.

Many thanks, boys and girls, for the New Year wishes to me and my family. We pray that we may be spared together throughout this year, and that we may continue to hear from you each month. With love,

Your friend,

Garret J. Moerdyk

AN IMPRESSIVE EXAMPLE

During the French revolution a young man was condemned to be beheaded. He was dearly beloved by many, but there was one who loved him more than any one else. It was his own father. His deep love for his son became evident by the following act: When the list of those condemned was read, the father, having exactly the same name as his son, answered when the name was called; and he was taken on the cart to the terrible place of execution. And there, in deep love towards his son, he gave his life in the stead of his son.

How beautifully this story depicts the love of Christ towards His people, for thus He died for sinners. (Translated.)

WATCH AND PRAY

The God that stopped the sun on high

And sent the manna from the sky,

Laid flat the walls of Jericho,

And put to flight old Israel’s foe;

And drives each stormy cloud

Why can’t he answer prayer today,

And drive each stormy cloud

away?

Who turned the water into wine,

And healed a helpless cripple’s spine,

Commanded tempest, “Peace be still,”

And hungry multitudes did fill;

His power is just the same today,

So why not labour, watch and pray?

He conquered in the lions’ den,

Brought Lazarus back to life again,

He heard Elijah’s cry for rain,

And freed the sufferers from pain.

If He could do those wonders then,

Let’s prove our mighty God again.

Why can’t the God who raised the dead,

Gave little David Goliah’s head,

Cast out the demons with a word,

Yet sees the fall of one wee bird,

Do signs and miracles today,

In that same, good, old-fashioned way?

HE CAN! He’s just the same today.

Martin Luther.

MISSIONARY REV. G. KUIJT

It is the wish of our missionary to inform the readers of the “Banner of Truth” from time to time about his labors and experiences in the valley of Abenero.

His last letters are dated November 21 and 30, 1966. Some extracts from his letters, which were written in the Dutch language, are as follows.

Through the goodness of the Lord we are what we are. With respect to our natural life the Lord gives us what we need, and with respect to spiritual things the Lord grants us His precious Word for the welfare of our souls, which many lack in this world. At times our attention is drawn to consider what a great privilege this is that we may possess the Bible translated into our own language. Without this Word of God it is impossible to come to a saving faith, which is by the hearing of it. You would think that if a man hears about it, he will at once believe and embrace it. But the contrary is true. The gospel set forth and explained in that divine Word of God is not according to man. It does not come forth out of the thoughts of man and is also not according to the wish of the natural and unconverted man. We see it here before our eyes. However, we may not complain concerning the attendance. Sometimes sixty persons attend our services, sometimes less. You should see all those black, naked people. Kokpan stands beside me during every service to make things more plain to his own people. I am not so skilful yet in the language of this people that I know every word and place it in the right order, but Kokpan usually knows what I mean. The fact that Christ shall come with the clouds of heaven continually makes great impressions upon their minds, but further their thoughts are more or less carnal. When I spoke about these things not very long ago, one of them asked me, “Will He come from the side of Ilugwa or from the side of Kapie?” Ilugwa lies west from our place and Kapie towards the east. If we may think about this great and wonderful prospect as revealed in our Bible, O how little do we understand of it. Yea, “that all eyes shall behold Him.” If we follow the reports, it is very clear that His coming is not far away any more. We read oftentimes in the gospels especially where the Lord speaks about these great events which will precede His second and glorious coming; and if we then hear about wars and rumors of wars, famines at different places, earthquakes, etc., then we hear as it were the footsteps of the Lord. May the Lord give us grace to be found watching till that moment when the heavens will be rent and we will see the Son of man coming in His great glory.

Rev. G. Kuijt in his vegetable garden with his daughter and her playmates.

We received your letter dated the month of November. It was “dropped.” Gas is very scarce here and they may only land at our place for urgent cases. It is about seven weeks ago now since a plane landed here. Our previous mail was carried out to a different place by one of our helpers, and fortunately, according to a radio report, he has arrived safely after a walk of three days. He had to pass through a region which is often troublous and where many teachers have been killed. But the Lord has spared him, and after a few days he expects to return to us again.

We are very thankful for all the gifts the people have given for us and our labor. I hope that you believe that we were glad to return to our mission field again.

When the missionary arrived at his mission field in July, he heard that a young man had ventured too far into the land of another tribe. This young man was shot and eaten by those cannibals. After some deliberation the chief promised not to take revenge and it seemed that peace would continue. But after some time the chief broke his word and felt he must take revenge. We see from this that those heathens, although they have not the Word of God, have the law of God written in their heart. Consider only what we find written in Lev. 24:19 and 20: “And if a man cause a blemish in his neighbor; as he hath done, so shall it eye for eye, tooth for tooth; as be done to him. Breach for breach, he hath caused a blemish in a man, so shall it be done in him again.” From the New Testament we learn by the mouth of the Lord Jesus: “And teach them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” This is also as we find in Matthew 5:38–41: “Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.” Here I begin with myself for we already have our hands full. What then about these blind heathens? Our prayer should be continually for them and ourselves, “O Lord, give me the help of Thy Spirit!”

Mrs. Kuijt and her helpers doing the laundry.

After the police had left when we were back in our valley, we could notice that there was something brooding in the minds of the leaders, and soon we knew what it was. On a Saturday afternoon one of our men by the name of Wure ran into our yard and told us by fits and starts that thirteen men had been killed in a fight with the enemy, the Kapie men. Wure’s older brother Langkobarek had fallen too. Wure thought that his brother would die, and he cut off a piece of the little finger of his left hand; he was so grieved over the lot of his brother, who perhaps had died already. The tears streamed down his cheeks and we felt great compassion for him. Kokpan, who was ironing, could not do his work any more, being filled with pity for the victims also.

On the side of the enemy there was great happiness. The war-chief of Abenero had fallen — it could not be better! They were making preparations to have a great dancing-feast. It became a very restless night. Late in the evening we were called out of bed. This had never happened before.

Soon we learned that Langkobarek was not dead, but wounded. We asked others to tell him that he should come to us and that we were not angry with him. He perhaps did not dare to move a step towards our house, being afraid that he would receive an earnest rebuke. He had deceived us by going against the enemy to take revenge.

Soon afterwards they brought him to me wrapped up in banana leaves. He certainly was in bad condition. He and some other wounded men were spared and we could thank God that He blessed the means. We hope and pray that it may be a blessing for their soul.

After we returned to our mission field we started with our school again. Young boys attend and have a desire to learn to read and write. There are from about 7 to 15. We teach them one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening. The attendance is better in the evening than in the morning because it is cooler at that time. Some of them can now write the whole alphabet and can count to 100. They know the names of the days and are learning the names of the months now also. During our absence Jozua taught them to sing Psalm 81, and now they can also sing Psalm 134. It surprises us that they learn the tunes quickly.

Every day we also receive a certain number of patients. Not too many come yet because they do not have much confidence in our medicines as yet.

The work is thus proceeding slowly. The Lord knows who they are that belong to Him. Many fields must yet be opened. Where are the laborers who wish to leave all and follow their Master? May it please the Lord to reveal unto many the glory of His service, to the praise of His Name and the building up of His Kingdom.

A Translation

J.V.Z.

BIBLE FRUITS

A young woman and her brother were one rebuked by a Catholic priest for reading that “bad book,” the Bible.

“Venerable father,” said the woman, “until recently my brother was a drunkard and card player. But since he has begun to read the Bible, he labors most diligently, he no longer visits the tavern, he has discontinued his card-playing, and he brings all of his earnings home with him. Tell me, is it possible for a bad book to bear such good fruit?” (Translated.)

FOR OUR YOUNGER READERS

Dear Boys and Girls,

How good it is to be able to read! You remember when you were very small you did not know A and B and C and strange letters like Q and Z and W, and you could not read letters put together to make even simple words like “father” and “sister” and “mother” or even smaller words of only two letters like “as” and “up”. When you got a present of a book, or you saved up your pennies and bought one, the only thing you could do was to look at the pictures. If there were words you just could not read them. You had to get someone to read it for you, and how pleased and happy you felt when your mother, or father, or your big sister or brother found time to read it to you. Perhaps it would be a Bible story. You liked to listen while they read about Joseph and his Brothers, or David killing Goliath, or Moses being taken up in his basket from the river. But now you are maybe seven or eight years old, and you go to school every day except when you are ill, and you have learned the letters and can read. You can read simple stories for yourselves, and how good it is when you get a new book, and as well as looking at the pictures you can sit down quietly and read. I wonder which stories you like best?

But, boys and girls, there are many other people as well as little children who are not able to read. Maybe they never could learn to read, or never had the chance to learn. There are others who could at one time read, but now they may not be able to see so well, or they may be ill, and cannot do anything at all but lie in bed. How long they sometimes feel the time when they have no one with them. They say “If only I could read.” Now if you were to hear someone saying that, and you could read, would you not like to say “I will read for you.” How happy you would be able to make them if you would read the Bible to them, or any other good book that they would wish you to read for them. I will tell you a story about a little boy who did that for someone.

In a little cottage there lived a lonely old woman. Her husband had died and she lived all alone. She could not read the Bible as she had never been taught to read. But she loved her Bible more than anything in the world, and longed to hear it read. Near her cottage was one other house, and in this house lived a little boy, the son of a shepherd. This little boy was at school and had learned to read. But the boy, like many others, was more fond of playing than of reading. One day the old widow told him that she would give him a half-penny every evening if he read a chapter or two to her from the Bible. It would have been good if the boy had said, “I will read the Bible to you without giving me a halfpenny,” but he seldom got any money at all and felt it would be good to get a half-penny every evening. So he came in every evening and sat on a wee stool beside the old widow and read her beloved Bible to her. This made the lonely widow very happy. She loved to hear him reading the parts she asked him to read, and sometimes chapters which he chose himself, and as well as making her happy he learned many things from the Bible which he did not know. And after the reading was over for the evening I am sure the old woman would go on her knees and pray, and she would pray for the little boy too.

Now you little boys — and girls too, if you learn to read well you may make some old or ill persons very happy by reading the Bible to them when they canont read it themselves, and by your reading you will learn many things from the Bible yourselves too. You may even say, “I should be very thankful that I can see, and read, and I am going to try to learn to read even better. I shall also read the Bible for myself, and learn psalms as well as the ones I am taught in school and in the Sabbath school, and I hope that one day if I am spared and well, I shall be able to make someone happy too by reading to them as the little shepherd boy in the story did.”

Your sincere friend,

A Teacher

WILLIAM ROMAINE AND HIS MINISTRY

He was one evening invited to a friend’s house, and, after tea, the lady of the house asked him to play at cards, to which he made no objection. The cards were brought out, and when all were ready to begin playing, Romaine said, “Let us ask the blessing of God.” “Ask the blessing of God!” said the lady in great surprise; “I never heard of such a thing before a game of cards.” Romaine then inquired, “Ought we to engage in anything on which we cannot ask God’s blessing?” This reproof put an end to the card-playing.

On another occasion he was addressed by a lady, who expressed the great pleasure she had enjoyed under his preaching, and added that she could comply with his requirements, with the exception of one thing. “And what it that?” asked Romaine. “Cards, sir,” was the reply. “You think you could not be happy without them?” “No, sir, I know I could not.” “Then, madam,” said he, “cards are your god, and they must save you.” It is recorded that this pointed remark led to serious reflections, and finally to the abandonment of card-playing. (J. C. Ryle)

A PLAIN ANSWER

The English deist, Collins, once asked a farmer where he was going. “To church, sir,” was the reply. “What do you intend to do there?” “Worship God.” “Tell me, is your God a great God or a small God?” “The one as well as the other, sir,” answered the farmer. “But how can He be both great and small?”

“He is so great that He has heaven and earth for His dwelling place, and yet His is so small that He can live in my heart.” Collins had no more questions.

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