A PERIODICAL FOR YOUNG AND OLD

GODS FAITHFUL GUIDANCE FOR HIS CHURCH

I.

The Lord said in His eternal and unchangeable Testimony, in the first epistle of the apostle Paul to Timothy (chapter 6), “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is proud, knowing nothing.”

This is a warning for all of us, for we live in a time in which many professors and ministers, instead of teaching and preaching the pure doctrine of salvation that we can find in the Holy Scriptures, try to enfeeble that dear Word. The false wisdom of these days no longer asks, “What does God want to say to us through His Word?” With their intellect they seek to deny the Divine inspiration of that Word. The Word of God is then only a collection of romantic stories taken from the world of the Jews, and they teach that the wonders of the Lord Jesus and His disciples are not credible.

Those learned men and women dare to say that the Bible is full of lies. They claim that salvation for our souls is not through the blood of Jesus Christ, but if there is a heaven, that we will enter it through our own strength. Thousands upon thousands believe these ungodly words, and have no longer any knowledge about the way of free grace. Others say, “Oh sure, we believe in the Bible; we believe that Jesus came for all people. We believe in Jesus and, when we die, it is certain that we will go to heaven. But we are enemies of the doctrine of the Bible. We don’t have to know those doctrines; we have no need for the experience of the Holy Ghost in our hearts. That is too difficult for us. It is for the screech-owls of the sixteenth century, but we know it far better.”

My dear friends, it becomes more and more true what the Lord said, “Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.” (Luke 11:52). Throughout history there have always been attacks on the doctrine of salvation. However, the Lord takes care of His church, which He bought with the price of the blood of Jesus Christ. Throughout all centuries He has given to some of His children the gift of the right explanation of His Word, so that they might fight with clearness against the ungodly doctrines of the enemies of the eternal God and His dear Son Jesus Christ. There was the fight against the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, then against the Godhead of the Holy Ghost. There was activity for the doctrine of free will; at another time the false introduction of the general reconciliation. Later there was much confusion made about justification and sanctification.

Oh, how many errors there were in time past, and this will remain to the end of the world. Think also of the false doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church, where Mary, the mother of the Lord Jesus, is elevated and said to be the queen of heaven, having had no sin. Prayer is to be made to her, and she will tell her Son. And without mentioning others, we know they have taught that our good works also were the cause of salvation. My friends, there has been and continues to be a fight against the doctrine that man is dead in sins and crimes, and can only be redeemed through Jesus Christ.

That is why the church many centuries ago gave her members the twelve articles of our undoubted Christian faith. They were given not long after the ascension of Christ, and to today it is a good thing that these are read in church each Sunday. That should remain among us. May the Lord give that we may listen carefully to these articles and may learn from on high that we can only receive salvation if that doctrine declared in them is taught in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. These articles are founded upon the Holy Scriptures. If taught us in that way, then through faith we shall learn to say “Amen!” upon them.

My friends, the doctrine of salvation ought to be preached in church. We have to try with the help of God to instruct you and your children in the way which must be known through Word and Spirit — a way that is not only an intellectual knowledge, but above all a knowledge in our souls of God and Godly things. It is for this reason that we thought it good to write some articles about the gift of the Heidelberg Catechism. If the Lord gives us eyes to see it, then we may see the goodness of God in giving us our Heidelberg Catechism in the sixteenth century.

How did we get the Catechism? Often there is little or no knowledge about it. Let us be thankful that the Lord in our days gives us an increase in our own schools, so that the children may hear what God has done in the past. It is very important for all of us, but certainly so for our boys and girls. May the Lord bless the sermons based upon the Catechism which are delivered each Sunday. Above all, may we understand what the Lord says in Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

Moses, the old God-fearing servant of God, admonishes us in many places of Scripture not to forget the deeds of the Lord. In this regard we think of the text in God’s Word found in the fifth book of Moses, namely Deuteronomy, chapter four, verse nine, “Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy son’s sons.”

May the Lord then give us the opportunity in the following issues of our publication to explain some of these wonders which He has done in order to teach and preserve His church.

Rev. A. Verhoef

(to be continued)

BIBLE QUIZ

Dear Boys and Girls,

The Thanksgiving Day of 1983 will soon be only an event of the past — a day in history. What kind of day should it be for each of us? Let us look at an example of two young people who observed Thanksgiving Day.

They were brothers, and lived in the days of the Old Testament — many years ago. Each of the brothers brought a thankoffering before the Lord, and there was quite a difference in what they did and how they did it. The one carried with him the fruit of the land and placed it upon the altar which he had prepared. But in his heart there was something lacking. True love to God, a feeling of his unworthiness, a broken heart because of his sins, and true thankfulness were not to be found there. The other brother brought a carefully chosen offering — a lamb of his flock — the very best one he could find. His desire was to honor the God of heaven and earth Who had blessed him so richly. In humility and love he brought his offering, yet feeling himself to be but an unprofitable servant.

God, Who views the hearts, saw these two brothers and their offerings, just as He had seen them from day to day in the past. The Lord did not accept the first brother and his offering, but of the second brother it is said that the Lord had respect unto him and to his offering. A true faith whch the Lord Himself had planted in the heart of the second brother shone forth in his very deeds.

I’m sure you know who these two brothers were. It is a well-known Bible story. But what was our Thanksgiving Day and what is the condition of our hearts? The Lord blessed us in many ways — but not that we should be proud or try only to please ourselves. Knowing how unworthy we are for all the good which we receive, did we hold Thanksgiving Day in true thankfulness to God? Perhaps we know and feel that true thankfulness is not in our hearts as it should be, but then may the Lord give us — also as boys and girls — to look to Him for this. The Lord Jesus Christ is the praying and thanking High Priest for His people, and He and His offering are acceptable before God.

The quiz this month is about “thankfulness”. As we have mentioned, thankfulness is shown in different ways and this will also be seen in the questions found below. The first letters of the answers spell out six words found in Daniel 6, which tells us about

Daniel.

Jacob said to Laban, “Except the God of my father, the God of __________, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty.”

__________ was a just man and perfect in his generations, and walked with God.

A question which the Lord asked Jonah two times was “________ thou well to be angry?”

Daniel said to King Darius, “My __________hath sent His angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths.”

__________said, “Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes.”

After the people gave willingly for the temple, David blessed the Lord, saying, “Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the _______”.

The Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip that the ________ saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing.

The lame man who was healed went with Peter and John into the __________, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

Zacchaeus said unto the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the__________ of my goods I give to the poor.”

At Beersheba Isaac builded an __________, and called upon the Name of the Lord, and pitched his tent there.

Job said, “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the__________of the Lord.”

Daniel’s windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he __________ upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks.

Joseph said to his brothers, “God did__________me before you to preserve life.”

When Abraham’s servant heard the reply of Rebekah at the well, he __________ down his head, and worshipped the Lord.

The psalmist (Psalm 77) said, “I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and He gave __________ unto me.”

When the secret of the dream was revealed to Daniel in a night vision, he said, “I thank Thee and praise Thee, O Thou God of my__________”

At Bethel Jacob took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured__________upon the top of it.

When King Rehoboam and the princes of Judah heard the words of the prophet, they humbled themselves and said, “The Lord is__________”

Job said, “What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive________?”

__________said, “Therefore also I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord.”

The three young men said to Nebuchadnezzar, “Be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden__________”

On the seveneth day, after the seventh time around Jericho, Joshua said unto the people, “__________: for the Lord hath given you the city.”

When Esau asked Jacob, “Who are those with thee?”, he answered, “The children which God hath__________given thy servant.”

In the book of Haggai we read that Zerubbabel and Joshua and the people__________the voice of the Lord their God, and the words of Haggai.

King __________ made a decree that in every dominion of his kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel.

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

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

ACROSS:

2. Benjamin - Genesis 46:22

5. Esau - Genesis 25:27

7. Uzza -I Chron. 13:9

8. Gad - Genesis 50:19

9. Abram -Genesis 12:1

10. Levi -Joshua 13:33

11. Philip -John 1:45

13. Naomi -Ruth 1:20

14. Bartholomew- Acts 1:13

17. Naphtali - Genesis 30:7

22. Zerah - II Chronicles 14:9-10

24. Simon -Mark 4:18, Luke 6:15

25. Abihu -Leviticus 10:1

26. Asher -Gen. 30:12-13

28. Judas -John 12:4-6

29. Matthew -Matthew 9:9

31. On -Numbers 16:1

32. Peter -Matt. 26:69-70

33. Reuben -Genesis 37:22

DOWN:

1. Judah - Genesis 44:32

3. Eli -I Samuel 2:12

4. James -Mark 3:18

6. Simeon - Genesis 42:24

12. Lebbaeus - Matthew 10:3

15. Zebulun -Judges 6:35

16. Thomas -John 20:24-25

18. Ham -Genesis 5:32

19. Andrew -John 1:40-41

20. Issachar - Numbers 13:7

21. Joseph -Genesis 37:3 23. Dan -I Kings 12:30

27. James -Matthew 4:21

28. John -Matthew 17:1-2

29. Abel -Genesis 4:4

Answers were received from the following boys and girls:

Kristi Rosendall

Jeff Rosendall

Rachel Rosendall

Stephanie Kegel

Jody Kegel

Bobby VanderZand

Rodney VanderZand

Laurie VanEss

Bettina Slingerland (3)

Doug Maljaars(2)

Judy Maljaars (2)

Eddy Maljaars(2)

Rich Maljaars (2)

Wendy Maljaars (2)

Steve VanOostenbrugge

Steven Baum (2)

Cathy Baum (2)

Larry Roelofs

Dan Roelofs

David Roelofs

Reineke Bertram

Ronald Bertram

Jason DeSmit

Julie DeSmit

Michael DeSmit

Debbie VanBemden

Sally VanBemden

Julie Klarenbeek (2)

Diane Klarenbeek (2)

John Lee Fluit

Jolene VandenBerg

Susan denHoed

Bruce denHoed

Lori A. Beeke

Amy Beeke

Ted vandeLagemaat

Louir vandeLagemaat

Karen DeVries (2)

Kristi DeVries (2)

Rachael Timmer

Kristi Lamain

Sara Lamain

Jeff Boot

Jeremy A. Boot

Margaret Karelse

Shirley Karelse

Karen Karelse

Michelle Karelse

Julie DeBruine

Randy DeBruine

Craig Phillips

Julie Rozeboom

Gaylon Roseboom

Jason VanSurksum

Dwaine Johnson

Steven Johnson

Kim VandenToorn

Lisa VandenToorn

John Schelling (2)

Diane Marie Spaans

Len DenBoer

Peter DenBoer

Renita Schelling

Pamela Schelling

Lyle VanRavenswaay

Rich TenElshof

Tim TenElshof

Ronald Hulshof

Cindy Hulshof

Nathan VanderMale

Michele Seabert

Stacy Seabert

Scott Eppinga

Robbin Eppinga

Jennifer Sue Rose

Jacqueline VanHoepen

Mark Talbot

Leah Talbot

Sharon Talbot

Laura Talbot

Linda Talbot

Jeremy Fluit

Carl Mast

Petra Muis

Tammy VandenToorn

Jon VandenToorn

Lisa Markus

Cindy Markus

Glen VanderKooi

Dan Kwekel

Tom Kwekel

Robert Lee Van Veldhuizen

Bill Dykstra

Tim Dykstra

Kristi Boluyt

Rachel Van Voorst

Janelle VanVoorst

Joel Schoonbeek

Pam Lubbers

Rich Carlson

Randy Carlson

Christine Mynders

Adrienne Mynders

Erica Goudzwaard

Carmel Goudzwaard

Tim Nieuwenhuis

Rob Nieuwenhuis

Alyce Nieuwenhuis

Cheryl VandeStouwe

Myra VandeStouwe

Steven Laman

Arlen denHoed (2)

Sharon denHoed (2)

Sheryl denHoed (2)

Sharon Bazen

Ed Bazen

Peter Bazen

Dan Bazen

Dawn Klarenbeek

Liz VanderMeulen

Constance VanderMeulen

Jeffry Knibbe

Nora Knibbe

Kevin Knibbe

Vicki Post

Doug Post

Elaine Frens

Lisa Stalker

Debbie Witvoet

Carrie Witvoet

Yvonne Kegel

Brian Kegel

Julie VanGemert

Leann VanGinkel

Karen VanGinkel

Ronald Kranendonk

Susan Kranendonk

Karen VandenBeukel

Erika VandenBeukel

Debra VandenBeukel

David VanderMeulen

Karl VanderMeulen

Benjamin VanderMeulen

Frances VanderMeulen

John Eckhardt (3)

Peter Eckhardt (4)

Susy-Anne Eckhardt (3)

John Wesdyk

Karen Wesdyk

Liz VanGiessen

Daniel Markus

Kristina Anne Schipper

Lisa Hoogedoorn

Shelley Hoogendoorn

Glenda Slingerland

Darryl Slingerland

Janet Kardux

Rosemary Kardux

Stephen Sporte

Hilda VandenHoek

Anthony VandenHoek

Tom Hoefakker

Darwyn Klarenbeek

Arlen Klarenbeek

LeAnn Klarenbeek

Brenda Spaans

Neil DeBoer

Peter DeBoer

Hugo Kranendonk

Joanna Kranendonk

William Suyker

Kevin Hoogendoorn

Kent Hoogendoorn

David Hoogendoorn

Timmy Vandenberg (2)

Elizabeth Vandenberg (2)

David Vandenberg (2)

Melinda DeMeester

Willena Goudzwaard

Jeff VanManen

Steven VanManen

Leona VandenBrink

Annette VandenBrink

Karen Erkelens (2)

Geoffrey Erkelens (2)

Leslie VanWyk

Jeffrey VanWyk

Edward VanWyk

And now to reply to the letters which we have received —

KAREN WESDYK - Your letter is the first one, Karen. It does not seem possible that the end of the year is almost here again, but it is so true. Each year is another giant step in our lives, with many little steps between. Are you enjoying school this year?

CARRIE WITVOET - Is your little cousin better again, Debbie? In the hospitals we see many old people, but there are also many young ones there. Last evening we spoke briefly with your grandparents, and were glad to see them so well, especially after the automobile accident. It could have been so different.

ADRIENNE MYNDERS - Perhaps someday you will be able to see “real” Holland, Adrienne. Or have you already been there? Do you like to travel? We read about travellers in the Bible, but it then took much longer to go from place to place. Can you think of some of those who made long trips?

RONALD BERTRAM - I am sure you were glad to see your parents arrive safetly, Ronald. We were glad to receive your mother’s letter, and hope to reply soon. They have travelled many miles and seen many different places, but one problem is found everywhere. Do you know what that is?

DEBRA VANDEN BEUKEL -It was nice to hear from you, Debra. Who is your teacher this year? There are more and more things to learn in school as you go from grade to grade, but it is then a blessing that the Lord has given us a good mind with which to learn these things. Some do not have this blessing.

NEIL DE BOER - We want to welcome you to the Bible quiz, Neil, and also your brother Peter. We hope that you will learn to know your Bibles well, but may also find the treasure which is in it. It is more than all the silver and gold of this world. Do you know what it is?

JANET KARDUX - Did you enjoy the wedding, Janet? Give our best wishes to them, and we hope that they may be blessed with many happy years together. Where do they plan to live? We also read about weddings in the Bible. Can you think of some?

JOHN WESDYK - Although your birthday is long past, we hope that you had a nice day, John. As we see pictures of the wonders of nature, such as the Grand Canyon, it should also cause us to think of the great God Who created them. But even man-made inventions are possible because of God-given wisdom.

ERIKA VANDEN BEUKEL -The prayer, “Teach me Thy paths”, is a very good prayer, Erika, but there are many times when those paths are not to our liking. This is because of our desire to go our own way. If the Lord may change our desire, we will see His way as the best way.

CHRISTINE MYNDERS - We should perhaps make the quiz a little bit easier, Christine, especially for the younger ones. But it is not so bad that parents and grandparents give some help, since it is good to study the Bible together and talk about the things we find there.

DEBBIE WITVOET - Can you still recite the whole book of James, Debbie? It is not an easy task, but once you have learned it, much of it does stay in your mind. We can learn much from observing the animals, and the Bible also often uses them for our instruction. Can you think of examples?

REINEKE BERTRAM - Your parents brought you some nice gifts back, Reineke. I read of presents or gifts in the Bible also which were given by one person to another. Do you know of some? There is also mention made of an “unspeakable gift”. Do you know what that is?

KAREN VANDEN BEUKEL -Yes, Karen, learning is a process of our entire lifetime. The Lord Jesus said, “Learn of Me”, and He is the best teacher and His Word the best instruction. That is why our prayer should always be, “Teach me, Lord.” It is a blessing to sit at His feet.

LOUISE VANDEN BRINK -Snow in September is really early, Louise. Perhaps young people, at least some of them, are glad to see it, older ones find it less than ideal. The apostle wrote to Timothy, “Having food and raiment, let us be content.” We so often are not.

LEONA VANDEN BRINK - You wrote that you were not ready for winter, Leona. But I don’t think it waits for us to be ready. The word “ready” brings us to think of what the Lord Jesus said, “Be ye also ready.” He was not referring to winter weather, but do you know what it was?

WILLIAM SUYKER - Your letter is the last one, William, and another issue is completed. How did you get the blister on your finger? They sometimes come from hard work, but also from a burn or injury. We hope to hear from you again next month.

Thanks to all the boys and girls who have again sent in their answers to the Bible quiz. It gladdens us to see the good response from month to month; we hope, boys and girls, that it may also gladden you, now or in the future, that you have spent your time in the study of God’s Word. King Herod said to the wise men, “Go and search diligently”, with a wrong purpose in mind, but to you we say, “God and search diligently”, hoping that the Lord may bless it for you.

With love,

Your friend,

“Uncle Garret”

HIDDEN TREASURE

Many years ago amid the rugged and snow-capped Alps, there was a beautiful valley called the Shepherd’s Valley. Nestling amid the vines and pasture lands of the valley were scattered the few huts of the shepherds, who for many years had tended their flocks there and lived a simple and secluded life. In those days when the Scriptures were very scarce, the richest possession of these people was a complete copy of the precious Book, the Bible. It was a forbidden book and the possession of it had cost many to lose their life upon its discovery.

The book in this little village of the shepherds was kept in a huge chest in the house of a very old woman named Jasperine Colbert. She was known and respected as Mother Jasperine.

Every summer all the inhabitants of the valley who were able to work went up to the highest of the mountain pastures — the men to shear the sheep and the women to make butter and cheese. None but the old people and the children were left below in the valley. Not far from the village, and some distance up the mountainside, there was a little hill, which overlooked the entrance to the valley. It went by the name of La Reste. At this spot there was a wooden pillar from which a red flag could be hung when any danger threatened the valley. This flag could then be seen by those higher up in the mountains. This danger signal was under the care of a man named Andre du Roche.

Mother Jasperine lived in a little cottage, and next door lived her son and his young family. It was towards evening on a hot summer’s day that a group of children were gathered round the doorway of Mother Jasperine’s cottage. The oldest of them was Greta, the old woman’s granddaughter. All the men were away and the good old woman was reading to her little friends from the old and well-thumbed Bible the story of Jacob and his sons. They were all listening so attentively that none of them noticed a stranger approaching their door. He was a tall thin man, dressed in a long grey gown of coarse material and a cord about the waist. His feet were bare. A large purse hung at his side, as also a large string of wooden beads which ended with a wooden cross. He greeted them with a kindly voice, and begged hospitality and rest. He was tired and thirsty.

Greta hurried to supply him something to drink, and upon returning found that her grandmother had slipped back into the cottage. When the old lady again joined them, she had left the book indoors, and she heard the visitor ask one of the children where their parents were. The children readily informed him that their parents were gone to the high pastures with all the rest of the village. In a little while, with many expressions of thanks, the monk (for that is what he was) went on his way. When he had gone, Greta noticed that her grandmother appeared greatly disturbed. She sent Greta at once to La Reste to tell Du Roche, who was cutting wood there, to hasten to see her. After receiving the message, Du Roche soon appeared and was told of the unexpected visitor. Mother Jasperine asked him to keep a look-out for soldiers or monks, since from previous experience she was afraid what might happen. Promising to keep a careful watch, Du Roche was soon on his way back.

The next afternoon Mother Jasperine took her nap as usual, and Greta was left alone with the children. After rocking the baby to sleep, the thought occurred to her to slip into her grandmother’s house, take the Bible from its hiding place, and finish the story of Jacob which had been interrupted by the visitor the previous day. Her wish was soon accomplished and she read with interest from the pages of this precious book. Suddenly she was startled by hearing a gruff voice in the next cottage, saying, “It is no use, old woman. We have come for the book, and we will have it. Where is your heretical Bible?” The words made Greta’s blood run cold. The monks were looking for the Bible. What should she do with it? Suddenly the thought occurred to her — why not put it under the little baby sleeping in the cradle? And this was quickly done.

Soon the crowd of monks, or friars as they were also called, led by the visitor of the day before, came into her cottage and were turning everything upside down. But they never thought to look underneath the baby, who was now crying lustily in the cradle. Every house in the village was searched, but to no avail. None was more surprised than Mother Jasperine, who had seen the chest searched where the book was always kept, but no Bible was there. Angry and disappointed, the leader drew out a long sharp knife, and shouted, “Old heretic! I’ll kill you and your granddaughter too if you do not tell me where you have hidden the book.”

“I am willing to die for our Bible, as my father and grandfather did, if the Lord Whom I have served for more than ninety years, so wills it,” said the old lady, “but remember, sir, that you must answer for this day’s work to Him and to the judges of this land.”

“I’ll kill you,” shouted the monk, as he rushed upon her with the knife in his hand. But as he spoke a loud blast of a shepherd’s horn sounded through the valley, and a cry arose among the monks, “The men of the valley are coming!” Du Roche had done his work well. The danger flag had been set flying, and the signal had been seen.

The monks were on their way without delay. The Bible had been preserved. The child in whose cradle it was hidden lived to be its guardian, and no doubt it is still treasured as an heirloom of a period of persecution which the children of our country have never had to experience.

Young People’s Magazine

A GOOD WAY

There is a path that leads to God, All others go astray;
Narrow, but pleasant is the road, And Christians love the way.

It leads straight through this world of sin,
And dangers must be passed;
But those who boldly walk therein,
Will get to heaven at last.

How shall a little pilgrim dare
This dangerous path to tread?
For one the way is many a snare
For youthful travellers spread.

While the broad road, where thousands go,
Lies near, and opens fair;
And many turn aside, I know,
To walk with sinners there.

But lest my feeble steps should slide,
Or wander from Thy way,
Lord, condescend to be my Guide,
And I shall never stray.

Then I may go without alarm,
And trust His word of old;
“The lambs He’ll gather with His arm,
And lead them to the fold.”

William Gadsby BLIND ALICK

There was living in 1832 at Stirling a blind old beggar known in all the country round about as Blind Alick, who possessed an exceptional memory. Blind from his childhood and the son of poor parents, he was sent to a common school to keep him out of mischief, and so that he might learn something by hearing the other children at their lessons. The only book used in these schools as a reading-book was the Bible, and as the scholars read in turn, it was customary to repeat the number of the chapter, and also that of each verse. By constantly hearing these biblical readings, young Alick began to retain many of the passages of Scripture, and with them the chapter and verse numbers. It is probable, that since he was unable to obtain work, he remained an unusual length of time at this school, and that his father, like many of the Scottish peasantry, was a great reader of the Bible at home. Regular church-going would make its own contribution, and the result was an exceptional knowledge of the contents of God’s Book.

When he was a man, and after his parents’ death, Blind Alick had to resort to begging for a livelihood. Soon it became said throughout the town of Stirling that he knew the Bible by heart. He was often examined, and all who did so were astonished at the power of his memory. If a portion of Scripture was quoted, he would tell the chapter and verse. Or, being asked the words of any verse in any chapter, he would repeat them. One gentleman tried to puzzle him by reading a verse with a slight alteration. For a moment the blind man hesitated, but then he gave the chapter and verse correctly, and went on to quote it again, this time correcting the error that had been introduced. The man then asked him for the ninetieth verse of the seventh chapter of Numbers. “You are fooling me, Sir,” he said. “There is no such verse; that chapter has only eighty nine verses.”

Young People’s Magazine

TOO YOUNG?

I’m not too young to sin,
I’m not too young to die,
I ‘m not too little to begin
A life of faith and joy.

I’m not too young to know
The Saviour’s love to me
In coming down to earth below
To die upon the tree.

I’m not too young to love,
I’m not too young to pray,
To look to Jesus up above,
And all His Word obey.

William Gadsby

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