Issuu

EVANGELICAL ■

24, 1966 L No. 13

MENNONITE

.-5^

►

■«

rs P

ft"?

iJKS

UAL lENCE ROSE 3

•»

WHO WILL FILL THE GAP?

EDIT;

LIAL

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Annual Conference is again just around the corner. Again many hours will be spent in preparing reports, writing messages and practicing musical numbers. Ladies will prepare and serve hundreds of meals, and committees will supervise accommodation; many extra miles will have been put on family cars driv ing to and from conference sessions. Last but not least, there will be many mon hours spent in listen ing ot reports and messages as well as evaluating Conference Council resolutions. By now we will see that conference business is "big” business. This is what it ought to be in the true sense of the word because the work of the Lord is the greatest and most important enterprise in the world. In view of all this shall we be much in prayer that the expenditure of time and money will not be in vcdn. Shall we be much in prayer that the Holy Spirit will be able to lead and direct our speakers to speak the truth with great conviction and boldness. We are living in an age of great moral and spiritual laxness. All the world the flesh and the devil militate against the sanctified life. We need men and vzomen who are aflame for God in this age. In all this may the blessed hope of the Lord's re turn also continue to burn brighter and brighter in each breast.

NOTE TO ANNUAL CONFERENCE GUESTS

The site of the 1966 Annual Conference is Prairie Rose, if you need any type of accommo dation please get in touch with one of the fol lowing brethren who are in charge of local accommodation. Abe F. Penner, Landmark, Ph. Greenland EL 5-4516 Willie Koop, Landmark, Ph. Greenland EL 5-4518 Peter P. Plett, RRl, Lorette Ph. Greenland EL 5-4122 The Committee per: Abe Penner 1966 ANNUAL CONFERENCE PRAIRIE ROSE JULY 1 - 3

Here comes a letter that should hove come months ago. Seemingly letter writing con be put off without receiving immediate and personal scolding from the party,, one is supposed to write to. Maybe that's why I have put it off so long. As V.S.'er we should hove kept in closer contact with you. However, do not interpret the lack of contact to be a sign of indifference to Voluntary Service. I am convinced that V.S. is a must and needs to be availed of more by our young people working out. We enjoy our work here at Gouldtown. We ore kept busy with school and church work. Sometim.es I think we hove too much activity and not enough fruit. In view of what we felt to be the Lord's leading we hove resigned our teaching position and intend to go to Bible School. No teacher has been hired to take our place yet. A Christian teacher for our school is badly needed, preferably a man to take over the principleship duties. He would have to teach grades 6, 7 and 8. It is a new school with a good teacherage on the school grounds. I am including this information so that V.S. might be able to get somebody to take our place. Please advertise it as we feel our local church needs a helper and our community needs a Christian wit ness in the school. We ore moving back to Manitoba on July 1, where I intend- to attend Summer School. I would like to commend you on your achievement as editor of The Messenger. I feel this periodical is educational, informative and "fresh" (pardon this expression but it says what I mean). Keep it up. I enjoy reading it very much. Your co-labourers in Christ, Gouldtown, Sask. Don and Adeline Warkentin ED NOTE: Voluntary Service workers Don and Ade line Warkentin are iinishing their second term teach ing at Gouldtown. While there, they have been under Voluntary Service. As you note in the letter they are concerned that now that they are leaving that some one take place. Shall we be in prayer that those who are qualified lor this position may see this as a chal lenge. Anyone interested to know more about this and other Voluntary service opporunities please write Christian Service Committee D. K. Schellenberg, Secretary 588 Kent Road Winnipeg 5, Man. (Christian Service is the new name lor Voluntary Service^ Editor. David K. Schellenberg, Box 25i Station "F", Winnipeg 5, Manitoba. All new subscriptions and change of address should be sent to Mr. Abe Kla ssen, Box 1447, Steinbach, Man. Authoriied as second class mail, Ppst Office Departinent, Ottawa, and for payirent of postage In cash.

The MESSENGER

Humility, a Lost Dimension By C. B. Loewen

Something is wrong. We speak of "a glorious church without spot or wrinkle" and of "walking in the heavenlies" and yet all around us we see the exact opposite among professors of Christianity. Where is the dynamic spirituality of the early Church? Wherein lies the secret of radically changed lives unto power and grace and joy? Permit me to draw your attention to an absolute requesite for spiritual prosperity. There is no other way. We live but by grace of God. We confess to believe that God is sovereign and that "in Him we live and move and have our being", with all men com pletely .dependent on the grace of God for daily life, for salvation, and for the perserverance in the faith. A loving Father dispenses His grace freely and universally. A striking statement appears in Acts 4:33 of the early church: "And great grace was upon them all". Upon whom? Upon all believers. This "great grace" refers to a special enducement of God's approval and bless ing to a people that is right with Him. If this "great grace" departs from a group of believers, or from individuals, there still may be much activity, profession, and organiza tion, but no abundant life. The This article is the iirst in a series on the ail important subject of church renewal. The author this week is Rev. C. B. Loewert, lormer Mexico missionary and now pastor ol the Morris (.EMC) Chapel,

June 24, 1966

Church of Sardis was in this dilem ma (unknowingly), "Thou hast a name that thou lives! and art dead." Rev. 31. There is no other way. The apos tle thundered the message to their generation: "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the hum ble!" I Peter 5:5. This absolute rule in God's unchanging law of opera tions still stands. 'The basic sin in our society, which impedes the grace of God, is PRIDE. Thumb through your Bible and list the warnings and the consequences of this deadly poison to man's spirit ual well-being. Begin with Lucifer in the courts of Heaven and end with the last chapter of Revelations to see the terrible scourge destroy ing the hopes of humans. When God resists man, man is helpless. There is no other way. We begin wrong. God says to Solomon: "If my people which are called by my name, shall humble themselves . If we refuse to humble ourselves, we may as well cease our strugg ling. The prayers of the proud are an abomination to the Lord. Pride is a high opinion that a poor shrivelled soul has of itself. Pride is absolute dishonesty. We lie to ourselves about ourselves. Pride makes a person want to be ac cepted by the world and by the church. It seeks the approval of man more than the approval of God. Pride is a "superiority com plex" and has myriads of methods

to deceive us. There is pride of riches, of religion, of race, and of renown. Pride is followed by shame, con tention, destruction, and damnation. We may laugh it off, shrug it -off, ignore it, excuse it, evade it, deny it, beautify it, rename it, but as long as it is pride it withstands the grace of God, God is not mocked. There is no other way. We must humble ourselves. Spiritual promo tion comes only by self-demotion. We cannot rise higher with God than we are willing to die to self.

To enter the treasure house of God's grace and favor and blessing we are asked to turn the combina tion lock as described in the Scrip ture. The Almighty is all-methodical. The first letter to turn to is "HUMIL ITY". If we miss that, twirling the dial and trying all other combina tions will be useless. Even praying, fasting, and serving all will not substitute for humility. Instead of praying for power wo should ask God to put the search light on our hearts, and "see if there be any wicked way" in us. He will reveal our pride. We must then be sorry for -it, confess it, and forsake it (instead of cuddling it). God is true as we meet His conditions, new horizons of glory and grace will dawn upon us. We will travel the way of spiritual prosperity. Other steps will follow. 'There is no other way.

JiutyU MUjuhi Wfrtfe By Elizabeth Koop

Elizabeth Koop, originally from KIeeleld, is serving her third term oi missionary service In South America, under New Tribes Mission. Her address is, Caixa 35, Guajara Mirim, Terr. Fed. Rondonia, Brazil. Here to write of blessings and burdens at her jungle station, Guajara Mirim, is Sister Koop.

Greetings with Psalm 97:12, "Re joice in the Lord ye righteous and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness." It is with joy that I greet you from the jungles of Brazil here with the Paacas Novas Indians. It is in deed a privilege to hove a port in reaching them for the Lord. And I would like to thank each one of you that has a part in this vrork whether in praying or giving. May .the Lord bless you for your taithfulness. The spiritual work amongst these Indians seems slow but we know that the Lord is working in their hearts. Pray for us as missionaries that we will be faithful in word and deed.

facing the Witchdoctor About a month ago we had the case of a very sick baby. In a round about way we heard that the par ents were going to call the witch doctor to perform a cure. We were disappointed as we had told them before that the witchdoctor works together with the devil but that we can talk to God and that He is more powerful. They seemed im pressed with this tnith but fear caused them to go ahead and call him and he came. So, Barbara and myself went to the house where they were assembled. Barbara talked to the witchdoctor for a while and he told her that he wanted the Lord but that the spirits would not let him. Later he admitted that he

didn't want to because he liked to go to eat fruits together with the pigs. When the witchdoctor goes into his trances his spirit appar ently goes off to the woods with the pigs to eat fruit. Anyone halving read "Christ's Witchdoctor" of the Wai Wai's will remember that the practice there was similar. We are praying that this man also will be delivered from his evil bondage. Indian Post On May 2nd I came here to the place where Abe Koops are sta tioned. I will be staying here dur ing their absence. Abe went to the conference at Manaus while Delor es is in Guajora with the boys. They plan on being gone from here for about a month. Lord willing, ni be going to Guajara end of this month to do the shopping and then return to the place where I was before on the Paacas Novas river. This place is really in the jungle.

To get here one has to follow a little river that twists and turns under the jungle growth. It takes about three hours by outboard motor on this little river. Because of the many turns one cannot go full speed even with a small boat. At places I had to back up because of the sharp turns! We arrived here in the early afternoon. I had a good Indian boy for my guide for which I was real glad because this was my first trip here. The water was so nice and clear that I thought it would be nice for a cool swim but changed my mind after the Indians spotted an alligator!

I've been teaching the Indian fellows in the evenings and the women in the afternoons except on Saturdays. On Sunday nights we have a Bible story for them. Last Sunday night I told them the story of the Prodigal son. They all listened real well. I'm sure that they have heard that story quite a few times before. I tell the stories in Portu guese as I still do not know their language well enough but pray with me that I soon will be able to. Prayl Continue to pray for the work here. A few days after the Koops left, a man from the Post down ri ver arrived here and demanded that one of these Indians go with him to work for the priest. The In dian refused to go as was told that they would come and make him go. I couldn't say anything but I sure prayed that the Lord would turn the way of the wicked upside down. May the Lord bless each one of you.

D. K. Schellenberg 588 Kent Road Winnipeg 5, Man. Dear Brother Schellenberg, Greetings from Paraguay with Eph. 6:10-18. We had a good trip down, except for an hour or so on leajving Miami where hurricane Alma was in progress. We met with the Frank Kroekers and Ernest Funks yesterday. Today Ernest is having his bus overhauled. This will take to four or five in the afternoon. We will then likely leave for the Chaco tomorrow morning or even tonight. After shopping for our needs ... A heavy shower just’ passed over. Whether the Chaco road will be open is a bit questionable . . . B. D. Reimer

The MESSENGER

WHEBE DO YOU IJTVET

Mrs. V. M. Wright

s H U T

Part d the audience at the Resthaven Shut-Ins Dar, fuoe 12. These Include hath guests and patients.

I N

s D A

V AT RESTHAVEN

JUNE 24, 1966 1

Ono ot the well known old-l/mers and tonoeT administrator ol the tormer Invalid Home, John R. Toews.

Lunch was served to all alter the program. At right Is Mr. Jacob Wiens, 94 the oldest member ol the Home.

“Momma, did you see Uncle L— vzhen y u were at the funeral toda/?” asked our four year old son. “Yes, we saw him.” “Well, why couldn’t I go, and see him too, when you went.” “Because, son, you are too small,” I said trying to give him a reason that would satisfy him. “Momma” he persisted “Can’t I go and see him now? Is he in heaven?” “Yes, my dear,” I replied, “we be lieve Uncle Li— is in heaven, but you can’t go and see him, unless you die first.” “But momma, I don’t want to stay there. I just want to go and see him, and then come back here again.” To his young, immature mind hea ven was a place afar off, but where he could come back from, to the things he held dear, the things and people he loved. Home, to him, was more important than heaven. It would seem that a person with out Christ, heaven is a place afar off; a place he does not think too much about. His home, which in many cases is next to a palace, the “things” he loves, pleasures, possessions, are more important to him than heaven. This is a place he will get ready for after he has enjoyed life on earth, when he is older. I remember once sharing someone witness to a young man to try and win him for Christ. “Oh, when I am older,” was his reply, “Theft maybe I wiU get religious. Now, I want to enjoy life.” Now this same man is much older, and has not as yet got his mind off the things of this world, his pleasures. To him his earthly home is much more important than the heavenly. Even as Christians, do we not of ten get our mind so much on our homes, our possessions, our interests here, that heaven seems a place afar off? “Set your affections on things above, not on things on earth,” God’s Word tells us in Oolossians 3:2. Let us keep the goal, our heavenly home, before us. May we lay up treasures in heaven, rather than accumulate possessions on earth. May we always remember that life here is but a pilgrimage to a better land.

1 4

« {

I ■I

iNEWSli PRAIRIE ROSE

Truly our hearts were blessed, challenged and revived with a week of revival meetings with Rev. H. Dyck of MacGregor. Many met the Lord in a deeper way. After a time of thorough instruction ten young peo ple followed the Lord in Baptism Moy 22 with Rev. F. D. Reimer officia'ing Meet of them were attending high school whore they maintained a good testimony. Dick Hildebrand well known for his gdt in sacied singing also was one of the ten. Further more one brother was rein-stated and another one was welcomed as a member of the church. This was a time cf rejoicing. The following Sunday we all gathered to commemorate the Lord's Supper Rev. Gladwin Plett spoke on the subject, '"The Beauty of Fellowship" drawing some inter esting applications from the many dangers of a ship at sea which could destroy FellowSHIP with God and one another. Both of the above services were in the afternoon so that all the extension workers could attend. We also are thankful that some beautiful young trees have been planted on the North and East side of our church which ■will improve the grounds immensely. Prairie Rose Welcomes Annual Ccnierence Now we are busy preparing for the 16th annual EMC convention. Four or five com mittees have been formed to be prepared for any need that will arise. We are extend ing a "Hearty Welcome" to all. Farewell lor Pletts A farewell service for the Gladwin Pletts has been planned for July 4 at 7:45. They expect to leave, the Lord willing, July 5, so why not come and join us at ihis occa Sion.

WEEKES "My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the Lord." Ps. 104:34. As we look around us and see the many beautiful proofs of a Mighty and Loving God we are brought to meditate on Him who created these beauties for this humon race. We are made to realize that, should the mighty hand of God be withdrawn for a few brief moments, all would be thrown into confusion. Deep is our gratitude to

Shut-Ins Day at Resthaven The center of much activities on Sunday, June 12 was the Resthaven Nursing Home in Steinbach as friends and relatives gathered for the annual Shut-Ins day. This is a day set aside where we in a special way remember our shut in friends. The order of the day consists of a program, lunch and visiting. The program this year was rendered by a group from the Ridgewood EM Church. Churches change off and each renders this service when their turn arrives. This church was also

in charge of the lunch following the seitvice. Taking part in the service were also some of the Senior citizens of the Home. It was also pointed out that a num>°r of these had reached the age of &0 or over. But all ore not in the' Home by reason of age. There ore those who because of infirmities of different sorts has overtaken them. May we not forget that we hove a Resthaven, but continue to re member it throughout the year.

God for His goodness to us. June 2, 3 and 5 were th# dates of Evan gelistic Crusade held in the community hall in Weekes. The evangelist was Rev. R. Greenway. Having been in professional mu sic for some time he now ploys and sings to the glory of God. His wife accompanied him on. the organ. We thank God for those who found Christ as Saviour, and for those who rededicated their lives to Him. Though the turn out from the local <»mmunity was small, many did come from the outlying areas. Much appreciated, by especially the children was the annual Sunday school picnic held on June 8, The devotional. In the form of an object lesson taught by the pastor brought out the salvation message. Do pray for these children, many do not hove any backing from the homes and need your prayers. On June 9 several ladies motored to Ara bella to take in the annual joint ladies meeting. It was good to meet so many new ladies and enjoy their fellowship. A joint young peoples gathering was held in Hudson Bay on Moy 20. Some 55-60 young people gathered from Porcupine Plains, Weekes, and Hudson Boy, for an evening of fun topped wfth a fireside meet ing. It was good to see the spirit which reigned there. We trust that ttiese young people will realize their responsibility to the Lord and yield their lives to Him. Congratulations to Simone Nelson on her graduation from High School. Simone teaches in our Sunday School department and is active in the young peoples group. She is looking forward to a nursing profession as

the Lord laeds. We will miss Simone, but trust the Lord will use and bless her whereever she goes. As many oi you know a rchool house has been purchased ior Hudson Bay. At present we are experiencing some difficulty in pur chasing a lot for this building. The finances are slow in coming in, and the situation is such that we should soon move into a build ing. Any help with this project would be gratefully accepted. Do pray earnestly for this aspect of God's work. The children and the people now attending, as well as others, need a Sunday school. Can we count on you to help? ED. NOTE: Give through your local church or send to Lester Ollert, Weekes, Sask.

COMING EVENTS July 1-3 EMC Annual Confer ence at Prairie Rose Church. July 24-31 Union Crusade with Barry Moore at Steinbach. Oct. 26 - Nov. 4 World Con gress on Evanglism, Berlin, Germany. July 23-30, 1967 Menncnite World Conference, Amsterdam

The MESSENGER

r I

RIVERTON CHAPEL On May 11th the 25th anniversary was celebrated for the Jim Garets. The festivities were begun with a delicious supper served by the ladies of the church. After the sup per everyone remained seated around the table while we enjoyed a blessed hour of informal fellowship. Special numbers were shared joyfully by every family represented. The honored guests related amusing inci dents of their past, but much more, they gratefully testified to the fact that the Lord Jesus saved them four years ago. They re gretted that they had not made this great decision sooner. The Fred Friesens who hove served us faithfully for six months definitely feel the Lord's leading into another field. We are sorry to see them go, but then on the other hand we praise God that He is still calling forth labourers to go into the foreign fields. Our prayer is that God will bless them real good as they go forth. We would request special prayer for a future leader in Riverton.

BLUMENORT The Young Peoples meeting for June 15 is planned for practical work. They were asked to bring mowers for cutting grass on the church and grove yards. Also required were pails and rags for clean up. Evangelistic Services were held from May 22 to June 2 inclusive. Bro. Ben Friesen from the SBl was guest speaker. Many re committments were made as the Holy Spirit was at work. On Sunday morning, June 12, six bap tismal candidates were baptized and added to the church. Also Bro. Pete Kornelsen from Chih., Mexico was accepted into the fellow ship. The Lord's Supper was observed in the afternoon of that same day. Rev. Henry P. Friesen from Morweena broke the bread both spiritually and materially. A special meeting on Child Evangelism and Education was held to supplement our Herald Press Vacaiion Bible School and S.S. material. Rev. Ben Friesen spoke on the subject. He pointed out that a decision to accept Christ as Saviour involved: commit ment, baptism and church membership. It was stressed that the Word of God must be taught, the way of salvation made plain to the children and let the child moke its de cision without pressing him.

KLEEFELD One morning and one evening prayer meetings are held each week ’n various

June 24, 1966

homes to prepare for the coming Barry Moore Crusade. This crusade is to take place July 24-31 in Steinbach. The Intermediate Girls Sunday School class sponsored a bake sale at the local store. The proceeds of this sale will bo used to send a child to Red Rock Bible Camp. Mr. Jac. W. Friesen was hospitalized for a few days to undergo examinations. In the Juno }2th Sunday morning service Roy Koop presented his work among the Indians in northern Saskatchewan. He ’s stationed at LaLoche, Sask, and is the only gospel witness in that area. Closing exercises for the Education lA students were held at the University of Manitoba on June 10. Marion and Ramona Dueck were members of this graduating class. Mr. and Mrs. Jac. J. Koop enjoyed a visit to their children, the Harry Koops who are teaching up at Little Grand Rapids, Manitoba. This isolated Indian village is accessible only by aircraft, so the Koops experienced their first airplane trip. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved Klassen family at the death of Mr. David Klassen of the Steinbach, distLenora Koop, who was doing mission wor); at Churchbridge, Sask., is home again and taking a short course at the S.B.L

B/fiTHS Prairie Rose To Mr. and Mrs. Henry Plett, a son. James Mark, April 19. To Mr. and Mrs. Jake Skjaerlund a son. Leslie Roued, May 9. To Mr. and Mrs. John Unger, a daughter.

JoAnne Lynette, May 12. To Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Plett, a daughter. Heather Down, May 20. To Mr. and Mrs. Archie Plett, a son. Jarrod Ross, June 1. To Mr. and Mrs. Art Rempel a daughter, Katherine Joan, June 4. To Mr. and Mrs. Abe Plett, a son by adoption, Terrence Bruce, bom Moy 6, re ceived June 8. To Mr. and Mrs. Waldo Neufeld of Altona a daughter, Brenda Roxanne. May 19.

DAVID AUGSBURGER, associate speaker anc program director for the Mennonite Hour, has been appointed to serve as speaker beginning July 1. He succeeds B. Charles Hostetter who has accepted appointment as missions representative for the Mennonite Board of Missions, Elkhart, Indiana.

Eden Mental Health Centre Building on the Eden Mental Health Center at Winkler is now in progress. The time has now come to turn in our pledges. It was first estimated that we would get by with a $9.00 per member donation, The cost is now higher than before anticipated and an $11.00 donation will be required. Approximately 20% of this has been given leaving a needed per member contribution of $8.80. You are urged to give this now. Watch for local announcements. Mr. C. U. Klassen, Steinbach, Manitoba handles these monies for the EMC.

The Conscientious Objector’s Living Testimony On February 19, 1966, Frank J. Dyck, Menno Wiebe, Rudy A. Regehr, and David P. Neuleld employees oi the Conierence ol Mennonites in Can ada were travelling on business on Vancouver Island. Because they were within a lew miles oi some ol the former conscientious objector camps they decided to see some ol the tree plantings done by conscientious ob jectors during World War 11. This article is a reflection on this visit.

walking among trees which "our" boys planted at a time when they insisted that they would rather maintain life than take it. Living under primitive conditions, far away from loved ones, these young men were telling a nation that war is wrong. Their contribution to the maintenance of life seemed so in significant at the time. Sometimes they wondered if it was worth the effort. Twenty years later things look much better, for the trees con tinue to be a "living testimony" to a faith which the conscientious ob jectors had.

SHIPPING 1,500 TONS 9

‘

OF FOOD TO VIETNAM A, '

■y"

Xi?'

■

i..‘ <-•■<</•

Akron, Po. (MCC)—During the three-month period from March to Moy the Mennonite Central Com mittee arranged for the shipment of 3,000,000 pounds of food to South Vietnam. The funds for the food shipment came through Radio Southern Man itoba's "Food for Vitenam" cam paign held February 1-24.

Plantation of fir trees north of Campbell River, B.C. planted by COs during war.

"Wowl" was Menno Wiebe's only comment as we drotve into a beau tiful tree plantation north of Camp bell River on Vancouver Island. It was really something to exclaim about, for these were the trees which conscientious objectors had planted during World War II. Straight tall firs and cedars were reaching 45 feet into the heavens. The planting is close enough so that lower branches are drying off. The trees are already a foot and more in diameter, so that in another two decades they will be ready for harvest. Twenty years ago, when World War II was raging on the varied fronts of Europe, conscientious ob jectors were planting trees ond fighting forest fires on Vancouver Island. They were well aware of 8

the regulation that "men shall be required to work, according to their ability, forty-eight hours a week, and, in an emergency, work such additional hours as the camp fore man may deem necessary to meet each emergency situation." Going out into the rain, cutting snags which stood as sooty sentinels pro claiming a previous fire, and then planting evergreen seedlings was something else than a holiday. Make a hole with the grub axe, place in the seedling, step on the loose dirt; once, twice, ten times, a thousand times. In 1943 the con scientious objector boys planted a total of 17,006,550 seedlings cover ing 21,520 acres. (J. A. Toews: Al ternative Service in Canada during World War II). One grows a little sentimental

The initial goal was to raise $10,000 which would be enough to ship 1,500 tons of U.S. Government sur plus food commodities to South Vietnam. This objective was reached within ten days, but con tributions kept coming in long after the campaign ended. The additional gifts will be used for medical ser vices. The directors of the Manitoba ra dio stations have so far turned over to the Mennonite Central Com mittee a total of $40,242; the amount collected by the middle of May. The food shipped to South Viet nam will help feed about 157,000 people including school children, orphans, mountain tribesmen, and members of poor families.

MCC is administering a joint Protestant relief and rehabilitation program in Vietnam with the Church World Service and Lutheran World Relief. The program, called Vietnam Christian Service, has a cash budget of $325,000 for 1966. The MESSENGER

........ ‘'T'

TRUTH

F 0 R

YOUTH

YOUTH PANEL r

The question we pursue today is the same one we had in the last issue namely on casual dating. (The question came irom the Washow Bay Young People's). The answers today are given by three young people from our MacGregor church. Menno Hamm is Young Peoples leader a: MacGregor.

Questions Is casual dating (dating without an ultimate purpose) recoinmended ior young Christians?

Young people going out on this Would Christ be honoured by your type of dates, as well as any other, casual dating? Would Christ be should ask themselves why they able to join you on your casual are going out. Is it because most date? E. M. H. of the others "couple up'"? Is it for the thrill they get out of such a date? Is it to take advantage of the The answer to the question of other person? Or is it on a purely friendship basis, in order to learn to whether or not it is recommended know the other person better? It for a Christian young people to date would seem that only the last rea casually without an ultimate pur son could be Christ-honouring. pose in mind depends largely upOn casual dates, behaviour u". ?! would also be a big factor. This ual", and, "ultimate purpose." If is would largely depend on what natural and proper for teenagers to kind of a Christian you are, as well associate with the opposite sex. It as what kind of a Christian your is impossible to segregate them with date is. It would seem proper that out a major revolution. Thus their casual daters should behave as relationship will of necessity be eith ordinary friends, and no more. er casual or otherwise. Casual datOn any kind of dotes Christian ing, according to my definition is to young people should let their par be together with those of the op ents know with whom they are go posite sex, mostly in social activ ing, where they are going to go, ities, where a group is involved, what they are going to do, when varying from Young People's meet they will be leaving, and when ings and socials, ball games, hikes, they expect to be back. pleasure skating etc., without get Could you maintain a high spir ting intimately involved with each itual standard by casual dating? other. June 24, 1966

As for the ultimate purpose which is implied in the question to be mar riage, we must heed the warning of Paul in I Cor. 10:31, to do all things to the glory, of God. The purpose of casual dating should be to get to know other youth from which you may later choose your life part ner. I would suggest for young peo ple to be casually acquainted with many fellows or girls, but keep it casual, until you are more, mature and qualified to think in terms of the marriage bond which is the ul timate form of our relationship with each other.

ANSWER: I believe casual dat^9 .is not recommended for young Christians. If there is no ultimate purpose in dating, .why do it? Things done without a purpose are considered a waste of time. Dating, then, is no exception. Dating casually may be a lot of fun. If you date Christian kids the Christian fellowship is very enjoy able. But enjoyable or not, dating may raise false hopes in another person. Finding out that you have no other reason for dating him or her than for the fellowship and en joyment It gives you may cause disappointment. This is another reason why casual 'dating is not recommended. Finally, why can't we make dat ing a matter of prayer? God is interested in every other portion of our lives and it seems to me that He would be especially interested in whom we choose as a dating partner and perhaps later on as a marriage partner. If we pray about ___ ____ it we „„„„„ should trust God to lead us

‘he “righrperson rad \hen“rhere

should be no need of dating with out an ultimate- purpose. T.G. * * * A Baptist editor has suggested a “Devil Is Alive Movement” as a counterpart to the highly publicized “God Is Dead Movement.” Rev. James O. Duncan, editor of the Capital Baptist, Washington, D.C., says: “There is another thought that has been too much neglected in present-day thought, and that is that the devil is alive. . . . Peo ple who don’t believe this have been al ready bamboozled by the biggest bambooz ler of them all.”

The Boy who got his own way

T was David’s 7th birthday. He felt himself to be quite a man. So much so, that he decided to do just as he pleased from now on. Surely, he was too old to be bossed by grownups all the time! That morning he received his presents at the breakfast table. The nicest of them all, he thought, was the five dol lar bill which Uncle Will gave him. After breakfast he set out as though he were going to school, as usual. But he did not intend to go to school. He had five dollars in his pocket. He was going to see the world. First, David went to the candy store. He felt like a millionaire as he looked at the tempting candy. He had five dollars to spend. He could buy any thing he wished. It was very different from having just a few pennies to spend. He left the store with a big bag of candy and a pocketful of coins to jingle. He felt even rich now because he had so many pieces of money instead of just one. Then he went down to the big store which had so many toys and a play room. He spent several wonderful hours there with no one to hurry him away. He looked at the toys to his heart’s content. He played until he was tired. Then he bought himself a knife and a boat and a top. When he had paid for those he didn’t have nearly as much money to jingle. That didn’t worry him. He wondered what to do next. He stood out in the street looking around. He felt rather tired and wanted to sit down, but there was no place to sit. Just then he saw a bus coming. He knew what he would do. He’d get on the bus and ride to the big city park. There was a zoo there. For a long time he had been wanting to go to the zoo. Besides, he could sail his boat on the lake and play in the playground and have a grand time. So he climbed on the bus, paid his fare and sat down feeling quite im portant. This really was the life, he thought, doing just as he pleased, not

being bossed by anyone! He didn’t tell the conductor he wanted to go to the city park. He had been there before. He would know it when he saw.it and could get off without being told like a baby. He sat thoroughly enjoying the ride as the bus swayed and jerked and as it started and stopped. He ate candy as

he watched the houses and people sail by. It was a long ride to the park. David didn’t remember that it had been so long before, but it probably just seemed that way because he was so impatient to get there. Finally he was the only passenger left. At last the bus stopped and didn’t start again. “Hey, young fellow!” the driver called. “Hadn’t you better get off? "This is the end of the line.” “The end of the line?” David said. “Why—why—where’s the city park?” The driver directed him and David set out. But he never had seen such long blocks in his life. He walked and walked until he thought his legs would drop off. After a while he came to a bakery. He stopped to look in the window. As he stood there the baker put a tray of delicious looking cream puffs into the showcase. “Yum! Yum!” thought David. “Those look good.” He jingled the money in his pocket. Never in all his life had he had as many cream puffs as he wanted. Now he was going to buy a whole dozen and eat them all himself. He walked into the bakery. “Give me a dozen cream puffs, please,” he said importantly. He shoved what re mained of his money across the counter. The baker counted the money. “Why, you haven’t enough money to buy a dozen cream puffs,” he said, “You have only enough to buy eight.”

“Oh!” said David, “Well, then give me eight.” So he left the bakery with no money at all in his pocket. But he still had some candy and his toys and eight cream puffs. He tried eating a cream puff as he walked along, but he had so many packages that he couldn’t manage very well. He decided to wait until he got to the park, where he could sit down. He walked and walked and he walked until he felt he couldn’t make his legs carry him another step. But finally he did come to a park. Not the big one he was looking for, but a very small one. However, it had grass and bushes and looked very tempting to a very tired boy. David sat down under a tree and started eating cream puffs. The first one was delicious. The second very good indeed. The third quite good. The fourth—somehow not so good. When he was halfway through the fifth one David suddenly made up his mind that he didn’t like cream puffs at all. In fact, he didn’t care if he never satv another one. Feeling rather funny in his head and stomach, and very, very tired, he turned his back on his sack of cream puffs and went to sleep. Some children shouting wakened David. He sat up. Why, school must be out. Then the day must be nearly over and he hadn’t got to the park yet. Suddenly he didn’t want to go to the park at all. He wanted to go home. But his house was miles away. He did not know how to get there, and he felt that he could not possibly drag his feet that far, if he knew how to get there. What was he going to do? Just then a man came out of the house in front of which David was standing and climbed into a car. David ran over to him. “Please, sir,” he said.

The MESSENGER

FROM TO TO

HOUSE

A Program that was Different By Bernice Bartel

1 I

"You are invited to attend a mis sionary Birthday Party. Date: June 13. Time: 8 p.m. Place: E.M. Church, Winnipeg." About forty ladies responded to this invitation sent out by the Devo tional Committee of the Ladies Mis sion Group. This committee pre pares a special detvotional program once every three months, ooncentrating mainly on the needs and prayer requests of our missionaries. So it was that we gathered with a more than usual sense of curiosity and anticipation at this unusual in vitation. 1 might say now, we were not going to go away disappointed. Upon entering, we were greeted by the sight of very tastefully set tables, the fragrance of lilacs also very pleasing; and a festive feeling in the cdr. At the far end of the room, an open Bible rested upon the base of a large globe on which the gold colored word 'MISSIONS' was printed on an encircling band of ribbon. Before sitting down, the name of a missionary, or missionary family, was pinned to the dress of each lady. We then went to the tables and looked for the prayer card of this family, which serv^ as name place cards. Along with this, was a whole packet of magazines and cuticles containing information of each family represented. BOAC very graciously supplied the place mats with the map of the world on them, and each one was marked with a star where our particular family was stationed. With this were different brochures and travel fold ers on all the countries being served by God's 'peculiar people'. Each June 24, 1966

guest was required to read the lit erature, and pray for their particu lar needs. A stamped airmail let ter was provided, to spur us'on to ■write them NO'W, and ask about birthtdoy dates of each member of the family, and remember them with letters and cards throughout the year. 'Thus a much closer and more personal relationship between us and those serving away from home. Special guests (via tape and re cords) for the evening were Rev. D. P. Shidler, Retv. J. K. Reimer, John and Amanda Peters, Benny Eidses and family, a song by a group of Congolese ladies, and two special numbers by the Porschouer family.

After a session of prayer, we were served a light lunch complete with individual birthday (cup) cakes, topped with a candle. A note of praise to the Devotional Committee and others responsible, for the time spent in gathering the literature, and arranging this unique and delightful evening. The ladies present, were reminded to get the letters away to those who ore rep resenting not only us, but above all our Lord, who has admonished each one of us to do our port in persuad ing men to come unto Him and gain eternal life.

The Boy Who Got His Own Way “could you take me home? I’m lost and—” “Do you know your street and house number?” asked the man. “No-o,” David replied, “It’s a red brick house.” “I can’t very well take you home if you don’t know where you live. Be sides, I haven’t time. But I’m going

downtown. I’ll drop you at the police station.” “The police station!” David cried. “I don’t want to go to jail.” ’The man laughed. “You won’t be put in jail. People always take lost chil dren to the police station so their par ents can find them.” So David was whizzed away to the police station. He meekly sat on a chair and tried to keep from crying. He did wish someone would pay some attention to him. He had never felt so forgotten in his life and a big rock kept coming up in his -throat. Finally the officer at the desk an swered the phone. “He’s here.” said the officer into the phone. It wasn’t very long after that before David’s father came to the station and took David home. “Your mother had a nice birthday surprise party for you after school,” Father said, as they drove homeward. “But, of course, the children are all gone now. Where were you?” “I was going to the zoo,” David choked. “The teacher took all the children in your room to the zoo today,” his father said. The big lump in David’s throat grew bigger. If he had gone to school, he would have got to the zoo; he would have had a party. As it was, his whole day had been spoiled. He had missed all the fun. When he got home Mother was very kind. She did not scold. “I saved some ice cream and cake for you,” she said. David looked at the delicious piece of coconut cake at his place, then he put his hand to his stomach. He had eaten the rest of his cream puffs and candy while waiting at the police sta tion and wasn’t feeling so well. He couldn’t possibly eat that piece of cake. “I— feel kind of sick,” he groaned. “I guess I’ll go to bed. I—I guess I won’t try doing as I please until I’m grown up. It’s not so much fun.”— Children’s Leader.

AN NOUNCEMENT Your Board of Education and Publication wishes to announce that it is again planning an Annual Ministec-Deacon-Teacher-Trustee Fellowship meeting. This year's meeting promises to be different from the established pattern and we feel should prove highly in formative, instructive and interesting. Watch for further announce ment. Date: August 19, 6 p.m. Place: To be announced. Board of Education and Publication Box 1268, Steinbach, Manitoba

■ 1 D. Fast Milton

ing along on the surface at a ter rific speed and then suddenly div ing into the water. At Punta Garda we parked for the night to leave again at 5:00 a.m. At 8:00 a.m. the next morning we orirved at Puerto Barrios, Guatamala.

TPW-- s’In Chetemal we hired a taxi to take us the 120 miles to Belize, Bri tish Honduras. We stopped at Or ange Walk and located some Men nonites at the store. Upon finding out that I was a minister they asked if we could have a service on Sunday. The road to Belize is very narrow and rough. It is hard to believe that this is Br. Honduras' best highway. We arrived in Belize on Thursday at 10:30 p.m. p.,-

The next day we inquired about tickets and boat service to Guat amala. We found the boat would leave on Monday at 5:00 p.m. After inquiring as to the exact whereabouts of GMU missionaries we took a taxi to Pineridge Chapel where Mary Anne Thiessen (Aust in) teaches and then to New Hope School where Helen Kornelsen (Ridgewood VS worker) is teach ing. New Hope is also the home of the Henry Klassens (now on fur lough). Here we also met the Ed. Shields who are living in Klassen's house during their furlough. At Orange Walk there are some Mennonite families who gather reg ularly to sing, have fellowship and listen to tapes. There is a real need for spiritual help here. On Sunday morning I went to

to the Peoples Store in Grange Walk. I met some Mennonites from Ship yard here ■ and sent along a list of greetings .since I would not have time to go there if I went to Blue Creek. At the Rev. Jacob Dycks (banned Old Colony minister) I had a real time of fellowship. Also found a real need for the furtherance of a spiritual ministry here. Just before midnight we closed off the evening by kneeling for prayer. The Sunday morning service was held at the home of John Dycks. Some 40 people had gathered, in cluding children. Rev. Jac. Dyck too was there. I had a story for the child ren and after that preached on ICorinthians 6:19,20. The service was deeply appreciated and after the service the key men decided to ga ther again towards evening. The evening meeting centered around the immediate needs of this small gourp. I proposed sending in a teacher who would be able also to help in Bible study and other things. Ministers from Canada could come to help. On Mondcn’- I got up earlv to leave for Belize where we are to take the boat for Guatamala. Arri ved in Belize at 9:30 a.m. The oth er brethren had not yet arrived from Spanish Lookout (Klein Gemeinde group) At the Mennonite Centre Hotel I again met up with the other breth ren, where we exchanged some ex periences. We took a taxi to our boat the Heron H and left Belize at about 6:00 p.m. bound for Guata mala. The water is quite calm and the sailing smooth, bow c goodly number of small flying fish stand ing straight up on their tails sail-

i At 1:30 John Dyck came to pick me up to go to Blue Creek a drive of some 34 miles. Here are some 135 families settled on a 125,000 acre piece of land. The title is held by the Old Colony Church each indi vidual receiving a receipt when his land is paid for. On the way to Blue Creek we passed by a place where a large $44,000,000 sugar factory is being built. We also passed a large Le Tourneau tree and brush roller. This machine drives down and over the heavy growth of forest and after about two months it can be burned making a very clean job. Most of the surface soil is heavy black clay. This together with fertilizer produc es a very heavy stand in sugar cane.

A -'I

,1 ■

We reached the Colony at 3:30 p.m. and had lunch at Jolm Dycks. Hook some pictures of their Orange, Citrus and ---------Banana1 groves. "