A PERIODICAL FOR YOUNG AND OLD

THE CONFESSION OF FAITH ARTICLE XXIII

(continued)

Of Justification

In the first part of this article we have already been taught that, according to the Scriptures and as summed up by our fathers, the ungodly become righteous before God only by a true faith in Jesus Christ. But now we come to another part, namely: Is there not a justification before faith? Yes, indeed; if there was not a justification before faith, then the justification by faith was impossible. Here again we must turn to God’s Word for our proof.

It is possible, because in Romans 4:25 it is stated, “Christ was raised for our justification.” He was justified in His resurrection, and in Him the entire church is justified. We may even go further, because the justification is also from eternity in the decrees of God, as Paul expresses it in II Timothy 1:9, “Grace is given unto the elect in Christ Jesus before the world began.” It means that the elect are justified from eternity in the decree of God and also in the resurrrection of Christ; and this will be applied in the moment of regeneration when the ungodly are justified.

We may state that there is a justification before faith, but the justification by faith is also necessary in order to have the comfort of it. This will bring us in a state of reconciliation with God, which is the happiness of man.

Our article continues: “And therefore we always hold fast this foundation, ascribing all the glory to God, humbling ourselves before Him, and acknowledging ourselves to be such as we really are, without presuming to trust in any thing in ourselves, or in any merit of ours, relying and resting upon the obedience of Christ crucified alone, which becomes ours, when we believe in Him.” The last part is about the same as we find it in the catechism, “in as much as I embrace such benefit with a believing heart.”

Faith cannot be missed to salvation, since it is the instrument which the Lord gives for accepting the merits of Christ. Without faith we never come into a true relationship with God and will never become partaker of Christ’s merits. When the Lord gives faith, He also gives light in our life to see what we are. By that light of the Holy Spirit we become ungodly before God, we will weep because of our sin, and we will begin to miss the Lord. One of God’s servants, who had lived many years, has told how that after the Lord had discovered his sin unto him, he wept more in a few years than that he had laughed in all his previous life. Those tears are signs of the true sorrow after God, but they do not wash away our sins.

We may have an historical knowledge that the sins of God’s people are forgiven from eternity and in the resurrection of Christ, and also in regeneration, but how do I get the assurance thereof? Only when we with a believing heart may accept, rely, and rest upon the obedience of Christ. “This is sufficient to cover all our iniquities, and to give us confidence in approaching to God; freeing the conscience of fear, terror and dread, without following the example of our first father, Adam, who, trembling, attempted to cover himself with fig-leaves.” We know that all our fig-leaves are not able to give deliverance, but that only the righteousness of Christ can save.

We must appear before the Lord’s judgment seat unconverted in our own sight, with no ground in our experience and with a heavy burden of sin upon our shoulders. The comfort from God’s Word received in former days is no foundation upon which we can rest. O! what will the outcome be!

Justification is a judicial act, and is often compared with a court of justice. We find an example of this in Zechariah 3, which tells of Joshua the High Priest standing before the Lord in filthy garments, with Satan at his right hand to resist him, but Satan is rebuked by the Lord. In a present day court room there are a number of persons, consisting of the judge, the accused, the lawyer, the accusers, and the clerk. All these we may apply to the Divine court, the court of the conscience.

God the Father is the Judge, Who maintains the injured justice of the Divine Being, the Triune God. He is omniscient and omnipresent, requiring satisfaction for the attributes of God. The accusers stand at the right hand of the sinner, and these are the devil and his helpers, whom the accused has served. The Law is also an accuser, because our Ufe is not according to the Law, but we trespass in thoughts, words, and deeds. The sinner is the accused, but, elected by God, he is convinced of his sin, ashamed of his wickedness, feels that he is worthy of condemnation, and is silent under it. In his eyes the Lord may do what is right; he comes before God naked, laden with original and actual sins, with no other expectation than eternal darkness and hell. Think only of Hezekiah.

The advocate (or as we would say, the lawyer) and that is Christ, until now hidden behind the justice of God, pleads for the sinner. In ordinary courts a lawyer will only plead, but with Christ it is different. He also paid for the sin. On the ground of His obedience and merits, He may demand the acquittal of the sinner. The Judge, God the Father, is satisfied in the work of Christ, and in Him the sinner receives forgiveness. First the righteousness of Christ is imputed and now by faith it is accepted.

God the Holy Spirit gives knowledge to the sinner of this and seals the justification by faith through internal instruction. These sins will never be remembered anymore. The accusers must yield, as we also read in Zechariah, “The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee; is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?” Even the law has nothing to say, because it has been fulfilled by Christ for the elect.

We should remember that it is not the Advocate, but the Judge who acquits. Not Christ, but the Father justifies the sinner and grants unto him eternal life. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputes not his iniquity. Such a man or woman will end with the benefits in the Benefactor. Then is fulfilled for the sinner the words of Romans 8, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth?”

This is a great blessing, and even some of God’s children may come by faith to peace with God; in Christ they may return to the Father and know Him as their father. These are two different things - to be acquitted by God as Judge, and in Christ to return to the Father without spot or wrinkle. They may appear before God as if they have never sinned, since the sin will never be found again. “My dove, my undefiled is but one.” Here in time they will glorify God for the great benefits received; they shall end in Him, Who justifies the ungodly.

Rev. A.M. DenBoer

Norwich, Ontario

BIBLE QUIZ

Dear Boys and Girls,

Both in Old and New Testament times the people were often warned against the serving of other gods besides the Lord. We can find from Genesis to Revelation that man turns away from God, His Creator and Benefactor. When we read of the many examples of this in God’s Word, do we say, “What a terrible thing those people have done against a good God!” It is true.....but do we do better? Do we also try to serve God, and at the same time serve the world? O, how we must ask the Lord that His Spirit might lead us in the right and perfect way.

The first letters of our answers will spell out six words spoken by the Lord Jesus in His sermon on the mount.

Of whom do we read that he was a just man and perfect in his generations, and he walked with God?

The first commandment is, “Thou shalt have no________gods before me.”

What was the name of one of the three men about whom it was said, “They serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image”?

On the ship in the stormy sea, Paul said to his companions, “There stood by me this night the________of God, Whose I am, and Whom I serve.”

The king of what city said, “Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from His fierce anger, that we perish not”?

King Darius said to Daniel, “Thy God Whom thou servest ________, He will deliver thee.”

Of what woman do we read that she “served God with fastings and prayers night and day”?

Who said to Elisha, “Thy servant will henceforth offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice unto other gods, but unto the Lord”?

Hezekiah said to the Levites, “Be not now negligent; for the Lord hath chosen you to________ before Him, to serve Him.”

Nehemiah said to the nobles and rulers, “Ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our________?”

In the 12th chapter of Hebrews we read, “Let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with________and godly fear.”

In Malachi the Lord said to the people, “Ye have said, It is ________to serve God.”

In Ephesians 6 Paul wrote, “Not with________, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.”

After the defeat at Ai, the Lord said to Joshua, “Israel hath sinned and they have also ________My covenant which I commanded them.”

David said to Solomon, “Know thou the God of thy father, and serve Him with a perfect heart and with a________mind.”

Elijah said to the people, “How long halt ye between two ________?”

The Lord Jesus said, “Ye cannot serve God and________”

Samuel said to the people, “If ye do return unto the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods, and________ from among you.”

Near the end of his life, Joshua said to all the people, “Choose you this day whom ye will ________.”

In the second commandment we read, “Thou shalt not bow down________to them, nor serve them.”

Of whom do we read that he walked with God; and he was not; for God took him?

When Israel desired a king, the Lord said to Samuel, “They have not________thee, but they have________Me.”

When tempted to worship the devil, the Lord Jesus said, “Get thee hence,________; for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.”

(Your answers should be sent to Garret J. Moerdyk, 5211 Wood-mont Drive, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001.)

Answers to the quiz of last month are as follows:

Across:

1. Turtledoves - Luke 2:24

8. Flies - Exodus 8:24

9. Serpent - Genesis 3:1

11. Deer -I Kings 4:23

13. Ass - Matthew 21:7

16. Adder - Genesis 49:17

17. Goat - Samuel 19:13

20. Owl - Isaiah 34:11

21. Rend - Matthew 7:6

24. Turtle - Song of Sol. 2:12

27. Dogs - II Kings 9:35-36

28. Lamb - Exodus 12:21

30. Up - II Kings 2:23

32. Frogs - Exodus 3:13-14

34. Lion -Daniel6:16

35. Roe - Song of Sol. 8:14

36. Coney - Proverbs 30:26

Down:

1. Two - Genesis 7:2

2. Ravens - I Kings 17:6

3. Leopard - Jeremiah 13:23

4. Ox -1 Kings 19:19

5. Swine - Luke 15:15

6. Fish -Jonah 1:17

7. Ant - Proverbs 6:6

10. Caterpillar - II Chron. 6:28

12. Eagle - Exodus 19:4

14. Dromedary - Esther 8:10

15. It -Psalm80:13

18. Asp -Isaiah 11:8

19. Ant - Proverbs 30:25

22. Dumb -II Peter 2:16

23. Star - Numbers 24:17

25. As -Psalm 42:1

26. Ospray - Leviticus 11:13

29. Mule - II Samuel 18:9

31. Fox - Judges 15:4-5

33. Sin - Exodus 32:20-21

Answers were received from the following boys and girls:

Carrie Blok

Joel VanderKooi

Ray VanderKooi

Julie VanGemert

Linda Bazen

Karen Bazen

Jim Bazen

Larry Slotsema

Bob Huijsen

John Fluit

Ross Derksen

Linda Schelling

Kathy Schelling

James Schelling

Brenda Schelling

Beth Schelling

Scott VantZelfde

Jeff Boot

Jeremy Boot

Jan Groen

Cheryl Groen

Joel Schoonbeek

Cindy Markus

Steve Schoonbeek Joan VanGiessen

Mary L. VanGiessen

Steve VanGemert (2)

Dwaine Johnson

Steven Johnson

Liz VanGiessen

James VandenBrink

Judy denHoed

Gail denHoed

Robert denHoed

Artis denHoed

Michele Seabert

Sharon VanDe Vendel

Judy Maljaars

Robert Southway (2)

Sandra Southway

Kevin Rosendall

Mary Rosendall

Steven VanOostenbrugge

Karl VanOostenbrugge

Nellie VanKlei (2)

Rachel Rosendall

Jeff Rosendall

Kristi Rosendall

John Rosendall

Rick Rosendall

Douglas Mol

Lyle VanRavenswaay

Norm VanRavenswaay

Randy Carlson

Richard Carlson

Kristi Boluyt

Steve Boluyt

James Kraayeveld

Jackie DenDekker

Ken DenDekker

Peter VanKempen

Wayne VandeWaerdt (2)

Matthew Schelling (2)

Henry Otten (2)

Mariene Otten (2)

William Otten (2)

Fred Otten (2)

Diane Otten (2)

John Spaans

Sally VanBemden

Kathy VanBemden

Debbie VanBemden

Mike VanBemden

Rick VanEss

Laurie VanEss

Robert J. Hults,Jr.(3)

Leslie VanKlei

Mary Hendricks

Leonard Frens

Elaine Frens

Tim Westrate

Rob Koppert

Margaret Maassen

Curtis Maassen

Sharon Maassen

Lisa Markus

Vicki Jo VanGemert (2)

John H. VanGemert (2)

Annette Meeuwse (2)

Tim Nieuwenhuis

Rob Nieuwenhuis

Alyce Nieuwenhuis

Margaret Karelse

Shirley Karelse

Karen Karelse

Michelle Karelse

Tim Lagemaat

Les Lagemaat

Robert Lagemaat

Nita Lagemaat

Maria Stoutjesdyk

Patricia Vandenberg

LeAnn VanGinkel

Karen Jean VanGinkel

Danny VanGinkel

Tim VanGinkel

Tom VanWingerden

Danny Parmeter

Annette VandenBrink

David Brink

John Brink

Sharon Talbot

Laura Talbot

Linda Talbot

Nora Jane Knibbe

Jeffrey Knibbe

Jeff Hamler

Elizabeth DenDekker

Teresa DenDekker

Lisa Stalker

Daniel Kamp

Jonathon Kamp

Jennifer Procee

David Procee

LeAnn Klarenbeek

Darwyn Klarenbeek

David Klarenbeek

Arlen Klarenbeek

Marlene Grisnich

Richard Grisnich

Tammy VandenToorn

Wes VanDenBrink

Garrett Schipper

Joanne Kooyman

Veronica Schep

Marlene VanOort

Wilma Stoutjesdyk

Clara Slootweg

Martin Goudzwaard

Cathy Visscher

Jennifer Wubs

Sandra Maljaars

Marianne Neels

Diane Guliker

Mary Maljaars

Larry VanMiddendorp

Lisa Bremer

Ron Sterkenburg

Annette Grisnich

Wendy Sterkenburg

Roger VanderZwan

John Anker

Ed Les

Florence Westeringh

Jennifer Verbeek

Margaret Dekker

Wilma Wilbrink

Martin Zwartbol

Bob Maljaars

Anita denBoer

Frances Guliker

Kelly Vogt

Bruce vandenBrink

Ron Terpstra

Sheila VanDenBrink

Petter Dekker

Marlene Les

Audrey (?)

Ken Luteyn

Martin Arends

Angela Stam

Nancy vanKlei

Julie DeBruine

Randy DeBruine

Judy VanderWiele

Edwin Hamler

Ken Hamler

Jay VanVoorst

Rachel VanVoorst

Judy VanVoorst

Brent Bleyenberg

Meta DePeuter

Gonda DePeuter

Steve Bazen

Ed Bazen

Dan Bazen

Sharon Bazen

Peter Bazen

Alisa Stam (2)

Angela Stam (2)

Corry VanBrugge

May VanBrugge

Nellie VanBrugge

Helen VanBrugge

Leah Pluim

Karol Spaans

Karen Spaans

Carla Spaans

Elizabeth Verbeek

Steven Bleeker

Laurie Bleeker

Jim Rose

Darlene Ryniah

Carl Mast

John Heystek

Otto Lawson

Mary Fluit

Bob Boerkoel

John Boerkoel

Joanne Boerkoel

John VanderBoon

Bob VanderBoon

Nancy de Jong

Peter de Jong

Mary Blom

Connie Blom

Dave Engelsma

Aimee Beth Engelsma

Anita VanTilburg

Leonard DenBoer

Daryl Slingerland (2)

Glenda Slingerland (2)

Trudy VanderWaal

Danny Sweetman

Joy Mast

Allan Jay Baum, Jr.

Ellen Marie Baum

Robert T. Baum

Bill Dendekker

Harmen VanderMeulen

Sidney VanderMeulen

Elizabeth VanderMeulen

Charles Bachman

Rachel VanDyke

Timothy VanDyke

David VanDyke

Daniel VanDyke

Ann Marlene VanderMeulen

Karl VanderMeulen

Benjamin VanderMeulen

David VanderMeulen

Herman John VanderMeulen

Yvonne Kegel

Brian Kegel

Dan Kwekel

Tom Kwekel

Dave Kwekel

Allan Post

Lysbeth Kroesbergen (2)

Judy Maljaars

Rita Leusink

Jacqueline Leusink

Douglas Post

Vicki Post

Becky Markus

Daniel Markus

Beth VanderKooi

Glen VanderKooi

Melanie VanBrugge

Michelle VanBrugge

Debbie Kamp

Marilyn Kamp

David Hoogendoorn (2)

Kent Hoogendoorn (2)

Judy Overeem

Treena Koeken (2)

Jeffrey VanWyk

Leslie VanWyk

Edward VanWyk

Martin VanWyk

Jacqueline deJong

Anthony VandenHoek (3)

Hilda VandenHoek (3)

Myra VandeStouwe

Rhonda VanVeldhuizen

Audrey VanVeldhuizen

Cheryl VandeStouwe

Shirley Fluit

Sherry Fluit

Ruth Bouma

Ann Vanderhorst

Caryn Dekker

Kevin Verbeek

Shelley Hoogendoorn

Lisa Hoogendoorn

Bill Kroesbergen

Henderika Kroesbergen

Andrew Kieboom

Martin Schouten

Anita Schouten

Marcia Hubers

Harriet Hubers

Howard E. Hubers

Duane Hubers

Mary Hubers

And now to answer the letters which we have again received— HILDA VANDEN HOEK - Your letter is the first one this time, Hilda, It is too bad that the mail service doesn’t do a little better in getting the Banner of Truth delivered to you. I haven’t heard where your new school is located? Is it near the church?

TREENA KOCKEN-We are quite well, Treena. Your little sister Hannah probably gets lots of your attention. How are you getting along in school? We always like to hear about your subjects and projects. What subject do you like best?

TRUDY VANDER WAAL - This has been an unusual winter, Trudy, also for us. We have seen the grass most of the winter, and also now most of the snow has again disappeared. I do get some quizzes sent in occasionally, but usually I make them up myself. NANCY DE JONG - You should have lots of things to write about to your penpals in Norwich, Nancy. Since you both have similar school systems, you can compare notes about them. And it is always nice to receive mail from other places.

ANNETTE VANDER BRINK -It is nice to have friends, Annette, and we all need them. And it is also true that in order to have friends, we must be friendly. But we must be careful in our choice of them. We can find quite a number of examples of friends in the bible.

ELISABETH VERBEEK-Yes, Elisabeth, if we were to know all the troubles of our life before they took place, a person would be very discouraged. But we do know from God’s Word that there will be troubles. The psalmist could say, “Our hope is on Jehovah stayed,” and may that also be where our hope is.

NELLIE VAN KLEI - No, Nellie, I have never lived on a farm. Do you have a dairy farm? Even though I have visited quite a few farms and find them interesting, I don’t think I would be much of a farmer. I think it has been almost 17 years since we started having the Bible quiz. MARTIN SCHOUTEN - How far have you gone on your bike trips, Martin? When we see the wonders and beauties of creation, it should cause us to think of the Creator, Who brought all things into being. How we should stand in awe at His doings, which every blade of grass declares to us.

JACKIE DE JONG - Your letter is the last one this time, Jackie. There are not as many as usual, but perhaps everyone has been busy with their school work. Did you get some of the snow you were looking for? Give our greetings to your parents.

Many thanks, boys and girls, for your response to the quiz again this month. We hope we may hear from all of you again next month, D.V.

With love,

Your friend,

“Uncle Garret”

CONFESSION and APOSTASY

(continued)

There is still something that I wish to point out, and that is the association with wrong friends. This has slain its thousands. The well-known proverb, “Tell me who your friends are, and I will tell you who you are”, is also applicable here. Those friends can persuade us to believe that it is not true as it is presented to us. “It is not necessary in that way” men say, “God is love, isn’t He?” However, they suppress the fact that God is also just. It is possible that in the beginning a protest is made against this. But the protests become weaker, and finally they are conquered.

Others are persuaded by friends to say farewell to the church entirely. In this way it comes to pass that many no longer wish to belong to the despised group, whom men say, were born 100 years too late. It was also this way in the time of Noah. He met with the world, and was despised and mocked. He was a just and upright man in his generations, and Noah walked with God. To the world he was an offence, and by it the world was condemned.

Because many persons are inwardly condemned, the enmity is so great especially from those who have turned their backs to their confession. We have unmistakably entered the time of great and general apostasy. People are seeking for signs of the times. Books are written about it, but take notice of this general hardening and the rapid succession of events in world and church.

May the Lord preserve us from apostasy. Young people, young families, remain with the simplicity of God’s Word. Remember the blessing upon obedience in Jeremiah 38. It is a common saying: The preaching does not speak to us, and does nothing to us. Why does that happen? Is the fault with the minister or with the hearer? Indeed, the fault can be in the preaching. A hard uncharitable preaching can be the cause that it does nothing to us. But in the majority of cases, people desire a preaching according to man.

If a minister has the glory of God in view, he will be affected with the lot of those who continue to live unconverted. Never desire that a minister abridges God’s Word to please men, and thereby cause his hearers to build upon a false basis. A truly-called minister is not able to do this even though everything comes against it.

At times we hear persons say: “The minister addresses himself only to a certain people, and that is God’s people. Then we are excluded.” Might we only be truly excluded; might it work in us a true jealousy. Then we would have no more rest. In the preaching the unconverted are also admonished, warned, invited, and there is placed before them the salvation in Christ.

(to be continued)

Rev. A. Hoogerland

WHAT WILL YOU PLEAD?

Is the preaching of the gospel by Christ’s ambassadors the way which God takes to reconcile sinners to Himself? Then how inexcusable are all those that continue in their state of enmity, though the ambassadors of peace have been with them all their lives long, wooing and beseeching them to be reconciled to God.

O invincible, obstinate, incurable disease, which is aggravated by the only proper remedy! Hath God been wooing and beseeching you by His ambassadors so many years to be reconciled to Him, and will you not yield to any intrea-ties? Must he be made to speak in vain, to charm the deaf adder? Well, when the milder attribute hath done with you, the severer attribute will take you in hand.

The Lord hath kept an account of every year and day of His patience towards you, Luke 13:7. “These three years I came seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none;” and Jeremiah 25:3, “These three and twenty years have I spoken unto you, rising early and speaking, but you have not hearkened.”

Well, be you assured that God hath both the glass of your time and the vials of His wrath by Him, and so much of His abused patience as runs out of one, so much of His incensed wrath runs into the other. There is a time when this treaty of peace will end, when the Master of the house will rise up, and the doors be shut, Luke 13:25. Then you will be left without hope, and without apology.

We read, indeed, of some poor and ineffectual pleas that will be made by some at the last day; as Matthew 12:22, “We have prophesied in Thy name,” etc. These pleas will not avail; but as for you, what will you plead? Possibly many thousand idiots, or poor weak-headed persons, may perish; many young ones that had little or no time in the world to acquaint themselves with matters of religion, or understand the way of salvation. Many millions of heathens that never heard the name of Christ, nor came within the sound of salvation, who will yet perish, and that justly.

Now whatsoever apologies any of these will make for themselves in the last day, to be sure you can make none. God hath given you a capacity and competent understanding; many of your are wise and subtle in all your other concernments, and only show your folly in the great concernments of your salvation. You cannot plead want of time, some of you are grown gray-headed under the gospel; you cannot plead want of means and opportunities, the ordinances and ministers of Christ have been with you all your life long to this day; sure if you are Christless now, you must also be speechless then.

Rev. John Flavel

THE TURNING POINT

There does not seem to be any harm in two boys sitting and talking together, does there? Yet there sometimes is, for the Bible says we must not “walk,” or “stand,” or “sit” with bad ones, which means that we must avoid intimacies with them. Will, however, is sitting with Sam Jones, and Sam is a wild, wilful boy. I am sorry for that, since he is a sailor-boy; for those who see so much of “the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep,” should fear God.

Sam is trying to coax Will to go to sea. He has told him about the wonderful things on the other side of the world, and ever so much to excite a boy’s interest, with the result that Will wants to go. Besides, Sam says that his father who is a skipper will take him, and the two of them would have fine times together.

“But the trouble is,” said Will, “mother won’t let me go, and Captain Downe says I’m too young.

Sam’s reply to that was bad language and an oath which should have opened Will’s eyes to the danger of having such a companion. Yet it did not, and at every opportunity he went down to the wharf where he was sure to find Sam, who took him on board some of the vessels.

Will often spoke to his mother about his craving for the sea. “You are my all, Will,” she said, “and I cannot part with you yet.” “I’ve got to go sometime,” he answered roughly.

His mother was a widow and in poor health, and needed all his love and care. Will knew this. He knew that he owed her a son’s tenderest affection, but he did not think much of that while he was hankering after the sea.

His mother was thwarting him, he said to himself, and how could he help being cross? So, he was not as pleasant as usual, he often answered roughly; yes, and at times neglected his tasks. His mother was grieved and anxious. “Willie is under bad influence,” she thought; and over her sewing often prayed, “Lord, keep my poor boy from going astray.”

One night as she sat up late with her needle and thread, Will said, “Oh, mother, it is nothing but stitch, stitch, stitch. You will wear yourself out.” “I do not mind it when Will is by,” she said, looking up and smiling.

He shut his book, and soon after went to bed. Nor did he kiss her as usual. “If she would let me go to sea, that would make life easier for her with the pay I’d bring home,” he muttered to himself. Next morning, a Sabbath morning, the warm sun woke him and shone on the clean clothes his mother had laid out for him. How fresh and neat they looked; and there too was his mother’s work of the night before, new trousers which she had finished for him to wear at church.

“Mother is good — dear mother,” he exclaimed, and again and again his eyes returned to the clothes. Somehow they brought out his mother’s love and care as never before. In a wonderful way Will’s heart and conscience were touched. Tears came into his eyes; not proud, angry, wilful tears because he could not have his own way, but sweet, penitent tears for ever having grieved such a love as her’s. “I will never, never cross her by going to sea, or even by mentioning it again,” was his resolve that morning. And it was kept.

Not long after he went to work in a carpenter’s shop. One day Sam Jones came to the shop to see him. In his usual coarse and foul language he informed Will that he had found a place for him. “You must go. Run away tonight.”

“No,” said Will, “my duty and pleasure for the present are to stay at home with my mother; so there’s an end of it.” Sam’s further urgings were of no avail. He saw that there was indeed an end of it, and soon he went away. It is not really hard to get rid of bad company. One must simply mean to.

A year later, Will’s mother died, and he said he could never thank God enough for speaking to his conscience that sunny, Sabbath morning, and keeping him at home. It was the beginning of better things for him, and the beginning of the best year of his life, when he was happy doing all he could for his dear mother.

Young People’s Magazine

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Return, O Lord, how long! and let it repent thee concerning thy servants. O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Psalm 90:12-14

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