A PERIODICAL FOR YOUNG AND OLD

WHAT SEEKEST THOU?

My dear young friends,

In Jeremiah 45:5 we read, “And seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not.” These words of the Lord were spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah the prophet to Baruch, a young man who was employed by the prophet to write his prophecies. We would say that Baruch was the secretary of the prophet. His personality was mostly overshadowed by his master. He was a very nice person, not only working for his salary, but was very close to his master the prophet. One thing in particular he had in common with his master — he feared the Lord and he loved God’s people. The prosperity of Israel was his joy and the adversity of Israel was his grief.

We are inclined to ask, “What kind of great things did Baruch seek?” He was a man of flesh and blood as we are, and we would not be surprised if he sought some gain, some property, money, a more pleasant life, or a great name. We know that all those things are pleasing to the flesh, but we also know that often those things are kept from the Lord’s people for their own good. It would be a climbing plant which is growing round about a tree; the plant would prosper and the tree would suffer. The plant would be exposed to the sun and the tree would become sickly. The Lord Jesus said to His disciples, “In the world thou shalt have tribulation.” This was also the portion of Baruch at that time.

The Lord will never permit His children to serve Him and the world. It is not possible that we can serve the world first, and when we must leave this world, serve the Lord. We must serve the Lord being in the midst of this world, must be in the world but not belong to the world. Baruch understood those things; he had experienced this also. In Jeremiah 36 we read what took place in regard to the writings of Baruch (the prophecies of Jeremiah the prophet) and how he was threatened by the king and warrants sent out for him. The king wanted to persecute Baruch and Jeremiah. We read how, under Divine protection, he narrowly escaped. These were sad circumstances for poor Baruch, as he was sought for by the king’s messengers and obliged to hide himself. Baruch had not presented his own case, but had done the writings in good faith and to the honor of God, and his desire was that it would be profitable to his people. His people did not respond to the word of God and now he was very downcast. We read in verse 3 that Baruch said, “Woe is me now, for the Lord hath added grief to my sorrow; I fainted in my sighing, and I find no rest.” Baruch did not understand the way wherein he was led, and it was very difficult for him to bow under it.

In his favor we must say, Baruch did not seek great things for himself so much. He did seek great things for his people. Young friends, to serve the Lord in prosperity is a blessing, but to submit ourself to the Lord in times of adversity is also a blessing. In both cases it is grace if we are inclined to do so. Baruch was a young man setting out in the world; he was well affected towards the things of God and was willing to serve God and His prophet; but when it came to suffering and adversity, he desired to be excused. Baruch was a good young man and had good intentions. His desire was that the word of God would be accepted by Israel and he had been looking forward to the repentance of Israel, but it all turned out so differently. Israel did not repent, and Baruch was persecuted instead of being rewarded for his work. The judgment of the Lord would certainly come upon them.

Baruch is now instructed, “Behold, that which I have built will I break down, and that which I have planted, I will pluck up, even this whole land.” Dear young friends, we look forward to the future, and time and again we have a new hope, no doubt looking for the prosperity of our country. But it shall turn out to be a disappointment if the nation does not return to the Lord. The judgments will be certain. It is a blessing if we respect the word of the Lord and are faithful in using the means.. But, young friends, remember that the counsel of God shall stand, the prophecies will be fulfilled.

I do hope that all of you might be partakers of the promise given to Baruch, “but thy life will I give unto thee for a prey in all places whither thou goest.” Also to you the Lord saith, “And seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not.” Do not seek the world, do not seek great things for thyself, but, above all things, seek the Lord.

Your Friend and minister, The late Rev. M. Romeyn

BIBLE QUIZ

Dear Boys and Girls,

Another month has gone by, and so we must proceed to the next commandment, which is the seventh commandment, for the basis of our quiz. The first letters of the answers will spell out three words taken from this commandment. Here are the questions -

God said unto Abraham regarding Sarah, his wife, “and she shall be a mother of________.”

Joseph was made__________over the house of Potiphar.

The Samaritan woman said to the people of her city, “Come, see a man which_________me all things that ever I did.”

In Ephesians, Paul wrote, “Husbands, love your wives even as Christ also loved the_________and gave Himself for it.”

Adam said, “Therefore shall a man leave his father and mother and shall cleave unto his wife, and they shall be_________flesh.”

Rebekah was asked, “Wilt thou go with this________?”

It was at a________in Cana of Galilee that the Lord Jesus turned water into wine.

Who took Rebekah into his mother’s tent, and she became his wife?

In Proverbs 18 we read, “Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good _________and obtaineth favour of the Lord.”

The Lord Jesus said unto His disciples, “Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders,________, fornications, thefts, blasphemies.”

To whom did Nathan the prophet say, ‘Thou art the man?”

Whose wife did David take as his wife, after arranging with Joab that the husband be killed in battle?

John the Baptist said to King Herod, “It is not_________for thee to have thy brother’s wife.”

The Lord Jesus taught, saying, “What therefore God hath joined _________, let not man put asunder.”

In Proverbs 24 we read, “Be not thou ________against evil men, neither desire to be with them.”

When Adam slept, God took one of his ________, from which He made a woman and brought her unto Adam.

In Psalm 25 David prayed, “Remember not the sins of my________.” (Your answers should be sent to me at 1104 Roseland Avenue, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001.)

The answers to the April Bible Quiz are as Follows —

“Thou Shalt Not Kill” Exodus 20:13

Traitor Luke 6:13–16

Heart Genesis 27:41

Obadiah I Kings 18:1–13

Uriah II Samuel 11:2–27

Shed Genesis 37:22

Hanged Esther 5:14

Alive Exodus 1:22

Lions Daniel 6:1–16

Two Matthew 2:16

Naboth I Kings 21:1–16

Oath Matthew 14:3–11

Truth John 8:44

Keeper Genesis 4:9

Insurrection Mark 15:7

Live Acts 28:14

Life I John 3:15

Answers were received from the following boys and girls:

Janice Polderman

Ellen Polderman

Henry Rosendall

Sue VanderBoon

Ruth Meeuwse

Kay Meeuwse

Denise Zaremba

Donna Zaremba

Mary Jean Vander Male

Lilly Ann Vander Male

Laura Rosendall

Dickie Spaans

Laurie Spaans

Roger Derksen

Russell Derksen

Jane Derksen

Gary Roozenboom

Marilyn Van Ravenswaay

JoAnn Van Ravenswaay

Esther Van Ravenswaay

Sharon Frens

Julie Frens

Mary Frens

Gary Roozenboom

Jim Westrate

Tim Westrate

Shirley Slotsema

Steve Slotsema

Bill Moerdyk

Joan Lugthart

Val Lugthart

Ellen Van Ginkel (2)

Henry Kamp

Linda Kamp

Mary Kamp

Betty Jean Kamp

John Marinus Goeman

David Marvin Goeman

Karen Sue Goeman

Alma Van Beek

Ander Van Beek

Joann Van Beek

Tim Van Stelle

Marinus De Vos

Dave Pluim

Amy Lou Kaat

Duane Van Der Brink

Cindy Hoogendoorn

Gail Hoogendoorn

Gene Hoogendoorn

Perry Hoogendoorn

Doris Vande Hoef

Andy Walma

Jackie Walma

Alida Greendyk

Billy Greendyk

Mary De Meester

Ruth Boonzaayer

Karel Boonzaayer

Esther Boonzaayer

Maria Boonzaayer

Julie Ann Van Middendorp (2)

Todd Van Middendorp

Steve Boluyt

Gordon Boluyt

Peter Feyter

Charles Willekes

Gerarda Grisnich

Debbie Kamp (2)

Bill Kamp (2)

Ruth Kamp (2)

Marilyn Kamp (2)

Tom Kamp (2)

Jacob Van Dalen

Karel Kalee

Debbie Kalee

Cheryl Kalee

Gary Van Giessen

Randy Van Giessen

Peter Grisnich

Marilyn Thompson

Helen Grisnich

Henry de Kok

Herbie de Kok

Jany de Kok

Andre de Kok

Connell de Kok

John Verhey

Dave Verhey

Carol Van Bemden

Mary Ellen Van Zweden

John Van Zweden

Ralph Van Zweden

Mark Van Zweden

Rudolph Stapel

Henrietta Stapel

Janice Stapel

John Stapel

Joanne Vande Waerdt (2)

Linda Vande Waerdt (2)

Wayne Vande Waerdt (2)

Joanne Beeke

Judy Slingerland

Judy Sweetman

Janet Sweetman

Tunis Sweetman, Jr.

Marinus Slingerland

Jenny Lee Sweetman

William Slingerland

Stephan Vanden Brink

Delia Vanden Brink

Roy Vanden Brink

Arline Kieboom

Ella Kieboom

Marlene Van Veldhuizen

Kenny Van Wingerden

Billy Van Wingerden

Richard Van Ess

Susan Van Ess

Janet Groen

Mary Van Oostenbrugge

Karl Van Oostenbrugge

Janet Van Zweden

Joan Van Zweden

Albert Bouma

Arlene Kuperus

Hans Kuperus

Miriam Kuperus

David Kuperus

Helen Zomer

Ronald Van Wingerden

Paul Van Wingerden

Albert Van Grouw

George Van Strien

Carol Mol

Arie Van Vugt

Lisa Carlson

Dan Carlson

Elizabeth VanWoudenberg

Mark Heystek

Conny Boesterd

Francina Boesterd

Roger Erickson

Deanna Erickson

Rita Erickson

Debbie Erickson

Darlene Velier

Joy Velier

Jay Velier

Gywen Hoogendoorn

LaRae Hoogendoorn

Richard Rozeboom

Alan Bakker

John Bakker

Marcia Spaans

Sheryl Spaans

Ken Spaans

Jeanette Slingerland

Janny Van Wingerden

Bill Van Wingerden

John Van Wingerden

Gary Kwekel

Dan Meeuwse

Mark Meeuwse

Rhea Stubbe

Willem Den Boer

Jonathan Van Beek

David Van Beek

Roger Van Beek

Henry Vandenberg

Cordy Vandenberg

Jeanette Vandenberg

John Vandenberg

Paul Vandenberg

Billy Blaak

Kenneth Rus

Gary Blok

John Blok

Carol Van Den Top

Marlene Van Den Top

Rhonda Grisnich

Linda Bleeker

Darlene Van Den Top

Gloria Van Den Top

Judy Van Den Top

Joyce Van Den Top

Jane Van Den Top

Eldon Van Den Top

John Rosendall

Richy Rosendall

Willy de Leeuw

Dave Bleeker

Wendy Grisnich

Mark Bleeker

Cheryl Grisnich

Meta De Peuter

Christon de Leeuw

Gerrit de Leeuw

Andy Korevaar

Abraham Korevaar

Ruth Boerkoel

Frances Vander Meulen

Teresa Vander Meulen

Sidney Vander Meulen

Joyce Vander Meulen

Harmen Vander Meulen

Neal Boerkoel

Ken Noorlander Patricia Noorlander

Gretta Noorlander

Nick Greendyk

Tom Greendyk

Bobby Greendyk

David Greendyk

Larry Spaans

Janice Spaans

Denise Van Ravenswaay

Alfred Hup

Alane Van Ravenswaay

Todd William Vande Stouwe

Nancy Vande Stouwe

Adrian Heykoop

Neeltje Heykoop

Cornelia Heykoop

Joylynn Mast

Jane Mast

Neil Mast

Christine Koppert

Alice Koppert

Peter Koppert

Elizabeth Koppert

Beverly Southway

Barbara Southway

Jannie Klok

Shirley Rus

Arnold Rus

Hermina Faye Hubers

Donna Marie Hubers

Helen Hubers

Mareia D. Hubers

Nanette Mast

John Van Hoepen

Marianne Van Hoepen

Kathy Marian Overeem

Jenny Overeem

Casey Overeem

Joanne Overeem

Nicholas Bush

Adrian Bush

Martin Oudshoorn

John Oudshoorn

Wilma Oudshoorn

Bruce Blok

John Martin Vander Wiele

Jane Ellen Vander Wiele

Rhonda Van Voorst

Gladys Van Bochove

Conny Boesterd

Mineva Ymker

Mary Van Tilburg

Leah Van Tilburg

Francina Boesterd

Donna Densel

Kathy Van Giessen

Jim Van Giessen

Kristine Rieder

Raymond Rieder

Gloria Roskam

Alvin Roskam

Jeff Roskam

Bill Broogers

Debbie Droogers

Again it is time to answer the letters which we have received —

RHONDA GRISNICH — We will start with your letter this time, Rhonda. I can well imagine that more than 18 inches of snow would keep you at home. In Job 37 we read that snow falls upon the earth at the command of God. Perhaps you should read that chapter again.

CONNY BOESTERD — How did the report card turn out, Conny?Was there still room for improvement? Yes, there is much dissatisfaction with the weather. The children of Israel were often murmuring against God in the wilderness, but we are not any better.

JANNY KLOK — We are glad to have you join with us in answering the quiz, Janny. Although it takes a little more time, we like to have you show where you found the answer. Your birthday is just two days before mine. We hope you will write again.

DELLA VANDEN BRINK — We are all quite well, Delia. How is your grandfather feeling? Eighty-two years is a long time, but he will tell you that they went by quite rapidly. Be sure to say Hello to him for us, and also to your grandmother and your parents.

HENRIETTA STAPEL — It was nice to be able to pay your family a visit, Henrietta. And I always find a farm quite interesting. I can still picture the bull in the corner of the barn. Do you think that there were such ferocious animals in the Garden of Eden?

WILLEM DEN BOER — Do you fish off the pier, Willem, or do you go out in a boat? What kind of fish do you catch? Perhaps there are times that you catch nothing, just as we read of the disciples who fished all night and caught nothing, even though they were expert fishermen. Do you know where we find this in the Bible?

JOHN BAKKER — That was not so nice to be sick during spring vacation, John. At least you didn’t miss’ any school that way. Have you ever been in Hudsonville to visit your aunt and uncle? That is not so very far from Kalamazoo.

WILLIAM SLINGERLAND — Thank you for the card which you sent us from the Netherlands, William. Did you have a good trip? Did you find lots of new friends there? They say, “Oost, west, thuis best.” Did you find that to be true?

MARY ELLEN VAN ZWEDEN — Did the boys finish their fort up in the tree, Mary Ellen? I hope the wind doesn’t blow it down. Or are they pretty good builders? I checked your answers to the quiz and they were all correct.

PETER FEYTER — Thank you for the pictures, Peter. With all that snow you can make good use of a snowmobile. We did not have so much snow this winter. At no time did we have to do a lot of shovelling, and had no problem getting in and out of our driveway.

AMY KAAT — It was real nice to meet you, Amy. Now I also know where your grandfather and grandmother live. Perhaps some day you can make a trip to Kalamazoo. How many more weeks of school do you have before summer vacation starts?

FRANCINA BOESTERD — How is your grandmother now, Francina? We hope she is feeling somewhat better. We hope that your birthday was a happy one, and that you will have many more of them. You didn’t have a date on your letter, so I couldn’t figure out just what day your birthday was.

ALICE KOPPERT — It was nice to hear from you again, Alice. Do you have both a piano and an organ now? It was nice and sunny today, but it really hasn’t been very warm yet. Did you miss much school while you were sick? It usually takes lots of hard work to catch up if you are too far behind.

JEANETTE VANDENBERG — Thank you for the picture, Jeanette. You have all grown quite a bit when I compare the picture you sent several years ago. I suppose your little sister gets lots of attention. And no doubt your mother is happy that you can help take care of her.

RHEA STUBBE — How many maple trees do you have on your farm, Rhea? How much syrup do you get from each tree? I guess you can tell that I don’t know much about making maple syrup, but I do know that it tastes good. Perhaps you can tell me more about it.

WILLY DE LEEUW — If you are accustomed to milking the cows by milking machines, it is probably hard work when it must be done by hand. At least it must take quite a bit more time. Do you help with the chores? It already seems like such a long time ago that we were in Lethbridge.

CAROL AND MARLENE VAN DEN TOP — We are glad that you liked the books, girls. Ten cats should certainly keep ah the mice away. We don’t have a dog or a cat. Did you get a good mark on your telegraph project, or don’t they mark you for them?

RONALD VAN WINGERDEN — What kind of plants do you have in the greenhouses, Ronald? Is this the time of the year that you are selling them? We hope that you have a good trip to Holland and may return safely again. How long will you be there?

JOHN VAN ZWEDEN — I suppose you have some things planted in the garden by this time, John. Do you have as big a garden as you had last year? Or are you expanding it? Can you tell me of some gardens about which we read in the Bible?

GERALDINE GRISNICH — Your answers were all correct, Geraldine. Your grandfather must have had a busy day on his birthday. There are many people who do not live to be eighty-two years old. Moses wrote that only strong people live to be eighty. Do you know where that is found?

JUDY SLINGERLAND — I imagine you were happy to have your parents home again. All the boys and girls from your area are writing about the big snow storm which you had. It probably seemed quite strange not being able to go to church on Sunday because of the weather.

GARY ROOZENBOOM — I wonder if some of the other boys and girls have ever noticed that there are two chapters in the Bible which are almost exactly alike. One of the chapters is Isaiah 37. Now we will see if they find the other one. When does your school close for the summer, Gary?

PETER GRISNICH — Did you do lots of snow shovelling, Peter? That is a real job to shovel snow when it is that deep. Several years ago we had almost two feet of snow fall in a short time, so I know what it is like. I checked your answers and they were all O.K.

ALAN BAKKER — What kind of dog is Ginger, Alan? Did you have a dog before? You answered my question correctly about the coats made with animal skins. Do you know what kind of material was used for the clothes of John the Baptist?

ELLEN VAN GINKEL — It was nice to hear from you, Ellen. Since you are the oldest in your family, you probably are lots of help for your mother. Are you a good example for your brothers and sisters? We certainly hope so.

JOAN VAN ZWEDEN — I guess spring means house-cleaning time, Joan. Did you get the lawn furniture all painted? Do you know of anything in the Bible which is mentioned as being painted? Be sure to say Hello to your parents for us.

MARY AND LEAH VAN TILBURG — Thank you for the stamps, girls. Be sure to tell your brother-in-law thanks also. There were some very nice stamps in the package. We have about fourteen pounds of them to send away. You can imagine that fourteen pounds is quite a few stamps.

HELEN GRISNICH — Since you like your art class, I assume that you are good at drawing pictures, Helen. I never liked art because my pictures never turned out very well. Will you be getting your report cards in the near future?

JOHN VAN HOEPEN — Yes, your pictures did arrive safely, John. They were very nice. Are you getting anxious for the summer holidays? I guess all boys and girls are a little tired of school at this time of the year. Do you keep real busy during the summer?

GERRIT DE LEEUW — Do you help with the work on the farm, Gerrit? Do you have any pigs, chickens, or horses? I think it is always nice to visit a farm, but if I had to do the work of a farmer, I might not like it so well.

JANET VAN ZWEDEN — How many rabbits do you have now, Janet? Or do you just have one left? Your answers were all correct. Do you find the questions very difficult? Since you have been doing them for quite a long time, you shouldn’t have too much trouble in finding the answers.

ELIZABETH VAN WOUDENBERG — Did you make a trip to Canada during your spring vacation, Elizabeth? Many people are travelling these days, but especially during the summer months. It was much more difficult to do so in Bible times. But there were travellers in those days also.

RICHARD AND HARLAN ROOZEBOOM — We were glad to hear that you liked the books, boys. Did you finish reading them? In some parts of the world there are boys and girls who cannot read, and in our country some who do not have good books to read, so we should be thankful that we have them.

CHRISTON DE LEEUW — It looks as if you are the last one this time, Christon. As you can see, there were quite a few of them again this month. Were the questions quite easy for you this month? We hope they weren’t too easy, so that you didn’t have to do some searching.

Many thanks again, boys and girls, for your answers. May we hear from you again next month?

With love,

Your friend

“Uncle Garret”

YOUTH DAY CONFERENCE 1972

As has been previously announced, plans are again in progress for the Youth Day Conference to be held in Kalamazoo on Saturday, July 1st, the Lord willing. The conference commences at 9 o’clock in the morning. Several addresses are to be made by various speakers, and opportunity will be given for questions and answers regarding the subjects spoken about. Several choirs will have an opportunity to sing.

The first Youth Day Conference was held in Ontario in 1960, while the late Rev. Zwerus was the pastor of the Norwich congregation. For quite a few years it was held in Canada, but last year was the first held in the United States. Although a good attendance has usually been present at these conferences, there are certainly others who could attend. Perhaps some are yet in doubt as to who may attend.

The addresses by the various speakers are with special emphasis on the present day situations and questions of our young people, based upon the instruction given in God’s Word. Those in their teens or early twenties should find this most interesting and instructive. But this does not exclude the older ones, including parents who have teen-age children. Are they not also involved and concerned with the situations and questions of the young people today? We would suggest that they not only encourage their children to attend, but to also be present with them. We find that the younger children also participate in the choirs and do not like to be left out, and therefore a Bible quiz is included for them, which is instructive for all. Thus it is evident that we are excluding no one.

We hope and pray that the Lord’s blessing may be upon this day, causing many young people to pause and consider the seriousness of life. And, although our churches are separated because of distance, it is also hoped that ties may be made to unite them for generations to come.

The selection of a day convenient for both the people of the United States and Canada is always difficult since their holidays do not coincide, and therefore Saturday was again selected for the occasion. As last year, the conference is finished by 3:30 in the afternoon, permitting those who do not live too great a distance to return to their homes. Many find it more convenient to arrive on Friday and spend the weekend, and the congregations where the conference is held have been most willing to arrange for accommodations for them.

A sincere welcome is expressed this year by the congregation of Kalamazoo to those wishing to attend. If accommodations are desired, you are requested to notify Garret J. Moerdyk in advance for arrangements. His address is 1104 Roseland Avenue, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001; telephone area 616-345-3475.

May the Lord build His church from among our sons and daughters, and that they may be “born to endless life in Zion” is our sincere wish and prayer.

COUNSELS OF THE AGED TO THE YOUNG

(continued)

V

7. Aim at consistency in your Christian character. Consistency can only be acquired and maintained by cultivating every part of the Christian character. The circle of virtues must be complete. A character well proportioned and nicely balanced in all its parts, we are not very frequently permitted to witness. Some men are conscientious and careful in the performance of all the rites and external duties connected with the worship of God, who are inattentive to the obligations of strict justice and truth in their dealings with men; and on the other hand, many boast of their morality, and yet are shamefully inattentive to the duties of religion. Many of the deficiencies and inconsistencies of Christians are owing to a want of clear and correct knowledge of the exact rule of moral conduct. Men do not act sufficiently from principle, but too much from custom, from fashion, and from habit. Thus many actions are performed without any inquiry into their moral character.

Man at his best estate in this world is an inconsistent creature. The only persons in whom this defect is not observed are the men who by grace live near to God, and exercise a constant jealousy and vigilance over themselves. Young persons ought, therefore, to begin early to exercise this vigilance, and to keep their hearts with all diligence, lest they be ensnared by their own passions, and overcome by the power of temptation. I counsel you then, my young friends, to aim at consistency. Cultivate diligently every part of the Christian character, so that there may appear a beautiful proportion in your virtue.

The reflections to which I have been led in speaking of consistency of Christian character suggest the importance of urging upon you the government of your passions. A man who has no control over his passions is justly compared to a ship at sea, which is driven by fierce winds, while she neither is governed by the rudder nor steered by the compass. By indulgence, the passions gain strength very rapidly; and when once the habit of indulgence is fixed, the moral condition of the sinner is most deplorable, and almost desperate. To preserve consistency, it is necessary to be well acquainted with the weak points in our own character, to know something of the strength of our own passions, and to guard beforehand against the occasions and temptations which would be likely to cause us to act inconsistently with our Christian profession. To achieve a victory of this kind is more honourable than to conquer in the field of battle; according to that of the wise man, “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.” And again, “He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.” Learn then, my young friends, to bridle your passions, and govern your temper, from your earliest days.

Archibald Alexander

BLIND ROBERT

One day I met a little boy in the street who was going along very slowly, feeling his way by the houses and the fences, and I knew he was blind. If he had been able to see, he would have been jumping and running, or tossing a ball like the other boys in the street. I pitied him. It seemed so hard for the little fellow to go about in the dark all the time and never to see the sun or any of the pretty things in the world, never to see even the faces of his parents and brothers and sisters.

I stopped to talk to him. He told me that his name was Robert, that his father was sick at home, and that his mother had to take in washing and work very hard to make a living. All the other children had some kind of work to do, but, as he could not see to work, he was sent after the clothes for his mother to wash. I asked him if he did not feel unhappy because he was blind. He looked very thoughtful and solemn for a moment, but then smiled and said, “Sometimes I think it hard to creep about as I do. Sometimes I want to look at the bright sun that warms me, at the sweet birds that sing for me, and at the flowers that feel so soft when I touch them. But God made me blind, and I know that is best for me. I am so glad that He did not make me deaf and dumb also. I am so glad that He gave me a good mother, and a Sunday School to go to, instead of making me one of the heathen children who pray to snakes and idols.”

“But, Robert, if you could see, you could help your mother more.” I said this without thinking and was sorry as I said it, for the little boy’s smile quickly disappeared and tears filled his blind eyes.

“Yes,” he said, “I often tell my mother so; but she says that I help her a great deal now and that she wouldn’t spare me for the world; and father says that I’m the best nurse he ever had, even though I am blind.”

“I am sure you are a good boy, Robert,” I answered quickly.

“No, sir,” he said, “I am not good, but have a very wicked heart; and I think a great many wicked thoughts; and if it wasn’t for the merciful Savior Jesus, I don’t know what I would do. I am so glad that I have learned to know Him from our dear Bible.”

“And how does the Savior help you?” I asked.

“Oh, sir, I pray to Him, and then it is as if He says, ‘I forgive you, Robert. I love you, poor blind boy! I will take away your evil heart, and give you a new one.’ I then feel so happy, and it seems to me as if I can almost hear the angels singing in heaven.”

“Well, Robert, that is right; and do you ever expect to see the angels?”

“Oh, yes, sir! When I die, my spirit will not be blind. It is only my clay house that has no windows. I can see with my mind now, and that, mother tells me, is the way they see in heaven. The other day I heard father reading in the Bible where it tells us about heaven, and it said that there is no night there. Here it is night to blind people all the time. Oh, sir, when I feel bad because I cannot see, I think about heaven and it comforts me.”

I saw now that Robert began to be uneasy, and acted as if he wanted to leave. “Don’t you like to talk with me, Robert?”

“Yes, sir, I do;” he replied, “and it is very kind of you to speak to a blind boy; but mother will be waiting for the clothes.”

This evidence of the little fellow’s frankness and fidelity pleased me. I had become much interested and made up my mind to find out more about him. Taking some money out of my pocket, I gave it to him, telling him to buy something for his sick father. Again the tears filled his blind eyes. “Oh, sir,” he said, “you are so kind. I was just wishing I could buy something for him. He has no appetite, and we have nothing in the house but potatoes. He tries to eat them and never complains, but if I could get a chicken for him, it would make him better; I know it would. But I don’t want you to give me the money. Can’t I work for you, and earn it?”

I insisted that he take the money and then watched him to see what he would do. He went as fast as he could for the clothes, then purchased a chicken of which to make broth, then a loaf of bread, and then felt his way home, trembling with delight. I followed him without his knowing it. He went to a little old-looking house that seemed to have but one room. I saw him put the bread and chicken under the clothes, and went (as I thought by the sound) close to his father’s bed before he showed them. Dropping the clothes, he held up the loaf in one hand and the fowl in the other, saying, “See, father! See what God has sent you!”

He then told about my meeting him and giving him the money, and added, “I am sure, father, that God put it into the kind man’s heart, for God sees how much you wanted something to nourish you.”

How beautiful to love God and to trust in Him as poor Robert did! Could you be so contented and happy if you were as poor as he was, and blind too? Readers, this blind boy saw more than many do who have good sight. Do you, like him, see sin to be sin? Do you see and feel that you have sinned against God? Are you filled with true sorrow? Do you, like him, hope for and realize the pardon of sin through faith in Jesus’ blood? Have you a hope of heaven? Are you thankful for your eyesight and daily blessings? Those who love God and by faith may follow Christ, yea trust in Him by His grace, will find Him to be a faithful Friend.

“The friendship of the Lord

Is ever with His own,

And unto those that fear His Name

His faithfulness is shown.”

(Submitted)

THE LITTLE SWEEP’S PRAYER

I like to repeat the answer a little chimney sweep gave me the other day in the Sabbath School. Knowing that all the children were constantly occupied during the week, I feared that the duty of prayer was sometimes neglected. So I spoke much that Sabbath on the importance of prayer. At the close I asked a ten year old boy who led a very hard life in the service of a master chimney sweep, “Do you, my little friend, ever pray?” “Oh, yes, sir,” he replied. “And when do you do this? You go out very early in the morning, do you not?” “Yes, sir, and we are only half awake when we leave the house. I think about God, but I cannot say that I pray then.”

“When then?” “You see, sir, our master orders us to mount the chimney quickly, but does not forbid us to rest a little when we are at the top. Then I sit on the chimney top and pray.” “And what do you pray?” “Ah, sir, very little. I know no grand words with which to speak to God. Most frequently I only repeat a verse that I have learned at school.” “What is that?” My little scholar then repeated with fervour, “God be merciful to me a sinner.” A good prayer, reader. Have you ever offered it? (French Sabbath School Magazine).

LEFT BY THE TRAIN

See that man coming on to the platform as the last coach of the train clears the end of it. How annoyed he looks! And it is easy to see that he thinks his own watch is right and the station clock wrong, for he looks at them both in turn, and then glares at the porter as if he were to blame for allowing the train to depart too soon. He next consults the timetable on the wall, and from the slight expression of relief which crosses his countenance, it is clear that another train will be along quite soon, and he has hopes that the delay in reaching town will not be too serious. He will take care to be in time tomorrow, however. Can we learn some lessons from this all too common event?

First, there has been error; his watch was wrong, although at the time he was ready to deny it. And just as a watch set to some other standard of time than the true, is liable to upset our plans and calculations, so people will fail to reach heaven because they have gone by some other standard of truth than God’s. When thinking about God, and sin, and the soul, and the way of salvation, and many other matters, they go by their own or other men’s views, and the result is that they do not enter the straight gate nor take the narrow way which leads to life.

The second lesson is that sincere belief that we are right will not save us if we are wrong. The man who missed his train timed his movements by his own watch, believing it to be correct. That belief sincerely held did not prevent him from being left behind. In the same way, however sincerely we follow our own notions on matters of religion, if these notions be wrong, we shall be lost. If we cling to the belief that by trying to be good and to do good, we shall deserve the name of Christian and go to heaven when we die, we make a great mistake.

All the sincerity with which we hold that belief will not save us from the disastrous consequences of following it. God says in the Bible that we are saved by His mercy and not by our own works of righteousness. “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: not of works lest any man should boast.” (Eph. 2:8, 9)

Thirdly, let us learn that there are times that are specially suitable for obtaining the divine favour. Just as there are times when we may be sure to catch the train, so we may at certain times seek the Lord with good prospect of success. When God’s Spirit strives with us, and His Word is sinking into our hearts, that is the time for us to seek His forgiveness and blessings. Let not such occasions pass, for “now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation.” Trains do not normally wait for passengers who are late, and many a sinner who thought he could choose his own time to seek the Lord, found out that the kind of call he then uttered, met with no answer. The last lesson has to be drawn from the fact that at this point the illustration of the traveller and the train fails. He was relieved to find that another train was soon due, but the impenitent sinner has no other hope of going to heaven. Reject God’s way of salvation through Christ, and you will certainly discover that there is no other way of salvation, either here or in the world to come. “Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your heart.” (Ps. 95:7, 8)

Young People’s Magazine

Having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself: that in the dispensation of the fulness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth, even in Him: in Whom we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will: that we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ.-Eph. 1:9–12

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