A PERIODICAL FOR YOUNG AND OLD

My dear young friends,

We read in Proverbs 8:15-16 — By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth”. This text came to my thoughts when I heard about the outcome of the presidential election. Millions of people have followed with excitement’ the campaign of the presidential candidates. Millions of dollars were spent by the political parties, to convince the public that their candidate was the most capable person to lead the country. The candidates themselves, with their running mates, did everything possible to win the public with appearances, with friendliness, and speeches. Many voters seriously considered what candidate would be the best for our country . Who is the most able man to disolve the many serious problems of our day and time? The war in Vietnam? the housing problem? the civil rights questions? the riots? inflation? depression? the economy of the country? Indeed, if we look at all the trouble at home and abroad, we would say we need a superman to be a president of the country. After the campaign was closed, I heard people say, “Now it is up to the American voter as to who will be the president-elect”.

Is this so, my young friends? If a house must be built by a carpenter, do we say that now it is up to the hammer to drive the nails into the lumber? We know better; the hammer is just a tool in the hands of the carpenter. So are the voters just a tool in the hand of the Lord to place a new president into office. Civil government is a divine institution. This might be denied in our modern times, with all education and science and inventions. Nevertheless, it is so, and it shall be so as long as the world stands. It is the downfall of a country if people think or say that religion is no issue in the election or in the administration of a government. Psalm 127:1 — “Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain”.

It is so important for a country that we have a government that reigns in the favour of the Lord. Those that are entrusted with the administration of the government, have their commission from Christ. It is a branch of His Kingly office. “By me kings reign, and princes decree justice”. Religion is very much the strength and support of the civil government; it teaches subjects their duty, and so by it kings reign over them more easily; it teaches kings their duty, and so by it kings reign as they ought; they decree justice while they rule in the fear of God. Those rule well whom religion rules. Out of the history of the Bible, we observe that Israel prospered when they were ruled by a king who feared the Lord. With other words, if Israel had a government obedient to the Lord, they did well. We have seen this also in the history of America. At the time that Abraham Lincoln was president, America was blessed and prospered. To reign, a person must have wisdom. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The word of God was for Lincoln, a fountain of wisdom. Psalm 119:105 — “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path”.

The Word of God discovers to us things concerning God and ourselves, which otherwise we could not have known; it shows us what is amiss, and what will be dangerous. It directs us in our work and way, and a dark place indeed the world would be without it. Young friends, knowing that Christ places, according to His supreme power and authority, kings and presidents in office, we must respect them and be obedient to them for the Lord’s sake. We must support them with our prayer and ability. The rulers of the country must be dependent upon the Lord, so that they may rule in his favour. The dissolvement of all the trouble and dangers of our time is in the true prayer of the president and the prayers of the inhabitants of the country. We hope that the individual person shall pray, “Lord, bless us with obedience to Thee, for myself, my family and relatives, for our country, for our government. Bless our present and the next president with grace to know Thee and obey Thee”. And America shall be blessed!

Your friend and minister,

DID GOD SPEAK??

My dear friends,

In my previous article entitled “Did God Speak”, I tried to make it clear to you that the worm gnawing at the roots of christian faith and confession is unbelief and doubt concerning the significance of the Bible. Is the Bible the Word of God, or is it only a collection of the words of men? Do we have in our Bible a revelation of God, informing us about His works and will, or do we have a collection of humanmeditations aboutGod’s works and will? Are these words, written in the Bible so many years ago, to be considered of decisive importance for the regulation, foundation, and confirmation of ourfaith? Or do they have this significance only for the people who lived at the time in which the words were spoken or written?

These, my friends, are some of the questions asked repeatedly. You can easily realize that what people think of the Bible is very important for their understanding of the subject about which the Bible informs us. If they consider the Bible to be a collection of words written by men who were trying to give others some information about what they thoughtto be the truth … then we can easily understand that their ideas will differ from those who consider the Bible to be God’srevelation of the truth.

Why did our pious forefathers and those who reverently and gladly accepted the Bible as God’s Word believe without any doubt that all things contained in the Holy Scriptures were the truth? Was this because the church received and approved them as such? Certainly, this was one reason. It is not ridiculous or a sign of backwardness when we accept the Bible as God’s Word because the church receives and approves it as such. It would be so if we followed cunningly devised fables. It is already an old accusation that the Bible is a collection of fairy-tales. Peter, who had been an ear- and eye-eitness of many things, rejected and refuted those accusations in testifying (II Peter 1:16), “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, … but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. We heard God’s voice, which came from heaven when we were with Christ in the holy mount, saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” And Luke, who had not been an eye- or ear-witness as had Peter and the other apostles, wrote (Luke 1:1–4) “Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, even as they delivered them to us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first (Dutch translation: having investigated diligently, thoroughly, step by step all things from their source), to write unto thee in order . . . that thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.”

Luke, a native of Antioch and by profession a physician in Rome (as can be learned from the Bible in Colossians 4:14 and II Timothy 4:11, as also from ancient historians), certainly belonged to the educated class. He first investigated things before he wrote about them, and then testified in his two books (the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles) of those things which were confirmed by many infallible proofs.

The fulfillment of those things foretold by God’s prophets concerning blessings and punishments of Israel’s people and kings, concerning the happenings to heathen peoples and their rulers, and concerning Christ and the development of God’s Kingdom, also the recent excavations of towns and the examination of manuscripts recently found in Palestine, all these confirm that no prophecy came in old time by the will of man, but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. Did not the Lord Jesus, the Son of God, testify of the Scriptures that they are the Word of God … that they contain, yea, that they arethe truth? In His last prayer (John 17) He spoke, “I have given them (Thy people, Thy Church, My true followers) Thy word … sanctify them through Thy truth … Thy word is truth”.

Is it then ridiculous or a sign of backwardness to accept the Holy Scriptures as the Word of God because others received and approved them as such? Do we not have a great cloud of witnesses who saw and experienced the fulfilling of the things foretold in the Holy Scriptures, both in ancient times and in the present time? No, my dear friends, it is utter foolishmess, stubbornness, and wickedness to put the Bible aside as being only the words of men and having only a human authority. To ignore the testimony of the church regarding the Holy Scriptures because we consider the conclusions of our own mind and of those who claim to be wiser than the Biblewriters as being of more value and importance, . . . such conduct only can and will bring the sad reward of confusion and destruction as is clearly seen in present day personal, family, church, and community life.

It is good and wise to receive the Holy Scriptures for the regulation, foundation, and confirmation of our faith, Believing without any doubt all things contained in them, becausethe church receives and approves them as such; but it is better, most necessary to salvation, and more profitable to do so because the Holy Ghostwitnesses in our hearts that the Holy Scriptures are from God. That only makes us understand the truth . . . that only makes us free. Let our constant prayer be to be led by God’s Spirit into the truth contained in God’s Word, making us wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Your friend,

Rev. A. Elshout

18617 Cortner Avenue

Cerritos, California 90701

Bible Quiz

Dear Boys and Girls,

The last month of the year has again arrived, during which our churches will observe a special day. That day is Christmas, which is observed as the day on which the Lord Jesus, who was God in heaven, was born upon this earth. What a wonderful thing this was, but, how little do we think about it. But how important it also is that He be born in our hearts. This should be our prayer as we observe this day.

Our quiz this month has questions regarding the Christmas story. The first letters of the answer will spell out four words. I am certain you will not find this quiz too difficult.

Up to what age were the children of Bethlehem slain by Herod’s men?

Where was there no room for Mary and Joseph when they arrived in Bethlehem?

What did Zacharias become because he believed not the words of the angel?

At the side of what altar was the angel standing which appeared unto Zacharias?

Where did Joseph, Mary, and the child go to live when they returned from Egypt?

What was the name of the angel who

told Zacharias that a son should be born to him?

Whose parents (in the Old Testament) were told by an angel that they would have a son?

The angel said to Mary, “ the power of the Highest shall ( ) thee”.

Some time after Jesus was born, what did an angel tell Joseph to do with Mary and the child in order to escape King Herod?

What was the name of the angel sent from God to tell Mary what should take place?

When Herod slew the young children, where was a voice of lamentation heard, as foretold by the prophet?

What did an angel say that Jesus should be called, which means “God with us”?

Who became king when Herod died?

Where was Simeon when he took the child Jesus up in his arms?

To whom did an angel appear, saying, “Fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife”?

When Zacharias wrote “His name is John”, immediately his mouth was-( )

The angel said unto the shepherds, “For unto ( ) is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

The answers to the November quiz are as follows:

“All His Benefits” Psalm 103:2

Altar Genesis 8:20

Lystra Acts 14:8–18

Levites I Chronicles 16:4

Hur Exodus 17:8–12

Isaiah Isaiah 38:4–5

Samuel I Samuel 7:12

Balak Judges 5:1

Elisha IIKings 5:1–16

Nineveh Johah 3

Elohe-Israel Genesis 33:20

Fast Esther 4:16

Israel Genesis 32:28–30

Tables Matthew 21:12

Sheep I Kings 8:63

During the past month, answers to our quiz were received from the following boys and girls:

Faith Van Dyke

Sandy Van Giessen

Gary Van Giessen

Sheryl Van Giessen

Tom Blok

Lynne Lamain

Carla Lamain

Yvonne Lamain

Kenny Lamain

Roger Kaat

Janice Kaat

John Vander Waal

Tim Vander Waal

Betty Vander Waal

Linda Kay Bleeker

Jim Bleeker

Joan Mol

Mike Mol

Leonard Mol

Gertrude Spaans

Joan Spaans Dena Spaans

Cheryl Van Unen

Conrad Schipper

Case Schipper Ann Boluyt

Mary Boluyt

Rudolph Stapel

Henrietta Stapel

Mark Van Tilburg

Sandy De Visser

Esther Boonzaayer

Kris Vander Male

Martha Vander Male

Mary Jean Vander Male

Lilly Ann Vander Male

Alice Moerdyk

Teresa Vander Meulen

Frances Vander Meulen

Jim Van Giessen

Bob Vander Boon

Sue Vander Boon

Dave Vander Boon

Jimmy Westrate

Thomas Kamp

Joyce Kamp

Ruth Kamp

John W. Kamp

Judy Koedam

Phillip Kaat

Marsha Koedam

Randy Vande Stouwe

Nancy Vander Stouwe

Roelie Stapel

Dave Verhey

Lillian Berman

Cheryl Berman

Geri Moerdyk

Marilyn De Maagd

Louis De Maagd

George De Maagd

Henry Rosendall

Gloria Boluyt

Joanne Beeke

Sharon Bouma

Valerie Lugthart

Ken Lugthart

Alfred Hup

Gary Roozenboom

Ruth Meeuwse

Mike Meeuwse

Eleanor Meeuwse

Donna Zaremba

Denise Zaremba

William Berkenbush

Barbara Berkenbush

Andrew Feyter

Peter Feyter

John Van Zweden

Joan Van Zweden

Sander de Jong

Carolyn Van Grouw

Albert Van Grouw

Janet Van Grouw

Bruce Blok

Mary Ann Kamp (2)

Linda Kamp (2)

Betty Jean Kamp (2)

Carolyn Heystek

Christine Koppert

Alice Koppert

Peter Koppert

Peter Kievit

Tunis Sweetman, Jr.

Janet Arlene Sweetman

Judy Sweetman

John Van Woudenberg

Joe Van Woudenberg

Ed Van Woudenberg

Elisabeth Van Woudenberg

Herbert Van Den Houten

Nick GreendykRuth Kievit

Denise Van Ravenswaay

Alane Van Ravenswaay

Robert Greendyk

Bill Boluyt

Glorid Roskam

Jeffrey Roskam

Linda Schalkoort

Howard Koedam

Mary Jean den Hoed

Billy Moerdyk

Jo-an De Visser

Debbie Droogers

Wilma Droogers

Billy Droogers

Janet Van Driel

Martin Oudshoorn

John Oudshoorn

Willis Van Roekel

Beverly Southway

Janetta Vandenberg

Arie Vandenberg

Cordy Vandenberg

Arlene Southway

Tommy Greendyk

Diane Teunissen

Mark Teunissen

Randal Teunissen

John Van Wingerden

Billy Van Wingerden

Janny Van Wingerden

Wendy Grisnich

Rhonda Grisnich

Stephan Vanden Brink

Corinne Van Veldhuizen

Delia Vanden Brink

Arnold Van Veldhuizen

Joyce Van Veldhuizen

Cindy Erickson

Deanna Erickson

William Berkenbush

Barbara Berkenbush

Jane Verblaauw

And now we will take a few moments time to answer our letters —

DELLA VANDENBRINK — What a nice long letter, Delia. If you write such long letters to your cousins too, it must keep you quite busy. Is the new barn all finished? Can you see a lot better with your glasses? For some they make quite a little difference.

MARTIN OUDSHOORN — How are the budgies? I did not know what they were, but in your letter you mentioned they were birds. Did you get a good mark on your project? You wrote that your friend would like to join in answering our quiz. We would be real happy to have him do so.

BILLY DROOGERS — How old were you on your birthday, Billy? Your birthday is just three days after mine. Have you had much snow yet? I am sure most boys look forward to the snow. Do you have any nice hills nearby to go sliding?

DEBBIE DROOGERS — It was good to hear from you again, Debbie. I checked your answers and they were all O.K. Did you name the kittens? Rabbits do take quite a little time, don’t they? I remember having rabbits when I was a boy.

JO-AN DE VISSER — It was nice of you to write again, Jo-an. I hope we do not get all the snow we had a few years ago. But it was quite unusual to have so much snow in a very short time. I did not see the northern lights. Does that indicate lots of snow?

LINDA SCHALKOORT — Thank you again for the stamps, Linda. We sent a quantity of them to the Netherlands again this past week. It is surprising how they accumulate. Is Rev. Hegeman teaching your catechism class again? We hope he is feeling much better.

JOHN, JOE, ED, AND ELISABETH VAN WOUDENBERG — The election is again past, and soon, the Lord willing, we will have a new president. We know that nothing happens by chance, but we hope it will be in the Lord’s favor. What a blessing it would be if our leaders were God-fearing men.

ROELIE STAPEL — You were correct, Roelie. In the Book of Esther the name of God is not mentioned. But, as you wrote, His guidance can be seen. Yes, the letters from the mission workers are very interesting. Would you like to be a nurse working among these people?

LYNNE, CARLA, YVONNE, AND KENNY LAMAIN — Your answers were all correct. I had missed you for several months. Maybe I was making the quiz a little too difficult. Garret is spelled in several different ways, but I think they are all pronounced the same.

NANCY VANDE STOUWE — Yes, the answer to the riddle was Manasseh. Do you like the riddles, Nancy? I seem to receive one almost every month, so then I don’t have to make them up. How are you getting along in school? Real well, I hope.

PHILLIP KAAT — Did you get a deer, Phillip? How far do you go for deer hunting? It sounds like you need wide open spaces for riding Go-karts. You can’t make much use of it after the snow is on the ground. Say Hello to your parents.

JUDY MAE KOEDAM — We send the stamps to Mr. Polder in the Netherlands. He sells them there and uses the money for the Missions. If you had to look the answers up the second time, you should have an idea where to look for them.

SANDER DE JONG — Your quiz arrived in time, Sander. It is very seldom that one arrives too late. We only have three trees in our yard, and two of them are quite small. So we don’t have many leaves. I do hope to visit Chilliwack sometime, if all is well.

JOAN VAN ZWEDEN — I did not see your aunt and uncle when they were in Michigan, but did hear that they had stopped in Kalamazoo. Did they arrive home safely again? So many things can happen on a long trip. We need the Lord’s protection at every moment.

JOHN VAN ZWEDEN — I was sorry to hear that your rabbit had died, John. Did you name him? I don’t imagine that you ride your bike to school anymore now that cold weather is here. Give our greetings to your parents and brothers and sisters.

TERESA VANDER MEULEN — Thank you for the stamps, Teresa. You asked in your letter where you could obtain one of the Bible story books translated by Mr. Van Grouw. I will try to have this information for you in the next issue, as I am sure there are others who might also want to know this.

CHRISTINE KOPPERT — How old is your little brother now, Christine? When they are small, each month makes a big difference. Do you take care of him sometimes? He is probably quite lonesome when everyone is off to school.

PETER KIEVIT — Thank you for the stamps, Peter. We had our first snow some weeks ago, but it didn’t stay very long. Now it is almost Thanksgiving Day when I am writing this, and we are having rather warm weather. We just cannot predict the weather, can we?

And this finishes the letters for this month. As this will be our last issue in the year 1968, we want to thank all of you for your answers and letters, and hope and pray that we may be spared with each other in the new year which will soon be here, D.V. May the Lord remember us with our families.

With love,
Your friend,
“Uncle Garret”

THE CLOSE OF THE YEAR

The Lord, our salvation and light,
The guide and the strength of our days,
Has brought us together tonight,
A new Ebenezer to raise:
The year we have now passed through,
His goodness with blessings has crowned
Each morning his mercies were new;
Then let our thanksgivings abound.

Encompassed with dangers and snares,
Temptations, and fears, and complaints,
His ear he inclined to our prayers,
His hand opened wide to our wants;
We never besought him in vain;
When burdened with sorrow or sin,
He helped us again and again,
Or where before now had we been?

His gospel, throughout the long year,
From Sabbath to Sabbath he gave;
How oft has he met with us here,
And shown himself mighty to save?
His candlestick has been removed
From churches once privileged thus;
But though we unworthy have proved,
It still is continued to us.

For so many mercies received,
Alas! what returns have we made?
His Spirit we often have grieved,
And evil for good have repaid:
How well it becomes us to cry,
“Oh! who is a God like to thee.
Who passeth iniquities by,
And plungest them deep in the sea!”

To Jesus, who sits on the throne,
Our best hallelujahs we bring;
To thee it is owing alone
That we are permitted to sing:
Assist us, we pray, to lament
The sins of the year that is past;
And grant that the next may be spent
Far more to thy praise than the last.

Missionary Corner

TIMOTHY MISSION FUND

Received in our fund during the month of October was $154.00, which we acknowledge with sincere thanks. A check from our fund in the amount of $100. was sent to the Spanish Evangelical Mission, leaving a balance on hand October 31st of $63.40.

The gifts which are received each month are greatly appreciated by us, but especially by those organizations to whom they are sent. In this way we help to bring God’s Word to those who have no knowledge of it.

An Acknowledgment from Rhodesia:

Dear Timothy Mission Friends,

We wish to thank you very much indeed for your letter of September 30 and the check for $50.00. We have made arrangements to order books from “The Banner of Truth Trust” in London with your donation.

Thank you once again for your interest in our humble efforts. We remain,

Yours Sincerely,

Jan and Margaret van Woerden

Ebenezer Scripture Mission

From Bethesda Clinic in Nigeria:

Dear Mission friends,

About one and one half miles distant from our clinic live Mr. and Mrs. Onda. They perform a great deal of work among the Egedes; she teaches groups of women in the villages. They also care for two of our orphans.

We know that Mrs. Onda comes from Ogoja and was formerly a Moslem, so we asked her to write something about her past. The following is her hfe story, translated.

“I was born into a Moslem family in North Nigeria, and in my youth I was taught Moslem customs. While I was still young a marriage was arranged for me with one of my fellow tribesmen; he paid my father the customary dowry and I was married to him.

We had been married only one year when he passed away on the day our son was born; he never saw the child. I was too young to care for the baby myself, so I returned to my mother and asked her to help me.

One evening I was invited to a church where the preacher spoke about John 3:18, “He that believeth on him is not condemned”. He also said that Jesus is the only way to heaven, as is written in John 14:6, “No man cometh unto the father, but by me”. “For there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved”, Acts 4:12. I thought Islam was the only true doctrine, the only way to heaven, and because I prayed five times a day I felt myself to be much holier than these people among whom I was sitting. But the living word of God, which is powerful and sharper than a two-edged sword, pierced my heart deeply. I felt myself a sinner after this wonderful preaching and no longer worthy of entering heaven. At the end of the sermon the preacher asked us all to seek God, but as I knelt down to pray I realized I could not pray in my own language, and while I was kneeling there I remembered all the sins which I had committed. I cried bitterly and confessed my sins before God and pleaded with Him to forgive me them. From then on it was my desire to give myself wholly to Jesus, who shed His blood for sinners in order that they might be purified from their unrighteousness.

Using my father and my relatives, the devil brought me into great temptations. Following the death of my first husband, my father received a second dowry for me from another Moslem. But since I had heard the true gospel I was so happy and thankful that I was resolved to worship God regardless of circumstances, and I realized I could not worship God as I desired if I married again. Furthermore, I had no love whatsoever for this man. It is a Moslem custom that women are placed in an enclosed compound as soon as they are married. They may no longer go out, and it is especially forbidden that they be seen in daylight; if they wish to visit relatives, they must do so during the night. I could not look forward to such a life. And having been blessed under the preaching of the gospel, I didn’t want to relinquish an opportunity to go again. Occasionally older women came to the compound to teach the married women to pray after the Moslem fashion. I also knew that some of the men would go to Mecca to pray, and upon their return they would go from door to door speaking about what they said was God’s word. Then the married women in the compound would sit in their doorways to listen. But I never heard them speak about Jesus, who died for the sins of His people. They said that Mohammed was the only person who could meet God, and if we would worship Mohammed he would surely lead us to God. They believed that Jesus had also been a good man, the second after Mohammed, but they did not believe in the crucifixion. Others said, “Jesus is not yet born; that shall take place on the last day”. Another thing they taught was that God himself had written the Koran, which an angel had brought directly from heaven; it could not have been written by sinful human beings. But in spite of all their teaching, nothing in me had been improved. I still had a sinful heart and knew of no way toward reconciliation. I did not want to remain a Moslem.

My father had spent the dowry money in a very short time and refused to repay it, so I began accepting small jobs in order to pay back some of the money and every week my friends and I collected two shillings each. But the Moslem man was not satisfied with this; he wanted either the woman or the money in a lump sum.

I had received some money in order to attend the Bible school, but instead I asked my brother to give it to my father in case he should be brought into court for not returning the dowry money. But he spent it all himself, and consequently my father was taken prisoner and brought into court. Previous to this the judges had been bribed to arrange his appearance after the District Officer had left. When I entered the court the judges called the man who wanted to marry me and said, “Here is your wife; we have given her to you, and if you would like to take her home, you are free to do so”. They gave me no chance to speak. I was taken to his compound where his relatives and friends approached and began reviling me. They said, among other things, “Let your God appear now to deliver you from our hands, so that you will be free again to worship Him”. I cried, but suddenly I stopped and began to pray, “O, Lord, deliver me, as Thou hast in the past delivered Daniel”. When I arose after praying they all looked at me, but no one asked me where I was going; I walked to the gate and looked back, but not one followed me. I ran to the house of Mr. Godbey the missionary and told him everything. He asked me if I loved the man, and I said, “O, no, I don’t love him at all”. He took me to the District Officer and told him the situation, and the District Officer said, “Tell your father that he must appear before the judge again tomorrow; if he doesn’t come, I’ll have the police bring him in”.

We were the first ones called in the following morning. The District Officer asked me if I had anything to say, so I told him that I was being pressed into marrying a man whom I did not love. He asked me if I was a Christian, and I said “Yes”. He was angry with my father and said that he should not force his children to marry those whom they did not love, and concluded “I’ll give you one month to return the money”. God was always with me, enabling me to bear all these things for His sake.

One day the missionary told me that I was to go to the Bible school. I told him that would be impossible since I had never attended school. I could not speak English and did not even know the alphabet. But he encouraged me and said that I should have faith in God, and He would be with me. So I began learning the alphabet and did all things through prayer, because it is written in James 1:5, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God”. My only desire was to tell others that God had delivered me out of Satan’s hand and that he could also deliver them. With this desire and faith in God I entered the Bible school, but when we were asked to fill out a paper I did not even know how to spell my own name; I put the paper down and began to cry. Wasn’t this what I had expected? I had started out completely ignorant. But thanks be only to God, who gave me such a desire to learn that I was kept busy day and night. I shared my food with those who did not have enough to eat, and in return they helped me with the lessons. During the second year we learned to speak in public to groups of women. One day the missionary asked me to address the school, but I answered that it was impossible for me to speak to teachers and students. Then I remembered that God had used an ass to talk to Balaam, so He could also use me, not through power, nor through oratory, but through His Spirit. I spoke about “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”, and the Lord helped me.

While the school was closed during vacation, Miss Jacobson the missionary and I went to the villages and spoke to men and women. She evangelized, gave instruction in Christian morals and hygiene, and I translated for her. Afterwards I went out alone; frequently God himself showed me where to go and I received great blessings from Him upon my work. It is the will of God that we search the Scriptures, for our own use and also for use in helping others; for that reason God has helped me in my studies.

I had not planned to marry again, but one day I met Moses Onda who also attended the Bible school. At first I did not want to consider his marriage proposal; I thought it would be better to continue missionary work where I was than to go with him to Egede. But later I felt that it was God’s will that we marry. We have now been married nine years, working together in the Lord’s service. We have no children of our own, but take care of the eight orphaned children of my husband’s brother. We also take care of two other orphans, Ruth and Benjamin, who by the providence of God were brought to us by nurses. We pray that God will bless them and fulfil their needs.

NOT MOHAMMED, BUT CHRIST

All our present glory consists in our preparation for future glory.

UTTERLY FOOLISH!

A plane starts a flight across the North Pole. There is no navigator on board and no way to chart the course. One would rightly question the sanity of the cres.

A man starts to drive across the United States. He does not provide himself with road maps, nor does he ask anyone what route to take. He would almost certainly take the wrong roads.

A man becomes acutely ill. Neither he nor his family will call the doctor, nor will he take any medicine. What would one think of such people?

A soldier goes into battle. He takes with him neither gun, nor ammunition, nor any kind of weapon with which to attack the enemy or defend himself. He would be a very foolish soldier.

A physician goes into surgery to operate on a patient but refuses to use the necessary instruments. Would you want him to operate on you?

A lawyer goes into court to defend a client, but he does not know the points of law involved, nor can he argue the case. What would people think of such an advocate?

A motorist driving at night refuses to turn on the lights. Can you figure him out?

A man is walking down a dark road at night. He does not know the road. He has in his hand a flashlight that he will not use. What would you think of such a person?

A bridge is washed out, and the highway patrol sets up warning lights and a barricade. A motorist refuses to stop and crashes to his death. Who was to blame?

One’s natural reaction to these imagined absurdities is: Only a fool would act like that.

The world is full of fools, men and women who are ignoring the only Book that contains the chart and compass for living and for dying.

The Bible above all else tells us of the Pilot of our souls, the Redeemer from sin, the One who is the Way, the Truth and the Life, the only Saviour of mankind.

This Book gives us a map of the past, the present, and the future. By it alone can history be understood, and today’s news explained, and tomorrow’s events evaluated.

Much is being said today about man’s moral and ethical responsibilities, but unless these are based on the teachings of God’s written Word they are futile. It is because men have left (or never known) true Christian ethics that they now talk of “situational ethics” — do what you consider right under the circumstances in which you find yourself.

AS WITH GLADNESS, MEN OF OLD

As with gladness men of old

Did the guiding star behold;

As with joy they hailed its light,

Leading onward, beaming bright.

So most gracious Lord, may we

Evermore be led by Thee!

As with joyful steps they sped,

Savior, to Thy lowly bed,

There to bend the knee before

Thee whom heaven and earth adore,

So may we with willing feet

Ever seek Thy mercy seat!

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 Roseland Avenue

Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001

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