A PERIODICAL FOR YOUNG AND OLD

THE SABBATH BREAKER

In a quiet village situated on the shores of a beautiful lake, lived a man of some wealth and independent manners. He disregarded the Sabbath entirely, and pursued his business or pleasure as best suited his convenience. He commenced building a boat principally for pleasure excursions on the lake. While he was proceeding with the boat, it was whispered abroad that it would afford opportunity for “Sunday” sailing. The man was called on by a minister, who enquired about the matter, and reasoned with him, as the enterprise would be likely to increase the wildness and immorality of the village.

“I am afraid,” said the minister, “your boat will prove a Sabbath-breaker.” The man looked him in the face, and with much assurance said, “Yes, it will; that’s just what I’ll name my boat. I’ve been thinking some time what to call her and you have just hit it. I thank you for the suggestion. The boat shall be called THE SABBATH - BEEAKER.” As he said this, he bade the minister good-day with a sarcastic smile at his evident distress. The building went on and especially on the Lord’s Day.

She was soon ready to launch, and was launched on the Lord’s Day and named “THE SABBATH-BREAKER,” amid the cheers of some twenty or thirty half intoxicated men. An old sailor or two shook their heads at the way in which she struck the water. She was rigged and fitted for an excursion. She must go out on the Lord’s Day. A general invitation was given and numbers crowded on board. On the stream er was floating the name, in large letters, “THE SABBATH-BREAKER.” She put out. Several, seized by an indefinite dread as they read the name of the boat, sprang on shore. Others would have done so, but she was off.

She sailed well enough for a while. The timid felt reassured and music and mirth began. But scarcely four hours had elapsed when the boat was struck by a flow of wind which came very suddenly upon her. Confusion reigned on board; scarcely an effort was made. She heeled almost instantly over and went to the bottom. Now what an outcry! But soon all was over. Forty souls, mostly youths, had found a watery grave, and just above the surface of the lake floated the streamer bearing the inscription, “THE SABBATH - BREAKER,” proclaiming to all who witnessed the sad scene, “Verily, He is a God that judgeth the earth.”

—From The Christian Treasury

Dear boys and girls, do not forget THE SABBATH-BREAKER! What a solemn and terrible end for those who were on board! A Christian worshipper, walking to the house of God one Lord’s Day morning, met a heavily laden wagon. When opposite the driver, he looked down at the wheels and shouted, “You are going over it, you have gone over it”! The driver, frightened, pulled up, jumped down and gazed under the wagon and asked, “What have I gone over?” “The 4th commandment,” was the quick and ready reply of the Christian worshipper as he went on his way to the house of God.

O let not the fear of man or their ridicule keep you from acknowledging the Sabbath. Never mind if people call you old-fashioned or narrow-minded. A Christian must expect to bear reproach for his Master’s sake. The day before the Sabbath was regarded by the Jews as the Day of Preparation, wherein they prepared every thing necessary for the Sabbath. We do not observe that day as such, but it would be well for us to bear in mind the principle of it and act in the spirit of it. A little preparation the day before can greatly ease the labors of necessity on the Sabbath; whereas works of necessity on the Sabbath can be created and increased by mismanagement of things the day before. I have heard tell of a farmer, who was a professing Christian, but who really cared but little for attending the house of God for worship, who always found a lot of work that needed urgent attention on the Sabbath day. When reproved about it, he would quote the words of the Lord Jesus in Luke 14:15 in a vain attempt to cover his sin, “Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the Sabbath day?” Once when reproved by the minister, the farmer said, “Wouldn’t you pull your ox out of the pit on the Sabbath day?” “Yes,” replied the minister quietly, “but not if I pushed him in the day before”!

You may read in Luke 23:56 that those godly women who were anxious to perform that most sacred task of embalming their Lord’s body “rested the Sabbath day according to the commandment.” Their intercourse with the Savior had not taught them to disregard the Holy day. “If ye love Me, keep My commandments.”

Above all, may God give you to know the true meaning of the Sabbath and, in His good time, bring you to enjoy that eternal Sabbath of rest in heaven above.

“This day belongs to God alone, He chooses Sunday for His own!

And we must neither work nor play, Because it is the Sabbath day.

‘Tis well to have one day in seven, To hear of Christ the way to heaven;

And happy those whom God has taught, to mind religion as they ought.

Then may we spend it as we should, In hearing what will do us good,

And not forget, when Sunday’s gone, What texts the sermons were upon.

If we’re amongst the souls who seek, God’s blessing when His servants speak,

We shall desire to gain today, Some fresh instruction by the way.

For every Sabbath should be pass’d, As if we knew it were our last;

And dying ones all heed should give, To things by which their souls may live.”

Bible Quiz

Dear Boys and Girls:

In the March issue we mentioned that there are many texts in the Bible which show the shortness of our life. In Isaiah 64 we find a comparison made to a leaf. At this time of the year it is only a bud on the tree, but soon becomes a beautiful green leaf. But then how soon the summer is gone, and the autumn frost causes it to fade away and fall to the ground. And so we are urged to seek the Lord while He is to be found, while we are young and healthy, for how quickly those “fading” days come over us.

The first letters to the answers of this month’s quiz will spell out words found in Isaiah 64. For some of the questions I’ve helped you locate the answers.

When Jesus was taken up in a cloud out of sight of the disciples, two men stood by them in ___ apparel.

Who went up by a whirlwind into heaven?

What was the field called which was purchased with the pieces of silver returned to the priests by Judas?

From what synagogue were there certain men who disputed with Stephen?

Who was told in a dream, “Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad”?

All are of the dust, and all turn to _____ again. (Ecclesiastes) Isaiah the prophet came to Hezekiah and said to him, “Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in _____.”

Thou carriest them away as with a _____.(In a Psalm of Moses)

Who interceded with the Lord to spare the city of Sodom if ten righteous men might be found there?

So Job _____., being old and full of days.

What man of the tribe of Benjamin went to live in the land of Moab with his family because of a famine?

Whose rod did the Lord cause to bud and have blossoms and almonds on it as proof that he was chosen of the Lord?

Who took a sword, and fell upon it, so that he died?

Who was one of three men cast into a burning fiery furnace because they would not worship an image?

The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the _____.

Who fell from off his seat backward by the side of the gate and died when he heard the ark of God was taken?

Who escaped unto David when Doeg killed the priests upon the command of King Saul?

For he knoweth our _____., he remembereth that we are dust. (Psalm 103)

Answers to the quiz in the April issue are as follows —

The first letters spell out — “The Lord is Risen Indeed” as found in Luke 24:34.

Thomas — John 20:24–25

Hall — John 18:28

Emmaus — Luke 24:13–18

Lawful — John 18:31

Officers — John 18:22

Remove — Luke 22:42

Defiled — John 18:28

Innocent — Matthew 27:4

Sixth — Mark 15:33

Rabboni — John 20:16

Insurrection — Mark 15:7

Simon — Mark 15:21

Elias — Mark 15:35

Numbered — Mark 15:28

Interpreted — Mark 15:22

Nation — John 18:35

Deeds — Luke 23:41

Envy — Mark 15:10

Elders — Matthew 27:20

Dead — Luke 24:5

Answers to our quiz were received during the past month from the following boys and girls —

Linda Schalkoort. . Brian Zevenbergen .. Peter Zevenbergen .. Jane Zevenbergen .. Cheryl Berman .. Linda Kay Bleeker .. Janice Kaat .. Roger Kaat… Judy Elizabeth Sweetman .. Janet Arlene Sweetman .. Frances Vander Meulen .. Teresa Vander Meulen .. Geri Moerdyk.

Marilyn De Maagd .. George De Maagd .. Louis De Maagd .. Nancy Van Ree .. James Van Tilburg .. Mark Van Tilburg .. Kris Vander Male .. Martha Vander Male .. Nancy Jean Vander Male .. Lilly Ann Vander Male .. Joanne Beeke .. James Van Giessen .. Janetta Vandenberg .. Arie Vandenberg .. Cordy Vandenberg.

Tom Blok .. Julie Ann Boluyt .. Tom Boluyt . .Mike Meeuwse .. Ruth Meeuwse .. Gary Van Giessen .. Sandy Van Giessen .. Sheryl Van Giessen .. Peggy Kelderman .. Arnold Kelderman .. Diane Teunissen .. Mark Teunissen .. Randal Teunissen .. JoAnn Van Ravenswaay .. Marilyn Van Ravenswaay .. Dianne Van Ravenswaay.

Mike Mol .. Joan Mol .. Leonard Mol .. Annette Koutstaal .. Wilma Koutstaal. . Gilbert Koutstaal.. Hans Kuperus .. Arlene Kuperus .. John Van Zweden .. Joan Van Zweden .. Andrew Feyter .. Janet Van Driel .. Ronald Van Wingerden .. John Van Wingerden .. Alan Van Wingerden .. Ruth Kievit .. Henry Rosendall.

Valerie Lugthart.. Ken Lugthart.. Donna Lyn Zaremba .. Bruce Blok .. John Oudshoorn .. Martin Oudshoorn .. Peter Kievit. . Dave Verhey .. Billy Moerdyk .. Bill Van Wingerden .. John W. Van Wingerden .. Janny Van Wingerden .. Marsha Koedam .. Cindy Erickson .. Deanna Erickson .. Mariene Jo Van Den Toorn .. Billy Van Den Toorn .. Andrew Van Den Toorn .. Gary Roozenboom.

Nick Greendyk .. Herbert Van Den Houten .. Bobby Greendyk .. John Van Woudenberg .. Wendy Grisnich .. Rhonda JoAnn Grisnich .. Joanne Spaans .. Dena Spaans .. Gertrude Spaans .. Bob Vander Boon .. Dave Vander Boon .. James Dale Westrate .. Brenda Van Oosterom .. Sander de Jong .. Shirley De Visser .. Rudolph Stapel .. Henrietta Stapel .. Roelie Stapel .. Phillip Kaat.

Ruth Lynn Kamp .. Joyce Kamp .. Thomas Kamp .. John W. Kamp .. Arnold Van Veldhuizen .. Corinne Van Veldhuizen .. Joyce Van Veldhuizen .. Bill Berkenbush .. Barbara Berkenbush .. Betty Joosse .. Denise Van Ravenswaay .. Alane Van Ravenswaay .. Billy Van Wyk .. Cornelius Van Wyk .. Corrie Van Wyk.

Alice Moerdyk .. Betty Jo Mast .. May Van Wyk .. Stephan Vanden Brink .. Delia Vanden Brink .. Mary Ann Kamp .. Betty Jean Kamp .. Linda Mae Kamp .. Nancy Vande Stouwe .. Randall Vande Stouwe .. Ellen Van Ginkel .. John Van Voorst .. Ruth Van Voorst.. Debbie Droogers .. Wilma Droogers .. Jane Verblaauw .. Janet Van Sweden.

And now our mail —

DELLA VANDEN BRINK — Are you all caught up on that week of school which you missed, Della? I suppose you are, because there are not too many more days of school left before summer vacation starts. Are you enjoying your new bicycle?

MAY VAN WYK — You did real well in finding thirteen texts of the Bible which mention the shortness of life. And I am sure there are some that you did not find. You must have spent quite a bit of time finding them, May. And even though we read it so often, how litle thought we give to it.

PHILLIP KAAT — How is your niece, Phillip? I hope she is better again. So you don’t plan to visit Kalamazoo this winter? It has been several years since you were here last, hasn’t it? I suppose by this time the work in the fields is keeping you busy.

PETER KIEVIT — I imagine you enjoy working with your father during the summer, Peter. Or would you rather go to school? Did you get a good report card for your birthday? Even in Bible days boys followed their fathers in their occupation.

BRENDA VAN OOSTEROM — You did good in answering the questions, Brenda. We try to make you do some searching, but I’m sure the older ones don’t have quite the problem some of the younger ones do. We are happy to see each one do the best he can.

ANDREW FEYTER — I can tell that you were paying close attention when the Bible story about David was read, Andrew, because you did real well in re-telling it. There is so much in the Bible given for our instruction, if we would only pay attention to it.

JOAN VAN SWEDEN — You had a fine report card, Joan. I hope you will always do that well. Do you like to babysit for the neighbors? How old are the children you take care of? The girls are all well, busy every day at school just as you are.

JOHN OUDSHOORN — I was sorry to read that all your family had been ill, John. Are they all well again? I suppose they are already making some progress on the new church. It looks as if you are an expert at spelling. Do you do a lot of reading?

LINDA SCHALKOORT — How big is your aquarium, Linda? With all those fish, it must be fairly large. Did you manage to sell any? You are probably looking forward to the summer holidays, aren’t you? I think all the boys and girls are.

WENDY GRISNICH — I imagine you do lots of riding on your new bike, Wendy. Do your ride it to school? Do you find some time to play with Mariene? I’m sure she enjoys some of your attention. And then I know there are lots of things you do to help your mother.

RHONDA JOANN GRISNICH — And you have a new bike, too. With all those bicycles you certainly need a big garage. Did you find your name listed, Rhonda? There are so many that it takes quite a little looking. Are you going to move very far from where you live now?

JOHN VAN WOUDENBERG — About 18 inches in a cubit is correct, John. We read that Goliath was more than six cubits tall, so he was a big man, wasn’t he? I think spring is real nice, too, but there are also nice things about summer, fall, and winter.

GILBERT KOUTSTAAL — What is your pony’s name, Gilbert? Does he like to have you ride him? Is the new lot far from where you are now living? I suppose you are looking forward to the time when they will start building.

MARILYN VAN RAVENSWAAY — I was glad to hear that you like the quizzes, Marilyn. It is real nice that so many boys and girls are answering them. I hope that they all keep it up. You wrote about a gopher trap. Did you catch anything?

CORRIE VAN WYK — I hope you learn something new every month through our Bible quizzes, Corrie. We read of citizens of a certain town who searched the scriptures daily to see whether Paul and Silas were preaching according to them. Do you know what city this was?

ARLENE KUPERUS — I was happy to hear that you are doing pretty good in playing the organ, Arlene. Do you have lessons every week? Do you know of someone in the Bible who played real well on a musical instrument?

SANDER DE JONG — Yes, my correspondence keeps me busy, Sander. You will no doubt have lots to write about after visiting the Netherlands. My parents are there at the moment. Are you able to speak Dutch real well? Probably you will be better at it when you return.

ROELIE STAPEL — The cancelled postage stamps we collect are for the Mission Fund, Roelie. We send them to Mr. Polder in the Netherlands, who works for the mission committee of our churches. They are able to sell them there, and especially like the numerous special occasion stamps and the less common ones. I am glad you asked about it, as there were probably others who were wondering about them.

BILL VAN WINGERDEN — How is the new church coming along, Bill? Are you going to help? Maybe you can help keep things picked up, or they may need a water-boy. Be sure to let me know how they are doing and what is being done.

ANNETTE KOUTSTAAL — We list your names even though you make some mistakes in the answers, Annette. We know that everyone can make mistakes — we do too. And since there is quite a range in the ages of those who answer, we know that some may have a little trouble finding all the right answers.

JOHN VAN ZWEDEN — Did you get your pup tent finished, John? Is it big enough to sleep in? Maybe your father will sleep in it some night with you. What are you planting in your garden this year? You will have to work hard to keep the weeds out.

JANNY VAN WINGEEDEN — Your letter is last this time, Janny. Do you have to get up quite early to catch the school bus in time? I always walked to school, so I don’t know how nice it is to ride the school bus. Write again, won’t you.

And that is all this time, boys and girls. Many thanks for your fine response to the quiz. Sometimes the answers are sent to the wrong address, so be sure to send them to me at 1104 Roseland Avenue, Kalamazoo, Mich. 49001.

With our sincere greetings,

Your friend,

“Uncle Garret”

Missionary Corner

TIMOTHY MISSION FUND

During the month of March, gifts in the amount of $118.00 were received for our mission fund, which we acknowledge with sincere thanks. A check in the amount of $100 for support of Miss Ann Herfst, who is now serving in Nigeria, was sent out during the month, leaving a balance of $35.40. We were also able to send several packages of cancelled postage stamps to Mr. Polder recently which were received from many of you. We trust we may continue to hear from you as you are enabled to give.

March 29, 1968

Dear Friends,

We received your letter of Feb. 29th with check for $100.00 for which we thank you. We just rerecived it this week as we are at present on furlough in the Netherlands.

You no doubt have heard that I will be the speaker at the Mission Day meeting of the Reformed Churches on April 30th and hope to tell of some of the missionary work being done. There is at present no one on leave from Nigeria or New Guinea who could speak at the meeting.

The beginning of June we hope to return to Rhodesia and then start in a new area. With the Lord’s help we will make an attempt to bring the heathen and nominal Christian to the Reformed truth. This new mission will not be directly from the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, but supported by friends in the Netherlands. We hope that the “Timothy” friends will also be able to help this new project. The new mission will be called “Ebenezer Scripture Mission.”

May the Lord put his blessing on your and our efforts as instruments in his hands to spread the gospel of His kingdom. Again our heartfelt thanks, With friendly greetings, Jan & Margaret van Woerden

A LETTER TO A BOY AWAY FROM HOME

Larbert, August 8, 1836

My dear G____, You will be surprised to hear from me. I have often wished to be better acquainted with you; but in these sad parishes we cannot manage to know and be intimate with every one we would desire. And now you have left your father’s roof and our charge; still my desires go after you, as well as the kind thoughts of many others; and since I cannot now speak to you, I take this way of expressing my thoughts to you. I do not know in what light you look upon me, whether as a grave and morose minister, or as one who might be a companion and friend; but, really, it is so short a while since I was just like you, when I enjoyed the games which you now enjoy, and read the books which you now read, that I never can think of myself as anything more than a boy. This is one great reason why I write to you. The same youthful blood flows in my veins that flows in yours — the same fancies and buoyant passions dance in my bosom as in yours — so that, when I would persuade you to come with me to the same Saviour, and to walk the rest of your life “led by the Spirit of God,” I am not persuading you to anything beyond your years, I am not like a greyheaded grandfather — then you might answer all I say by telling me that you are a boy. No; I am almost as much a boy as you are; as fond of happiness and of life as you are; as fond of scampering over the hills, and seeing all that is to be seen, as you are.

Another thing that persuades me to write you, my dear boy, is, that I have felt in my own experience the want of having a friend to direct and counsel me. I had a kind brother as you have, who taught me many things: he gave me a Bible, and persuaded me to read it; he tried to train me as a gardener trains the apple-tree upon the wall, but all in vain. I thought myself far wiser than he, and would always take my own way; and many a time, I well remember, I have seen him reading his Bible, or shutting his closet door to pray, when I have been dressing to go to some frolic, or some dance or folly. Well, this dear friend and brother died; and though his death made a greater impression upon me than ever his life had done, still I found the misery of being friendless. I do not mean that I had no relations and worldly friends, for I had many; but I had no friend who cared for my soul. I had none to direct me to the Saviour — none to awaken my slumbering conscience — none to tell me about the blood of Jesus washing away all sin — none to tell me of the Spirit who is so willing to change the heart, and give the victory over passions. I had no minister to take me by the hand, and say, ‘Come with me, and we will do thee good.’ Yes, I had one friend and minister, but that was Jesus himself, and he led me in a way that makes me give him, and him only, all the praise. Now, though Jesus may do this again, yet the more common way with him is to use earthly guides. Now, if I could supply the place of such a guide to you, I should be happy. To be a finger-post is all that I want to be — pointing out the way. This is what I so much wanted myself — this is what you need not want, unless you wish.

Tell me, dear G., would you work less pleasantly through the day — would you walk the streets with a more doleful step — would you eat your meat with less gladness of heart — would you sleep less tranquilly at night, if you had the forgiveness of sins — that is, if all your wicked thoughts and deeds — lies, thefts, and Sabbath-breakings — were all blotted out of God’s book of remembrance? Would this make you less happy, do you think? You dare not say it would. But would the forgiveness of sins not make you more happy than you are? Perhaps you will tell me that you are very happy as you are. I quite believe you. I know that I was very happy when I was unforgiven. I know that I had great pleasure in many sins — in Sabbath-breaking for instance. Many a delightful walk I have had — speaking my own words, thinking my own thoughts, and seeking my own pleasure on God’s holy day. I fancy few boys were ever happier in an unconverted state than I was. No sorrow clouded my brow — no tears filled my eyes, unless over some nice story-book; so that I know that you say quite true, when you say that you are happy as you are. But ah! is not this just the saddest thing of all, that you should be happy whilste you are a child of wrath — that you should smile, and eat, and drink, and be merry, and sleep sound, when this very night you may be in hell! Happy while unforgiven! — a terrible happiness. It is like the Hindoo widow who sits upon the funeral pile with her dead husband, and sings songs of joy when then they are setting fire to the wood with which she is to be burned. Yes, you may be quite happy in this way, till you die, my boy; but when you look back from hell, you will say, it was a miserable kind of happiness. Now, do you think it would not give you more happiness to be forgiven — to be able to put on Jesus, and say, “God’s anger is turned away?” Would not you be happier at work, and happier in the house, and happier in your bed? I can assure you, from all that ever I have felt of it, the pleasures of being forgiven are as superior to the pleasures of an unforgiven man, as heaven is higher than hell. The peace of being forgiven reminds me of the calm, blue sky, which no earthly clamours can disturb. It lightens all labor, sweetens every morsel of bread, and makes a sick bed all soft and downy — yea, it takes away the scowl of death. Now, forgiveness may be yours now. It is not given to those who are good. It is not given to any because they are less wicked than others. It is given only to those who, feeling that their sins have brought a curse on them which they cannot lift off, ‘look unto Jesus,’ as bearing all away.

Now, my dear boy, I have no wish to weary you. If you are anything like what I was, you will have yawned many a time already over this letter. However, if the Lord deal graciously with you, and touch your young heart, as I pray he may, with a desire to be forgiven, and to be made a child of God, perhaps you will not take ill what I have written to you in much haste. As this is the first time you have been away from home, perhaps you have not learned to write letters yet; but if you have, I would like to hear from you, how you come on — what convictions you feel, if you feel any — what difficulties — what parts of the Bible puzzle you; and then I would do my best to unravel them. You read your Bible regularly, of course; but do try to understand it, and still more, to feel it. Read more parts than one at a time. For example, if you are reading Genesis, read a Psalm also; or if you are reading Matthew, read a small bit of an epistle also. Turn the Bible into prayer. Thus, if you were reading the 1st Psalm, spread the Bible on the chair before you, and kneel and pray, “O Lord, give me the blessedness of the man,” etc. “Let me not stand in the counsel of the ungodly,” etc. This is the best way of knowing the meaning of the Bible, and of learning to pray. In prayer confess your sins by name — going over those of the past day one by one. Pray for your friends by name — father, mother, etc., etc. If you love them, surely you will pray for their souls. I know well that there are prayers constantly ascending for you from your own house; and will you not pray for them back again? Do this regularly. If you pray sincerely for others, it will make you pray for yourself.

But I must be done. Good bye, dear G. remember me to your brother kindly, and believe me your sincere friend.

ANNUAL YOUTH DAY CONFERENCE

The consistory of the Vineland Congregation has requested that we invite all young people, with their parents and friends, to the Youth Day Conference, which is to be held in the church of Vineland, (near St. Catharines), Canada, on Monday, July 1, the Lord willing and we live. It is hoped that many will find it possible to attend.

Those wishing to take part in the program are requested to contact Mr. A. Van Driel, Read Road, R.R. 2, St. Catharines, Ontario, by June 1st, so that plans for the program can be made. Those desiring information, or sleeping accomodations for the week-end, should also make contact with Mr. Van Driel. His phone number is (Area Code 416) 684-5256. In past years the members of the congregation have shown wonderful hospitality in welcoming visitors for the week-end, but it is most helpful if contact is made in advance.

A Trophy of Grace

May this little narrative be made of some use. Should it come into the hands of young people, as I hope it will, I would say to such, My young friend, read it carefully and may the Holy Spirit be your Teacher as He was to the departed one. To possess the life of God in your soul, and to live and die as she did, a sinner saved by grace, will be an infinitely greater blessing than all earthly things.

My dear wife, Kathleen Eugenia Parish, was born at Berkhampstead on June 24th, 1909, and through the providence of God came with her parents when a child, to live at Luton. She was brought up to attend the “Ebenezer” Chapel and Sunday School, and also the Pastor’s Bible Class in after years.

She was of a quiet and effectionate disposition, regular in her attendance at chapel, and never sought after the pleasures and vanities of the world. She was often an influence for good to those around her, but would rarely speak of her own exercises with regard to spiritual things, always being very reserved in this respect.

Having relatives at Berkhamstead, she often spent her holidays with them and attended that chapel, and it was there that she was first made to feel the importance of being right for eternity. In writing to a friend she told of hearing a sermon preached from the text: “And they that were ready went in with Him to the marriage: and the door was shut” (Matt. XXV. 10); and how very solemn she felt it to be.

After this there were many times when she was made to feel her poverty and need, which caused her to pray for mercy. (This was when she was about 15 years of age). I knew very little more of her spiritual exercises until after we were married in May, 1931.

It now became my privilege to see that she was a constant reader of the Word of God, and was enabled to bring before the Lord her desires in prayer, many of which were answered. She was a real believer in prayer, and I know she had many, many errands to the Throne of Grace, and was greatly helped to cast her cares on the Lord, and was greatly comforted during one particular trial, feeling it was the Lord’s appointment, and that He had a purpose in it, although we could not see it at the time.

When talking together on spiritual things she would often say she feared she had never felt sorrow for sin to the extent she ought to. On one or two occasions after hearing Mr. Kemp preach she spoke of receiving encouragement from the sermon.

On April 26th, 1933, we were blessed with a daughter, and for a few days my dear one appeared to be making progress. On Sunday, April 30th, she was not quite so well, and as she grew worse a specialist was called in, who gave but very little hope of her recovery; and although everything possible was done, she gradually sank.

On the night of May 1st she had a dream in which she was shown how dreadful it was to die without a hope, and what a sinner she was. She also saw a most beautiful garden where peace and happiness reigned, but only those could enter whose sins were forgiven, and who esteemed Christ more than their dearest ones on earth. Eelating the dream to her sister-in-law in the morning, she said, “It is terrible to die without hope! I am a great sinner. I thought I had a hope once, but now I have nothing to rest upon. I do not know if all the past is real, or only natural, like Mr. Kemp said the other Sunday.” She also said how she saw a beautiful garden, but could not enter, because she felt unwilling to part with her husband and little daughter.

On the afternoon of May 5th I sat at her bedside, feeling deeply concerned with regard to her soul, and fearing she might pass away without realizing her end was near, or without leaving a testimony that she was going to heaven. After reading to her, she asked me if I thought she was going to die, and when I asked her how it would be with her soul should she die, she said, “Eternally lost;” this she also repeated to her father.

In the early evening of the same day, however, she was greatly blessed, and was brought to realize she was about to die, and asked to speak to her sister-in-law, to whom she said, “Pray for me.” When asked what for, she replied, “That I may be taken home. I am going to die, and I am absolutely willing to go.” Mrs. Kemp called to see her and said, “We pray for the Lord to bless you( Ena. He will bless you if you desire and pray to Him for a blessing: He always does.” She replied, “That is encouraging, Mrs. Kemp.”

Later in the evening she asked for her parents and elder brother, also Mr. and Mrs. Kemp (to whom she always felt greatly attached), and when Mr. Kemp arrived he read Luke 23, 39–45, and commented upon it; to which she said, “That is beautiful, Mr. Kemp;” and thanked him for praying with her.

After this she called each member of both families to her bedside, to whom she gave good counsel, and exhorted them to pray for the forgiveness of their sins, and hoped that when they came to die they would each realize and enjoy the sweet blessing she then experienced. She also asked her sisters-in-law to look after her little daughter. She told those around her not to weep for her, but to rejoice, and praise the Lord for having mercy on such an unworthy sinner, and that it was the Lord’s appointed time to take her to heaven, and they were not to look to natural causes. (To be continued)

ADDRESSES FOR TIMOTHY CORRESPONDENCE

Timothy Section—

Thomas Moerdyk

1222 Vassar Drive

Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001

Timothy Mission Fund—

c/o Miss Adriana Kievit

1121 North Westnedge Avenue

Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007

Timothy Bible Quiz

Garret J. Moerdyk

1104 Eoseland Avenue

Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001

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