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EVANGELICAL

i 2, 1965 3. No. 7

MENNONITE

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iat Salvation irmon) 5

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My hands, feet, heart, an offering. —Cecil J. Allen

Good Friday’s Tomb 10

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“IF ANY MAN THIRST, HET HIM COME UNTO ME AND DRINK.” r-

MATT. 7:37b

EDIT WE BELIEVE IN THE RESURRECTION It must have been an alarmed and shaken group of chief priests and elders who came together on that first resurrection morning after hearing the evidence of the Roman guard as to the happenings of the night before. Again it was money that secured for them a way out. They would give a large sum of money to the soldiers to say, “His disciples came by night, and stole Him away while we slept.” This saying then became common among the Jews of the day. From this we see that attacks on the veracity of the resurrection of Christ began as early as three days after His death. Now there are those who go as far as to say that He never even died, but only was in a state of coma. A recent news report, dateline London begins with the statement, “Jesus did not die on the cross, a spokesman for an international research group said . . .” Going on, the report states, “Berna (Kurt Berna) said Dr. J. G. Bourne, a senior anaesthetist at a London hospital, sug gested in a recent Sunday newspaper article that Jesus, in fact, fainted on the cross, was believed dead, and re covered after a period of coma”.

Among other errors is that of the Russelites whose writings say, “He was put to death a man,' but was raised from the dead a spirit being . . .” (Compare with Luke 24:39) And again, “Our Lord’s human body was, however, supernaturally removed from the tomb . . . We know nothing of whot became of it , . .” except that it did not decay or corrupt . . .”

The Psalmist says, “For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven”. (Ps. 119:89) So also is the fact of the death and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. All four Gosp.el writers are careful to mention His death. Matthew says, “Jesus . . . yielded up the ghost.” (Matt. 27:50) Mark says, “Jesus . . . gave up the ghost”. (Mark 15:37) “. . . He gave up the ghost”. (Luke 23:46) “Jesus . . . bowed His head and gave up the ghost”. (John 19:30) all signifying that he actually died. But he was also raised! Luke in writing Acts states that ,“He (Christ) shewed Himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days . . .” Paul, with conviction writes to the Corinthians, ’. . . th that He (Christ) rose again the third day”. (1 Cor. 15:4b).

We have more than once marvelled at the great im portance the disciples in Acts attach to the resurrection of Christ. Again and again we find that in speaking of the death of Christ they also are careful to bring in His resurrection. (Acts 2:24; 3:15; 4:10; 5:30) To them this was an integral part of Christ’s atonement, (cf. also Rom. 4:25b). 2

It takes Paul to portray so forcefully the necessity of the resurrection of Christ that without it our faith is vain and we are yet in our sins. (1 Cor. 15:17). Gilbert West and Lord Littleton, both famous English men, were sceptics. Both agreed that Christianity should be destroyed. Both agreed too, that in order to destroy Christianity, two things were necessary. The doctrine of the resurrection of Jesus Christ must be destroyed and the conversion of Saul must be explained away. West assumed the task of getting rid of the resurrection, Little. .ton would dispose of the conversion of Saul on the Damas cus road. They took ample time, more than a year. Then they came together to compare notes. When they met they were both Christians! Both were converted as a result of his own research. The resurrection fact withSTOod the test of unfriendly but honest investigation, as ,did also that of Saul’s conversion. Both facts still stand! « • «

E. M. C. COLLEGIATE The Evangelical Mennonite Conference Collegiate at Washow Bay is now in it’s second year of operation. The school was bom out of a need for high school training in a Christian atmosphere. Involved are the Washow Bay and Arborg E. M. Churches. Nine students came the first year while this year the enrollment is 12 with nine in Grade IX and three in Grade X. ............... Financing is done by assesment, $10.00 per quarter section of land from all members plus $200.(K) tuition per student. By way of a building they use the basement of the two room school at Washow Bay. It is reported that the school inspector seems to be very well satisfied with the setup and the results. We shall be watching this bold new venture and wish the brethren every success. See “The Case for the Private High School’’ in another part of this paper.

• • • Correspondents this Issue: Burns Lake, John Knelsen; Ridgewood, Helen Kornelsen; Prairie Rose, Harold Plett; Portage, Mrs. Leanne Penner; Pelly, Mrs. Vivian Anifinson; Pleasant Valley, Rev. D. Eidse; Morris, J. Loewen; Kola, Mrs. Laura Siemens. Esther (Loewen) Vogt (See Children’s Story, page 10) is a free lance writer and housewife living in Hillsboro, Kansas.

The Messenger Official organ, In the English language, of the EVANGELICAL MENNONITE OONPERENOE. Published bi-weekly uider the aus pices of the E.M.C. BOARD OP PUBLICATIONS /'ID EDUCATION. Editor. David K. Schellenberg, 502 Fifth Ave. I.W.. Portage la Prairie* Man. AU new subscriptions and change of address should be sent to Mr. Abe Klassen, Box 1447, Steinbach, Man. Subscription price to non-members $1.00 per year. All E.M.C. members pay through the Church. Authiorlaed as second class mall. Post Office Department. Ottawa, and for payment of postage In cash.

THE MESSENGER

Man’s Part in God’s Redemption

The Author: Rev. Archie Pen ner is interim Professor of Greek and New Testament at Mennonite Biblica1 Seminary, Elkhart, Indiana.

VII By Archie Penner

CONFORMITY s THE IMAGE OF CHRIST

AS RELATED TO REGEN ERATION, SANCTIFICATION AND GLORIFICATION

We have seen how God’s work of saving man is basically a matter of righteousness. The central work and goal of God in redeeming man is to make him good in the absolute sense. All other factors or aspects in this work of God in saving man are lelated to and functions of this central goal or purpose. The Scriptures speak of this fundamental fact as conform ing to the image of Christ. We have also seen that this is precisely the need of man in his state of being lost in sin, since sin is the losing of man’s moral conformity to Christ. Man’s predicament is the lack of conformity to the moral character of God. It becomes, therefore, so emi nently clear that if God is going to save man it must be the act and pro cess of bringing man into conformity v/ith Himself. We dealt above with justification and conformit}’ to the image of Christ. It is from here that we now take up the discussion. While in justification— God declaring man righteous — the righteousness of God is reckoned to man’s account, and therefore he is accounted as a child of God and is thus considered as having the re stored image of Christ, in regenera tion a new factor enters. In regener ation—which the Scriptures call the second birth or being born of God, etc. — God actually imparts His own life and nature, as well as His right eousness, so that Christ’s image is April 2, 1965

imparted and restored (Rom. 8:29; tion of the justified regenerate, sancJohn 3:1-19; 2 Cor. 5:17; Rom. 6:1-5; Itffied man. (Rom. 5:1, 2; 8:30; 1 Cor. 2 Pet. 1:3, 44; Tit. 3:5). Paul, under 15:47-49). However, this final stage the guidance of the Spirit, makes this of the redeeming act and process is fact explicit by saying that among also expressed in terms of conform those who are “conforming to the ing to the image of Christ. In the last image of God’s Son,” Christ is the passage referred to above. Paul says, “firstborn”. And thus Christ is the “. . . the second man is the Lord from firstborn among many brethren. (Rom. heaven . . . And as we have borne the 8:29). This implies clearly that the image of the earthy, we shall also other “sons” must be born and there bear the image of the heavenly,” This fore they conform to the image of final phase of redemption of which Christ Paul speaks is the resurrection at Sanctification is also seen as a part which glorification will take place. of God redeeming man. It is also This glorification is the completing spoken of as the restoration and re of that which God began when he production of the image of Jesus justified the sinner. Christ or God in man. Paul says suc It is at this juncture that a number cinctly, “. . . we all . . . are changed of significant conclusions can be (notice tense, the word could be trans drawn. First, it has become clear that lated “transfigured” — Phillips or sin and righteousness, being saved ‘transformed” Cf. Greek) into the and being lost are not only totally op same image from glory to glory even posed to each other, but are in a sense as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2 Cor. the reversal of each other of the same 3:18). Paul here speaks of the ongoing process. Second, while being a sinner, process of the child of God being and therefore separated from God and transformed into the image of the lost, means to be out of harmony with Lord. It is in sanctification that this God and all that this entails, while process of conforming to the image being saved means the reverse. It of the Lord takes place. It is also means to be united with God and, the process by which God makes man therefore, in harmony with Him. The righteous. It is the day by day ex redeemed man shares the nature of periential life of the Christian with God. Redemption, then, is the falling his Lord and Saviour that this con in line witht His purpose. His will. His tinual process conforming to the im character. All this has a determinative age of Jesus takes place. effect on what man must do to be The whole work of God in redeem saved. This we will discuss shortly. ing man is climaxed in the glorifica

Thrilled to Have a Part in Evangelizing Canada’s Indians

NOT SO ISOLATED By Mr and Mrs Harry Koop

We have made our home 180 miles northeast of Winnipeg on the shores of Fishing Lake. This is on an Indian settlement, with a population of 150, located eleven miles north of Littic Grand Rapids. These Indians belong to the Little Grand Rapids Band, but they chose to live at Pauingassi. I am teaching at Pauingassi School for the second year and expect to remain for at least another term. Livelihood The livelihood of these Seaultieux Indians varies with the seasons. They harvest wild rice in September; cut firewood for the Hudson’s Bay Post, nursing station, schools, and mission station during May and June; pick blueberries, which are flown out com mercially, in July and August; and trap auring the months or November, December, March and April. During January and February they thrive on the bountiful moose and federal aid. One native has already shot five moose this year. This meat is shared with those not as ambitious or skill ful.

The post office and nearest store is the Hudsons Bay Post at Little Grand Rapids. Our groceiies are how ever purchased in bulk and flown in from Gimli. The mail is brought to Pauingassi via Sk-doo in winter and boat in summer. Two boats are used on every shopping excursion, since the rapids two miles upstream from the store are not navigable. The boat below the rapids is portaged once before freeze-up and again immedi ately following breakup. The boats. and Ski-doo are property of Northern Pioneer Mission Missionary Opportunities Rev. and Mrs. Henry Neufeld, with their five children, are in charge of the mission at Pauingassi. Services are conducted wholly in Seaultieux. Two services are conducted on Sun day, and a Bible instruction class for adults is held every Thursday eve ning. Attendance at these services averages from forty to fifty. Bible classes for the children take place Tuesday evening. Norma teaches the six - eight year olds, Mrs. Neufeld the eleven - fifteen year olds. On Thursday evening I teach a Bible class for the missionaries’ children. Religious instruction is given in school from Monday through Thursday. On Friday, the final period is devoted to crafts. Norma supervises sewing during this period.

Pictured is teacher Harry Koop (originally Kleefeld) and his grouji of children at Pauingassi, Man. This is Harry’s second term and he ex.pects to stay for a third.

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School At present forty-one pupils are en rolled in school. Attendance has av eraged thirty-five since the beginning of December. This keeps both Norma and me busy making and correcting seat-work after Venessa and Lyle (our two tots) are fast asleep. For next year I’m “looking forward’’ to an enrollment of lorty-eight The Fed eral Government plans to build a two-room school in 1966. Never a Dull Moment Things are not nearly as drab as might appear to some adventurous readers of this write-up. School has been delayed in the morning to hold court proceedings. The RCMP with a Justice of Peace flew in to accom modate the accused. RCAF aircraft on a practise run have stopped in for tea bringing the school kiddies or anges and bars. Christmas goodies are parachuted annually, also by the RC AF. A forty mile trip to the rice fields meant outdoor camping and portag ing the boat a number of times. Fish ing is great both in summer and winter. Trout fishing in a neighbour ing lake was rewarding as well, and again the boat and motor had to be portaged for half a mile. So we do have both work and piay. Isolated? The nearest road is sev enty-five mUes away. Transportation is limited to air travel and consequenily visitors are limited as well. How ever we don’t have too much time to feel “isolated”. We love these people, enjoy our work here, and are thrilled to have a part in evangelizing Cana da’s Indians. We always appreciate letters from home and treasure mag azines such as The Messenger. We certainly miss the fellowship of loved ones at home but always look forward to our Sunday night devotion with the Neufelds. Pray that the Lord might give us wisdom, patience, and perseverance in teaching. Pray for the Henry Neufelds. Pi ay for a people that feel their pov erty will gain them entrance into glory.

THE MESSENGER ’’t' Sr f

5;^^ s

By the Rev. T. De Witt Talmage

THE GREAT SALVATION “How shall we escape, if we neg lect so great salvation?” Heb. 2;3

I stand before you tonight borne down with two great and all-absorb ing desires; one, to get to heaven myself; the other, to take all these people along with me. Who knows but God may hear my prayer, and that all swept by the circle of these walls shall within one hour be enclosed in the arms of a pardoning Jesus? It is no time for argument, for you men tally accept all these truths. It is no time for philosophy, for it is your hearts we want, and not your heads. It is no time for poetry, for tulips and daffodils, will not satisfy those who are famishing for bread. The oft-re peated prayer of Rowland Hill, in the midst of his sermon, is my prayer at the beginning, ‘‘Master, help!” While I stand here the audience vanishes from my vision, and it is the world’s great trial-day, and the books are op ened O my Saviour! if I do not speak as I ought, what will become of me? If these people do not hear as they ought, what will become of them? “How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?”

Paul was right when he called it great. The most stupendous underApril 2, 1965

taking, since God created, was the hoisting of this world out of ruin. It had made shipwreck—going down with all hands on board. From none of the surrounding worlds did a life boat push out. The Lord God Al mighty rose up, and bringing into action all the omniscence, and om nipotence, and majesty, and loving kindness of His nature. He set about the redemption of the world. I do not think that there was any thing in all the ages of the past, or that there will be in all the ages of the future, anything to equal it. The master piece of eter nity! There were so many difficulties to be overcome! There were such in finite consequences to be considered! There were such gulfs to bridge, and such heights to scale and such im mensities to compass! If God had been less than omnipotent. He would not have been strong enough; or less than omniscient, I do not think He would have been wise enough; or less loving, would not have been sympathetic enough. There might have been a God strong enough to create a universe, and yet too weak to do this. To create

the worlds, only a word, was neces sary; but to do this work required more than a word. It required more than ordinary effort of a God. It re quired the dying anguish of an Only Son. Oh! it is not that which took all the height, and depth, and length, and immensity, and eternity of His nature to achieve worthy of being called a great salvation? Great In It’s Sufferings So also was this redemption great in its sufferings. It is fortunate that we cannot foresee our trials. If that man who last week lost his property could have known for ten years that he was going to become bankrupt, all those ten years would have been shadowed with trouble. If that parent who last year lost his child had known for ten years previously that he would lose it, for ten years that parent would have been overshadowed. Christ’s sufferings were augmented by the fact that He foresaw them. For thirty-three years he was dying. The last horror hung over him at the sea-side, at the wedding, and every where. He knew that every pulse’s beating took him nearer to the last (Continued on page 11) 5

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NEWS I PRAIRIE ROSE Christian Family Series

Many homes I’m sure will have a more Christ like family life as a re sult of these evening services with the emphasis on the Christian Family in the Pr. Rose Church. Bro. Ben Hoeppner and Wilbert Loewen of the S.B.I. were the speak ers who pressed home the very im portant, essential and timely points on various perplexing problems. Many were encouraged to bring their homes into a clear focus as a Godly home and family. Cliristian Endeavour Interest was aroused at a recent Jugend Verein when the Rev. H. R. Reimer family sang the song “Von Gnade und Recht Will ich singen.” It was noted that many of the family (grand children) were scattered all over the world serving the Lord. Teacher John G. Reimer also pre sented a very effective and powerful object lesson on “The Wiles of the Devil” with a glass of tomato juice and a glass with a snake in alcohol both looking the same under labels. Eph. 6:11 (Please read) Rev. Arnold Fast challenged us with a message on “Compassion, Faith and and Action.” Mk. 2:1-12. Purchasing Hall Final arrangements to purchase the Prairie Grove Hall are materializing quite favourably. The Pr. Rose Ext. S.S. has had S.S in this area for quite a number of years with good interest, so we truly believe this to be an an swer to prayer. * * * RIDGEWOOD Evangelistic services were conduct ed March 17-28. The speaker was Rev. John P. Loewen from Blumenort. This has been a time of sowing and we now anticipate a bountiful harvest. The following have officially trans ferred their membership to Ridge wood: Mrs. Isaac Penner from the Steinbach Church, Mr. and Mrs. Pete Warkentine from the Aberdeen church

Mrs. Peter Plett and Mrs. Victor Pen ner from the Landmark Church. All of these have been fellowshipping here for some time already. * * * BURNS LAKE

New Workers Arrive On Friday, shortly after eleven in the morning, the Arden Thiessens drove into Burns Lake; truly this was a time of rejoicing for the church as waiting always seems long. Sunday evening a special welcome service was held with a program and a very challenging message from Rev. Arthur Tarry on the text Heb. 11:5 “. . . he had this testimony, that he pleased God,” Opposition is proving very strong for the Sunday School which has been started at Endako, yet a few are ven turing out. Shall we praise the Lord for the ones that are coming and pray that God might manifest His power to overrule the forces of evil and that souls might be won by the Spirit of God into His kingdom. Pray also for the workers as they drive out the 35 miles in the afternoon to Sunday School and then back for the evening service here in Burns. Plans are going ahead for an evan gelistic meeting with Rev. John D. Friesen for the week of the 16th of May; do pray that God might be glori fied in souls brought to Him. The attendance in our local Sun day School has been climbing the last while again, for which we certainly praise God, The months of January and February were particularly low but a few Sundays now it was in the 9O’s with last Sunday at 106. This was partly due to the fact that we had some of our members from Vanderhoof back in our midst. • * « KOLA Travellers Return A carful of ladies drove out to the United Church in Maryfield for a ser vice on the World Day of Prayer. Rev. Art Neufeld and Mr. Herb Penner reported to their home church on their trip to South America. They told about visiting Pete and Olga Mar tens, who are taking language studies in Asuncion, the Frank Kroekers, and the Henry Loewens deep in Brazil. They talked about the different at mosphere in a Paraguayan city. No stop signs or lights. Just the constant

noise of warning horns. They ex perienced the Paraguayans' carefree existence when they waded to church in knee-deep water after a heavy rain. Many interesting highlights of the trip were again relived with the home church. * * *

SOUL WINNING CONFERENCE HELD On March 12-14 a soul winning conference was held in the Morris district on the theme, “Faithful Christtian Service,” with Rev. Ben Hoeppner of the Steinbach Bible Institute as guest speaker. Seven local churches sponsored the series of meetings; Morris Bergthaler, Rosenort EMC, Pleasant Valley EMC, Morris EMC, Lowe Farm Bergthaler, Lowe Farm Emmanuel and Sterling MB. The first three sessions were held >n the Ros enort EMC and the last two in the Morris Bergthaler (Jhurch. For quite some time a common need was felt among the participat ing churches; a thorough preparation for personal evangelism to those who do not attend regular worship services. Five important topics were dealt with in regard to fruitful Christian ser vices: (1) The Prerequisites (2) Per tinent Realizations (3) The Vessels (4) The Place of Suffering and (5) The Triumph. All meditations were based on II Cor. 4. Many favourable comments were expressed during and after the con ference. Evangelistic services were conducted in the Morris and Rosenort Churches immediately following. • • •

PLEASANT VALLEY During the winter months a Bible Study course is being given once a week in the Sterling school district northwest of Carmen. Interest is en couraging. We are again planning Extension Sunday School for this ar ea in spring. Last summer, adult, junior, and kindergarten classes were instructed. Bi-weekly our young people sing and read the scriptures for the pa tients in the Carmen Hospital. We claim Isaiah 55:11, for the work in this area. A new feature in our congregation is Family Night and Prayer Meeting Friday night. Five courses are given: Consisting of Adult studies from the

THE MESSENGER

Book of Corinthians; a Sunday School Teachers course; a Bible study Course from the Mennonite Hour; plus, two V.B.S. Courses. We again have sensed our need for revival. We are looking forward lo meetings which are scheduled for Ap ril 18-28 with Rev. Corny Plett as the speaker. Will you pray with us that our hearts will be revived even be fore these meetings begin. • * • PELLY Feb. 25th was a special day for both the youth and adults at Pelly and especially for the Giesbrechts for on that day they moved in to their new home. However this does not mean an end to the building program as much still remains to be done on the interior. That same evening about 50 young people gathered in the chapel when Kamsack, Canora and Pelly en joyed a time of fellowship together. The film “The Voice of the Deep” was viewed. Refreshments were served by the local group. Sunday evening Mar. 21st the film “Question 7” was shown in the United church. Sponsored by the East Cen tral Ministerial Association it was a combined effort of the Protestant Churches We are looking forward this week to having Mr. Curt Bork of the Shan tyman’s Christian Association with us in the chapel for a “Youth for Christ” Rally. * ♦ ♦

PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE February 19, 1965 was the day des tined by our Lord to call Mrs. Mary Falk into the beyond. Left to mourn her passing are her beloved husband Ben, two sons, a daughter, a son-inlaw and a grandson. Funeral services were conducted from the Portage E. M. church February 22 with Rev. Wiebe of the First Mennonite Church, Winnipeg officiating in German and Rev. D. K. Schellenberg, Portage E. M. church officiating in English. Ths Ladies Mission Group rendered the selection, “Does Jesus Care.” On March 14, the Prairie Rose Young People rendered the evening program. The presentation was a cantata, “The Stranger of Galilee” depicting the lime before the birth of Christ, his birth, his life, his death, his resurrection, his ascension and his second coming. The fifty voice choir April 2, 1965

was led by Mr. John Reimer. The choir was well received and all who attend ed were blessed. On March 16th, the Ladies Mission Group had a fellow ship supper. There was a very good turnout and after the supper, a short program was presented, with the newly formed children's choir bring ing two selections in song. A blessed fellowship was shared by all. On March 20th a carload of S.S. teach ers from Portage E.M. church mot ored to Steinbach to attend the S.S. convention at the E.M.C. church. All those attending felt that the instruc tion received was of great benefit. Each person was asked to give a short report at the Sunday evening service of the Portage E.M. church The re ports were informative and those un able to attend received an inspiration as well.

The Dan Koops, accepted missionary candidates and serving in the St. Charles area for the last few months, have been assigned to Flin Flon to replace the Melvin Koops who are on leave of absence. The Arden Thiessens, formerly at Gouldtown (since October 1963), have been transferred to Bums Lake, B.C. to fill the place left by the Corny Pletts. (See “News”). Brother Henry Toews and family have arrived safely back in Paraguay, ac cording to latest reports. Nevertheless various trials were encountered before they got there. These consisted mainly of delays and once a motor conked out after a short time in flight, forc ing the aircraft to return for repairs. We shall be looking for further re ports soon.

• • • FLIN FLON We have had several days of ser vices with Rev. Corny B. Loewen which were very much appreciated. His theme for the services was “The Mind.”

Brother Leo Thiessen spent several days in the Flin Flon General Hos pital due to severe back pain and cramps reported to be caused by one of the nerves going into the legs. He is making plans to go to a specialist on March 18th. Rev. and Mrs. Melvin Koop were absent for a week (Mar. 7-14) to minister in Kleefeld, and were great ly missed. Who will come over and help us? There are job openings, teachers and orderlies! * * •

MISSION BRIEFS

Margaret Neufeld in a letter from Germany writes: “I have spent the last several weeks here in Loerrach. We are in the midst of translating DVBS material. I have been busy with the typing. In May and June we expect to be busy with Camp work, crusade work and children’s meetings. The Janz Brothers will be having campaigns in South America during March. They will also have campaigns in Germany, Switzerland and Aus tria.” She requests prayer for the fol lowing: “. . . the promotion of our Sunday school material. Coming girls camp in Augsburg beginning June 3. That I would be faithful.”

BIRTHS

To Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Plett of Steinbach, a girl, Kaylene Diane, on Feb. 24. To Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Johnson of Pelly, a girl bom Mar. 3, Thelma Elizabeth. To Mr. and Mrs. Jake P. Kroeker, Swan River, a girl, Yolanda Joy on March 10. To Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Penner of Blumenort, a boy, Melvin Dewayne on March 12. To Mr. and Mrs. Clifton Abrahams of Pelly, a boy born Mar. 11, Darrell James. To Mr. and Mrs. Pete Warkentine, Ridgewood, a daughter, Jeanette Dawn, on March 14. To Mr. and Mrs. Stan Plett, Ridge wood a daughter Vivian Gail, on Mar. 25. ***♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦<> ♦

♦ COMING EVENTS J ♦ April 4-11 Revival campaign at* ♦ Wymark, Sask, with Rev. John* J D. Friesen of Saskatoon. J ♦ April 14-25 Special services at* ♦ Steinbach. Rev. Ben Friesen* J speaker. * ♦ April 28-May 2 Missionary Con-J ♦ ference at MacGregor with Ed-* ♦ win Wright of Endeavour as* J main speaker. J

The express aim of the high school

The Case for the Private School

the Christian high schooi By John G. Klassen

Some Ol)esrvations on the High-School Curriculum Seen from a Christian I’iewpoint

curriculum in Manitoba is the edu cation of citizens for the democracy. Democracy, an ideal in the education of our society, is a system of social organization which stresses individ ual freedom. This system is being threatened by other, more rigid sys tems, e.g. Communism, Fascism, Au thoritarian religions, etc. In the face of these threats our society is using education as a weapon for survival. Following are some quotations from the first few pages of the “Pro gramme of Studies for Senior High Schools for Manitoba 1963-64” Harold Alberty is quoted; “Democ racy is an ideal which has never yet been fully attained, but for the value of which we have sufficient evidence to justify our continued allegiance. To the furtherance of this ideal we can well apply all our genius as a people. Since it is a faith, an ideal, a promise, we cannot hope ever to prove by scientific experiment that it is valid. We can only try in every thing we do to further it—at least until we find that in the very nature of human beings the ideal cannot be made to work. At the present time we have no reason to believe that it cannot be made to work. On the con trary our experience in living and working as a people is rich in evidence that the ideal is practical. The fact that the evidence leaves much room for further improvement is a chal lenge, rather than a confession of defeat,” "The two major objectives of edu cation in a democracy are: 1. The development of a broad liter acy, and 2. The pormotion of democratic citizenship.” Van Dyke is quoted: “The true ob ject of education is to train one to think clearly and to act rightly.” Democracy seeks to ensure “right acting” by education, not by laws, which restrict individual freedom and choke democracy itself. Looking at the curriculum for high schools itself we see its practical aim is to prepare students for life. The curriculum can include only a small core of knowledge necessary for life in today's technical world. The Uni versity Entrance Course in Manitoba i.s designed to prepare the student for the widest choice after graduation. Anyone taking this course may post pone his choice of vocation until after

the completion of High School. Since education is a perparation for the future we, and those who compile the curriculum, ask, “What is com ing in the future?” If there is a fu ture, (and this is possible) it will most likely bring changes for everyone. Therefore, to educate is to prepare for change, and these preparations can only be spiritual and mental. In Scripture, however, we find much emphasis on the unchangeable atti tude in life. Hebrews 13:9 “Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace. ’ I Cor. 3:11 “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Christ Jssus.” The Christian has a firm foundation and anchor for the future. Still even Christians will need flexible minds in the future. Two possible events in the future are ei ther global war with unimaginable and violent changes, or, a gradual increase in automation until most peo ple will have no productive work to do. In either case those who can fit into new situations will be best off. Paul expresses this in Philippians 4:11-12 “. . . For I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound; every where and in all things I am instruct ed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. ’ To summarize the purposes of ed ucation: 1. Both society and Christianity have ideals in education: - society idealizes democracy - Christianity’s ideals are rooted in the Word of God. 2. Both society and Christianity want flexible minds. 3. Both society and Christianity have foundations: - soceity builds on democracy, - Christianity builds on Christ The individual subjects in the High School curriculum can easily be grouped for our purpose into two divisions: the sciences and the human ities. (Continued on page 9)

Mr. Klassen is instructor at the newly formed private high school at Washow Bay. The address was de livered in a joint meeting of parents, Board and students on Feb. 17, 1965. THE MESSENGER

I can still remember the time when at the age of six, I with my three year old sister, graduated to an up stairs bedroom. How proud and grown up I felt to have a room of my own! But this proved to have some serious drawbacks. The “upstairs” at that time was all one big room with one corner reserved for storage. Tn the darkness and stillness of night when all the world seemed asleep, there crept out from these storage

boxes weird forms of animals and ghosts and wandered about to frighten a little girl sheer out of her wits. One night I could stand it no long er. Wild with fright, I rushed down stairs to my parents bed. Mother got up, lighted a lamp and went upstairs, followed by a trembling little girl. Of course, the light revealed that there was nothing to be afraid of, and now with Mother’s presence my fears van ished. I crawled back into bed be side my sleeping sister, while Mother sat down beside me and taught me a little prayer asking Jesus to send His angels to watch over my sister and me. Soon I was sleeping peacefully, assured that Jesus answered my prayer. After that, my simple childish faith helped me to overcome these fears. We may smile at such imaginary childhood fears But, are we not some times troubled and beset with fears and doubts in this dark world of oui's as well—fears of diseases, war, fail ure, injury, loneliness, old age, and

death—for loved ones or for our selves? The many modern discoveries and developments of our age do nothing to alleviate these fears of the human heart. Let us then bring all our fears and burdens to our heavenly Father, and in the light of His Word, rest upon His promises and assurances of His presence with a simple childlike faith. For God our Father promises never to leave or forsake us. “Fear thou not; for I am with thee; be not dis mayed; for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee.” (Isa. 41:10.) God does not promise escape from every fearful situation, but He does promise to be with us and give us strength to see us through. Of course, no true peace can come apart from knowing Jesus Christ and the “perfect love that casteth out fear.” As we trust and depend on Him we can say, “God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.’ (2 Tim. 1:7.)

The Sciences include General Sience, Biology, Health, Mathematics, etc. These subjects aid in the develop ment of keen, alert minds and also teach much necessary general know ledge and technical skill. From the Christian point of view the teaching of the sciences has both negative and positive aspects. Negatively, Science can have the following detrimental effects upon students: Firstly, human reason may become glorified. This may happen because in the High School curriculum the problems and exercises are so design ed that a bright and diligent student can reason out all problems in the course. ’The student may then get the impression that science provides clean - cut proofs and conclusions without ragged edges for every question be cause it uses human reason. More ma ture scientists no longer have this impression but at the High School age, many a bright student has cast his lot in with reason and has reject ed faith. Also, shortsighted conclus ions, such as evolution, are taught as facts by many High School instructors and textbooks, and are subsequently accepted by the students. Science, therefore, may influence the High School student to prefer the tangible,

that which makes sense, to the spir itual which seems so unreal and vague in comparison. On the positive side, the Christian High School teacher has the oppor tunity to use Science as a means to exalt his God. Firstly it may be pointed out to the student that there are unanswered questions in science, and that this shows that man’s reason is subordi nate to a higher Being. Then, God can be glorified as in the words of the Psalmist in Psalms 139:14, 17 “I will praise thee for I am fearfully and wonderfully made, and that my soul knoweth right well . . How precious al so are thy laws unto me O God! How great is the sum of them.” The humanities include Literature, History, Languages, Music, Art, etc. In these are sought the anchors and ideals of society and in a sense they are the Bible of society. They are useful and necessary in understand ing and communicating with people. Here, too, negative and positive sides present themselves to the Christian. Negatively, those who study human experience may make humanity their God. Some have sacrificed their lives for humanity in the belief that they served rhe highest good. Slogans such as "Humanity First”, are reflections

of a worship of man. Young people are often highly idealistic and can easily be led to give their allegiance to this false god. Even Christians may lower their ideals from Christ to hu man heroes. Positively, the humanities can serve, in the Christian setting, as opportun ities to compare and check human ex presence with the Word of God. A knowledge of the culture and back ground of society is indispensable to the Christian who wants to communi cate with his fellowman in mission work. When we think of how Jesus Christ involved Himself in humanity we begin to see the importance of this field of study for everyone of His followers In conclusion, it can be seen that the negative effects of the High School curriculum are real and un checked in the secular schools. If Christians are concerned about these negative effects, a definite effort will be needed to check them and to pro mote the positive aspects from the Christian viewpoint. (Compiled from an address given by John G. Klassen to a meeting of the Board, Students, and Parents of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference Collegiate at Washow Bay, February 17, 1965. J

FROM

HOUSE

TO YO

HOUSE

“WHAT TIME I AM AI KAII)

I WILE TRUST IN THEE” (I’s. 56:3) By Elnia B. Dueck

April 2, 1965

Children’s Page

RISEN

OOOD FRIDAY’S TOMB By Esther L. Vogt

Vem M’Gee didn’t stop to look back. threw himself on his back and squint He pedalled his bike down the high ed up at the wide blue sky, his tous way as fast as he could. Spring was led hair falling into his eyes. He bursting out of the tattered seams of reached over and picked a blade of winter with each new bud. Vern took dried Johnson grass and blew on it. a deep breath. Ah, this was the life! It sounded almost like a hawk, only No more rows of beans to hoe; no hoarser and louder. He remembered more cows to milk; no more evening how he and Henry had done this last devotions to hear He’d left all that 'summer at this spot and he quickly behind when, just a few minutes be thrust the grass into his pocket. fore, he’d sneaked out of the Happy Suddenly the bright sun slid be Hour Children’s Home grounds. hind a cloudbank and the morning Right now, all thirty-one orphans looked as if a shade had been pulled were listening to the Good Friday ser over it. Vern stretched himself, climbed vices in the little stone chapel. back on his bike, and headed toward “Except me!’’ Vern tossed his tousle- Holley’s Hill. head carelessly. The wind turned and began to blow He’d hated to leave Harry Grimes, down Vern’s jacket collar. Angry black for Harry was his best friend. But clouds rolled over the sky with the Harry had turned chicken and had voice of thunder. “Looks like a storm!” he said aloud, gone to the Super to confess break ing into the pantry last night for that and began to pedal faster. Lightning special Easter Delight marshmallow ripped across the blackness, and then heavy drops began to pelt the ground. ice cream. “Catch me telling Super Smith I Vern had to push his bike uphill to was, sorry when I wasn’t!” he mut ward the cave, where it nestled behind tered to himself. “Anyway, Harry and that giant oak, half-hidden by a thatch I did deserve that extra treat for do of scrub pine. Tired and wet, Vern panted into the ing Arnie’s chores in the barns.” cave. It was as dark as the inside of Harry had said sorrowfully “We oughtn’t to have sneaked into the freez a gopher hole and he blinked his eyes. A groan from inside the cave start er and got it!” And that’s when Harry had marched to the Super’s office and led him, and his flesh crawled. Some confessed. Sure, Harry had been a one was already inside the cave! A flash of lightning threw a quick lot different lately. Especially since he’d remained behind to pray with brightness into the tiny cave, and Vern the house-mother after devotions one saw a boy of his own age, whose face night. Since then, Harry had gotten was white with pain. His left leg twis a conscience! So Vern had been ted under him. “Who-who’re you?” Vern called out grounded in his room, while Harry hoarsely. could come and go as he pleased. “My name’s—Rob. I—fell from my Well, the whole Happy Home bunch, would probably be out looking for h-horse. Found this—c-cave and him, and they wern’t going to find crawled in. Sure’s stormy—out, isn't him. Because no one knew about that it?” “Yeah.” Vern said quickly. He hoped little cave at Holley’s Hill, except he and Harry. They’d discovered it on a this Rob wouldn’t ask questions. Or secret bike ride one day last summer. expect answers. When one ran away, And Harry wouldn’t dare confess to one didn’t have time for interruptions. The rain drove down in sheets and he it any more. Vern hart always known nobody huddled in the corner, to escape its cared for him, especially since his dampness. “Where are you—from?” Rob asked, mother had died. That’s when the Happy Home bunch had taken him, his words painfully choppy. "I—” Vern began, then hesitated pretending to love him, yet making him work like anyone else—and then Nosiree. This Rob wasn’t going to find getting mad because he snitched that out about the Happy Home and the stolen ice cream! ice cream! With a sudden, splintering crash the Thick woolly clouds drifted lazily across the blue sky. Vern heard the large oak tree hurtled sideways and screech of a hawk as it soared in long, blocked the low entrance of the little easy circles overhead. He slowed down cave. Now it was blacker than ever. “That was the tree, Rob.” Vern said and braked to a stop behind a clump (Cont’d. on page 11) of wild tamarack. Jumping off, he THE MESSENGER

in a shaky voice. ‘*Guess we’re—ssealed in here . . .” Rob gripped Vern’s hand tightly. “Could you—straighten my leg— a little? ’The pain . . .” Vern felt underneath Rob’s clam my body in the darkness and slowly, gently, he moved Rob’s leg so that it lay straight. Rob stopped groaning. ’’That’s better,” he said gratefully. “But being in a cave—say, do you know of anybody closed up in a cave, that got out?” Vern didn’t answer at first. He scratched his tousled head. “No-o-o, I don’t think—say, wait a minute!” he said suddenly. “Good Friday. I remem ber hearing at the Hap—I mean, some place—about this good Man, by the name of Jesus, who was crucified on Good Friday, a long time ago. He— He was put in a cave—like us. He. . .” ‘‘Why did they do it—crucify Him, if He was good?” “He—well, I’m not sure why, bur He loved everybody, and He had to die to save—us . . ” Vern said thought fully. Funny, how he had never cared to listen to that story during devotions at Happy Home. Maybe because he knew he was pretty bad himself. Rob caught his breath sharply. “But did He ever get out of His cave?” “Well . . .” Vern paused and wet his lips with his tongue. “Yes, He did. But He was God’s Son. He could do any thing He even became alive again— and angels rolled away the stone.” The boys were silent for a long time. The storm had ceased its angry raging and only a few spatters of rain dripped damply against the tree that shut the two boys in. Vern thought of the roast chicken the Happy Home bunch was having for dinner and he suddenly remem bered he hadn’t brought anything to eat. He’d figured he could go on snitching food . . . But inside a cave with a heavy fallen tree blocking its entrance there would never be a chance to steal food again. Somehow. Vern didn’t want to anymore. Rob, groping for Vern’s hand in the darkness again, said huskily. “Do you —s’pose this Jesus could send angels to roll away our tree?” Vern sighed “I’m not sure He’d lis ten, unless we’d really want Him to . . “Let’s ask anyway.” After Vern had asked God to do April 2, 1965

something about the tree, he added quickly, “And I’m sorry about hav ing been so mean. Could You forgive me, please?” But as the day wore on, the tree didn’t move. It stayed where it had fallen, shutting the boys in. Would they have to wait three days and three nights as Jesus had? Or hadn’t God heard them after all? Ro’o sat up suddenly. ‘‘I thought I heard a faint call! Could it be search ers?” Vern threw himself against the blocking tree. Already slits of sunlight crept through the branches. Vern shouted until he was hoarse. No an swer! “What if no one ever finds us?” he turned back to the cave with a sob. Rob smiled sadly in the half-light that seeped into the cave. “My dad won’t give up ’til he’s found me. How about yours?” “I don’t have anybody that cares, except—” Except the people of Happy Home. They care Harry Grimes would— “Harry Grimes!” Vern said sud denly, searching through his pockets for the bit of grass. “Harry and I used to blow on blades of Johnson grass and we’d get a high, shrill scream, louder than a hawk’s Let me try . . Trembling, he placed the blade of grass against his lips and blew on it. Again. . . and again. . . and again. . . And then he heard an answering whistle. An hour later, Rob was safe in his own home while Vern rode silently in the Happy Home pickup between Superintendant Smith and Harry Grimes. Harry had laughed when Rob had called them “angels.” And now Harry was grinning sheep ishly at Vern. ‘‘You know, Vern, you don’t make a very good runaway!” Vern cocked his tousled head. “Why not, Harry?” “Because, I could hear your whistle clean over at the chapel this morning, the first time. And anyway, I know you didn’t really want to run away. Not with Easter Delight for Sunday dinner, you wouldn’t!” Come to think of it, Vern decided, he didn’t! The End

SO GREAT SALVATION (Cont’d. from page 5) throb of anguish. He saw the walls shutting in around him, the circle of fire contracting, the vice screwing up. When he flew away from Herod he knew that at last he would be cap tured. He went into court knowing that the verdict would be against him. There was an upright piece of wood and a transverse piece of wood that hung over him by day and by night; the shadow of the cross. The final year came. It was his birthday. It was Christmas. He was thirty-two years old. I hear him say ing: “This is my last year. What a thirty-two years! Trouble all the way! Betrayed! Cast out! Poor! Full of pain! But a few more months, and I go up to my death-hour. The tree is growing up on which I shall be spiked. The hammers are forged that will smite me fast. The military are drilled for my execution.” My hearers, if Christ’s death had been a sudden sur prise, it would not have been so aw ful. But it was a long-expected an guish. The last hour of Christ was the fo cus to which the woes of time and eternity converged. Heaven frowned from above. HeU rode up from be neath. I hear the click of the hoofs of the cavalry troop so they ride out toward the fatal hill. I hear the buzz, and hum, and roar, and blasphemy of a great mob. They have cornered him at last! Put those women out of the way. It is no place for women. Do not let his mother see this. Take her away. This spectacle would kill her. Put out all the candles of the sky. The spears are sharp, and they plunge them. The heavens are burdened with woe, and they thunder. Unlifted darkness — save as a flash of lightning reveals the eye of God, peering through the gloom to see what they are doing with his well-beloved Son. Methinks the thrones of heaven shiver at the deed. He has been hanging there five hours and fifty minutes. What next? Whom will the Omnipotent Sufferer first consume with his curse? Will He not take His right hand from the nail and hurl everlasting fury upon His crucifiers? Wait a moment. Listen! I am sure He will speak! Yes; He speaks: “Father, forgive them. They know not what they do.” This was death at the stake; but the fires kindled around it were the flames of the world’s hatred, en-

wrapped with the fiercer fires of eter nal woe—wreathing feet, hands, eyes, brain, soul, in the worst horror that ever shuddered through God’s uni verse. Was this salvation great in its suffering? Great In It’s Pardon This redemption was also great in its pardon. It takes all the sins of .a life, and cuts them off with one stroke, so that all the crimes the worst man ever committed as soon as he takes hold of this salvation, are gone, at once, utterly and for ever. Gone, so that you cannot find them. Gone, so that the light of the judgement-day cannot discover them. Says some one: “Do you mean to say that I could have that done for me?” I answer “yes!” “When?” Now! Though you had committed fifty murders, though your life were rotten with debauchery, though you had gone through the whole catalogue of crimes, I announce full pardon for all your sins the moment you take hold of this salvation. Great In It’s Final Deliverance This redemption is great in its final deliverance. There is a hell. Ration alism rules it out; but there it is where our modern essayists and the Bible differ. People say there ought not to be a hell; but there it is where modern theologians and the Lord God Almighty differ. I am one of those few benighted mortals in this day who take the whole Bible. What! you do not believe everything in it?” Every thing! Absolutely everything! “What! that about the serpent in Eden? and the sun standing still? and the whale swallowing Jonah?” Everything! I be lieve it all as much as I do in my own exisrence. “Well, then, you cannot have read the arguments on the other side.” Yes, I have read them day and night; read them by the year; read every word that Tom Paine, or Theo dore Parger, or Reman ever wrote on the subject; read them from the title page to the last word of the last line, of the last page of the last book; read them until it is only through the mer cy of God that I did not kill my soul through the sin of reading them; read them until I found out that the land of scepticism is a desert, where the sands are red-hot coals, swept by the smothering simoon of all-consumnig wretchedness; read them until I have feund that here are two hells instead

of one-—the hell of scepticism and the hell spoken of in the Bible; and I be lieve in the last because it is the more tolerable. Come to my house some time, at six o’clock in the evening, and I will show you fifty-four passages in the Bible, all positively asserting that there is such a place, and as many more implying it. If I do not believe God when he tells me a thing ten times, certainly I will when he tells me a thing twenty times, I will when He has told it to me forty times. But if I doubt him the fortieth time, certainly when He announces a thing to me the fifty fourth time I had better accept it. Paul says: “They shall be punished with with everlasting destruction from the everlasting destruction from the prescence of the Lord.” Luke says, “There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and you your self thrust out.” Christ, who ought to know, says, “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment.” It is not more certain that there is a city called Constantinople or Moscow than that there is a great metropolis of suffering; that Satan rules over it; that there are fires that cannot be put out and tears that ever fall, and groans that are for ever uttered. When a man gets into that place, he never gets out.

Now, is not a salvation that keeps down the hatches, so that these flames cannot scorch us, and that muzzles these lions so that their teeth cannot touch us, worthy of being called a great salvation? Every one may es cape it. God never puts a man in perdition! He puts himself there. If you have a great fire on your farm in which you are consuming a large amount of rubbish, and I deliberately rush into it, and get burned, who is to blame? Myself. God has told us their is a place of burning. He makes for us every possibility of escaping it. If, deliberately, and of our own choice, we dash in, upon whom comes the responsibility? Answer! Your con science has answered! This salvation is great in its con summations. It does not leave a man shivering and half starved on the out skirts of a fine city, but gives him citizenship in the great capital of the Almighty. No sickness will pale the cheek. No discord will strike the ear. No sha-

dow will darken the path, save under the palm trees, through which sifts the golden light of eternal summer. Jesus will be there; and all the good will be there. O land of light, and love and joy! A land where the redeemed of the Lord come with songs upon their head. A land where—I fail! ? break down under the thought! I can not express it. “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man the things that God hath prepared for those who love Him.” Is not a salvation that opens such a gate, and rouses such an an them, and consummates such a friend ship, a great salvation?

Now, are you ready for the Apos tle’s question? Are you all ready? In the light of this salvation—so great in its Author, so great in its humilia tions, so great in its sacrifices, so great in its consummations—the ques tion bursts, crackles, and thunders upon our ears: How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation. No escape at all. For the man who neglects it there is no possibility of excuse or rescue. Everything will plead against him. The water will hiss from the fountains, and say, “We told him of the living stream where he might wash all his sins away, but he would not come Escape he must not.” The rocks will say, “We told him of a shelter and defence to which he might run and be saved; but he would not come. Escape he must not.” The sun in the sky will say, “We told him of the world and of the day-spring from on high; and he shut his eyes to the glory. Escape he must not.” Then God will speak, and answer the waters, and the rocks, and the sun, and the stars, and the Bible, and the bloody tree, and the angels, and the thrones of judgement, and the voice of the destroyed, and the plea of a rejected Christ; and with a voice that shall ring all through the heights, and depths, and lengths, and breadths of His universe, say, “Escape he shall not.” May the Lord God Almighty, for Jesus’ sake, avert such a catastrophe. Hark! The city clock strikes nine. Thank God it is not the clock of our destiny striking twelve! The day of mercy has not fully passed. But it is the eleventh hour, and it may be our last chance. If I never say an other word to you, let this go forth as my last and dying utterance. Come to Jesus. Come Now! THE MESSENGER