The Messenger January 22, 1965 by The Messenger

Vol. 3, No. 2 J3.11. 22, 1965

EVANGELICAL MENNONITE

tKc

CONFERENCE

mis$Enoi The Christian’s Reward foz’ Evangelizing 8 Department of Industry and Commence Photo

Flin Finn, in northern Manitoba, is a city built on rocks. Creighton, where our EMC chapel is located, is a suburb of Flin Flon. (See page four “Work at Flin Flon Grows”.) In this mining town staircases con nect different portions of the streets whicli are built at various levels.

Foreign Self-Help Project

I “THE ENTRANCE OF THY WORDS GIVETH LIGHT.”

PSALM 119:130

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SHOULD CHURCH LEADERS AND MINISTERS EVER APOLOGIZE? It was the start of camp and as a “green” director I had been hard put to keep up with all the many and varied duties associated with a Summer Bible camp. Then we had trouble at the afternoon swimming period when some of the fellows were slow in getting out of the water. With nerves already overworked, this was the last straw. I let several of the campers have it thick and fast! In short I laid down the law! I told them in no uncertain terms that action would be taken should this happen again! There. NOW they knew from which direction the wind blew. There would be no fooling around at this camp. But I soon realized that although they had the lecture coming, it had been delivered in the heat of anger. I was convicted that I owed an apology to the campers. And so it was the camp director who made his way to the boys’ cabin where counsellor and campers were hav. ing their evening devotions and before them confessed his transgression of the day. Yes, church leaders, ministers, Bible School teachers, whoever they may be, are never exempted from making mistakes and should apologize along with the rank and file of mankind. H. Clay Trumbull, in his little book, OURSELVES AND OTHERS makes this observation.

“There are few surer tests of nobility of personal . character, few surer proofs of nobility of refine ment of personal nature and thoroughness of per sonal culture, than an unvarying readiness to apologize freely and heartily on any or every oc casion where one has failed — through lack of self-control, or of thoughtfulness ,or of skill or of gracefulness — in coming up to his own highest ideal in of his attainment in his conduct or bearing toward another. To an ignoble mind, the thought of apologizing suggests the idea of being in some sense humili ated, if not indeed degraded — through the con fession of having failed to do as well as one should have done. To a noble mind the thought of apolo gizing suggests the idea of an uplift of personality — through claiming a superior standard of or dinary performance to that which was indicated in the occurance apologized for.”

Thus we see that an apology is not a mark of servility but of true greatness. A word of apology could often bring union where there now is division. But so often our stubborn natures militate against our better judgement causing only misery to self and the one against whom we have sinned. What heartache could often be avoided in the family if it's members were more liberal with their apologies. The father should not be above retracting unfair or unjust statements made to wife or children. I know this storms

the very citadel of what we believe is manliness but which often may be no more than self-assertion or a stubborn nature! We close with this final statement from Trumbell’s book.

“Frequency and fullness in apologizing in child or in man, is a proof of ones unmistakable posses sion of a consciously higher ideal than his ovi^n constant attainment. An unreadiness to apologize is an indication of one’s lack of conception of any higher standard than his own immediate perform ance. And here is a line that distinguishes the noble from the ignoble.” • « •

A THANKYOU LETTER

Muir, Manitoba January 16, 1985 Dear Bro. Schellenberg, I am enclosing a little notice of thanks to the many people of our conference who have helped us during our time of trial. We have realized more than ever how for tunate we are in belonging to such a group of God’s people. I would like you to print the enclosed in the Messenger if practical.

Greetings in the matchless name of Jesus, Our hearts are filled with gratitude when we think of how you dear people have so generously given of your material things to help offset the loss of our home and store by fire. We also have felt the power of the pray ers that have gone up on our behalf, and we have been greatly comforted and strengthened by your words of sympathy and encouragement. We don’t expect to ever forget this experience, and we thank God that we have been allowed to see the love that still exists in the hearts of his children in a time when one has sometimes thought that it was no more. We have felt our own unworthiness to receive these love offerings but trust that by the grace of God we will in turn be more loving and more concerned with the needs of others. At present we are still living in the old hall at Muir into which we moved after the fire. We again plan to open up a store in the very near future, we believe the Lord is leading this way. However we are trying to be open about it and if we should realize that He wants something else for us we will change our plans. Just now we are thankful that we all escaped injury or even death in the fire. We are also (Continued on page 12)

The Messenger Official organ. In the English language, of the EVANGELICAL MENNONITE CONFERENCE. Pulbllshed bi-weekly under the aus pices of the E.M.C. BOARD OP PUBLICATIONS AND EDUCATION. Editor, David K. Schellenberg, 502 Fifth Ave. N.W., Portage la Prairie, Man. All new subscriptions and change of address should be sent to Mr. Abe KIas.sen, Box 1447, Steinbachi, Man. Subscription price to non-members $1.00 per year. All E.M.C. members pay through the church. Authorized as second class mail. Post Office Department. Ottawa, and for payment of postage In cash.

THE MESSENGER

Man’s Part in God’s Redemption

WHAT IS SIN?

By Archie Penner

What is Sin — We stated briefly though this could be done from both what man’s spiritual need is. We the Old and New Testament. We are must now try to define sin in order .interested to know what God means tnat we will be able to show more when He speaks of saving men. clearly and concretely what redemp Ti---refore we must now ask the ques tion or salvation is. It is only in this tion: what is sin? way that man’s obligation and re First, the Bible clearly states that sponsibility in salvation be truly un sin is unrighteousness. The Greek derstood. The question before us, words are used in the New Testament therefore, is: Why is man’s predica for this basic idea are translated by ment what it is? Surely, there must ‘iniquity ’, “Wrong doing”, “to be un be a reason or a cause. just”, etc. (Acts 7:26; Col. 3:25; Rev. From Genesis to Revelation the an 22:11; Luke 13:27; etc.). John, the swer is the same. Man’s predicament, apostle, states clearly, “All unright and therefore his needs, are occasioned eousness is sin.” (I John 5:17). If sin by sin. 'The classic story of man’s be is unrighteousness, obviously it is the ginning history of sin is told forcefully opposite of righteousness. Righteous in the first chapters of Genesis. Every ness, therefore is the standard by human event in history and every which Scripture determines and mea act of man — only Jesus Christ ex sures sin. That which is not positive cepted — has since been penetrated righteousness is sin. It now becomes and permeated by what the Bible calls necessary to detemine what this sin. It is left to Paul in his great let righteousness is. ter to the Roman Christians to show It becomes certain by the reading most explicitly and clearly that this of the Scriptures that this righteous is so. (Rom. 5:12-21; passim.) Again, ness, as a standard by which sin is Paul states in Romans 3:23 that ... all measured is not man’s doing. Right have sinned and come short of the eousness and holiness have their sole glory of God.” James, the brother of source in God. “Be ye holy; for I am our Lord, in a similar vein says, “For holy,” (Cf. Lev. 11:44; I Pet. 1:16) is in many things we offend all.” Jesus God’s command and the standard by Himself emphasized the universality which alone man can judge himself. of sin, as well as its inclusiveness. Or, again, it is transparently clear that When He was confronted by the the only way in which man can be “Jews”, (John 8), He used the fact righteous before God is by obtaining that He was sinless as an evidence of God’s own righteousness. (Rom. 3: His unique divine sonship. By this He 20-25; Phil. 3:9; passim.) clearly implied that all other human We must conclude therefore that it beings were sinners. If one other man, woman or child could be said to is unrighteousness as compared with be sinless also, the Lord could not the righteousness of God which con stitutes sin. Sin, then, is the failure have used the argument. (Cf. v46). For our purpose it is not necessary to meet God’s standard of righteousto multiply references of Scripture nes, or rightness, or correctness as to show the universality of sin, al measured by His own character of absolute righteousness. In a word, all that conforms to the moral character The Author: Rev. of God is righteousness. All that in Archie Penner now any way falls short of this standard is sin. at -Mennonite Bib lical Seminary, Elk It is this deeper demonic dimension hart, Ind., former of sin which must be grasped in or moderator of the der to understand its seriousness. Let E. M. Conference. the Church, the Christian and even the January 22, 1965

sinner

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nature and function of sin are and there will be a greater revulsion against it. There will then be reahzed a greater appreciation of the fuller meaning of our salvation in Christ. To make light of sin or to regard it as only some misfortune, or something pleasurable with at times some false reelings of guilt attached to it, would vanish forever if we could see sin in all its seriousness. What we need to day is the spiritual faculty to be able to appraise sin for what it really is. It is man’s shame. It is his deadly enemy. It is his undoing in his total being, personality and every action and activity. It is the destruction of the total man both in history and be yond history. It is the determined ef fort to dethrone God, to make the almighty and holy God a slave of puny, creaturely man. Sin is unbelief in its true and real essence. It is the destruction of faith. It is further, idolatry, however it may satisfy man, because it is a shift from God cen ter edness to man or object-centeredness.

Sin is the endeavoured cancellation of God’s plan and purpose and there fore His character and person. Be cause it endeavours this, it must be characterized by the destruction of every aspect of human society. Where sin reigns supreme, the social struc ture of mankind lies in ruins. It is only because God has set the limits to sin and its power by His grace that man’s history continues within a framework of society which makes human life possible. Every sin, then, has twofold di mensions. First, it has the horizontal dimension. Sin is directed at man — either at himself or another man. Second, it has a vertical dimension. Every sin is a direct blow against God. This assertion can be maintained because He has created man and so ciety and therefore He is sole owner by absolute right.

Some of these observations will be further undergirded in the studies which follow. 3

FLETT’S LEAVE BURNS LAKE

RECORD ATTENDANCE OF NINETY-TWO

Work at Flin Flon Grows Christian greetings from Flin Flon and Creighton with the meditation found in II Timothy 2.T9; “Neverthe less the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal. The Lord knoweth them that are His . . .”

1965 has arrived. Looking back we are forcefully reminded of God’s boun tiful blessings as they have been poured out constantly. God never fails! Looking forward we’re emphatically challenged with Paul’s words to the Ephesians: “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.’’ (Eph. 6:11) Our lowest monthly average in 1964 was in July with 47. The highest avei’age gained was in September with SI. Record high of the year was at tained on December 20, with 92 pre sent. This is a real note of praise since these attend both the morning wor ship and the Sunday School. On this same day in the evening we had our S. S. Christmas program with a full chapel of 130-140 souls. Our hearts re joiced, not only for the number pre sent but much more for the preaching of the Gospel by the nursery to the adult class. Following the program, 100 Christmas goodies were handed out with two gospel tracts enclosed in each bag. It is our prayer that some had a Spiritual feeding due to contents.

Our chapel has brightened up con siderably on the inside during 1964. The greyish bleak plaster board has a smooth white on the ceiling and the wall a light taint of green. The pulpit and the remainder of the woodwork re flect a shiny mahogany of a redish col or, which well matches the trim beige drapes. (May the pleasing interior be a true symbol of an ever brightening and more invigorating inside of our hearts as we face another year of Spiritual warfare). Also, some very

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fitting and appropriate pews have replaced the roomy and noisy chairs. Very closely following the pews came the new songs books which have al ready proven a real blessing in our services. Another thrill is the fact that these items have all been paid for; indeed gratifying.

The highlight of the year was the organization of this work. Most cer tainly the Devil has had his bouts at times caused heart-searching and unwanted re-adjustments to take place, but all to God’s glory, let’s thank Him! Membership now stands at 15 and the Lord willing, another bap tismal service is planned lor the 31st of January. Please pray for these can didates.

Our two “Live Wires” still call for constant grounding. Our prayer is that they might serve their Master with the same vigour. Howard was 3 years in Dec. and is a robust North erner. Barry is one-and-a-half and says anything you want him to say. He is a real go-getter, never seems to give up. Frequently convinces his old er brother. Wishing you all a Spiritually pros perous New Year! In Christian love, Melvin, Mary, Howard & Barry Koop

Christmas has come and gone for another year, but how much has been laid in store in the treasury of eter nity? Here we were privileged to have our Missionary Conference during the Christmas week with Rev. Arthur Tarry and Rev. B. D. Reimer bringing the messages and reports. Again it was brought before us that we are in the midst of a mission field comparable to any on the face of the earth. Shall we pray the Lord of the harvest that He might send forth laborers into the harvest field. One of the main topics of discussion these days is the change of pastors. The Pletts expect to leave the week of January 10th for Winnipeg to take up the challenge there. The Arden Thies sens are expected here that weekend for a get acquainted period prior to making final arrangements for their move to this area. We are looking for■ward to meeting them and trust that the Lord will make them a real blessing to the area. The afternoon and evening of Jan uary first were a time of fellowship around the Word of God. This was al so the occasion for a farewell service for Rev. and Mrs. Corny Plett and family. A lovely meal was also served by the ladies. People from the First Mennonite and Pentecostal churches came to join us in wishing God’s blessings and health and courage to the Pletts.

A FAREWELL LETTER It’s just over a week since I waved goodby at the airport to cross the threshold in to a new life. Doubt less, this is one of the greatest ventures have ever made. The long road ahead is full of the unknown; I wonder much about it, yet am confident that God, through your prayers of concern and faith, can make me sufficient lor each new and difficult turn in it. Pray that I may adjust readily to the country, the customs and the peo ple of Germany.

Pray that I may be able to learn the language well so as to present Christ more effectively. Pray that I may be sensitive to the needs of others, whether they are co workers, or those who do not know Christ. Pray for my relationship to Jesus Christ, that it may grow and mature. Presently I am at Bible Christian Union headquarters in Brooklyn, N.Y., waiting for the 19th of January when the “S.S. United States” is to sail for Germany. My thoughts and prayers are often with you. I would appre ciate hearing from you. Agatha Fast THE MESSENGER

BRAZIL: CUSTOMS AND CULTURE

By Elizabeth Koop

The culture and customs of the Bra zilian people are quite different from ours. As a missionary it is well to know them so as not to hinder the preach ing of the gospel to the people we have been sent to reach. They Are Very Polite The Brazilians are a very polite people before entering a Brazilian home we clap our hands instead of knocking. They will answer a “you may enter”. On entering you will be greeted cordially with a handshake and introductions. Each person gives his own name and “a pleasure to meet you.” But if relatives or close friends, come, they will greet each other in embrace or a friendly tap on your arm. If one arrives at mealtime they will always invite with a “it is served” but it must be answered with a “no, thank you,” as one is expected to refuse. If you know them well and they con tinue to invite you, you may partake, if you feel that they really want you to join them. A Sign of Hospitality One sign of real Brazilian hospitality is that you will be offered a little cup of strong coffee with plenty of sugar in it. This should be accepted as they could be offended if refused. Courtship > While going together a young man and his girl friend have to have a chaperon, which often is the girl’s little sister! Houses on Stilts In the interior jungle of Brazil, they usually have their houses built on stilts. The walls are made of palm leaves as well as the roof. The floor i.s made out of a hollowed out tree and the outer part flattened out. This leaves sufficient cracks in the wood so the dirt can fall through to the ground. Their diet consists mostly of mandioc flour, fish or game, hot pep per, coffee and sugar. The women do their washing on a board that is placed on the edge of the river for that purpose or on top of a rock. 'They beat the clothes with a stick and also use a lot of soap. After the clothes have been soaped up good they will leave them on the grass in the hot sun to bleach for a while and then finish the washing and put them out to dry. In the kitchen they have a little

January 8, 1965

platform extending out of one of the windows where they wash their dish es, etc. It serves as a sink! They also use this place for preparing their fish and meats. In some of the better homes in the bigger cities they do not have this where they have modern kitchens, etc. Family Ties Close The family ties of a Brazilian fam ily are very close and affectionate. Having won their affections and love they will receive us into their homes as their own. We love the Brazilian people be cause Christ died for them as well as for us and some day we will be joint heirs with many of them in glory.

• • * BRITISH HONDURAS

We want to share with you some of the blessings we have experienced in the Lord’s work here. The past year has been a blessed one. We praise the Lord for supplying all our needs, for granting us health and above all for victory. To those who have been faith fully standing behind us in prayer and material support we wish to ex press our gratitude and appreciation. May God bless you! Day School at New Hope During the past term the enrollment was fortynine, which made it a very crowded school. Plans have been made to en large the present building. The two native teachers have been a great help in this work. Decisions - About a month before Christmas the local government farm demonstrator together with his wife responded to the call of salvation. Please pray much for Mr. and Mrs. Zetinas that they might experience real victory in the new life. At our last monthly believer’s fellowship in Maskall, a brother who had been out of fellowship for two years was re ceived back into fellowship. Cliristnias - This year we again had programs. The first one was on Dec. 17 at the school, when the pupils pre sented the story of Christmas to a packed school. Then on Dec. 20 the Maskall Sunday School presented a program with about 200 people pre sent. We trust that those who heard the blessed news might also experi ence its real meaning. Church Activities . Because of our various responsibilities we can not

visit as much as we would desire but we are grateful to the national be lievers in Maskall who take such an active, .part in the work. Would you pray in a special way for the spiritual needs of the New Hope area? There is only one Christian lady who is regular and active in the Lord’s work. Many profess Christianity but are in different and irregular in attendance. Henry Klassen * * *

GLANCING . . . FOR THE BUSY READER

MBItC .Ministers Course The annual ministers course at the M.B. Bible College will be held this year from February 8 - 19. The pro gram of instruction will include stud ies in Jeremiah, research into Paul’s teaching on the great issues of the Christian faith; the dynamics of the minor prophets: issues facing the ed ucation of youth; discussions of con temporary church problems, etc.

United Church Expands

The United Church of Canada Ex tension programme under the Board of Home Missions saw 374 new con gregations constituted in the period from 1947 to 1964. Augsbiirger to Address Missionary Conference

Dr. Myron S. Augsburger will be the main guest speaker at the An nual Missionary conference of the M. B.B.C. to be held February 4-7 this year. The theme for this year’s con ference is “Commission—Submission”. The meetings will be held in the MB BC auditorium and in the Elmwood Mennonite Brethren church. Spiritual Renewal at Urbana

“CHANGE unparalleled, WITNESS unashamed, TRIUMPH unquestioned” was the theme for the seventh Inter Varsity Missionary Convention. More than 7000 students gave up part of their Christmas vacation this year to take in the conference held on the Champaign-Urbana campus of the University of Illinois for the largest meeting in the fellowships history. Among the speakers at the conven tion were. Dr. Billy Graham, John R, Stott (All Souls Church, London, Eng land) and Arthur Glasser.

1 NEWS I WINNIPEG At our Watchnight Service, Decem ber 31, a short farewell was held for Miss Lillian Friesen who has left for Saskatoon, Sask, to work with the Western Tract Mission. She was pre sented with a book as a token of ap preciation for her many services in the church, such as, teaching Sunday School, acting as librarian and bring ing the library up-to-date, singing in the choir and serving on the Young People’s Fellowship Executive. Mr. and Mrs. Lee Toews and family left cold Manitoba just before Christ mas for a month-long trip west. They planned to spend Christmas in Wymark with the Arnold Fasts, New Year’s in Burns Lake to take in the local church’s Missionary Conference, and also some time with Rev. and Mrs. John Reimer in Meade, Kansas. In anticipation of the arrival of Rev. and Mrs. Corny Plett and family from Burns Lake, B.C., the men of the church gathered at the parsonage January 12th to shovel the driveway and walks clear of snow. At the same time the ladi- s saw tc it that the fridge and cupboards held a good supply of groceries. The Pletts are expected to arrive for the Jan. 17th weekend; Rev. Plett will be our new pastor.

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ARDEN Our little church was filled to cap acity on Dec. 20 when the Sunday School rendered their Christmas Program. Mr. Henry Thiessen brought the Christmas Message based on Luke 2: “Fear not” as Christians we should not have fear but could have peace in our hearts instead. On Dec. 21st a little group of be lievers bade farewell to their beloved pastor, Rev. Elmer Hamm and family. We will indeed miss them very much, but we are deeply grateful for the many blessings God has given us through them and also for the en couragements, that have meant so much to us here at Arden. May God give them much peace and courage in their new place of service for Him. The new church building also ar rived on the same day and we were

doubly thankful that Rev. Hamm could share this important event with us. The movers, Rev. Dave Harms and Mr. Friesen also participated in the service. (The pastor at MacGregor looks after two outstations, Arden and Valley Stream). On the 4th of Jan. Mr. Henry Thiessen and Rev. Henry Dyck came to Arden. Together they visited from house to house and we met our new pastor for the first time. May God give him many souls here at Arden is our prayer. Our Annual meeting took place on Jan. 7 where all S. S. teachers were voted in with Wilbert Kroeker as sup erintendent and Mr. Dennis Plett as songleader. Communion service was held on Jan. 12. Rev. Henry Dyck expressed the importance of seeing not only Christ’s death in this observance but also His omnipotent presence today. This would give us the lasting blessing of observing the Lord’s Supper which Jesus meant it to be. Mr. Henry Thies sen stressed the fact “Thoughts that are not edifying are sinful.” Abe Dueck has accepted a teach ing position at Inglis and Les and John Plett and Harold Dueck are leaving for Waukaska Bible School this week with Mr. and Mrs. P. K. Plett. Who will pray for these young brethren and who will volunteer to come and fill in the gaps that they are leaving behind? Would you please put in our daugh ter Alice’s marriage to Mr. Jim Kabernuk which took place Aug. 29, 1964 officiated by Rev. John K. Reimer in the Aberdeen E.M.C. Church. Thank you, Nick and Margaret Dueck * » • HAM.MS LEAVE iMACGREGOR CHURCH A farewell service in honour of Rev. and Mrs. Elmer Hamm and fam ily was held in the MacGregor E.M.C. on Dec. 13, 1964. The service consisted of a voluntary program after which both Mr. and Mrs. Hamm expressed words of love and farewell, exhorting and challenging with verses of scrip ture found in 1 Cor. 15:58 and I Thess, 5:16-24. Next we were favoured with a number in song from the entire family, “I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go”. A love offering was taken and presented to them as our token of love for them. After words of fare well and encouragement had been

exchanged by a host of friends, con gregation and loved ones, the evening was climaxed with a fellowship lunch in the lower auditorium.

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PASTOR INSTALLED AT MACGREGOR An installation service for Rev. and Mrs. Henry Dyck was held in the Evangelical Mennonite Church at Mac Gregor on Sunday evening January 10. Our deacon, Mr. Henry Thiessen acted as chairman during the service, special numbers were rendered by a male quartet and a duet. Rev. Ben D. Reimer delivered the installation message. Rev. and Mrs. Dyck in brief testimonies expressed their inward desire to be found true and faithful in fulfilling their duties as pastor and his wife, and were thereupon accepted as members into the church here, as well as pastor. Visitors from a distance in our midst for this occasion were Rev. and Mrs. Jacob Dueck from Steinbach, Deacon and Mrs. Peter B. Reimer and the John Loewens. Rev. Jacob Dueck was called upon to close the service in prayer.

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PARENTS SHOW INTEREST IN SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS CONCERT The Sunday School Christmas pro grams on Dec. 20 and 21 at Canora and Tadmore were very well attended. In Canora the chapel was completely filled. We were glad to see that par ents and friends had enough interest to attend. Shortly before Christmas our Sun day School superintendant, Virgil Scharfenberg, and his family moved from Canora to Endeavour for an in definite period of time. Their willing ness to serve in the Sunday School and other areas of the Lord’s work were greatly appreciated. We are sor ry to see them go and hope they will decide to come back to Canora again. Ed Reimer is now taking the responsi bilities of Sunday school superinten dent.

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WEEK OF PRAYER HELD The Roseisle E.M.C. church together with four other churches of different denominations, pledged to observe the first week of the New Year as a Week of Prayer. The first session is to be held Jan. 4 in Carman M. B. Church, led by Dave Harms of Rose isle. At Graysville Bergthaler Menno-

THE MESSENGER

nite church the service is to be on Jan. 5 led by Rev. Unger of Carman M.B, Church. On Jan. 6 the service is at the Pentecostal Church in Carman led by Frank Letkeman, deacon of Graysville Bergthaler Chudch and on Jan. 7 at Roseisle E.M.C. Shall we make the en tire year a year of prayer.

Deacon Election On November 15 we held our Dea con election at Roseisle. Brother John Loepky of Stephenfield was elected. The ordination is to take place on January 17. The annual business meeting of Roseisle E.M.C. was held on Dec. 31 and was well attended. Reports from various committees were heard and we must say the Lord has blessed us in a marvelous way. “And of his fullness have all we received, and Grace for Grace.” (John 1.16) ♦

♦

KAMSAOK

We held our Sunday School Christ mas program on December 20. The children knew their parts well and brought the message of Christmas clearly. The church was filled with parents and friends. A Bible Conference took place the first three days of the New Year, with Rev. Ben Hoeppner from the Stein bach Bible Institute as speaker. He dealt with the Book of Ephesians, which was a blessing to all students of the Word. On Jan. 5th, a goodly number turned out to see the film, Windows of the Soul, a Moody Science production. Bible studies have been held in var ious homes this winter with quite good success. One problem is the wea ther and sometimes it means can cellation, but other homes open the door in time for the change. Two cars full of Young people went to the Canora Fellowship Chapel to bring a program on Jan. 14. Eleven young people participated in the pre sentation of the theme, “Translations Galore”; pointing out some of the values of different Bible translations and reasons for their existence. Re freshments were served by the Can ora people after the program. • « •

YOUNG PEOPLE MEET Great spiritual blessings were re ceived by the young people of Washow Bay as they gathered on January 22, 1965

Dec. 31st to look back on the past year’s victories and defeats. The pro gram was opened by Bro. Dennis Thiessen who lead in songs, scripture reading and prayer. A Young Peoples Committee was again elected for 1965. Members elect ed were Peter Friesen, Dennis Thies sen and Abe Barkman. Two Choir directors were also elected namely: Delmar Kornelsen and Peter Friesen. The message of the evening was brought by Bro. Harry Friesen mis sionary to Weekes, Sask. With Isaiah chapter 40 he made plain to us that our God is a very great and power ful God.

The message was followed by a dis cussion and testimony period. Closing remarks and prayer, which were centered around Phil. 3:14, were made by Bro. Bert Friesen. ♦ • ♦

NEWS BRIEFS

John P. Loewen, leader of the Blumenort congregation for the last three years has been re-elected as leader. The new l2''>n of .‘-ervice is for a per. iod of five years. Mr. and Mrs. Leo Thiessen, for the last two years of Portage la Prairie have been accepted to serve under the Voluntary Service Committee in paid service. They are stationed at Flin Flon and hope to actively par ticipate in the Northern Fellowship Chapel where Melvin Koop is the min ister. Mr. Thiessen has employment in a garage. Mr. Henry Neufeld, chairman of the Valley Stream church was re-elected for another term of one year at their annual meeting on January 19. * * * BIRTHS

To Mr. and Mrs. Henry Giesbrecht of Portage la Prairie, a girl, Marlene Gail on November 17. To Mr. and Mrs. Elvin Reimer, a girl. Ivy Jolyn on Dec. 24. On 'October 16, to Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Reimer, a boy, Kelly Joe of Steinbach. On November 15, to Mr. and Mrs. Martin Dueck of Steinbach, a boy, Raymond Mark. » * »

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OBITUARY OF GREGORY JACK FAST son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Fast Kleefeld, Man. The Lord, in tender mercy, took un to Himself our five month old son, Gregory Jack. He was born at the Bethesda Hos pital on August 15, 1964. The same day he was taken to Children’s Hos pital in Winnipeg, where he under went a live hour operation, in an at tempt to correct his esophagus. How ever it still failed to function, and Gregory was unable to swallow any food. All this time he was led through a tube into his stomach. During the past week he contracted pneumonia, which overtaxed his af fected heart, and on January 14 at 2:30 in the afternoon, he quietly passed away, at the age of live months. Mourning his early departure, are we, his parents and three brothers, Jeffrey 5, Reginald 4, and Donald 3, as well as his maternal grandparents, and many relatives. * * * S. B, I. NEWS

Steinbach Bibie iNrrirun a B,

Having enjoyed almost two weeks of relaxation, and for many a reunion with family and friends, the students reappeared from all directions for registration on January 4. Classes are again being conducted in full capacity. Six students have joined our ranks for the second semester. This brings the total enrollment to 165. Dr. Mel Loewen, returned missionary from the Congo, is now a part time faculty mem ber. He will be instructing the Mis sionary Anthropology course. January 15, was Missions Night. A panel presented “The Advantages and Disadvantages of Short Term Ser vice”. The panel members were stu dents who have had experience in short term service of some kind. Harvej Plett acted as moderator. The other main item for the evening were slides and a report from Congo, by Harvey Barkman. The Barkmans were evac uated from Congo due to political un rest in 1964.

(In two parts)

The Christian’s Reward for Evangelizing ♦

By Rev. Melvin Koop

“Great to live — greater to live lor others — greatest to live for God.” Lehman Strauss said: “The first thing that a Christian should pray for and seek to cultivate is the desire, ab ility and wisdom to win lost souls to Jesus Christ ... If there is to be joy and rejoicing for those who receive the crowns, surely there will be dis appointment and sorrow for those who will not receive them. Will there be no regret, no shame, no consternation? Listen! God’s declaration is: “If a man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer . . > », Jesus gave us the orders to “Occu py, to keep busy and take possession ol that which He has redeemed with His own life and blood on Calvary’s cross. His stern warning of the loss of the incorruptable reward came in these words: “Labor not for the meat that perisheth, but for the meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for Him hath God the Father sealed. (John 6:27) When someone asked a missionary if he liked his work in Africa, he repied: “Do I like this work? NO; my wife and I don’t like dirt. We have reasonably refined sensibilities. We do not like crawling into vile huts through goat refuse. We do not like associa tion with ignorant filthy, brutish peo ple. But is a man to do nothing for Christ he does not like? . . . Liking or disliking has nothing to do with it. We have ORDERS to ‘GO’ and we go.” Paul said: “For the love of Christ

constraineth us.” (II Cor. 5:14) Whe ther rewards or no rewards, the im perative remains. ’The command and commission of Jesus our Saviour is stiU: “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth . . . shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned.” (Mark 16:15, 16) Every blood-bought-b o r n-a gain Christian is involved in Evangeliza tion. There are no exceptions. Either you are evangelizing positively or neg atively. No neutral grounds are af forded. God’s Word calls for a clear issue regardless of the end results. Christ said: “I would thou wert cold or hot” (Rev. 3:15) Elijah cried ‘If Baal be God, follow Him” I Kings 18:20. “Ye cannot serve two masters” “He that is not with me is against me . . .”, said Jesus. Before we consider Present and Future rewards, it is necessary to es tablish three essential principles for a heavenly reward. 1) Our service must proceed from a proper and good principle in the heart. 2) Our service must be agreeable to the Divine law. 3) Our service must be directed to the glory of God. Should we fail in any one — no mat ter what praise and reward men may bestow it will not meet God’s approval for a reward. ’The Bible says “Not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.” (II Cor. 10:18) Many engaged in our Lord’s Vineyard are in certain areas

Melvin Koop (above) Ls the missionary at our EMC mission station at I'liii Flon, Man.

influenced by selfishness, pride, earth ly honors or else regarding merely the approval of superiors but not the glory of God. When our motives in evangelization fail to stem from a heart constrained by a love of the Lord Jesus Christ, our working then becomes mechanical and as far as hea ven is concerned — the reward is lost. Explicitly the Word of God makes this rejoinder: “Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do ALL in the name of the Lord Jesus . . .” (Col. 3:17) “Whethere therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do ALL to the glory of God”. (I Cor. 10:31) Present Rewards for Evangelizing 1. Growth and Maturity Peter gives us these divine words “As newborn babes desire the sincere milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby.” (I Peter 2:2) Now a teacher has not taught until the lesson conveyed has been under stood and applied. A mere mental com prehension apart from an overt out working is of no value. In the spirit ual it is similar. You have not grown by only a knowledge and a mental ac quaintance with the infallible Word. It must be applied. Christianity has no meaning unless it is lived — in deed as well as in word. “The preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness . . .” (I Cor. 1:18), Then too, the God of the Bible is a God of economy and He will not waste His goods. In a number of Je sus’ parables the implication is clear. More will be entrusted to the servants only as they prove faithful with little. THE MESSENGER

►

This calls for growth. Nothing in this world promotes Christian growth and maturity as evangelization. Exper ience tells me that nothing creates a greater incentive and stimula for Bible study and prayer then personal evan gelism with a God inspired motive. Who are the Christian young peo ple that are stable, steadfast, unmov able and always abounding in the work of the Lord? Where are those young couples who were so easy-going and light-hearted a few years ago and obviously made no positive contribu tion to their oversized home church? Their spiritual life was copy of the proverbial saying “Changeable as the weather.” They couldn’t stand at home. Now they have moved out with a vis ion of missions. A tremendous asset in evangelization! Today they are solid as the Rock on which they are building. Fellow-work ers, is this not an invaluable reward? Evangelism promotes growth and ma turity. 2. Reward of Hiding a Multitude of Sins In James 5:20 we read “Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.” Indirectly, evangelization stalls many a premature death, is the very mouth of nobility, purity, honesty and end less hope. Is this not an inconceivable reward which only eternity will truth fully give the values? 3. Riches Attained This is the reward that every hu man craves for and yet few possess. The Apostle Paul gives them to us in a paradoxical form as found in II Cor. 6:9 & 10, “As unknown, and yet known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and not killed; as sor rowful, yet always rejoicing, as poor, yet making many rich; as having noth ing and yet possessing all things.” a) “Well-known” To me this is very complimentary and gratifying when a total stranger of our local remarks: “I know what you stand for.” We are unknown yet well known. This to me is the reward of riches unspeakable and full of glory! b) “Living”. The world’s cry is for life. Tlie real life. We all desire to live. Although not all care to live at the expense of this world’s momentous pressures. Yet evengelization is a chal lenge to live. This very life is a re ward when you count the various comJanuary 22, 1965

ponents. A reward that is more liv ing as each day fades into months — months into years — years into eons and eons into eternity. Paul said, “I di(? daily.” yet this master evangelizei' was living more and more unto that perfect day which will never see the sunset on a life. c) “Chastened” but not killed. “For our light affliction, which is but for .a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glo ry” (II Cor. 4:17) d) “Rejoicing” Surely we are sor rowful many times and innumerable problems face the Christian whose main striving is to be a bond slave to Jesus Christ but in the face of Cal vary the trumpet .sounds: “Rejoice and again I say rejoice.” (Phil. 4:4) What a reward in incomprehensible riches! Always on the victory side. “We are more than conquerors through Him that loved us”. (Rom. 8:37) e) “Making Rich”. Frankly one of our greatest set-backs in missions to day is “being rich” instead of mak ing many rich.” When Dr. Lyman Beecher was dy ing someone asked him what was the greatest of all things. He answered, “It is not theology, it is not Contro versy, it is saving souls.” When a Christian approaches the sunset of life he feels that this is the only work worth doing. If it is so bles sed to save a life in the physical, how much more rewarding to save from eternal death! f) Possessing all Things yet as hav ing nothing. Riches do not satisfy. “Millionaires seldom smile”. In spite of all — millions strive to be just that. Why not strive in the Spiritual and you shall attain. These are riches that neither “Moth nor rust doth corrupt nor thieves break through and steal.” The true riches! John D. Rockefeller said, “great wealth is a burden destroying the real zest for life and banished peace from the heart.” 4. Reward of “Not Fainting” “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.” (II Cor. 4:16) All around us men are fainting. The Battle of Evangelization is calling for Men. Men who know no retreat. “See the mighty host advancing, Satan leading on; Mighty men around us falling.

“Hold the fort, for I am coming,” Jesus .signals still. Wave the answer back to heaven, “By thy grace we will.” We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair, persecuted but not for saken; cast down, but not destroyed.” (II Cor. 4:8, 9) Tell me of a work that pays better dividends. In the present em ployment? “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ.” (II Cor. 2:14) 5) Reward of Glory, Honor, Peace and Joy Paul writes in Romans 2:10 “But glory, honour, and peace to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first and also to the Gentile.” Jesus said in John 12:26 “. . . if any man serve me, him will my Father honor.” Writing to the Thessalonian Christians, the Apostle reveals his reward of evan gelization: “For ye are our glory and joy.” (I Thess. 2:20) “My peace I give unto you.” This peace is real. It would not fade nor quiver under the shadow of the Cross. This is the peace that proved itself under the sting of Injustice, ill wind and the awful stress of this world’s sin in the fullest suffering of Calvary. Christ seeks to bequeath everyone of His followers with this reward. Will you accept it? His peace can be yours. What a precious reward for so great a mission! (To be continued)

* • *

ENEMY WITHEN

A bad habit may be overcome, and one may be free from it; but evil thoughts once fixed in the mind, remain. It is almost impossible to eradicate a mem ory, because it is often recalled by .some association of thought which we do not plan nor de sire. Spurgeon once said, “Guard your thoughts well, for if they become your enemy, you will find them very difficult to ov,'ercome.” It requires determined purpose of heart to refuse to allow evil thoughts to become fixed in ones mind. The atoning blood of Christ cleanses us from guilt; and the regenerating pow er of the Holy Spirit cleanses our minds but best of all is to be like Daniel, who purposed in his heart he would not defile himself (Dan. 1:8) —Moody Montlily Used by permission

CHILDREN’S STORY

EARNED AWARDS By Etta Schneider

Jim Strand whistled happily as he sat at the old table, working on his ship model. Today was Saturday and the Santon Town’s Fall Fair. Because his model ships had won so many prizes at hobby shows and fairs, he had been made judge of the Junior Ship Models which would be displayed at the fair. Suddenly he ceased whistling and work. He gazed out the window across the lawn. His thoughts flew to the fair and his responsibilities. Bud Crews and Ken Draw would both have en tries. Only one could win. Both were his pals. He lifted his eyes toward Heaven and prayed, “Lord let me be a fair and honest judge. Help—.” Then the door chimes rang. Jim hurried to answer it. He swung open the door to find Mr. Draw standing before him. “Good morning, Mr. Draw.” Mr. Draw’s piercing eyes sized Jim up, “Hello, Jim.” Jim invited him in, wondering why he had called. “I guess you want to see my dad, but he’s away.” Jim led Mr. Draw into the living room, offering him a chair. “No, Jim. You are the one I want to see. I just learned today that you are to be doing the judging at the model ship show at the fair.” “That’s right, Mr. Draw.” Jim re plied. “Ken has a ship entered, you know, called Pleasure Bound. I want Pleasure Bound to take first prize. “Perhaps it will. Ken builds a neat ship. He has . . .” “Y‘ou’11 be the judge, Jim.” The words were said meaningfully. “There

is a new bicycle for you if Pleasure Bound wins.” “You mean—. NO, Mr. Draw, I could never do that!” cried Jim in a shocked voice. “Not for a bike? You want one, don’t you?” Jim certainly did. He had wanted a bicycle for ever so long, but there was never money for extras like bicycles. He’d wanted it more than ever this summer because Bud and Ken each had one. “For a bike?” Mr. Draw coaxed. Jim’s throat was dry. His heart pound ed. “No!” he managed to whisper. “I can’t pick Pleasure Bound if it’s not the best ship.” “No one would know. They’d take your word. Think it over, Jim, ’ Mr. Draw urged, as he rose to depart. At the door he paused. “Monday you’d have the bike. See you later.” Then he was gone. Jim walked sowly back to the table. He sank into the chair. His thoughts were whirling. He kept seeing a brand new bicycle. He heard Mr. Draw’s “No one would know.” Another voice seemed to whisper, “This is your big chance, Jim. Don’t throw it away.” Then Jim’s mind flew back to that hot July day after the ball game. The team had sprawled under a big oak tiee to cool off. A few minutes later they had been joined by a young man. He was a Good News missionary. He asked them if they ever had seen a book that had no words, yet told a wcnderful story. He recalled the story: The black page for sin; red speaking of how Jesus died and shed His Blood that the sinful heart might be made pure and white like the book’s white page; then the gold, which stood for Heaven. He seemed to hear the missionary saying, “So God says, ‘All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.’ But ‘Christ died for sin’ and ‘the Blood

of Jesus cleanses from all sin.’ ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou s.halt be saved.’ ‘Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ ” Jim had been saved then and there. Now, while all other voices were urging him to pick Pleasure Bound, another voice kept saying, “You can’t — and be a Christian.” Jim leaped to his feet and headed toward the fair ground. Maybe, he was just being a fool. Just awarding first prize to Ken Draw wasn’t such a sin. There would be compensation — a bicycle. Hadn’t he taught Ken how to make boats? It was bound to be good, better than all the others. Well, all except Bud’s anyway, unless Plea sure Bound was a hopeless wreck, he was going to award it top prize. He reached the fair ground and made his way to the booth where the ship models were on display. He knew that to each boy and girl their ship was perfect. They had worked and worked on them. “There’s Ken’s ship,” Mr. Draw’s voice whispered as he joined him. Jim looked at the ship. It wa.s a beauty.

Maybe it would honestly be the best one. “Jim, you know the trouble I’ve had with Ken. He’s always in a jam. Then last year,” Mr. Draw choked, “he had to do time in that . . that . . the Glenn Corrective School. You know,” Mr. Draw raced on, “they paroled him to me, but he’s got to make good. He’s tried harder. This contest has been a big help.” “I know,” Jim replied in a weak voice, keeping his eyes glued on the ships. “Jim, Ken’s heart is set on winning first place. All he needs now to go straight is encouragement.” “Hasn’t he plenty of that without your plugging him?” Jim asked, feel ing like he was coupled in a tight place. “That isn’t town approval. Think what it would mean to have his pic ture in the paper for something he could be proud of — instead of — well, something shameful. He must (Continued on page 12)

THE MESSENGER

was not the end of the Caribbean con tact. Last year, 1963, Mrs. Byler be gan receiving ai'ticles from our MCC workers in Haiti to add to her dis play. Haiti is rated the poorest island in the Caribbean Sea. Embroidery is not the normal handcraft among the people there, but they make mahogany articles, such as salad bowls and plates. And a mother with six children makes rag dolls, with native dress, that any girl would treasure.

THE MCC NEEDLEWORK LADY

Foreign Self-Help Project By Esther Eby Glass This is the second and concluding part of the interesting and inforniative account of the beginning and continuation of the MCC foreign self-lielp programme started by Mrs. Edna Ruth Byler. Because of lack of room we have not been able to bring you this concluding chapter sooner. See IMESSENGER of November 27, 1964 for the first part.

On their return trip from Hong Kong, the Bylers visited India ana Jordan and attended the Mennonite World Conference held in Basel, Swit zerland. Everywhere they saw heart breaking want. She is still haunted by the memory of the Indian mothers sleeping on the streets and on rail road station floors with their thin, hungry children.

Jordan

In Jordan the miserable refugees were living in tents standing in water. Ruth Lederach, (now Mrs. Philip Rittgers), a Mennonite nurse working in Dr. Lambie’s clinic, was waiting for Mrs. Byler’s visit with a needlework project all ready for her to promote. The work was hand woven, threadcounted, cross-stitch in the primitive designs of the country. Some of these traditional Arab designs are as old as Abraham’s time. The original color is a bright red, but the women learned to adapt their work to shades of green and blue and brown that blend with American decor. Before the war up rooted these people, each village had its definite design. Ruth Lederach and Mrs. Byler set up a display of this Jordan needle work at the Mennonite World Confer ence in Switzerland, and took between $300 and $400 worth of orders from American visitors. Ruth took the or ders and the money back to Bethle hem, and another needlework project was begun, which is still continuing to aid needy women. The first group in America who saw and ordered Jordan needlework were the women of the Weavertown Con servative Church, who were working

January 22, 1965

at the Ephrata MCC Clothing Center when Mrs. Byler visited it one day soon after her return to the States. Puerto Rico She took orders for Puerto Rico and Jordan hand in and for the next two years, selling about $5,000 worth of combined orders each year. There were problems connected with the work, which she calls “growing pains,” For instance the first customs were 90 percent. That has now dropped to 50 percent. But through all this in convenience and added cost people continued to order and reorder. She

’allliiBaa

Young Jordanian Women

still finds that on her second visit to a community the orders are larger than on her first visit. The articles do wear well, and women pass the word about the needlework on to other women. The Puerto Rican project was ter minated after six years when the need in this country had been met. But this

India Also in 1963, an appeal came from the unit in Calcutta, India, which sponsors a self-help project among displaced persons. Could Mrs. Byler sell the embroidered scarves and guest towels and place mats which the wo men make, they asked. They told of one Indian mother who was deliber ately starving three of her five child ren, so that two might survive. Other wise she knew they would all die eventually because of their meager diet. Before Mrs. Byler’s eyes arose the women with the sad, hungry child ren she had encountered in India. She would try to sell the needlework. And she added the Indian project. As a result, the woman who had been starving her children was given some sewing to do, and she could feed all of her children something. Two of them died nevertheless. Every piece of MCC needlework that an American woman buys puts food into a hungry child’s stomach, and eases the heart ache of a poor mother. Sometimes, in all of the areas, the woman with greatest need is not the most competent needle-woman. But American women, like Mrs. Augsburgei who has already been mentioned, accept the orders with understanding hearts, reaching out to touch the ar ticles they receive as tenderly as though they were touching the hands that made them! As indeed they are, figuratively speaking. Other Asiatic voices asked Mrs. By ler for help. She has dolls made by Christian widows in Korea, and dolls made in Vietnam. These, with the dolls from Hong Kong, India, Haiti, Jordan, and Greece form a fine collection of authentic. Beautifully dressed dolls, which adults as well as chidren ap preciate owning. Each year she asks herself: “Where will the invitations for demonstrations come from this year?” But they keep on coming, spreading from Lancaster 11

County into the Souderton a” Ohio and Indiana and t’and Kansas, south ‘ C-nd Washington D north to New York S -ichigan and cW Minnesota, acrb. continent to California and Washington and Ore gon. In 1962 she took her needlework to Kitchener, Ontario, and in 1963 to Winnipeg, Manitoba. Kits Available When people are eager to see the samples and she is unable to reach them with a personal demonstration, she sends a kit and a catalog. These kits have traveled thousands of miles and are still traveling. Mrs. Byler carried on this project on her own initiative, and without re muneration, through the years, as a service to help needy women around the world to help themselves. After the death of her husband, who had de voted many years of committed work to the Mennonite Central Committee program, MCC offered in 1962 to take the needlework and its genial guaraian under its wing, as a part of the For eign Relief and Services department. The project is expanding as agents are being set up in central areas of the Mennonite constituency; Kitchener, Ontario; Winnipeg, Manitoba; New ton, Kansas; and Reedley, California. But the needlework project is still the responsibility of Mrs. Edna Ruth By ler, the MCC needlework lady. Seventeen years ago she took the vision of two relief workers into her trembling hands, and trusted the Holy Spirit to help her fulfill it. His faith fulness has increased the vision and its fulfillment year by year. And the woman on the housetop in Hong Kong moves her fingers swiftly, knitting a sweater, and the widow in Korea fashions and dresses a doll, and the thin refugee in India embroiders fine stitches into a towel, and in Jor dan another woman cross-stitches a Rose of Sharon on a tablecloth. And each says in her native tongue: “The MCC lady wiU sell it for me. She will find a kind Christian woman to buy my work, and we will have a few coins to buy food.” And the lady, by God’s help, does not fail them. (For more information on the above write: MCC (Canada) 104 Princess Street Winnipeg 14, Manitoba 12

EARNED AWARDS (Continued from page 10) win the prize, Jim.” The next minute Mr. Draw was gone and the announcement came over the loud speaker that the judging would begin. Jim’s heart beat furiously. His legs trembled. He felt all tied in knots as he took his place in the judge’s stand. One by one the children paraded past, allowing him to examine their boats. For one reason or another he turned down the ships until only Ken Draw’s Pleasure Bound and Bud Crew’s Risky sat before him. Jim’s experienced eyes went over the boats. Both were beauties. He examined them closely. Jim knew as he studied the two ships which was the winner. He drew a deep breath. The crowd closed in. He saw Mr. Draw, his face tense. Jim looked at the two boys stand ing beside their ships. Both were his pals. Both were eager and waiting! Ken didn’t look like he needed en couragement. He was gazing clear eyed at Jim. 'There was almost a nonchal ant slouch in his stand. Then Jim saw Ken’s fingers. They were clenched tight. He knew winning first prize was the most important thing in Ken’.s life. No one would question his de cision if he awarded Pleasure Bound toj prize. He saw a gleaming new bicycle—hours of fun. He hesitated; then he saw the faces about him — especially Ken’s and Bud’s. He knew that the way he judged would affect them all. Jim stretched out his hand. He lifted the ship Risky high above his head. “1 pick this boat for first prize.” He saw the stricken look on Ken’s face. Mr. Draw brushed past him. “You fool!” he whispered. “I thought you understood.”

Jim walked unseeingly through the crowd, and headed slowly homeward, still haunted by Ken’s face. “But God,” he prayed, “I had to be honest.” He turned into his yard to find Ken on the porch steps, waiting. “You want . . . want ... to see me?” Jim asked weakly. Ken leaped to his feet. “I sure do. I’ve got a few things to say. I wanted that prize more than . . .” “I had . . .” Jim began. “Let me get this off my chest, Jim. All my life I figured people never practised what they preached, es pecially you Christians. I didn’t get first prize this afternoon, but I got something better. I found out that your salvation is real. You wouldn’t cheat even for a bike.” Jim started. “How did you . . ?” “I overheard what Dad said to you at the fair ground. When it was all over, I made him tell me but you were too honest. So . . .” Ken swallowed, “so I came to tell you I need to be saved, I want a Saviour who’ll make me go straight — the One you’ve been telling me about all summer,” Jim’s heart was nearly bursting with happiness as Ken and he rose from their knees. What if he had awarded the prize to Pleasure Bound, and Ken found out it was fixed! All his witnessing to Ken would have been in vain. A fellow just had to live out his salvation. “It’s the living that counts,” he whispered to himself. Ken gripped his arm, “Don’t blame Dad. He thinks a lot of you. He . . “It’s okay, Ken. He just doesn’t un derstand.” “I think he does. He was telephon ing when I left, ordering a new bike to be delivered to Jim Strand on Mon day sure!” — Young Pilot

A THANKVOU LETTER (Cont’d. from page 2) more aware now how very temporal earthly possessions are, and rejoice that we can look forward to that day when we shall enter that city whose builder and ruler is God. In closing we again wish to thank you for your kind ness and may God reward you, also pray for us that we might at all times be ready to give an answer to every man that asketh a reason of the hope that is in us.” In Christian love, Bill and Anne Buhler

Correspondents this Issue: Miss Tina Penner, Canora; Mrs. Nick Dueck, Arden; Elvira Hamm, MacGregor; John Koop, Kamsack; Mrs. Glen Koop, Winnipeg; Jake Driedger, Roseisle; John Knelsen, Burns Lake, B.C, THE MESSENGER

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