THE PASSING AWAY AND FUNERAL SERVICE OF THE LATE ELDER R. WIERKS of the congregation of Chilliwack, British Columbia

In the last Banner of Truth you were informed that our elder R. Wierks had passed away at the age of 69 years. He had been enabled to serve as elder for almost 30 years.

Elder Wierks had become seriously ill, and after some weeks the Lord took him home, which was according to the desire of his heart. The Lord had given him the opportunity to speak with his children, grandchildren, and many more family members and relatives. Wonderfully the Lord had brought him out of darkness into His marvelous light. When asked if he could say, “having a desire to depart and to be with the Christ,” his answer was clear. “Oh, yes,” he said, “I desire to be with Christ and to be redeemed of myself eternally.” Two days later he might go to that House with the many mansions. Indeed, that was and is far better. And he knew that the foundation was not in himself, but only in the crucified Savior.

Wednesday, November 21, 1984, was the day of his funeral when his mortal remains were brought to the grave. Earlier a church service was held, where Rev. Verhoef spoke on the text from the prophet Isaiah, chapter 45, verse 17: “But Israel shall be saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.”

The Lord had brought brother Wierks from his sinful ways and taught him what was necessary to live and die happily. Although he many times was filled with fear, thinking that he had deceived himself, God had taken care, and this man, poor in his own eyes, was not ashamed. The enemy could go around as a roaring lion, but the Lord had given him the peace which passes all understanding. And this was only because of the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. God’s people will never perish; they are secured in His holy hands.

Some words were spoken to the widow and her family, expressing the hope that the Lord might strengthen her, and that his passing away might be a warning to the entire family and an earnest lesson for all present. Many followed the body to the cemetary. Although there was reason to mourn in that the Lord had taken away one of His children, yet Rev. Verhoef desired to point out from Psalm 135:1, “Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the Name of the Lord; praise Him, O ye servants of the Lord.” There remaineth a joy for God’s people. God’s servant had a desire to call upon the servants of the Lord to praise His Name and to sing psalms to His glory.

Mr. Wierks did not meet a strange God. For him it was an eternal victory for God had wiped away all his tears. Rev. Verhoef very earnestly warned the many people present in the church and at the cemetary. It was a knock at the door for each person present, and he expressed the wish that all might be prepared to meet God.

On behalf of the family Mr. W. Stoutjesdyk spoke a few words of thanks to all who had shown their sympathy in such a loving way. He also thanked the elders of our congregations of Lynden, Sunnyside and Lethbridge. After leaving the cemetary, many had an opportunity to gather in the church basement to further express their sympathy to the widow, to whom the Lord had given strength to be with her husband in the weeks when he was so seriously ill. Rev. L. Kieboom asked a blessing for the food provided and Elder J. den Bok closed by reading Revelations 21. He also spoke a few personal and heartfelt words and laid the needs of family and congregation before the Lord in prayer.

It was a blessed and peaceful day.

—The Consistory of Chilliwack

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