A PERIODICAL FOR YOUNG AND OLD

WE…AND OUR SABBATH OBSERVANCE

Dear friends,

In my previous articles I have tried to make it clear to you that the hallowing of the Sabbath (Sunday) is not something that can be left to each individual, so that he decides for himself what he wants or does not want to do. Countless times throughout the ages questions such as, what are we supposed to do? and what are we not supposed to do? have been asked.

The influence of the world and its ideas concerning the observance of the Sabbath made it necessary for the churches to speak out against an observance not in agreement with what the Bible teaches us. Gradually the influence of the Church upon daily life and Sabbath observance has decreased until there is seen, especially in our days, a terrible, horrifying desecration of the Lord’s Day. The way in which one observes the Sabbath is a thermometer of his spiritual life. The more spiritual life, the more one’s desire will be to strictly hallow the Day of the Lord. The less one desires to hallow the Sabbath according to God’s Word and the guidelines given by the church, the more it becomes manifest that the spirit of the world and its master, the Devil, works in us. We should use the Lord’s Day for the attendance of church services and for the reading of good books, with the prayer that the Lord’s blessing may rest upon it. Especially in our day it becomes more and more difficult for those who want to live strictly according to the rules set by God’s Word. Joshua’s choice, “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord,” has become a rare thing.

It is noticeable that also in our congregations there appears more and more a spirit of disobedience concern ing the hallowing of the Sabbath. Especially among our young people we can observe a departure from the principles for Sabbath observance laid down by their Reformed forefathers, their grandparents and their parents. Through the mercy of God there are a few exceptions, but in general we can see a declension in Biblical Sabbath observance. I cannot give you a list, stating the things we are bound to do and not to do on Sunday. In our ever changing world there are always new situations which ask for new answers. However, let us keep in mind that, according to our Reformed forefathers, we must cease from all worldly labor — except for those things which are required as works of love and present necessity — and also from such recreation which hinders the worship of God. Under those works of love and present necessity we understand the work that somebody (usually a mother) has to do in preparing meals, the work of doctors, nurses, policemen, firemen, dairymen, etc. Of course, these labors have to be kept at a minimum, otherwise we enslave ourselves to such activities.

It is good not only to go to church, but also to visit sick and lonely persons. This is a work of love. The question concerning Sabbath observance should not be, How far can I go without colliding with the Law of God, but it should be, How much can I do to honor God and serve my neighbor. Of course, there always remain differences of opinion even among God’s children about certain activities done or not done upon the Sabbath day. One person would do this … another that; one person would not do what others (who have no objections) might do as part of the obedience we are obliged to in connection with the Sabbath commandment. In such cases one should not condemn the other whose behavior on the Lord’s Day differs from his own. The attitude of “I am holier than thou” is an abomination in the eyes of the Lord.

May the Lord give that we may serve Him with gladness all the days of our life and thus begin the eternal Sabbath in this life.

Your friend,

Rev. A. Elshout

112 Pratt Road

Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001

BIBLE QUIZ

Dear Boys and Girls,

School has been open now for more than a month and I am sure you are all busy studying your lessons every day. If I were to ask why you study, I would probably receive many different answers. What would your answer be? Someone would say that it was in order to learn to read, to write, to add, subtract, multiply, and divide, etc. In other words — to get wisdom.

In our June issue we had an article about education, and it told of the wisdom of the people in the city of Athens — wisdom in the things of this world. But this is not enough; it is not true wisdom. For true wisdom we need something more. And in Psalm 110 we find its beginning. May the Lord give this to each of us.

Four words from this text will spell out the first letters of the answers of our quiz.

The queen of the Sheba said to Solomon, “It was a _______ report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom.”

When Jesus was twelve, Joseph and Mary once found him in the temple in the midst of the doctors, both ________them and asking them questions.

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, there came wise men from the ________to Jerusalem to worship him.

Of whom did the Lord say to Moses, “I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, etc.” in order to make things for the tabernacle.

Stephen told the people how that Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the ______.”

The apostle Paul said, “I was brought up at the feet of________,” who was a doctor of the law.

In the first chapter of Proverbs we read, “Fools despise wisdom and _____.”

What king was so angry because his wise men could not interpret what he had dreamed, and therefore he commanded that they be destroyed?

Among his parting words to his disciples, Jesus said, “Go ye therefore and teach all________”

Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Art thou a master of ____ and knowest not these things?”

Whom did the Lord instruct to make an ark because He would destroy the wicked?

In Job 32, Elihu said, “________men are not always wise.”

The five wise virgins took ________ in their vessels with their lamps.

In his second epistle, Peter wrote, “There shall be ________ teachers among you.”

In Matthew 15 the Lord Jesus said, “In vain do they._________ me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”

Jehoash the king did right in the sight of the Lord all the days wherein Jehoiada the priest ________ him.

In II Timothy Paul writes about “the holy.________ which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

Pharaoh said unto Joseph, “There is none so __________. and wise as thou art.”

The men who went to Emmaus, said, “Did not our heart burn within us while he ________ _to us the scriptures?”

The Lord said to Moses at the burning bush, “Who hath made man’s _________?”

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

Answers to the September quiz are as follows:

1. 13 I Kings 7:1

2. 9 Deuteronomy 3:11

3. 1 Luke 10:41–42

4. 11 Genesis 37:5–9

5. 4 Daniel 3:25

6. 20 Genesis 37:28

7. 2 Joshua 2:3–4

8. 14 Job 42:12

9. 6 I Samuel 17:4

10. 16 II Kings 14:21

11. 5 II Samuel 4:4

12. 15 I Kings 20:6

13. 3 Exodus 2:1–2

14. 17 Genesis 47:28

15. 10 I Samuel 1:8

16. 8 Genesis 5:4

17. 4 John 11:17

18. 12 Joshua 4:1–3

19. 7 Genesis 29:16–18

During the month answers to the Bible quiz were received from the following —

Billy Van Wingerden

Ken Van Wingerden

Harlan Rus

Melvin Jay Rus

Gloria Rus

Amy Lou Kaat

Gerarda Grisnich

Randy Van Giessen

Sandy Van Giessen

Gary Van Giessen

Richard Rosendall (2)

Kay Meeuwse

Ruth Meeuwse

Carla Schelling

Henry Rosendall

Laura Rosendall

Jimmy Rosendall

Dave Verhey

John Verhey

Jim Westrate Timothy Jay Westrate

Carol Mol

John Rosendall (2)

Dan Meeuwse

Mark Meeuwse

Joan Lugthart

Val Lugthart

Arie Van Vugt

Steve Slotsema

Shirley Slotsema

Sue Vander Boon

John Vander Boon

Tim Van Stelle

Carol Van Bemden

Mary Ellen Van Zweden

Ralph Van Zweden

Janet Van Zweden

John Van Zweden

Mark Van Zweden

Joan Van Zweden

Gary Blok

Mary Vander Male

Lilly Ann Vander Male

Richard Van Ess

Susan Van Ess

Marilyn De Maagd

Cheryl Kalee

Deb Kalee

Karel Kalee

Denise Zaremba

Donna Zaremba

Marilyn Van Ravenswaay

JoAnn Van Ravenswaay

Esther Van Ravenswaay

Trudy Van Veldhuizen

Joanne Giebink

Mamie Giebink

Kaye Vande Berg

Neil Mast

Jane Mast

Joy Mast

Alma Van Beek

Joann Van Beek

Brian Van Grouw

Sharon Van Grouw

Bruce Blok

John Blok

Neeltje Heykoop

Cory Heykoop

Helen Heykoop

Adrian Heykoop

Ruth Ann Marie Van Dalen

Mary Kamp

Linda Kamp

Betty Kamp

Henry Kamp

Gladys Van Bochove

Rhonda Van Bochove

Karl Van Oostenbrugge

Mary Van Oostenbrugge

Patricia Noorlander

Gretta Noorlander

Ken Noorlander

Sharon Frens

Mary Frens

Julie Frens

Richard Kamp

Barbara Kamp

Robert Kamp

George Van Strien

Paul Van Wingerden

Ronald Van Wingerden

Gerda Vanden Brink

Roy Vanden Brink

Stephan Vanden Brink

Delia Vanden Brink

Mineva Ymker

Teresa Vander Meulen

Frances Vander Meulen

Joyce Vander Meulen

Harmen Vander Meulen

Sidney Vander Meulen

Alane Van Ravenswaay (2)

Denise Van Ravenswaay (2)

Daniel John Sweetman

Jeanette Slingerland

Tunis Sweetman, Jr.

Jenny Lee Sweetman

Janet Arlene Sweetman

Judy Sweetman

John Remus

Linda Remus

Janet Remus

Ed Van Woudenberg (2)

Rhea Stubbe

Francina Boesterd (2)

David Vlietstra

Martin Vlietstra

Conny Boesterd

Albert Bouma

LaRae Hoogendoorn

Gywen Hoogendoorn

Albert Van Grouw

Fred Vlietstra

Bernie Vlietstra

Jane Van Den Top

Joyce Van Den Top

Judy Van Den Top

Gloria Van Den Top

Darlene Van Den Top

Eldon Van Den Top

Billy Blaak

Karel Boonzaayer

Maria Boonzaayer

Ruth Boonzaayer

Esther Boonzaayer

Kathy Van Giessen

Jim Van Giessen

Andy Korevaar

Abraham Korevaar

John Korevaar

Cordy Vandenberg

Jeanette Vandenberg

Henry Vandenberg

John Vandenberg

Paul Vandenberg

David Greendyk

Billy Greendyk

Nick Greendyk

Tom Greendyk

Alida Greendyk

Cindy Hoogendoorn

Gene Hoogendoorn

Perry Hoogendoorn

Mariene Van Veldhuizen

Adrian Bush

Nicholas Bush

Mary Kievit

Bill Kroesbergen

Arline Kieboom

Ella Kieboom

Gary Kwekel

Gordon Boluyt

Steven Boluyt

Amy Mieras

Wilma Oudshoorn

Diane Oudshoorn

Martin Oudshoorn

Billy Oudshoorn

Bill Droogers

Debbie Droogers

Lia Moore

Carl Moore

John Martin Vander Wiele

Jane Ellen Vander Wiele

Peter Feyter

Henrietta Stapel

Rudolph Stapel

Janice Stapel

John Stapel

Elizabeth Koppert

Nelly Koppert

Alice Koppert

Peter Koppert

Christine Koppert

Adrian Korevaar

Anna Moore

Evelyn Korevaar

Wilma Korevaar

Jane Marie Korevaar

Martin Van Wyk

Leslie Van Wyk

Cornelius Van Wyk

Billy Van Wyk

John M. Goeman

Karen Goeman

David M. Goeman

Kristine Rieder

Raymond Rieder

Marinus Slingerland

Judy Slingerland

William Slingerland

Beverly Southway

Barbara Southway

Rhonda Grisnich

Cheryl Grisnich

Wendy Grisnich

Neal Boerkoel

Ruth Boerkoel

Todd Vande Stouwe

Debbie Kamp

Bill Kamp

Tom Kamp

Marilyn Kamp

Alvin Roskam

Jeffrey Roskam

Gloria Roskam

Mary Van Tilburg

Leah Van Tilburg

Nancy Vande Stouwe (2)

Hermina Faye Hubers

Donna Marie Hubers

Helen Hubers

Marcia Hubers

Gerarda Grisnich

Rhonda Van Voorst

It is again time to reply to the letters received —

RONALD VAN WINGERDEN — Your letter will be first this time, Ronald. It was nice to hear from you again. How long did you stay in Holland? Do you think you would like to live there? It is a good thing that everyone doesn’t want to live in the same area.

JOAN VAN ZWEDEN — Is everyone feeling better again, Joan? In the Bible we also read of many instances of sickness, and I am sure you could list quite a few without even looking them up. Each sickness is a warning and a calling from the Lord, but we don’t often think of it that way.

RUTH ANN VAN DALEN — I think Jan would change his mind about travelling on horseback if he really had to do it. If the weather was always nice, it would help a lot, but rain, snow, sleet, and wind are also to be expected. How is school for you this year, Ruth Ann?

RICHARD ROSENDALL — We were at Mackinac Island this summer, Richard. Were you there, too? We do have a flag, but no chickens. Are you the one who takes care of your chickens? We once raised a rooster, but when he started to crow, we had to get rid of him.

JANET REMUS — There are not many boys and girls your age who still have a great grandfather living, Janet. Have you ever been to visit him? Even though he has lived ninety-five years, he too would tell you that his life was like a tale that is told. Do you know what that means?

ARLINE KIEBOOM — We are all quite well, Arline. You must have had a real nice trip. I didn’t think you would go clear to Washington with your trailer. Did you have any car trouble? We were glad to hear that you had arrived home safely again.

DELLA VANDEN BRINK — How many pigs do you have on the farm at the moment, Delia? Or are there too many to count? Your answers arrived in ample time. It seems there are times when the mail doesn’t cross the country too rapidly.

RHEA STUBBE — How many cucumbers can you pick in a day, Rhea? Or perhaps you have never counted them. Was there a good crop of them this year? What subjects do you have in school this year? Give our greetings to your parents.

JANET VAN ZWEDEN — How are you doing in school, Janet? Do you have lots of homework? Did everyone in the family get off to school when it started, or were some of you still on the sick list? Say Hello to your parents for us.

LINDA REMUS — It sounds as if you had a very interesting summer, Linda. And I am sure your grandfather and grandmother must have liked it real well, too. Did they arrive home safely again? Was this their first trip to our country?

GERARDA GRISNICH — The trees are just starting to change colors here, Gerarda. Just one tree shows the wonderful wisdom of the Creator, as we watch it from spring to summer, to fall, and then to winter. And then to think of all the different kinds of trees, each with its differently shaped leaves and fruits.

ED VAN WOUDENBERG — Did you travel by car to Alberta, Ed? That is quite a distance to travel. There is much beautiful country to be seen, and we really don’t have to go far from home to see it. But what we see every day soon becomes common and doesn’t seem to be so special.

FRANCINA BOESTERD — We are all quite well, Francina. It seems that you had a nice trip to Calgary, but it is always nice to get back home again. How do you like to sleep in a camper? Have your grandparents returned from Holland yet? It was nice that they could make the trip again. Say Hello to your family.

WILMA OUDSHOORN — Is this the first time that your grandparents from Holland are coming to visit you, Wilma? It seems that quite a few grandparents are travelling across the ocean. I don’t suppose that you are having any problem talking Dutch to them.

JOHN VAN ZWEDEN — At the end of the summer I think most of the boys and girls are happy that school is starting again, John, even though at the beginning of the summer they didn’t think that would be possible. Do you like your teachers this year?

JOHN ROSENDALL — My children are from fifteen to twenty-two years in age, John. It doesn’t seem so long ago that they were just starting school. How do you like school this year? I suppose there are some things you like real well, and some things not so well.

WILLIAM SLINGERLAND — Where did you go on Vancouver Island, William? Did you go to the gardens? Usually there is more to see than there is time to see them. I suppose you miss Rev. Verhoef. We hope you will soon have another minister.

RALPH VAN ZWEDEN — We were sorry to hear that you were so sick, Ralph, and glad to hear that you were feeling much better. Did you also thank the Lord for His blessing in giving you health again? It could have been so different.

AMY KAAT — I can imagine you were happy to see Arline and Ella arrive home again, Amy. Do they have a large zoo in Milwaukee? It has been a number of years since I have been at a zoo. It usually requires lots of walking.

CHRISTINE KOPPERT — I suppose a farmer would have known what mangle beets are, Christine, but as you probably know, I’m not much of a farmer. How is school going for you? Do you have to get up earlier than you do during vacation? Or are you always up early?

JOHN REMUS — What a nice long letter you wrote, John. You had a busy summer, I’m sure of that, especially after reading about all you did and all the places you went. You also did real well in catching fish. Were you fishing off the pier when your grandfather caught a 20” fluke?

MARY ELLEN VAN ZWEDEN — How is your grandmother, Mary Ellen? Does her leg still bother her? When one becomes older, the problems of old age begin to appear. The Bible tells us that we should “remember our Creator” while we are young, before those days are with us. Do you know where to find this?

CONNY BOESTERD — Have you ever been in the Netherlands, Conny? Is your mother home again? I suppose you were the chief cook while she was in the hospital. We hope everything turned out O.K. What subjects are you taking in school this year?

EVELYN KOREVAAR — I see that your answers were all correct, Evelyn; so you did real well, even though you thought the questions were rather difficult. Were the answers hard to find this month? We really try to make you study a little bit.

JUDY SLINGERLAND — Is your brother going to live in Chilliwack, Judy? How many miles is it from Lethbridge to Chilliwack? I suppose I should have some idea, but I know we travelled the long way around in order to get to Lethbridge.

WILMA KOREVAAR — Do you have lots of relatives in Holland, Wilma? A trip across the ocean was at one time an unusual thing, but today it is quite common. But I am sure you had lots to tell your friends about when you returned.

And that finishes my letters again for this month. We hope to hear from all of you again next month, the Lord willing and we live.

With love and best wishes,

Your friend,

“Uncle Garret”

LIFE’S JOURNEY

For the majority of our young people, the month of June which is now behind us, has left a catalog of memories. For the younger set it meant vacation from school, no more books, no more written assignments and probably sleeping later in the morning. They envision three months of play and doing the things they like to do in between some of the jobs Mom and Dad probably have lined up for them. Some have graduated from high school and college. For them it became a milestone in their lives. They now can look back with a certain degree of satisfaction over their long hours of study to see their accomplishments. For others June will leave an indelible impression of an engagement or marriage. Some have started new jobs to begin their career. All what I have mentioned illustrates that we are passing through Time. Minutes, hours, days and years which we never again can relive and which never will come back to us except in the day of judgment. The memories may linger for a time, but we find other things rapidly taking up our thoughts. We’re on life’s journey. We cannot turn back. Where am I going? Where are you going? What will be your destination? Do you have a map? Who will you depend on to give you good directions? Do you have an accurate time-table? “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” Hebrews 9:27. The date is fixed. If we die wrong the first time, we cannot come back and die better the second time. As death leaves us, so judgment finds us. Our destination is Heaven or Hell. What a serious thought!

Young people and others in our midst, I wish to invade your hearts and thoughts in considering these important issues. Will you then stop with me for a few minutes on this busy super highway of life to consider what God’s Word has to say about these momentous questions? Our first question is, what was God’s purpose for man in His creation? What place do I have in this world? No, I’m not asking you about your accomplishments or your honor, but I’m asking how you personally have fulfilled the purpose for which God placed man upon the earth. Have you ever faced this question? Certainly in everyday life we do our work with a goal or some objective in mind. We are looking forward to some satisfaction over our labors. What then was God’s purpose for man?

Read again the creation story. God created the heaven and the earth; He gathered the waters into seas, lakes, rivers and streams. The earth brought forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after its kind. He created the sun, moon and stars; He placed the fish in the sea, birds to fly over the earth, and animals upon the earth. Wonderful, but last of all God said, let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Man, the crown of God’s creation, created after the image of God with perfect knowledge, righteousness and holiness. Man’s lips, capable of singing out the praises of God’s creation, now, because of sin through our deep fall, curse and lie and dishonor His glorious name. Have you ever gotten up real early in the morning just before the sun rises on the horizon and listened to the birds chirp and sing, giving praise unto their creator. There have been times when it cut me to the heart to hear those melodious notes of those little creatures who have never sinned, praising the Lord. It came to my mind what Isaiah said, “The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider. Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.” Isaiah 1:3, 4.

Young people what has become of man! What knowledge do we have of our heavenly benefactor? What comes from our lips? David said, “O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall show forth thy praise.” Psalm 51:15. David realized by God’s instruction that something had to take place, a miracle from an Almighty God, and that the Lord must open the lips. He had to see sin removed and pardon granted. Before Adam sinned he walked with God — nothing in between them, no shame, no guilt, nothing to hide, but with that perfect union and agreement. I believe we all know by sad experience what sin brings even in our personal life with sister, brother, father, mother, wife or husband. We no longer talk freely, or we don’t say anything, each hoping the other will give in or forget about it. Even if one does break down and ask for forgiveness, how much enmity still lies in the heart. Our proud nature will not admit guilt. I had an interesting experience some years ago in visiting Ionia State Reformatory. They told us about meetings with the inmates and how they have visitors from the different walks of life to talk with these prisoners. The officer remarked that he had never heard an inmate confess he was guilty even though he was caught in the act.

There was always some alibi, some excuse for his misdoings. We need to be made alive by the Holy Spirit and convicted of sin. We can see then that sin makes a separation not only in our temporal life but that we have also become strangers to God. Isaiah said, “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” Isaiah 59:2.

Why do I bring all this up at this Youth Day Conference? Life is real — death is certain. You and I have a soul created for an endless eternity! Wouldn’t you try to awaken a sleeping person whose house is burning down? Our bodies in which our souls are contained are the vehicles on this life’s highway. Where are we going? What’s our destination? Have you stopped long enough to get a true perspective of your relationship with a holy and a righteous God? We confess we are sinners, but now to be a totally lost sinner. I recall a statement made by an elder quoting his father who said, “Children, you are not going lost, you are lost.” The sentence is already written. We have only a short reprieve before the executing of the sentence. Seek conviction of sin and an interest in Christ. Flee from the wrath to come. Jesus gave himself an offering for sin. He came to seek and to save those that are lost. Have you fled for refuge to Jesus?

God has given us a map for our journey, His own precious Word, the Holy Scriptures. Young people, how much do you study that map? There are answers to every problem of life. Who will you depend on to give you good instructions? Thus far we have been blessed with God’s servants who have been true to our souls. Beware of false shepherds who deceive unaware souls to their eternal destruction. I now ask what have you done with all of the mercies that the Lord in His longsuffering has granted unto you. This brings us to a careful examination of our own heart.

(to be continued)

(The above is a part of an address by Elder G. Deur at the 1972 Youth Conference in Kalamazoo.)

WHAT DOES YOUR EYE SEE?

As creatures of God’s creation, we all are vitally interested in our bodies; how they grow, function, and also the effect of diseases on our bodies. I can remember well, even in grade school of learning the anatomy and functioning of the different systems, and how fascinating this study was to me. Now that I’m older, the wonder of God’s creation becomes even greater. David said in Psalm 139:14 “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”

The Bible speaks about many members of the body literally and figuratively; the arms, the legs, the ears, the eyes. Paul, in I Corinthians 12 speaking about spiritual gifts, illustrates so vividly how every part of our body has its own function and purpose and likens this to the body of Christ and its members. We read about apostles, prophets, teachers, governments and others. In his wisdom, God provides for his church converted people with different gifts and talents, but they all have the same objective; the honor and glory of God.

For the time being, I wish to single out just one of these members of the body and see what God’s word has to say about the eye. For our young people it would be an interesting study to see how often the Bible speaks about the eye, sight, vision, blindness, darkness and other related subjects. We can start from the first book of the Bible, Genesis 1:3 “And God said, let there be light: and there was light.” The opposite of light is darkness. There are all kinds of variations of light caused by obstructions between our eye and the light source. We may have a defective or partial functioning eye which cannot discern the same intensity of light as another person. We must, however, be alive to discern light. A dead person cannot see. So it is also after spiritual birth. Light breaks through into the spiritual eye of a sinner and he begins to see his sinfulness in light of a holy and just God who cannot let sin go unpunished. For some, Holy Spirit conviction may be as flashes of lightning from a darkened heaven; while for others it may be a slow breaking in of beams of light from a rising sun gradually discovering more and more of the wickedness, corruptness, deceitfulness, pride and all other abominations of the heart until it pleases the Lord to bring a sinner to confess in uprightness that he is lost, and deserves to be cast into hell. Young people, this is where we all need to come before there is any true seeking after Christ and a revelation of himself. Then our cry will also be, “Is there yet a way by which I may escape that punishment, and be again received into his favor?’ Jesus must be seen through the spiritual eye of faith as suitable, precious, lovely, and all that is necessary to satisfy the justice of a holy God. If we are once privileged to catch a little glimpse of Jesus, as Saviour; then there will be no rest until we can possess him and say “My Lord and my God,” as Thomas.

Before there is spiritual life our eyes are never satisfied, but lusteth after the things of the world. The apostle John has something to say about this in I John 2:15, 16, 17. “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof; but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.” Pray that our spiritual eyes may be opened. We hope to continue some other observations of the eye in relation to God’s word at a later time.

G. Deur

TRULY WISE!

Lord, make us truly wise,
To choose Thy people’s lot;
And earthly things despise,
Which soon shall be forgot.
The greatest evil we can fear
Is to possess our portion here.

PAY THAT WHICH THOU HAST VOWED

“Teacher, may I relate an experience which I had in giving to God?” an African student preacher asked as he stood up at the end of the class.

“A few months ago I wanted to collect some honey to sell at the market. And so I made a long, round beehive. Usually we take the hive out into the bush and hang it in a tree, hoping that bees will find it and take up residence.”

“After finishing the beehive, I just laid it outside the house, intending to hang it up later. The next day a very unusual thing happened — a swarm of bees entered the hive just as it was and took up residence. I thought to myself, ‘Only God could have sent these bees to me. When I sell this at the market, I should get about $10. for it. Since God has been so generous to me, I shall give $4. back to God and keep the other $6.’ “

“When the honey arrived, I sold it at the market and received $10. for it. On the way home I began to think to myself, ‘That $4. is a lot of money. I need a number of things in my house. I had better give God just $2.50 and keep the rest for myself.’ “

“However, before offering time arrived, I did some more thinking. My needs in the house are so pressing that I had better keep another $1.50 of the price and give God only $1. And so on Sunday I put $1. in the offering.”

“Later a colony of big driver ants invaded the hive, killed the bees, and pushed them outside, eating the young and all the honey. When I came there, I found only the riddled honeycomb inside the hive and a pile of dead bees outside. I know God has judged me for stealing the money I had promised Him. Pray for me that I will not do this again,” he concluded and sat down.

A lesson for old and young!

(Church News of Lethbridge)

COUNSELS OF THE AGED TO THE YOUNG

(continued)

When I counsel you, my young friends, to keep a good conscience, I mean that you should, in the first place, endeavor to obtain this inestimable blessing by an application of “the blood of sprinkling.” Until the soul is justified and sin pardoned, there can be no true peace of conscience. While the law remains unsatisfied for us, and denounces vengeance against us for our sins, what in the universe can give us peace? But when by faith the soul apprehends the atonement, and sees that it is sufficient to all the demands of the law, and that in the cross, justice is not only satisfied, but gloriously illustrated, it is at once relieved from the agony of guilt, and the peace of God which passeth understanding pervades the soul. The great secret of genuine peace is, therefore, living faith in the blood of Christ. But if you would preserve your conscience pure and enjoy peace, you must not only obtain forgiveness for the past, but must be very careful to sin no more in the future. The law of God is exceeding broad, and if we would preserve peace of conscience, we must conform our actions to its precepts with assiduous and holy diligence.

A good conscience is always an enlightened conscience. Through error, a man may believe that he is doing God service when he is persecuting His people; but such a conscience is not good. Men may act conscientiously and yet act very wickedly. I suppose that all the devotees of the most absurd and impious superstition act according to the dictates of conscience, even when they sacrifice human beings and expose to death their own offspring or themselves; but who would say that such a conscience was good? The correct knowledge of truth, therefore, lies at the foundation of a good conscience. Nothing is more important to man than the truth; therefore ‘buy the truth and sell it not.’

But too often conscience is not regarded when it correctly dictates what should be done or avoided. Amidst the cravings of appetite, the storm of the passions, and the incessant bustle of the world, the whispers of conscience are not heeded. In multitudes of instances, where persons do wrong, they have a premonition of the evil; or at least a suggestion that it is proper to inquire and consider what duty demands. Some persons are conscientious in great matters, who, in comparatively small concerns, seem to have no moral discernment. The habit of consulting the moral sense in all things is of great importance. Before you act, consider; and beware of the false coloring which passion and self-interest throw around the subjects of duty. Lean to the safe side. Where an action is of dubious character, do not venture upon it. Be fully persuaded in your own mind, ‘for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.’ Some persons are conscientious and punctilious about little things, but careless about the weightier matters of the law. This is the conscience of a hypocrite. Others have a mind ill at ease, because the festering wound of guilt has never been thoroughly probed and cleansed, but merely externally healed. Their repentance has not been deep enough, nor universal enough; some secret sin is still too much indulged. Now while these are the facts, a good conscience is an impossible thing. Sincere penitence, humiliation and confession are God’s prescribed remedy, and where these are wanting, the conscience will not be at peace.

Now whatever may be the infirmity or moral defect which cleaves to us, it is odious in the sight of God, and tends to grieve the Holy Spirit. In just judgment, we are left to darkness, barrenness, and misery, because we have not sufficiently desired deliverance from sin; but have made vain excuses for our own faults. I would then counsel you especially, to cherish the motions of the Holy Comforter. By His divine influences alone, a good conscience can be maintained. And if you are sensible that you have grieved the Spirit, so that you are left comfortless, never rest until you again experience the peace and joy which is the fruit of His indwelling.

(A. Alexander)

(to be continued)

CAIN AND ABEL

When Adam fell, he quickly lost
God’s image, which he once possessed,
See all our nature since could boast,
In Cain, his first-born son, expressed!

The sacrifice the Lord ordained,
In type of the Redeemer’s blood,
Self-righteous reasoning Cain disdained,
And thought his own first-fruits as good.

Yet rage and envy filled his mind,
When with a sullen downcast look,
He saw his brother favor find,
Who God’s appointed method took.

By Cain’s own hand good Abel died,
Because the Lord approved his faith;
And when his blood for vengeance cried,
He vainly thought to hide his death.

Such was the wicked murderer Cain,
And such by nature still are we,
Until by grace we’re born again,
Malicious, blind, and proud as he.

Like him, the way of grace we slight,
And in our own devices trust;
Call evil good, and darkness light,
And hate and persecute the just.

The saints in every age and place,
Have found his history fulfilled;
The numbers all our thoughts surpass,
Of Abels, whom the Cains have killed!

Thus Jesus fell — but oh! His blood
Far better things than Abel’s cries;
Obtains His murderers peace with God,
And gains them mansions in the skies.

— John Newton

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