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17, 1963 . No. 10

EVANGELICAL ’".I

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MENNONITE

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CONFERENCE 1 I

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With the MCC in India 3

Carl Mill’s Story

Mors V.S.’ers

Manitoba Department of Industry and Commerce photo

Twilight on Clearwater Lake in northern Manitoba

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. LET YOUR CONDUCT BE WORTHY OF 1’HE GOSl’EI. OF CHRIST . .

PHIL. 1:27

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may be experienced. Conditions for revival remain the same. “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (II Chron. 7:14) Likewise the conditions for salvation remain the same, “. . , except a man be born again, he cannot see the king dom of God.”

ON EVALUATION

The traditional Spring revival campaign is again a thing of the past. Those, who because of an inconsistent Christian life dread these semi-annual meetings, will breathe a sigh of relief. They may again soothe their con science till Fall. No change has taken place. No decision has been made. One of the questions that we ought to ask ourselves after any series of meetings is, what has been accomplished? Some of the more common statements after a campaign are: “We certainly were challenged.” “Terrific meetings”, and so on. It may well be that these were the immediate impressions, uttered with good intent. But what evidence was there a week after; a month after? Had definite changes taken place in your life? Was there a decisive moment when you dealt with sin and determined that things would be different from now on? I believe it was George Brunk who once made a statement, something like the following, on his evaluation of revival campaigns; “I will judge the effect of this campaign by the attendance at your Wednesday night prayer meetings.” If this is to be the general criterion, then we must re vamp our whole system of evaluation, must we not? And this is not unscriptural. We find the first Christ ians stedfast in this matter. (Acts 2:42) “They continued stedfastly ... in prayer.” Christian, have you returned to the prayer meeting since the campaign? Or have all your good intentions, your premises, again been forgotten, only to be revived again at the next campaign? Another evaluation that is often heard is “eternity alone will reveal the results.” New we know that all will never be revealed here. But should we be satisfied with only that? I believe that too often we are only trying to console ourselves with this attitude when we see little results. Maybe the absence of “results” is because we have neg lected to pray! We have not pleaded with people! We have not invited a single person! If this is so, then we ought to be the first to repent, and ask the Lord to forgive, and then go to work. In the Bible, “Hearing” and “Doing” are inseparably bound together. Therefore, “Whosover heareth these say ings of mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man . . . Matt. 7:24) How many converts are continuing? Not how many came forward or raised their hand! In Acts 2, we read that “. . . they continued . . .” Is there followup? Is there contact? If not, they may well end up in the class of the “wayside” hearer. (Luke 8:12) These hear but the devil comes and snatches the Word away. Yes, the revival meetings are over. But fortunately we are not restricted to an awakening or revival, to those two periods of the year—Spring and Fall. Anywhere any time, when the conditions are met, revival and salvation 2

Letters To the Editor I must once more state my appreciation for the “Mes senger”. But particularly, I am really happy about the developments which are being reported. Voluntary Service is one. I trust that this will go forward with dispatch and actively be related to the young people of every church. Archie Penner, USE, Bloomington, Iowa City, Iowa ♦

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I meant to write as soon as we received the copies of THE MESSENGER. Thanks so much for them and trust we are on the mailing list now. The church paper has never been sent to us in our almost four years in Panama, except a few copies individuals have sent. Our school year is almost over. About another five weeks. Our first eight month Bible Institute started on the 22nd of April. Do pray for students and faculty. . . . Cliff and Diana Reimer, Chame, Panama * * * Greetings from the Congo and a very big thank you for the four copies of THE MESSENGER. Congratulations on the new paper. I think it’s swell. We are quite well now, going into the last part of the school year. We expect to have about 31 graduates this year and trust they’ll be a real contribution to the Christian church of Congo. Harvey Barkmans, Rep-du Congo

ED. The Barkman’s present address is: Nsono Mpangu, Mission ABFMS, Gare Lufu, Bas-Congo,Repdu Congo. (Leo) *

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22 Girish Chandra Bose Road Calcutta 14, India March 17, 1963 Received the first issue of “The Messenger” a few days ago and were quite favourably impressed with it. I note, it is a suitable size for filing and I suppose you are also thinking of preparing an annual index to go along at the end of the year. We have changed addresses since coming to India from PSA, C.I.T., Scheme XXXV, Darga Road, Calcutta 17 to the above. Vernon Reimer

The Messenger Off-clal organ, in the English language, of the EVANGELICAL MENNONITE CONFERENCE. Published bi-weekly under the aus pices of the E. M. C. BOARD OF PUBLICATIONS AND EDUCATION. Editor. David K. Schelleiiberg, 502 Fifth Ave. N.W. Portage la Prairie. .Man. Assistant Editor, Abe P. Inger. Author.zed as second class mall. Post Office Department, Ottawa, and for payment of postage in cash.

THE MESSENGER

MISSIONS WITH THE M.C.C. IN INDIA By Vernon and Helen Reimer The area in which we live is very congested and noisy but we are more or less used to it by now. Our work here in Calcutta is carried on in a 1400 family refugee colony just out of Cal cutta where we have a poultry and sewing projects to help provide in come for the families who often earn only $8.00 a month or less. We are trying to develop a market in Canada for the embroidery work that the women do so they can earn their liv ing rather than to live off handouts. Most of the people are badly under nourished and so we also have a med ical clinic once a month and a milk and feeding station where we hand out milk and feed school children. Not so long ago we came across a family with five children where only two children were fed properly and the other three starved because they did not have enough food. It was really a pathetic case. We also hand out free cornmeal and oil so they are receiving that. Handing out our free surplus food is not as simple as I had before en visioned it. Many people who are well off try to get hold of it also and often there is great abuse in the distribution. This is also one of our problems so we visit each home before giving them food to see if they actually need it. Starting at the end of march we will be opening our newly constructed milk kitchen where all undernourished peo ple in the colony will be able to come and regularly have their drink of mUk with some other food. The doctor whom we hire here usually sees about 140 patients each Friday on clinic day. Helen is matron at the home and also has the sewing with the women to gether with Mrs. Bauman who is also secretary. Mr. Bauman is in charge of the total colony work and Rudy Klas sen the single worker has the poultry project. Just last week he got 200 chickens which he will raise to six weeks and then hand out to the vill agers. There is a great interest in it here for eggs have a good market here.

May 17, 1963

Loretta Janzen, R.N., is in charge of our health and medical work. Our whole program is undergoing somewhat of a revision here and seems to be progressing quite well. My re sponsibilities are to direct the work of MCC in India, Nepal, and Pakistan so I am gone from Calcutta quite a bit in visiting the Pax boys in the different stations to help them in their work assignments and to give them spirit ual counseling. I visit them twice a year for some of these fellows live in rather isolated places in hospital building for mission stations, land lev elling for poor Christians, etc. While we are not without some disappoint ments, I am amazed at the contribu tions and witness these young fellows are in out of the way places. Christmas

For Christmas three different Sun day Schools sent us small gifts of mon ey so with a little from each of our MCC workers we bought small gifts for 1000 children. Then on Dec. 24 we packed everyone, visiting MCC’ers and all in our VW bus and went out to the colony and sang carols at different places, explained gift giving, singing and the reason why we celebrate Christ mas. Then we handed out the gifts to the people. We all felt it had been a very fine opportunity to witness for Christ. This Christmas for the first time some young people asked to go 'along to church so our worker took a bus load in to a Christmas program. As far as we know there is not a single Christian in the colony where we work. In fact the government singled out this colony for u.s because they had most political trouble with that group. We have to be careful how we work for they are quite easily aroused. To provide a further witness we have a reading room in which we have some secular reading material and quite a bit of religious material in Bengali which is the language spok en here. This week I will be visiting the Evangelical Literature Depot to see

about supplying more books since we are expanding our literature facilities also. The United Missionary church where we also attend is quite interested and have offered to supply us with their Christian Correspondence course for these who want to take it and are also willing to help further with a more concentrated ministry of teaching as soon as this is possible.. The United Missionary church we are attending was dedicated this last December and is in an area where there is very little of Christian witness. The only white people worshipping there are the pastor, Alfred Rees and his family. The other day when he was involved in a small accident I took over the service and I help as well with the monthly communion service. Our children enjoy the junior service very much and feel it is a punishment if they cannot go. In January Orie Miller and I visited all the Mennonite Churches and had a meeting with their delegates in Cal cutta. The result is that they have appointed a national associate director who will be moving in with us in July. Farewell for the McNeills The E.M.C. church in Steinbach had a farewell evening on April 21st for Mr. and Mrs. Larry McNeiU, who are planning to return to their mission field in the Mali Republic, West Africa, on May 22. Larry and Kathryn McNeiU, with their children Eugene and Irene, have spent part of their furlough year in Chicago, where Mr. McNeill’s home church is located. They also travelled to various churches of our Conference, and resided in Steinbach, where Mrs. McNeill is well-known as the daughter of Mrs. P. D. Reimer. The McNeills will again be working under the Gospel Missonary Union, bringing the Word of God to the peo ple of the Mali Republic. Their field address is B.P. 158, Bamako, Mali Re public, West Africa.

Maintaining Right Relationships

FROM THE JUNGLE

PART THREE

OF SIN INTO

By John P. Loewen

III Relationship between Ministers and Members Since the church is a united group of believers entrusted with the com mission to be witnesses of Christ in the “midst of a crooked and perverse nation.” care must be taken that unity and right relations exist between ministry and members. Dr. Bender writes, “The church is a brotherhood in which there are no ranks or levels of distinction in honor or superiority. There are distinction of gifts and duties, but not of superiority or in feriority. There is not a class of clergy and a class of laity.” There is a tendency that the minis ters will believe it to be their duty to do all the work in the church and as a result the members are in danger of feeling inferior or incapable of doing anything. However, is it the ob ligation of the ministers to do as much as they possibly can themselves, or is it feasible to assign as much as pos sible to the member? “It is not the duty of the laity to help the pastor carry out his duties, but the pastor’s duty to equip the laity for their call ing.” (By Winfield Fretz on World Conference.) Moreover, while aiming for unity in the church, we must bear in mind that “we do not do it at the expense of Christian standard” (By J. A. Goiring in SWORD AND TRUMPET.) The church does not have the authority to compromise any Bible doctrine or prin ciple for any reason, not even for the sake of harmony with certain strong willed individuals. It is also feasible and brings good results to assign certain responsibilities to members who feel that the ministers or the church exerts too much author ity. We will discover that the more the Assignments are spread over the whole congregation, the stronger the relation ship between ministry and congrega tion becomes. Attention must also be given to individuals possessing par ticular gilts. These should be placed according to their ability. Further, it is the duty of the min isters to see that there are no ded icated members with gifts and talents left out or set aside. There is always the danger of overworking some and 4

neglecting others. Sad to say, many talents and gifts remain dormant and undiscovered due to lack of opportun ity or challenge in the home church and as a result these members are in ^danger of losing interests and obliga tion of responsibilities in the congre gation. Further, members should have the liberty to voice their opinions and con victions even though they might seem peculiar. They ought to be dealt with in a loving and considerate manner. Il a person does not find sympathetic hearing in his own church, he might become indifferent and is apt to find support in his convictions elsewhere. (By Paul Erb) “Now in the church where all are brethren, there ought to be found no brass or brassy attitudes The voice of the least known brother or sister ought to be heard along with those who have been called to great responsibility and maturity. There should be no noise of officialdom that drowns out the words of the lesser ones to whom also the Spirit speaks.” In view of the fact that some memtbers battle with an inferiority complex, care must be given that every con fession or testimony receive it’s due recognition. The ministerial and con gregation should be such that mem bers will feel confident to reveal and unload their burdens, trusting that the law of Christ be observed in the bro therhood, “Bear ye one another’s bur dens.” It should also be a matter of con science to ministers and counsellors, when dealing with indivduals that things entrusted to them remain con fidential. Great harm can result if this is not done. Probably one of the great est hazards to the maintenance of good relationship in the church is the sin of g( ssip. I am convinced that this has done more in ruining love, trust and confidence in the church than often realized. In conclusion, let me exhort all of us member as well as minister, to strive for unity and to stand in right relationship in the local church. Above all if our relationship is right with God in our personal life with Him, we will have little difficulty maintaining right relationships with our fellowmen in our church. (Conclusion)

THE GRACE OF GOD BY CARL MILLS

In Ephesians Chapter 4 verses 28 and 2j we read, “Let him that stole steal no more, but rather let him labour, working with his hands tlie thing which is good, that he may hav^ to give him that needeth. v. 29, Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” These verses aptly point out my guilt in my former life of sin. I truly thank my Lord that He saw fit to save a sinner like me. That I was a sinner, nobody needed to point out. The words of the Apostle Paul would apply to me as found in I Tim othy 1:15, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came intO' the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” This verse means just what it says, and all come under the category. My early home life was that of any normal youngster in Nova Scotia. I attended a public school and under strict discipline was forced to go to church. However, as I grew up. I became rebellious toward religion and enjoyed myself in other things in general, as thought. When I was eighteen, my life started on a downward grade and became more sinful all the time. I started to drink, and I drank to get drunk. From then on things got from bad to worse, get ting into frequent trouble. The war was on at the time, so I joined the Air Force, where I stuck it out for about 15 months. I got into some trouble upon which I was trans ferred to the Army. There I got into more serious trouble also involving my home life. They finally discharged me under escort. Fished Out of the Ocean Upon my discharge from the Army, I joined the Merchant Marine, and here too things got from bad to worse. One day in Havana, Cuba, I was coming back aboard pretty well under the weather, when I missed the .gang THE MESSENGER

TRUTH FOR YOUTH TWO MORE V.S.’ers

Esther I>oeweri, Morris, left, and Betty Plett, Bliiinenort (right). Both are active in the Portage church. This

picture was taken after tak

ing part in an evening of

door to door canvassing for

the Sunday School. FS

We are happy to present two more Voluntary service workers. Sister Loe wen (L.P.N.I works at the General hospital in Portage la Prairie. Sister Plett is a Nurse Aid at the Manitoba school for Mental Defectives. Both have been in Bible school last winter, and plan to return when school

plank and plunged to the sea below. Fortunately help was there and I was fished out of the water. On another occasion in Kingston, Jamaica, we were anchored in the harbour drinking when one of the boys said, “Carl, you are too chicken to jump over the side.” Like a flash I was in the water swimming away from the ship to be smart, I suppose. But on the way back, I ran out of steam so to speak, and Lou MacKenzie dove in and came to my rescue. The drinking continued as before.

On another occasion in New Zealand, I was going up the gangway with a bag of beer when I fell to the dock. This shook me up pretty bad. I sufferred a concussion and pulled the liga ment in my back, and was hospitalized for some time. There are more in stances I could relate, but these suf fice to show that coming face to face with death so many times did not jar me one bit. May 17, 1963

opens again this Fall. Should there still be other young persons who feel the Lord is calling them into Voluntary service this sum mer please write to the secretary who will be glad to supply all information. Write; Harvey G. Plett, Box 1420, Steinbach, Man.

From Bad to Worse Things really got bad for me. I would not work for any length of time and finally went “on the tramp,” and would not work at all. I started to drink Bay rum, rubbing alcohol, lemon and vanilla extracts ,and in other words almost anything that contained al cohol. The problem of getting enough money to drink increased, so I resort ed to stealing, cheating people, break ing into places, prowling in houses while people slept.

As you probably can guess when you play this game, you are bound to get caught. I did get caught a number of times, and from 1952 - 1962

Margaret Neufeld, candidate to Eur ope under “Janz Brothers” is presently serving her term of probation. She is stationed at Portage la Prairie helping in Sunday school, Young Peoples, Visit ations, etc. • • • I never saw a useful Christian who was not a student of the Bible. If a man neglects his Bible, he may pray and ask God to use him, but there is not much for the Holy Spirit to work with. We must have the Word itself, which is sharper than any two-edged sword. There is no situation in life for which you cannot find some word of consolation in Scripture. In any con dition of life — God has a promise stored up in his word for you. D. L. Moody

I spent 5 years in jails across Canada. However in spite of these terms in prison I continued in rebellion toward man and God. An incident, while under the influence of wine, stands out clear ly in my mind. I turned my eyes hea ven-ward and I challenged God and said, “If you want to strike me down, here I am, go right ahead.” This He could have done right there and I would have been in judgement for my profanity and sinful life. But, the day that the Lord Jesus came into my heart, all these things left. me. You know, the love and mercy of the Lord is beyond our imagination. He didn’t want me in my sinful state, and He certainly gave me plenty of rope. I would like to quote some Scrip ture passages which mean much to me. In 2 Peter 3:9 we read. The Lord is not slack concerning His promises, as some count slackness; but is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any sould perish, but that all should come

“Why, hello,” Richie said. “I was talking to myself, I guess. My dog is gone.” “Was he a black Cocker Spaniel with big feet and long silky ears?” Nancy asked. “Yes, did you see him?” Richie asked. “Oh, yes.” Nancy said. “A boy came along a while ago and tied a rope on him. He led him away behind his bicycle.” Richie caught his breath. “Do you know which way they went? Do you know the boy?” “I don’t really know him,” Nancy said. “He used to live near where I used to live.” “Was he a bad boy? Would he steal my dog” Richie asked. “I don’t know,” Nancy said. But you can find out where he lives now and go and see him.” “How can I find out?” Richie asked. “We’ll go where he used to live. Get your bicycle,” Nancy said, Richie called to his mother, and Nancy called to hers, that they were going to look for Rover. TTien they were off down the street on swiftly spinning wheels. Nancy went like the wind. Richie found after a little while that he had to pump hard to keep up with her. She led him into a part of town where he had never been before. She stopped in front of a nice white house, with green lawn and flower beds. She swung off her bicycle. “He used to live here,” she said. “I’ll go in and see if the people know where he moved to.” Nancy dashed up the walk. She rang the doorbell and waited. A lady came to the door. In a minute Nancy was back. “He lives at 4580 Walnut Street. Help me remember,” she said.

'T don’t know where Walnut Street is,” Richie said. “I do just about,” Nancy said. Again they were off, the wind blow ing cool in their faces. Richie didn’t have to look at the house number. There was Rover on a rope in a yard. A boy sat droopily on the front steps. Richie started to ask, “Why did you steal my dog?” but Rover jumped onto him, barking like mad. By the time Richie got Rover quieted down, the boy was explaining to Nancy. “Some people lost their dog,” the boy was saying. “They advertised, offered a reward. I saw this dog in the street. I thought it was the lost dog. I took him to the people. They had already found their dog. He looked just like this one.” “What were you going to do with my dog?” Richie asked. “I was going to take him back,” where I found him,” the boy said. “I was just waiting until I got over being sad because I didn’t get the re ward.” “I’U take him back,” Richie said. “I don’t need the rope. He’ll follow me.” “I’m sorry,” the boy said. “It’s all right,” Richie said. “I might have made the same mistake.” When Nancy and Richie and Rover got home Richie ran into the kitchen. “Mother,’ he whispered, “may Nan cy and I have cookies and lemonade on the table under the tree?” “But Nancy’s just a girl,” Mother said. “A girl moving into the house next door shouldn’t happen to anyone. Don’t you remember?” Richie grinned. “She’s a special girl.” he said. “May we have cook ies and lemonade, huh?” “Yes, a whole lot of both,” Mother said. —Youth’s Visitor

to repentance.” Again in Matt. 9:13, member thy sins.” That’s good enough ", . , for I am not come to call the for me. righteous, but shiners to repentance.” The Harbour at Last You may think, I am too far gone, But, you may ask, how did you find nothing can help me now. But hear the loving word of Jesus in the Gospel the Savior? May I briefly relate of of St. John 6:37 “All that the Father the Lord’s leading. It was on November 14, 1960 when giveth shall come to me; and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise ctist leaving Regina, deeply depressed, I out.’” Listen also to the assuring words knew that I could not go on like this, found in Isa. 43:25, “I, even I, am He just wandering aimlessly not know that blotteth out thy transgressions ing if on the morrow I would be in jail for mine own sake, and will not re again. I was fed up with this kind of

life. It seemed like hell on earth to me and I was on my way to an eternal hell, no future to look forward to. I wanted something different any thing was better than my way of life.

CHILDREN’S STORY

The Girl Door Enola Chamberlin Richie burst into the house like a cyclone. “This shouldn’t happen to anyone!” he said. “What is the matter?” his mother asked. Richie grabbed a fresh cookie, and took a big bite. “After waiting all this time for the house next door to be built, then waiting for the people to move in, they have a girl—just a girl, no boy at all Her name is Nan cy.” “Is it so terrible to be a girl?” Moth er asked. “No,” Richie said, “It’s just ter rible to want a boy, and then have a girl move in.” “What are you going to do about it?” Mother asked. Richie reached for another cookie. “Make the best of it.” he said. He bounded out the back door calling, “Rover, Rover.” But Rover didn’t come. ‘That’s funny,” Richie said. “He was here a little while ago.” “Who are you talking to?” The voice made Richie jump. It wa.s Nancy from next door.

(To be continued) Carl Mills, the writer of this amaz ing story was converted about 2 years ago. He is now baptized and a member of our Wymark Church.

THE MESSENGER

MY MOTHER FROM

HOUSE

TO YO

HOUSE

ADJUSTMENTS Leona Reimer

Remember the time when as young girls we left home to find a job? We had to be willing to adjust to new sur roundings; new friends, and new ways of doing things. As young wives we had to learn to be away from “Moth er”; learn to share our interests, as well as our likes and dislikes. As young mothers we had to adjust to staying home Jay after day with little children, when often other activities would have been more appealing. Moving into a new community demands other adjust ments. Has it been easy for you to make these proper adjustments as they have come your way?

Now let us think of the adjustments our foreign missionaries have to make. They are isolated from all other white people. They are never able to ask a friend for advice or to go to town to shoo. The women they talk to, do not understand their way of cooking, or of dressing their children and there fore they could never ask for a new recipe or dress pattern. We take these things for granted but it would sud denly be very real if these things were removed from us. Think also of our Sundays. How long would we be victorious Christians if we could not fellowship with other Christian around God’s Word in God’s house? Wliat would we do in our hour of great need or deep sorrow, if no one could understand and give comfort? These adjustments can only be made as they go forth in the strength of the Lord God. I was especially reminded of these things as we recently bade farewell to the Larry McNeills and the Ben Eidses. Let us support them with our prayers as they begin another term of service in Africa. Let us also remem ber all other Christian workers who face new adjustments. May 17. 1963

By Helena B. Dueck It is May. The blossoms are out and the world is sweet and young. There is a freshness in the air and a stir of hidden pulses under the gray sod. Outside I can see the moonlight shin ing. white and still on all the reawak ening world. And mother, my mother, with her beautiful soul and dreams and ideals seems strangely near. It is the birthday of her passing, from one dwelling to another, from twilght to unclouded Day. So many memories crowd m y mind tonight. I can especially recall mother’s eyes. To me they were very wonderful. All the joys and sorrows and laughter and loyalties—yes and, aspirations o f many generations, looked out of their dark, brown depths. Her eyes told me many things. They spoke to me especially of love—strong and deep and tender. It was through her love that I was led to the Lord at an early age. But death comes to all of us, sooner or later, and for mother it came on a soft Spring night swiftly and sudden ly and inescapably. For us her child ren and husband it was too soon, too unexpectedly. And as we stood around her bedside, numbed and stricken, I wondered how life could ever go on again looked at her still face. Death

had touched it and consecrated it. Life and love, great sorrow, and deep womanhood joys had come to her, and now she had the look of one who has long sought and found. She had laid up her treasures in Heaven. Would we do the same? From then on life has held a differ ent meaning for me; a deeper pur pose. The little things of life, though sweet and excellent in their places must not be the things lived for; the highest must be sought and followed; the life of Heaven must be begun here on earth. I’ve read somewhere that “our dead are never until we forget them,” and so mother will never be dead to me. A few appropriate verses come to me at this time. “Strength and honour are her cloth ing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.” “She openeth her mouth with wis dom; and her tongue is the love of kindness.” “She looketh well to the ways of her household and eateth not the bread of idleness.” “Her children arise up and call her blessed in the years to come; her hus band also and he praiseth her.” (Prov. 31:25-28).

CHINA MISSIONARY SPEAKER AT WRITERS CONEFRENCE

Paul H. Bartel, Regina, Saskatche wan, will address the opening sessions of the Mennonite Writers Conference to be held in Winnipeg, July 14-19. Formerly associated with a Mennonite mission in China, Bartel will speak about writing in a mission field situa tion. Bartel was born in north China of missionary parents. The field of en deavor was part of the work of the China Mennonite Mission Society. Workers came from the Krirnmer Menncnite Brethren, Evangelical Mennonite Brethren, Mennonite Brethren and Mis sionary Church. During his youth he assisted his father in evangelism in Shantung province. A special feature of the four-day meeting will be the opportunity for writers to have their material evalu ated. Afternoon seminar groups will examine manuscripts and offer prac

tical help to writers. These seminars and the conference are open to all writ ers and those interested in writing re gardless of experience.

NEWS Revival Campaign at Winnipeg A series of revival meetings was held at Aberdeen Evangelical Menno nite Church in Winnipeg from March 24 to April 7- The Rev. H. P. Fast, from Omaha, Nebraska was the speak er. Souls found the Lord and many spoke of blessings received fiorn ilia messages. Rev. Fast is a representative of the Grace Children’s Home in Henderson, Nebraska and brought an interesting and informative as well as challenging report on this work. The day alter the last meeting of the campaign the congregation was shock ed at the sudden accidental death of Bro. David Froese. Many came out to the funeral held on April 11 in the Aberdeen Church, where Rev. Fast brought a German message and the pastor, Rev. Reimer officiated in Eng lish. Peter Dueck

n. Fa<t MiUon Klee VchV

MENNONITE WRITER HAS MANY READERS

* * « Revival Meetings at Heron A blessed week of revival meetings were held in our church from April 21st to 2Sth with Rev. Arnold Fast from Wymark, Sask, as our guest speaker. His messages were taken from Thessalonians chapters 1 to 5. with the closing message being “Prepare to Meet Thy God.” Two young souls accepted Christ as their Saviour and also rededications were made. Let us be in prayer that the Holy Spirit might still be at work in the hearts of souls who were under conviction but did not yield themselves to the Lord. Cn Sunday, the 28th “Holy Com munion” was observed here in our church. We thank the minister and deacons from Butler and Riverton and also the other visitors who came and shared the blessings with us.

* * * Revival Blessings Our week of revival services are once again history. The challenging messages gripped our hearts evening after evening. We prayed that the Holy Spirit would work in our midst and the Lord answered. There were several first-time decisions for Christ and also rededications to Him. All praise to our great God. Mrs. E. Giesbrecht

Margaret A. Epp always knew that she would have to v/rite someday. But she also knew, she says, “with dceperate clarity that I never, never could!” Yet fourteen years ago she decided to become a full-time writer. Since then she has published sixteen becks and written a growing number of stories fcr children and teenagers. She has also written an adult novel about Msnncnites in Saskatchewan. Ths novel 's being serialized and may scon be pub lished in book form. In July she will lecture on fiction writing to a Writers Conference tha: will be held in Winnipeg. Margaret A. Epp lives and works on a farm near Waldheim, Saskatchewan —the farm on which she was born. A member of the Evangelical Mennonite Brethren Church, she has many read ers outside her denomination. These include Baptists, Methodists, Nazarenes, and Lutherans. Many other denomina tions have used her stories time after time in their publications. She received part of her education in Canada, and part in China. For six years she lived in China with her par ents. They were serving under the China Mennonite Mission Society. A longer period of service was prevented for reasons of health.

Births To Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Reimer of Ridgewood, a girl, Sylvia Jane. To Mr. and Mrs. Eric Toews of Ridgewood, a boy, Gregory Boyd. To Mr. and Mrs. Dave Peters of Wy mark, a girl, on March 29. To Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Ericksor, of Winnipeg, triplets, Pauline Gale, Terry Ross and Reginald Scott on March 30. To Mr. and Mrs. Frank Zacharias of Wymark, a boy, on April 1. To Mr. and Mrs. John Dyck of Por tage la Prairie, a boy, Jonathan Earl, on April 18. Belated, to Mr. and Mrs. Harry Har der, of Winnipeg, a son, Timothy Dav id on December 12. To Mr. and Mrs. Abe Hiebert, of Winnipeg, a daughter. Shannon Joy, on March 7. To Mr. and Mrs. Bill Loewen, of Winnipeg, a daughter, Cheryle Michelle on March 14. To Mr. and Mrs. Peter Doerksen of Winnipeg, a daughter. Heather Ann, on March 27. To Mr. and Mrs. Wilfred Warkentine, cf Winnipeg, a daughter, Tamara Jane, on April 9. To Mr. and Mrs. Peter A. Klassen, of Kola, a son, Kenneth David, on April 9. To Mr. and Mrs. Levi Brandt, of Winnipeg, a daughter, Karen, on Ap ril 11. To Mr. and Mrs. John K. Plett, of Morweena, a girl, Marilyn, on April 13. To Mr. and Mrs. Ben D. Siemens of Fisher Branch, a girl, Rebecca, on April 25. ♦ * *

COMING EVENTS May 31 E.M.C. Mission board meet ing at Wymark. June 1 E.M.C. Ministerial at Wy mark. June 2 V.S. and Peace meetings at Wymark and Swift Current. June 29 to July 1 Annual convention of the Evangelical Mennonite Confer ence in Rosenort church. Ministerial session June 29 a.m. Conference Council June 29 p.m.

THE MESSENGER