A PERIODICAL FOR YOUNG AND OLD

WHAT DO OUR NEIGHBORS,

THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS,

BELIEVE?

Dear friends,

Last month we saw how we differ with the Adventists in the interpretation of the biblical information given concerning the second or last coming of Christ, sometimes called the advent of Christ. We believe that the numbers used in the book of Revelations are symbolical figures, and do not agree with their mathematical arbitrary applications of the Revelations of John, as they have repeatedly led to predictions and explanations which have proven to be false.

We also differ from the Seventh-day Adventists in regard to which day of the week should be set apart for the service of God. It was in 1863 that the Seventh-day Adventist denomination was formed in America. As mentioned in our previous article, the spiritual father of the Adventists was William Miller, a Baptist minister, who had predicted that the world would come to an end in 1844. When his predictions turned out to be false, his followers were, of course, deeply disappointed. The Adventist movement was about to vanish. However, in 1847 a lady, Ellen Gould White, claimed that she had received a revelation from God which gave new light upon the prophecy of William Miller. She said that the date mentioned by Miller was correct, but that the words of Daniel 8 about the cleansing of the sanctuary had a different interpretation than he had given it. According to her interpretation, heaven consisted of three parts, the court, the sanctuary (the holy place), and the holy of holies (the inner sanctuary), just as the tabernacle and temple upon earth. During the time between His ascension and 1844, Christ had been in the sanctuary (the holy place) in heaven, but then had entered into the holy of holies. We don’t believe that there are different sanctuaries in heaven, and that in heaven any cleansing is required.

The Seventh-day Adventists, like the Mormons and other sects, claim that they receive revelations from God which enable them to infallibly interpret the Bible and to supply new information necessary unto salvation. We wholeheartedly reject the “revelations” upon which they build their beliefs because we believe that the Bible contains all the information needed unto salvation. They feel that one can use any part of the Bible to state and confirm an idea. At the time Ellen Gould White had her “vision,” she saw in the heavenly holy of holies two tables of stone, upon which the Laws had been engraved, and she claimed that a special light shone upon the 4th commandment; from this she concluded that the 4th commandment, the keeping of the seventh day as the Sabbath of the Lord, was still in force. Thus a vision of one woman became the basis of doctrine for the Seventh-day Adventists; in fact, the twentieth article of their Confession of Faith states that they believe that the gift of prophecy belonged to Ellen G. White, meaning that she was truly divinely inspired. Because of her vision the Adventists started to hallow the Saturday instead of Sunday, and continue to do so until the present time. In addition, for them the hallowing of the Sabbath has become the touchstone for true or false Christianity, so that those who hallow the seventh day of the week are the elect and the rest are transgressors. They say that God can only be honored if the Old-Testament Sabbath is hallowed. They claim that we, who believe and teach that the Ten Commandments are still a rule for our conduct but do not hallow the seventh day (Saturday) are inconsistent. Others who don’t believe that the Ten Commandments still have authority also say that if we maintain their authority, then we should hallow the Saturday instead of the Sunday. Are they right? Are we really guilty of changing a commandment of God and thus serving God in will worship on Sunday?

Next time, the Lord willing.

Your friend,

Rev. A Elshout

BIBLE QUIZ

Dear Boys and Girls,

I am sure all of you know of a special day in December which is especially remembered by the church. In order for you to know more about this day and those things which happened at that time, we will make our quiz about them.

The first letters will spell out the words spoken by John the Baptist as he saw Jesus coming unto him. Why do you suppose he called him this? The Holy Spirit had showed John who He was that was coming to him to be baptized, and that He was to be the great sacrifice for sin. How clearly can be seen the wickedness of sin, when such a sacrifice is required to save sinners.

To what place did Herod send the wise men, saying, “Go and search diligently for the young child.”

Simeon said, “For mine_________ have seen thy salvation.”

John preached in the wilderness, saying “Repent ye: for the kingdom of _______is at hand.”

In the book of Revelations, the apostle John tells of hearing a voice saying, “I am Alpha and________

The food of John the Baptist was __________and wild honey.

And John bare record saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a________, and it abode upon him.”

Ceasar Augustus made a decree that all the world should be________.

Joseph went to Bethlehem because he was of the _________and lineage of David.

To what country did Joseph take Mary

and the child Jesus, as commanded by the angel?

Simeon said of the child Jesus, “A ___________to lighten the Gentiles.”

Who became king after the death of King Herod?

Mary wrapped her first born son in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a__________.

Jesus said to Joseph and Mary, “Wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s________?”

The angel said to Mary, “The power of the Highest shall _________thee.”

The angel said unto the shepherds, “ ________not; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy.”

What did the wise men present unto the child Jesus?

Jesus went up to Jerusalem and found in the temple those who sold ________and sheep and doves.

After being baptized, the Lord Jesus was led of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the________.

(Your answers should be sent to me at the following address — Garret J. Moerdyk, 1104 Roseland Avenue, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001)

Answers to the November quiz are as follows —

“Not Make Any Graven Image” Exodus 20:4.

Nehushtan II Kings 18:4

Obededom I Chronicles 13:9-14

Tempest Jonah 1:3 -12

Mercy Exodus 20:6

Anger Exodus 3 2:19

Kingdoms Matthew 4:1-8

Ephesus Acts 19:35

Ahab I Kings 16:29-31

Nebat I Kings 15:1

Youth Matthew 19:16-20

Gideon Judges 6:25-27

Rachel Genesis 31:34

Athens Acts 17 22-23

Vineyard I Kings 21:1-2

Esau Genesis 26:34-35

Nazarite Judges 13:1-5

Imagination Genesis 6:5

Molten II Chronicles 28:1-2

Armies I Samuel 17:45

Gold Daniel 3:1

Elijah I Kings 18:20-21

Answers to the quiz have been received from the following boys and girls —

Janice Polderman

Arthur den Hoed

Kathleen den Hoed

Maryjean den Hoed

Joleen den Hoed

Marilyn De Maagd

Donna Zaremba

Denise Carol Zaremba

Randy Van Giessen

Gary Van Giessen

Sandy Van Giessen

Amy Mieras

Jane Mast

Joy Mast

Neil Mast

Linda Bleeker

Jim Mol

Carol Mol

Laura Rosendall

Henry Rosendall

Carol Van Bemden

Joanne Beeke

Mary Jean Vander Male

Lilly Ann Vander Male

Jim Van Giessen

Kathy Van Giessen

Barb Van Bemden

Carla Schelling

Lois Schelling

Marilyn Van Ravenswaay

JoAnn Van Ravenswaay

Esther Van Ravenswaay

Gary Roozenboom

Eldon Van Den Top

Dartene Van Den Top

Gloria Van Den Top

Judy Van Den Top

Joyce Van Den Top

Ellen Van Ginkel

Herían Zomer

Jeff Roskam

Gloria Roskam

Alvin Roskam

Cindy Hoogendoorn

Gail Hoogendoorn

Marinus De Vos

Tom Blok

Henrietta Stapel

Ella Kieboom

Arline Kieboom

Karel Boonzaayer

Ruth Boonzaayer

Maria Boonzaayer

Esther Boonzaayer

Gary Blok

Bruce Blok

Heniy Kamp

Mary Kamp

Linda Kamp

Betty Jean Kamp

Daniel Carlson

Lisa Carlson

Val Lugthart

Joan Lugthart

Janet Van Driel

Teresa Vander Meulen

Frances Vander Meulen

Joyce Vander Meulen

Harmen Vander Meulen

Julie Frens

Mary Beth Frens

Sharon Frens

Cheryl Kalee

Debbie Kalee

Karel Kalee

Alma Van Beek

Anden Van Beek

Joann Van Beek

Ruth Ann Van Dalen (2)

Nanette Mast

Amy Kaat

Alida Greendyk

David Greendyk

Billy Greendyk

Wanita Wallenburg

Carol Wallenburg

Arlene Wallenburg

Cornelia Heykoop

Neeltje Heykoop

Gordon Boluyt

Steven Boluyt

Joan Spaans

Mary Kievit

Jenny Lee Sweetman

Judy Slingerland

Judy Sweetman

Janet Sweetman

Tunis Sweetman, Jr.

Albert Van Grouw

Debbie Droogers

David Kuperus

Miriam Kuperus

Arlene Kuperus

Hans Kuperus

Billy Droogers

Ronald Van Wingerden

Duane Alan Rus

Bill Moerdyk

Kay Meeuwse

Ruth Meeuwse

John Verhey

Dave Verhey

Ruth Boerkoel

Neal Boerkoel

LaRae Hoogendoom

Gywen Hoogendoorn

Adrian Heykoop

Randy Vande Stouwe

Nancy Vande Stouwe

Todd Vande Stouwe

Kenny Van Wingerden

Billy Van Wingerden

Jane Derksen

Joyce Derksen

Roger Derksen

Russell Derksen

Rhea Stubbe

Nicholas Bush

Adrian Bush

Peter Kievit

Janny Van Wingerden

John Van Wingerden

Bill Van Wingerden

Alfred Hup

Beverly Lynne Southway

Barbara Jean Southway

Gerarda Grisnich

Peter Feyter

Andy Korevaar

Abraham Korevaar

Alice Koppert

Peter Koppert

Carl Moore

Christine Koopert

Nelly Koppert

Cheryl Grisnich

Wendy Grisnich

Rhonda Grisnich

Kenneth Rus

Barbara Kamp (2)

Richard Kamp (2)

Robert Kamp

Stephan Vanden Brink

Roy Vanden Brink

Della Vanden Brink

Linda Vande Waerdt

Joanne Vande Waerdt

Wayne Vande Waerdt

Alice Moerdyk

John Blok

Tom Greendyk

Bobby Greendyk

Nick Greendyk

Sharon Bouma

Albert Bouma

Hermina Hubers

Donna Marie Hubers

Marcia Hubers

Helen Hubers

Dan Meeuwse

Mark Meeuwse

Arlene Southway

Peter Southway

Rose Pluim

Jerry Pluim

Gloria Pluim

Julie Ann Van Middendorp

Todd Van Middendorp

Carolyn Van Koeveringe

Shirley Rus

Arnold Rus

Andy Walma

Jackie Walma

Jeanette Vandenberg

Arie Vandenberg

Paul Vandenberg

Cordy Vandenberg

John Van Hoepen

Marianne Van Hoepen

Gladys Van Bochove

John Remus

Linda Remus

Janet Remus

Peter Vlietstra

Brenda Van Beek

Denise Van Ravenswaay

Jacob Van Dalen

Jerri Rea

And again it is time to answer our mail

CAROLYN VAN KOEVERINGE -Thank you for your picture, Carolyn. I can see that you have grown older since I last saw you. We don’t notice it so much if we see someone every week. How much vacation do you get at Christmas?

RONALD VAN WINGERDEN - We are all quite well, Ronald. I am glad to hear that you are keeping busy. Having nothing to do is not good for anyone. I had not heard that your cousins moved to Holland. Did they live quite near you?

PETER FEYTER - It was real nice to hear from you again, Peter. Michigan is really not “down south”, although I guess it is nearer to the equator than Alberta is. We have had a little snow, but I see that they are forecasting several inches for tonight. Say Hello to everyone.

HENRIETTA STAPEL - I imagine you were happy to see your sister again at Thanksgiving, Henrietta. We see her quite often. In which of your subjects do you have most of your homework? Have you had your first report card?

DEBBIE DROOGERS - The weather has been real nice here this fall, Debbie, although this has not been the case in all parts of the country. Your brother’s birthday is just three days after mine. We hope that he may have many more of them.

RUTH ANN VAN DALEN - You did travel quite a distance while on your vacation, Ruth Ann. It was nice that you could plan your trip so that you were in one of our churches each Sunday. Say Hello to your parents and your brothers for us.

DELLA VANDEN BRINK - Congratulations on the twin sisters, Della. Were you happy they were girls? Or would you rather have had more brothers? I can imagine that they are keeping you real busy. A baby in the house always makes more work, and more so for two of them.

JEANETTE VANDENBERG - We are happy with you that you have a baby sister, Jeanette. Are you taking good care of her? Do you know of a baby in the Bible whose sister had to watch him from a distance as he lay in his basket?

CHRISTINE KOPPERT - Perhaps your grandmother will be able to pay you a visit someday, Christine. How old is she? I remember that my grandmother came to visit us from Holland when I was a boy. Or do you plan to take a trip to Holland, if you live and are well?

ELLA KIEBOOM - Who is your Sunday school teacher, Ella? Can you tell me what your lesson was about last Sunday? You wrote about your friend Amy, and Amy wrote about her friend Ella, so I am sure you must get along real well.

CHERYL, DEBBIE, & KAREL KALEE — I am sorry your names were missed in the October issue. Since there are quite a few names, it is possible that we do miss someone, but I din’t really think I would miss three of them. We’ll try real hard not to let it happen again.

GARY ROOZENBOOM - We travelled about 2300 miles by car while on our vacation, Gary. As we see all the beauties of nature, we must say, “His greatness and His wisdom His wondrous works proclaim!” Do you like to fish, or don’t you have any lakes in your area?

RHEA STUBBE - How are you getting along in school, Rhea? Which of your teachers do you like best? In the Bible David prayed, “Teach me Thy way, O Lord”. If we may have the Lord as our teacher, we would have the best one.

AMY KLAAT — I have seen the picture of your church, Amy, but I have never been there. If Lake Michigan wasn’t between us, it wouldn’t be quite such a long trip to Sheboygan. But we do hope to come and see you sometime, if all is well.

NELLY KOPPERT - We also liked British Columbia real well, Nelly, and hope to make another trip there someday. It certainly is quite a distance to travel from this part of the country. Say Hello to your parents for us.

ARLINE KIEBOOM - What is the name of the family living next to your church, Arline? Also in the Bible we read of several who were Greeks. Do you know who they were? The country of Greece is a very old country and nation, since it dates back to Bible times.

JERRI REA — I was surprised to hear that you were going to move to another city, Jerri. Be sure to send us your new address so that you will continue to receive the Banner of Truth. Is it a bigger city than Las Cruces? Maybe you will like it there real well.

RUTH ANN VAN DALEN - Your letter is last this time, Ruth Ann, and I notice that this is the second one for you. What kind of apples did you pick? Is that a catechism class which you attend on Monday evenings?

And again we have reached the end of them. We seem to be missing a few of our friends this month, but hope that they will all be back with us again next month. Since this is the last issue of 1971, we want to wish all of you God’s richest blessings in the year which is before us, giving all of us a true desire to study His Word in order that we might learn to know him and ourselves.

With love,

Your friend,

“Uncle Garret”

ANIMALS OF THE BIBLE THE LEOPARD

Of the leopard but little is said in the Holy Scriptures. Yet the various attributes of the animal are so well described that there is no doubt that the leopard was well known in Palestine. Its color, its swiftness, its craft, its ferocity, and the nature of its dwelling place are all touched upon in a few short sentences scattered throughout the Old Testament.

It is a beast of prey belonging to the cat family, and is tan color with rich black spots. Jeremiah speaks of this, “Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots?” (Jeremiah 13:23). To deer and antelope it is a terrible enemy, and seldom fails in obtaining its prey. Swift as the leopard is for short distances, it cannot outrun the deer or antelope, and makes up for this by its craftiness. The swiftness of its movements are mentioned by the prophet Habakkuk, where he predicts the vengeance that would come upon Israel through the Chaldeans, “Their horses also are swifter than the leopards, and are more fierce than the evening wolves.” (Habakkuk 1:8).

The craftiness of the leopard, and the manner in which it lies in wait for its prey, is indicated by Hosea the prophet, where he says, “Therefore I will be unto them as a lion, as a leopard by the way will I observe them.” (Hosea 13:7). God hereby signifies that He will chastise the Israelites unexpectedly, even as the leopard, crouching by the wayside and watching for the flock to pass, leaps upon its prey unexpectedly.

I CANNOT GET AWAY FROM GOD

Not many years since, a young coachman was living in a gentleman’s family near London. He had good wages, a kind master, and a comfortable place; but there was one thing which troubled and annoyed him. It was that his old mother lived in a village close by, and from her he had constant visits. You may wonder that this was such a trouble to him; but the reason was, that whenever she came, she spoke to him about Christ and the salvation of his soul.

“Mother,” he said at last, “I cannot stand this any longer. Unless you drop that subject altogether, I shall give up my place and go out of your reach, when I shall hear no more such cant.”

“My son,” said his mother, “as long as I have a tongue, I shall never cease to speak to you about the Lord and to the Lord about you.”

The young coachman was as good as his word. He wrote to a friend in the Highlands of Scotland, and asked him to find him a place in that part of the world. He knew that his mother could not write, and could not follow him; and though he was sorry to lose such a good place, he said to himself, “Anything for a quiet life.” His friend soon got him a place in a gentleman’s

stables, and he did not hide from his mother that he was glad and thankful to get out of her way.

You may think it was a pity she thus drove him to a distance. Would it not have been wiser to say less, and thus not to lose the opportunity of putting in a word in season? But she believed, in her simplicity that she was to keep to the directions given her in, the Word of God - that she was to be instant, not in season only, but also out of season. And true it is that the foolishness of God is wiser than men.

The coachman was ordered to drive out the carriage and pair the first day after his arrival in Scotland. His master did not get into the carriage with the rest of the party, but said he meant to go on the box instead of the footman. “He wished to see how I drive,” thought the coachman; who was quite prepared to give satisfaction. Scarcely had they driven from the door when the master spoke to the coachman for the first time. He said, “Tell me if you are saved.” Had the question come to the coachman direct from heaven it could scarcely have struck him with greater consternation. He felt simply terrified. “God has followed me to Scotland!” he said to himself. “I could get away from my mother, but I cannot get away from God!” And at that moment he knew what Adam must have felt when he went to hide himself from the presence of God behind the trees of the garden. He could make no answer to his master, and scarcely could he drive the horses, for he trembled from head to foot. His master went on to speak of Christ, and again he heard the old, old story so often told him by his mother; but this time it sounded new … it had become a real thing to him. It did not seem to him then to be glad tidings of great joy, but a message of terror and condemnation. He felt that it was Christ, the Son of God, Whom he had rejected and despised. He felt, for the first time, that he was a lost sinner. By the time the drive was over he was so ill, from the terrible fear that had come upon him, that he could do nothing more. For some days he could not leave his bed; but they were blessed days to him! His master came to speak to him, to read the Word of God, and to pray, and soon the love and grace of the Savior he had rejected became a reality to him, as the terror of the Lord had been at first. He saw that there was mercy for the scoffer and despiser; he saw that the blood of Christ is the answer before God even for such sin as his had been, and he now felt in his soul the sweetness of those blessed words, “We love Him because He first loves us.” He saw that Christ had borne his punishment, and that He, who had tried to harden his heart against God and against his own mother, was now without spot or stain in the sight of that God Who had so loved him as to give him His only Son. The first letter he wrote to his mother was to tell her the joyful tidings — “God has followed me to Scotland, and has saved my soul.”

Submitted

RAINING GOLD

Harry was looking out of the window watching the rain as it pattered down on the grass and bent the heads of the flowers. It also danced over the gravel and made little pools in all the hollows. It is pleasant to sit snug in a comfortable room and watch the rain, but Harry’s brain was busy with another speculation.

“Oh, Aunt Susan,” he said, his bright eyes sparkling, “how I wish it would rain gold instead of water! Wouldn’t we be rich!”

“And what if it would rain gold instead of water-drops all summer?”

“Why, we could have everything in the world that we wanted. Annie would have that doll buggy she wants so much, and I could have a train set, and mother would not need to work. How nice it would be, Auntie!”

“But what would you get to eat? Nothing can grow without water.”

“Oh, we would buy our food; we should have money enough.”

“Yes, but if it rained gold all over the world, no one would have any food to sell. All the fields would be parched and baked. The grass would shrink and crumble to dust. The grain would not grow under golden rain. These beautiful shady trees would parch, and wither up and die. There would be no fruit nor vegetables in anyone’s garden. The little streams and many of the wells that afford refreshment to thousands would all be dried up, and men and animals would perish with thirst as well as hunger. Robinson Crusoe thought little of the gold he found in a sea-chest washed ashore on his island, for he could buy nothing with it. Besides, if gold were as plentiful as pebbles we should value it no higher. Money is of no use except for what it will bring us of the comforts of life. Some one has estimated that every good summer shower is really worth thousands of dollars. We shall always find, Harry dear, the more we reflect on it, that our Creator has ordered everything a great deal more wisely than we could. And remember too the words of the Saviour, “What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” Harry turned to the window and looked out on the rain with a better understanding than before. Whether he began to think seriously of the sinfulness of his previous wish, we cannot say, but when anyone young or old is found out loving money, there is much reason for them to consider the state of their souls.

( Young Peoples ‘ Magazine)

COUNSELS OF THE AGED TO THE YOUNG

It is a matter of serious regret that young persons are commonly so little disposed to listen to the advice of the aged. This prejudice seems to have its origin in an apprehension that austerity and rigour naturally belong to advanced years; and that the loss of all susceptibility of pleasure from those scenes and objects which afford delight to the young produces something of an ill-natured or envious feeling towards them. Now it cannot be denied that some of the aged are chargeable with steady gravity which is becoming in those who have lived long, and have had much experience in the world: not remembering that the constitutional temperament of these two periods of human life is very different. In youth, the spirits are buoyant, the susceptibilities lively, the affections ardent, and the hopes sanguine. To the young, everything in the world wears the garb of freshness; and the novelty and variety of the scenes presented keep up a constant excitement. These traits of youthful character, as long as irregularity and excess are avoided, are not only allowable, but amiable; and would in that age be badly exchanged for the more sedate and grave emotions which are the natural effects of increasing years, and of long and painful experience. But it is greatly to be desired that the lessons of wisdom taught by the experience of one set of men should be made available for the instruction of those who come after them. We have, therefore, determined to address a few short hints of advice to the rising generation, on subjects of deep and acknowledged importance to all; but previously to commencing, we would assure them that it is no part of our object to interfere with their innocent enjoyments, or to deprive them of one pleasure which cannot be shown to be injurious to their best interests. We wish to approach you, dear youth, in the character of affectionate friends, rather than in that of dogmatical teachers or stern reprovers. We would therefore solicit your patient, candid and impartial attention to the following counsels:

1. Resolve to form your lives upon some certain principles, and to regulate your actions by fixed rules. Man was made to be governed by reason, and not by mere accident or caprice. It is important, therefore, that you begin early to consider and inquire what is the proper course of human conduct, and to form some plan for your future lives. The want of such consideration is manifest in the conduct of multitudes. They are governed by the impulse of the moment, reckless of consequences. They have fixed no steady aim and have adopted no certain principles of action. Living thus at random, it would be a miracle if they went uniformly right. In order to your pursuing a right path, you must know what it is, and to acquire this knowledge, you must take time for serious reflection. It will not answer, to adopt without consideration the opinions of those who may be about you, for they may have some sinister design in regard to you, or they may themselves be miseled by error or prejudice. Persons already involved in dissipation or entangled in error, naturally desire to keep themselves in countenance by the number of followers whom they can seduce into the paths of vice. As reasonable creatures, therefore, judge for yourselves what course it is right and fitting that you should pursue. Exercise your own reason independently and impartially, and do not give your selves up to be governed by mere caprice and fashion, or by the opinions of others.

(Archibald Alexander)

(to be continued)

TOM, THE ORPHAN BOY

“So you are going, Tom? I hoped you would have thought better of it.”

“No, uncle,” said the boy sorrowfully, but firmly; “I promised my mother on her dying bed that I wouldn’t break the Sabbath, nor do what I felt was wrong. And I will keep that promise, if I starve because of it. May the Lord help me!”

“My poor boy, it is no use trying to persuade you to turn back, I know, but it is very hard to be turned adrift on the world so early.” And the uncle covered his face with his hand.

“It is no harder for me than for a thousand others,” answered Tom, cheerfully. “Only don’t fret about me; I shall do very well, and when the Lord has blessed me, I’ll come back and see you all again. Pray for me, that the Lord shall be with me.”

These rather boastful words were heard by someone who was not meant to hear them. This was Tom’s master, who was passing by. They made him very angry, for it seemed as if the boy cared nothing for the loss of his position. And he knew, though he would not admit it, that he had done very wrong in dismissing a poor friendless boy from his service because he refused to work on Sundays; and, as is often the case, the consciousness of having injured him made him dislike him. So it was in a sharp, contemptuous tone that he said, “Come back when you have made your fortune, indeed! You are much more likely to come back to the workhouse, I can tell you.”

The boy’s cheek flushed, and his lip quivered as he was taunted thus by the man who made him homeless. “Take care, Mr. Grimes,” exclaimed he, “that you don’t go there yourself in the end.”

“Hush! hush! Tom,” whispered his uncle, “what would your teacher say if he heard you?

Tom cooled down directly at the thought of his teacher. “I am sorry,” said he, “if I spoke hastily, and I don’t bear any illwill to you, sir; but you know that I am an honest, hardworking lad that would be ashamed to be beholden to any-body while I have a finger to help myself with. But sir, I am going away directly, so you will surely listen to me. You will never prosper in the long run without God’s blessing, and that cannot be yours if you break His commandments and try to make others break them too.”

Mr. Grimes walked away before the close of Tom’s speech, and took no notice of it. Perhaps he heard it and did not choose to attend to it. Such was the parting between Tom and his master. The parting between Tom and his uncle was far more touching, for his uncle was very fond of him, and would gladly have provided for him, but he had a sick wife and many young children, and times were hard; so he was obliged to let him go, and trust him to God’s care.

With a sad but brave heart Tom went his way — went to battle with life’s trials in his boyhood, and to earn among strangers the bread denied him at home. But he took with him a clear conscience and a simple faith, which made the promise to Jacob his own. “Behold I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest.” Was not the orphan boy more to be envied than Mr. Grimes?

Years rolled away, and Tom was almost forgotten in his native village except by his uncle. It was said that he was gone to Australia, and was doing very well there, and that was as much as anyone knew about him. But one day he came back, and brought with him a fortune! Yes, Tom was now a rich man, but far better then that, he still kept fast his faith in God, and was more than ever devoted to His service. God had greatly blessed the orphan boy. Tom had found how true these words are, “Them that honor Me I will honor.” “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all other things shall be added unto you.”

But what had become of Tom’s master? He had lost his business, credit, and health, and was now, in his old age, an inmate of the very workhouse with which he had once threatened the friendless Tom!

What do you think Tom did? He took him out of the workhouse, and saw that he did not want for anything as long as he lived. Was not this heaping coals of fire on the old man’s head? (Rom. 12:20, 21). (Submitted)

FRANKLIN’S MOTION

In 1778 at the meeting of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Benjamin Franklin made the motion to those assembled that the Convention should not proceed without an opening prayer each day. He said: “I have lived for a long time, and the longer I live the more convincing proof I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured in the Sacred Writings that ‘Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.’ I firmly believe this, and I also believe that without His concurring aid we shall proceed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel.”

Prayer was a foundation stone in our country’s beginning. There should be more national prayer today.

(Christian Beacon).

THE SAVIOUR’S BIRTH

While shepherds watched in Bethlehem’s fields,
An angel bright appeared;
Heavens glory round them was revealed,
At which they greatly feared.

Fear not at all, said he; for lo!
I bring, with sweet solace,
Good tidings of great joy to you,
And all the human race

To you is born this day and date
In David’s little town,
A Saviour, the Messiah great,
The Lord of high renown.

And this to you shall be the sign,
You’ll find the babe arrayed
And wrapped in swaddling clothes but mean
And in a manger laid.

Straightway with the angel joined aloud
A numerous shining throng,
Of heavenly harpers praising God
In this melodious song.

“All glory in the highest heavens
To God be rendered still;
For peace on earth, benignly given,
And towards men good-will.”

NOTHING AT ALL

There was once a poor man, a huckster, who used to go round the country villages selling little goods. This poor creature in going round on his journeys heard some old woman singing the simple little ditty:

“I’m a poor sinner and nothing at all But Jesus Christ is my all in all.”

Jack recalled that. “Ah!” said he, “that just suits me.” So he began to hum it himself as he went round on his huckstering expeditions, and by God’s good grace that little ditty burnt its way into poor Jack’s heart. After some time he became a converted man, gave up his swearing and drinking, and began regularly to attend the church services.

At last he determined that he would join the church; so he went to the minister. The minister said, “Well, friend, what can you say for yourself?” “Not much,” he said, “Only this:

I’m a poor sinner and nothing at all

But Jesus Christ is my all in all.”

“Well,” said the minister, “you, must tell me more than that.” “No,” said Jack, “I can’t for that is my confession of faith, and that is all I know.” “Well, friend,” said the minister, “I can’t refuse you church fellowship, but you will have to come before the church meeting, and the members will have to see you and judge you.” Jack accordingly went to the church meeting, and there sat some good old-fashioned deacons — some of whom began to see whether they could find fault with him. He stood up, and on being requested to state his experience, simply said: “I’m a poor sinner, and nothing at all, But Jesus Christ is my all in all. “ Some one old deacon said, “Is that all you have to say?”

“Yes,” says Jack, “that’s all.” The minister said, “You may ask my friend here some questions if you like.” So one says, “Brother Jack, have you not many doubts and fears?” “No,” said Jack, “I never can doubt but that ‘I’m a poor sinner and nothing at all’ for I know I am; and I cannot doubt that ‘Jesus Christ is my all in all’ for He says He is, and how can I doubt that?” “Well,” said another, “but sometimes I lose my evidences and my graces, and then I get very sad.” “Oh,” said Jack, “I never lose anything, for in the first place ‘I’m a poor sinner, and nothing at all’ — no one can rob me if I am nothing at all - and in the second place, ‘Jesus Christ is my all in all,’ - and who can rob Him? He is in Heaven; I never get richer or poorer, for I am always nothing, but I always have everything.”

Then another began to question him thus: “But my dear friend Jack, don’t you sometimes doubt whether you are a child of God?” “Well,” said he, “I don’t quite understand you; but I can tell you I never doubt but that ‘I’m a poor sinner and nothing at all,’ and that ‘Jesus Christ is my all in all.’ “

Always after that in the villages they used to call him “Happy Jack,” for he was always happy; and the reason was that you could not drive him from that simple standing point, “There is nothing in me: I believe in Christ; I deserve punishment; I am lost in myself, but I trust in Him who came into the world to save sinners, and I know He will not let me perish.”

The late Rev. Fraanje, when asked by a girl of his catechism class as to the appropriate dress for girls, replied, “Dress so that you are not laughable to the world, and not a shame for the church and God’s people. “

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