A PERIODICAL FOR YOUNG AND OLD

AUTHORITY

I would like to speak a few words about a subject that is related to the very well known story of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram recorded in Numbers 16. Korah, who was a nephew of Moses and Aaron, wanted to be high priest instead of Aaron. Dathan and Abiram, people out of the tribe of Reuben, wanted to be the political leaders of Israel. Together they plotted a conspiracy to overthrow the government. Korah would be the new religious leader; Dathan and Abiram would be the new political leaders.

Why did they want to be the leaders? You all know that the Lord had led the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt and had made Aaron priest and Moses their leader. When they were living in the desert, they were not satisfied with their situation and they came to Moses. You can imagine that to live in the desert is not so nice. Who was responsible for their misery? Was it Moses’ fault that they had been living for so long in that desert? No, it was their own fault. They did not believe the Lord when he told them to enter into Canaan; therefore they were punished. Instead of bowing before the Lord, they rebelled. They wanted to go their own way. “When we were in Egypt, that was a good time for us,” they said to Moses. “You have led us out of that good land of Egypt and brought us into this desert.” They gathered 250 of the princes of the people and they all plotted rebellion against Moses and Aaron. It was not only a rebellion against Moses and Aaron; no, their rebellion was directly aimed at God himself because God had appointed Moses and Aaron to be their leaders.

We see the very same thing happening today in the United States and Canada. There is a resistance against those who have authority over us. I thought it would be proper to speak a few words about that authority in general.

What is the reason, friends, for all that rebellion, that revolution, that resistance against all kinds of authority? Well, in our time we have the struggle between two principles about authority. One principle says — and that is the principle taught in the Bible — that all authority comes from God. God gave parents authority over their children; God gave teachers authority over their students; God gave the consistories authority over the members of the church; God gave the police officers authority over the subjects of the country; God gave the government authority over the nation. All authority is from God. Therefore a police officer or a teacher is as well a servant of God as a minister. We are serving, of course, in different fields. But all that are in authority are the servants of God. It has pleased God to govern us by others. That is the Biblical version of authority.

But there is another version that says all authority comes from man. Men give other men authority over them. They choose them; they ask them to serve their interests. They only see authorities as people to serve them. As soon as there is a conflict between the interests of those who voted for authorities and the way authorities act, they revolt. They say, “We don’t want to obey you anymore. We want to do our own will. We want to follow our own rules.”

We have all this trouble because we are living in times in which the Bible is placed so far from daily life. The Bible does not teach rebellion or revolution. The Bible teaches us submission. The Bible does not tell us that we can just make our own rules; no, the Bible tells us, “Honor thy father and thy mother.” We must subject ourselves not only to the good and gentle people who are reigning over us but, as Peter says it, even the froward, those who are not nice to us. We have to deny ourselves. Because we are living in times in which that old, sinful principle — that we want to be our own master, to make our own rules — has developed to such a degree, we are really living now in times in which those who have authority have much difficulty exercising their authority.

Let us today, my friends, when we are here together, inform one another again about Biblical principles. In high schools and in colleges, children are taught the principle that authority comes from man. All Bible standards in our times are so degraded and have such little impact on daily life that we and our children are influenced by that wrong, unbiblical principle. It is like a poisonous gas going all over the world making it so hard to be a father, mother, teacher, elder, deacon, minister, to be any person in authority because there is so much resistance instead of submissiveness. The story of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram teaches us so plainly that the Lord is highly displeased with all those kinds of revolution.

Moses cried to the Lord, “What must I do with these people?” And you know what happened. The Lord commanded the rebellious people to stand apart, and He would show unto whom He had given authority. And were all people consumed? Some not. The children of Korah were not consumed by that fire from heaven. Why not? Well, they stayed away from the rebellion of their father against the government of God. They showed clearly with their life that they did not agree with their father; therefore they were not consumed.

Boys, girls, stay away from rebellious activities in your schools. Stay away from all those demonstrations. There is a way of voicing our dissent. Talk it over with your father, with your mother, with your teacher, with those who have authority over you. But don’t take the reins into your own hands. Submit yourselves to the authorities. Honor them, as it is written in the word of God. The children of Korah were not consumed. They stuck to the rules set in the word of God, denying themselves.

There was another man, On, the son of Peleth. Originally, he joined that plot but he withdrew himself in time. He thought it over and decided he would rather stick to the rules set in the word of God.

I know they call people like us who want to live close to the word of God Fundamentalists. That’s no shame. Let them call us fundalmentalists. I would like to ask a question, and you may ask the same question if people mock at Fundamentalists. We can prove that Fundamentalistic preaching and way of living has brought a blessing over Canada and over the United States. As long as the word of God was honored in government and in family life there was prosperity in the country. Let those modernists tell us what profit their attitude and their modern viewpoints have brought to the country. You can see it in schools, you can see it in families, you can see it all over the world. Those modernist views only brought confusion, separation, misery.

Let no one of you be deceived. Authority is not out of man. Authority is out of God. Remember that old promise of God: “Honor thy father and thy mother that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee,” and as it is explained by Paul, that you may have a long life in the favor of God. Oh, that this may be taken into consideration, boys and girls. We have then to fight against ourselves, to stay away from rebellious activities against the word of God. It is better to stay alone in the world with God than to have a multitude behind us without God. The Lord has said: those who honor me I will honor, but those who dishonor me will be found wanting. That it might be our delight to sing and to exercise what has been written in Psalter 42:3 & 4 (Psalms 19).

The fear of God is undefiled

And ever shall endure;

The statutes of the Lord are truth

And righteousness most pure.

They warn from ways of wickedness

Displeasing to the Lord,

And in the keeping of His word

There is a great reward.

(The above article is taken from the address given by Rev. A. Elshout at the 1970 Youth Conference in Vineland)

THE REWARD OF GRACE

“And a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.” Ruth 2:12b

Ruth’s choice “thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God” means that she took refuge under the wings of the God of Israel. Her choice was a fruit of faith. A true, saving faith (which the Holy Ghost works by means of the Word) reveals itself in a flight for refuge to Him who is a Re–warder of them that diligently seek Him. In contrast to her sister–in–law Orpah, Ruth sought the welfare of her body and soul for time and eternity in the God of Israel. Once she arrived in Israel, she seldom stayed home. She went out to obtain the basic necessities for her mother–in–law and herself. Seeking refuge in the Lord does not exclude the use of the means by which we can obtain the necessary things for body and soul. On the contrary, He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. A faith, a choice, without works is dead. The reward that the Lord in His Word promises to those that seek Him is no “merited” reward, but a reward of grace. That reward does not flow from the merit of works but from the loving–kindness of the Lord. Truly upright people are no reward–seekers who work because a reward is connected with it, but because the Lord is worthy and because they delight in the law of God after the inward man. One can detect the state of the inner man according to his works as one reads the temperature from a thermometer. To how many must the Lord say, “Thou wicked and slothful servant?” To how many of His children must the Lord say, “I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love … repent, and do the first works?” Those that take refuge under the shadow of the Lord’s wings will not be put to shame. They will see the goodness of the Lord. Their reward shall come from the Lord.

Read: Ruth 2:1–13, Psalm 19

(Rev. Al Elshout — Translated from Bijbels Dagboek)

BIBLE QUIZ

Dear Boys and Girls,

This month our questions are taken from three books of the Bible, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther. The stories of Ezra and Nehemiah are not as well known as that of Esther, but I think you will get to know them better as you answer the quiz. Most of the questions are about the types of work done by the people in those days. The first letters will spell out the occupation of Nehemiah before he went to the city of Jerusalem to rebuild the wall.

As the people built the wall, the man that sounded the _________ was to be with Nehemiah.

Esther was brought into the king’s house to the custody of _________ , keeper of the women.

Working with Nehemiah was _________ the high priest, who helped to build the sheep gate.

King Ahasuerus found written that Mordecai had told of two men, _________ of the door, who had sought to kill the king.

Ahasuerus reigned from __________ even unto Ethiopia.

In what month did Nehemiah request the king to send him to Jerusalem to rebuild it?

Malchiah also helped Nehemiah in rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem, and he was the son of the _________.

After the wall was completed, Nehemiah testified against the merchants and _________ of all kind of ware who lodged without Jerusalem on the Sabbath day.

King Ahasuerus had seven _________ who served in his presence.

Mordecai brought us Esther, who was the daughter of his _________.

Nehemiah also saw some treading wine _________ on the sabbath, against whom he protested.

Cyrus the king made a proclamation saying, The Lord God hath charged me to __________ him an house at Jerusalem.

Who was the son of Seraiah and was a priest and a ready scribe in the law of Moses?

Nehemiah had a letter from the king unto _________ , the keeper of the king’s forest.

In the days of Ezra, Tatnai was governor beyond the _________ .

Tatnai was instructed by King Darius to let the governor and _________ of the Jews build the house of God and to assist them in their needs.

The last verse of Nehemiah contains his frequent prayer — “ _________ me, O my God, for good.”

Answers to the September quiz are as follows:

“Wisdom and Knowledge”

– II Chronicles 1:10

Wickedly II Chronicles 22:1–3

Images II Chronicles 28:1–2

Shishak II Chronicles 12:5

Dwell I Chronicles 17:1

Old II Chronicles 10:13

Moriah II Chronicles 3:1

Ahio I Chronicles 13:7

Nahash I Chronicles 19:1–2

David I Chronicles 21:1

Knees II Chronicles 6:12–14

Nathan I Chronicles 17:14

Oman I Chronicles 22:18–27

Wisdom II Chronicles 9:1–6

Lahmi I Chronicles 20:5

Eyes II Chronicles 14:2

Dagon I Chronicles 10:10

Gilboa IChronicles 10:8

Ethiopian II Chronicles 14:9

During the month answers were received from the following boys and girls:

Linda Bleeker

Laurie Ann Spaans

Lisa Lords

Dan Lords

Cheryl Berman

Lillian Berman

Curt Jenison

Mary Jean Vander Male

Lilly Ann Vander Male

Laura Rosendall

Henry Rosendall

Marilyn De Maagd

George De Maagd

Louis De Maagd

Amy Mieras

Kristi Rademaker

Jane Rademaker

Joanne Beeke

Cornelia Heykoop

Nellie Heykoop

Joan Velier

John Verhey

Dave Verhey

Tim Van der Waal

John Van der Waal

Betty Van der Waal

Jane Baker

Janet Van Driel

Judy Sweetman

Janet Sweetman

Tunis Sweetman, Jr.

Jenny Lee Sweetman

Debbie Droogers (2)

Billy Droogers (2)

Mary Jean den Hoed

Dianne Van Ravenswaay

Marilyn Van Ravenswaay

JoAnn Van Ravenswaay

Esther Van Ravenswaay

Arthur den Hoed

James Van Tilburg

Mark Van Tilburg

Mary Van Tilburg

Arline Kieboom

Ella Kieboom

Tom Blok

Gary Kwekel

Char Kwekel

Danny Meeuwsc

Mark Meeuwsc

Konnie De Vries

Arie Van Vugt

Randy Teunissen

Mark Teunissen

Shirley Slotsema

Steve Slotsema

Sue Slotsema

Alice Moerdyk

Bruce Blok

Darlene Van Den Top

Joyce Van Den Top

Judy Van Den Top

Gloria Van Den Top

Bob Vander Boon

Susan Vander Boon

Delia Vanden Brink

Roy Vanden Brink

Stephan Vanden Brink

Eleanor Meeuwse

Ruth Mceuwse

Val Lugthart

Joan Lugthart

Denise Carol Zaremba

Donna Lyn Zaremba

Cheryl Kalee

Debbie Kalee

Karel Kalee

John Blok

Roelie Stapel

Rudolph Stapel

Janice Stapel

Julie Ann Frens

Mary Frens

Betty Jean Kamp

Linda Kamp

Mary Ann Kamp Bill Boluyt

Carol Jean Van Bemden

Adrian Heykoop Billy Van Wingerden

Betty Jean Van Dcr Weile

Peter Feyter

John Martin Vander Wiele

Jane Ellen Vander Wiele

Linda Vande Waerdt

Elizabeth Mast

Neil Daniel Mast

Jane Renee Mast

Todd Van Middendorp (3)

Marsha Koedam

Ed Van Woudenberg

Beverly Southway

Barbara Southway

Arie Vandenberg

Cordy Vandenberg

Paul Vandenberg

Teresa Vander Meulen

Frances Vander Meulen

Joyce Vander Meulen

Janetta Vandenberg Priscilla Van Ree

Judy Slingerland

Gary Blok

Sandy Van Giessen

Gary Van Giessen

Randy Van Giessen

Alma Van Beek

Joanne Gewrling

Elizabeth Geerling

Lois Pluim

Jan Pluim

David Pluim

Arlene Kuperus

David Kuperus

David Charles Vlietstra

Hans Kuperus

Miriam Kuperus

Kathy Van Giessen

Sharon Bouma

Albert Bouma

Ruth Van Grouw

Ruth Ann Marie Van Dalen (2)

Jane Derksen

Roger Derksen

Russell Derksen

Joyce Derksen

Edward Easterhoff

Raymod Rieder

Kristine Rieder

John Remus

Linda Remus

Janet Remus

Janet Van Driel

Jim Van Giessen

Arnold Rus

Rhonda Grisnich

Wendy Grisnich

Cheryl Grisnich

Joan Spaans

Gert Spanns

David Greendyk

Tommy Greendyk

Lynn Vroegindewey

Billy Greendyk

Alida Greendyk

Mary Van Zweden

Janet Van Zweden

John Van Zweden

Ralph Van Zweden

Joan Van Zweden

Susan L. VerWys

Kathy VerWys

Ellen VerWys

Kathy Kaat

Tammy Kaat

Jeff Kaat

Peter Koppert

Christine Koppert

Alice Koppert

Randy Vande Stouwe

Nancy Vane Stouwe

Gary Roozenboom

John Neels

Joyce Kamp

Tom Kamp

Ruth Kamp

Billy Kamp

Jacob Van Dalen

Bobby Van Grouw

Esther Boonzaayer

Richard Allen Rozeboom

Hermina I aye Hubers

Donna Marie Hubers

Helen Hubers

Ruth Boonzaayer

Janice Vlietstra

Martin Peter Vlietstra

Ellen Van Ginkel

It is again time to answer the letters which we have received —

RHONDA GRISNICH — Your letter is first this time, Rhonda. We have been having some rainy weather the past week, but otherwise the weather has been quite nice. I was happy to hear that you thought the questions were quite easy. Sometimes I wonder if they aren’t too difficult.

CORNELIA HEYKOOP — Your answers were all correct, Cornelia. Did you type them all out yourself? 1 suppose your grandfather and grandmother will soon be going home again. Can you talk Dutch real well? They would not like it too well if they could not talk to you.

ED VAN WOUDENBERG — Lots of boys are probably out looking for jobs during the summer months, Ed, so that doesn’t make it any easier to find one. But I’m sure you were able to keep busy. Are you glad that school has started again?

JANET REMUS — I was happy to hear that you had a nice summer vacation, Janet. It seems like quite a long time as we look ahead, but it is soon past. The Bible tells us that our days are as grass. Do you know what that means? Did you stay at a cottage for a week?

RAYMOND RIEDER — If you were studying about the book of Kings, our quiz must have been an easy one for you, Raymond. Does everyone in your Sunday School class write an essay about Manasseh, or does each one choose a different person to write about? Say Hello to Kristine for me.

RUTH ANN MARIE VAN DALEN — You are doing quite well in typing, Ruth Ann. Or do you just use the name Ruth? When we or someone in our family are sick, then we realize what a wonderful blessing it is to be healthy. We often don’t appreciate it until we have to miss it. I notice I have two letters from you to answer.

ELLEN VER WYS — A belated happy birthday to you, Ellen. We hope that you may have many more of them. How’s school? When you wrote, you weren’t too sure you liked it, but I suppose by this time you have learned to like it. Am I right?

ALICE KOPPERT — It was nice to hear from you again, Alice. I think Robbie probably misses everyone when you are all off to school. Probably he would like to go with you. Are you still learning Bible texts in school? I recall that you were doing real well in memorizing them a year or two ago.

JOHN NEELS — Your answers arrived in time, John. We sometimes think our mail travels slowly, but you can imagine what it must have been like in Bible times. At that time they had to send private messengers. Can you give me an example of this from the Bible?

HANS KUPERUS — You did real well in finding eleven musical instruments in the Bible. Hans. I am wondering if anyone can find more than that. We will have to wait and see. How are you getting along in school? Say Hello to your parents for us.

JUDY SLINGERLAND — I was real sorry to hear about Marinus’ accident, Judy. We hope that he is coming along O.K. Did the tractor tip over? Is he able to do some of his school studies in the hospital? Be sure to say Hello to him for us. (Judy’s brother, Marinus, had an accident with a tractor and broke his pelvis. He will have to be in the hospital for about two months. If you would like to send him a card, his address is Box 664, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.)

KATHY VER WYS — We are quite well. Kathy, and hope you are too. I met your teacher a few weeks ago, so now I know who he is. Did you see the pictures which Rev. Kuijt showed of his work? How much we should appreciate the good food which we have.

DELLA VANDEN BRINK — It was good to hear from you again, Delia. You seem to have kept quite busy all summer. Do you have a lake nearby where you can swim? I guess the weather for swimming is past for this year, that is, unless you have an inside pool.

ELIZABETH GEERLING — Does your dentist have an easy name to spell. Elizabeth? Does he speak Chinese to you? Maybe you can learn some Chinese words. 1 imagine you were happy that you didn’t have as many cavities as your sister had.

ROELIE STAPEL — Thanks for the stamps. Roelie. I suppose you are keeping real busy with homework these days. Perhaps by the time you receive this issue, you will have moved into your new church. It will be a big change, after all those years in the same church building.

JOHN VAN ZWEDEN — I missed your answers that one month, John, so I knew you must have been on your trip. Did you figure out how many miles you went all together? You certainly have lots of things to tell about to the boys and girls at school.

SUSAN VER WYS — What is your teachers name, Susan? Do you like to draw pictures? Or what do you do in art? I remember that I never did like art classes in school, but then I guess that was because I was not too good at it.

JOHN REMUS — You really had quite a trip, John. Did you like your ride in a 747? Was this the first time that you had been in Holland? I suppose you were happy to be home again. Or do you think that you would rather live in Holland?

WENDY GR1SNICH — I was happy to hear that you had finished reading the book which we gave out, Wendy, and especially that you had learned about places of which you had never heard. Now when you read the Bible, you will be able to better understand the places about which you read.

RALPH VAN ZWEDEN — We were glad to hear that you had such a nice trip, Ralph. It was probably quite nice to see all of your relatives again. I am sure your grandfather and grandmother were happy to see you. How are the baby rabbits getting along?

JOANNE GEERLING — Are you glad to be back in school again, Joanne? Which subject do you like best? Of course, we hope you are studying hard and doing your best in all of them, even though you may like one subject better than the other.

JANET VAN ZWEDEN — You must have been busy all the time on your trip, Janet. At least it seems you saw so many things. Were you tired of travelling before you were home again? Did you have any flat tires or any car trouble along the way?

JOAN VAN ZWEDEN — You must be an experienced camper now, Joan. I can imagine it was quite cold in the mountains. 1 am sure you will be talking about your trip for a long time. I can still remember as a boy when we visited your father’s family in New Jersey.

MARY VAN ZWEDEN — Your letter is the last one this time. Mary. I hope that someday you’ll lake a trip with your camper to Michigan. Can you tell me of people in the Bible who went on trips — some for one reason, some for another? Say Hello to your parents and grandparents for us.

Many thanks, boys and girls, for your answers and letters. We hope you are all busy with your school studies, but also with your Bible study and catechism lessons. The Lord Jesus said, “But one thing is needful” — that we might learn to seek for it. Your answers should be sent to me at 1104 Roseland Avenue. Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001.

With love,

your friend,

“Uncle Garret”

NOTES OF INTEREST

A Synod Resolution of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland:

There is evidence that the ‘permissiveness’ of the age has influenced the Church. In particular this is the case in the dress of the women, and in the hair–styles of both men and women.

The Word of God demands of women that they be dressed in modest apparel, and the Synod urge the women of the Church to give heed to this counsel. Not only does it require modesty of dress but also distinction in dress between the sexes. The practice of men and women wearing clothes which obliterates this distinction is quite contrary to God’s Word and expressly declared to be an abomination to Him. “The women shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God.” Deuteronomy 22:5.

The Word of God clearly teaches that the hair of women should be long and the hair of man (and boys) short. Long and short are relatives. To argue from hence that the matter cannot be determined is to cast the most serious and solemn apersion upon the Divine wisdom. “Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.” I Corinthians 11:14–15. The Church must therefore condemn these practices as contrary to God’s Word and direct her people to seek the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ to enable them to live unspotted in the world.

BROAD WALL OF JERUSALEM DISCOVERED —

“Next unto them Uzziel. the sons of’ Harharah. of the goldsmiths, repaired Next unto him also repaired Hananiah, the son of one of the apothecaries. and they fortified Jerusalem unto the broad wall” (Nehemiah 3:8).

“And the other company of them who gave thanks went over against them, and I after them, and the half of the people upon the wall, from beyond the tower of the furnaces even unto the broad wall” (Nehemiah 12:38).

These two references in the Biblical description of Jerusalem’s fortifications after the return of the Jews from the seventy year Babylonian exile, both contain references to “the broad wall.” The remains of that wall have been unearthed this past month by an Israel archaeologist, Professor Nahman Avigad of the Hebrew University.

The archaeologist said an 80–foot stretch of the wall some 23 feet thick had been found. Having been built of boulders and roughly cut stone, its height varied from three to ten feet. The find settled questions about the history and topography of Jerusalem that had been debated for generations.

To the Christian who believes in the infallibility of Holy Scripture, this is one more archaeological discovery which confirms the authenticity of the Word of God. (Christian Beacon).

JOHN THE BAPTIST

We hear nothing of John the Baptist during his youth, excepting that he was pious, and lived much in the deserts. When he was twenty–seven or thirty years of age he began to preach. He did not, however, go to the cities but remained in the wilderness.

We may wonder how he found a congregation there. Probably his singular habits and his holy life had caused him to be much spoken of. He was clothed in a manner unlike persons of his station; for he wore a sort of cloth made of coarse camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle; and he ate locusts, insects about an inch long, which, being nourished by leaves, are fit to eat. He fed also on honey, which is abundant in the woods and among the rocks of Judea. Men went into the wilderness to see him, and these bringing back a wonderful report of him induced others to come, till at length crowds were collected to hear his sermons. God can easily draw people to hear His faithful ministers, if He will. No doubt John rejoiced to behold such multitudes of persons, for he longed to point them all to the only Saviour. What was the subject of his first sermons? Repentance! What is repentance? Is it change of conduct only? No; people who have never repented, sometimes reform their lives. A person may see it to be his interest to lead a better life, and for that reason he may amend. Is it sorrow for sin? Sorrow is part of repentance, but there is a sorrow that is not repentance; sorrow for the consequences of sin is not repentance. Saul the king of Israel was sorry when he heard he had lost his kingdom by disobedience, but he was not sorry for his sin, only for his punishment. True repentance is a change of mind and heart. A man who really repents feels grieved because he has offended God, and he longs to serve God better in time to come. Can a person change his own heart? It is impossible; therefore we know that repentance must be the gift of God. Yet John told the people to repent. because he knew that God was willing to bestow repentance.

The chief object of John’s ministry was to announce the coming of the Lord. This he did when he said, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’’ No doubt he explained to the people the meaning of this declaration. We may understand its meaning by comparing it with other parts of Scripture. When Satan tempted our first parents to eat the forbidden fruit, he set up his kingdom upon the earth; he became the god of this world. But God sent his Son to dethrone Satan, and establish His own kingdom. As soon as a sinner believes in Christ, he passes into the kingdom of heaven, or of Christ. Paul, in his epistle to the Colossians speaking of the Father, says, “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son (Colossians 1:13).

John the Baptist was like a herald who proclaims the approach of a glorious monarch, or like a pioneer who prepares his way through a desert. He knew that unless men repented of their sins, they would not receive the Saviour with gladness. He did not preach in vain. Many felt convinced of their sins, and, anxious to be cleansed from their guilt and pollution, they were baptized in Jordan, confessing their sins.

But could the waters of Jordan cleanse their souls? The waters of all the rivers in the world could not wash out one spot from the soul. Why then were they baptized? It had long been the custom for the Jews to baptize heathens who had forsaken idols for the worship of the true God. But John baptized the Jews, as a testimony that they also needed purification. At length he pointed to Jesus and cried, “Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world.” It is the blood of that Lamb which cleanses from sin, and that blood alone. The saints in heaven are now clothed in pure and spotless garments. But was it baptism that made them white? Hear what the Scripture saith, “These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. (Rev. 7:17).

A REMARKABLE ANSWER

In the backwoods of Canada there resided a good minister, who one evening went out to meditate, as Isaac did, in the fields. He soon found himself on the borders of a forest, which he entered, and walked along a track which had been trodden before him, and he began to think how he should spend a night in the forest. He trembled at the idea of remaining there, with the poor shelter of a tree into which he would be compelled to climb.

Suddenly he saw a light in the distance among the trees, and, imagining that it might be from the window of some cottage where he could find a hospitable retreat, he hastened to it. To his surprise, he saw a space cleared and trees laid down to make a platform. and upon it a speaker addressing a multitude. He thought to himself, “I have stumbled on a company of people, who in the dark forest have assembled to worship God, and some minister is preaching to them at this late hour of the evening concerning the kingdom of God and His righteousness.”

But to his surprise and horror, when he came nearer, he found a young man declaiming against God, daring the Almighty to do His worst upon him, speaking terrible things in wrath against the justice of the Most High, and venturing most bold and awful assertions concerning his own disbelief in a future state.

It was altogether a singular scene; it was lighted by pine–knots, which cast a glare here and there while the thick darkness in other places still reigned. The people were intent on listening to the orator, and when he sat down thunders of applause were given to him; each one seemed to want to outdo the other in his praise. Thought the minister, “1 must not let this pass; I must rise and speak; the honor of my God and His cause demands it.” But he feared to speak, for he knew not what to say. having come there suddenly; but he would have ventured, had not something else occurred.

A man of middle age, hale and strong, rose and said, ‘ My friends, I have a word to speak to you tonight. I am not about to refute any of the arguments of the orator. I shall not criticize his style; I shall say nothing concerning what I believe to be the blasphemies he has uttered; but I shall simply relate to you a fact, and after I have finished, you shall draw your own conclusions.

“Yesterday I walked by the side of yonder river. I saw on its floods a young man in a boat. The boat was out of control; it was going rapidly toward the rapids. He could not use the oars, and I saw he was not capable of bringing the boat to the shore. I saw that young man wring his hands in agony. At last he gave up the attempt to save his life, kneeled down and cried with desperate earnestness, “O God! save my soul! If my body cannot be saved, save my soul.” I heard him confess that he had been a blasphemer; I heard him vow that if his life were spared he would never be such again; I heard him implore the mercy of heaven for Jesus Christ’s sake, and earnestly plead that he might be washed in his blood.

“These arms saved that young man from the flood. I plunged in, brought the boat to shore, and saved his life. That same young man has just now addressed you and cursed his Maker. What say you to this, sirs?”

The speaker sat down. You may guess what a shudder ran through the young man himself, and how the audience in one moment changed their tune, and saw that after all, while their tune, and saw that after all, while it was a fine thing to brag against Almighty God on dry land and when danger was far off, it was not quite so grand to think ill of Him when near the verge of the grave. We believe there is enough conscience is every man to convince him that God must punish him for his sin, therefore we think that this text will wake an echo in every heart — “If he turn not, He will whet His sword” Psalm 7:17.

– C. H. Spurgeon (submitted)

GOOD INSTRUCTION

George Whitefield had formed an acquaintance with Benjamin Franklin, who frequently heard him preach, though not, it is to be feared, with the same benefit which so many others had derived from it. “Not many wise after the flesh are called.” In a letter dated August 17, 1752, he thus exhorts his correspondent to still higher pursuits: “I find you grow more and more famous in the learned world. As you have made a pretty considerable progress in the mysteries of electricity, I would now humbly recommend to your diligent, unprejudiced pursuit and study the mystery of the new birth. It is a most important, interesting study, and, when mastered, will richly answer and repay you for all your pains. One, at Whose bar we are shortly to appear, hath solemnly declared that without it we cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven. You will excuse this freedom. I must have something of Christ in all my letters.” (John Whitecross)

ANIMALS OF THE BIBLE THE HORSE

In early Bible times the ass was the main means of transport used by the Hebrews. When we read of horses, the reference is usually to war horses. The early Hebrews were said not to own horses, though the Canaanites had horses and chariots of war.

Later, King David kept some of the chariots and horses captured in battle (II Samuel 8:4). When the Israelites returned from exile, they brought with them six–thousand seven–hundred twenty asses, and only seven–hundred thirty–six horses. (Ezra 2:66).

King Solomon equipped his army with many chariots for which he needed horses. Apparently he also traded in them, obtaining horses from Egypt and selling them to his northern neighbors.

The Assyrians were proud of their horses. They decorated the harness with bells and designs of metal attached to the leather. There is a fine description of a war horse in the Book of Job, chapter 39.

THE KITE

Once on a time a paper kite
Was mounted to a wondrous height,
Where, giddy with its elevation,
It thus expressed self–admiration:
“See how yon crowds of gazing people
Admire my flight above the steeple;

How would they wonder if they knew
All that a kite like me can do!
Were I but free, I’d take a flight,
And pierce the clouds beyond their sight;
But, ah! like a poor prisoner bound.
My string confines me near the ground:
I’d brave the eagle’s towering wing,
Might I but fly without a string.”
It tugged and pulled, while thus it spoke,
To break the string – at last it broke.

Deprived at once of all its stay.
In vain it tried to soar away;
Unable its own weight to bear,
It fluttered downward through the air;
Unable its own course to guide,
The winds soon plunged it in the tide.
Ah! foolish kite, thou had no wing.
How could thou fly without a string?

My heart replied, ‘0 Lord! I see
How much this kite resembles me.
Forgetful that by Thee I stand,
Impatient of Thy ruling hand;
How oft I’ve wished to break the lines
Thy wisdom for my lot assigns?
How oft indulged a vain desire
For something more, or something higher?
And, but for grace and love divine,
A fall thus dreadful had been mine.”

– John Newton

Deze tekst is geautomatiseerd gemaakt en kan nog fouten bevatten. Digibron werkt voortdurend aan correctie. Klik voor het origineel door naar de pdf. Voor opmerkingen, vragen, informatie: contact.

Op Digibron -en alle daarin opgenomen content- is het databankrecht van toepassing. Gebruiksvoorwaarden. Data protection law applies to Digibron and the content of this database. Terms of use.

Printen