A PERIODICAL FOR YOUNG AND OLD

WELL GROUNDED

Dear Young Friends„

It is a good thing to be well grounded in things that are important to us. In your school life, for instance, it will be good for you to be well grounded in the beginnings of knowledge, to learn to read and write well, to use arithmetic correctly, to study your grammar, geography, history and other books. It may seem to be irksome, and to take a lot of time that you would perhaps rather give to play or other things that you like better; but as you grow up in life, you will see how useful these things are, and be glad if you have taken pains with them.

The same applies to any trade or profession that you may take up after you have left school. Your early training may seem to be long and wearisome, but if you wish to succeed, it will be necessary to be well grounded in the elements of knowledge and skill in workmanship which your occupation requires. It is good instruction that, in whatsoever your hands find to do, you should do it with all your might and put your best into it.

If this be true of the things of this life, how much more is it so with regard to the things of eternity? Here indeed we do need to be well grounded in the truth, and well founded in some experience of it. The Lord Jesus in His teaching compared it to the building of a house. You remember about the two men who built a house, one upon the sand, and the other upon a rock. One had a good foundation, but the other a bad one; or really no foundation at all, for it only stood on the sand or the earth. No doubt the man who built on the sand progressed much faster than the other, and perhaps laughed at his neighbor for spending so much time and labor in digging a good foundation. But when the floods came, and the winds beat upon those houses, the one on the rock stood firm, but the other fell to pieces, and great was the fall of it.

What was the secret of the man whose house fell not? We are told -”he digged deep” until he came to the rock. It required much labor and patience, but proved to be worthwhile in the end; for the other man’s house fell in ruin. What then is this digging deep with respect to our souls and eternity? It is to be taught, and brought to see and feel, how lost is our condition and how sinful we are both in heart and life. This is the work of the Holy Spirit, for He alone can rightly convince of sin so that we realize that we are lost and need to be saved. It will be more than a mere notion that all are sinners, or that we have done some wrong things. It will be a deep feeling of the evils that dwell within our hearts, as well as a painful consciousness of our many transgressions; so that we realize “the leprosy lies deep within,” and we shall “daily feel ourselves undone.” It is good to be well grounded in this knowledge, though it will be painful and need much patient seeking and waiting before we can find deliverance from it.

But this “digging deep” is to bring us to that only Foundation which God has laid in Zion, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. If we are built upon that Foundation, no storms of life or death will ever shake us off it. How good then to be brought to rest alone upon Him, and the work He has accomplished, and to “know no other stand!” The Father sent His Son to be the propitiation for the sins of all His people, and our concern will be to know that we have an interest in that great work of redemption.

Beware then of building without a good foundation, and seek to be well convinced of sin and brought to rest alone upon Christ and His finished work. Beware of a hasty growth. Some seed of the Word fell on stony ground and soon grew up, but when the sun arose it withered away; and other seed fell among thorns and was choked by the cares of this life and the lusts of other things. We need to have the fallow ground of our hearts broken up by deep digging, so that the seed may be received into good ground, and grow up and bring forth good fruit. Some turn religious and “accept Christ,” as they think and call it; but a deeper work than this is necessary if we would be truly saved. May you be born again and taught of the Spirit.

(The Friendly Companion).

BIBLE QUIZ

Dear Boys and Girls,

Last month we finished with the books of the Old Testament, and are now ready to begin with the books of the New Testament. This fits in very nicely with the time of the year, since in the weeks before Easter it is the custom in our churches to remember in a special way the sufferings of the Lord Jesus in His human nature. We are taught in our catechism lessons that He suffered all during His life, but especially toward the end of His life. Therefore our quiz this month on the first four books of the New Testament should be quite easy and very timely.

It is our prayer that the Lord by His Spirit will show each of us our urgent need for a Savior, so that we might become true seekers for His help in the days of our youth.

The first letters of our quiz will spell out the two places mentioned in the Bible where the Lord Jesus suffered greatly during His last days on earth. They both start with the letter “G”.

The people of what country asked Jesus to depart from them after he had cast out devils into a herd of swine?

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the_____________.

On the shore of what sea did Jesus reveal himself to his disciples after his resurrection?

The title placed on the cross was written in__________and Greek and Latin.

Jesus sent the man who was born blind unto the pool of_________to wash after he had anointed his eyes with clay.

When Jesus was on the mountain with Peter, James, and John, who with Moses appeared unto them?

At what event in Cana of Galilee did Jesus change water into wine?

Jesus said, “Strive to___________in at the strait gate.”

What was the name of the ruler of the Jews who came to Jesus at night?

Jesus told him, “________ a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Who was the father of the apostle James (not James, the brother of John)?

Near the gates of what city did Jesus and his disciples meet a funeral procession?

“And lead us not into temptation, but________ us from evil.”

The woman who said, “Yes, Lord, yet the dogs under the table eat of the children’s crumbs”, was a______.

And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of ________.

What is the name of the man who lived in Bethany and had two sisters, Mary and Martha?

Jesus, walking by what sea, saw two brothers, Simon and Andrew, casting a net into the sea?

In the parable of the ten virgins, the foolish virgins took no_______in their vessels with their lamps.

James and John were sumamed Boanerges, which is, The sons of_________.

For whose sake was John the Baptist put into prison by Herod?

When Jesus was in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, there came a woman with an________ box of ointment.

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

The answers to the March quiz are as follows:

“Twelve Minor Prophets” Tom Hosea 6:1

Ways

Ease

Line

Vomited

Elkoshite

Messenger

Iddo

Nineveh

Oven

Haggai 1:5

Amos 6:1

Zechariah 2:1

Jonah 2:10

Nahum 1:1

Malachi 3:1

Zechariah 1:1

Jonah 1:1–2

Malachi 4:1

Return

Prayer

Repent

Obadiah

People

Hezekiah

Earthquake

Thousands

Spirit

Hosea 14:1

Habakkuk 3:1

Jonah 3:6–9

Obadiah

Zephaniah 3:12

Micah 1:1

Amos 1:1

Micah 5:2

Joel 2:28

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

Todd Van Middendorp

Roger Van Beek

Jonathan Van Beek

David Van Beek

Laurie Ann Spaans

Curt Jenison

Mary Kievit

John Verhey

Dave Verhey

Billy Van Wingerden (2)

Janny Van Wingerden (2)

John Van Wingerden (2)

David Touw

Nicholas Bush

Adrian Bush

Linda Keizer

Peter Feyter

Harvey Spaans

Dianne Van Ravenswaay

Marilyn Van Ravenswaay

JoAnn Van Ravenswaay

Esther Van Ravenswaay

Ronald Van Wingerden

Peter Kievit

Carol Van Den Top

Marlene Van Den Top

Eleanor Meeuwse

Ruth Meeuwse

Billy Stubbe

Rhea Stubbe

Mark Teunissen

Randy Teunissen

Jacky Walma

Andy Walma

Alma Van Beek

Joann Van Beek

Amden Van Beek

Arline Kieboom

Ella Kieboom

Billy Greendyk

David Greendyk

Alida Greendyk

Nick Greendyk

Bobby Greendyk

Ed Van Woudenberg

Carol Van Bemden

Cornelia J. Heykoop

Russ Derksen

Rog Derksen

Joyce Vander Meulen

Harmen Vander Meulen

Frances Vander Meulen

Teresa Vander Meulen

Judy Elizabeth Sweetman

Janet Arlene Sweetman

Tunis Sweetman, Jr.

Jenny Lee Sweetman

Tom Blok

Gary Blok

Bruce Blok

Mary Jean Vander Male

Lilly Ann Vander Male

Donna Zaremba

Denise Carol Zaremba

Nellie Heykoop

Linda Bleeker

Martin Oudshoorn (2)

Gladys Van Bochove

Jim Nieuwenhuis

Carolyn Van Koeveringe

Jane Vcrblaauw

Bruce Verblaauw

John Van Koeveringe

Marilyn De Maagd

Diana Oudshoorn (2)

John Oudshoorn (2)

Billy Oudshoorn (2)

Val Lugthart

Loan Lugthart

Jerry Pluim

Rose Pluim

Gloria Pluim

John Blok

Bill Moerdyk

Joanne Beeke

Sue Slotsema

Steve Slotsema

Shirley Slotsema

Cheryl Kalee

Debbie Kalee

Karel Kalee

Daryl Van Den Top

Eldon Van Den Top

Darlene Van Den Top

Gloria Van Den Top

Judy Van Den Top

Joyce Van Den Top

Janet Van Driel

Mary Kamp

Betty Jean Kamp

Linda Kamp

Janet Remus

John Remus

Linda Remus

John Martin Vander Wiele

Jane Ellen Vander Wiele

Tommy Greendyk

Todd Prol

Jeffrey Prol

Sharon Bouma

Albert Bouma

Brenda Fletcher

Barbara Sue Kamp

Richard Kamp

Mary Van Tilburg

Leah Van Tilburg

Cheryl Grisnich

Wendy Grisnich

Rhonda Grisnich

Glenda Van Beek

Audrey Van Beek

Lavonne Van Beek

Ronald Van Beek

Jim Zomer

Laura Rosendall

Henry Rosendall

Connie Kooiman

David Spaans

Larry Spaans

Janice Spaans

Alice Koppert

Christine Koppert

Peter Koppert

Nelly Koppert

Delores Rozeboom

Mary Rozeboom

Walter Rozeboom

Ellen Van Ginkel

Robert Etelman

David Etelman

Sue Vander Boon

Gloria Rus

Harlan Lee Rus

Melvin Jay Rus

John Neels

Mark Van Zweden

Mary Van Zweden

Kenny Overbeeke

Janet Van Zweden

Lawrence Overbeeke

Alfred Hup

Harvey Hup

Joan Spaans

Gertrude Spaans

Joan Van Zweden

John Van Zweden

Ralph Van Zweden

Bob Vander Boon

Judy Teunissen

Lanna Teunissen

Bill Droogers

Debbie Droogers (2)

Beverly Southway

Barbara Southway

Maria Boonzaayer

Ruth Boonzaayer

Esther Boonzaayer

Karel Boonzaayer

Betty Jean Van Der Weile

Joanne Vande Waerdt (2)

Linda Vande Waerdt (2)

Wayne Vande Waerdt (2)

Julie Frens

Mary Frens

Sharon Frens

Marianne Van Hoepen (2)

John Van Hoepen (2)

Kenneth Rus

Arlene Southway

Peter Southway

Arthur den Hoed

Mary Jean den Hoed

Kathleen den Hoed

Joleen den Hoed

Ruth De Visser

Steven Boluyt

Bill Boluyt

Dan Lords

Lisa Lords

Arlene Van Egdom

Wendy Van Egdom

John Marinus Goeman

Karen Sue Goeman

Mark Meeuwse

Dan Meeuwse

Peter Feyter

Arie Vandenberg

Jeanette Vandenberg

Cordy Vandenberg

Paul Vandenberg

Billy Van Wingerden

Kenneth Van Wingerden

Deanna Lynn Wynia

Carl Moore

John Neels

Duane Alan Rus

Judy Slingerland

William Slingerland

Charles Van Veldhuizen

Marlene Van Veldhuizen

Gary Roozenboom

Alice Moerdyk

Amy Mieras

Ray Grisnich

Gerarda Grisnich

Peter Grisnich

William Grisnich

Ruth Boerkoel

Marty Van Wyk

Billy Van Wyk

Jane R. Mast

Neil D. Mast

Hermina Hubers

Donna Marie Hubers

Helen Hubers

Marcia Hubers

Ruth Kamp (2)

Joyce Kamp (2)

Marilyn Kamp (2)

Debbie Kamp

Billy Kamp (2)

Tom Kamp (2)

Carol Mol

Jim Mol

Robert Louis Mol

Jacqueline Bolle

Mike Bolle

Marilyn Bolle

Arie Van Vugt

Kathy Van Giessen

Jim Van Giessen

Jennie Van Dyke

Evelyn Van Dyke

Helen Van Dyke

Ruth Van Dyke

Cindy Hoogendoorn

Denise Van Ravenswaay

Alane Van Ravenswaay

Arnold Rus

Shirley Rus

Joanne Geerling

Elizabeth Geerling

Arlene Kuperus

Miriam Kuperus

Hans Kuperus

Delia Vanden Brink

Roy Vanden Brink

Stephan Vanden Brink

Sandy Van Giessen

Gary Van Giessen

Randy Van Giessen

Randy Vande Stouwe

Kaye Vande Berg

Jim Westrate

John Bazen

Nancy Vande Stouwe

Bernie Vlietstra

Fred Vlietstra

Henrietta Stapel

Janice Stapel

Rudolph Stapel

Roelie Stapel

Janice Vlietstra

Martin Peter Vlietstra

David Vlietstra

Carolyn Van Grouw

And now let’s see if we can reply to the letters which we received —

DELLA VANDEN BRINK — Your letter is right on top, Delia. This week we are having snow almost every day, but not too much of it stays on the ground. I imagine that is quite a chore to bottle-feed a puppy. How many times a day was a feeding necessary?

MIRIAM KUPERUS — How do you like going to school in Canada, Miriam? Is it different than in California? I hope you are feeling better now. Maybe you were homesick. I am sure you have found some new friends for playmates.

ELIZABETH GEERLING — I was glad to hear that your last report card was an improvement over the previous one, Elizabeth. That is always a good sign that you are studying. Robins seem to be quite plentiful now, even though the weather isn’t too much like spring.

JUDY SLINGERLAND — We are happy to have William join in answering the quiz, Judy. If he finds a few questions too difficult, I’m sure you can help him out. Your report card wasn’t so bad, and you also made some improvement.

JOAN VAN ZWEDEN — We, too, have had some slippery conditions lately, Joan. That means everyone has to be especially careful in driving, but also in walking. Of course, young people don’t worry about slippery sidewalks like the older people do.

GERARDA GRISNICH — It is nice to hear from you, Gerarda, and to have you join in answering the quizzes. You can usually be quite certain they are correct if the first letters spell out the right words. I suppose you are anxiously awaiting your grandmother’s arrival.

JACKY WALMA — You found your name listed in the March issue, didn’t you, Jacky? Because our material has to be in to the printer quite early, it always takes two months before your name appears. But if you send in your answers every month, your name should always be there.

MARTIN OUDSHOORN — It was nice to hear from you again, Martin. Congratulations on the new baby brother. Were you happy he was a boy? It looks like the girls are outnumbered in your family. What are you making in woodworking class?

CAROLYN VAN KOEVERINGE — We hope you are feeling better again, Carolyn. How is the rhubarb growing? Do you have heat in the barn? You can probably tell that I don’t know much about farming. How are you getting along in school?

RONALD VAN WINGERDEN — How many different kinds of plants do you have, Ronald? If you weren’t quite so far away, I certainly would like to buy some. I was happy to receive your letter, and hope that you will write again.

PETER GRISNICH — We are quite well, Peter. Thirty-seven degrees below zero is really cold, isn’t it. Did you think the Bible quiz was easy this month? I always have to be careful that it isn’t too easy, but also not to difficult.

ALICE KOPPERT — Where do you go to school after the 8th grade, Alice? Is the high school in Norwich? I see you found the school which was mentioned in the Bible. Another question — can you tell me of three different instructors in the life of Moses?

ARLENE AND WENDY VAN EGDOM — It was real nice of you to join with the others in answering the quizzes. And your answers were all correct. We hope that you will continue to answer each month and that you will learn to know much more about God’s Word.

BILLY VAN WINGERDEN — I do not think I was ever in the People Park church, Billy. Where will the new church be built? Do you know how many years ago it was that the old church was built? I’m sure it was long before you were born.

JANET VAN ZWEDEN — Are you having nicer weather now, Janet? How nice the warm sun seems after a cold winter. I suppose your father will soon be planting his garden. Or aren’t you going to have one this year?

PETER FEYTER — If your answers arrive too late for one month, we list your name the following month, Peter. So I guess they are never too late. We have been talking about making a trip to your part of the country this summer, the Lord willing. So we may surprise you some day.

RHEA STUBBE — We are glad to have you join with us in answering the quiz, Rhea. I am sure that we at one time heard from your brothers when they were younger. I hope they haven’t forgotten all they learned, so that they can help you when you need it.

DEBBIE DROOGERS — How did you like to sleep at school, Debbie? It probably wasn’t too comfortable, was it. We don’t always appreciate our homes as we should until we have to be away from home. Were most of the boys and girls there?

JOHN NEELS — It sounds as if you didn’t mind missing a week of school because of the weather, John. Do you suppose that there were some who did? You spent a busy day in order to apply seventeen squares of roof shakes. Do you like that kind of work?

ED VAN WOUDENBERG — If you are planning a trip to the Netherlands this summer, Ed, you are probably already counting the days. Have you been there before? It was once a long trip to make, but that is so much different today.

JANET REMUS — Was your old church too small, Janet? I am sure it seems strange to have services elsewhere. How old is Arlene now? She must keep you real busy when you are home. What is your teacher’s name whom you like so well?

JOANNE GEERLING — What were the results of your exams, Joanne? Better than you expected? They soon show what has been accomplished — whether the teacher has been doing a good job and whether you have. Today we had a nice sunny day, but it is still rather cool.

BILLY STUBBE — I see that you are another new friend, Billy. As you can see from our list, we have quite a few friends, but we are always happy to see the list grow. I like summer better, but I suppose that is because I don’t care to play in the snow.

ROELIE STAPEL — Your letter was still in time, Roelie. I read in the newspaper about the heavy snowfall you had. It is pretty to look at, but not too nice for getting to work and to school. Have you heard anything further regarding your application?

WILLIAM GRISNICH — Your answers all checked out O.K., William. Because the Banner of Truth is sent by second class mail, it often takes quite a while to cross the country. But I think that at times it must stay in one place for quite a while.

WILLIAM SLINGERLAND — It was real nice to hear from you also, William. I have just one brother and one sister, so that is a much smaller family than your family. Are you in the same grade as David Kuperus is? It is nice that you live quite near each other.

CHRISTINE KOPPERT — I can imagine it wasn’t very nice not to be able to play with the others while your arm was healing, Christine. Were you able to keep up with all of your school work? You probably don’t even mind doing the dishes now that your arm is better.

MARY VAN ZWEDEN — We were glad to hear that your grandfather is feeling much better again, Mary. Has he been able to preach again? Be sure to give him and your grandmother our greetings. I suppose you have put away your ice skates for this winter.

ROY VANDEN BRINK — We did not know that your minister was also in the hospital, Roy. We hope that he is feeling much better again. There is so much sickness in the world which we see especially when we visit someone in the hospital.

NELLY KOPPERT — Are you feeling better again, Nelly? During the winter months many people had the flu. There was once a time when there was no sicknesses on the earth. Do you know when this was, and why these sicknesses came?

RALPH VAN ZWEDEN — What are you doing outdoors now, Ralph, since you can no longer slide and ice skate? I am sure that you still spend lots of time outdoors. We hope you don’t have floods in your area like they do in some places.

JOHN VAN ZWEDEN — Did you have your spring vacation already, John? I would guess by the time you receive this issue, spring vacation will be past. But summer vacation isn’t very far away anymore. Say hello to your parents for us.

This is the end of our letters for this month, and again we thank you for your replies to the quiz, also your letters, notes, pictures, stamps, etc. May we hear from you again next month, the Lord willing and we live.

With love,

Your friend,

“Uncle Garret”

THE CAPTAIN OF A WHALER

Many years ago a young man was made a captain of a whaling ship that sailed out on the Pacific Ocean. About ten days before he was to sail on the first ship committed to his charge, it so happened that he attended a church service at a certain place. There he heard preaching which he could not forget and which left deep impressions on his heart. A very remarkable change took place in the heart of this young man, who had hitherto been so indifferent and lighthearted, so that his friends did not know him any more. He, who formerly never gave a command without swearing, did not curse any more. His curses were changed into prayers and cries.

Once at sea they waited in vain for several weeks for the appearance of a whale. Finally two hours before sunset on a Sunday evening the long awaited call rang out, “There is one!” At once everything was in motion on deck. The men were getting ready to let the boats down into the sea and enter them. At first the excitement of his men worked infectiously upon him, but the temptation soon passed. The words “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy” sounded powerfully in his soul; and with a loud voice he commanded that not a boat should be let down into the sea that day.

We can imagine the anger and the resistance of his men. The captain had a hard time trying to convince them, but he did not budge an inch and his brave attitude quieted the opposition. And when he promised that he alone would assume all responsibility for the loss they would suffer, they soon became calm.

“But will the owner of our ship be pleased with this loss?” asked the first mate mockingly. He was the officer next in rank below the captain, and he thought he would now show a little of his authority. “I and all the other men want a signed statement from you that you are acting on your own authority and that we have all protested against your action.”

In a friendly way the captain replied that such a statement would not be legal if drawn up on Sunday, but he would do so the following day. He did not say this without sorrow, as he felt that his actions could have harmful consequences for him. What shipowner would accept him as a captain?

The first mate, realizing this, and feeling some compassion towards the captain, said, “See here, Captain, I have a wife and five children to take care of, and when providence brings a whale in sight on Sunday, I believe that we must catch him. That is my viewpoint.”

The captain, seated upon a bench, was completely lost in his thoughts and was not aware that his partner was with him. He was continually repeating the words to himself, “Thy will be done!” His view was directed to the setting sun in the west, when he was aroused from his musing by the first mate, who exclaimed, “Captain! Look how fast the baromoter is dropping!”

It was very fortunate that none of the men had left the ship and that the crew was complete, because within half an hour every hand was astir and busy. It was the beginning of a struggle with a fierce hurricane which lasted for three days. The Lord heard the many prayers and protected them wonderfully, but when the storm was over, they found that they were hundreds of miles from the place where the storm first struck them. For all the fears and terrors they endured, they were again richly rewarded. This was God’s merciful hand, and the captain bowed low to give thanks and honor to the Keeper of Israel. Although the place where the mighty hand of God had directed them during the storm was hitherto one of the poorest locations for fishing, it now became one of the richest ones. The captain must have thought about the words of the Lord Jesus, “Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find.” When the Lord comes, He often comes unperceived and unexpectedly, that He may receive all glory. He says in His blessed Word, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.”

When the sea was calm, the men found themselves in the midst of a shoal of whales and soon had captured two of them. Within ten months they could return to Sidney with a full load, whereas at other times it took a considerably longer time before they could do so. The owner was so surprised when he heard about the wonderful deliverance and blessing, that he left it entirely to the captain whether or not to send out the boats on the Sabbath. By the grace of God, the captain held fast to his principle, and for a number of years no whaler brought in such a rich cargo — except one.

God moves in a mysterious way

His wonders to perform;

He sets His footsteps in the sea,

And rides upon the storm.

(Submitted)

AS UNTO HIM

Whatever you think, both in joy and in woe,

Think nothing you would not like Jesus to know.

Whatever you say, in a whisper or clear,

Say nothing you would not like Jesus to hear.

Whatever you read, though the page may allure,

Read nothing unless you are perfectly sure

Consternation would not be seen in your look

If God should say solemnly, “Show me that book!”

Whatever you write with haste or with heed,

Write nothing you would not like Jesus to read;

Whatever voicing in the midst of your glees,

Sing nothing that God’s listening ear could displease.

Wherever you go, never go where you’d fear

God’s question being asked you, “What doest thou here?”

(Submitted)

HOW A LITTLE BOY FELL INTO A DIFFICULTY, AND HOW HE GOT OUT AGAIN

The story I am going to tell is an old story because it happened long ago. But it can also be called a new story for it was never told till now. It has lain in a person’s memory all these years, and in that way safely kept though never written on paper. It was written on what Scripture calls “flesh tables” of a child’s heart, and every line can still be clearly read even though that child is now an old man. The human memory is a wonderful work of God. How many things can be written on it, one over the other; yet the one does not blot the other out. Give thanks to God for his gift of memory, and do not allow anything impure to be imprinted on its retentive page.

The little fellow I am going to tell about was the youngest of a group of children who walked in company from several farms to the parish school. At one place the road was carried over a stream by a stone bridge. The girls of the party usually walked over the bridge, but the boys, despising that luxury, usually crossed the stream below the bridge by stepping on the dry heads of boulders lying scattered in the bed of the little river. One morning after heavy rain the stream was swollen and discoloured; it frothed along as if it were angry with everything that hindered its progress. That day only the tips of the largest stones were visible. But the boys were not daunted by the difficulty or dangers. They might have crossed the bridge with dry feet and ease, but it was the adventure they longed for.

So down they went in a troop to try the stepping stones. At close quarters the sight was rather daunting, and some would have liked to retrace their steps, but one or two of the bolder spirits dashed safely over and tossed their caps for glee on the other side. The rest were then afraid. Afraid of what? Of falling into the stream? No, but afraid of being laughed at for cowards should they hesitate. So, eventually they all got across in safety except for the child already referred to. He was small, but no coward except that he dreaded being taken for one. One or two of the older boys, realizing that Willie’s short legs could not be expected to cover the big gaps between the stones, now advised him to take to the bridge. The sense of safety drew Willie to the bridge, but the desire for glory dragged him to the danger. After a moment of suspense he made a dash at the passage, but half-way over he slipped on a wet stone and disappeared into the rushing waters with a splash. In a moment he had risen to his feet and quickly waded ashore, soaked completely.

Now a word of advice to boys. Do not jeer at little ones on account of weaknesses belonging to their small stature and tender age. They are not to blame for these things. On the other hand, little fellows are often very troublesome to their older companions by their peevishness, or pride, or tormenting behaviour. If that kind will foolishly pretend that they can do whatever the big boys do, they must suffer the consequences. When the young ones are gentle, and unassuming, and obedient, generally they will draw from stronger hearts and hands an astonishing measure of kindly protection. But let the younger member of the party be warned that if he be cheeky and make himself equal to his betters, they will leave him to his fate.

But to resume; a council was held on the bank in which the sisters who had come over by the bridge also joined. It was unanimously resolved to send the dripping urchin home, for everyone knew that it would be wrong for him to go to school in wet clothes. So they parted, the larger company onwards to school, and Willie homeward alone, this time by the bridge. The sun was bright and the wind strong, and as Willie at length drew near his home, he found to his horror that his clothes were nearly dry. Why should he count this a calamity, though? Willie knew that his venture in the stream was a fault, but he reckoned correctly that the sympathy produced by his misfortune would soften, if not completely blot out the blame for his fault. As long, therefore, as he was wet, he trudged homeward hopefully, but when he discovered that he was dry, his hope faltered. He had lost the claim for sympathy, and the fault remained with nothing to shade or shield it. He was now afraid to go home lest, for lack of evidence, his story should be disbelieved. The older brothers and sisters could give ample testimony, but they would not return till evening, and the day seemed dreadful to the imagination of the child.

How was he to get out of his trouble? He was a resourceful boy, and that day he put his wits to the stretch. I ought to say here that he had no mother. His father was kind and just, but he was big and he was a man. His eldest sister, full grown and in charge of the house, was a woman; but she was not a mother. I think if his mother had been alive and waiting in the house to receive him, he would have ventured all. As it was, what could he do but rely on his wits? His road lay by a quiet river, a different sort of water from the torrent which had earlier drenched him. Willie looked now at his clothes, alas! dreadfully dry, and now at the murmuring, friendly river. His mind was soon made up. Stepping in, he waded to the middle, performed a sort of curtsey and so dipped himself up to the neck. He then climbed the bank, shook himself, and walked briskly home with a cool skin and a courageous heart. He had regained the lost evidence of his original plunge; he was wet. He was received with the tenderest affection, stripped in haste lest he should catch cold, and dressed in warm clothing. When the other children came home in the evening, they corroborated his story and all went well. Time passed; father, sister, elder brother, in succession were called away from this world and never knew of the little boy’s stratagem.

What do you think of it in its moral aspect? Here is a case where the evil and the good are curiously mixed. The dip in the river was very different from a forgery made to prove a lie. It was to support a truth, yet it was a kind of forgery. It was a device to make truth appear true. The best rule, however, is to leave truth to support itself. In the long run it will prevail, but this poor little fellow was unable to take the “long-run” into account. To lie under suspicion for a whole day, although it was certain that he would be justified in the evening, was too much for him and he resorted to a trick.

Something, perhaps, might plausibly be said in defense of the trick. One might allege that the fall was a fact which could be proved by many witnesses. For a time they were at a distance, but to begin with Willie had a kind of documentary evidence on his person sufficient to prove the truth of his claim, namely, his wet clothes. Then, unfortunately, sun and wind rubbed out his evidence, and Willie merely rubbed it in again.

But whatever force there may be in this reasoning, it would have been a grander thing to have trusted in truth and to have despised all underhand dealings in support of it. Therefore, leaving our readers to settle for themselves the precise amount of our hero’s guilt in this matter, we would suggest something for older people who may read this to think about. Be careful not to tempt children to engage in such stratagems. When they show a disposition to be true, encourage that disposition by trusting them. To expect truth is, at least, one method of getting it from children. “The fear of man bringeth a snare,” and into that snare poor Willie fell when he stepped into the river that day and curtseyed, like a Hindu paying his devotions to the Ganges.

(from The Young

People’s Magazine)

SPRING

Bleak winter is subdued at length,

And forced to yield the day;

The sun has wasted all its strength,

And driven him away.

And now long wished for spring is come,

How altered is the scene!

The trees and shrubs are dressed in bloom,

The earth arrayed in green.

Wherever we tread, beneath our feet,

The clustering flowers spring;

The artless birds, in concert sweet,

Invite our hearts to sing.

But, ah! In vain I strive to join,

Oppressed with sin and doubt;

I feel ‘tis winter still within,

Though all is spring without.

Oh! would my Saviour from on high

Break through these clouds and shine!

No creature then more blessed than I,

No song more loud than mine.

Till then no softly-warbling thrush,

Nor cowslip’s sweet perfume,

Nor beauties of each painted bush,

Can dissipate my gloom.

To Adam, soon as he transgressed,

Thus Eden bloomed in vain;

Not paradise could give him rest,

Or soothe his heart-felt pain.

Yet here an emblem I perceive

Of what the Lord can do;

Dear Saviour, help me to believe,

That I may flourish too.

Thy word can soon my hopes revive,

Can overcome my foes,

And make my languid graces thrive,

And blossom like the rose.

PLANTS OF THE BIBLE THE FLAX PLANT

Flax was an important plant grown in early times. The prepared fibre was spun to make linen and various articles, and is often mentioned in the Bible.

After the crop was pulled, it was spread on the flat roof of the house to dry. We read of Rahab hiding the spies among the stalks of flax. (Joshua 2:6)

When the flax had dried, it was combed, or heckled, to separate the outer layer from the fibre underneath. A busy housewife is described as seeking wool and flax, and working with her hands: that is, weaving cloth and making linen garments.

The finest linen was worn by the Jewish priests, and the curtains of the tabernacle were also embroidered upon the same material. Sails, measuring lines and ropes were made from flax, and one use of the coarse part, or tow, was for lamp wicks.

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