A PERIODICAL FOR YOUNG AND OLD

ONLY ONE WAY OF SALVATION

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12). From this text we learn (a) the utter uselessness of any religion without Christ, (b) the folly of any religion in which Christ has not the first place, (c) the great error committed by those who add anything to Christ as necessary to salvation, and (d) the utter absurdity of supposing that we ought to be satisfied with a man’s state of soul if he is only earnest and sincere.

The last is a very common heresy indeed, and one against which we all need to be on our guard. There are thousands who say in the present day, “We have nothing to do with the opinion of others. They may perhaps be mistaken, though it is possible they are right and we wrong: but, if they are sincere and earnest, we hope they will be saved even as we.” And all this sounds liberal and charitable, and people like to fancy their own views are so! To such an extreme length has this erroneous idea run that many are content to describe a Christian as “an earnest man,” and seem to think this vague definition is quite sufficient!

Now I believe such notions are entirely contradictory to the Bible, whatever else they may be. I cannot find in Scripture that any one ever got to heaven merely by sincerity, or was accepted with God if he was only earnest in maintaining his own views. The priests of Baal were earnest and sincere when they cut themselves with knives and lancets till the blood gushed out; but that did not prevent Elijah from commanding them to be treated as wicked idolators. Mannassah, King of Judah, was doubtless earnest and sincere when he burned his children in the fire to Moloch; but who does not know that he brought on himself great guilt by so doing? - The Apostle Paul, when a Pharisee, was earnest and sincere while he made havoc of the Church, but when his eyes were cial wickedness. Let us beware of allowing for a moment that sincerity is everything, and that we have no right to speak ill of a man’s spiritual state because of the opinions he holds, if he is only earnest in holding them. It will not stand; it will not bear the test of Scripture. Once allow such notions to be true, and we may as well throw our Bibles aside altogether. Sincerity is not Christ, and therefore sincerity cannot put away sin.

I dare be sure these consequences sound very unpleasant to the minds of some who may read them. But I say, calmly and advisedly, that a religion without Christ, a religion that takes away from Christ, a religion that adds anything to Christ, a religion that puts sincerity in the place of Christ, — all are dangerous: all are to be avoided, because all are alike contrary to the doctrine of Scripture. Some readers may not like this. They think me uncharitable, illiberal, narrow-minded, bigoted, and so forth. But they will not tell me my doctrine is not that of the Word of God. That doctrine is, salvation in Christ to the very uttermost, — but out of Christ no salvation at all.

I feel it a duty to bear my solemn testimony against the spirit of the day we live in; to warn men against its in fection. It is not Atheism I fear so much in the present times as Pantheism. It is not the system which says nothing is true, so much as the system which says everything is true. It is not the system which says there is no Savior, so much as the system which says there are many saviors, and many ways to peace! — It is the system which is so liberal, that it dares not say anything is false. It is the system which is so charitable, that it will allow everything to be true. It is the system which seems ready to honor others as well as our Lord Jesus Christ, to class them all together, and to think well of all. Confucius and Zoroaster, Socrates and Mahomet, the Indian Brahmins and the African devil-worshippers, Arius and Pelagius — all are to be treated respectfully: none are to be condemned. It is the system which is so scrupulous about the feelings of others, that we are never to say they are wrong. This is the system, this is the tone of feeling which I fear in this day, and this is the system which I desire emphatically to testify against and denounce.

What is it all but a bowing down before a great idol, speciously called liberality? What is it all but a sacrificing of truth upon the altar of a caricature of charity? What can be more absurd than to profess ourselves content with “earnestness,” when we do not know what we are earnest about? Let us take heed lest we are carried away by the delusion. Has the Lord God spoken to us in the Bible, or has He not? Has He shown us the way of salvation plainly and distinctly in that Bible, or has He not? Has He declared to us the dangerous state of all out of that way, or has He not? If we grant that the Bible, the whole Bible, and nothing but the Bible is God’s truth, then I know not in what way we can escape the doctrine of the text. From the liberality which says everybody is right, from the charity which forbids us to say anybody is wrong, from the peace which is bought at the expense of truth, may the good Lord deliver us.

Let it be called illiberal and uncharitable. I can hear God’s voice nowhere except in the Bible, and I can see no salvation for sinners in the Bible excepting through Jesus Christ. In Him I see abundance; out of Him I see none.

(J. C. Ryle)

BIBLE QUIZ

Dear Boys and Girls,

This month the first letters of our answers will spell out four words taken from the second article of the twelve articles of the “Apostles’ Creed.” Since it is in this month that we especially remember the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ in Bethlehem, it is a fitting subject for our quiz. Very often during the month of December we hear people speaking and singing about Jesus. There are many who believe He was born the son of Mary, but who do not believe that He was the Son of God. This article says it very plainly and teaches us that He was not only a man, but also God.

Why did He, the Son of God, become a man? Was it because it would be so pleasant for Him to be with men? No — the Bible teaches us so differently. It was to be for Him a time of suffering, and was done to pay the penalty for the sins of His people and to earn for them eternal life. We should pray much that this great blessing may also be for us, too.

When Jesus was on the mount with James, John, and Peter, a voice was heard, saying, “This is My beloved Son, ________ Him.”

In Isaiah 9 we read of the Lord Jesus, “Of the __________ of His government and peace there shall be no end.”

The angel told Joseph in a dream, “Thou shalt call his name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their ______.”

At the cross the rulers derided Him, saying, “He saved_________, let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.”

Peter, set before the rulers and elders at Jerusalem, declared, “There is none other _________ under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

When John the Baptist saw Jesus come unto him, he said, “Behold the _________of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”

When Jesus was brought by Mary and Joseph to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, they sacrificed a pair of turtledoves or two_________ pigeons.

The tempter came to Jesus and said, “If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made _______.”

As Simeon took the child Jesus in his arms, he blessed God and said, “… mine ________ have seen thy salvation.”

What was the name of the angel sent to Mary to tell her about her child which was to be born?___________

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

The angel said to the shepherds, “Behold, I bring you good _________ of great joy.”

To which of His disciples did Jesus say, “Be not faithless, but believing.”_____________

The angels praised God, saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on _________peace, good will toward men.”

Who came to Jesus by night and said, “Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God.”________

Of what city was the woman at the well, who said to Jesus, “I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ.”____________

Jesus said to Satan, “It is written, ‘Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him ________ shalt thou serve.”

Who, when Jesus told him that He had seen him under the fig tree, said, “Rabbi, Thou art the Son of God”?

(Send your answers to me at the following address, Garret J. Moerdyk, 1104 Roseland Avenue, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001)

Answers to the November quiz are as follows —

“God, The Father, Almighty”

God - Genesis 1:1

Obey - Exodus 5:2

Drank - I Kings 17:1–6

Tremble - Daniel 6:25–26

Heaven - Daniel 2:27–28

Eyes - II Chronicles 20:5–12

Fire - I Kings 18:22–24

Abednego - Daniel 3:28

Token - Genesis 9:13

Halt - I Kings 18:21

Evil - Genesis 50:19–20

Rabshakeh - II Kings 18:28–32

Alive - II Kings 5:1–7

Lamb - Genesis 22:8

Moses - Exodus 3:14

Image - Genesis 1:26

Good - Genesis 1:31

Hezekiah - II Kings 19:8–14

Triumphed - Exodus 15:1

Youth - Ecclesiastes 12:1

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

Karen Easterhoff

Arline Kieboom

Ella Kieboom

Gary Blok

John Blok

Carol Van Bemden

Alma Van Beek

Anden Van Beek

Joann Van Beek

Willem Den Boer

Gary Van Giessen

Sandy Van Giessen

Randy Van Giessen

Margaret Den Boer

Dan Meeuwse

Mark Meeuwse

Francina Boesterd

Conny Boesterd

Joan Van Zweden

Jan Van Dalen

Jacob Van Dalen

Ruth Ann Van Dalen

Mary Van Zweden

John Van Zweden

Mark Van Zweden

Ralph Van Zweden

Janet Van Zweden

Marilyn Van Ravenswaay

Jo Ann Van Ravenswaay

Esther Van Ravenswaay

Steve Slotsema

Shirley Slotsema

Tim Westrate

Laura Rosendall

Henry Rosendall

Amy Lou Kaat

Mary Vander Male

Lilly Ann Vander Male

Tammy Troff

Cheryl Kalee

Deb Kalee

Karel Kalee

Ruth Meeuwse

Kay Meeuwse

Joan Lugthart

Val Lugthart

Donna Zaremba

Denise Zaremba

Marilyn De Maagd

Carol Mol

Susan Van Ess

Richard Van Ess

Sharon Van Grouw

Brian Van Grouw

Frances Vander Meulen

Teresa Vander Meulen

Harmen Vander Meulen

Sidney Vander Meulen

Joyce Vander Meulen

Bill Van Wingerden

Janny Van Wingerden

John Van Wingerden

Rhea Stubbe

Mary Van Tilburg

Leah Van Tilburg

Trudy Van Veldhuizen

John Verhey

Dave Verhey

Karl Van Oostenbrugge

Mary Van Oostenbrugge

Mary Frens

Juli Frens

Nancy Kwekel

David Kwekel

Gary Kwekel

Sharon Frens

Sheryl Spaans

Marcia Spaans

Ken Spaans

Betty Kamp

Henry Kamp

Mary Kamp

Linda Kamp

John M. Goeman

Karen Goeman

David M. Goeman

Billy Van Wingerden

Kenny Van Wingerden

Gerarda Grisnich

Gloria Rus

Harlan Rus

Melvin Jay Rus

Jeanette Slingerland

Mark Heystek

Mariene Van Veldhuizen

Hermina Faye Hubers

Donna Marie Hubers

Helen Hubers

Marcia D. Hubers

Richard Rosendall

Ruth Van Dyke

David Van Dyke

John Van Dyke

Joanne Vande Waerdt (3)

Linda Vande Waerdt (3)

Wayne Vande Waerdt (3)

John Peter Rosendall

Debbie Kamp

Neal Boerkoel

Lisa Carlson

Bill Kamp

Tom Kamp

Marilyn Kamp

Ruth Boerkoel

Tunis Sweetman, Jr.

Daniel John Sweetman

Janet Sweetman

Jenny Lee Sweetman

Christine Koppert

Nelly Koppert

Carla Van Grootheest

Cindy Hoogendoorn

Gail Hoogendoorn

Henrietta Stapel

Rhonda Van Voorst

Hans Kuperus

Miriam Kuperus

Arlene Kuperus

David Kuperus

Richard Kamp

Barbara Kamp

Robert Kamp

Andrew Van Stelle

Timothy Van Stelle

Arie Van Vugt

Elizabeth Koppert

Alice Koppert

Peter Koppert

Nick Greendyk

Tom Greendyk

Bobby Greendyk

Billy Greendyk

Alida Greendyk

David Greendyk

Paul Van Wingerden

Ronald Van Wingerden

Gladys Van Bochove

Rhonda Van Bochove

Gary Roozenboom

Wendy Grisnich

Rhonda Grisnich

Cheryl Grisnich

Andy Korevaar

Abraham Korevaar

John Korevaar

Adrian Korevaar

David Vlietstra

Janet Vlietstra

Martin Vlietstra

Janet Bouma

Jerry Pluim

Rosemary Pluim

Gloria Pluim

Bruce Blok

Marinus Slingerland

William Slingerland

Judy Slingerland

Judy Sweetman

Jane Derksen

Joanne Overeem

Jenny Overeem

Casey Overeem

Evelyn Jane Korevaar

Wilhelmina Korevaar

Jane Marie Korevaar

Albert Bouma

Adrian Bush

Nicholas Bush

Alfred Hup

Beverly Southway

Barbara Southway

Nancy Vande Stouwe

Todd Vande Stouwe

Bill Kroesbergen

John Vandenberg

Paul Vandenberg

Henry Vandenberg

Jeanette Vandenberg

Cordy Vandenberg

George Van Strien

Albert Van Grouw

Julie Ann Van Middendorp (2)

Kathleen den Hoed (2)

Arthur den Hoed (2)

Maryjean den Hoed (2)

Joleen den Hoed

Linda Remus

Janet Remus

John Remus

Nellie Hey koop

Adrian Heykoop

Cory Heykoop

Helen Heykoop

And now to answer our mail —

ANDY KOREVAAR — Your letter will be the first one, Andy. We are all quite well. Quite a few of the boys and girls caught my mistake of Psalm 110 instead of Psalm 111. I was glad to see that everyone was so alert. Did you find any mistakes this time?

JANICE VLIETSTRA — It was nice to receive your answers again, Janice, and also your letter. Did you move very far from where you lived before? What is your dog’s name? Have you found some new friends in your new neighborhood?

JOAN VAN ZWEDEN — Were you quite happy with the election results, Joan? There is much work involved in an election campaign. The word election is found a number of times in the Bible, but has nothing to do with voting. Do you know where it can be found and what it means?

MARGARET DEN BOER — Did you find the quiz was quite easy this time, Margaret? Your little brother will soon be able to play with you. Where did your cousins move to? I suppose you have found some other friends to play with.

CHERYL GRISNICH — We have some snow on the ground at the present, Cheryl, but the roads are all clear. What was the holiday on November 10? I suppose it was a Canadian holiday; or was it just a school holiday? Do you also have some time off at Christmas?

EVELYN JANE KOREVAAR — I am sure your father appreciates your help in the barn, Evelyn, especially if you are a willing worker. What is your job? Or don’t you do the same thing every day? Is your cold all better now?

GARY ROOZENBOOM — It certainly is a blessing when crops are so good, Gary. The Bible tells us that man can plant and can water, but it is the Lord Who gives the increase. This is true in farming and also in spiritual life. There is not much farming done around Kalamazoo like there is in Iowa.

HENRIETTA STAPEL — We have had lots of rain this fall, Henrietta. In many places it was too much for the farmers. Today people would like to control the wind and the rain, but the Bible tells us that it is God Who giveth rain and causeth the wind to blow. Can you find texts to prove this?

TAMMY TROFF — There are many different animals and insects which the Lord has created, Tammy, and it is quite interesting to learn about them and study about them. In Proverbs 30 we read something about spiders. Can you find the text?

RHEA STUBBE — Is your brother’s pig growing rapidly, Rhea? I am sure he is giving it extra special care since it is his own. Does your father have quite a few pigs at the moment? Say Hello to your father and mother for us.

JUDY SLINGERLAND — I imagine it was very nice to have Rev. Verhoef with you again on Sunday, Judy. During the winter months it is not always such an easy trip to make from Chilliwack to Lethbridge. Have you had much snow yet this winter?

JANET VAN ZWEDEN — It certainly does seem as if there are lots of vacation days lately, Janet; either teachers’ conventions, school conferences, or something like that. School in Kalamazoo started the day after Labor Day, so that is a week later than you started.

CONNY BOESTERD — We were happy to hear that your grandparents had returned home safely and in good health, Conny. When do you have your catechism class? I think you must have more foggy weather than we do, as we don’t have that much of it.

RUTH ANN VAN DALEN — That was rather too bad that you didn’t feel too well while on your vacation, Ruth Ann. I have never been in Washington, D.C., but I know there are many things to see there. What did you find most interesting there?

AMY LOU KAAT — I was glad to hear that your father was back to work, Amy. He will have to be real careful and not lift anything heavy. We don’t think about money being so heavy, but if you get enough quarters, dimes, nickles, and pennies, it can soon weigh quite a bit.

ARLINE KIEBOOM — You have made good use of your trailer, Arline. Do you like travelling with it? In Bible times we know that travelling was not so easy as it is today. Can you tell me of some of the different ways they travelled in those days?

JOHN VAN ZWEDEN — Where do you keep your ducks, John? Do you have a place for them to swim? Are they pets, or do you plan to eat them when they are full grown? You certainly keep your place supplied with an animal of some kind. No sooner are the rabbits gone, and you have ducks to take their place.

WILHELMINA KOREVAAR — It shows that 1 also make mistakes, Wilhelmina. But this kind of mistake is not so serious. Everyone seems to have found the answer after all. In what city do your relatives live in Holland? I don’t know too much about Holland, but I keep on learning.

MARK VAN ZWEDEN — How are you getting along in school, Mark? It doesn’t seem possible that four months of the school year will soon be passed by, and we will be starting a new year again. How are your grandparents now? Be sure to say Hello to them and to your parents for us.

JANE MARIE KOREVAAR — You must be an expert cook after all that experience, Jane. And I am sure that is the best way to learn — by experience. Do you like cooking and baking? It also helps us to see all that a mother has to do.

FRANCINA BOESTERD — Is there an airport near your home, Francina? I know that you aren’t too far from the river, so that may be why you have such foggy weather. If the sun comes out and shines brightly, the fog disappears rapidly.

MARY VAN ZWEDEN — Again we have reached the bottom, Mary. Do you find school more difficult this year than it was last year? Or don’t you have any problem with school work? Did your inner-tube break yet after all that bouncing?

Again we thank all the boys and girls for their answers this month. There is much for us to learn in God’s Word, but may we above all prayerfully search for that pearl which is hidden in its pages. Do you know what that is?

With love,

Your friend,

“Uncle Garret”

THE LITTLE SUBSTITUTE

A teacher in a day-school had to punish one of his pupils for breaking the rule of the school. The punishment was that the offending boy should stand for a quarter of an hour in a corner of the schoolroom.

As the guilty boy was going to the appointed place, a little fellow much younger than he, went up to the teacher and requested that he might be allowed to take the place of the other boy. The teacher consented. The little boy went, and bore the punishment due to the other boy.

When the quarter of an hour was passed, the teacher called the little boy to him and asked if his companion had begged him to take his place. “No, sir,” he replied.

“Well, don’t you think that he deserved to be punished?”

“Yes, sir; he had broken the rule of the school, and he deserved to be punished.”

“Why did you want to bear the punishment in his place?”

“Sir, it was because he is my friend, and I love him.”

The teacher thought this a good opportunity for teaching his pupils an important lesson.

“Boys and girls,” said he, “would it be right for me now to punish that boy who has broken the rule of the school?”

“No, sir,” they answered.

“Why not?”

“Because we have allowed his friend Joseph to be punished in his place.”

“Does this remind you of anything?” asked the teacher.

“Yes, sir,” said several voices; “it reminds us that the Lord Jesus bore the punishment for the sins of His people.”

“What name would you give to Joseph for what he has done?”

“That of a substitute.”

“What is a substitute?”

“One who takes the place of another.”

“What place has Jesus taken?”

“That of sinners.”

“Joseph has told us that he wished to take his friend’s place, and be punished instead of him because he loved him. Can you tell me why Jesus wished to die in the place of sinners?”

“It was because He loves sinners.”

“What passage in the Bible proves this?”

“The Son of God, Who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20.

Jesus is the most loving of all friends. We may well say with the hymnwriter,

“One there is, above all others,

Well deserves the name of Friend;

His is love beyond a brother’s,

Lasting, true, and know’s no end.”

(Christian Stories for Young Children)

COUNSELS OF THE AGED TO THE YOUNG

(continued)

16. As ‘man is born to sorrow as the sparks fly upwards’; as no situation is exempt from the arrows of adversity, I would give it as a necessary counsel, to learn to bear affliction with fortitude and resignation. To dream of escaping what is appointed unto all, would be to fall wilfully into a dangerous delusion. Every man is vulnerable in so many points, that nothing short of a perpetual miracle could shield any one from the strokes of adversity. Indeed, piety of the most exalted kind does not secure its possessor from affliction and persecution. Christ Himself suffered while in the world, and has left His followers a perfect example of holy fortitude and filial submission to the will of God. When sorely pressed with the inconceivable load of our sins, so that His human soul could not have sustained it unless supported by the divine nature, His language was, “Not my will but thine be done.” Those afflictions which are allotted to the people of God are necessary parts of salutary discipline, intended to purify them from the dross of sin, and to prepare them for the service of God here, and the enjoyment of God in the world to come. They are, therefore, to them no penal judgments, but Fatherly chastisements, which, though ‘not joyous but grievous’ for the present, ‘afterwards work for them the peaceable fruits of righteousness.’

But whatever may be our moral and spiritual condition, whether we are friends or enemies of God, we must be subject to various afflictions. This is a dying world. The nearest and dearest friends must part. Death sunders the tenderest ties, and often pierces the susceptible heart with a keener anguish by directing the mortal stroke to a dear companion or child, than if it had fallen on our own head. When I see youth rejoicing in the sanguine hopes and brilliant prospects which the deceitful world spreads out before them, I am prevented from sympathizing with their happy feelings by the foresight of a speedy end to all their earthly pleasures. Their laughter will be converted into mourning. Their day of bright sunshine will soon be overcast with dark clouds; all their brilliant prospects will be obscured, and the overwhelming gloom of sorrow will envelop them.

It is indeed no part of wisdom to torment our minds with vain terrors of evils which are merely possible. Many persons suffer more in the apprehension of calamities than they would if they were present. The imagination represents scenes of adversity in a hue darker than the reality. In regard to such evils, our Savior has taught us not to yield to useless anxieties about the future, but to trust to Providence. “Let the morrow take care of itself.” But that to which I would bring my youthful readers is a state of mind prepared for adversity, of whatever kind it may be; that they may not be taken by surprise when calamity falls upon them. And when the dark day of adversity arrives, be not dismayed, but put your trust in the Lord, and look to Him for strength to endure whatever may be laid upon you. Never permit yourselves to entertain hard thoughts of God on account of any of His dispensations. They may be dark and mysterious, but they are all wise and good. What we cannot understand now, we shall be privileged to know hereafter.

Exercise an uncomplaining submission to the will of God, as developed in the events of Providence. Believe steadfastly that all things are under the government of wisdom and goodness. Remember that whatever sufferings you may be called to endure, they are always less than your sins deserve; and consider that these afflictive dispensations are fraught with rich, spiritual blessings. They are not only useful but necessary. We should perish with a wicked world if a kind Father did not make use of the rod to reclaim us from our wanderings. Besides, there is no situation in which we can more glorify God than when in the furnace of affliction. The exercise of faith and humble resignation, with patience and fortitude, under the pressure of heavy calamity, is most pleasing to God, and illustrates clearly the excellency of religion which is able to bear up the mind, and even render it cheerful in the midst of tribulation. And not only bear your cross with cheerful resignation, but endeavor to extract from sorrow a rich spiritual blessing. While enjoying such an effectual means of grace, improve it to the utmost, to promote growth in the divine life. Be willing to suffer any pain which will render you more holy. Although we naturally desire uninterrupted prosperity, yet if the desire of our hearts was always given to us, it would prove ruinous.

And when schooled in adversity, you will be better qualified to sympathize with the children of sorrow, and better skilled in affording them comfort, than if you had no experience of trouble.

(A. Alexander)

(to be continued)

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. — Rom. 6:23

THE CLOSE OF THE YEAR

The Lord, our salvation and light,
The guide and the strength of our days,
Has brought us together tonight,
A new Ebenezer to raise:
The year we have now passed through,
His goodness with blessing has crowned;
Each morning His mercies were new;
Then let our thanksgivings abound.

Encompassed with dangers and snares,
Temptations, and fears, and complaints,
His ear He inclined to our prayers,
His hand opened wide to our wants;
We never besought Him in vain;
When burdened with sorrow or sin,
He helped us again and again,
Or where before now had we been?

His gospel, throughout the long year,
From Sabbath to Sabbath He gave;
How oft has He met with us here,
And shown Himself mighty to save?
His candlestick has been removed
From churches once privileged thus;
But though we unworthy have proved,
It still is continued to us.

For so many mercies received,
Alas! what returns have we made?
His Spirit we often have grieved,
And evil for good have repaid;
How well it becomes us to cry,
“Oh! who is a God like to Thee.
Who passeth iniquities by,
And plungest them deep in the sea!”

To Jesus, Who sits on the throne,
Our best hallelujahs we bring;
To Thee it is owing alone
That we are permitted to sing:
Assist us, we pray, to lament
The sins of the year that is past;
And grant that the next may be spent
Far more to Thy praise than the last.

John Newton

A CALL AND ADMONITION OF A CHILD, WHO IN ONE NIGHT WAS SUDDENLY TAKEN AWAY AND SEPARATED FROM HER PARENTS, RELATIVES AND PLAYMATES

Oh, my father! Oh, my mother! What pain I am suffering in this eternal flame! Why did you not admonish and warn me? Why did you not speak to me when I was yet with you of this place of torment? Did you love me? Of what benefit to me now are my clothes, with which I was primped? What have I now to all those amusements and pleasures? Of what benefit now is all that gold and silver? What are all those toys to me now? My raiment is the flame, my gold and silver the fire! Oh, my minister, who admonished me so often of the danger of hell, spoke the truth, but I did not regard it; I followed the example of those who walked on the broad way to hell with me, and I even took the lead in profaning the Lord’s name and in desecrating the Lord’s Day; I was deaf to all warnings and admonitions; I have turned away my ears from reproof.

Howbeit my life was suddenly severed, although I was often warned; how often has it been told to me: “They who hate God, love death,” and that I would be forever lost if I kept walking in that path. But where I had to hear it, I did not listen; it was not taught to me in school; I did not read it in my books; my parents did not warn or instruct me; I was reared for hell, where I now lie eternally to burn and to chew my tongue and gnash my teeth. I curse my parents because they did not teach me the way of life and repentance; could I only burn my books, the hellish poison of which I absorbed so young; could I again come in possession of that gold and silver and those beautiful clothes that strengthened me in my sins, I would tear them with my teeth and pull them apart to the last thread, and cast them far from me in this flame ... the gold and silver I would trample under my feet.

Oh, father and mother! Had I now a drop of water in this awful place of pain! Oh, my playmates and companions on the way to destruction! Could I only call unto you how you are skipping along on the broad way to hell, and dancing to the eternal bottomless pit; how you turn your back to, laugh at, mock, and slander those who admonish you and seek your good, if not in their presence, yet often behind their back. Oh! They have the truth, and we the lies; they serve God and we the devil; they go to heaven and we to hell, where I have gone before you and am awaiting you, if you do not take a different way than that which leads to hell.

For you there is yet time, but for me it is forever too late. I saw hell already opened. before I even entered; I saw the place before me into which I had to sink enternally, as Korah, Dathan, and Abiram with all their children! With a living sensation of hell I sank into this eternal abyss, without ever being able to get out! Jesus I did not seek; I mocked at repentance, yes, I did not even give it a thought. My clothes and amusements were my idols; and now, where are they? Suddenly I had to leave all. I could take nothing along. Even though all my possessions were buried with my body, they would be eaten by the worms with my dust, and time would cause them to be consumed; but there is no time here; there are no amusements here; pain and grief torture my soul in the terrible flames of hell!

Oh, my girl friends! Could I present myself to you in this condition, you would run away from me and cry out: “Fearful! Fearful!” … But you are not afraid of hell; you have no fear for this place of torment; you serve the devil and the world; you amuse and primp yourselves for eternal damnation; you are becoming more and more ripe for hell, where I now am, if you do not soon take a different course, and change your way of life and be converted, (because you, as well as I, can suddenly and unexpectedly come where I am!) How uselessly have we spent our time! We have played, and talked about things and rejoiced, all of which now costs me eternal sorrow. God’s Word we have rejected, and we would not be admonished, but strengthened each other in wickedness, yes, therein was our pleasure and only joy.

We went on with our wrong acts and in seeking the things of this world, which all perish and leave an eternal reproach! We followed pretense and appearance and never spoke about what this place of torment would bring. We learned well, and were proud too, when we knew our questions; and we laughed at those who were backward in this, as if that were enough, and as though we were above them through our own efforts, whereas they could have preceded us in death and even entered that eternal bliss.

How those truths burn on our souls now, which I then committed to memory! No question or answer did I recite, but which are now as burning daggers and scorching nails in my burning conscience! Here we cannot make any excuses; it is my fault that I am lost, because I would not hearken to that which was told me! Oh! my eyes, which burned with desires when I was yet so young, which often burned with anger and envy, regret and peevishness, I have lifted up in everlasting destruction and in the eternal flames of hell! How I abhor and despise now what I then sought and desired!

The more I was primped and adorned for the world, the more pain and misery I suffer here! The more warnings I have cast to the wind, the fiercer the blows I feel here! How many of our younger girl friends were snatched away by death; how often did we hear the death bell, which someday would sound for us and now already has tolled for me! How many have we not seen descend into the grave and committed to the earth, where my body now already lies, awaiting the dreadful resurrection, because all doubt ends here! That there is a God, devil, and hell, is verified here in a dreadful manner; that sins are punished, I feel and realize; that they, who hate God’s people, will be cast away forever, and they, who reject Jesus, will be renounced eternally, I experience … and so will everyone who is not brought off the way to eternal damnation while it is yet time, where I have now come forever.

And therefore, my former companions! you did miss me from your midst, but now already no more, for you soon forget the deceased! Could I but call out to you about it and let you feel with my finger something of that burning blaze of hell! Might others then admonish you in my stead! Could we only have a breathing spell or some relief here in hell … but no, that is impossible. But oh! that you may not come here to increase and aggravate my misery. It would be for your own good, if you gave audience to my warnings. For me it is too late and forever final, but for you it is yet time, so long as it is called “today.” Today then, if you will hear God’s voice, harden not your hearts but be admonished, for it is terrible to fall into the hands of the living God. Whose eyes are a flaming fire. (Proverbs 9.) Rev. L.G.C. Ledeboer

THE SOUL OF MAN

John Flavel once wrote, “I studied to know many other things, but I knew not myself. It was with me, as with a servant to whom the master committed two things: the child and the child’s clothes. The servant is very careful of the clothes; brushes and washes, starches and irons them, and keeps them safe and clean; but the child is forgotten and lost. My body, which is but the garment of my soul was long forgotten, and had been lost for ever, as others daily are, had not God roused it by the convictions of His Spirit out of that deep oblivion and deadly slumber.”

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