A PERIODICAL FOR YOUNG AND OLD

DOES GOD…??

My dear friends,

Were you disappointed that you missed the article in the August issue which I had promised in the July issue? Because I had to make a trip to Kalamazoo in order to make some arrangements in connection with our moving there, I was not able to complete the article in time. But I hope that you read the article in the July issue more than once.

It is not such an easy task to write about the difference between a “calling by our name” when God’s Word is brought to us by God’s servants (the outward calling), and a “calling by our name” when the Word of God is applied personally unto us by God’s Spirit (the inward calling). Some think and write that only they are and were called “by their name” who experience both the “outward” and “inward” callings. But they make a serious mistake. We can learn the opposite from Proverbs 1:24, “Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out My hand, and no man regarded, but ye have set at nought all my counsel and would none of my reproof… I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh.”

The “calling by our name”, the most personal calling to repentance and salvation which happens as often as the Word of God is spoken unto us, does not leave us the least room for any thought that we are not meant — it does not leave us any room for an excuse for being and remaining in the miserable state and condition in which we are by sin. Can we then obey in our own strength? Those without a true experimental knowledge of their spiritual poverty think that they can —but those who have honestly and continually tried to do so have experienced the opposite. To learn this is necessary to our humiliation — to be made a humble supplicant, praying, “O Lord, it is my fault that I cannot do the things Thou commandest me to do; please forgive, for Christ’s sake; please give unto me, for Christ’s sake, Thy Spirit to enable me to perform that which I am bound to do.” Such humble cries the Lord will not despise for His Name’s sake, as you can read in almost every page of the Bible, and can also be proved from countless examples.

No one who has lived under the ministration of the Word of God will ever be able to find a hiding place from God when called by Him before His majestic throne to give an account of what we have done under and with His callings. Ignorance and unbelief cause us to doubt whether or not we are personally meant when God’s Word is spoken unto us. In the Canons of Dort our fathers stated and confessed (Article 8 of Third and Fourth Heads of Doctrine — Page 46 of Psalter) “As many as are called by the gospel, are unfeignedly called. For God has most earnestly and truly declared in His Word, what will be acceptable to Him; namely, that all who are called, should comply with the invitation. He, moreover, seriously promises eternal life, and rest, to as many as shall come to Him, and believe on Him.”

You can find this very clearly taught in Acts 3:26. Peter concluded his sermon to the multitude (who had run together at the Porch that is called Solomon’s, after the lame man was miraculously healed from his lameness) with these words, “Unto you first God, having raised up His Son Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away EVERY ONE OF YOU from his iniquities.” Is that a “call by their name” to each one of the listeners of Peter’s sermon or not?

Although Peter knew very well that not all who hear the Word will be saved, (did not the Lord Jesus say, “Many are called, but few chosen”) yet in his sermon he did not make any separation or distinction, as if only those who are elected to salvation were meant in the call of the gospelmessage of God. It was perfectly in agreement with Peter’s admonition (Acts 3:19) to the same persons: “Repent ye therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out”. In Article 9 of the heads of doctrine mentioned above, our fathers properly stated: “It is not the fault of the gospel, nor of Christ, offered therein, nor of God, Who calls men by the gospel, and confers upon them various gifts, that those who are called by the ministry of the word, refuse to come and be converted: the fault lies in themselves. This our Savior teaches in the parable of the sower. (Matthew 13).”

My dear friends, if we better understood how we personally are meant by God in His Word, we would not be so indifferent and unconcerned as so often is the case. My sincere desire is that the Lord might use also these articles to grant us the right understanding of the “calling by our name”. What a tender care for the wellbeing of hell-worthy sinners does the Lord display in all of His callings, stretching forth His hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.

The “calling by our name” does not only occur when the Word of God comes to us. There is another occasion in which this happens — an occasion when the strict personal character of the gospel message is even more plainly displayed than in the occasions I mentioned in this article. Can you guess what that occasion might be? Think about it. Next time. D.V., I hope to write about it. I sincerely hope that those friends for whom these articles will be a little difficult to understand (especially the younger ones among you) will not be discouraged and cease reading them. If it is too hard to understand the first time, please read it again, and ask your father, mother, grandfather or grand-mother, brother or sister, friend or girlfriend, husband or wife, to help you in your efforst to grasp the meaning. Read and discuss it together. Let no false shame keep you from it. I can honestly say that it is my intention and aim to write as simply as possible about the matters of importance for our spiritual and eternal wellbeing. Under the blessing of God communication between one another can be of some avail.

Your Friend,

Rev. A. Elshout

112 Pratt Road

Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001

IGNORANCE

(continued)

(The concluding part of the address given by Dr. G. Deur at the recent Youth Day Conference).

Oh young people, do not follow the so-called wisdom of man. The devil has not worked harder than in our day to destroy the word of God. We read in Revelation that before the end of the world he will be loosed for a short time. The Bible is being torn apart. It is being regarded by so many only as a history and not as the infallible Word of God. So many young people are ruined in our colleges and universities. They think they are uneducated or considered non-intelligent if they do not accept all that their godless professors teach and tell them. This is why it is necessary to be rooted and grounded in the Word of God, to defend yourself against all that is coming up in our day. We cannot understand everything of the Word of God, but God does not require it of us either; neither do we understand everything in the realm of nature. Everyone here doesn’t understand electricity and yet he sees the results of it and therefore accepts it as a reality. Accept the Bible as God has given it unto us. No periods of time for creation but as the Bible states, “In six days God created the heaven and earth and rested the seventh day”.

The Rev. J. C. Ryle says, “There is no knowledge absolutely needful to a man’s salvation except a knowledge of the things which are to be found in the Bible. A man may have prodigious learning, and yet never be saved. Chemistry never stilled a guilty conscience. Mathematics never healed a broken heart. A man may be a very ignorant man, and yet be saved; if he has heard Bible truth with his ears, and believed it with his heart”. We know historical faith is not sufficient for salvation, but God’s Word says, “Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God”. We need that true saving faith for salvation. Paul writes to the Corinthians, “let not man deceive himself; If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of the world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, the Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain”. I Corinthians 3:18.

We talked in general about ignorance, the cause of it, the kinds of ignorance, and what it produces in the way of error and wickedness. Now we wish to show you something before closing — the other side, God’s wisdom.

I suppose, and I know many of our boys and girls and young people came here with a light and frivolous heart looking only for fun, but not considering the seriousness of life and what the end will be for all those that fear not God. The Rev. Robert M’Cheyne said this, “Many know that they never believed on the Son of God, and yet they are smiling and happy. Many know that they were never born again, and that the Bible says they cannot see the kingdom of God, and yet their step is light, and their laugh as loud, as if they were heirs of the kingdom of heaven instead of heirs of hell!” He also states “Sinners in our days have a great insensibility as to their need of Jesus Christ. The Bible declares Him to be the friend of sinners! Yet many read this who are contented to live without knowing Him. Though Christians are always speaking of the excellency of Christ — that he is the chiefest among ten thousand, and altogether lovely; yet most see no form nor comeliness in Christ, no beauty that they should desire Him”. Is it this way with you? So many live so thoughtless. To know the way historically and not to be a possessor and then to be cast away. How awful!

We must face the issue clearly and make a decision — not like Billy Graham, but as Elijah spoke to the people who had followed Baal, “How long halt ye between two opinions, if the Lord be God, follow Him, but if Baal, then follow him”. I Kings 18:21.

Young people, isn’t it rational for us before we begin any project, whether it be for the girls sewing or a mechanic fixing an automobile or a mother preparing a meal, to have a purpose, a goal to be reached by putting forth our energies. If this is true, stop for a moment and consider why you are on this earth? What is the purpose? Has it become a better place by the Grace of God or are you one that corrupted God’s creation? Man was the crown to God’s creation, made to bring forth His honor and glory. Oh, what have we done in sinning against such a great God who has done nothing but good all the days of our life. We see the greatness of God in creation and in providence. I perhaps should say, may it please the Lord to open our eyes to see God in His Holy attributes. I hope it becomes a wonder to you that you have not yet been cast away, but yet have a place on the earth — still able to hear the sound of the gospel for lost sinners.

Children and young people, the very evidence that the Lord has prolonged our life to the present moment is a token of His long suffering. He is still knocking at the doors of our hearts. Every time you hear God’s Word or are priviledged to attend God’s House or worship — every pain you feel, every accident or sickness you experience or come in contact with, everything in nature are callings from the Lord, “See that ye refuse not him that speaketh.” Hebrews 12:25. “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation.” Hebrews 2:3.

We cannot do with our bodies as we please. Oh think of God’s creation — after His own image. May the Lord keep you pure, young people, and that sin becomes sin to you. We hear so much of sexual permissiveness, use of LSD and other hallucinary drugs which dull man’s senses, as well as drinking, breaking down conscience resistance. In our days sin is called by other names such as mistake, error or calling good — evil, and evil — good. But in the sight of God there are no small sins. If we could but receive a glimpse of what it cost the Lord Jesus Christ to humble himself to come down upon earth to pay for the sins of His people. What a humbling effect it would be for such a gracious person. Then truly sin becomes sin in its truest light.

Religion is real, we must know what it is to be lost before we know what it is to be saved. It is personal. We must be born again and washed in the blood of Christ.

It is not enough to have a head knowledge; we need an experimental knowledge. Young people, do not despise it. God has given us five senses; we are a feeling people. If God ever does a work of grace in your heart, you will see things differently, you will hear differently, and you will have a feeling sense of what an awful thing it is to sin against a good and a merciful God, but also what it is for such a person to receive mercy and pardon.

We talked about ignorance tonight and I hope by the grace of God we become ignorant through selfknowledge taught by the Holy Spirit. Our greatest knowledge is that we know nothing. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”. Oh we have a great and mighty God who says, “I will and thou shaft”. There is not one here that can say “It’s not for me”. He is mighty to save to the uttermost all that come to God through Christ. Ask the Lord to draw you, tell the Lord everything. He knows it all. But we read in Jer. 3:13, “Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the Lord thy God.”

“Seek the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man His thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon”. Isaiah 55:6–7. My friends, that is gospel, good news for sinners, not mere self-righteous pharisees.

We have heard much again this day. Our life will not be the same after this, for the day will come when you shall hear for the second time what has been laid before you this day. May the Lord bless all to His honor and to the salvation of sinners.

Bible Quiz

Dear Boys and Girls,

Again the month of September is here, which means back to school for all of you. And I think that most of you are quite happy to do so, even though it means lots of work. In the beginning of the month there is a day which is called “Labor Day”, set as a special day for the working man. We all know that we must work to earn money, with which we must buy our food, our clothes, our homes, etc. But the Lord Jesus said, “Labour not for the meat that perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life”. This does not mean that we should not work, but there is something of more value that we should be seeking for above all else. In another place the Lord said, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness”. That the Lord would make this our desire in this life, because it would give eternal happiness.

The first letters of our quiz spell our four words from the text just mentioned, which can be found in Matthew 6.

In Psalm 27, David prayed,”____?___ me Thy way, O Lord”.

What did Samuel take with him when he went to anoint a king of the sons of Jesse, (two possible answers)

Who of the sons of Jesse came first before Samuel?

Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the ____?___of God”.

Jesus also said to Nicodemus, “Art thou a master of____?___, and knowest not these things?”

Jesus said, “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a____?___ than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”

From what city did Samson escape by taking the doors and posts of the city gates with him upon his shoulders?

Who was the first of three presidents in the kingdom of Darius?

In the Book of Numbers, who was the king of Bashan who was destroyed with all his people by the children of Israel?

Who was selected by the apostles to take the place of Judas Iscariot?

In the Book of Revelation, John heard a voice, saying, “I am Alpha and____?___, the first and the last”.

Jesus said, “Suffer the little children to come unto me, and ? them not; for of such is the kingdom of God”.

When Paul arrived as a prisoner in Rome, he spent two years in his own hired house, preaching the kingdom of___?___

From what country did ships bring gold to Solomon?

To what city was Saul going when the Lord stopped him in the way?

Answers to the quiz of last month are as follows —

“Let Him Ask of God” — James 1:5

Ladder —Genesis 28:12

East —Matthew 2:1

True —I Kings 10:6

House —Genesis 41:39-40

Instruction —Proverbs 13:1

Mouth —Exodus 4:12

Ask —I Kings 3:5

Stephen —Acts 6 & 7

King —Esther 1:12-14

Opened —Acts 7:56

Fear —Psalm 111:10

God —Genesis 41:25

Ornament —Proverbs 1:8–9

Daniel —Daniel 2:18–49

Answers have been received from the following boys and girls —

Judy Van Den Top

Joyce Van Den Top

Darlene Van Den Top

Frances Vander Meulen

Margaret Everts

Joyce Vander Meulen

Teresa Vander Meulen

Dianne Van Ravenswaay

Marilyn Van Ravenswaay

JoAnn Van Ravenswaay

Esther Van Ravenswaay

Julie Boluyt

Gloria Boluyt

Martha Vander Male

Mary Jean Vander Male

Lilly Ann Vander Male

Betty Jean Kamp

Linda Mae Kamp

Mary Ann Kamp

Bruce Blok

Tom Blok

Geri Moerdyk

Linda Bleeker

Joan Lugthart

Val Lugthart

Ken Lugthart

Joanne Beeke

Denise Carol Zaremba

Donna Lyn Zaremba

Ruth Meeuwse

Eleanor Meeuwse

Ruth Van Grouw

Janice Kay Langstraat

Wanda Langstraat

Gordon Boluyt

Bill Boluyt

Betty Van der Waal

John Van der Waal

Tim Van der Waal

Carolyn Heystek

Marcia Kros

Albert Bouma

Sharon Bouma

Laurie Van Ree

Louis De Maagd

Marilyn De Maagd

George De Maagd

John Marinus Goeman

Alice Koppert

Neal Boerkoel

Billy Greendyk

Betty Jean Van Der Weile

Kathy Van Giessen

David Touw

Tom Touw

Danny Hoogendoorn

James Westrate

Judy E. Sweetman

Tunis Sweetman, Jr.

Janet Arlene Sweetman

Lillian Sue Berman

Cheryl Berman

Linda Timmer

David Greendyk

Mark Van Tilburg

James Van Tilburg

Susan Jane Van Ree

Gail Hoogendoorn

Cindy Hoogendoorn

Peter W. Kievit

Martin Peter Vlietstra

Robert Verbeke

Susan Slotsema

Shirley Slotsema

Steve Slotsema

Joe Van Woudenberg

Marsha Koedam

Nancy Timmer

Wilma Koutstaal

Annette Koutstaal

Billy Kamp (2)

Ruth Lynn Kamp (2)

Joyce Kamp (2)

Thomas Jay Kamp (2)

Nick Greendyk

Marty Anker

John Van Zweden

Joan Van Zweden

Andrew Feyter

John Blok

Gary Blok

Tommy Greendyk

Priscilla Kay Van Ree

Jim Van Giessen

Bernie Vlietstra

Conrad Vlietstra

Fred Vlietstra

Alane Van Ravenswaay

Denise Van Ravenswaay

Christine Koppert

Peter Koppert

Nelly Koppert

Tim De Visser

Ruth Vroegindewey

John Vroegindewey

Lynn Vroegindewey

John Oudshoorn

Martin John Oudshoorn

Roelie Stapel

Janice Stapel

Henrietta Stapel

Dave Vander Boon

Dave Verhey

Gary Roozenboom

Nancy Vande Stouwe

Wendy Grisnich

Rhonda Grisnich

Randy Vande Stouwe

Richard Kamp

Barbara Sue Kamp

Billy Van Wingerden

Arie Vandenberg

Cordy Vandenberg

Paul Vandenberg

Janetta Vandenberg

Albert Van Grouw

Janet Van Grouw

Carolyn Van Grouw

Ellen Van Ginkel

La Rae Hoogendoorn

John Van Wingerden

Janny Van Wingerden

Gary Van Giessen

Sandy Van Giessen

Sheryl Van Giessen

Judith Slingerland

Susan Van Grouw

Janice Kaat

Roger Kaat

Bobby Greendyk

Cheryl Verblaauw

Beverly Southway

Sander de Jong

Debby Droogers

Wilma Droogers

Billy Droogers

Rudolph Stapel

Bette Jo Mast

Neil Daniel Mast

Jane Renee Mast

Joanne Spaans

Lynn Spaans

David Spaans

Larry Spaans

Janice Spaans

Alice Moerdyk

Delia Vanden Brink

Stephan Vanden Brink

John Van Hoepen

Marianne Van Hoepen

John Remus

Linda Remus

Janet Remus

It is again time to sit down and answer the letters I have received —

RHONDA GRISNICH — How are you, Rhonda? Is your wrist completely healed again? I suppose it was quite painful for a while. And how is your brother? He must have been near the hive in order to be stung by twenty or thirty bees? Have you ever been stung by a bee?

STEPHAN VANDEN BRINK — I am quite well, Stephan. How many pigs did you get? I suppose you help take care of them when you have so many. How often do you feed them? You probably can tell that I don’t know much about taking care of pigs.

ROELIE STAPEL — It sounds as if you had a busy summer, Roelie. But being busy in this way is so much better than having nothing to do. We had hoped to visit Wisconsin this summer, but summer is past. Give our regards to your family.

DELLA VANDEN BRINK — No, Delia, I don’t have any children who haven’t started school yet. We have four children, so your family is some what larger. You were right, we are real happy to have our own minister in Kalamazoo, just as you are in Lethbridge.

JUDITH SLINGERLAND — Your answers arrived in ample time, Judith. Your school starts earlier than they do here, but I suppose you were anxious to be in school again. Does your new minister have any children who are your age? Only those who have done so will realize what it is like to move into a different country.

ANNETTE KOUTSTAAL — I can imagine that you were not happy to see your grandfather and grandmother leave, Annette. Five weeks sounds like a long time, but it probably went by rather quickly. I can still remember when my grandmother paid us a visit, and that was more than thirty years ago.

JOHN VAN ZWEDEN — We hope your grandfather is feeling better again, John. We must pray to the Lord that He will give him the strength which he needs for his work. Did you and your father get the new rabbit cage built for Peter?

MARTY ANKER — I have many invitations to visit my young friends, Marty. Some day I would like to take a long trip and see them all. How many puppies did your dog have? By this time they are probably growing rapidly. Or didn’t you keep all of them?

JOAN VAN ZWEDEN — I am sure your mother was real happy to be home again, Joan. She probably even worried a little about how you were getting along. Did you get all new teachers in school this year? Before school would start, we would always wonder who our teacher would be, and sometimes we were quite disappointed.

SANDER DE JONG — That would be a difficult job to put a roof on the silo, Sander, especially forty-five feet up. That would be a long way to fall. We read about the fall of Adam and Eve, which was also the fall of all mankind. Can you tell me from whence we fell and into what condition we fell? That is a catechism question, but I am sure all of our young people know the answer.

DANNY HOOGENDOORN — Thank you for the stamps, Danny (and thanks also to all the others who sent them). I sometimes forget to mention it. We send them to the Netherlands, where they are able to sell them. They like especially to have the special occasion stamps of which there are so many these days.

NANCY VANDE STOUWE — Your answers were all correct, Nancy. Do you think they are easy questions? I also think that spring is the nicest time of the year. But do you think you would like spring all the time? The Lord in wisdom created them all -spring, summer, fall, and winter.

BERNIE VLIETSTRA — Is your wrist completely healed again, Bernie? Was it the right one or the left one? How did it happen? You do live quite a distance from the church. We live only about five minutes driving time from our church, so we would think driving more than an hour would be a very long time.

JOHN, LINDA, AND JANET REMUS — Congratulations on the new baby sister. I can imagine you were all happy. Mother probably has lots of willing helpers to help take care of her. A baby needs lots of help and attention, so I’m sure there are things to be done.

WILMA KOUTSTAAL — It was nice to hear from you again, Wilma. You need not worry about sending in your answers too late, but the important thing is that you do them. How are you doing in school? As you mentioned, it does help to do some real studying.

ALICE KOPPERT — Lately it has been quite dry here also, Alice, so that rain would be most welcome. How little do we consider that it is from the Lord that we receive rain, for He can give rain, but also withhold it. We have a good example of that in the time of King Ahab.

JOE VAN WOUDENBERG — When you wrote, Joe, you were having the eighth day of rain, so you had more than you would like to have. And yet we should not complain. I was sorry to hear that you had not received an issue of the Banner. We hope this doesn’t happen very often.

MARK VAN TILBURG — You asked if people were cutting silage in our area, and, Mark, I really can’t answer that. Maybe I’m not very observing, but if I see the farmer in the field, I’m not always certain what he is doing. I’m sure if I paid you a visit, you could give me some instructions.

PETER W. KIEVIT — Your letter is last this time, Peter. We have been looking for you in Michigan, but I guess you didn’t get this far. I imagine work was coming in faster than you could take care of it. Give our greetings to your family.

And to all my young friends — it has been a pleasure to receive answers from so many of you again this month. As you start your school terms again, we hope that all of you will work real hard at it, but that you will also take time to study the Word of God, which we should value so highly.

With love,

Your friend,

“Uncle Garret”

Missionary Comer

TIMOTHY MISSION FUND

We wish to acknowledge with many thanks the gifts received during the month of July totalling $240.00. The work in the various mission fields would not be possible without financial support, and therefore your continuing gifts are most encouraging to all concerned. During the month a check was sent to the Spanish Evangelical Mission in the amount of $100.00, leaving a balance of $198.40 as of July 31. When we hear that through these means the Word of God is brought to those who have never before heard of it, we can with renewed efforts request your help, knowing that there are yet others who are not blessed with this privilege. Our prayer is that the Lord might use it for the building of His Kingdom.

A letter of thanks was received from a member of the Wycliffe Bible Translators in Australia. Our gift had been sent there for use in the New Guinea area, and was much appreciated by them. The New Guinea branch has more than 300 adult members, who are translating many portions of the Bible into the language of those areas just recently entered.

Of special interest in the recent “Paulus” magazine was the report that Mr. and Mrs. Chr. Fanner had arrived in Abenacho, where Rev. and Mrs. Kuijt are living. He wrote a letter about his trip and arrival, and also his first impressions of the situation there. Rev. Kuijt had made the trip to Sentani to welcome them, where they together climbed aboard a M.A.F. Cessna for their trip to Abenacho.

He wrote — “The weather on that Saturday was magnificent. After an hour’s flying time we could see below us on our left the airstrip of Landikma, and in the distance on our right the airstrip of Abenacho. What an enormous undertaking it must have been to make such airfields in this rocky and mountainous country. These strips require continuous upkeep, but it is the only alternative in order to maintain contact with the outside world.

Our first contact with the Jali’s affected us deeply. Mrs. Kuijt and a great number of Jali’s were standing along the strip waiting for us. The hand-shakings and greetings took considerable time. Everywhere we heard ‘wa’ chaniok’, the greeting of the Jali-region, and ‘nore’, the word for friend. We hope that the Lord will bless our work here. Among all that was so strange and unknown, we realized at once’ that the Jali’s were also people, no less than those back home.

Last Sunday we attended a Jali church service for the first time. People had also come from other villages in the area. We were deeply impressed by the seriousness with which they listened to the preaching and the enthusiasm with which they sang the Indonesian psalms in their own language. What a great privilege to see that God is blessing the work of Rev. Kuijt accomplished throughout the years he has been here. We hope and pray that the Holy Spirit will proceed to lead these people into all truth.

The following days we were immediately involved in the very extensive work at the mission post. Mornings there is here a policlinic, where the people can come to request medicines or to have wounds bandaged. The medical work here requires one to be prepared to take care of nasty little tasks also. I am thinking of the child who had bad burns on her head and back, which gave off a terrible odor; of the man whose knee was a large festering boil; and of the patients who required an injection of one thing or another. There is too much to tell you all. From the medical aspect it is very evident that these people endure much misery, have poor hygiene, and are very under-nourished.

Dear friends, these are merely a few of our first impressions. We hope to write you regularly. Pray that progress may be made in the relief of the spiritual and bodily needs of the Jalipeople.”

CHILDREN, HAVE YE ANY MEAT?

The occasion on which the Lord Jesus used these words, in speaking to His disciples, will be well enough known, perhaps, but let us just refresh our memories with a few words on the scene itself and see if we can learn some lessons which would be useful for us all, but especially for those of you who are growing up in a world where Jesus is still rejected and despised by many, ignored by countless others, and crucified afresh by one and all of us in a state of nature. The disciples had been out fishing all night, but they caught nothing. When they returned to the shore, Jesus stood waiting for them and asked them this question, which forms the title of our present short article.

The term of address is one of endearment and mutual respect, which also shows His care and love for them, His concern for their welfare. He desires that they should be amply provided for with the necessities of life. The fact that they have toiled all night without success adds to the wonder of the miracle which He is about to perform — He instructs them where to cast their nets and also promises that they shall have an abundant catch. By giving heed unto His gracious word, they are greatly blessed, and find more than enough to meet their needs, while Jesus Himself condescends to partake of the meal which He Himself has provided. It was thus that Jesus made Himself known to His disciples in all His risen glory on that wonderful morning by the shore of the Sea of Tiberias.

Can we not hear Him still as He asks the question, not only of His disciples, but, by implication also, of all who may be labouring for “the meat that perisheth”, only to find that “it satisfieth not” — “Children, have ye any meat?” Dear young boys and girls, have you found what will feed your never-dying soul? Have you discovered that you have a soul and that that soul needs to be saved? Have you found the way to the tree of life in the Paradise of God? Have you tasted of the good things of the “feast of fat things” provided on the mount of the Lord? Let your conscience answer before God. Whatever else you may or may not have in the world will not take the place of finding the Saviour, who can take away your sins, wash you in His own blood, and make you whiter than the snow. Jesus is commanding you now to “cast your net on the right side of the ship” — to seek a goodly portion in Himself, to make choice of the “good part”, to strive earnestly to enter in at the strait gate, to obey His holy Word. If the Holy Spirit will but constrain you to give heed to His gracious Word, as did His disciples then, you will thereafter be abundantly rewarded; a large provision will be given, so large indeed, that you yourselves will wonder at its greatness, its sweetness, its all-sufficiency. Jesus will bless you too with His own presence; He will cause you to catch a sweet glimpse of His risen glory as Lord and Master; He will give you food to eat that the world knows not of; He will satisfy your souls with fatness, even the good things of His House.

Will you not ask Him, then, for the gift of the Holy Spirit? “Ask, and ye shall receive.” “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children; how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?”

(Rev. A.M. Cattanach, Y.P.M.)

ONE GOD

A little boy being asked, “How many Gods are there?” replied, “One”. “How do you know that?” “Because,” said the boy, “there is only room for one, for He fills heaven and earth.”

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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