A PERIODICAL FOR YOUNG AND OLD

BAPTISM BY IMMERSION OR BY SPRINKLING??

In my previous article concerning this subject, 1 made the statement that baptism by sprinkling was already practiced in the days of the apostles. I explained that the word “baptizo,” never means to immerse as far as the Scriptures are concerned. I also stated that we have other evidences than Bible texts to prove that baptizing by sprinkling was already practiced in the days of the apostles.

There are many parts of the inhabited earth where it is a physical impossibility to baptize by immersion. In our times baptizing by immersion can take place almost everywhere because of heated baptismal tanks or the availability of large quantities of heated water; however, in those times when these were not available, it would have been very detrimental to health, particularly in certain parts of the world, to baptize by immersion. Is it in accordance with Scripture, or even with reason, to hold that Christ would give a commandment where there were such insurmountable impediments standing in the way of its being obeyed? Is it not doing the greatest dishonor to Him to hint or dogmatically assert that He gave a command which would clash with those natural laws with which the Lord governs the earth? Lack of water, scarcity of water through drought or frost, and severe cold are circumstances which would often make it impossible to baptize by immersion.

If we look at the circumstances under which the 3000 were baptized on the day of Pentecost, then it will be very difficult for our Baptist friends to prove that those baptisms took place by immersion. The question may be asked as to where those thousands were immersed. Jerusalem is twenty-five to thirty miles away from the Jordan River. As experienced by invading armies of early centuries, by the Romans and by the Crusaders, water was lamentably scarce in Jerusalem. Until very recently the lack of water has been a serious problem for its citizens. The brook Kidron need not be named as a possible place for immersions at the time of Pentecost. Although it rushes noisily along after the rains, it is dry for almost half of the year, and therefore would very likely have been dry at that pentecostal season, which was in the end of May or in the first part of June. The pool of Siloam is equally out of the question, as we do not read that the 3000 first went in procession to that pool, and also because of the time of the year. In those days Jerusalem had many cisterns and tanks which were filled during the rainy season, and which, with care, served the inhabitants of Jerusalem during harvest and winter. Is it to be imagined that the 3000 were immersed in these tanks? The fact that these tanks were often deep and quite narrow at the top, similar to wells, forbids the thought. Some of the older Baptist writers suggest the brazen sea of the temple. If we consider the scowling and scornful priesthood at that time, can anyone then assume that the priests would have allowed the despised followers of the Saviour to use those sacred waters for their baptismal services in order to baptize new converts? Even reason forbids us to think of such a possibility. In addition consider the necessity of changing wet clothes after being totally dipped into the water. Therefore, on account of all the factors mentioned, we can logically and reasonably conclude that the baptism of the 3000 took place by sprinkling.

Sprinkling with some drops of water signifies as much spiritual burial in the death of Christ as does a moment’s immersion under the water. When the Apostle Paul speaks in Romans 6:4 and Colossians 2:13 of being buried with Christ by baptism, it is obvious that he then refers to a spiritual experience and not to baptism with water.

Having now written so much about the subject of baptism, I surely hope that it may have helped you to understand more of the meaning of baptism, why we baptize infants as well as adults, and why we baptize by sprinkling and not by immersion. However, the most important thing is not when or how we were baptized, but whether we know something by experience of being renewed to a new creature by the Spirit of Christ. Then we will know what it is to mourn about our sins and iniquities, to humbly seek purification and salvation without ourselves by faith in Jesus Christ, and to walk according to the rules set by the Lord in His Word. If some passages of my articles may have been somewhat hard to understand, please don’t be too discouraged. Keep these articles and … with the help of the Lord, it may become more clear to you if you read them once again at a later time. They may also enable you to defend our views concerning baptism if someone attacks them. The Lord bless you. Your friend,

112 Pratt Road

Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001

THE GOOD PHYSICIAN

How lost was my condition,

Till Jesus made me whole!

There is but one Physician

Can cure a sin-sick soul!

Next door to death he found me,

And snatched me from the grave;

To tell to all around me,

His wondrous power to save.

The worst of all diseases

Is light compared with sin;

On every part it seizes,

But rages most within;

‘Tis palsy, plague and fever,

And madness, — all combined;

And none but a believer

The least relief can find.

From men great skill professing

I thought a cure to gain;

But this proved more distressing,

And added to my pain;

Some said that nothing ailed me,

Some gave me up for lost;

Thus every refuge failed me,

And all my hopes were crossed.

At length this great Physician,

How matchless is His grace!

Accepted my petition,

And undertook my case;

First gave me sight to view him,

For sin my eyes had sealed;

Then bid me look unto Him;

I looked, and I was healed.

A dying, risen Jesus,

Seen by the eye of faith,

At once from danger frees us,

And saves the soul from death:

Come, then, to this Physician,

His help He’ll freely give;

He makes no hard condition,

Tis only — look and live.

BIBLE QUIZ

Dear Boys and Girls,

This month our quiz is taken from the book of II Kings, which should make it quite easy — only one book of the Bible in which to search for the answers. The first letters spell out a part of the message which the prophet Isaiah was to bring to King Hezekiah, who was sick. Since the king had been told that he would die from his sickness, it was very good news for him.

Elsewhere in this issue you will find a poem entitled — “The Good Physician” by John Newton. Be sure to read this poem or have your father or mother read it to you. The poet tells of our serious sickness, which is sin, and that there is only one Physician who can cure this sickness. We pray that the Lord may show us our sickness and that we might turn to him in prayer as King Hezekiah did.

Here is the quiz —

To whom did Ahaziah send messengers to ask if he would recover from his disease?

When Elisha smote the waters of Jordan, he said, “Where is the Lord God of _____.”

Where did the whirlwind bring Elijah?

A poor woman told Elisha that she had nothing in her house “save a pot of _____.”

The king of Babylon sent _____ and a present to Hezekiah when he heard that he had been sick.

Hezekian said, “Let the shadow return backward ten _____.”

Elisha cut down a stick, and cast it into the water, and the _____ did swim.

Elisha sent a messenger unto Naaman, saying, “Go and _____ in Jordan seven times.”

What was the name of the prophet who brought the message to Hezekiah, “Set thine house in order?”

What was to be laid upon Hezekiah’s boil in order that he might recover?

Naaman was a mighty man in valour, but he was a _____.

Whom did Benhadad, king of Syria, send to Elisha to see if he would recover?

“And they slew the sons of Zedekiah before his _____ and put out the _____ of Zedekiah.”

What was the name of the mother of Hezekiah?

King Amon did that which was evil in the sight of the _____.

Manasseh was _____ years old when he became king.

Who was the mother of King Manasseh?

Who became king in place of Sennacherib, after he had been killed by two of his sons?

King Manasseh observed times, and used _____, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards.

Answers to the quiz should be sent to Garret J. Moerdyk, 1104 Roseland Avenue, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001.

Answers to the July quiz are as follows

“The Lord, He Is The Lord” I Kings 18:39

Tyre I Kings 5

Halt I Kings 18:21

Elisha I Kings 19:19–21

Lame II Samuel 4:4

Obadiah I Kings 18:4

Rehoboam I Kings 11:43

Darts II Samuel 18:14

Hushai II Samuel 17:14

Elijah I Kings 17:1

Ishbosheth II Samuel 2:8–9

Sheba I Kings 10:1

Two I Kings 12:28–29

Honey I Kings 14:1–4

Ethbaal I Kings 16:31

Grave I Kings 14:13

Obededom II Samuel 6:10–11

Dwell I Kings 17:9

During the past month answers to the quiz were received from the following boys and girls —

Tom Blok

Curt Jenison

Joyce Van Den Top

Judy VanDenTop

Gloria VanDenTop

Darlene Van Den Top

Linda Bleeker

Denise Carol Zaremba

Donna Lyn Zaremba

Joan Lugthart

Val Lugthart

Louis De Maagd

George De Maagd

Marilyn De Maagd

Bill Boluyt

Joan Velier

Darlene Velier

Arline Kieboom

Ella Kieboom

Laurie Easterhoff

Tim Vander Waal

John Van der Waal

Betty Van der Waal

Martha Vander Male

Mary Jean Vander Male

Lilly Ann Vander Male

Betty Jean Van Der Weile

Joanne Beeke

Eleanor Meeuwse

Ruth Meeuwse

Carol Jean Van Bemden

Dianne Van Ravenswaay

Marilyn Van Ravenswaay

Jo Ann Van Ravenswaay

Esther Van Ravenswaay

Marsha Koedam

Roger Kaat

Janice Kaat

Miriam E. Kuperus

David Kuperus

Arlene Kuperus

Hans Kuperus

Carolyn Van Koeveringe

John Van Koeveringe

Joan Spaans

Gert Spaans

Cindy Hoogendoorn

Carla Schelling

Teresa Vander Meulen

Frances Vander Meulen

Joyce Vander Meulen

Alice Moerdyk

John Verhey

Gary Roozenboom

Dave Verhey

Todd Van Middendorp

Dan Meeuwse

Dan Lords

Lisa Lords

Henry Rosendall

Laura Rosendall

Judy Sweetman

Joan Van Zweden

Paul Vandenberg

Arie Vandenberg

Cordy Vandenberg

Janetta Vandenberg

Lillian Berman

Tammy Kaat

Janet Sweetman

Jenny Lee Sweetman

Tunis Sweetman, Jr.

Janet Van Driel

Ralph Van Zweden

Janet Van Zweden

Mary Ellen Van Zweden

John Van Zweden

Cheryl Berman

Jane Derksen

Roger Derksen

Russell Derksen

Joyce Derksen

Helen Van Dyke

Ruth Van Dyke

Evelyn Van Dyke

Mary Bakker

Julie Frens

Mary Beth Frens

Art Vander Waal

Gary Vander Waal

Tonia Vander Waal

Janet Vander Waal

Tommy Greendyk

Nick Greendyk

Alida Greendyk

David Greendyk

Billy Greendyk

Richard Allen Rozeboom

Mark Van Tilburg

Mary Van Tilburg

Denise Van Ravenswaay

Alane Van Ravenswaay

Mary Kievit

Ruth Kievit

Edna Vander Meulen

Mary Ann Kamp

Betty Jean Kamp

Linda Kamp

Carol Overbeeke

Connie Kooiman

Barbara Sue Kamp

Richard Kamp

Ellen Van Ginkel

Christine Koppert

Peter Koppert

Alice Koppert

Nelly Koppert

Billy Van Wingerden

Ruth Ann Van Dalen

Peter Feyter

Bruce Blok

Gary Blok

John Blok

Caren Nieuwenhuis

Bill Moerdyk

Ed Van Woudenberg

John Neels

Albert Bouma

Sharon Bouma

Bob Vander Boon

Susan Vander Boon

James Westrate Peter W. Kievit

Alfred Hup

Dennis Hup

Harvey Hup

Judy Teunissen

Lanna Teunissen

Kathy Van Giessen

Jim Van Giessen

Judy Koedam

Marinus Slingerland

Judy Slingerland

Mark Heystek

Linda Remus

John Remus

Janet Remus

Nancy Vande Stouwe

Shirley Rus

Arnold Rus

Wendy Grisnich

Randy Vande Stouwe

Cheryl Grisnich

Rhonda Grisnich

Faith Van Dyke

Tom Van Dyke

Dave Van Dyke

Amy Mieras

Conny A. Boesterd

Francina Boesterd

Roelie Stapel

Hermina Faye Hubers

Donna Marie Hubers

Helen Hubers

Arthur den Hoed

Rudolph Stapel

Henrietta Stapel

Janice Stapel

Mary Jean den Hoed

Priscilla Kay Van Ree

Susan Jane Van Ree

Tim De Visser

Janny Van Wingerden

Billy Van Wingerden

John Van Wingerden

Roxanne Herfst

Alma Van Beek

Albert Van Grouw

Janet Van Grouw

Stephan Vanden Brink

Delia Vanden Brink

Roy Vanden Brink

Jean De Jongh

Ruth Boonzaayer

Karel Boonzaayer

Esther Boonzaayer

Joyce Kamp

Billy Kamp

Ruth Kamp

Thomas Kamp

Neal Boerkoel

Ruth Boerkoel

Joanne Geerling

Elizabeth Geerling

Marguerite van den Brink

Henry van den Brink

Raymond Rieder

? Southway

Debbie Droogers

Billy Droogers

Again it is time to answer our letters —

DELLA VANDEN BRINK — We hope your mother is feeling much better again, Delia. Do you like to help with the housework and the cooking? We don’t realize how much work there is in the house until mother is gone for a few days.

CONNY A. BOESTERD — We are all quite well, Conny. Does your father use his barbeque quite often? How was the berry crop this year? I suppose you picked a lot of them. We are happy to hear that you liked the book and got just the one you wanted.

RHONDA GRISNICH — Did you pass your swimming test, Rhonda? Was it quite difficult? I can imagine that you worked real hard at it. Have you memorized Isaiah 53 yet? I hope you will be able to win a book because you did so well.

MARK HEYSTEK — Did you manage to pick quite a few strawberries, Mark? Have you ever counted how many there are in a quart? Thank you for your gift to the mission fund, and also for your picture which you sent me. I learn to know quite a few of my friends by their pictures.

RUTH ANN VAN DALEN — We have a small garden, Ruth Ann, so it doesn’t keep us very busy. But there are always lots of other things to do. Do you help keep the weeds out of the garden? Sometimes they grow much faster than the vegetables do.

PETER W. KIEVIT — Thanks again for the postage stamps, Peter. We have quite a few to send away again. Have you done any travelling this summer? Or have you been busy working all summer? If you are busy, those few months of vacation go by so quickly.

BILLY VAN WINGERDEN — It was nice to hear from you again, Billy. How many greenhouses do you have? Do you help in the greenhouse, too? I suppose you are enjoying summer vacation. Or are you counting the days until school starts again?

ALICE KOPPERT — It was very nice to see you and your family again, Alice. I thought the Junior Choir did real well at the Youth Conference. How many cows do you have now? Did you give the new calf a name? If we had had more time, we would have liked to visit your farm again.

TONIA VANDER WAAL — At the present time the weather here is cool and rainy, Tonia. It is not the weather you would expect in July. I was glad to hear that you had learned quite a bit from the book which we sent you. Did you read the other book also?

JOAN VAN ZWEDEN — It was real nice to see you again last month, Joan. I was certainly surprised to see how much you had grown. I can imagine that you really enjoyed your trip. You are doing lots of travelling during your vacation.

MARY BAKKER — We were glad to receive your letter, Mary. Yes, we keep real busy, too. We have had some hot weather, but really not a lot of it. What subject in school do you like best? Or do you like them all? School days will soon be here again.

FRANCINA BOESTERD — Did your cousin Wim arrive safely, Francina? There are many people travelling by plane across the ocean. Have you ever been in a plane? Thank you for the picture. Andrew has grown to be a big boy.

ROELIE STAPEL — I see 1 have two letters from you to answer, Roelie. Because of my vacation last month, I wasn’t able to answer those which arrived after we had left on our trip. It certainly was nice to see you and your family again. Especially after several years, it is quite obvious that we are all growing older.

MIRIAM E. KUPERUS — Yes, we met your parents in Norwich, Miriam. I suppose they have told you all about it. Did they have a safe return trip? I suppose you would have liked to be with them. What are you doing during your vacation?

MARTIN PETER VLIETSTRA — We were happy to hear that you had a nice trip to Michigan, Martin. One nice thing about the summer months is the possibility of meeting many of our friends. Do you think that you would like to live in Michigan?

NANCY VANDE STOUWE — Congratulations on the new baby sister, Nancy. I suppose you were real happy it was a sister. No doubt you are busy helping your mother with all the work to be done.

RAYMOND RIEDER — You were still not late in answering the quiz, Raymond. It sounds as if you had a nice trip on your vacation. Was it the first time that you had seen Niagara Falls? Do you like to travel? It can be quite tiring when you travel long distances.

WENDY GRISNICH — I was happy to hear that your report card was “pretty good”, Wendy. Does that mean mostly A’s, B’s, or C’s? You certainly must have done a lot of walking when you went to Calgary with your class in order to see all those places.

JANET VAN ZWEDEN — Yes, you wrote a nice long letter, Janet. That certainly was a bad accident near Alford, about which you wrote. Speeding is so often the problem. How do you like to sleep in your new camper?

MARINUS SLINGERLAND — Since you helped with the quiz, I also listed your name, Marinus. Each time that you do them, you will find it will be a little easier. Is the new barn about finished? It was very nice of you to write. Say Hello to Judy.

ELIZABETH GEERLING — You also have two letters here, Elizabeth. Now I know what Dutch Sets are. It sounds as if you have quite a large garden. Dc you help keep the garden clean of weeds? I thought the youth choir sounded very nice at the Youth Conference.

HENRY VAN DEN BRINK — I don’t really know how your name would be listed if you didn’t answer the quiz, Henry. Possibly they were answers from the month before. Or maybe there is someone else with the same name. Do you suppose that is possible?

CAROLYN VAN KOEVERINGE — We are glad to have you join in answering the Bible quiz, Carolyn. Each month we find boys and girls who are answering for the first time. Are you getting anxious to have school begin again?

ARLENE KUPERUS — How did you get along when your parents were gone, Arlene? I’m sure you missed them, even though your grandparents were with you. In the Bible we read about a father and mother who went travelling without their son, who was twelve. Can you tell me who he was?

JOHN VAN ZWEDEN — We would like to make a trip to Iowa and South Dakota again sometime, John. I suppose by the time you receive this issue, you will have made your long trip to Lethbridge. I certainly hope you have a safe trip.

JOANNE GEERLING — Congratula tions on the good report card, Joanne. I always like to see boys and girls get good marks, although I know it is harder for some than it is for others. It wasn’t so many years ago that all the trains had steam engines.

HANS KUPERUS — If you won a trophy at the music recital, Hans, you must have done real well. That ought to make you practice all the more. How many instruments of music do you know of that are mentioned in the Bible?

CHRISTINE KOPPERT — You must be quite a good swimmer, Christine. How far can you swim at one time? Can you tell me where in the New Testament that we read about some people swimming? That question is probably a difficult one.

JEAN DE JONGH — Yes, I do like strawberries, Jean. Do you pick a lot of strawberries? You did real well in answering the quiz for the first time. We hope you will keep right on with them, so that we see your answers arrive every month.

MARY VAN ZWEDEN — Did Joan like her visit to the zoo, Mary. It is amazing how many different animals there are. At one time we had some quizzes about the animals mentioned in the Bible, but that was probably before you were answering our quiz.

JOHN NEELS — I was glad you liked your book, John. Have you finished reading it? What are you doing during the summer months? Since you live on the farm, you probably have many different things to do. What do you like to do best?

ED VAN WOUDENBERG — What are you doing during the summer months, Ed? We haven’t heard of any broken legs yet this summer, and we hope that there won’t be any. Is your leg completely healed? Broken bones can sometimes take a long time to heal.

RALPH VAN ZWEDEN — Your letter is the last one this time, Ralph. As you can imagine, the mailman always stops at our house, and we look forward to hearing from you. Say Hello to your parents and grandparents for us.

And to all the boys and girls — don’t forget to put your names on your answers, because we don’t want to miss listing your name with the others.

With love,

Your friend,

“Uncle Garret”

1104 Roseland Avenue

Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001

THE 1970 YOUTH CONFERENCE

On July 1st the 1970 Youth Conference was held in the new church of Norwich, Canada. The afternoon session was opened with the singing of Psalter 140, stanzas 3 and 4, after which Rev. Kieboom asked the Lord’s blessing upon the meeting and read the 12th chapter of the Book of Ecclesiastes. He spoke briefly about the first verse of this chapter, “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them.” Elder Stubbe announced the speakers and the various events on the program.

Rev. Elshout, who attended a Youth Conference for the first time, addressed those present on the subject — “Authority.” He pointed out that the Bible teaches us that all authority is of God, whether it be in the government, the church, the schools, or the homes. Obedience to father and mother was the subject of the address given by Mr. Peter Beeke. In the evening session Dr. Deur spoke about drugs and their mis-use, warning against them. Mr. John Beeke spoke about the new morality, and how the road signs on the highway of life were being changed in our days from those which God has given us in His Word. From the brief descriptions given, it is evident that the speakers were anxious to stress the importance of using God’s Word as our guide in all situations. Rev. Lamain closed the conference with a short address and with prayer.

During both afternoon and evening sessions, the Norwich Choir and the Norwich Children’s Choir sang several numbers, Miss Mary Pels sang two solo numbers, and she with her sister Marianne sang two duet numbers. Mr. Garret Moerdyk gave a Bible quiz to the boys and girls, on which they did exceptionally well in answering the questions asked.

It is unfortunate that distances prohibit attendance from the young people in the United States, but we hope it may be possible to publish some of the talks given in later issues of our paper.

GOD HAS A RIGHT TO OUR UNQUESTIONING OBEDIENCE

These are larger words that I like to use, but I think you can all understand them. You know we are taught to pray that God’s “will may be done on earth, as it is in heaven.” A Sabbath-school teacher once asked his class, how the angels obey God. Different answers were given, but the best was that of a little boy who said, “They obey without asking questions.” That is true. It was an excellent answer.

I have sometimes heard a mother call to her daughter, “Mary, come here a minute!” Mary is playing with her doll, and instead of getting up and running to her mother, she goes on fixing her doll and says in a very nasty tone, “Oh what do you want?”

“John, here, I want you to go on an errand,’ says a father to his son. John is making a tail for his kite. Instead of at once doing what his father tells him, he keeps on with what he is doing and says, “Won’t it do by and by, when I get through with fixing my kite?”

That is not the way in which the angels obey. They do everything that God tells them to do, and they do it at once without stopping to ask any questions. This is what I mean by unquestioning obedience. God has a right to expect this kind of obedience from us. He expects us to do everything that He commands, and it is proper to do this because everything God commands is right. Others may command things which are not right, and then we are not to obey. It is right to obey our rulers, but only when their laws are according to the laws of God. Nebuchadnezzar made a law that all people should worship the graven image which he had set up, or be cast into the fiery furnance. Shadrach, Meshech and Abednego refused to obey, and they did right. The rulers of Jerusalem forbade the apostles to preach about Jesus. But they went on preaching, and when they were brought to trial they said, “We must obey God rather than men.” We must not obey even our teachers or parents, if they command us to do anything plainly contrary to the will of God.

I knew a Sabbath-school boy once who became a Christian when he was about fourteen years old. His father used to keep a grocery store, and on Sabbath mornings he would open his store for an hour to supply his customers with goods. The father always called his son in the morning to open the store. The boy never thought there was anything wrong in it until he became a Christian. Then he thought about God’s command. This thought troubled him very much. He did not know what to do. He was very unwilling to disobey his heavenly Father. He was afraid his father would turn him out of doors if he refused to open the store when he told him to do so. He was greatly distressed. But he prayed to God to show him what to do, and at last he determined to obey God, whatever the consequence might be, and trust that God would take care of him. Having come to this decision he waited anxiously for the end of the week. It came at last. Late on Saturday night, when the store was closed, and the work finished, just before going to bed, he told his father that he wanted to be an obedient son and do all that he told him, but that he felt that opening the store and selling goods on the Sabbath was breaking God’s commandment, and he hoped he would excuse him from doing that. Just as he supposed, his father was very angry and told him if he was too good to do what he told him, he must leave his house and seek another home. He said he might stay until Monday morning and then go. But, on Monday morning his father called him to open the store as usual and said no more to him about going away. In a short time afterwards his father gave notice to his customers that he wouldn’t open his store any more on Sabbath. Then he took to going to church regularly; he soon became a member of the church and loved that son more than ever.

It may not be always right to obey without questioning all that others command us, but, it is always right to obey without questioning every thing that God commands. He never does wrong Himself, and never commands others to do wrong. Whatever He tells us to do must be right. But the first obedient act which will please Him is our wholehearted response to his command to repent and believe the Gospel, for “without faith it is impossible to please him, for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

“An incident I had read about Hudson Taylor was a strength to my faith. He had been speaking at a meeting in a city in the United States, and was to take a day’s journey the following day to another city where he was to speak in the evening; but he did not have the money for his ticket. Although he was staying with a wealthy man, he did not feel free to mention his need of money, for he had God to confide in.

“The coachman had been given orders to be ready in good time in the morning as there was only one train which would get him to his destination in time. That morning one thing after another went wrong in the stables, and although the coachman was told not to spare the horses, Hudson Taylor was late for the train. His host was very distressed, and could not understand Hudson Taylor’s calm. As they stood there, a man came running towards them waving an envelope, delighted that he had managed to catch Hudson Taylor. He, in his turn, was then able to tell them that this was the money for his ticket. It was quite incredible to his host that Mr. Taylor should have been staying with him without mentioning that he had not sufficient money for his journey. Mr. Taylor found a train that was going in the direction in which he was to travel and with several changes he would reach his destination, but without the least chance of arriving in time for the meeting. Many wonderful things happened that day and Hudson Taylor arrived in time. He sent a wire to his host: ‘My Father runs the trains’.”

Cheering Words

ANIMALS OF THE BIBLE THE LION

The lion has been mentioned in the Bible more times than any other wild beast, and there are many references to its roaring, its appetite and its den. For many years it has not been seen in Palestine.

Samson killed a young lion that was prowling in a vineyard. David told King Saul how he caught and killed a lion that stole a lamb from the flock. One way of caputring lions was to dig a pit into which they fell. A man who had done mighty deeds went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion. (II Samuel 23:20).

In Job 4:11, the natural death of a lion is referred to — the time when it grows too old to catch its prey, and dies of hunger.

Perhaps the best-known Bible story about lions is that of Daniel being cast into a lions’ den - and of God protecting him from harm.

GRACIOUS DELAY

A poor woman stood at a gate looking into a vineyard.

“Would you like some grapes?” asked the owner.

“I should be very grateful,” replied the woman.

“Then give me your basket.”

Quickly the basket was handed over. The owner took it and was gone a long time among the vines, till the woman became discouraged, thinking that he was not coming again.

At last he returned with the basket heaped full. “I have made you wait a good while,” he said, “but you know the longer you have to wait the more grapes you receive!”

So sometimes it is in prayer, We bring our empty basket to God and pass it over the gate of prayer to Him. He seems to be delaying a long time, and sometimes faith gets weary with waiting. But at last He comes, and our basket is heaped full with blessings. He waited longer that He might bring us a better and fuller measure, and even more gracious answer to our deepest needs.

(Cheering Words)

THE ANVIL

“The Word of God shall stand for ever. “-Isaiah 40:8

One night, while we were standing beside the village spring

We heard the blacksmith’s anvil in tones of clearness ring.

And where the smith was working, the shadows failed to hide

A heap of worn-out hammers, which he had cast aside.

We said, “How many anvils did it require, we pray,

To wear out all those hammers which you have thrown away?”

He said, “This only anvil is all I have to show;

For it resists the hammers, and wears them out, you know.”

And, like a solid anvil, the sacred Scripture stands;

And fiercely is it beaten by unbelievers’ hands.

With noise, and show of learning, they make a large display;

But, like the blacksmith’s hammer, they wear themselves away.

That Anvil is for weapons whose edge is always keen;

And used for making armour for ages it has been.

On it are formed the sandals, by which brave feet are shod;

And heroes shape their helmets upon the Word of God.

But some, who once in Scripture professed to find their joy,

Today appear to labour its message to destroy.

Abortive are their labours, and fruitless all their pains;

Unmoved by all that threatens, the Anvil still remains.

With sparks, and smoke and vapour, they fashion forms of doubt,

Until, amid the shadows, the hammers are worn out.

While all the passing ages their varied hammers bring,

They always fail to silence that ancient Anvil’s ring.

Above the direful discord, which from contention springs,

In measured tones majestic that Anvil’s message rings: —

“His light forever shineth; night is to Him as day;

The word which He hath spoken shall never pass away.”

—T. Watson (Y.P.M.)

THE DUTY OF CHRISTIAN CHILDREN

“Know thou the God of thy father.” I Chronicles 28:9

“My father’s God, and I will exalt Him.” Exodus 15:2

Every parent who has the knowledge of God desires that his or her children would obtain that knowledge too. You are here called upon by the Word of God to seek to know your father’s God. You know what God your father worships, but you do not know Him. You are here commanded to come to know God for yourself. It is not enough to believe that your father knew God and that God did many things for him. “Acquaint now thyself with Him and be at peace.” This knowledge is life eternal.

How are you to obtain this knowledge? See how Solomon came to know Him. Solomon continued to worship in the way that his father had taught him to worship, and it was while thus engaged, that God appeared to him and spoke to him. The Holy Spirit of God uses the written and spoken Word of God to speak to us, and you are to use these means to find the God of your father. It is a big thing to claim to know God. Beware of easy ways to the obtaining of this knowledge. There are many religious teachers who will make it very easy for you to come to the knowledge of God, but you are to wait for the Spirit of God to reveal Him unto you. Conversion is God’s work. When I say you are to wait for God, I do not mean that you are to sit back and do nothing, but what I mean is that you are to wait at the Word and prayer until you know that God is speaking to your soul. God makes Himself known in and through the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and the Holy Spirit alone can show this Person to the soul. “Know thou the God of thy father,” and not God as you or someone else imagines Him to be. And when you come to that knowledge, seek to say with Moses, “My father’s God, and I will exalt Him.”

Rev. A. E. W. MacDonald (Y.P.M.)

THE SOUL OF MAN

John Flavel once wrote, “I studied to know many other things, but I knew not myself. It was with me, as with a servant to whom the master committed two things: the child and the child’s clothes. The servant is very careful of the clothes; brushes and washes, starches and irons them, and keeps them safe and clean; but the child is forgotten and lost. My body, which is but the garment of my soul was long forgotten, and had been lost for ever, as others daily are, had not God roused it by the convictions of His Spirit out of that deep oblivion and deadly slumber.”

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