A PERIODICAL FOR YOUNG AND OLD

THE CONFESSION

OF FAITH - ARTICLE XXI

Of the Satisfaction of Christ,

Our Only High Priest, For Us.

We know that Christ has three offices—Prophet, Priest and King. This article does not speak of His prophetical office, which is to make known the way of salvation, to preach the good tidings to the meek. Neither does it speak of Christ’s kingly office, but tells us of His priestly office, which is the foundation of the prophetical and kingly offices. It reads, “We believe that Jesus Christ is ordained with an oath to be an everlasting High Priest, after the order of Melchisedec.”

After Adam fell in Paradise there was no priest who could exist before god. Not only must sacrifices be brought to the altar, but the priest must also be clean and holy. Before the fall Adam had been a priest without sin, but after the fall he became unclean in thoughts, words and deeds. Therefore their offerings were also unclean before the Lord.

God’s Word, and also this article, speak about two kinds of priests: one after the order of Melchisedec and the other after the order of Aaron. These two names should be well known to us. Aaron, the brother of Moses, was called by the Lord to be the first priest in Israel. This priesthood was only of the nation of the children of Israel. According to the commandment of the Lord, the priests out of the tribe of Levi were about twenty years old when they came to the office. We do not find these restrictions in the priesthood after the order of Melchisedec; no nation, no family, no age is prescribed.

The priestly office in Israel pointed to Christ, Who would come in the fullness of time. The priestly order of Melchisedec excels that of Aaron. As we know, Christ was not born of the tribe of Levi, but of the kingly tribe of Judah. According to the Divine commands, the Lord Jesus could not be a priest in Israel; however, He was a priest, but then after the order of Melchisedec.

Who was Melchisedec? This man was King of Jerusalem and Priest of the Most High (Genesis 14:18). He had received this double office of the Lord in a special way according to God’s eternal pleasure. This is the everlasting office which is given to Christ, as we read in Psalm 110:4, “The Lord has sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” It is a great comfort for the church if they may look by faith upon Christ and His sacrifice, which has an eternal value. He merited eternal life for His church, and in Him is the surety for soul and body, for time and eternity. He is unchangeable and faithful. Therefore, in order that Christ may become everything, the Lord brings His church to an end with everything of themselves.

Three types of work were performed by the priests—they brought sacrifices, prayed and blessed. We know that Christ brought the sacrifice of Himself. In Isaiah 53:10 there is written, “When Thou shalt make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand.” In our article this is described as follows: “And that He hath presented Himself in our behalf before the Father, to appease His wrath by His full satisfaction, by offering Himself on the tree of the cross, and pouring out His precious blood to purge away our sins.”

By transgressing the law and violating the justice of God, a sacrifice was necessary to make restoration in God’s communion; His wrath had to be appeased. The wrath of God is not to be compared to the wrath of man; God hates and punishes sin. The Lord is the Lawgiver and requires an obedience to love God above all and our neighbor as ourselves. Only Adam and Eve in Paradise were able to perform this, but after the fall it was no longer possible and we were brought under the curse and wrath of God. Deliverance from the curse of the law is only possible if the law is perfectly kept and the attributes of God restored; it is only in this way that we can return into the communion with God.

The Old Testament Church was visibly taught to bring sacrifices; animals had to die. In this way a ceremonial satisfaction was given, which had no value for eternity, but it was a shadow of Christ’s sacrifice. How did Christ execute His office as Priest? In His once offering up of Himself to satisfy the Divine justice and thus reconcile us with God. His satisfaction consists of two branches, His active and His passive obedience. In His active obedience He fulfilled all righteousness. Christ did

everything which the law required. His holy life was a perfect commentary upon the law of God, and He obeyed the law for us.

This article does not speak of Christ’s active obedience, but deals with His passive obedience—how He suffered and died. Why was this necessary? It was because we ate of the forbidden fruit, which was to be punished with the threefold death. After this sin was committed, the Lord did not immediately fulfill this punishment upon man; however, the seed of death is already present in man when he is born, and the spiritual death is also there at once. The temporal death will come at the end of our life and, if we are not reconciled with God, then the wrath of God will be fully revealed in our eternal death. A certain number of people out of the human race, known only to the Lord, will be saved by the merits of Christ, which satisfied all God’s attributes.

Christ suffered all the days of His life, but especially at the end in Gethsemane and Golgotha. Oh, how He did suffer in soul and body together. It was not a mere appearance of suffering, but He suffered truly. The thought of this suffering, since He knew what would happen, made Christ sweat great drops of blood. Then followed the crucifixion, which is an ignominious, painful and accursed death. Would another death not be of the same effect? No! The crucifixion was a heathen punishment and the most dishonorable known. No Romans, but only slaves and great malefactors received such a punishment. Sometimes it happened in Israel that the body of a person who had been stoned to death was hung on a tree. But before the evening ended, it must be buried, otherwise the curse would rest upon the land.

So Christ became a curse for His people to free them from the curse of the law. He did not suffer for His own sin, but for the sin of His people. The unrighteousness of His people is laid upon Him, but He is clean. As Judah gave himself for Benjamin, so Christ gave Himself for His elect. What a privilege when we may know something of His Mediatorial work for our personal lives. We were and are disobedient, and will it be well, then we need such a perfect and obedient Mediator as Christ was.

BIBLE QUIZ

Dear Boys and Girls —

It is the time of the year when the fruits and vegetables, which we planted, are being harvested. Perhaps you will think that this is all a result of hard work, such as plowing, planting, weeding, etc. And it is true if we do not sow or plant, we cannot expect to reap. But do we also see the Lord’s hand in these things? We must then acknowledge Him for them.

Already on the third day of creation the Lord provided the plants and trees and growing things, as you can read in Genesis 1. He only spoke, and it was so. He made heaven and earth and sea and all that therein is.

Our quiz is about these fruits and trees, and the answers will spell out five words found in the first chapter of Genesis.

King Solomon sent to Hiram, king of Tyre, saying, “Command thou that they hew me cedar trees out of_________”

Daniel said to Melzar, “Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; let them give us pulse to ___________, and water to drink.”

The Lord God said unto Adam, “Thorns and_______________ shall it bring forth to thee.”

The butler told Joseph, “In my dream, behold, a vine was before me; and in the vine were _______________branches.”

In Psalm 137 the people said,

“We hanged our___________ upon the willows.

All countries came into _______ to Joseph for to buy corn.

As the children of Israel trav-velled, they came to_________where were twelve wells of water and threescore and ten palm trees.

Noah was commanded by the Lord to make an_________of gopher wood.

Moses’ mother made an ark of bulrushes, put the child therein, and laid it in the flags by the ___________’s brink.

An angel appeared unto Gideon as he___________wheat by the winepress.

When the Philistines came against Israel, the Lord said to David, “When thou_________ the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, then thou shalt bestir thyself.”

Andrew said, “There is a lad here, which hath five_____________ and two small fishes.”

When Jesus was on the cross, one took a sponge and filled it with vinegar and put it on a_____ and gave Him to drink.

When returning to Egypt for food, their___________said unto them, “Take of the best fruits in the land and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts and almonds.”

When Deborah, Rebekah’s ___________, died, she was buried beneath Bethel under an oak.

And the Lord God prepared a _________and made it to come up over Jonah.

The Lord Jesus said to Nathana-el, “Before that Philip called thee when thou was under the ___________tree, I saw thee.”

The children of Israel wept in the wilderness, saying, “We remember the fish which we did eat in Egypt freely, the cucumbers, and the melons and the

leeks and the_____________and the garlic.”

When Zacchaeus could not see Jesus, he_____________before and climbed up into a sycamore tree.

In the parable about the good seed sown in a field, what was sown by an enemy while men slept?

The plague of hail in Egypt smote every___________of the field, and brake every tree of the field.

Be sure to send your answers to Garret J. Moerdyk, 5211 Woodmont Drive, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001.

The answers to the quiz of last month are as follows:

“If the Lord Will,

We Shall Live”

James 4:15

Isaac -Genesis 17:21

Face -Genesis 11:4

Thoughts -Isaiah 55:8

Hand -Job 2:10

Evil -Genesis 50:20

Lord -I Samuel 3:18

Observe -Jonah 2:8

Return -Acts 18:21

Deliver -Daniel 3:17

Will -Genesis 46:3

Inward -Psalm 49:11

Life -Genesis 2:7

Lay -Matthew 6:19

Wind -Jonah 1:4

Ease -Luke 12:16-20

Sodom -Genesis 13:12

Hence -Exodus 33:15

Alive -I Samuel 2:6

Lifteth -I Samuel 2:7

Lowing -I Samuel 6:9-12

Lie -Titus 1:2

Imagination -Genesis 6:5

Voice -Acts 9:3-4

Earth -Psalm 24:1

Answers were received from the following boys and girls:

Jane Mast

Joy Mast

Carl Mast

Cindy Markus

Julie VanGemert

Kim Timmer

Michelle Timmer

Denise Polderman

Jim VanBeek

Rachel Rosendall

Jeff Rosendall

Kristi Rosendall

John Rosendall

Rick Rosendall

Mary Rosendall

Kevin Rosendall

Jan Groen

Cheryl Groen

Debra VanBemden

Mike VanBemden

Sally VanBemden

Kathy VanBemden

Allan Post

Marta Koeber

Anita Koeber

Patricia Hoogmoed

Pam Hoogmoed

Carla Spaans

Sarah Spaans

Karol Spaans

Karen Spaans

Karen Ymker

Leah Talbot

Laura Talbot

Linda Talbot

Sharon Talbot

Karl VanOostenbrugge

Steven VanOostenbrugge

Jeff Boot

Jeremy Boot

Yvonne Kegel

Brian Kegel

John Spaans

Hilda VandenHoek

Anthony VandenHoek

Marlene Grisnich

Robert Koppert

Bob Malj aars

Sandra Malj aars

Minda VanRavenswaay (2)

Susan VanRavenswaay (2)

Paul Greendyk

Alan Greendyk

Glen VanderKooi

Ray VanderKooi (2)

Tim Nieuwenhuis

Tammy VandenToorn

Larry Slotsema

Andy DenBoer

Leonard DenBoer

Steve VanGemert

John VanGemert

Joel A. VanderKooi (2)

Tim Westrate

Scott Van’tZelfde

Margaret Maassen

Laurie Bleeker

Steve Bleeker

Dan Eerdmans

David Eerdmans

Ross Derksen (2)

Shelley Hoogendoorn

Lisa Hoogendoorn

Larry VanMiddendorp (2)

Jim Bazen

Karen Bazen

Linda Bazen

Margaret Karelse

Shirley Karelse

Karen Karelse

Michelle Karelse

Robert Kamp

Jonathan Kamp

Dan Damp

Peter Bazen

Dan Bazen

Ed Bazen

Sharon Bazen

Steve Bazen

Henry Otten

William Otten

Fred Otten

Diane Otten

Marlene Otten

Steven Johnson

Dwaine Johnson

Norm VanRavenswaay

Lyle VanRavenswaay

Douglas John Mol

David Hoogendoorn (2)

Joyce Koppelaar

Walter Koppelaar

Nicholas Koppelaar

Kathy Vroegindewey

Gail Vroegindewey

Joy Voregindewey

Martin Vroegindewey

Alyce Jane Nieuwenhu

Robert Nieuwenhuis

Bob Huisjen

Lena Neels

Marianne Neels (2)

Willy Neels

Bernice Bouman

Liz VanGiessen

Joan VanGiessen

Jim VandenBrink

Lisa Neels

Fred Neels

Cathy Neels

Carrie Block

Becky Markus

Lisa Markus

Danny Markus

Jim Kraayeveld

Gail denHoed

Artis denHoed

Judy denHoed

Robert Koppert

Arja Verhoeks

Janet Sommer

Ingrid Sommer

Carolyn Sommer

Betty Sommer

Cathy Sommer

Julie DeB ruine

Randy DeB ruine

David Klarenbeek

Arien Klarenbeek

Darwyn Klarenbeek

LeAnn Klarenbeek

Laurie VanEss

Rick VanEss

Maria Stoutjesdyk

Matthew J. Schelling

Cindy Fintelman

Esther Fintelman

Tom Berkenbush

Marjan VanH ierden

Joanne Schuurman

Corine Schuurman

Benjamin VanderMeulen

Karl VanderMeulen

Ann M. VanderMeulen

Herman VanderMeulen

Joyce VanderMeulen

Sidney VanderMeulen

Harmen VanderMeulen

Elizabeth VanderMeulen

John VanderBoon

Don VanderBoon

John Fluit

Anton Slingerland

Jane Slingerland

Robert Herfst

Eva Herfst

JoAnne Herfst

Yvonne Herfst

Marilyn Kamp

Debbie Kamp

Glen VanderKooi

Lisa Stalker

Marlene Vandenberg

Doreen Vandenberg

Edward Vandenberg

Leonard Frens

Elaine Frens

Annette Meeuwse

Arlene Remus

Dave Kwekel

Dan Kwekel

Tom Kwekel

Doug Malj aars

Judy Maljaars

Garrett Schipper

Angela Schipper

John Schipper

Liana Schipper

Andrew Kieboom

Sharon Kae denHoed

Sheryl Renae denHoed

Jackie den Dekker

Marcia Hubers

Harriet Hubers

Howard Hubers

Duane Hubers

Mary Hubers

Corry VanBrugge

Nellie VanBrugge

Helen VanBrugge

May VanBrugge

Judy VanVoorst

Jay VanVoorst

Rachel VanVoorst

Shelley Hoogendoorn

Lisa Hoogendoorn

Reineke Bertram

Ronald Bertram

Neal Boerkoel

Ruth Boerkoel

Bob Boerkoel

John Boerkoel

Patricia Vandenberg

Allan Post

Jeffrey VanWyk

Edward VanWyk

Leslie VanWyk

Martin VanWyk

Ken Kroesbergen (2)

Jane Kroesbergen (2)

John Kroesbergen (2)

Cathy Kroesbergen (2)

Beverly Kroesbergen

Anita Kroesbergen

Ingrid Kaat

Cathy Visscher

Hendrika DeVos

Teresa DeVos

Doug Post

John Heystek

Raymond Touw (2)

Jackie deJong (2)

Nancy deJong (2)

Nita Lagemaat

Leslie Lagemaat

Tim Lagemaat

Ellen Marie Baum

Allan Jay Baum Jr.

Dean Kaat

Michele Seabert

Joanne Boerkoel

Robert Lagemaat

Martin Schouten

Anita Schouten

Sandy Southway

Alisa Stam

Angela Stam

Lisa Peters

Melanie VanBrugge

Connie Blom

Mary Blom

Kevin Verbeke

Cheryl VandeStouwe

Myra VandeStouwe

Christine Bylsma

Stan Bylsma

Paul Greendyk

Alan Greendyk

Robert Southway

And now to answer the letters received -

NANCY DE JONG -1 was glad to see that you had found others who had judged Israel for forty years, Nancy. Eli was the only name which was correct because we needed the letter ‘E’. I wonder if there were others who found the same ones you did. MARTIN SCHOUTEN - Yes, Martin, the Lord’s hand can be seen in all things which take place, both in the blessings and in the judgments. How little notice do we usually take of this, for many things are often explained as the common events of nature. NITA LAGEMAAT - We do not always like the weather we are given, Nita, and so we often grumble about it. The Lord still speaks to us in the weather, just as He did to King Ahab and the children of Israel, to Jonah, and to the disciples of the Lord Jesus. He has His purpose in all things. HENDRIKA DE VOS - The schools here do not start until after the first Monday of September, Hendrika. So you have a head start on us. When do you have your catechism classes? How many are there in your class? It is a class which is very important for boys and girls. PATRICIA VANDEN BERG -Your family is divided evenly with boys and girls, Patricia. Nita Lagemaat wrote that she had five brothers but no sisters. It is nice that you can speak Dutch so well. I suppose this means that you can also read it and write it. RONALD BERTRAM - Did you receive your book, Ronald? It probably takes a long time to get to New Zealand, but we hope it arrived in good condition. Do you know where the key is to the door of our hearts? Rev. Lamain mentioned it in a sermon here last evening.

ARLENE REMUS-What did you do while on your vacation, Arlene? We usually look forward to our vacation, but how quickly it is over and gone. Are you glad to be back in school again? We would like to hear about the things you are studying about in your classes.

YVONNE HERFST-We were sorry to hear that your grandmother had passed away, Yvonne. If we may have a praying grandmother, we cannot appreciate it enough, and it is a great loss when they are gone. You probably did not see her so often, since she was living so far away.

LISA NEELS - You must have picked quite a few raspberries during the season, Lisa. Did you eat quite a few also? It is nice that you had an opportunity to earn some money during vacation. Money can be put to good use, but it can also be badly misused. SANDRA MALJAARS-It didn’t take you long to read your book, Sandra. Do you like to read? We are having rather rainy weather this week, and it certainly keeps the lawn green and growing. When we read of times of famine, also in the Bible times, then we must highly appreciate the rain we receive. ANTHONY VANDEN HOEK -What kind of work did you do this summer, Anthony? Does your father keep you real busy? It is good to be busy in the right things. Perhaps you can find some texts in the Bible to prove this. We’d like to know what you find.

TERESA DE VOS - Did Mount Baker sitll have lots of snow on it, Teresa? It is an unusual sight for us in Michigan to see snow-covered mountains. Do you like to travel? There is always so much to see if we are observing closely as we travel.

LENA NEELS - Yes, I do have some relatives in Holland, Lena. I try to write Dutch letters occasionally, but don’t often find enough time to do so. Did you receive your book yet? It seems that it should have arrived by this time.

REINEKE BERTRAM-We usually give out a book about once a year, Reineke, but sometimes it takes longer. It is not always so easy to find a good selection of books which our young people do not have, and then, too, it takes quite a little work to do so.

MARIANNE NEELS - Did your aunt, uncle and cousins like being in Canada, Marianne? How old are your cousins? It is not easy to realize what another country is like unless you visit there. Pictures do help, but it certainly is best to see it ourselves. JO-ANNE HERFST-Four to six-foot waves is rather rough water, Jo-Anne. I guess it does depend whether you are in a large boat or a small one. We read of several storms at sea in the Bible, and I’m sure you have some idea what such a storm would be like. BOB MALJAARS-The hot weather of this summer is all behind us, Bob. Do you like cold weather also? It has its disadvantages, but it also has its purpose. We sometimes forget that the Lord, the Wise Creator, has made all things with a purpose. WILLY NEELS - I’m sure there are some berry-picking jobs in our area, too, Willy, but I don’t know any boys and girls who are doing it. You must be an expert picker after earning that much. I guess we can’t compare the wages with those of thirty or forty years ago. Our thanks, boys and girls, for your replies to the quiz. It is still a pleasure to see your answers arrive each month. Our prayer is that God’s Word may work powerfully in many young hearts as they study it in this way. May the Lord also remember your needs as you start school again, so that your studies may be to the honor of God. Many today use knowledge to dishonor Him, trying to be wiser than God by what they have learned. May the Lord help us together.

With love,

Your friend,

“Uncle Garret”

CONFESSION AND WALK

A public confession in the midst of the congregation obligates also to a walk according to this confession. Confession and walk must go together.

It is a great sorrow to all upright ministers and other office bearers if it must be stated that there is much lacking in this respect. This is not only an occurence in these times, but of all periods. Think of the children of Israel in the Old Testament;— God’s words were despised and the confession of the true God shamefully rejected. Hear the sad complaint of Jeremiah in chapter 8:21, “For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt; I am black; astonishment hath taken hold on me.”

In the New Testament Paul points to the godly walk in Philippians 3:18, where he says, “For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ.” In the 19th verse he says, “Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.”

Paul had sorrow about this. It concerned the honor of God and the salvation of souls. The ministers must insist upon a holy walk. How must this insisting be done? In his commentary on II Corinthians 2:4, Calvin says the following: “For there are many noisy reprovers, who, by declaiming, or rather, fulminating against vices, display a surprising ardour of zeal, while in the meantime they are are at ease in their mind, so that it might seem as if they exercised their throat and sides by way of sport. It is, however, the part of a pious pastor, to weep within himself before he calls upon others to weep; to feel tortured in silent musings before he shows any token of displeasure; and to keep within his own breast more grief than he causes to others.” Also in regard to this see “The Excellence of the Doctrine of the Reformed Church” by Voetius.

Our walk is seen by God. He sees all the children of men. He sees our public and secret walk. O young people and all who have made confession, keep yourselves far from those who say, “If the internal condition is but good, the external need not be so particular.” The Lord says, “Be ye holy: for I am holy”. Our baptism and our confession separate us from the world which lives on unfettered, but also lives fully to themselves.

The world-conformity of the confessors of the truth is alarmingly great. The boundaries between the church and the world are being eradicated. As an example, if our confessing members live next to those who have no religion or have a religion not according to God’s Word, and on both of the houses are a television antenna and in both homes are television sets, tell me, where is then the difference? If in both homes the same God-dishonoring and immoral literature is to be found, where is then the difference? If confessers of the truth imitate the world in apparel contrary to God’s Word, in hair style contrary to God’s Word, and in desecrating God’s Day and God’s Name, then the boundaries are eradicated.

TIMELY AND FAITHFUL ADVICE

Dear Friend,

Being tenderly concerned both for your temporal and spiritual interest, I am constrained to address you upon a subject which has caused me some pain and anxiety of mind. I am informed by one who wishes you well, as I also do, that you are about to enter into a connection which is by no means promising. Our anxiety is upon the ground that your spiritual interest is not likely to be promoted by this union. How strange it is that one who is a pilgrim bound for Zion should join with one that is yet in the city of destruction. How strange that one in your position, and making your profession, should join to one who is a total stranger to both family and private prayer — how strange that one who has so many difficulties and temptations to grapple with, should willingly increase their number. Have you seriously thought upon this subject? Do you think you do right in joining yourself to one that is an enemy of God and true religion? For the carnal mind is enmity against God, and is not subject to His law. Is there any concord between Christ and Belial, or can there be any agreement between the temple of God and idols? Do not grieve your friends, and above all, do not grieve your God by acting in direct opposition to His known will. How many have made themselves unhappy, even miserable through life, by taking such an imprudent step as you propose.

My dear friend, now is the time for you to think — precious time. It is now in your power to prevent yourself from being reduced to such distress as you dreamed not of. When the knot is once tied it will be too late. Think, O think again. Pray, O pray again.

Perhaps you will not thank me for my advice. You may even be angry with me; I mean not to offend you, but to promote your future welfare; and when I consider myself as your pastor I find it the more incumbent upon me to watch for your soul as one that must give account, (Heb. 13; 17) whether you attend to me or not. Now I leave it here, praying to the Lord to deliver you from taking a wrong step, and plunging yourself into distress beyond recovery.

Your affectionate Pastor, Daniel Williams Gospel Herald -1844

IGNORENCE-IDLENESS-UNBELIEF

O Lord, remove our ignorance, that we may know Thee; our idleness, that we may seek Thee; our unbelief, that we may find and enjoy Thee.

Bishop Hall

PRAYERS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE Before meals

Lord, bless this food, and grant that we may thankful for Thy mercies be; teach us to know by Whom we are fed and bless us with Christ, the living Bread. Amen.

After meals

O Lord, with heartfelt thanks we come to Thee, to acknowledge Thee for the abundance of this life’s necessities. While many eat their bread in grief and sorrow, Thou has fed us kindly in an abundant measure. Oh, grant that our souls may not cleave to the things of this perishing world, that our life may be in the path of Thy commandments, and in the end have everlasting life with Thee. Amen.

After meals

Most merciful God; Thy name be praised and thanked for all these loving gifts Thou hast so graciously bestowed upon us again. Wilt Thou also further feed our souls with the Bread of Life, and strengthen our hearts through Thy grace, that our life and death might be to the glory and honor of Thy most Holy Name. Amen.

-Submitted

THE SUN

Little sun upon the ceiling, Ever moving, ever stealing Moments, minutes, hours away; May no shade forbid thy shining While the heavenly sun declining Calls us to improve the day.

-Isaac Watts

LEFT ALONE OF GOD

One pleasant day in early spring Two friends stood side by side,

Viewing a noble field of wheat That stretched out far and wide.

Thus said the one, “How promising These fresh green blades appear; Doubtless in autumn you will reap

A goodly harvest here! “

Then from the worldly owner’s lips

This impious answer fell,

“If God will leave my field alone,

The crop will flourish well.”

In fearless and unfaltering tones

The awful words were said;

God heard in heaven, yet did not strike

The sinful utterer dead.

No frost or blight destroyed the wheat,

But, as the weeks rolled on,

On that as well as other fields,

The summer sunbeams shone.

The dews of heaven descended there,

And soft refreshing rain;

But ah, God’s blessing was withheld,

And all the rest was vain.

The crops around grew fast and fair,

And doffed their robes of green, But in that field all summer through

No change of growth was seen.

In time the reapers’ joyous song Was heard o’er hill and plain;

The harvest moon in splendor shone

On sheaves of golden grain.

But as in spring and summer time,

So e’en in autumn late,

The field that “God had left alone”

Retained its green-blade state.

God granted thus the farmer’s wish—

Avenged His Holy Name,

And wrote upon that field of wheat

The bold blasphemer’s shame.

“Thou visitest the earth and waterest it, Thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water; Thou preparest them corn when Thou hast so provided for it.” (Psalm 65:9)

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