BIBLE QUIZ

Dear Boys and Girls,

Now that the summer months are again behind us, you are again busy with your studies at school, but also at catechism classes. I understand that for some of you catechism is a part of your school day, but for others it is held in church at some other time of the week. But for all of us the catechism class is very important. By means of questions and answers the principles of God’s Word are taught us.

The Apostle Paul in writing to Timothy stressed the importance of knowing the Scriptures, that is, the Word of God, saying that they “are able to make one wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” It is not just knowing the Bible that will save us, but it is a means to teach us our need of a Savior and then show us who this Savior is. These are not easy lessons for us, but may the Lord give us His light in order to understand these things.

I am sure you are all familiar with the Heidelberg Catechism which is in the back of the Psalter. It also is made up of questions and answers in order to teach us the things which are so necessary for us to know in order to live and die happily. Many people find all their happiness in the things of the world, but the Catechism tells us of something different. It is based upon the Word of God, and for that reason can be trusted. It can also help us to understand the teaching of the Bible.

Some years ago a book was written entitled, “Three Men Came To Heidelberg.” It gives the history of the writing of the Heidelberg Catechism. If you have never read or heard about the story behind the writing of this catechism, we would recommend it to you. It will give you an understanding of how and why it was written.

This month the crossword puzzle is based on the first Lord’s Day of the Heidelberg Catechism. If you look in your Psalter, you will see that there are many texts listed in the margin for the answers given. We have used most of these texts for the quiz, so you have lots of clues in finding the correct words. Those questions which have used a text shown in the margin are marked with an asterisk. I hope you will not find it overly difficult, and that you may also learn, under the blessing of the Lord, the things which are so necessary.

Garret j. Moerdyk serves as elder in the Netherlands Reformed Congregation of Kalamazoo, Michigan.

ACROSS:

2. In his epistle to the Romans Paul wrote, “O wretched man that I am! who shall______ me from the body of this death?”

5. In another letter Paul wrote, “Glorify ______in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”*

8. The Lord Jesus said, “I give unto them eternal______; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.”*

10. In Romans Paul also wrote, “And we know that all things______together for good to them that love God, …”*

12. In Hebrews we read, “Through ______ He might destroy him that had the power of ______ , that is, the devil.”*

14. In 1 Corinthians Paul said, “______are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.”*

16. Following the text in Q. #2 across, Paul wrote, “I ______God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

18. In 1 Corinthians we read, “Whether therefore ye______ , or drink, do all to the glory of God.”

19. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “And ______were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified.”*

20. The Lord Jesus said to His disciples, “Thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission______sins should be preached in His Name.”*

23. In his first epistle Peter wrote, “When His ______shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”

26. The Lord Jesus said, “This is the Father’s ______which hath sent Me, that of all which He hath given Me, I should lose nothing.”*

27. Jesus said to the Pharisees, “If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We______ .”*

29. James wrote, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is ______variableness.”

30. Paul wrote to the Romans, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of______ , they are the sons of______ .”*

31. In the second epistle to the Corinthians, Paul wrote “Who hath also______us, and given us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.”*

32. Again in Romans, the Apostle Paul wrote, “In my flesh dwelleth no______thing.”

DOWN:

1. Peter wrote, “Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and _______,…but with the precious blood of Christ.”*

2. In Romans Paul wrote, “There is none that_______good, no, not one.”

3. He also wrote, “I delight in the_______of God after the inward man.”*

4. In Matthew the Lord Jesus said, “The _______hairs of your head are all numbered.”*

6. Paul wrote to the Romans, “For whether we live, we live unto the Lord: and whether we_______ , we_______unto the Lord.”*

7. In that same book he wrote, “What things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every _______ may be stopped.”*

9. The Lord Jesus also said, “No man is able to pluck them out of My_______hand.”*

11. Jude concludes his epistle, saying, “Now unto Him that is able to_______you from falling,…be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever.”

13. The Lord Jesus said, “The very_______s of your head are all numbered.”*

15. To the Ephesians Paul wrote, “For ye were sometime darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk_______children of light.”*

17. Jesus said, “This is life eternal, that they might_______Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent.”*

21. Habakkuk said, “Although the _______ tree shall not blossom,…yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”

22. John wrote, “The_______of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.”*

24. Paul wrote to the Romans, “Who shall separate us from the_______of Christ?”

25. Seeing many of the people leaving Him, Jesus asked the twelve, “Will_______also go away?”

28. The angel said to Mary, “Of His kingdom there shall be no_______.”

30. The disciples said to Jesus, “Lord, to whom shall we_______? Thou hast the words of eternal life.”

Your answers should be sent to:

Garret j. Moerdyk

5211 Woodmont Drive

Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001.

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

“Get Wisdom, Get Understanding”

— Proverbs 4:5d

Giveth — Proverbs 2:6

Entered —Acts 5:19–21

Took —Matthew 28:15

Wisdom —Exodus 31:1–3

Instruction —Proverbs 1:7

Song — Deuteronomy 31:22

Discreet —Genesis 41:39

Others —2 Timothy 2:2

Mouth —Exodus 4:12

Go — Proverbs 6:6

Expounded —Acts 18:24–26

Taught —Matthew 5:1–2

Understanding —1 Kings 3:9

Nathan —2 Samuel 12:7

Damascus —Acts 9:1–3

Exceeded —1 Kings 10:23

Reasoned —Acts 18:4

Scribes — Matthew 7:29

Ten — Daniel 1:20

Astonished — Luke 2:47

Not —Psalm 1:1

Disputing —Acts 6:9–10

Instructed — Luke 1:3–4

Name —Daniel 2:19–20

Gamaliel —Acts 22:3

Answers have been received from:

Bernie Bakker (2)

Billie Bakker (2)

Jason Bakker (2)

Joshua Bakker (2)

Trish Bakker (2)

Brian Baum

Cathy Baum

Aran Bazen

Carrie Bazen

Jeff Bisschop

Jodi Bisschop

Yvonne Bisschop

Jeremy Boot

Melanie Bos

Stephanie Bos

Stephen Bos

Aline Bosch (3)

Rachael De Bruine

Jackie Den Dekker

Neil Den Dekker

Glen Den Hoed

Larry Den Hoed

Susan Den Hoed

Tim Den Hoed

Chantal De Patie

Marc De Patie

Melissa Derksen

Leah De Visser

Erik De Vries

Karen De Vries

Kristi De Vries

Marco De Wilde

Mary-Joan De Wilde

Willard De Wilde

Anita Droge

Jennifer Droge

Joleen L. Droge

Rachel Ekema

Thane W. Fluit (2)

Remco Funcke

Benjamin Hayes

Daniel Herfst

David Herfst

Jason Herfst

Carrie Hoogendoorn

Kent Hoogendoorn

Kevin Hoogendoorn

Peter Hoogendoorn

Tori Hoogendoorn

Charmain Huisman

Cynthia Huisman

Brenda Hulshof

Cindy Hulshof

Katie Hulshof

Ronald Hulshof

Jody Kegel

Karen Kegel

Stephanie Kegel

Jim Kranendonk

Joanna Kranendonk

Mary Kranendonk

Susan Kranendonk

Becky Kummerow

Kristin Kummerow

Ryan Kummerow

Jason Lagge

Rachel Lagge

Tara Lagge

Joan Lamain

Kristy Lamain

Sara Lamain

Erik Langerak

Joshua Meeuwse

Nathan Meeuwse

Nicole Meeuwse

Billy Middendorp

Bobby Middendorp

Gus Middendorp

Sarah Middendorp

Gerrit Neels

Julia Neels

Alyce Nieuwenhuis

David E. Nkemderim (2)

Chukwu Noukwe

Julius Oluwole

Jennifer Osmun

Craig Phillips (2)

Wendy Phillips (2)

Carmen Post

Kevin Post

Scott Post

Todd Post

Billy Remijn

Heidi Remijn

Sonya Remijn

Jennifer Sue Rose

Anita Roth

Julia Roth

Krista Roth

Darla Rus

Jason Rus

Becky Schelling

Pam Schelling

Renita Schelling

Kristina Schipper

Matthew Schipper

Johanna Scholten (3)

Margaret Scholten (2)

Estella Schouten

Cara Smith

Laura Smith

Stephen Sporte (2)

Joel Stam

Aaron Stubbe

Darrell Stubbe

Heather Stubbe

Kevin Stubbe

Steven Stubbe

Angela Timmer

Craig Timmer

Rachael Timmer

Sally Van Bemden

David VanBrugge

Jaron VandeHoef

Alan Vandenberg

Beverly Vandenberg

Leonard Vandenberg (3)

Liz Vandenberg (3)

Tim Vandenberg (3)

Leona VandenBrink

Louise VandenBrink

Jon VandenToorn

Jaclyn VandenToorn

Kim VandenToorn

Lisa VandenToorn

Marsha VandenToorn

Mike VandenToorn

Andrea VanderMale

Nathan VanderMale

Fran VanderMeulen (2)

Joyce Vanderspek

Rodney VanderZand (2!

Joyce Van Klei

Trina Van Tol

Kristi Van Veldhuizen

Phyllis Van Veldhuizen

Rebecca Van Veldhuizen (2)

Robert Lee Van Veldhuizen (2)

Sheila Van Veldhuizen

Janelle Van Voorst

Jeffrey Van Voorst

Larissa Van Voorst

Rachel Van Voorst

Corinna Van Wingerden

David Van Wingerden

Karen Van Wingerden

Mark Van Wingerden

Mariene Van Wingerden

Steven Van Wingerden

Paula Van Woudenberg

Jacqueline Velthove

Pieter Len Velthove

John Wesdyk

Karen Wesdyk

Cindy Ymker (2)

Denise Ymker (2)

Edward Ymker

Gregory Ymker (2)

Janice Ymker

Jean Ymker

Jeff Zevenbergen

Kristen Zevenbergen

We again have some letters to answer this month —

Estella Schouten

Congratulations on your birthday, Estella, and we hope and pray that you may have many more. Each year seems like a long time as we look ahead, but how quickly it passes by. And the poet in Psalter 383 had to acknowledge, “My life in all its perfect plan was ordered ere my days began.”

Julia Neels

Yes, Julia, the ocean certainly displays God’s power. We read of this also in Psalm 107, which says that those who go down to the sea “see the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep.” Even the things which are around us upon the dry land show forth His greatness.

Charmain Huisman

What kind of berries were you picking, Charmain? I can well imagine that it can be tiring, especially day after day. At present the weather here is quite nice, although it has been a very warm summer. It is a good thing that we do not determine the weather, but that the Lord has control over it and does as it pleases Him.

Aline Bosch

It was nice to hear from you several times, Aline. In fact, one of your answers was hand-delivered. Do you live quite near the school? There is much for us to learn from the story of Bartimaeus, isn’t there? Be sure to give our greetings to your parents. We hope that we may hear from you again next month.

Remco Funcke

What did you mainly study at the Wellington Museum, Remco? We were also at a museum recently, and one could spend many days there in order to see it all. Is Wellington quite a large city? The Bible refers to several cities as “great cities,” but most of them are no longer known today.

Gerrit Nee/s

Were you able to go swimming in the ocean, Gerrit? Are you glad to be back in school again? What are you studying about at present? There are so many things to learn, but we can only proceed one lesson at a time. It is much like building a house; the foundation is first laid, and then it is built piece by piece.

Benjamin Hayes

Yes, Benjamin, it hardly seems possible that the year 1988 is more than two-thirds gone. The Bible speaks of life as a shadow and as a tale that is told, and how true this becomes for us as we see time pass by. The prophet Hosea said, “It is time to seek the Lord,” and that is often forgotten in our busy lives.

Again we have come to the end of our letters. There is one letter which has no name on it, and therefore I am not able to answer it. Many thanks to all for your replies, and don’t forget to put your names on the answers. May the Lord remember us further, so that we may meet again next month.

With love,

Your friend,

“Uncle Garret”

ROOM FOR A LITTLE CHILD

Last century, a servant of Christ, an aged man, tried several carriages for a seat in a crowded train. He opened one door, when a lady cried, “There is no room here except for a little child.”

“Madam,” he replied, “that is what I have been trying to be for many years.”

“Oh,” she answered, “there is room here for you; come in.”

So he found himself, by his own Christlike reply, suddenly beside some of his “own company.”

There is no room for men and women (as such) in the kingdom of God. “Except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of Heaven” (Mt. 18:3).

A TRAGIC CALL

The News of May 8, 1905, related the tragic call of Charles Arnold, a well-known actor and vocalist. At a dinner given on Saturday, May 6, by the Savage Club to the delegates of the Association of Foreign Journalists, Mr. Arnold sang the Club’s popular song, “Down where the Pilsener flows,” and as an encore was singing, “We take off our hats to the King,” when, as he was about to lift his hat and break into the chorus, he staggered, then fell, and was carried off the platform. In a few minutes the chairman announced to the silent and awe-struck audience that Mr. Arnold was dead. Another application had been given to the words. He had taken his hat off to the King of kings!

Such solemn facts and dates remind us that each of us “must give account of himself to God,” and the moment of the giving of that account we know not. Seek grace to bow to the Son now, and be blessed by the Son then — grace to surrender now, and shine then.

SELLING THEIR SON

I have heard a story that in Germany there were a father and a mother who had four sons, and all were starving. They decided to sell one of them, to provide bread for the others. So they talked about which they would sell. They could not part with the eldest for he was their first-born. Then, because the second was exactly like his father, the wife could not spare him. Then the mother suggested the third, but the father could not spare him, because he was the exact image of his wife. Then they thought of the baby, but they could not spare the little Benjamin of their old age.

They could not give one of the four; but God commends His love to us, not that He gave one out of four, but “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

HIS ONLY BOY

Said a father: “Never did I realize in anything like an adequate manner what my salvation cost God until my only boy at college wrote me and said: ‘Will you give me your consent to go as a missionary to tell the poor dying heathen of Jesus?’“

Only one son, and he to go to the heathen! God had one Son and He gave Him up to death for all His people.

ROOM FOR CHRIST

Lord, I am vile, conceived in sin,
And born unholy and unclean;
Sprung from the man whose guilty fall
Corrupts the race, and taints us all.

Soon as we draw our infant breath,
The seeds of sin grow up for death;
The law demands a perfect heart;
But we’re defiled in every part.

Behold, I fall before Thy face;
My only refuge is Thy grace;
Not outward forms can make me clean—
The leprosy lies deep within.

Jesus, my Lord! Thy blood alone
Has power sufficient to atone;
Thy blood can make me white as snow;
No Jewish types could cleanse me so.

While guilt disturbs and breaks my peace,
Nor flesh, nor soul, has rest or ease;
Lord, let me hear Thy pardoning voice,
And make my broken bones rejoice.

THE LITTLE PRAYER, ‘LORD, HELP ME”

The late Mr. Gadsby, of Manchester, once preached at Rochdale from the text, “Lord, help me.” Having read his text, he took off his spectacles and in his usual, deliberate way, looked round on the congregation, saying “Friends, by way of introduction, I will tell you how I came by my text; and if you will allow me to speak in the first person, I can tell you more easily by saying I than he.

“Well then, before I was fully devoted to the ministry, I was in business; and, as most business men do, I worked a little on credit. When I gave up business and settled as preacher and pastor of a congregation, I owed several sums of money; but much more was owing to me, so I had no fear of being able to pay my creditors. One of these creditors, to whom I owed twenty pounds, called upon me for the payment. I said to him, ‘I will see what I can do for you next Monday.’ He called on the Monday, but I had not got the money. He was rather cross with me, saying I had no business to promise, except I intended to perform. This observation roused my pride, and I told him I would pay him on the coming Monday. He went away in a rage, saying he hoped I would.

“I set out the following day to see some of my debtors, not fearing but that I could raise the twenty pounds; but I did not get one farthing. I tried others, but with the same success. I then put down on a sheet of paper the names of several of my friends, certain that I could borrow twenty pounds from any one of them; but to my utter amazement I was mistaken. All of them could sympathize with me a deal better than lend me anything; and I began to find out that if a man wants to know how many friends he has, he had better try to borrow some money.

“The next day I made out another list of names, of those not so well able to help me as the former; for I thought if I can get five pounds here and five pounds there, I shall be able to raise it all. I travelled many miles on my errand, spending a whole day, but returned in the evening without a penny. I began to ask myself, ‘How is this, that I, a respectable man, and, as people say, a popular preacher, cannot, in the whole of my acquaintance, borrow twenty pounds? I thought I had as many friends as most men, but now I cannot find one that will trust me twenty pounds.’ My pride got a terrible shake, and I felt very little indeed.

“Friday came, and my spirits were sinking. I could not tell which way to turn. I had promised to pay, and was very anxious to fulfil my promise for good reasons — my honour and veracity as a minister of the gospel were at stake. I feared that if I did not pay the man, he would send me the bailiffs; and for a parson to have the bailiffs would be a terrible disgrace. I read the seventy-third psalm that morning at family worship, for I thought it was nearest my case. The mournful portions of God’s Word best agree with the feelings of God’s mourning people. I began to look out texts for the Sunday; but I could find none, for I could think of nothing but twenty pounds. I tried to read, but it was of no use; twenty pounds covered all the letters. Twenty pounds seemed written on everything—on the ceiling, on the walls, in the fire, on my dinner-plates, on the faces of my wife and children — and the whole of that day was one of morbid depression of spirits. I was really miserable.

“Saturday morning came, and I arose from a sleepless bed. I ate very little breakfast; and when at prayer I was so overcome with my feelings that my wife asked me if I was poorly or in trouble. ‘Yes,’ I replied, ‘I am in trouble enough’; and I then told her all about the cause of my sorrow. She was silent for a few minutes, and then said, ‘You have often talked and preached about the power of faith; I think you now need some yourself.’ Having said this, she rose from her chair, and went rattling amongst her pots and kettles. She was evidently mortified because I had been refused the money by those she had considered our friends. ‘My wife,’ I said to myself, ‘is a good Christian woman; but she thinks works are the best evidence of faith, both in preacher and people.’ Saturday was spent much as Friday had been. I was in a state of torpor until evening. I then went upstairs into a little room I called my study, with a heavy heart; for I had three times to preach on the Sunday and no text — twenty pounds to pay on the Monday and no money. What was I to do? For a long time I sat with my face buried in my hands; and then I fell on my knees, and I believe I said, ‘Lord, help me!’ a hundred times; for I could say nothing else. While praying I felt an impression that these words might serve me for one text; and as Sunday came before Monday, I began to prepare as well as I could for Sunday’s work; but no other text could I think of but ‘Lord help me!’

“While preaching on the Sunday morning, I had so many thoughts and illustrations arising out of the subject, that I felt very great liberty in preaching. One of my illustrations was about a man I knew well, who was a deacon of a church, and had been an executor for two orphan children. He was tempted to make use of the money, and much of it was lost. This so preyed upon his mind that he began to drink. He lost his character, lost his peace of mind, and died with the reputation of a rogue. ‘Now,’ I said, ‘had this man, the executor, when he first thought of taking the children’s money, resisted the temptation, calling on God to help him to do nothing but what a professing Christian ought to do, instead of losing the money, his good name, his peace of mind, and perhaps his life, God might have heard his prayer and saved him.’ Noon came, but my sermon was not half done. I preached from it again in the afternoon, and again in the evening, and I felt that I could have preached from it a week. So, you see, the Lord helped me through my work on the Sunday; and I believed He would, some way, on the Monday.

“After finishing the night’s service, when I got to the bottom of the pulpit stairs, a young man stood there, with his hat in hand, wishing to see me in private. I took him into the vestry, and requested his errand, expecting it would be something about his soul. For several minutes we were both silent, but at length he said, ‘You knew my mother, Mr. Gadsby?’ I looked him in the face, saying, ‘Surely I did; but I did not know you at first sight.’ ‘Well, sir, when she died she left me some money, all she had except two small sums she wished me to give — one sum of five pounds, to a poor old woman of her acquaintance: and speaking of you, said, ‘Our minister needs help, and I wish you to give him twenty pounds. I paid the five pounds to the poor woman, but, thinking no one knew, I resolved never to give you the twenty pounds. But while you were talking about the roguish executor this morning, I felt thunderstruck, and I have now brought you the twenty pounds. Here it is. Do take it, and forgive me.’

“It was now my turn to be thunderstruck. I was amazed and while the young man was putting the twenty sovereigns into my hand I trembled all over. God had heard my prayer; He helped me through the Sunday and sent me the twenty pounds for the Monday. It was mine and I took it. I shook the young man by the hand, and without putting the money into my pocket, I went home, spread it out on the table before my wife saying: ‘Here it is, I see now how it was that I could not borrow the money. God knew where it was, and he has sent me the twenty pounds, and delivered me out of my trouble. He has heard my prayer, and helped me, and I will trust Him and praise Him as long as I live.’ Ah! my dear friends, when that little prayer, ‘Lord, help me,’ comes from the heart of one of God’s children in distress, neither men, devils nor angels can tell its power. It has brought me thousands of blessings, beside the twenty pounds.”

Say not my soul, from whence can God relieve thy care

Remember that omnipotence hath servants everywhere;

His methods are sublime, His ways supremely kind,

God never is before His time nor ever is behind.

His providence unfolds the book,

And makes his counsels shine;

Each opening leaf, and every stroke,

Fulfils some deep design.

— WG

JEREMIAH ENCOURAGED BY HIS SENDER

“And is not this thy highest honor — is not this thy greatest privilege —to be as my mouth? Dost thou want more? Have not I chosen thee for this purpose? Have I not called thee—have I not strengthened thee for the work? Is not that sufficient? Will I not stand by thee? Will I not bring thee safe through? Will I not honor my own word by the lips? And canst thou think, when so honored as to be my mouth to my people, that I will ever leave thee?” Thus the Lord supports his fainting spirit, and encourages the prophet still to stand up boldly and faithfully in His Name, whether men will hear, or whether they will forbear.

Every servant of the Lord has to endure a measure of what Jeremiah went through. He has to endure persecutions, temptations, assaults from Satan, the workings of a rebellious heart, the hidings of the Lord’s countenance, and a whole train of trying circumstances. But these very things fit him for the ministry, and without them he would be but a dry breast to the Lord’s quickened family.

—J.C. Philpot

FREE GRACE

Lord, with glowing heart I’d praise Thee
For the bliss Thy love bestows,
For the pardoning grace that saves me,
And the peace that from it flows:
Help, O God, my weak endeavor,
This dull soul to rapture raise;
Thou must light the flame, or never
Can my love be warmed to praise.

Praise, my soul, the God that sought thee,
Wretched wanderer far astray,
Found thee lost, and kindly brought thee
From the paths of death away.
Praise, with love’s devoutest feeling,
Him who saw thy guilt-born fear,
And the light of hope revealing,
Bade the blood-stained cross appear.

Praise thy Savior God that drew thee
To that cross new life to give,
Held a blood-sealed pardon to thee,
Bade thee look to Him and live.
Praise the grace whose threats alarmed thee,
Roused thee from thy fatal ease,
Praise the grace whose promise warmed thee,
Praise the grace that whispered peace.

Lord, this bosom’s ardent feeling
Vainly would my lips express:
Low before Thy footstool kneeling,
Deign Thy suppliant’s prayer to bless.
Let Thy love, my soul’s chief treasure,
Love’s pure flame within me raise;
And since words can never measure,
Let my life show forth Thy praise.

This hymn was written by Francis Scott Key (1779–1843), the author of the American national anthem.

A PRESENT FAVORITE

Someone asked a famous musician,

“What is your favorite composition?”

The answer was, “Whatever I am playing.”

So should it ever be in God-honoring matters. “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might” (Eccles. 9:10). The present is the golden moment.

“I LIVE THERE”

Someone asked a born-again Scotsman if he was on his way to heaven.

“Why, man,” he replied, “By grace, I live there.”

A pilgrim here, he realized his citizenship there (Phil. 3:20; Eph. 2:19).

FALSE PRAYERS

St. Augustine in his youth was in the habit of praying against lust and uncleanness, and secretly desired that God would not hear him.

How many, like him, pray against sin, but desire not to be heard because of the inward love which they have to some particular sin. Remember in prayer, “your Father seeth in secret” (Matt. 6:6,18).

THE SCOFFER’S ADMISSION

To a young unbeliever who scoffed at Christianity on account of the misconduct of some of its adherents, Dr. Mason said: “Did you ever know an uproar made because an infidel went astray from the paths of morality?”

The infidel admitted he had not.

“Then,” said the doctor, “You admit Christianity is a holy religion by expecting its professors to be holy, and thus, by your very scoffing, you pay it the highest compliment in your power.”

“By their fruits ye shall know them” (Matt. 7:16).

THE ANARCHIST GOSPEL

The Evening Times of August 18, 1908, reported:

“The funeral of a noted Communist leader took place in Paris yesterday. It was that of ‘General’ Valerin Wroblevoski, who had been closely connected with the revolutionary movement in Poland before finding his way to Paris. He was buried at the Pere la Chaise Cemetery, and the obsequies were attended by delegates from the principal revolutionary organizations in Paris. The Anarchist Malato pronounced the graveside eulogy, and Comrade de Marmande, who succeeded him, wound up his oration by shouting aloud the Anarchist Gospel—’No God! No Master! No Army! and no frontiers!’“

How different from the “glorious gospel” (2 Cor. 4:4), which has blessed untold millions, and which declares: (1) “He that cometh to God must believe that He is” (Heb. 11:6); (2) “One is your Master, even Christ, and all ye are brethren” (Matt. 23:8);

(3) “The armies which are in heaven followed Him upon white horses” (Rev. 19:14);

(4) two great boundaries of heaven and hell with a “great gulf fixed” (Luke 16:26) in between.

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