BIBLE QUIZ

Dear Boys and Girls,

This month we again have a crossword puzzle, and it is based upon the second Lord’s Day of the Heidelberg Catechism. The writers of the catechism tell us in this second Lord’s Day that the law of God is a teacher for us. But what does it teach us? It teaches us our misery. If we are honest, this is a lesson we really don’t want to study. Who wants to know about our misery?

But it is told us in the catechism that it is necessary for us to know this in order to live and die happily. It may seem quite strange to us that we need to know our sins and miseries to be happy. We must remember that it is not because this misery makes us happy, but by it we are placed in need of something to take away that misery. This remedy is taught us later in the catechism.

The little prayer of the Highland kitchen maid, “Lord, show my myself,” is a prayer we may all use. Probably you have all heard the story which is told about her. In a very similar way Rev. M’Cheyne wrote to a little girl, “Oh! pray for deep discoveries of your real state by nature and by practice. The world will say you are an innocent and harmless girl; do not believe them. The world is a liar.”

If we may know something of our misery, then there is much need of another prayer. It is, “Wash me, make me pure within; cleanse, O cleanse me from my sin.” May the Lord by His Spirit teach us to pray these prayers.

The questions marked with an asterisk (*) will be found in the texts which you will see in the margin of the Psalter alongside the second Lord’s Day.

ACROSS:

1. “The carnal mind is _____against God; for it is not subject to the law of God.”*

4. A certain lawyer answered the Lord Jesus, “Thou shalt __________ the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, etc.”*

8. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not __________ us.”*

9. On another occasion the Lord Jesus said to a lawyer, “On these two commandments hang _______________ the law and the prophets.”

10. “Therefore by the deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for by the law is the______of sin.”*

12. When Moses delayed to come down from the mount, the people _________ down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.

13. Nathan said to David, “ __________ art the man.”

15. James wrote, “There is one lawgiver, who is __________ to save and to destroy.”

16. “For we ourselves were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in _________ and envy.”*

17. Moses took the calf which the people had made and burnt _________ in the fire.

18. Job answered the Lord, “Behold, I am vile;… I will lay ______ hand upon my mouth.”

19. Lot said to the men of Sodom, “I pray you, brethren, do not ___________ wickedly.”

20. The lawyer (in #4 above), willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, “And who is my ______?” (newer spelling)

22. The psalmist said, “If Thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, who ______ shall stand?”

23. The Lord Jesus said, “But I ____ unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give an account thereof.”

24. The Lord said in His heart, “I will not again curse the ground for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is _____ from his youth.”

25. The sixth commandment is, ‘Thou shalt not ______”

DOWN:

2. “As it is written, There is _______ righteous, no, not one.”*

3. Paul wrote to the Galatians, “______me, ye that desire to be under law, do ye not hear the law?”

4. At Mount Sinai there were thunders and ______and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet.

5. Unto the rich ruler the Lord Jesus said, “Yet lackest thou______thing.”

6. As Saul journeyed to Damascus, suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven. And he fell to the______ .

7. To the Romans Paul wrote, “Love worketh no______to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”

11. In Zechariah’s vision, Joshua the high priest was clothed with filthy ______ and stood before the angel.

12. When the commandments were given, we read, “And God______all these words, saying, I am the Lord thy God.”

13. When Rehoboam had established the kingdom, and had strengthened himself, he forsook______law of the Lord, and all Israel with him.

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

14. Paul wrote to the Romans, “The commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be______death.”

17. In Deuteronomy we read that Moses said to the people, “Hear, O______: the Lord our God is one Lord.”

20. In Hannah’s prayer she said, “There is ______holy as the Lord.”

21. In the book of Galatians we read, “Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the______of the law.”

22. When one came to Jesus, saying, “Good Master,” Jesus said, “______callest thou Me good? There is none good save one, that is God.”

Your answers should be sent to:

Garret I. Moerdyk

5211 Woodmont Drive

Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001.

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

“Blessed Be The Name Of The Lord”

— Job 1:21

Barak — Judges 5:1–3

Loadeth — Psalm 68:19

Enemies — Genesis 14:20

Shem — Genesis 9:26

Sheba — 1 Kings 10:9

Ever — 1 Chronicles 16:36

Delivered — 2 Samuel 18:28

Blessed — Luke 2:28–29

Everlasting — Psalm 41:13

Teach — Psalm 119:12

Heart — Ezra 7:27

Extol — Daniel 4:37

Name — John 12:12–13

Abigail — 1 Samuel 25:32

Might — Daniel 2:19–20

Exalt — Exodus 15:2

Offerings — 2 Chronicles 33:16

Fulfilled — 1 Kings 8:15

Things — Psalm 72:18

Hiram — 1 Kings 5:7

Egyptians — Exodus 18:10

Left — Ruth 4:14

One — 1 Kings 1:48

Redeemed — Luke 1:67–68

Destitute — Genesis 24:27

Answers have been received from:

Trevor Aleman

Ricky Arnoldussen

Bernie Bakker

Billie Bakker

Greg Bakker

Jason Bakker

Joshua Bakker

Michael Bakker

Trish Bakker

Cathy Baum

Kevin Bayne

Aron Bazen

Carrie Bazen

Jeff Bisschop

Yvonne Bisschop

Jeremy Boot

Connie Bos

Melanie Bos

Stephanie Bos

Stephen Bos

Sylvia Coates

Neil DeBoer

Peter DeBoer

Rachael De Bruine

Jackie Den Dekker

Neil Den Dekker

Brian Den Hertog

John Den Hertog

Glen Den Hoed

Larry Den Hoed

Susan Den Hoed

Tim Den Hoed

Jody Lynn Deur

Erik De Vries

Karen De Vries (2)

Kristi De Vries (2)

Anita Droge

Jenny Sue Droge

Joleen L. Droge

Gordon Eckhardt

Susy Eckhardt

Mark Faasse

Thane W. Fluit

Remco Funcke

Daniel Herfst

David Herfst

Jason Herfst

Carrie Hoogendoorn (2)

Kent Hoogendoorn

Kevin Hoogendoorn

Peter Hoogendoorn (2)

David Hoogerheide

Katie Hoogerheide

Charmain Huisman (3)

Cynthia Huisman (3)

Trina Huisman

Brenda Hulshof

Cindy Hulshof

Katie Hulshof

Ronald Hulshof

Eric J. Kamp

Gary Kanis

Kathleen Kanis

Frank Kardux

Myrna Kardux

Rosemary Kardux

Jody Kegel

Karen Kegel

Steph Kegel

Jim Kranendonk

Joanna Kranendonk

Mary Kranendonk

Susan Kranendonk

Cindy Kreft

Derek Kreft

Ingrid Krul

Becky 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

Craig Phillips

Wendy Phillips

Diane Pols

Kevin Post

Chad Rozeboom

Kirk Rozeboom

Darla Rus

Jason Rus

Becky Schelling

Pam Schelling

Eric L. Schipper

Joel Schipper

Kristina Schipper

Matthew Schipper

Michelle Schipper

Estella Schouten

Philip Schouten

Jennifer Schwarze

Stephanie Schwarze

Jolene Slingerland (2)

Marco Slingerland (2)

Aaron Stubbe

Darrell Stubbe

Heather Stubbe

Kevin Stubbe

Steven Stubbe

Amanda Timmer

Angela Timmer

Sheila Van Beek

Sally Van Bemden

MaryEllen VanBrugge

Andre VandeBruinhorst

Corine VandeBruinhorst

Lida VandeBruinhorst

Mary VandeBruinhorst

Jaron VandeHoef

Leona VandenBrink

Louise VandenBrink

Jon VandenToorn

Jaclyn VandenToorn

Kim VandenToorn

Lisa VandenToorn

Marsha VandenToorn

Mike VandenToorn

Joyce Vanderspek

Karen Vanderspek

Scott Vanderspek

Rodney VanderZand

Sara Van Pagee

Jason Van Surksum

Steven Van Surksum

Cynthia Van Surksum

Ryan Van Surksum

Trina Van Tol

Kristi Van Veldhuizen

Phyllis Van Veldhuizen

Rebecca Van Veldhuizen

Robert Lee Van Veldhuizen

Sheila Van Veldhuizen

Jason Van Voorst

Jeffrey Van Voorst

Larissa Van Voorst

Rachel Van Voorst

Corinna Van Wingerden

Mark Van Wingerden

Mariene Van Wingerden

Sophia Van Woerden

Stephanie Van Woerden

Paula Van Woudenberg

Jacqueline Velthove

Pieter Len Velthove

John Wesdyk

Karen Wesdyk

Cindy Ymker (2)

Denise Ymker (2)

Gregory Ymker (2)

Jeff Zevenbergen

Vanessa Zylstra

Again we will answer the letters which we have received —

Cindy Kreft

Your letter is first, Cindy. Now that you know where Michigan is, are you planning a trip? It may look quite close on the map, but it is quite a distance. It would be nice to see your family again, as I am sure that you have all grown considerably. Give them our greetings.

Ingrid Krul

It was nice to hear from you, Ingrid, and we welcome you to the Bible Quiz. If I am not mistaken, some years ago we were at your home, but I am sure that you were not very old at that time. We hope that we may hear from you more often. Give our greetings to your parents.

Gerrtt Neels

Yes, Gerrit, the Word of God is important, even though many people today see no value in it. What a great blessing it is when boys and girls may be like Timothy, knowing the Scriptures from their youth. The Apostle Paul reminded Timothy that they were able to make one wise unto salvation.

Philip Schouten

How did you do with your exams, Philip? I assume you are presently having your summer vacations. Has the weather turned nice? What do you plan to do during the summer months, the Lord willing? Yes, our whole life passes by so rapidly, and we fly away.

Trevor Aleman

We are quite well, Trevor. There has been quite a little rain here of late, but we would rather have it than the snow. Have you noticed how much a farmer needs to know to operate his farm? Education can be so helpful in everything we do.

Cynthia Huisman

We were sorry to hear about your puppy, Cynthia. The animals were also created into a perfect world, where there was no sickness. However, because of man’s fall in Paradise, the animal world must also bear the results of it. We must realize that sickness, also of animals, is our fault.

Sophia Van Woerden

You asked about the money which the soldiers took, Sophia. We read about this in the last chapter of Matthew, where it tells us that the elders of the people paid those soldiers to tell a lie. Not only is the liar then guilty, but also those who have paid him to do so.

Remco Funcke

Do you like to drive the tractor, Remco? How old must you be in New Zealand before you may obtain a driver’s license? In 1 Kings 22 we read about a driver, but he certainly was not driving an automobile. Do you know what he drove?

Julia Neels

Do you think you could carry on a conversation in French, Julia? I recall learning a little French in school, but it didn’t seem so easy to me. We don’t read about the French language in Bible times, but we do read about other languages. Do you know of any?

Estella Schouten

Yes, Estella, the years of our life are in the hand of the Lord. The Lord also calls to us when others have serious sicknesses or heart attacks. But when we are strong and healthy, we do not think much about the possibility of dying. Moses also had to ask the Lord, “Teach us to number our days.”

Derek Kreft

Did you find the proper fork for round bales, Derek? To have the proper tools and equipment is important in getting a job done efficiently. Did everyone enjoy the wedding and reception? I am sure it was a big occasion for them and for Adrian’s teacher.

Charmain Huisman

You wrote in your letter about births, but also about a death. This same thing is recorded for us in the Bible, where we read about children being born, but also time and again we read, “And he died.” I see that there are several letters from you. It must be that they accumulated during the past month.

Vanessa Zylstra

It seems that lots of boys and girls like the crossword puzzles, Vanessa. We do try to have them from time to time. The topical Bible is very useful in helping find the answers, but I am sure there are always some answers which you know without using it.

Stephanie Van Woerden Do you have lots of places to hike, Stephanie? As you hike, you have an opportunity to see the many wonders of nature. Each tree and plant, bird, and insect, speaks to us of these wonders. Often we are too busy to take notice of them.

Trina Huisman

We hope that you may have a happy birthday, Trina. It was nice to hear from you. You and your sisters are good letter-writers, and we enjoy hearing from you. Give our greetings to your parents and grandparents.

That finishes the letters again for this month. Many thanks to all the boys and girls for their answers to the quiz. Since this is the last month of the year, we wish all of you many blessings for the New Year, but also in the Christmas season. May the Child born in Bethlehem’s manger be sought and found by us, just as the shepherds did so many years ago.

With love,

Your friend,

“Uncle Garret”

THE PRAIRIE FIRE

A few travellers were journeying across one of the vast American prairies. It was the time of rest, and the horses, unharnessed, was quietly grazing, while the company were employed in many different ways. One group was eagerly chatting by the side of a wagon, when all at once the guide started to his feet, gazed eagerly over the prairie, and then, turning to the company, shouted, ‘The prairie is on fire! Harness the horses — quick, for life!” Rapidly was the order carried out, and the heavy wagons tumbled and tossed across the prairie, the drivers lashing their steaming horses to the utmost speed. Past them flew, with the swiftness of the wind, the wild animals of the wood. Still, despite every effort, the fire gained upon the travellers.

As they looked back in terror, they beheld the fierce flames licking up everything. Trees fell with a startling crash, and the air was fast becoming like the heat of a furnace. All at once, the guide cried out, “Halt!” and springing from his seat, he set fire to the grass in several places immediately in front of them. It quickly crackled and blazed, fanned by the breeze, and, spreading, left behind it a blackened but cleared patch. As soon as the part thus cleared looked large enough to receive the company, the guide shouted, “STAND WHERE THE FIRE HAS BEEN!” Immediately the party obeyed. Scarcely had they, with their wagons and horses, reached the charred spot than the prairie fire was upon them; but finding no grass to lay hold of, it parted, burned round them, and passed on, leaving them in safety.

Sinner, are you threatened with the punishment of sin, and the fiery condemnation of God’s holy law? Do you look about you for a hiding-place, and have you failed in your search? The fires are pursuing you, and gain fearfully on your pace, even while you flee with all your might. There is only one spot, sinner —I tell you truly, there is only one spot where safety is found. That spot is Calvary. Have you fled by faith to Christ crucified? Are you seeking God’s mercy? “STAND WHERE THE FIRE HAS BEEN.” The fire of God’s wrath against the sin of His people burned once on Calvary, when it consumed their Surety. Fear not, therefore, if you are sheltered there, the fire will never touch that place again. If you are there, you are safe.

CAN THIS BE CHRISTMAS?

What meaneth all this fuss and worry?
Whence go these crowds to run and scurry?
Why all the lights—the Christmas trees?
And the silly “fat man,” tell me, please;

Why, don’t you know? This is the day
When everybody should be gay,
For this is Christmas!
So this is Christmas, do you say?

But where is Christ this Christmas Day?
Has He been lost among the throng?
His voice drowned out by empty song?
No, He’s not here—you’ll find Him where

Some humble soul now kneels in prayer;
There you’ll find Christ—not Christmas.
But see the many fickle thousands
Who gather on this Christmas Day,

Whose hearts have never yet been opened,
Or said to Him, “Come in to stay.”
In countless homes the candles burning,
In countless hearts expectant yearning

For gifts and presents, food and fun,
And laughter till the day is done.
But not a tear of grief or sorrow
For Him so poor He had to borrow

A crib, a colt, a boat, a bed
Where He could lay His weary head.
I’m sick of all this empty celebration,
Of feasting, drinking, recreation;

I’ll go instead to Calvary.
And there I’ll kneel with those who know
The meaning of that manger low,
And find the CHRIST—not Christmas.

I leap by faith across the years
To that great day when He appears
The second time, to rule and reign, To end all sorrow, death, and pain.
In endless bliss we then shall dwell

With Him who saved our souls from Hell,
And worship HIM—not Christmas!
THE LITTLE BOY’S EXPERIENCE
The following account, related by an aged minister, may interest you:

When I was a little fellow, the youngest of a large family, a small, shy boy, remarkable for nothing but for bad health and a bad temper, my mother was a very godly woman and a devoted parent. It was her custom to be present when her children were going to bed, at which time she took the opportunity of talking to us about the things of God.

My earliest remembrance is that of my mother kneeling beside my cot, after I was in bed, and praying over me. I observed she often shed tears at these times; and my childish idea was that something hurt her.

At last, one day I said to her, “Mommy, why do you cry when you kneel at my cot after I am in bed? Does anything stick into you?”

My mother gravely answered, “No; I cry to think you are a sinner, and if you die without loving Jesus, you and I must be parted for ever—you will be in hell, and I shall be in heaven.”

“Mommy,” said I, “tell me how I can love Jesus.”

“God must give you a new heart,” she replied. “He loves all He means to save long before they love Him; and because He loves them, He gives them a new heart, with which they love Him in return.”

“But why can’t I love Him now, Mommy?” said I.

“Because,” she replied, “you have got a bad heart that you were born with, through the sin of Adam, and that heart loves sin and can never love God; it is as hard as a stone, and full of naughtiness.”

“Mommy,” said I, “where is my heart?”

She showed me and I left her, comforted by a little thought that came into my childish mind. As soon as I was in bed that same night, I began to feel where my mother showed me my heart was. “Well,” thought I, “Mommy is right, for it is either a stone or a bone I have got here; something very hard indeed. But she says she prays to God for everything so if I pray, perhaps God will take away this hard heart.”

For several nights I prayed to have it softened; but, passing my fingers across the place my mother showed me, I found it was no softer. At last I began to get troubled. I thought, “Mommy says everything depends upon a soft heart, but mine feels as hard as a bone.” So I said to my mother one day, “What you told me was quite true — I feel I have a stone in my heart. I have prayed to God to take it away, but He won’t.”

I saw my dear mother look wonderfully pleased at my childish talk, and drew me on her knee. She asked me how I felt?

“I am vexed,” I said, “to find my heart is so hard after praying so many times to God to soften it; you can feel outside my clothes how hard it is.”

“But I do not mean any part of your body that you or I can feel,” said my mother. “I mean that you have a wicked nature, which God, in the Bible, calls the heart; and He must give you a new nature, or a new heart. You and Charles often quarrel. When I kiss him, you look cross, and often cry. Why is this?”

“Something inside me is angry,” I replied.

‘Then that something is your bad nature— and God must give you a new nature, like Himself, if ever you are to live with Him in heaven.”

This conversation made a deep impression upon me; and I felt happy only while I listened to my mother reading the Bible. Soon after this, I learned to read myself.

Time slipped by till I entered my sixth year. I can look back to many solemn thoughts I had about my state at this tender age. Especially was I impressed with a sense of sin through my temper; for I was a very peevish child and no great favorite with my brothers and sisters.

About this time, my oldest brother, a youth of sixteen, became deeply sensible of the value of his soul, and to him I could sometimes talk about my feelings. I remember his speaking to me very solemnly, after my having given way to a fit of passion with my brother Charlie. He said, “John, if you go on in this way, I shall think you are like Cain who murdered his brother Abel. Every time you get into this way, it is murder, for God looks to the heart.”

This remark made me cry to God to make me like good Abel, and deliver me from the wicked spirit of Cain. Often I used to promise God I would do so no more; but directly after these promises were made, God always showed me how black and bad my heart was, by leaving me alone, as it were, to my own strength; for, as sure as I promised to do better, I always did worse.

One day my brother said to me, “Johnnie, it is a secret I know, and you do not, that makes the difference between your religion and mine.”

“Oh, Samuel,” I said, “do pray tell it to me.”

“No,” he answered, “I can’t; God must tell it to you.”

“Perhaps,” I said, “our mother told you.”

“No,” he answered, “God told me; and if ever God tells it to you, He will show you that the secret is wrapped up in that one Name—Jesus. You know something of sin, but you know nothing of Jesus.”

A few days after this conversation, I was at play with my brother Charles and, before long, a dispute arose about a bit of string. We both were angry; but I, ever the most in fault, lifted up my hand and struck him a blow. Oh, the horror that came over me when I had done this, no words can tell! The thought rushed into my mind, “I am a murderer — I am like Cain. God never loved Cain. God cannot love me. I shall go to hell for all my sins.” I tried to express to my brother, who was generous and forgiving, how sorry I was.

“Never mind,” he said, “I beat you last week; I don’t care about a thump.” But / did; for I felt I had sinned against God.

I ran to my room. I threw myself upon my knees. I wept aloud, but could not pray. I then sought for my oldest brother.

“Samuel,” I said, “I am undone. I must go to hell. I am another Cain. I have struck Charlie such a blow, and with such spite in my heart, that I am sure I can never be forgiven.”

Samuel was reading when I ran into the room. He laid down his book and listened to all I said; and then answered, ‘The blood of lesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth from all sin.” These words fell into my heart with a feeling I never knew before; they seemed to drop from heaven into my soul.

I spoke not a word, but went back into my own room, where I was glad to pour out my heart before God. I felt I had got the secret Samuel told me of; for Jesus’ blood seemed to sweep away all my sin, and I loved Him for pardoning such a wicked child. I feel persuaded no grown-up person ever realized more clearly or sweetly the blessedness of pardon, and the shedding abroad of the love of God in the soul, than I did that day, a little fellow of six years old. I can say with the hymn truly:

Many days have passed since then;

Many changes I have seen;
Yet have been upheld till now:
Who could hold me up but Thou?

I have travelled since then all the world over. I have preached thousands of sermons, and have been kept by divine grace in the ways of truth; yet I feel my need of these words, ‘The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth from all sin,” as much this day as I did when they were applied to my heart.

— From Teaching Talks by Ebenezer Wilmshurst

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