Issuu

EVANGELICAL

4. No. 3 4, 1966

MENNONITE CONFERENCE

Look at St I-ucia

New Chapel at Anola 6

MDS Annual Meeting

Praise Him!

A Valentine for God

US*'> B '

EDIT

lAL

ENTERTAINING STRANGERS ••Be not forgetful to entertain strangers . .

Heb. 13:2

I want to speak on a topic today which I fear is all

to prevalent among us. Entertaining strangers. The article is occassioned by a remark made by a friend recently. They had been fellowshipping in one of our churches (both came from another district). After they had been there for some nine months someone come to the brother and wanted to know who he was, etc. I’m afraid this is not an isolated case either and shows up one of our basic weaknesses. It is comparatively easy to dispense with welcome overtures by doing so from the pulpit or in printed announcements in our Bulletins such as “Welcome Visitors” etc. Or the ingenious slogan, “You’re only a stranger once,” dislayed in the Bulletin of a New York church. But this backfired, at least once. A young man who had been there wrote in the margin, “This is bunk! I went there this morning and not a soul spoke to me— not even the minister.” You may say, “What you’ve .;ald is true. We must see to this immediately. We will appoint brother so and so and Sister . . . hm-mm, let me see, who’s good at it . . Beloved, this is line, BUT IT DOESN’T EXCLUDE THE REST OF US. “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers” says the word and I gather that this is said to all

Christians. And look at the exciting possibilities, “... some have entertained angels unaware”! Who wouldn’t vie for such an honour! I like the way Living Letters puts it (There is a certain danger though, in searching for translations that fit our ideas.) I think though that this is what was originally intended, when Peter writes in his first Epistle Chapter 4:9, “Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay for the night”. (Living Letters) How do you like that? James is very conscious of this and writes, “My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of Glory, with respect of persons,” Although James here makes the distinction with reference to rich and poor I believe we are within our rights in also applying it with reference to “stranger” and “acquaint ance”. We grant that to some -people friendliness seems to come more natural than to others. But how do we know that this has always been so with the person? Maybe it is cultivated. Maybe the person has made it his obligation and he was not always thus gifted. “Yds. I know 1 should go and speak to that visitor—’ maybe he is an angel—but this is exactly the day when we had made other plans. We haven’t been home for

ever so long ('(Christmas). Dinner will be waiting.” Maybe next time (sigh). Often we don’t - see the trees because of the woods. Often, to our shame, we don’t see the individ.^^ ual because of the crowd. Often we do not notice tholH lonely stranger on the edge of the crowd because we see only our friends, and when we look again he is gone. In cataloging our sins we spi?ak about “little” sins and “big” sins and may pride ourselves that at least we are not like others are, those who commit “gross” evil. But sin falls into two categories generally speaking, namely sins of commission (what we did), and sins of ommission (what we neglected to do). Our failure to see visitors or strangers falls into the latter bracket. But we can still qualify. As long as we have churches, we’ll also have new-comers, visitors and strangers (we hope!) that need a word of welcome, that need acceptance. Why don’t we look around for one this Sunday — he might be an angel! D.S.

..the EDITOR

Dear Editor, I thank you for your short but wonderful article. (Editorial, Jan. issue) on dividing up into smaller groups,’ and thus give more opportunity to work in the church and utilize the God given talent ... as you say in the article ... I thank you once agan (Brother). You will notice that I’ve changed my address again. I was finished in Vancouver for the time being. I’m taking care of two churches, one here in Ucluelet and one across th© channel (while the pastor is on holidays). I find it busy preaching in two places and also supervising the two Sunday schools and two prayer meetings ... I would appreciate your prayer on my behalf as to my next move. Ucluelet is on Vancouver Island and about 60 miles west of Port Alberni. P.O. Box 18, Ucluelet, B C. Jake Klassen

Cover Photo: Mount Robson, British Columbia, Courtesy Canadian National Railways.

The Messenger Official organ. In the English language, of the EVANGELICAL MENNONITE CON FERENCE. Published bi-weekly under the auspices of the E.M.C. BOARD OF PUBLI CATION AND EDUCATION. Editor, David K. Schellenberg, Box 25, Station "F", Winnipeg 5, Manitoba. All new subscriptions and change of address should be sent to Mr. Abe Kla ssen, Box 1447, Steinbach, Man. Subscription price to non-members $1.00 per year. All E.M.C. members pay through the church. Authorized as second class Mil, Ppst Office Department, Ottawa, and for payment of postage In cash.

The Messenger

MIRACLES IN THE PKtXJKAM OF GOD

MKACLeS ■»

14 IN HeiATION TO KeVCLATION

ANO OeoeMVTION r

by the Editor

A miracle is something contrary to the known order of nature. All re cords of Miracles teach the same thing. In such stories the miracles excite fear and wonder among the spectators and are taken as evidence of supernatural power.i This “fear and wonder” element seems to be especially noticeable in the Book of Acts where many miracles are recorded. Acts chapter two records the events immediately following the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the impact of this on the populace. They were confounded, amazed and in doubt. Again in the third chapter of Acts we find very much the same proce dure repeated. Peter had wrought a miracle of healng on the lame man at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful. As all the people saw this man who had been lame walk, they were filled with wonder and amazement. They were in a fit

State of mind to listen to Peter’s message. Much the same thought is ex pressed by Mullins who states, A miracle is an event making known to the sense the presence of a personal power above the phy sical and human plane working towcirds a moral end.2 Again in this instance we see what a miracle is in it’s twofold aspect.

February 4, 1966

The Hebrew historian or prophet regarded miracles as only the emer gence into sensible experience of that divine force which was all along, of nature.3 Another definition of Miracle comes from MacIntyre saying, “. . . a miracle is conceived of as an event in which God speaks to someone, as the Latin etymology of the miracle suggests, to make one wonder. This doe.s away with mystery in miracteu* Thus we conclude that in general the miracles recorded in the Bible have this in common—to arrest peo ple; to cause them to stop and listen and learn. They are not phenomena for the sake of sensation but are def inite means to an end in God’s great program of revelation and redemption. Certainly there was no better means available to God to impress on the minds of the people, Jews and Gen tiles alive in the first century A.D. the divinity of the Christian religion than by miracles.5 Miracles and Revelation The writer to the Hebrews tells js that in former times God spoke to the fathers through the prophets, ant^ that in different ways. Often the Lord did this through miracles. Thus the onening of the Red Sea so that the children of Israel could pass through was just one more in a chain

of events that God used to bring His peop).» to a full knowledge and re liance on Himself. Fire seenis to have been an unique phenomena used by God to make Himself known: to reveal Himself. We think here of the ccntest between Elijah and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. The God that would answer by fire was to be the winner. After the prophets of Baal have in vain implored their pagan deity to reveal himself, Elijah begins his pre parations. He end.® with the prayer, “Lord God of Abraham. Isaak and Israel let it be known this day that Thou art God in Israel and that I am Thy servant and that I have done aU these things at thy word. Hear me O Lord that this people may know that Thou hast turned their heart back again. Then the firei of the Lord fell.”6

The result of this demonstration brought forth unanimous acknow ledgement, “The Lord He is God.” Turning to the New Testament we discover a host of miracles, and wonde(r works. In fact His apostles in summarizing the life of Chrsit in one instance speak of Him as, "... a man approved among you by miracles and wondeVs and signs, which God did

Continued on page 8

The little Caribbzan Isle, St Lucia has come to mean to us, a second West Indian island home. As missionaries we look beyond its lustrous beauty, bananas and beaches. Before we tell of that, lets combine geography and history and learn some cf its location, size, peoples, religions and economy. This tiny thirteen by twentyiseven mile “Crown Jewel of the Antilles' was discovered by Christopher Col umbus in 1502. Lying three hundred miles north of the north-east coast of South America, it is flanked to the south by St. Vincent, Grenada, and independant Trinidad and Tobago. The French island state of Martinigue is the closest northern neighbor. The early European settlers fought and finally crushed the fiercely war like and cannibalistic Carib Indians, inhabiting many of the islands. Not unlike other lands, these islands we-.? captured and recaptured by the French and British, who prized them particularly for sugar, tobacco, spice and fruit crops. Today bananas spell “green gold’’ for the economy of many territories, not the least of which is St. Lucia with a multi-million dollar yearly harvest. The soil is fertile, but the climate too hot for the European laborer, so cheaper and climatized labor was brought from Africa in the person of slaves. Thus the isles became pop ulated with Africans. Inaplte of abolished slavery, and resultant free dom, the African remained. Added to this is the East Indian from India, and in Trinidad, folks from almost every race, hence suggesting it to be the most cosmopolitan, with the pos-.

sible exception of Ceylon. On January 3, 1958 St. Lucia joined nine other islands to form the West Indies Federation. In conjunction with Federation they were also grant ed Independence. It now appears that this confederation and independance came to birth prematurely^ and as could have been expected, died eai^'y of malnutrition and internal malad justments. Though there are constant cvertures to other confederations of different dimensions, none so far have matured. Two economically stable and larger island territories, Jamaica and Trinidad have subsequently been granted inoividual independence by Britain. The West Indies Mission, an evan gelical interdenominational Faith Mis sion entered St. Lucia in 1949, mark ing the beginning of the Mission’s activities five main islands of the Southeastern Caribbean, with a combined population of one million two hundred thousand. The Bible School in St. Vincent is already credited with supplying well trained pastors for different growing churches. Not to be outdone the St. Lucian churches gained three ipastors from the first garduating class. My wife Jean, myself and family of three adopted St. Lucia as our island parish in June of ’61. The second largest center, Soufriere, became the return adddress on our envelopes. In a year’s time a second area was added. This allowed for a good deal of open aiir services. Special evangelistic ser vices, (sometimes in places not “touched” before) counselling and Bible Classes. Of the hundred thousand natives,

the Mission has made itself responsible for about half. The Baptist Mid Mission is busying itself with the others. They too have a growing ministry. We have always enjoyed sweet fellowship with these folks. Are there no churches? Must two more denominatins be formed? Ninety six out of every hundred islanders are said to be baptized and enrolled in the church of Rome, The huge, aging churches seem to bear mute witness to the implacable power of Rome in many hearts and homes. The Church of England and the church of Wesley also both maintain congregation and parochial schools, a minority company for the hier archy from the Vatican. Vicing for the souls of St. Lucia, apart from the above, are the Seventh Day Advent ists with their literature, schools and religion. The Jehovah’s Witnesses have not yet made many proselytes. With the exception of a few other struggling evangelical groups, that pretty well sums up the religious angle of life. Out of what appeared adamant stone, God the Holy Spirit has hewed many living stones, to adorn the Cathedral of Christ the Lord. Years of personal evangelism, open air meetings, house calling and follow up Bible studies have born eternal fruit. Today the southern hedf of St. Lucia has five organized groups of believers, each with their own church building and each reaching out to the surround ing communities. Already three of the churches have ordained their graduate pastors. They are recognized and authorized as civil status officers by the Govern ment, Yes, you thought right, the churches are registered with the government their own constitution being affiliated with the evangelical churches of the other four English speaking islands. While the nationals do seek and appreciate foreign mis sionary personnel, and their super vision, the churches are well on the road to becoming indigenous.

1. A couple “snatched from the burning” in Soufriere. 2. Soufriere laymen reaching out in visitation to those not yet “touched”. Gladwin and -lean Plett in front of home. 4. Dedication of Soufriere Bible Church, June 20, 1965.

-^:'Bahanas

West Indies, showing position of St. Lucia, with part of Central America and the north shore of South Amerlea.

Jamaica

-v

rewarding, and that witn everlasting dividends. As with teachers so with preachers, the Lord is still calling for workers wno will be willing to take up His cross in the midst of sweat, tears and toil. Going back? We surely have an unquenchable longing to! God willing we’re off come June. Going with us, we sincerely trust, your prevailing prayers. The St. Lucian saints salute you in anticipation.

St. Lucia W.I. Where do the pastors get the MEXICO MISSION NEWS finances from to keep body and soul, “He that goeth forth and weepeth church and church members together? bearing precious seed, shall doubtless A Bible and Missionary Conference, come again with re]M«ng. bringing usually in May of each year, concludes his sheaves with him.” Psalm 128:6. with a pledge offering. Before Con What a time of rejoicing, when on vention time, each church group de December 10, four converts were cides how much it will pledge, aware ftttfn'es baptized at Abran Ganzalas! The Lord of the fact that if ciny member de had richly blessed the sowing of the faults, his amount is paid from its seed and it was a joy to hear their building fund (somthing rather dis glowing testimonies and witness their 1/1 nfC latasteful!) This assures the Pastor’s obedience to the Lord, by following UfbnerJ monthly salary of fifty dollars, rents Him in baptism. Ca/vo-rie S and children’s allowances (two dollars Juan Jacquez, an ordained minister c^.ere a month per child). Each Pastor from St. Juan, brought the opening ^MhGitnie necessarily supplements his allowance message. Ebner Hamm with Jake with personal earnings. Pe+i+ fi+o" Kroeker as interpreter, brought the -'yl j^vt! Outside of loans from the Mission’s second message the baptismal cere ■';(sro\ kic n «3>« ru’WP*‘>if revolving fund (which must be re at I’ mony was performed by Edward paid) the groups pay for their church Friesen. A number of fellow believers lots and buildings. (The Soufriere from other ranches, as well as some lot cost no less than one thousand unsaved were present. dollars, the building slightly over You will want to know these baptwo). Faithfuliness in stewardship can :ized believers more personally so by be seen in that the pledge is usually way of introducton they are: over and above tithes and offerings. ing, special music and giving. An conf d. paqe 11 occasional highlight of such functions Please bear in mind that the average yearly income of a laborer ranges is a baptismal service with different between four to eight hundred dollars. localities particajpating. Lest a very important facet of The last pledge received from a com bined membership of approximately WIM’s work in St. Lucia be left out, one hundred fifty, was over two and very dear friends be slighted, I i must mention the elmentary and thousand dollars. Encouraging! Camps! boys, girls, and Youth have secondary schools headed by Miss met with favorable response. Children Sara Unger, a west coast Canadian, and Youths come from all churches. and Mrs. Norman Fehr, also from .. As with other responsibilities the B.C. Miss Bertha Thiessen an MCC pastors join hands with missionaries VS’er aids Sara in teaching some and take their share in this form of seventy children of national believers. edification, instruction and guidance. Miss Unger would be delighted in me Every fourth month? Its about presenting the need of a rather hefty time! Why it ought to be the natural MALE teacher to help persuade the outgrowth of a natural growth.. Inter- scholars of the seriousness of schoolChurch Rallies, Regional Conferences ing. Youth Rallies, caU it what you will. Whether it is teaching an often In any case its designed to introduce unruly and unresponsive elementary young believers to the entire spiritual oi- Sunday school class or just plain New additions to Mexican church, family: youth of various groups to evangelism with its diverse approacheach other; fellowship in general, and es and far too many professions Dona Manuel, Dona Refugio, iosefina in singing, (West Indians love to sing without possessions, missionary work, and Glafira. —all stops pulled) testifying, preach- even on tiny St. Lucia can be and is

February 4, 1966

MriA/C ftI? iNEWS

officiating. It was a time of rejoicing, remembering what the Lord had done for us through His death and resur rection, and then the fellowship of the saints

KAMSACK Three Baptized On Nov. 14th, three people from our congregation took the step of baptism in obedience to the Word. Rev. B. D. Reimer officiated at this service. The same evening sev en members were accepted as members in the Kamsack Fellowship Chapel by the hand of fellowship from Rev. B. D. Reimer. Mr. and Mrs. John Koop, Mr. and Mrs. Bernie Brandt by transferring membership, Mrs. Josephine and Mr. and Mrs. George Wood by baptism. Nov. 21st., we commemorated the Lord’s Supper with Rev. P. L. Friesen

Visitors for this occasion were Rev. and Mrs. Friesen, deacon and Mrs. P. W. Brandt from Morris, Man., Misses Betty Plett and Lenora Koop from Bredenbury. Jan. 23rd. we had the joy of having a quartet and Rev. Ben Friesen from the Steinbach Bible Institute to serve us in song and word. The singing was a real blessing to all present. After the program lunch was served by the ladles of the church. Because of the extreme cold we have cancelled our Deeper Life services for the present. We had invited Rev. Curt Bork from Dauphin, who is a worker for the Shantyman Association.

ANOLA WORK PROGRESSES

VALLEY STREAM E.M.C. Minister and Deacon Elected We here at Valley Stream praise the Lord for the blessings he sent us last November by his servant, Rev.^B Ben Friesen. In spite of the stormy weather, we were thankful for the attendance and the dedications that were made the last evecning of the service. It was also velry encouraging to have Rev. Friesen visit our individ ual homes. Thel Lord has been gracious to us in other ways. In the election of January 18, He presented to us Mr. Bill Buhler as a pastor and Mr. Dick Fehr as a deacon May the Lord give you much joy and peace as you serve Him as “an heir of God through Christ” (Gal. 4:7) ‘For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” (Eph. 4:12)

Build New Chapel Anola is situated' on highway 15 some 24 miles East of Winnipeg. For some years the Blumenort EM church has carried on an extension work here. In charge of the work are Ben and Edna Wiebe. Sunday morning worship services are held twice monthly with Rev. Melvin Penner minisrtering. By Ben and Edna Wiebe So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17. I’d like to share with you some of the blessings of the work at Anola so that together we can continue to work and pray. The district where we work is three miles east and two miles south of the village of Anola with people of different nationalities and religions. At nine o’clock on Sunday mornings Sarah Friesen, Elma Brandt, Ralph Unger, my husband and myself travel northward. Before too long we stop here and there and greet smiling faces as the children hop on the car or on the back of the truck. Somebody says “Watch Carol! Here she falls again.” Carol has come to Sunday school for some time now, but she cannot keep her balance very weU as she is not well. “We Must Say Grace” Carol and her brother, Jeff together with their Daddy live at their Grandparents. When two of the teachers came to visit them. Granny served tea and little Carol remembered, "We must say grace.” This was a thrill for her teacher. New Building Last summer the school building was moved due to consolidation. Would our Sunday school stop now? We

Vacation Bible School 1965 are thankful that there were those at home and some from Anola who were willing to give and help. If you came to the place now you would see a new thirty by forty foot chapel. It has an auditorium and five class rooms. We trust that God’s Word has already spoken to people in this chapel. We long that this building might help to add dear souls to His kingdom. Christinas The chapel was ready in time for our Christmas program. Many friends from home and from Anola came tn hear what the Sunday school pupils had learned. Approximately seventy-five adults attended. Rev. Richard Friesen brought a message on “What Does Christmas Mean?” The Blumenort cnoir rendered a program on December 3U Inspite of a stormy night ten adults and some children from Anola district attended. We have church services twice a month now. Several adults attend fairly regularly. During the winter we have Sunday school for the little ones that come with their parents. Pray.that the people may keep on coming, and not turn away as the spirit speaks to them. | The Messenger

MDS REVIEWS BUSY YEAR HOPES FOR LESS WORK IN 1966

M D S Holds Annual Meeting < Chicago—Mennonite Disaster Ser vice held its annual meeting in the Hotel Atlantic Wednesday, January 12, to review the busiest year in its 15-year history. All 20 representatives present expressed hopes that in 1966 there would be fewer calls for its services. The MDS department of the Menno nite Central Committee coordinates the work of approximately 30 local units scattered across the United States and Canada. They stand ready to help in almost any kind of disaster. Each unit looks after smaller emer gencies in its own area, but seeks help from other units when bigger disasters occur.

So outstandingly Old MDS volunteers serve in the mid-west during 1965 that the judges for the Hutchinson (Kansas) News’ annual citizen of the year award unanimously gave the nod to MDS. MDS did not restrict its services to areas of Mennonite concentration. Early in 1965 it sent volunteers to Mississippi to help rebuild ten Negro churches which had been bombed or burned. Titus Bender, pastor of a small Mennonite congregation in the state, told the annual meeting that the people of Mississippi had been deeply impressed by the volunteers’ work. They were impressed because the MDS men did not hesitate to work

Hundreds of MDS Volunteers took part throughout the summer in the vast program of cleaning up and rebuilding after the Palm Sunday devastation by tornados in Northern Indiana, said to be the worst natural disaster to strike a Mennonite community in this century.

February 4, 1966

alongside any Southerners, black or white, and because “they put their bodies where their hearts were.” They converted their faith into action. It was decided to recommend to the local MDS units that they continue to pursue an aggressive program of emergency rescue teams, cleanup op erations and rehabilitation programs, finding their relationships to the Red Cross or other agencies as the strategy of service for a particular disaster emerged. The objective toward which they should strive, the meeting agreed, was to become part of a total com munity effort in a disaster operation, giving special attention to those ser vices which MDS is uniquely able to render. The MDS idea was bom in 1950 in the little Kansas community of Hess ton when a Sunday school class, trying hard to come up with new and more significant ways of helping neighbors in need, decided to go to Wichita to help with flood cleanup. The idea caught on and grew into an inter national organization. MDS is now divided into four regions in the United States, each with its own coordinator. Canada is a separate region. The Canadian coordinator is E. W. Bearinger, Elmira. Ontario.

98 APPLIED FOR SERVICE DURING OCTOBER AND NOVEMBERDOUBLE THE 1964 FIGURE Akron, Pa. (MCC)—Applications for service with MCC have almost doubled this fall over the same time period in 1964. During October and Novem ber, the number of applications re ceived last year was 51 while during October and November this year, 98 were received. Several reasons can in part explain the increase. There has been a general rise annually over the past years. Secondly, a larger number of men is being drafted in the United States causing conscientious objectors to look for alternative service. An aware ness of the Teacher Abroad Program (TAP) is growing in the constituency. Finally, MCC Vietnam has been at tracting the attention of men and women who want to contribute to world peace constructively.

MIRACLES,cont'd. by Hirn in the midst of you . . Some of these we record. In passing a blind man one day thei apostles ask of Jesus, “Who did sin, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Whereupon Jesus gives this astonishing answer, “Nei ther hath this man sinned nor His parents: But that the works of God should ba made manifest in him,’ The resultant healing of this blind man bears out that the miracle had a definite purposeiS The miracles of Christ were not done in scicret, further accenting their genuineness. This is especially notice able in a number of His wonder works were-many, yes literally thou sands were present and their could be no possibility of deception. This was also true at the raising of the young man at Nain, where we find His disciples and many others. Here again we see that the miracle produces the desired effect when fear comes on all and the confession that a great prophet is risen and that God has visited his people. At the wedding in Cana Jesus turned water into wine. The result of this miracle was that His disciples believed on Him. The miracle here consists maybe not so much in the actual change of water to wine for in a cer tain sense God constantly turns water into wine, for wine is but water mod ified. The miracle lies in the shortcut; the event to which it leads is the same. In the fifth chapter of Luke we, read about a miracle which produced fear, awe and astonishment so that Peter fell down at Jesus knee.s ex_ claiming, “Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”io The same pattern seems to carry over into the Book of the Acts of the Apostles where we find Jesus continuing to work through His earthly body, the church. Already at the church’s beginning in the second chapter of Acts we see the combined miraclQs of, sound from heaven, cloven tongues like-as of fire and speaking in tongues (more dis tinctly maybe the latter) bringing the people together and making them rqcoptive of God’s revelation and the resulting heart cry, “Men and breth ren what shall we do?”ii At another time wei find the apostles

in prison when they are divinely de livered. The event again gave them an opportunity to have audience with the Jewish leaders. So overwhelming was there evidence! of the supernat ural here that almost certain execution was stayed and the disciples were permitted to go free. This was God’s doing. 12 Miracles and Redemption That there is a relationship between miracles and rede|mption cannot be denied. Both Scripture and history bear this out. Bernard Ramm makes the following observation on the subject: . . . the supernatural act is an arrow, a witness, a signal which arrests our minds and stirs our hearts from their spiritual stupor. It is a necefisary and dramatic means of calling attention to the redemptive drama, and without this dramatic witneiss we might let the redemptive drama go unnotiosid. And while calling such dramatic attention to such an occuring re demption it also indicates its divine character. 13 The raising of Lazarus was a mir acle in itself but I believa had more purpose behind it than just restoring him to his sorrowing sisters. This we cannot escape when we later find that as a direct result of this miracle, “. . . many Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, beieved on Him”.14 Thc’d accounts could be multiplied. The book of Acts again record simi lar happenings. In Acts 13 we have Elymas ths sorcerer trying to hinder the cause of the Gospel and is struck with blindness. The man he had tried to influrrics turned to the faith as a result cf the miracle. In the sixteenth chapter of Acts v.s have the Philippian jailor with his household embracing the Christian faith as a result of an earthquake. The day of miracles is by no means past. By this we are not saying that God works the same everywhere. This dosls not deny what someone has said that miracles were the swaddling clothes of the infant church. But strange and wonderful stories come to us from primitive mission fields which attest to the fact that where necessary God still reveals Himself by supernatural phenomena which have a direct bearing on salvation. The following account of such a happening comes to us from Thailand

and was given to us by a missionary from that land. Charlie Peace, a taxi driver had been lured into the jungles outside Bangkok where his clients robbed him and tied him to a tree stuffing his mouth with old rags. There he was, tied so that he was unable to go away; gagged so that he couldn’t make an outcry. But he had heard about God from the missionaries and it was to God that he cried in his extremity promising to accept Him if he was released. Immediately the ropes fell off and hei was free. He remained true to his promise, went to Bible school and became a Christian worker. Apparently this is commonplace in Thailand and we cannot help but think that God uses means in illiterate and primitive! societies that He does not use with people in our enlightened land. How can we explain phenomena like the one described? From the foregoing we have established that one of the ways that God uses to reveal Himself is by miracle. Furthermore thelre is a strong indication that He does not do this merely for the) sake of sensation or for the sake of healing but that back of the phenomena is a message He wishes to convey to mankind. Or in the words woras of oi Augustus Strong. btrong. “Christ opens the eyes of the^B ind tn cHaw tbof blind to show that He io is the ITLight of the World, multiplies the loaves to show that He is the Bread of Life, and raises the dead to show that He lifts man up from the death of trespasses and sins.”i5 IC. S. Lewis, Miracles, p. 57 2E. Y. Mullins, VVJiy is Christianity True? p. 170. SAugustus H. Strong, Systematic Theology, p. 119. 4Alasdair C. MacIntyre, Difficulties in Cliristian Belief, p, 49. ^Barnard Ramm, Protestant Christian Evidences, p. 137. 61 Kings 18:38 7Acts 2:22 ajohn 9:3 9Luke 7:16 lOLuke 5:8 iiActs 2:37 12Acts 5:40 i3Bernard Ramm, ‘"The' Evidence of Prophecy and Miracle” in, “Revel ation and the Bible”, p. 263 i4John 11:45 iSAugustus H. Strong, Systematic Theology, p. 117

The Messenger

TRUTH FOR YOUTH PRAISE HIM FOR HE IS LORD OF ALL

Conference

by Helen Braun Our testimony today comes from Paraguay, S.A. where a new EMC church has been formed. Here to tell you how she found peace is one of the group, Helen Braun.

*«•-

1 Helen Braun.

CALL

S B I Youth

TESTIMONY

few

LAST

ed to read my Bible, and every verse seemed to hit exactly me. Until I Peter 1:18 and 19 became real to me. Not redeemed with corruptible things, of silver and gold from our vain conversation received by tradi tion from our fathers. But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. After this experience I knew that through faith I am saved by Grace by the blood of Jesus Christ. I am a happy Christian ever since I took Him as my personal Saviour. For some years I’ve been able to teach a S.S. class, and I’m very thankful that I may serve Him who gave His all for me. I want to help build Christ’s Kingdom here on earth, and through prayer and guidance of the Holy Spirit I want to serve Him in this Church where Christ is the Head.

Feb. 11-13 THEME: MORE

THAN

CONQUERORS

* INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGES

* EDUCATIONAL CHALLENGES * SOCIAL FELLOWSHIP

* RECREATION

Helen Braun Colony Bergthal Coaquazu Ian. 6. 1966

In Psalm 40;2-3 we read. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he has put a new song in my mouth even Praise unto our Lord. By the Grace of our Lord and Saviour this Word has also become a living Vi’ord to me. For years I had been seeking for peace, but did not know where to find it. Almost every village here in Colony Bergthal had a church building and so it was not. difficult to go to church, which I did almost regularly. But somehow it all did not seem clear to me. Things just seemed to become worse in me. The Lord took me through the dark valley which I had to walk alone, and I could not look lor help by people. Here’s where I start-

February 4,

1966

JUST IN TIME! HELEN TRUAX WILKES When I forget who is the Potter, He warns—by urgent touch; Upon these feet of clay I totter— ’Till Christ becomes my crutch.

REGISTRATION Feb. 11, 4:30-6:00 SUPPER

6:00 p.m.

ORIENTATION

7:00 p.m.

Though my hand grow-limp and slack In gesture of defeat— His clasp of love will draw me back In restoration sweet!

1 SESSION

7:30 p.m.

When my ears refuse to listen As the truth is told— Christ releases me from prison By revelation bold.

COST: REGISTRATION

$1.00

When I sometimes choose the road I would walk today— It never leads to His abode; I’m lost along the way!

LODGING

$4.00

He gently sets my feet aright And I in childish shame Realize His ’"end in sight” Is reserved in my name!

STEINBACH BIBLE INSTITUTE Box 1420 Man.

Steinbach,

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by Charlotte Clark Paul looked up from second base with the other boys as the big moving van came to a stop. The game of “work-up” baseball ended as all seven boys sat on the curb to watch the movers unload.

"Look, that’s boy’s furniture.” “Maybe, he’s our age and can play with us for Little League.” ‘Hcpe he’s a good pitcher, We surely need one on our team.” "Rick, supper.” “Jim, time to come home.” With these calls the boys started going to their homes, each wondering what the new boy would be like. Wculd he help the team? After school the next day all the boys rushed to the empty lot to see the new family. “They certainly have a nice car,” Paul said. “And did you see the toys the boy has—even a trampoline. Wish he’d hurry and come out.” Just at that moment a slender dark figure came out . of the -house and started toward them. “A Mexican!” said Ted. “What’s he doing over here? Should live in Mexita (little Mexico),” said Rick, the “boss” of the gang, Paul felt funny. But he couldn’t say anything because he had only

be in Mexico, a place where part of your love gift goes?” Paul thought about it all afternoon. The next day he slipped by the other boys and went to Manuel’s. “May I play with Manuel?” he askL„ the pretty young woman who opened the door. "Of course. Manuel company,” she called. “Let’s go into your backyard, and I’ll teach you baseball,” said Paul when Manuel came down. “Oh, I know how to play. I played in McAllen before Paul was assigned here. I was pitcher. But as you wish.” Paul and Manuel played for an hour. ’Then Paul excused himself and left. “Why are you so late, Paul?” the others asked. “Oh, I had—an errand to do,” ananswered Paul . Every afternoon Paul did the same thing. He felt guilty when Manuel asked him when he was going to introduce him to his other friends, but Paul always said, “Later.” The next Sunday Miss Minnie was talking again about different children Jesus loves. Paul was worried. He lived here six months and, besides, wanted to be friends with Manuel, Rick was so much bigger. but he wanted to be in the gang, too. “May I join you?” a soft voice And the gang would not take Manuel. asked. Paul thought and thought al’ “Now, get on. We don’t need any afternoon. He sat in his room and one,” Rick rudely growled. was very quiet. Finally, he made his' The new boy looked puzzled, then decision. retreated slowly back to his house. Monday, he burst into Manuel’s Each day as they played, Paul was house. “Come on, Manuel, it’s time uneasy as he felt the new boy’s eyes you met my other friends.” Grabbing on them from his window; but still Manuel by the hand, Paul dragged he didn’t want to hurt his own stand him out to the field. ing in the gang—that wouldn’t help “Here’s Manuel my friend,” Paul the new boy. BeisSdes, everyone in said, looking at Rick. “He’s a good town knew that Mexicans lived across Ditcher, and he is going to play with the tracks. And they could talk such us.” a funny language. Still he didn’t feel Rick started to answer, but, startled quite right. by the determination in Paul’s eyes, That Sunday at church school Miss nodded his head. “But he has to pitch Minne taught a lesson on children of to me first,” Rick said. other lands and how Jesus loved them Paul went second base, scared for all. Then they sang, “Jesus Loves the his friend, for Rick was a tough Little Children.” Paul couldn’t sing. hitter. Calmly Manuel walked to the He felt bad. mound. He wound up and delivered. “Mama,” he said when he got home, Rick swung. Strike one. Again Manuel ‘“Miss Minnie said we’re to love the pitched. Strike two. Rick gritted his children of aU lands. Does that mean teeth and hunched up. Manuel again here in our country, too?” pitched. Rick swung hard, and it was “Yes, Paul.” strike three. ‘"Then, I should be nice* to Manuel, “Well,” Rick said grudgingly, “I but if I do, the other boys will not guess we have a chance against the play with me.” Tlg.qrs now. All we needed was a “That’s up to you, Paul. But is not good pitcher.” Manuel the same person he would (Presbyterian Survey)

The Messenger

FROM

HOUSE

TO TO

HOUSE

A VALENTINE FOR GOD By Elma B. Dueck Our little girl is happily engaged in sorting and writing out valentines for her friends—all sizeb of prettily dec orated red hearts with words of love on eiBch one. A Valentine is a way of saying, “I give you my heart.” When we are too shy or awkward to tell someone the love in our heart we can send a Valelitine to say it for us. We all crave love. We need to love and be loved. The Bible tells us that love is the greatest thing in all the the world as it will continue through all eternity. Psychologists stress love as the most important influence) of our lives—that lack of love is the major cause of character maladjust ments. From our infancy and child-, hood we needed thel love of our par-, ■nts. As wel grew older we also wanted the love and acceptance of our relatives and friends. Youth dreams cf the day when they can share love and life with anotheH? which finds its fulfillment in a harmonious marriage. However, all these lovds do not bring satisfaction without the love of Ccd in our hchrts. No human love can suffice. Our hearts instinctively go out in yearning to our Creator. Only His 'ove can fill this void. And Hei has not left us guessing as to His love for us. Hew much anyone loves i.s revealed in how much hei is willing to sacrifice. God gave His very bebt— His only beloved Sen—His very heart— to leave* heaven’s glory and bleed out His life’s blcod oh Calvary’s Cross. (John 3:16; I John 4:10) His love letter is the Biblci, pouring out assur ance of His infinite love to us. How can we rebpond to such mar velous. unfathomable love?'God wants our hearts in return. Yes, our heart is unclean, selfish, unfit for God! but / He will cleanse and create a new heart in us if we commit it to Him. (Eze. 36:26; I John 1:9 How His ^^loving heart must be grieved when we ^Bdo not respond, or only respond half

February 4, 1966

heartedly to give Him only a little part of our heart, just as we are grieved when pomeone we love dearly spurns our love or is indiffer ent to it. Our ultimata happiness can only come as we give our hearts un< conditionally to God, and become united with Him. Have you given vour whole heart to Him? If not, won’t you say te God now, “I give you my heart?” 'k'k'k

BIRTHS To Mr. and Mrs. P. L. Kroeker of Winnipeg, a girl. Tanice Fay, 9 lb., 8% oz. on Nov. 19, 1965. To Mr. and Mrs. P. N. Reimer of Winnipeg a boy, Todd Jonathan Mark, 9 lb., 8 oz. on Dec. 28, 1965. Steinbach To Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Reimer, son, Farrel Dean, October 26. (now of Winnipeg). To Mr. and Mrs. Harold Dyck, son, Geoffrey Ross, October 29, (teaching in Churchill).. To Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Harder, son, Wesley Paul, December 4. To Mr. and Mrs. Peter A. Hiebert, son, Glenn David, December 6.

Mexico News cont'd. Dona Manuela, an older lady, widow.ed and fairly well to do, became acquainted first with the gospel when she started to read her Bible about ten years ago. As a result she made a decision for the Lord while still quite ignorant, but has continued to grow in the Lord. Dona Refugio, having been under Seventh Day Adventist influences ac cepted Christ during DVBS a year and a half ago. Ramon, her husband shows much interest in the gospel but says that he cannot follow the Lord due to his responsibilities in the village. Josefina, the daughter-in-law to Refugio, comes from a strong .Roman Catholic background. Her husband is not a Christian but Josefina is re joicing in the Lord and desires to serve Him. Glafira, a young mother of three children, was the first one to be saved in her family about a year ago. She has faced many trials and temptations since. Her husband was reluctant to consent to her being baptized. Pray for these loved ones in the Lord, that they may continue in their new-found joy and become strong and steadfast in the Lord. Miss Betty Friesen

Hidden Things by Mrs. V.M.Wright The two weeks before Christmas, around our house, was a time of stealth mystery, secrecy. At any time of the day if onei were observant, he would see some member of the family look this way and that, then walk softly out of sight. Our olddst boy of thirteen years plays a leading role i.i this scene: “Hey, Dad,” he is helard to call, “don’t go into that room! Not today, any-, way.” It is easily understood there is something hidddn there that Dad is not supposed to see. Our daughter too, has her part in this. “Say, Mom, don’t look in my clothcb closet. If you need anything. I’ll get it for you.” Hidden things. To me this illustration brings a challenging thought: If suddenly, without warning, the Saviour should

knock on the door of our homes, what would our reaction be? Would we walk softly from room to room, and put certain things out of sight? Perhaps we would ‘close’ certain doors; eveln lock them. “Lord, you may look in here, and in here, but this dcor is locked; and don’t look in that closet. If theire is anything you want to see. I’ll get it for you.” Hidden things. As we anticipate the future, and our Lord tarries, let us consider some “hidden things” God would approve of, and appropriate them into our daily Christian walk. May we say with

David, “Hide me under the shadow of thy wings,” Psalm 17:8. Then, let our life) be hid with Christ in God, Col. 3:3 and His word be hid in our hearts. Psalm 119:11.

FOR THE BUSY READER

Youth and Sunday School One in six youth sever all connec tions with the church during their teens according to a survey reported to the National Sunday School Asso ciation at it’s 20th Anniversary con vention at Milwaukee, Wis. The Rev. Roy B, Zuck, executive director of the Scripture Press Foun dation, Glen Ellyn, Ill. sent questionaires to more than 2000 pastors of conservative Protestant churches throughout the United States. He received 331 responses. Mr. Zuck asked the pastors to have recent teenage dropouts list reasons for leaving church. He also asked the pastors opinions on why they had dropouts. Pointing out that 56 percent of the teenage dropouts considered them selves Christians, Mr. Zuck said: “To me this says there is something wrong with our Sunday schools.”

Education The premier of the island province of Newfoundland, Joseph R. Small wood, recently dedicated a new schobl at Channel-Port aux Basques, where two MCC teachers, Kay Schrag, Odessa, Wash., and Carl Newswanger, Gordonville, Pa., are on the staff. The premier also expressed thanks for the many people coming to Newfoundland to, serve in its schools and hospitals.

Deaths One of the widely heard old-time radio Bible teachers. Dr. M. R. DeHaan, died Dec. 13 at Grand Rapids, Mich., at the age of 74. Dr. DeHaan was a medical doctor as well as minister, having garduated with an

M.D. degree from the University of Illinois Medical School. The Radio Bible Class which also had many Mennonite listeners, will be continued by his son Richard. Gideons At Fargo, N.D., the request of Gideons International for permission to distribute Bibles in the city’s public schools was turned down by the school board, on a vote of 5 to 1. At a public hearing three Lutheran pastors ex pressed themselves as being in favor of allowing the distribution.

Bible Schools Bible Schools are moving in the direction of becoming colleges. In Chicago, the 80 year old Moody Bible Institute has announced that it will begin to grant degrees in June, 1967. Israel Israel claims to have made great strides in the medical field in recent years. In the Holy Land, life expect ancy is 67 years, compared with only 34 years for a child born in the Arab sector of the country. There is one doctor for every 400 Israeli citizens, a record hardly surpassed anywhere in the world. Century of the Homeless Man The refugee problem is growing. Statistics show that the number of refugees in the world has increased from 7,910,300 in 1964 to 9,800,699 in 1965—an increase of 1,880,390 in one year. There are 1,500,000 refugees in South Vietnam: 60,000 in Kashmir, made homeless by the fighting be-

tween India and Pakistan; 1,944,000 in Hong Kong: 1,000,000 in Korea—a total of over three million in East Asia and over four million in South east Asia. Many serious refugee problems are developing in Africa. Thirty-five out of 49 nations in Africa are involved in refugee programs in one way or another. There is no record of many thousands of these refugees. ‘The total picture is sad enough! The continuing plight of the homeless need not be exaggerated to be be lievable,” states the World Refugee Report, published by the U.S. Com mittee for Refugees, Inc. DROUGHT IN THE CHACO Akdon, Pa. (MCC)—John Peters at the experimental farm in the Chaco, Paraguay, reports that they are ex ! periencing a drought. The dry spell is being felt in Filadelfia, Loma Plata, and surrounding communities. Farmers located in villages south and east of the experimental farm began planting a month ago when sufficient rainfall soaked their areas; but they too are now suffering from lack of rainfall. At present only light showers offer brief periods of relief. This makes it necessary to use weU water with which to supply the thirsting stock.

LIVES'TOCK SHIPMENT ON WAY TO PARAGUAY Akron, Pa. (MCC)—A plane load of 36 head of bull calves and three stal lions are on their way to the Chaco, Paraguay. The cattle and horses are being sent as foundation breeding stock at the three Mennonite colonies in this South American country. Two earlier shipments proved to be so suc cessful in improved breeding work that a request for more bulls was made. This shipment became possible when the Eden Mennonite Church in Mound ridge, Kansas, responded to this need. The project which included purchas ing, collecting and testing the cattle and stallions took eight months to complete. On November 29 the animals were transported by truck from Mound ridge to Miami, Florida. From there they were loaded on a chartered plane.

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