A PERIODICAL FOR YOUNG AND OLD

THE CONFESSION OF FAITH ARTICLE XXVI

Of Christ’s Intercession

(continued)

Last month we wrote something about the unbelief which is so often a hindrance in the life of God’s people, when they do not dare to believe that the Lord will look upon them in mercy. Unbelief is often stronger than faith and they then enter into darkness. Again and again we find examples of this in God’s Word. Think only of David, who could not believe that the Lord would fulfill the promise that he would be king over Israel. Many others could be added, also those taken from the practice of daily life. It is the experience of God’s children that they cannot always believe, but that every time the Lord has to be the first.

We must be careful that we do not glorify unbelief, and make it a ground of our belief. In God’s people there is a struggle between the old and the new man, but the catechism teaches us that the old man has to go the way of mortification and the resurrection or increase must be found in the new man. Unbelief is sin, because it makes the Lord a liar.

Help against unbelief has to come from on high, from the Lord, Who is able to drive it out. We must then also be careful that we do not blame the Lord for our unbelief and that we do not sit down in false passivity because the Lord has to do it. The weakness of faith causes a heavy conscience and takes away the gladness of heart, so that men go

sighing over the world. Although they fear that the Lord will no longer come to such a sinner as they are, yet it is so true as our fathers have written of it: “Therefore the apostle, to remove this foolish fear, or rather mistrust from us, justly saith, that Jesus Christ was made like unto His brethren in all things, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself hath suffered, being tempted, He is able to succor them that are tempted.”

When we see that way in which the Lord had to go, then we must say that nothing was withheld from Him. It is inexpressible what He suffered in soul and body. He knows all the circumstances into which His church comes here upon earth. This is a great comfort, because not only does He know their strife, but He also helps in that strife. Peter had denied the Lord and therefore was unworthy that the Lord would look upon Him again; however, on the evening of Christ’s resurrection, we hear that He was seen by Peter. Thomas could not believe unless he could see and feel, and the Lord has given this unto him. When He was to ascend on high and the disciples would miss His corporal presence, He had already promised to be with them to the end of the world.

“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.” Although He is now in glory, we may draw nigh unto Him. “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” As the high priest of the Old Testament sacrificed, prayed and blessed, so it is with the only High Priest, Jesus Christ. On the Day of Atonement the sacrifice was brought outside of the camp, but the high priest came with the blood into the Most Holy Place to make satisfaction for the people. Christ likewise brought His sacrifice upon earth, where He was crucified in order to purchase His church. By His passive and active obedience the church is delivered from condemnation and receives a right to eternal life. Now Christ is on the right hand of God the Father; He prays not for the world, but for His people.

In this intercession of Christ lies the salvation of the church, but it is also the protection for them against all the enemies who surround them by day and night. This intercession of Christ is a continual pointing to His satisfaction. As High Priest He brings the incense of our prayer before God and reconciles all the uncleanness. For every Simon who is sifted as wheat He prays that their faith will not fail. He will never hear as did Moses, who was not to speak of a certain thing. Therefore we may freely draw nigh unto the Lord with all temporal and spiritual needs. “The same apostle saith, having boldness to enter into the holiest, by the blood of Jesus; let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, etc. Likewise, Christ hath an unchangeable priesthood, wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost, that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.”

In the prayer of Christ all the needs of the church are remembered. On the prayer of Christ their life’s strength is renewed. By the prayer of Christ the deliverance of the church is guaranteed. What a wonder to learn that in Christ we may have everything for time and eternity. Our victory is the fruit of His strife, our rest is the fruit of His labor, our sleeping is a fruit of His staying awake.

We may not deny that the prayer of the God-fearing has great value, and it is a blessing when we are remembered in the prayer of God’s children. How much more value should we attach to the intercession of the Mediator! The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much, but the prayer of Christ availeth everything pleasing unto Him. He is the only begotten Son of God, Who saves His people who draw nigh to Him. The clouds make a separation between Christ and His church, but in heaven He labors to the welfare of His children. Once that curtain will be taken away and then will be fulfilled the words, “Where I am, there shall also My servant be.” There the summit of happiness will be given to the church, and they will comprehend the fulness of Christ’s work on earth and in heaven.

This article adds in conclusion, “What more can be required? since Christ Himself saith, I am the way and the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by Me.” May we also learn this way, which is the only way to be saved; all the paths in which we go or try to go will make us ashamed, but not the way in Christ.

Rev. A.M. DenBoer

Norwich, Ontario

BIBLE QUIZ

Dear Boys and Girls:

In the fall of the year a day of Thanksgiving is set apart to acknowledge the Lord for the blessings given unto us. There are blessings in our personal lives, but also in our families, in our churches, and in our countries. And, as we sing in the doxology, it is from God that “all blessings flow”. In some countries the people, especially the children, are taught that all good comes from

their government and from their leaders. These are placed in the minds as “the givers of all good gifts” and therefore take the place of God.

How much we must appreciate it that we may still gather in our churches and in our families to give God the honor for His blessings. But do we really do that in a right way? Are we busier honoring ourselves and enjoying our blessings than we are in considering by whom these blessings are given? We are also guilty of putting something else in the place of God time and time again. To us, as well as to the children of Israel many years ago, the Lord sends His Word and His servants to tell us of this.

You will find such a message in Isaiah 45, and a part of it will be spelled out by the first letters of our answers. May we be enabled to hear the Word of God as it speaks unto us. It tells us so plainly that the Lord should be honored in our lives, not only on Thanksgiving Day, but also all through the year. The writer of Psalm 147 said, “Great is our Lord and of great power: His understanding is __________.”

Psalm 78 tells us how the children of Israel “spake_______God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?”

With the plague of lice in Egypt, the_________said unto Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.”

The apostle wrote to the Corinthians, “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable_________.”

The Lord said to Isaac, “I will perform the_________which I sware unto Abraham thy father.”

Who said to a Philistine, “This day will the Lord deliver thee into my hand”?

Deborah and Barak sang, saying, “Praise ye the Lord for the _________of Israel.”

The Lord said unto_________,

“Come thou and all thy house into the ark.”

When Jeremiah was yet young, the Lord said to him, “Be not afraid of their faces, for I am with thee to_________thee.”

In the sermon on the mount the Lord Jesus said, “Which of you by taking_______can add one cubit unto his stature?”

Naaman said to Elisha, “Thy servant will_________offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice unto other gods, but unto the Lord.”

“And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in_________, and there He put the man.”

Jesus said, “Consider the_____: for they neither sow nor reap;... and God feedeth them.”

Hannah said, “The pillars of the _________are the Lord’s, and He hath set the world upon them.”

God said to Abraham, “Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son ____________.”

“As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and _________in all learning and wisdom.”

About the people of what city is there written, “And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way.”

The Lord Jesus said to one of the scribes, “The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is_____ Lord.”

To the Samaritan who was healed, the Lord Jesus said, “Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the_________?”

Who prayed, saying, “Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that Thou art the Lord God.”

At the Red Sea Moses and the children of Israel sang, “The Lord shall reign for_________ and__________.”

Abraham said to his son, “God will provide Himself a_________ for a burnt offering.”

The Lord said unto Ananias, “A-rise, and go into the street which is called____________.”

In David’s song of thanksgiving (II Samuel) he said, “_________ be the God of the rock of my salvation.”

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

The answers to the crossword puzzle of last month are as follows:

ACROSS:

1. Treasure - Matthew 6:21

5. Agur - Proverbs 30:1

7. As - II Samuel 12:3

8. Remember - Luke 16:25

12. Night - Luke 12:20

14. Blessed -Job 1:21

17. So - Luke 18:39

19. Lord -I Samuel 2:7

22. Naomi - Ruth 2

24. Release - Deuteronomy 15

25. The - Mark 10:25

DOWN:

l.Two -Mark 12:42

2. Enter - Mark 10:23

3. Seven - Matthew 18:22

4. Ease -Luke 18:19

6. Right - Jeremiah 17:11

7. Abundance - Ecclesiastes 5:10

9. Rags - Proverbs 23:21

10. Nabal -I Samuel 25

11. Is - Proverbs 14:21

13. Ho -Isaiah 55:1

15. Ear -Psalm 86:1

16. So -I Kings 3:13

18. Give - Luke 19:8

20. One - Mark 10:21

21. Die -I Kings 17:12

23. Out - Acts 5:9

Answers were received from the following girls and boys:

Liz VanGiessen

Joan VanGiessen

Chad Wielhouwer

Stephanie Kegel

Ross Derksen

Arlen Klarenbeek

Darwyn Klarenbeek

LeAnn Klarenbeek

David Klarenbeek

Margaret Karelse

Shirley Karelse Karen Karelse

Michelle Karelse

Steven VanOostenbrugge

Karl VanOostenbrugge

John Spaans Jack Neels (2)

Willy Neels (2)

Marianne Neels (2)

Geoffrey Erkelens Michele Seabert

Judy Maljaars(2)

Doug Maljaars (2)

Eddie Maljaars Larry VanMiddendorp

Alice VanMiddendorp Marilyn Kamp (2)

Deb Kamp (2)

Alisa Stam

Neil Stam

Angela Stam

Cindy Markus

Lisa Markus

Julie VanGemert

Mary VanGiessen

Carrie Blok

Ray VanderKooi

Michelle Timmer

Denise Polderman

Scott Van’tZelfde

Ruth Bouma

Mary Rosendall

Kevin Rosendall

Hilda VandenHoek

Anthony VandenHoek

Jane Slingerland

Anton Slingerland

Steven Scott Tanis

Craig Allen Tanis

Janet VanGrouw

Karen Ymker

Timothy Nieuwenhuis

Rob Nieuwenhuis

Alyce Nieuwenhuis

Gail denHoed

Judy denHoed

Artis denHoed

Robert denHoed

Jelaine VanGinkel

Matthew Jon Schelling

Mike VanBemden

Sally VanBemden

Kathy VanBemden

Debbie VanBemden

Bob Huisjen

Elisabeth VanderWiele

Douglas J. Mol

Kimberly Stelsel

Kristi Boluyt

Lisa M. Stalker

John Heystek

Norman VanRavenswaay

Lyle VanRavenswaay

James VandenBrink

Steve Bazen

Ed Bazen

Sharon Bazen

Peter Bazen

Dan Bazen

Kristy Lamain

Sara Lamain

Jonathan Kamp

Daniel Kamp

Laura Troff

Jay Van Voorst

Rachel VanVoorst

Judy VanVoorst

Karen Wesdyk

John Wesdyk

Treena Koeken

Nita Lagemaat (2)

Les Lagemaat (2)

Tim Lagemaat

Robert Lagemaat

Kristi De Vries

Don VanderBoon (2)

Allan Post

Martin Schouten

Anita Schouten

Rita Leusink (2)

Jacqueline Leusink (2)

Elaine Frens

Karen Bazen

James Bazen

Linda Bazen

Jeremy Boot

Jeff Boot

James Kraayeveld

Nora Jane Knibbe

Jeffry Dirk Knibbe

Richard Carlson

Randy Carlson

John Jonkman (2)

Willie Jonkman (2)

Jane Kroesbergen

Cathy Kroesbergen

John Kroesbergen

Anita Kroesbergen

Beverly Kroesbergen

Doug Post

Vicki Post

Brent Bleyenberg

Lisa Kerkhoff

Nancy deJong

Margaret Slootweg

Jo-Anne Noort

Joanne DenHertog

Peter vanMaren

Campbell Goudzwaard

Wendy vanKlei

Simon Baarssen

Gordon denBoer

Gary Dekker

Richard DenHertog

Monique deLooff

Marieke VanRumpt

Marie Luteyn

Nadine Luteyn

Leanne VandenDorpel

Diana Sommer

Neal Lindhout

Janetta Stoutjesdyk

Cathy Neels (2)

Marilyn Kooyman

Marcella denBok

Julia VanderWaal

Jenny Vrieselaar

Cathy Neels (2)

Jackie deJong

Ada Koppejan

Maria VanMaren

Eva Neels

Joyce vandenBrink

Cindy VanderKooi

Tim Roos

Diane Stoutjesdyk

Alice VanMiddendorp

Johnny VanderHoek

Peter Eckhardt

Christina denHertog

Fred Neels

John Kooyman

Ken Hoefakker

Lianna Schipper

Nelly Schroevers

Polly Maljaars

Clara Slootweg

Alisa Stam

Jennifer Wubs

Greg Herfst

Nita Lagemaat

Wes VandenBrink

Marianne Neels

John VanSaane

Daryl Rozeboom

Wilma Stoutjesdyk

Daniel Vrieselaar

Clarinda Pronk

Paul Neels

Mariene VanOort

Sandra Maljaars

Robert Dyck

Dick VanderKnyff

Joanne Kooyman

Sharon VanderWaal

Cathy Visscher

Ed Weels

Garrett Schipper

Mirjam Koppejan

Veronica Schep

Andrew Boesterd

Bert deJong

Marshall Roos

Vincent Visscher

Joel VanderKooi

David Hoogendoorn (3)

Kent Hoogendoorn (3)

Virginia VanderWaal (2)

Tonia VanderWaal (2)

Renita Lynn Schelling

Sharon denHoed

Sheryl denHoed

Leonard DenBoer (2)

Andy DenBoer (2)

Peter DenBoer (2)

Brian vanHoepen (2)

Jackie vanHoepen (2)

Eugene vanHoepen (2)

Franklin vanHoepen (2)

Margot Mast

Julie DeBruine

Randy DeBruine

Laurie VanEss

Rick VanEss

Tom Kwekel

Dave Kwekel

Dan Kwekel

Yvonne Kegel

Brian Kegel

Geoffrey Erkelens

Tommy Hoefakker (2)

Eddie Maljaars

Daniel VanGinkel

LeAnn VanGinkel

Karen VanGinkel

Shelley Hoogendoorn

Lisa Hoogendoorn

Julie Boon (2)

Dwaine Johnson

Steven Johnson

Howard Hubers

Duane Hubers

Mary Hubers

Connie Blom

Mary Blom

Harmen VanderMeulen

Elizabeth VanderMeulen

Sidney VanderMeulen

Sharon Talbot

Linda Talbot

Laura Talbot

Leah Talbot

Mark Talbot

Helen VanBrugge

Nellie VanBrugge

May VanBrugge

Corry VanBrugge

E stella Schouten

Herman John VanderMeulen (2)

Ann VanderMeulen (2)

Karl VanderMeulen (2)

Benjamin VanderMeulen (2)

David VanderMeulen (2)

Lisa Neels

Glen VanderKooi

Tonia VanderWaal

Virginia VanderWaal

Ellen Marie Baum

Allan Jay Baum, Jr.

Robert T. Baum

Hilda VandenHoek

Anthony VandenHoek

Johanna Scholten

Margaret Scholten

Herbert VanDenHouten

Elizabeth VanderWiele

Margaret Maassen (2)

Curtis Maassen (2)

Sharon Maassen (2)

Minda VanRavenswaay

Susan VanRavenswaay

Kevin Verbeke

Myra VandeStouwe

Cheryl VandeStouwe

Teresa DenDekker

Elizabeth DenDekker

? (No Name)

Edward Vandenberg

Doreen Vandenberg

Mariene Vandenberg

Elizabeth Vandenberg

David Vandenberg

Henry Vandenberg

Audrey VanVeldhuizen

Rhonda VanVeldhuizen

Alan Greendyk

Ronald Bertram

Reineke Bertram

Bert DeJong

Peter DeJong

Jacqueline DeJong

Nancy DeJong

Marcia Hubers

Harriet Hubers

And now to answer our letters—

JOHANNA SCHOLTEN - It was nice to hear from you, Johanna, and also that you like to do the Bible quiz. We are always glad to see our mailbox filled with answers, for then we know that boys and girls have been busy searching the Word of God. Do you find that some of the questions are difficult? LEONARD DEN BOER - We also found it nice to be able to visit you, Leonard. We hear about Port Alberni, but now know exactly where it is situated. Do you live far from your school? Be sure to give our greetings to your parents and family.

LISA KERKHOFF - Who is your teacher this semester, Lisa? Or do you have several teachers? In the Bible we also read about those who were teachers. Can you think of the names of some of them? Perhaps you would like to be a teacher sometime.

NANCY DE JONG - Say “Hello” to your teachers for us, Nancy. We were quite impressed with the nice school building you have in Chilliwack, and hope it may be used for many years in the instruction of boys and girls. What are you studying about at the moment?

TREENA KOCKEN - Fall weather has arrived in Kalamazoo, Treena, and the leaves are falling from the trees. How well I know this, since we have quite a few trees in our yard. The Bible also mentions the fall leaves. Do you know what it has to say about them?

JOHN WESDYK - Do you have quite a few books in your school library, John? I am sure it would take a long time to read all of them, wouldn’t it? Do you like to read? Can you think of some persons in the Bible who were also reading books?

JUDY MALJAARS - We are happy to see the list of names grow, Judy. When we started, there were very few in comparison. I can still remember doing the Bible quiz when I was a boy, and that is quite a few years ago. How quickly those years have gone by.

JANE KLAZINA SLINGERLAND - Two weeks of our vacation were spent in British Columbia and Washington, Jane. We met some of your teachers there. Which of your subjects do you like best? Did you make a long trip on your summer holidays or did you stay rather close to home?

PETER DEN BOER - Did your mother and grandmother have a good trip to Holland, Peter? I am sure you are happy to have them home again after three weeks. How are you getting along in school? I suppose you have already had your first report card.

WILLY NEELS - School years go by quickly, Willy, but so do the years that follow. It does not seem possible that it is more than 36 years ago that I graduated from high school. The Bible speaks of our life as being but a shadow, and that it is.

MARTIN SCHOUTEN - What is kiwi-fruit, Martin? How far is Gisborne from where you are now located? I see that you have many plans, and we certainly hope that things may work out well for you in these things. But we also know that our plans can be changed so quickly. Man proposes, the Lord disposes.

KAREN WESDYK - Is the Wyckoff library a large library, Karen? I am sure it must be much bigger than your school library. Did you learn a lot about a library? Do you go on class trips quite often? We hope to hear from you again next month.

ANDY DEN BOER - We were sorry we missed you, Andy, when we visited Port Alberni. It was nice that you could attend the Youth Conference. Even though we don’t make that trip too often, we hope it may be possible to visit you again sometime, the Lord willing.

JACKIE DE JONG - Do you have a long driveway, Jackie? A paved driveway is especially nice in the winter when you have to clear off the snow. We had our first snowflakes today, so we know that winter is not far away. Do you like winter?

JOHN HEYSTEK-Do you like working on the farm, John? We hope we will be able to visit Lynden again some time, D.V. Have the catechism classes started again? Say Hello to your parents and also to Mark. We hope to hear from you again.

Thanks, boys and girls, for your replies to the quiz. May your studies be blessed to the welfare of your souls.

With love,

Your friend,

“Uncle Garret”

CONFESSION AND GOD’S COVENANT

(continued)

On the other hand we must also warn against false passiveness and legalistic piety. Also against those shall baptism one day testify. Piety of our own making and legalistic considerations bring about the cry, “I am holier than thou”. True godliness works humility. It is an afflicted and poor people who know of complaint and praise.

The Lord promises in baptism to glorify His grace unto the ends of the world. Baptism is the sign of the covenant of grace, the covenant fulfilled by Christ. The Lord shall surely fulfill the promises of the covenant in His covenant people.

May the Lord through the holy Ghost give us a right seeking after Him, and a fleeing for refuge unto Him. If we consult the small question book for children by Rev. Ledeboer, we read there his short questions and answers. In question 40 he asks:

Q. 40 What is it to be born again?

A. It is a complete change of man in all his inclinations. Eph. 4:22, 23, 24.

Q.41 Who can do this?

A. God, by His word and Spirit.

Q. 42 Must we pray to Him for His Spirit?

A. Yes, certainly. Matt. 7:7.

Q. 43 Have we a warrant thereto?

A. Yes, in our baptism.

We are baptized in the Name of a Triune God. Our form for baptism points in the first place to the fact that in Adam we are children of wrath and that we must be born again. Then there follows the sealing of the Triune God in baptism, and lastly the admonishing of an obliging unto new obedience. Baptism is a seal and undoubted testimony that we have an eternal covenant of grace with God. He brings His covenant people nigh, sustains them and preserves them. He has sworn that the covenant of peace shall not be removed to all eternity.

O young, confessing members, what a blessed people are they who have God as their portion. The covenant is sure in a Triune God. Therefore God’s Church is sure in God.

All things point us to the approaching great tribulation, and the coming again. There will yet be more who fall away and the violence shall become yet greater upon the earth. But the Lord is unmoveable, and His throne stands firm to all eternity. The Lord brings His people nigh through all the fearful tribulations of this world.

The concern is if we personally are included in the covenant. The Lord give you no rest in your baptism and confession, but that the question of your life may be; how do I ever come into a reconciled relationship with God? May it drive you out by day and night unto Him Who perfects His church and brings it unto the Chief Cornerstone. We cannot escape our responsibility. May our eyes behold how the world passes away with the lust thereof. He that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. God gave us His Word and His covenant signs, His protection, His invitations and callings. What do we do with them? Willfully turn away? Then it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment than for us, who have known the way and not walked therein. It now is yet the accepted time, the day of salvation. Soon will come the end of your life and the end of the world. May the Lord impress the word in your soul, “Haste thee, escape thither”.

Next: MAKING CONFESSION AND THE OFFICES

Rev. A. Hoogerland

THE CONVERSION OF A JEW

In a certain town in the continent of Europe about the year 1863 there lived an eminent Jewish physician. One of the Protestant ministers there was greatly interested in him, and hoped to be the means of directing him to the Lord Jesus Christ. He took advantage of every opportunity to read to him the words and sayings of the Lord Jesus. These always delighted the doctor. One day the clergyman proved that the prophecies and promises of the Old Testament had been fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth, and the Jew readily admitted that his arguments were good, and might almost convince one. The minister lovingly took his hand and said, “Why, then doctor, will you not believe that He is the Messiah?” Immediately the Jew jumped up in a great rage, told him it was needless for him to try and convert him for he could not succeed. From that time the Jew avoided the clergyman, and if at any time he had business to do with him, he immediately made off as soon as it was done.

Shortly after this a new minister came to the town in connection with the Mission to the Jews. Speaking to the congregation he pressed on each one the duty of being a missionary to the Jews in their intercourse with them. There was present a woman whose name I cannot tell you, but she was a washer-woman, and there and then she made up her mind to do as the good minister asked them and speak of Christ to each one she came in contact with. But very soon after this she became ill. The Jewish doctor attended her, and he felt himself peculiarly attracted toward this woman. He knew she was suffering great pain, yet not a murmur, not a complaint passed her lips, nothing but praise and thanksgiving to God for His great grace and mercy in forgiving her sins and in washing her clean. She died and was buried and was soon forgotten by many, but there was one who could not forget her, and that was her Jewish physician.

Some time after her death he entered the room of the clergyman, “Will you baptise me, my dear friend?” he asked, “Now I am sure it is He, and we need not wait for another.” Completely taken aback as this announcement, the minister asked him how the change had taken place, “You remember the old washerwoman,” he said, “You used to visit her on her deathbed. Well I never saw any one die as she did. She died rejoicing in Christ, as if she were going to a feast of joy. That was a death—a victory indeed. From that moment I had no other wish than that I might die like her. Before she breathed her last, she gave me her Bible as her legacy to me, and asked me diligently to read it, and then she prayed the Lord Jesus Christ to take the veil of Moses from my heart and to give me His Holy Spirit. I took the Bible home with me. I read it and read it again, and am still reading it. It seemed to me as if scales fell from my eyes, I am sure now that the Lord Jesus is the promised Messiah, and I wish to confess His Name, and after proper instruction from you, to be baptized.”

Reader—see you the power of the grace of God when dropped into a poor sinner’s heart by His Holy Spirit, and see also the greatness of the privilege of being permitted to speak a word for God, “Them that honour Me, I will honour, and they that despise me, shall be lightly esteemed.”

Young People’s Magazine

ELIJAH’S PRAYER

Does it not grief and wonder move,

To think of Israel’s shameful fall?

Who needed miracles to prove

Whether the Lord was God or Baal!

Me thinks I see Elijah stand,

His features glow with love and zeal;

In faith and prayer he lifts his hand,

And makes to heaven his great appeal.

“O God! If I Thy servant am, If ‘tis Thy message fills my heart, Now glorify Thy holy Name, And show this people who Thou art!”

He spake, and, lo! a sudden flame Consumed the wood, the dust, the stone;

The people struck, at once proclaim, “The Lord is God, the Lord alone.”

Like him, we mourn, an awful day,

When more for Baal than God appear;

Like him, believers, let us pray,

And may the God of Israel hear!

Lord, if Thy servant speak Thy truth,

If he indeed is sent by Thee,

Confirm the word to all our youth,

And let them Thy salvation see.

Now may Thy Spirit’s holy fire

Pierce every heart that hears Thy

Word,

Consume each hurtful vain desire,

And make them know Thou art the Lord.

Submitted

LIKE JOSEPH

How many changes Joseph passed

Before he thirty years had known;

He’s now a slave in prison cast,

And now exalted next the throne.

Yet grace appears in every scene,

And gilds the various paths he trod;

How wise, how just, how kind to men,

How fearful of offending God.

In deep adversity oppressed,

He’s active, cheerful and resigned;

And when with health and honor blessed,

Humility adorns his mind.

From his example may we learn

Should grace our favored spirit fill,

’Twill then be our supreme concern

To please the Lord, and do His will.

Submitted

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