Tessa Found It Fascinat- Tessa Had Heard a Tiny—Very Tiny Itself Around the Stalk and Drags It Ing to Gather Logs and Cones for —Tweet of a Bird
WHAT IS "SAVING FAITH"?
by HANNAH SMITH
AITH is simply believing God; and like F sight it is nothing apart from its object. You see something and thus you know that
you have sight; you believe something and
thus you know that you have faith. For as
sight is only seeing, so faith is only believing.
And as the only necessary thing about sight is
that you see the thing as it is, so the only
necessary thing about belief is that you believe the thing as it is. The virtue does not
lie in your believing, but in the thing you believe. If you believe the truth you are saved; if you believe a lie you are lost. Your salvation comes because faith links you to the
Saviour who saves, and your believing is nothing but the link.
"Faith is the eye by which we look to
Jesus—a dim-sighted eye is still an eye.
"Faith is the hand with which we lay hold of Jesus—a trembling hand is still a hand.
"Faith is the tongue by which we taste how good the Lord is—a feverish tongue is none the less a tongue.
"Faith is the foot by which we come to
Jesus—a lame foot is still a foot.
"He who comes slowly nevertheless comes."
THE BIBLE and • OUR TIME S
A family journal of Christian living dedicated to the proclamation of the everlasting Gospel. Presenting the Bible as the Word of God and Jesus Christ as our all-sufficient Saviour and coming King TOP or TAIL ? E have green and happy EDITOR RAYMOND D. VINE memories of the Empire Day Wcelebrations in the 1920's and ASSISTANT EDITOR DONALD P. McCLURE '30's. The large South Coast Boy's ART DIRECTOR C M HUBERT COWEN School we attended gloried in its imperialistic emphasis. As May 24th annually drew near, the school's CIRCULATION MANAGER E. L. SOUTHEY white-uniformed pupils were drilled GENERAL MANAGER W. J. NEWMAN to participate in appropriate displays; and the large school choir sang itself hoarse, practising "Land of Hope and VOLUME 84/9 • SEPTEMBER, 1968 PRICE 1/6 Glory." With the most earnest enthusiasm we roared forth that spine-tingling crescendo: "God who PRINTED AND PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE STANBOROUGH PRESS LIMITED made thee mighty, make thee might- ier yet." ALMA .ARK • GRANTHAM • LINCOLNSHIRE And of course, the beloved Union ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION including postage 23/6 • SIX MONTHS 11/9 Jacks were given ample opportunity to exhibit themselves. Please notify change of address promptly It was all good, and proper, and well intended, and exhilarating. Our souls were stirred, we were thankful CONTENTS to God, and we sensed a wholesome EDITORIALS national pride. Leaders at that time WHERE IS VIOLENCE LEADING US? 4 were keen to imbue the rising gen- CAN WAR ON WANT SUCCEED? 5 eration with positive patriotism. SURTSEY SPEAKS 5 But times have changed. Such is the influence and emphasis of some modern leaders that they would GENERAL ARTICLES almost have us be ashamed of our MONEY'S DECLINING VALUE A S Maxwell 6 national heritage. And we have SIGNS IN OUR POCKETS A S Maxwell 7 noticed that some so-called quality WHAT IS THE MESSAGE OF OUTER SPACE? . . . John R. Lewis 8 newspapers would have us all bow CELTIC CONQUESTS Donald P. McClure 10 tearfully at the penitent's stool TROUBLE WITH THE CHILDREN George W. Target 13 because of our imperialistic past. SIGNED AWAY A. J. Woodfield, M.A., Ph.D. 15 What is it, however, that really THE MIRACLE OF CREATION H. W. Clark, M.A., Ph.D. 18 makes a nation "top"? Is it man- CREATION WEEK A C Vine 21 power, or arms, or natural resources? IS HONESTY THE BEST POLICY ? J A McMillan 23 Who, in fact, is today's "top" nation? WHAT IS THE BIBLE DIAGNOSIS Is it America, or China, or Russia? OF OUR TIMES ? Dr L. G. White, L.R.C.P., M.R.C.S. 26 The answer is simple. Long ago GOD'S UNCHANGING REQUIREMENT Leslie Shaw 29 God said to His people: "If you are loyal to Me and obey DEVOTIONAL FEATURES Me, you shall be the head and not WHAT IS SAVING FAITH ? Hannah Smith 2 the tail. An hundred of you shall put TOP OR TAIL ? The Editor 3 ten thousand to flight: . . ." (Deu- PEACE OF HEART (Poem) Stanley Combridge 12 teronomy 28:13; Leviticus 26:8.) "THINK ON THESE THINGS" Colin Martin 17 As explained in our last issue, "top" nation status today belongs OTHER FEATURES to no single nation, but to the inter- national group of men and women TEST YOUR "WORD" POWER Richard H. Utt 20 who are genuine followers of Christ. NEWS AND VIEWS 28 They and they alone, according to God's infallible Word, are "the right- CHILDREN'S PAGES eous nation that keepeth the truth" THE EARTHWORM Alan P. Major 32 • whose eternal triumph is assured. TREAD SOFTLY IN GOD'S WOODLANDS Ethel Ramsey 32 (Isaiah 26:1, 2; 1 Peter 2:9.) R.D.V.
3 DISCERNING THE TIMES...
CURRENT EVENTS IN THE LIGHT OF THE BIBLE
BY THE EDITOR
WHERE IS VIOLENCE LEADING US?
HE impressive thing about Bible modern life. People want what they outbursts were a condition of the prophecy is that it • helps us want and are determined to have it. ancient world that was doomed to T see the meaning of things and Passions are uncontrolled. Desires watery destruction. They were, in to put them in proper perspective. are uncurbed. Aims and satisfactions fact, the reason for that destruction. No greater satisfaction can be are pursued in a spirit of uncompro- The Bible thus records the state of enjoyed than that of the Christian mising resolve. things: "God saw that the wickedness who sees events and conditions as The spirit is seen at international of man was great in the earth, and precise fulfilments of what the Bible level, fouling relationships, and that every imagination of the prophets were inspired by God to creating strife and even war. It is thoughts of his heart was only evil record in the Scriptures. seen in industry causing strikes and continually . . . and the earth was Think, for instance, of that unique disruption. It has plunged univer- filled with violence. . . . And God and disturbing phenomenon of our sities and colleges into a new era. said . . the earth is filled with modern age—that of violence. The It is seen at the personal level where, violence . . . behold, I will destroy. papers are full of it. Scarcely a day for instance, the theft of "forbidden . . ." (Genesis 6:5-13.) passes without more news of violent fruit," especially in terms of illicit The last day parallel is depicted outbursts and violent demonstrations. "love," no longer pricks consciences several times in the New Testament, We cite news titles from recent or evokes shame. particularly in Paul's prophecy about publications: "The Spectre of Violence represents a new and "the perilous times" that would Violence" (Time); "The Pattern of frightening chapter in our history. herald the mighty manifestation of Violence" (U.S. News); "Violence But it is a most reliable sign of the Jesus at His second coming. The last Hits Schools and Colleges"; "The times. It perfectly fits the Bible generation, he said, would be domin- Enraged Ones"; "Violence and picture of "the last days." Our Lord ated by violent people who are "with- History" (Time); "The Lesson of prophesied: "As it was in the days out natural affection, trucebreakers, Campus Violence" (London Times); of Noah before the Flood, so shall false accusers, incontinent, fierce, "India's Wave of Communal it be in the world's last days before despisers of those that are good, Violence" (Ibid); Time magazine the coming of the day of the Lord." traitors, heady, highminded. . . ." commentary on the bloody riots that (See Matthew 24:36-39.) 2 Timothy 3:1-4. brought death and destruction to Detroit, Chicago, and many other Uncontrolled desires and violent Conditions will worsen as time places, says that such have "re- inforced the world image of America the Violent." Paris, 1968. Latest outrage, the assassination Typical scene In of Senator Robert Kennedy con- Latin quarter. strained President Johnson to call Unabashed Univer- for an official investigation into sity students loiter "the causes of violence in American midst wreckage they created in society." their battle against Organized student violence in many authority. countries is a new factor which was "Violence gets neither envisaged nor deemed pos- things done" sible a few years back. —is a motto of The spirit of violence must be increasing understood not just in terms of popularity today. crime, but as a dominant factor in
4 draws to its close. Regrettable and coming is almost upon us. hungry place if the full Christian disturbing though the situation is, Our Lord Himself said: "When message, according to the Bible and to the Christian it serves as another you see these things, rejoice and look not according to human philosophy, emphatic proof that God's Word is up, for the day of eternal deliver- were made clear to everyone. Full true; that Bible prophecy is totally ance is at hand." (See Luke 21:28.) acceptance of the Bible unfailingly reliable; and that Christ's second R.D.V. brings the guarantee: "Thy bread and water shall be sure." (Isaiah 33:16.) Of those who are confirmed believers in God the inspired Psalmist wrote: "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed CAN WAR ON WANT SUCCEED? begging bread." Psalm 37:25. The international Christian Church N a world in which the rich get So claimed former Methodist represented by OUR TIMES, with its richer and the poor get poorer, Missionary Rev..Merfyn Temple who millions of members in every country, I I have come to believe that all began a fast in Westminster Abbey has proved the truth of God's prom- the money raised in the churches just after Christian Aid Week. He ises. Odd and unrealistic it may for the world's poor is worth nothing fasted to protest against what he seem to some, yet it is true that the unless at the same time the Church claimed was "Christian complacency most practical and effective way to declares its intention to sell all that about feeding a hungry world." wage war on want is to proclaim it has to give to the poor." In fact, the world would be a less the full Gospel of God. R.D.V.
SU RTSEY SPEAKS
MID belching flames and smoke, and to the awesome thunder A of volcanic explosions which hurtled masses of glowing lava for thousands of feet onto the surround- ing sea, Europe's latest land Mass was born. A recent Reader's Digest (April, 1968) told the story of Surtsey's birth, in November 1963. Named after a legendary Norse giant, Surtsey is an island neighbouring the West- mann Islands off the south coast of Iceland. From the deep ocean bed hundreds of feet below the surface, Europe's latest land mass today towers to a height of 567 feet, is one and a third miles round, and has an area of 692 acres. A new Island In the making. Volcanic power thrust up the Island of Surtsey from over Volcanic eruptions and lava flow 400 feet below sea level, near the Westmann Islands, South Iceland. ceased on June 1967, plant life began in 1965 with the coming of the sea rocket, animal life with the first young seal which wriggled on to its cascaded down the slopes to the sea, to Surtsey, because the same develop- sandy beach, while many birds and breakers hurled water-worn boulders ment may take a few weeks or even insects have staked their claims. on to the cooled and hardened sur- a few days here. On Surtsey, only We believe that this five-year-old face, then came further flows of lava, a few months sufficed for a landscape island has a vital lesson for Bible so that today the wave-cut cliffs to be created which was so varied students. show rounded boulders in strata of that it was almost beyond belief."— Its broad beach of black sand, and hardened lava—a formation which Surtsey, the New Island in the North its high cliffs of sturdy basalt, sug- took not thousands or millions of Atlantic. gest a mature land. The island has years, but just a few days! This tiny island defies the evolu- caves with long stalactites, its beach Scientist Dr. Sigurdur Thorarins- tionary myth of uniformity, and gives has lava boulders well-rounded by son writes: "What elsewhere may strong support to what the Bible wind and sea, and its coast is pro- take thousands of years may be ac- teaches about the history of the tected by hard basalt blocks already complished here [in Iceland] in one earth. It is a warning to geologists worn smooth by pounding waves. century. All the same he [the geo- against jumping to wrong conclusions During just a few months, lava logist] is amazed whenever he comes continued on page 7
5 MONEY'S DECLINING VALUE
The time is soon coming when money will prove so useless it will be thrown away.
HEN Jesus counselled His disciples to refrain have been devalued. Chile has devalued forty-six from laying up treasure on earth "where moth times, Brazil thirty-two, Uruguay eighteen, South W and rust" corrupt and where "thieves break Korea seventeen, and the U.S.S.R. thrice. through and steal," He revealed a remarkable know- These figures afford little insight into the fearful ledge of the world's monetary system. disappointments, heartaches, and despair suffered by For it is generally acknowledged that unless money thousands as their savings, their precious little nest is wisely invested it will gradually lose its value. At eggs, were swept away overnight. least 5 per cent per annum is needed to counterbalance Well do we recall a friend's experience toward the the constantly rising cost of living—and the consequent close of World War I. As Germany's defeat became lessening of the principal's value. Furthermore thieves more and more certain, its currency plunged to in various garbs are ever ready to pounce—whether phenomenal depths. Sure that it would ultimately re- as bank robbers or embezzlers of one kind or another. cover, our friend bought up hundreds of thousands Devaluation is a robber of a different hue but even of reichmarks and stacked them in his safe. But they more devastating, hurting both rich and poor and did not recover. On the contrary they were totally leaving those with fixed incomes in desperate plight. wiped out in the aftermath of the war. So, almost, During the past twenty-three years since the end was our friend. of World War II, 108 of the world's 120 currencies Jesus was absolutely right when He pointed out
Left.—The first two decimal coins minted In Britain began circulating on April 23, 1968 and are identical in size and value to the shilling and florin. Right.—The photograph shows a "blank" prepared by the Royal Mint of the seven-sided fifty new pence piece. It will be circulated in mid October, 1969 and replace the ten shilling note, and in size will be midway between the florin and half crown.
FIVE NEW PENCE
TEN NEW PENCE TWO SHILLING PIECE
6 the instability of money and its nondependability in of His majesty, when He ariseth to shake terribly times of special stress. No doubt He was familiar the earth." Isaiah 2:20, 21. with Isaiah's prophecy of the total collapse of money Nobody likes to throw money away. It is too in the last days. Wrote that ancient prophet: "In hard to get. But someday people will. When Jesus that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and appears in power and glory, stocks, bonds, shares, his idols of gold, which they made each one for him- bank balances, petty cash, will suddenly cease to have self to worship, to the moles and to the bats; to go value. Sooner than we think they will be worth noth- into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ing at all. Fortunate are those who use their money ragged rocks, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory now to advance the cause of God and His kingdom.
SIGNS IN OUR POCKETS
"rulers unable to handle their monetary affairs have resorted to devaluation. The ancient Romans began to debase the denarius under Nero (A.D. 54-68) after they ran into—but failed to recognize—their balance of payments problems. Founded on plunder, Rome as an Empire lacked the manufacturing, agriculture, and commerce to pay for its costly imports. Trajan added copper to the once 99% pure silver denarius, and later the coin became wholly base metal. A century before Alaric attacked the Eternal City in A.D. 410, Rome had lost not only its purchasing power but also the wherewithal to resist barbarians at its borders." This should give Americans pause to think. Truly the dollar has not been devalued officially since 1934, but every American housewife knows that its value grows constantly less and less. Certainly it will not purchase the same amount of goods that it did ten, Unable to handle their balance of payments problem, the fifteen, or twenty years ago. Romans first debased their currency under the Emperor Nero Perhaps we should open our purses at this moment (A.D.54-68). and take another look at the non-silver "silver" coins within. For these, too, have become signs of our times, silent symbols of the growing degeneracy not only of ANY historians have pointed out similarities money but of morals and of all that once was so between the Roman Empire and the United full of hope and glory. M States. Could it be that time is running out for us as Rome, for instance, was the greatest power of for the Romans long ago? And for the self-same ancient times, stronger far than all the empires that reasons? had preceded it, a position later held by Britain which Strange but true, even the money in our pockets led the greatest empire of them all, and which the cries out in clarion tones that the end-time of history United States enjoys today. has arrived. In its heyday Rome's armies and military hardware struck fear into all potential enemies and preserved the Pax Romana for many a decade. Likewise America's superiority in planes, atomic bombs, and nuclear sub- SURTSEY SPEAKS marines has preserved the Pax Americana at least since 1945. Even her worst enemies hesitate to challenge • continued from page 5 her overwhelming military might. about geological processes and the alleged eons of time Rich and increased with goods as no other nation they take. Formations which, according to normal before it, Rome turned to self-indulgence. Moral theory, take millions of years to develop and mature, standards vanished. Play became more inviting than happened in a matter of hours on Surtsey. work. Amphitheatres were crowded for nightly spec- Bible prophecy clearly envisaged the theorizing tacles. "Give us bread and circuses" was the cry of evolutionists of "the last days." It says that a sure the common people. The parallel in modern times needs sign of earth's final chapter would be the fact that the no pointing out. Bible's Creation and Flood record would be denied and With the growing degeneracy of Rome's upper and even ridiculed. It accurately describes those who, in their middle classes came civil disorders among less for- willing ignorance of God's Word, claim that "all things tunate peoples. Offspring of the slaves revolted. Long continue as they were from the beginning,"—an obvious quiescent enemies were emboldened to act. Troops reference to Lyell's uniformity theory so well known had to be recalled from the farthest frontiers to to evolutionists. (2 Peter 3:3-13.) protect the heartland. How quickly we recognize Might it not be that Surtsey is really far more similar trends in our day! than merely an interesting phenomenon? We believe Another trend, not yet generally discerned, was this tiny island is compelling evidence that the most pointed out recently by Time magazine. criticized portion of the Bible is not only feasible, but "Throughout history," it said on March 29th, absolutely reliable and true. R.D.V.
7 Photograph shows the great spiral nebula of Andromeda.
MONG the men and women who throng our at the controls for ten hours. The twenty-two million pavements are those who would break out in miles of space spanning from earth to Venus would A a cold perspiration at the thought of being take all of six weeks to cover. And if the astronaut trapped with a dozen of their fellows in a lift. Others had set his mind on reaching Pluto, the planet on imagine a worse terror, the utter loneliness of a vast the perimeter of our own solar system, he would have desert: Most of us would shudder at the limitless to settle for a journey lasting ten years, a journey so empty spaces of the heavens. Yet there is a splendour lengthy that it would take a seventh part of his life's about the spaciousness of the heavens that suggests an span. In all this time, his lonely and lengthy journey architect of tremendous power. would take him past only three heavenly bodies, Gone is the iron age, the steam age, even the atomic Jupiter, Saturn and Neptune. age. This is the space age when the "increase of knowledge," and the "running to and fro" spoken of Five hundred lifetime's to the by the prophet Daniel has been centred not on road, nearest star rail, or air, but on the interplanetary space craft. A Despite what appears to be so long a journey new "race" of men and women has appeared—the from home, the astronaut on Pluto is still in earth's astronauts. These highly-trained people in their back garden; for when he turns his back on Pluto, electronically controlled capsules have introduced us the other orbiting planets and the sun, and looks out to marvels of space travel. into space, asking where lies his nearest neighbour, The mind is staggered at the thought of their we point him to a small heavenly body, a small exploits, space-sailing the globe in forty-five minutes, star labelled Proxima Centauri. orbiting around the earth some seventeen times in one A problem now emerges. Unless the astronaut day, compressing seventeen nights and sixteen days, can dematerialize himself and travel through space with as many sunrises and sunsets, into twenty-four at the speed of light, he must reconcile himself to a hours. It is a grand conquest of physical forces. It is journey so long, so interminable, that our fastest exciting, exhilarating, a supreme achievement. speed craft would need 40,000 years. Think of this unbelievable distance involving as it does forty Vast distances millenniums spent in utter blackness and loneliness Achievements of such magnitude lead to talk of —and, strangely enough, in apparent motionlessness. travelling to the moon, to Venus, even to the stars. The human heart becomes dizzy and faint at the con- How easily the imagination carries one away. In templation of such expanses. cold fact, however, the astronaut circling five hundred Assuming that our astronaut has lived long enough miles above the Pacific Ocean has not yet left earth's and survived so perilous a journey, he may now begin door-step. It is true that his ascent into orbit has taken to think of himself on the launching pad of the little more than ten minutes; it is true that his speed universe. Only now does real space travel begin. has been in the nature of 25,000 miles an hour. But Yet having come so far, man can travel no farther. this speed is a comparative one. At this speed the The distances to be covered now are beyond his journey to the moon would demand a patient sitting wildest dreams to accomplish. The mind must conceive
8 in its vastness to others. And it is not all emptiness. The astronaut resting on the Pole Star would be surrounded by giant suns. Around him, beneath him, above him, in front of him, behind him, there would be burning and shining the almost incalculable number of six million, million, million, (6,000,000,000,000,000,- 000.) heavenly bodies. Surrounded, yes. Overcrowded, never; not when he would need a million years to radio WHAT IS a neighbour. As Job said: "Behold the height of the stars, how high they are." Job 22:12. How high, indeed! Such then, are the 'leavens" that "declare the THE MESSAGE glory of God, and the firmament" that "sheweth His handiwork." Psalm 19:1. The Scripture asks this question: "When I con- OF sider the heavens, the works of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained; what is man, that Thou art mindful of him?" Psalm 8:3. OUTER SPACE? One inference from this question is that if puny man has the mind and intellect to erect a skyscraper block, then an infinitely greater Intellect designed the universe. A small design, functional, symmetrical, is the result of the working of a mind, albeit a small one. But what mind "measured out the heavens with a span"? The mind boggles at the Let the human mind expand under the contem- immensity of limitless space. plation of the mighty wonders of the universe, and Yet the overwhelming majesty then ask: "Behold, who hath created these things." of its vastness has a meaning Blind exploding forces! Do we really think so? Let of vital significance for every us be honest and admit the Living Mind of the Divine one of us. Architect. And let us render Him the loyalty that is by JOHN R. LEWIS His due. of a space-ship journey lasting one hundred million years in order to reach the outside of the Milky Way, the galaxy to which we belong; and then there are "LIFT up your eyes on high, and further celestial voyages of many more millions of behold who hath created these year's duration to reach other island clusters of stars things, that bringeth out their on the far end of the universe. The mind sinks in despair, for "end there is none to the universe of God." host by number: He calleth them Speaking from outer space all by names by the greatness Let us give our astronaut a radio transmitter so of His might, for that He is strong that we can talk to him and while away his lone- in power; not one faileth. liness as he soars through the heavens. On his first lap to the moon, we could converse easily; his voice would take two seconds to reach us from the moon. "Nast thou not known? hast There would be little difference from a telephone conversation. But on reaching Venus, each sentence thou not heard, that the everlast- transmitted would take two minutes to reach us. ing God, the Lord, the Creator After passing the planet Pluto, a radio message trans- of the ends of the earth, fainteth mitted at eight in the morning would not reach our earth until noon, and our reply would not be heard not, neither is weary? there is no until four o'clock in the afternoon. A radio message searching of His understanding. from the nearest star would take four years to reach us; an eight-year gap between asking a question and listening to the reply. "But they that wait upon the Thereafter, communication would be rendered im- Lord shall renew their strength; possible by the immensity of galactic space. Just consider. If our astronaut radioed a message to us they shall mount up with wings from the Pole Star when he was forty years of age, as eagles; they shall run, and he would be eighty-seven before we picked up his not be weary; and they shall message. Radio contact with Arcturus would require 165 years; with Betelgeuse, 500 years; with the nebula walk, and not faint." Andromeda, 600,000 years; and a radio message to the farthest star would require 100 million years! Isaiah 40:26, 28, 31. "And lo, these are only the outlying borders of His works." Such is the spaciousness of the heavens. Majestic in its vastness This spaciousness, so terrifying to some, is majestic
9 NE of the early missionaries who played his part in the evangelistic endeavours of the Celtic O Church was Samson. Although bearing a famous Biblical name, he is himself little known today. An ardent Welshman, he was born at the end of the fifth century, and studied under Illtud at Llantwit Major, possibly at the same time as St. David. Although he became Abbot of Illtud's earlier foundation on Caldey Britain's original Christian Church Island, off Tenby, he is remembered more for his labours —the Celtic Church—was noted in South Cornwall, and especially in Brittany. Here for its adherence to the Bible. Celtic he established a religious centre at Dol among his fellow Celts. Christians observed the seventh- Samson was a devout man of prayer as his follow- day Sabbath, were keen students ing reflections indicate: "Whosoever, therefore, merely of Holy Scripture, and they cher- prays with his lips and belies his prayers by his conduct, procures scorn for himself; nay, renders ished the "blessed hope" of Christ's himself hateful rather than pleasing to the Lord. second advent. Therefore, they only are wont to be heard by the Lord who seek a thing by prayer and ensure it by good conduct.' This is surely good advice for us today, for the Lord ever seeks sincerity and a practical association of pious words and deeds. by DONALD P. McCLURE Health conscious While keenly aware of his spiritual needs, Samson also considered his physical requirements. Although some Celtic leaders restricted their diet for ascetic reasons, yet there is evidence to show that other missionaries were vegetarians and teetotallers for health reasons which had nothing to do with ascetic practice. The following is recorded of Samson by his biographer: "To be sure he was one who never, throughout his whole life, tasted such a thing as the flesh of any beast or winged creature; no one ever saw him drunk; never through change of mind, or halting indecision, nor even in the least degree did any kind of drink injure him in any way. . . . Moreover, it was a custom in the constitutions of this monastery to bruise herbs from the garden, such as were beneficial for the health, in a vessel and to serve it out in small quantities to the several brothers in their porringers by means of a small siphon for their health's sake."' It is interesting to note that Columba of Iona was just as strict as Samson for, "he used not to drink ale, and used not to eat meat. . . ."' Even those who were not vegetarians used to abide by the dietary regulations of the Old Testament, which referred to the distinction between "clean" and "unclean" foods. (See Leviticus 11, and Deuteronomy 14.) We wish that these health principles would be more widely practised today.
Celtic Christians kept the seventh-day Sabbath It is mentioned that wherever Patrick established a church he left a copy of "the books of the Law and the Books of the Gospels."' This Liber ex Lege Moist, corresponding to the books of the Law, was widely used by the Celtic Church and also influenced the framing of the civil legislation. There is a strong tradition that
10 the Brehon code of ancient Ireland was revised under Mountain commemorating this famous saint. Accus- the direction of Patrick. The books of the law naturally tomed as he was to the sound of the surf and beholding contained the Ten Commandments, and there are the rhythm of the rollers of the Atlantic, Brendan several interesting references to other Celtic leaders and had a natural love of the sea. After his training at their respect for the Decalogue. Brigit of Kildare was Tuam, Co. Galway, under Jarlath, he embarked on called "a keeper of God's commandments." Columba his evangelistic endeavours. was reported to have taught "the books of the law Some authorities consider that Brendan founded completely." This importance attached to the Deca- the religious settlement on the Garvellach islands off logue, is an indication of why the Celtic Church still the Argyllshire coast. Certainly he later visited Columba held to the seventh-day Sabbath as their day of on Eileach an Naoimh [Holy Isle], Garvellach, which worship for centuries. This practice spread far and was then an outpost of Iona. Other traditions associate wide throughout the areas of Celtic influence. Brendan with a mission to Iceland. About twenty miles from Dol we come to St. An interesting claim is put forward in a new book, Malo on the coast of Brittany, a centre founded by Northern Mists, by Mr. Carl Sauer (published in Malo (Latin—Machutus). Not many details are known California). This states that Irish monks discovered of his life, but he was taught by the great Irish North America centuries before the Norsemen, under voyager Brendan. Leif Ericsson of the eleventh century. Mr. Sauer believes that the Irish settled at Belle Isle, between Brendan's best-seller Labrador and Newfoundland, and along the St. Lawrence River. Who can say but that Brendan may Brendan the navigator, as he is often called, was well have made such a journey on his extensive travels? truly a remarkable• traveller. His later biography was Although there may be gaps in our knowledge of embellished with many fanciful tales of voyages to Brendan's life, we know that he returned to Ireland mystic islands, as Brendan sought the "Isles of the and established an important monastic college at Blessed," or the "Land of Promise." In fact, it was Clonfert, Co. Galway, on the meadows beside the translated into almost all the European languages in river Shannon in A.D. 559. the Middle Ages and became a medieval "best-seller". This Irish religious epic has been likened to a miniature Odyssey, but underneath the elaborate tales is an Ciaran's scholastic buildings indication of his extensive missionary journeys. About six miles north, on the other bank of the Brendan was born near Tralee, and overlooking river, in Co. Offaly, is an earlier and more famous Tralee Bay, on the Dingle peninsula, is Brandon settlement at Clonmacnois. Ciaran founded this centre
Opposite page (Upper).—Brandon Mountain, Co. Kerry, commemorating Brendan the Navigator whose birthplace is nearby. (Lower).— Temple Claran, Clonmacnois, Co. 011aly, in which Ciaran is believed to be buried, is the oldest ruin on the site. Centre.—The West or Tall Cross, Monasterbolce, Co. Louth, is a good example of a Celtic cross which portrays scenes from the Scriptures. Right (Upper).—Sundial and ruined tower at Nendrum, Co. Down, the religious settlement founded by Mochol, a disciple of Patrick. (Lower). Iona Abbey, Argyllshire, now restored, is associated with the original sixth century establishment of Columba.
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11 •on a little hillock overlooking a beautiful sweep of customs. They used to celebrate the communion service the Shannon in this rather flat part of the country with both the bread and the wine, although this was in A.D. 548, just shortly before his death. At Clon- not advocated by Rome. A hymn is preserved in the macnois are some of the most extensive ruins of Antiphonary of Bangor, which says: "Come, ye saints, various monastic and scholastic buildings which were take the body of Christ, drinking His holy blood, by built here in the succeeding generations. A large which you were redeemed."r° medieval university flourished here, and today many scholars come to visit the great collection of Celtic crosses and grave slabs. This interesting array ranges Feet washing service prior to from the earliest times to the elaborate crosses of the communion tenth and eleventh centuries portraying scenes from the Scriptures. It is interesting to note in this connection that the practise of pediluvium, or feet-washing, was, among the Celts, originally associated with this service as it had been enjoined upon the apostles by Christ Second advent believers at the Last Supper. Newly-baptized converts had a As we compare the "Cross of the Scriptures" at feet-washing service preceding the communion. And Clonmacnois with Muiredach's Cross at Monasterboice there is also evidence for a regular ritual pediluvium (established by Buidhe at the end of the fifth century), for all, before receiving the communion. It was also and other places, we are struck by the fact that the a practice of humility as recorded of Columba: "Great main panels depict aspects of the two advents of indeed was the humility of Colum Cille [Columba), Christ. On one side is the crucifixion (the climax for it was he himself that used to take their shoes off of Christ's first appearance on this earth), and on his monks, and that used to wash their feet for them."" the other is Christ at the last judgment, associated This service was later only conducted on Maundy with His second coming, showing the wicked on the Thursday and unfortunately was ultimately discontinued left and the righteous on the right, as described in along with other early teachings because of Roman Matthew 25:31-46. influence. The early Celtic Christians believed in the second coming of Christ and also that it was near at hand. Patrick wrote: "And we look for His coming soon to Tithe-payers be; He the Judge of the quick and the dead, who will render to every man according to his deeds.' With a further straightforward application of Columba also anticipated "Christ the Most High Lord Biblical truth the Celtic Church practised tithing—the coming down from heaven.' paying of one tenth to the Lord—and also the presenting of first-fruits. As late as the twelfth This "blessed hope" of the Celtic leaders un- century Giraldus Cambrensis notes the continuation doubtedly gave an urgency to the proclamation of the of this practice. "They give the first piece broken off Gospel and explains the extensive voyages of Brendan from every loaf of bread to the poor. . . . They give and others. a tenth of all their property, animals, cattle, and sheep, Columba is probably the most illustrious of Ireland's either when they marry, or go on a pilgrimage, or, exiles and certainly established an important missionary by the counsel of the Church, are persuaded to amend centre on the "sacred isle" of Iona "which was once their lives. This partition of their effects they call the luminary of the Caledonian regions, whence savage tithe.' As the Celtic Christians valued the Old Test- clans and roving barbarians derived the benefits of ament as well as the New Testament, they recognized knowledge and the blessings of religion,' as Dr. the blessings and promises of God. Today the Lord still Johnson declared. abundantly blesses those who give a tithe to Him. From this glimpse into the Celtic world of yester- year we have witnessed the original simple adherence to Devout seed-sowers God's Word in our own land, without the additions of It is interesting to realize that certain preliminary tradition. It has been inspiring to follow in our imagin- mission work had been accomplished in western Scot- ation the exploits of those valiant Gospel missionaries land by other devout men. We think of Mochoi, a who believed the Saviour was soon to come the second disciple of Patrick, who had his main establishment time, and who fearlessly taught pagan tribes the plan at Nendrum in Co. Down; Buidhe, who is better of salvation. As we recognize that the Lord's return known for his centre at Monasterboice, Co. Louth, and is so much nearer, may we be similarly inspired to who died the year Columba was born; Ciaran who live the victorious Christian life, and seek to lead founded a church on Lismore in the Firth of Lorn off others to accept the grace of the Saviour, and thus Oban, before returning to establish Clonmacnois; Oran, be prepared to meet Him in the clouds of glory when who worked on Iona itself, as well as Mull and Tiree, He comes. and whose name is remembered by the restored chapel adjacent to the abbey. ' Life of Samson, I, xiv. However, although Columba was not entirely a 2 Ibid., I, xv, xvi. pioneer, his life and teachings exerted a tremendous Skene, Scotland, II, 505. 4 Tripartite Life of Patrick, II, 300. influence. Columba was not only a missionary himself 5 Stokes, Lives of the Saints from the Book of Lismore, I, 1412. but a teacher of missionaries including Cormac, who Amhra Choluimb Chille, 169. went to the Orkney Islands, and Machar, who evan- 7 Patrick, Confession, par. 4. gelized in Aberdeen. Alias Prosator, stz. 20. The Scriptures alone were the basis for the teachings 9 Boswell, Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides with Samuel Johnson. " Antiphonary of Bangor, II, 10, Hymn No. 8. and practices of the Celtic Church, characterized by Skene, op. cit., II, 504. the simplicity which is in marked contrast to later Giraldus, Description of Wales, xviii.
12 Trouble with the children by G. W. TARGET
"What is he on about now?" said the children . . . But we knew
OW, I don't know about you, but sometimes, coloured brothers and sisters were being treated as under the pressures of time and chance, my something less than human .. . there was greed and lust N Christianity frays a bit thin at the edges, and I and pride and all manner of wickedness . . . the Devil indulge in what the rest of the family call a "good was going to and fro in the earth, and walking up and blast" . . . a display of sickening bad temper—cruel, down in it . . . and there was I adding fuel to the often hurtful, and always heartless. Nothing to be flames of anger and stupidity, causing fresh grief to proud about, of course, but there it is—yet another man the Christ who died for such sins. forgetting the canker of his own sinful nature without Besides, the whole thing was too stupid to spoil the saving power of Christ. an entire Sunday afternoon—what were a few dirty Sometimes it's my fault, there being no mistake plates in the face of sunshine and birdsong and the about it, and I have to crawl around for days after- love of God? ward making it up to everybody with shameless bribes So I went back home, feeling all warm and kind of flowers and extra pocket money. and forgiving. . . . Sometimes it's my wife's fault—or, at least, I The dishes were all done, stacked and shining on think it is. . . . Not that you can very often get the draining-board . . . and there she was out in the wives to admit such awkward things, but, on such garden, weeding the path with a sort of passionate blissful occasions, I can mope about for days and intensity or something, wrenching out inoffensive little even weeks looking as much like an early Christian clumps of grass as though they were my back teeth... martyr as possible. So I made some iced lemonade as a peace offering, And sometimes it's the children's fault. I mean, and tried to wander out wearing my best forgiving that's one of the troubles with children . . . ours, smile—but feeling about as casual as a three-legged anyway. You know, when they're good they're uncanny, camel with rheumatism. and when they're bad. . . . Well! they're enough "Hello," I said from a safe distance. to make a bishop angry, let alone fray my Christianity No answer . . . but out came a deep-rooted a bit thin at the edges! dandelion with a vicious tug that made me wince, and Not that it was their fault this last time. . . . it got banged down on the path like one of those all- Not even sure how it all got started. Sunday after- in wrestlers you see getting flung about for money on noon, a great pile of washing-up waiting in the sink television. to be done (you know, breakfast and lunch, what with "Iced lemonade?" I said. it being Sunday and all), my turn to do it, and I She looked up and examined me from head to toe hadn't really finished reading the Sunday papers and as though she couldn't believe her own ears—astonished, colour supplements and whatnot. . . . Something like almost lost for the right words. that, anyway. But, almost before we knew it, my "Don't tell me you've actually exerted yourself wife and I were having a . . . well, shall we say a making some?" she said. "difference"? So I knew I was wasting my time. Don't get me wrong—there weren't any sauce- "Be like that," I said . . . and went on down to pans flying about, and she didn't wrap the rolling-pin the bottom of the garden near the shed. Two could play round my left ear . . . but we both said some unwise at that little game! things, and the children got out into the garden while Now the children use the shed as a sort of Wendy the going was good, and left us to it. House and Smuggler's Cave and Rocket Ship and She reminded me how bone-idle I was, and I Flying Saucer or something—and, as I got closer, I suggested that she was making a stupid fuss about could hear them in there from yards away, shouting at nothing at all. each other and banging about like demonstrators "Stupid, am I?" she said. "That's a nice thing having a private riot in a steel mill. to be called by your own husband—stupid." "Don't you talk to me like that!" But you know the sort of thing, all the words "Talk to you how I jolly well like!" . . . and we kept on using them. Until, beaten to it "You won't!" in one exchange, I lost my temper, barged out, slammed "I jolly well will!" the door behind me, and went for a walk to cool off. "Just like you to be horrible!" And, of course, I did cool off—quickly. . . . Men "It's not me that's horrible!" were murdering other men all over the world for And on and on they went . . . until it dawned on reasons only half as sensible . . . women and children me what was happening. were being burned to death in Viet Nam . . . my I went back to where my wife was still destroying
13 me with the innocent weeds. dreadful—I just won't have you shouting and quarrel- "Come on," I said, "I want you to hear something." ling like this! If there's any more of it I'll. . . ." "If you think I'm going to listen to you . . ." "But," they said, innocent as apples, "we're only "Come on," I said. "Please." playing Mothers and Fathers, that's all." She must have seen that this was something Well, my wife and I looked at one another—and different, something else again, something more serious what else could we do or say? I grinned, feeling than a few silly dishes—and I led the way down to about as silly as a pair of left-handed gum-boots in the shed—and they were still at it hammer and tongs, the middle of a posh hotel lounge . . . and she grinned fire-irons and fender, shouting, yelling, stamping, the . . . and then the children crowded round, delighted lot. that we were friends again. Everybody kissed every- "Think you're jolly clever, don't you?" body else several times . . and we all held hands and "Least I know you're not!" piled indoors and drank the iced lemonade and ate "That's a nice thing to say!" the chocolate cake we'd been saving for tea. My wife looked at me "Whatever are they up to?" she said . . and we "I know one thing," I said as we finished the went in, bang. very last crumb. "Better a tea without chocolate cake They looked round, grinning a bit sheepishly. where love is, than a draining-board of stacked and "Hello," they said. shining dishes and hatred therewith." "Whatever do you think you're up to?" said my "What is he on about now?" said the children. wife in her most severe voice. "It sounded absolutely But we knew.
14 I DON'T know how it all worked out in the end, but in 1966 poor Mrs. Georgia Lepper was in a terrible plight. She found herself one day cast off by her own country; she was, as far as Uncle Sam was concerned, "stateless." And it's no very bright prospect to be stateless in a world of rigid national boundaries and jealously guarded national privileges. Alas, there are still many thousands herded like lepers into refugee camps on charity land, rotting away in spirit and consequently in body, mind, and estate too, because they have no motherland. They are a political liability; nobody wants them—at least not on the diplomatic level. Thank God, however, there are still hands reached out to them in compassion with some slight mercies of home. Mrs. Lepper's plight was all her own doing. She was living peacefully with her English husband in the taken-for-granted security of Fulham, and under English law she had dual nationality: American by birth, English by marriage. Then one exciting day there was a General Election and Mrs. Lepper, like any other Englishwoman, went down to the polling station, gave in her number, went in the booth, completed her voting paper, dropped it into the ballot box, and forgot all about it. Some while later, this time a good American, she took her little son Joshua along to the American embassy to register him. Imagine her shocked surprise when her own countrymen informed her that she had signed away her birthright. You see, under American law an American citizen who votes in a foreign election thereby renounces his country and opts for the fate of statelessness. So neither Mrs. Lepper nor Joshua can enjoy the blessings of the green passport; as far as their offended Uncle Sam is concerned, they are none of his.
Better than the rest? I don't know what you think of it, but sometimes all this to-do about nationality seems ridiculous and even cruel. It's a bit like all the to-do they used to make about what religion you were. When all's said and done, we're all made of the same clay, we all have to live somewhere on earth, we all need about the same supplies of air, water, and food, we all love our friends and (in spite of 2,000 years of being taught not to) hate our enemies, we all get old and die. But before we do, we gather ourselves into snug, exclusive little cliques, or unions, or parties, or provinces, or countries; we surround ourselves with Psycholoical and emotional battlements, and from the security of these ramparts of vanity and pride we look down on all the other petty little sects and communities of men and feel different and, because we are ourselves, better. Like that obnoxious old bagpiper, the droning Pharisee, we gather our robes around us as the publican stumbles by, and thank God with a descant by A. J. WOODFIELD, M.A.. Ph.D. of contempt that we are British or American, black or white, Socialist or Tory, or whatever label we happen to flaunt. And whether we like to admit it or not, however liberal we may deceive ourselves into This penetrating diagnosis of one of the thinking we are, we cannot get away from the fact that there are these invisible and visible differences most dangerous and deceptive of modern which produce "all sorts and conditions of men" and that we have a nice little feeling come over us as we trends, reminds us of the peril of attempting muse on the differences that make us better than the rest of the world. Alas, all these sorts and "dual nationality" on the spiritual level. conditions are like oil and water: they just don't
15 mix. Perhaps, in fact, there are some that we should being "out," of being different; is against bothering leave as they are. with the tedious details of doctrine, frowns on claim- ing a totality of truth. Ecumenism is in the air. The grouping instinct With sycophantic bows we usher the heathen— to whom, through pity for their blindness our fathers There may, then, be something unavoidable in the sent the missionaries (an offensive word today)— into grouping instinct—though God forbid that any the clergy stalls of Westminster Abbey or St. Martins. grouping should be based on notions of superiority Then we faint off with shock and embarrassment when or inferiority. Physically we may be much the same; someone speaks up, or parades a banner, to remind us emotionally and temperamentally there are enormous that we are not only to love the Hindu but to try to and irreconcilable differences. Some men are as bring him to Christ as well, that it is rank disobedience different from others as sheep from goats. The English- to a plain command of the Master if we don't try to man laughs at different jokes from the American; the make a disciple of him, and that it is sacrilege to sounds he makes to the rest of his happy little breed put his "holy" books and philosophies on lecterns of men are quite unintelligible to millions separated dedicated to the divinely transmitted Gospel of Christ. from him by only a narrow strip of salt water. As for There was room for naught but the Shekinah in the the food that nourishes the alien beyond the sea— Holy of Holies. Sudden destruction blazed forth all that oily, sloppy, messy continental slush, he'd against the priests whose censers smoked with strange rather have his mashed potatoes and mushy cabbage, fire. and squash it down with good solid plum duff any day. That's the diet for a man! And how much Strange fire better a figure he cuts on Brighton beach with his And how strange is some of the fire we swing in blanched, sun-shy legs just slightly peeping with English our censers today—utterly strange to the Gospel of modesty from below his capacious flapping khaki Christ. The strangest I have heard of goes under the shorts than the mannered Frenchman or brazen Dutch- quasi-scientific name of "psychical research." Only this man showing yards of thigh and covering what remains week a "twentieth-century church-goer" was explaining with a straining scrap of canvas. So it's three cheers to "Ten to Eight" listeners what a difference to her for the Union Jack and a sniff of contempt for all religious experience this "psychical research" had made. the bits of gaudy bunting the foreigners make such She was telling us that it convinced her that there a fuss about! really is a spiritual realm—and God knows how desperately we yearn for reassurance about that these Most important differences days, that it proves beyond any doubt that death is These psychological differences are stronger than not the end of life, and that "it throws a flood of we realize; but the spiritual ones are most important new light on the Bible and the Prayer Book." So of all. With all the goodwill in the world—and all, much so, that it makes her refrain from joining in the modern get-togetherness thrown in, too—we cannot the hallowed old prayers and responses that present a feel easy in some company. In others we expand and God rather different from the delusive intimations surprise even ourselves with our gush of affability. filtering down out of mysterious communications from But nowadays, of course, we'd hate to let anyone know "the beyond." this: outwardly it must be smiles all round, vapid remarks about the weather, and obsequious platitudes Truth twisted about the charm of different cultures, different tra- Before we are fully aware of what we really are ditions of Christian worship, and the different aspects following, before we wake up to those old fashioned of truth contributed by all religions. Then suddenly up Biblical phrases about "the wiles of the devil," before blows a crisis—like the Enoch Powell outburst—and we modernize those strong words about necromancers then our hidden sympathies and prejudices take over. and the deceptions of "them that chirp and mutter," There follow bitter recriminations, hurt feelings, loss (Isaiah 8:19), we find ourselves believing what no of face, wild words about hypocrisy, angry factions, devil in traditional uniform could ever have persuaded and miserable misunderstanding. us to accept—that the blood of Christ "is rather crude Running with the fox and hunting with the hounds and savage, a figment of semi-savage imagination, is risky, even in easy-going accommodating today. There an unacceptable relic of the superstitious blood sacrifices are some differences so vital that you have to take one to angry gods." By such deception the sacrifice and side or the other. You must one day whoop out cross of Christ are repugnant to the indulgence of the loud with the hounds or flee openly with the hare. easy-going sort of "god" the modern man wants to Christ told us plainly that no man can serve two believe in. We are further led on to believing that masters; the Bible makes it clear that there are two there are other spheres of existence where we move on nationalities no man can have together; God takes and on to ultimate perfection; and that if we have us out of the kingdom of darkness and translates us done rather badly down here, reincarnation will give into the kingdom of His dear Son. "Come out of her," us another run at the hurdle, runs enough, in fact, cries the apocalyptic angel to half-baked dalliers, linger- to get us over, ultimately as highly and ethically as ing like Lot about the streets of mystical Babylon, Jesus Christ Himself, who was more human than our Come out—lest you take part in her sins and share fathers thought and who cleared the jump so easily in her plagues. You cannot serve God and Mammon; Himself because He too had evolved through number- it is risky to try. (Revelation 18:4.) less reincarnations. So the "new light" on the Bible and Prayer Book Climate of popular feeling ends up looking remarkably like the darkness we used Unfortunately too many of us are only half-baked to send missionaries to India and China to dispel, and and so try to hang on to a black passport and a we find ourselves kneeling alongside the heathen in white. Voices from every side are egging us on to his darkness bowing down to our equivalents of his try. The climate of popular feeling is destructive of wood and stone.
16 When Mrs. Lepper had got over her shock she kingdoms of this world are on the point of becoming made the radio-telephone between London and New the kingdoms of our God and of His Christ. And Jersey hum. She told her parents back home all this gloom and confusion will deepen at last into Egypt- about her terrible plight; she sent them rushing off ian darkness where lying voices determined to deceive to their local senator to see about getting her many, will say: "Lo, here is Christ, or there." They "repatriated." will sound like the voices of angels from heaven; if it were possible they would deceive the very elect. Our greatest need (Matthew 24:23, 24.) What we all need to do too, is to determine with Spiritually there is something to standing in a the help of the helpful "old-fashioned" God and His group apart, to heeding the apocalyptic call to Christ to keep away from the devil's polling stations, come out. That "something" is the promise of fellow- to have nothing to do with an election to perdition, ship with the citizens above. Salvation lies only in and to get down on our knees with our old-fashioned the eschewing of every temptation to flirt with the Bible (still the best passport in the world) and make allurements of a dual nationality. "Keep calm and the "hot line" to Heaven burn with urgent cries for sane at all times," advises the voice of inspiration. "repatriation" about the ears of our great Mediator Remember, it whispers, the faith of Abraham, who in the Capitol above. considered himself only "a stranger on foreign soil, The gathering gloom and spiritual confusion around . . . a passing traveller on earth" a pilgrim to a better us are signs for all with eyes to see that the country, the heavenly one.
but legislation only outlaws the prejudice, it does not THINK ON THESE THINGS change it. The really effective change must come from within. Racial problems will never pass in toto by the mere stroke of a legislative pen. Christ knew this, and He overcame by having love in His heart. Love is the only principle which assures social equality and therefore social happiness. Hence our Lord's emphasis: by COLIN MARTIN "Love God with all your heart, and your neighbour as yourself." This power of love He is able and willing to impart so that individual men may "over- come." Change enough people, and you change a "VIE SHALL OVERCOME SOME DAY" society, and thus eliminate all such harrowing social problems as Dr. King campaigned against. The assassination of this great campaigner was NE hundred and fifty-thousand people walked a tragedy. But in a sense it was an even greater O the four-mile journey from the Baptist chapel to tragedy that the multitude still sang: "Some day we the grave-side. As they marched, they sang the will overcome." They had not learned the secret which plaintive chorus of that freedom song: "We shall their leader had obtained from Jesus. Dr. King found overcome some day." They sang, though the one in it hard to love white men, but he tried, for he knew whom they had put their trust lay dead; they sang, it was the only way. He knew that this effort must even though social injustice was as strong as ever. be made not "some day," but in the ever present These were the mourners at the funeral of Dr. Martin "now"! What irresistible power for good could have Luther King. been engendered by that vast funeral assembly, if Centuries ago, another Apostle of non-violence lay only the multitude had sincerely been able to sing: dead. Some of His disciples must have questioned "Today we have overcome." the effectiveness of His methods. They were pain- Which emphasizes the importance of commitment fully aware that racial discrimination and social to Him who alone can change the human heart. Jesus injustices were still as prevalent as when their Hero lived the perfect life, and is willing to pass on the was born in a stable thirty-three years earlier. Had power for us to live it, too; but on the whole, men freedom songs been the vogue, no doubt they would fail to recognize that this is the sole means of victory. have composed one in the same vein as that sung by Thus fear and tension still stalk our world. Will you the people at Dr. King's funeral: "We shall overcome not start to improve your society by allowing Jesus some day." Overcome!—some time! Oh, yes, the cause to overcome in your life, so that others through you, was right enough, but some thought the method might truly "overcome some day"? employed by Jesus was futile! However, notice the difference between the senti- ments of the song sung at the funeral, and 'a state- ment Jesus made just prior to His death. He said: "I have overcome . . . the world." John 16:33. "I have overcome"--an accomplished fact, not a pious 0000 DUNDEE 40333; NEWPORT (Mon.) 73051. hope! A contradiction of facts? Oh, no! do not look CARDIFF 40811; too much at externals. The fact is that Jesus overcame at the place where all social evils have their beginning and their strength—the human heart. ooDIAL -A-PRAYER A community service by telephone by the Militancy against social injustice may force the oo Seventh-day Adventist Church. The two-minute enactment of laws that appear to establish equality; message and prayer are changed daily.
1; t CHRISTIAN BELT THE MIRACLE
OW did it all begin? Whence came the earth and mankind? H Because modern religious, philosophical, and scientific ideas are rooted in antiquity, let us go back about 3,000 years and see where we got some of our modern notions. Ancient religious thought centred in Babylonia and Egypt, primarily the former. Its basic concept was that of an abysmal ocean out of which arose the primordial dry land. The water and land were supposed to have always existed. That is, the substance com- posing them was eternal. This idea of eternity of matter was fundamental to all pagan philosophy. Out of this primordial abyss arose many "gods," chief of which was the sun. Generally, in the myths of the Babylonians, conflicts between the gods produced the human family. The gods made men in order to ensure their own survival, for they were dependent on men to furnish sustenance. It was this notion, largely, that gave rise to the system of offerings to the gods. Unique religion Among all the religions of ancient times, that of the Hebrews was unique in that its concept of God was that of a Supreme Being who was responsible for all existence. This concept is expressed in the very first sentence of the sacred Hebrew writings: "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." Genesis 1:1. It was also expressed by the Psalmist in this positive language: "For He spake, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast." Psalm 33:9. Isaiah admonished us to lift up our eyes and "behold who hath created these things." Isaiah 40:26. Paul put the capstone on the Hebrew belief in the creative power of God when he declared that "Things which are seen were not r-n•le of 0-4,-- which do appear." Hebrews 11:3. This apparently impossible situation became the fundamental doctrine of creation, ex nihilo, that is, creation of material substance from nothing. Puzzling problem But how could this be possible? How could matter arise from "nothing" or from something that was not material? This problem the philosophers and scientists have been trying to solve throughout the centuries since man began to raise questions about the nature of the material world. Man wants to have an answer to this most puzzling of all problems. About 400 years before Christ, certain Greek philosophers, Democritus and Leucippus, invented what they called the theory of "atoms," from two Greek words: "a," without; and "torn," division. They said that if you should divide any sub-
18
I I S IN A SCIENTIFIC AGE
How did everything begin ? OF CREATION Does science support the Bible record ?
stance into finer and finer particles you would ultimately by H. W. CLARK, M.A., Ph.D. reach the point where you could divide it no longer. This ultimate particle they called the atom. The Greek atomic theory assumed that the proper- through some revision. In essence, however, the ties of matter were due to the fact that atoms differed concept is that the electrons are orbiting about the in nature, and that the different properties of any nucleus, or sustain certain relations to it. Details material substances were due to a mixture of different are too technical to discuss here, but nowadays all kinds of atoms. scientists agree that the atom can no longer be But this Greek atomic theory failed to explain called the basic unit of the composition of matter; anything and was, after all, a purely philosophical it is itself very complex. Several "particles" have concept. It had no basis in experimental work. It been observed in the course of experimental work on still left unsolved the reason why atoms differed or, the atom. Most of these particles become apparent for that matter, why they would exist at all. following some disturbance of the nucleus by outside It was not until the beginning of the nineteenth- forces. Probably the atom itself is made up of two century A.D. that any answers to these puzzles began essential units, protons and neutrons, with their at- to appear. And it is only within the past few years tendant electrons and some other particles. Modern that our knowledge of the nature of matter has de- physics has become so complicated that an ordinary veloped to the extent that we can speak with any laymen has great difficulty in following its latest detail whatsoever on the subject. conclusions. The situation is well stated in Encyclopaedia Modern atomic theory Britannica, 1966 ed., Vol. 17, page 1020: "None of these forces is well understood, and even less is known In 1803 John Dalton noted that chemical combi- nations followed regular numerical rules, and from of the relationship between them." It is stated further that all ideas are in a state this observation he conceived of some kind of a unit of flux. As new and startling discoveries are being with a definite atomic weight. From his suggestions grew the idea of elements, which consisted of units made, physicists have had to weather several shocks occasioned by the new ideas. Old theories are being of a uniform weight in each particular element, but discarded and new ones invented. differing one from the other. He used the Greek word "atom" for the fundamental unit of matter, but his atom differed from that of the Greeks in that it was "And God said . . ." based on scientific observation. By the end of the But where are we philosophically in all this con- nineteenth century the "atomic theory," as it became fusion of new discoveries? We think of Hebrews 1:3: known, was firmly established. "Upholding all things by the Word of His power." But now a real problem appeared. How could God, And then of the statement: "In the beginning was the who is a spirit, make and control physical particles? Word . . . . All things were made by Him." John And how could man's mind, which is non-material, 1:1-3. The Greek word translated "Word" is /oRos. control physical particles? The mystery was deeper It means speech, expression, or sometimes emanation. than ever. Paul's statement that all things were upheld In the Old Testament, when the expression "God by the "word of His power" took on new meaning, spake" is used, it is equivalent to another one, "the but how could we explain it? Word of the Lord." During the early years of the twentieth century The Psalmist said: "By the Word of the Lord were new discoveries were made which opened a whole new the heavens made." "For He spake, and it was." series of questions, but which, in spite of these (Psalm 33:6, 9.) It is the same idea that we find in questions, suggested some very important conclusions. the first chapter of Genesis: "And God said, Let there be," et cetera. Electric "particles" When God speaks, there goes forth from Him that J. J. Thomson and others proved that what were power necessary to fulfil His command. If we con- called electrons are a constituent of every atom; but ceive of matter as some dead lump of substance, we he and Ernest Rutherford, who did a great deal of have difficulty in understanding how it could have been work on the new "particles," were uncertain of their created or how it can be maintained or upheld. But nature. It was not long before Robert Millikan demon- when we understand the current dynamic theory of strated that the electron carries a definite electrical matter, the mystery is solved, it would seem. In the charge, and that an electrical current is a flow of creative energy of God, and only there, can we see electrons in a conductor. evidence of the origin and maintenance of the physical In 1911 Rutherford postulated the nuclear model universe. of the atom, and the way was now clear for a state- In recent years we have found it necessary to ment on the nature of matter. It was first formulated revise the age-old theological concept of ex nihilo, by Neils Bohr in 1913, and since then it has gone or creation from nothing. We have had to put in its
19 place the idea of creation by the Word of His power. cannot possibly exist independently nor function of "By Him all things consist." Colossians 1:17. That itself. is, Christ holds all things together. What then, should We are right back where we were at the beginning we understand by creation? of our study. Although we have learned a great deal about the atom and have found that it is an exceed- ingly complex structure with behaviour that challenges Mass and energy our best efforts of interpretation, yet just what it is we really do not know. As the authorities say, no Modern physics has shown that mass may be con- satisfactory theory has yet been invented to explain verted into energy. Mass and energy are, in a sense, the nature of the particles of which it is composed. interchangeable. This has a very important bearing We are faced, in the end, with the greatest on the problem we are considering. It would seem miracle of all, the creation of an atom—vast numbers unavoidable that creation implies a flow of power from of atoms. For it is indeed a miracle. the Deity, directed in such a way as to become Listen to this definition of a miracle: "Some- organized into complex units of activity that we know thing that excites wonder or astonishment; an effect as atoms. These are then organized into larger groups in the physical world which surpasses all known which we call molecules, and they in turn into human or natural powers and is therefore ascribed compounds, and so on until we have cells, tissues, to supernatural agency." and organs in living creatures. In inanimate structures How appropriate these words are as we contem- such as rocks, the organization does not go nearly plate the origin of all things! How could anyone so far. But there are, nevertheless, very complex possibly conceive of this extremely complex universe relations between different substances as they react as coming into existence by any natural means when with each other, following the rules of physical even the simplest atom is so complicated that we lack organization built into their structures and maintained concepts adequate to describe it? The creation of by the continual flow of power from God. material substance is in itself a demonstration that When we thought of matter as consisting of Deity exists; it is a manifestation of divine power. "lumps" of something, we could imagine it existing In this thought we are reminded of the words of independently of God; however, when we realize that Paul in Romans 1:20 that men are without excuse it iJ made of energy units, we are forced to acknow- if they do not recognize the agency of the Creator ledge that there is a power behind it and that it in the world about them. * • * • * • * • * • * • • • TEST YOUR " WORD" POWER by RICHARD H. UTT
TODAY'S world is full of problems—personal, national, and international. In Bible times people had their problems too. In the following multiple-choice questions, choose the answer that gives the actual solution to each problem, as recorded In the Bible.
1 When his nephew Lot was captured in an enemy mistake, served a stew containing poisonous raid, Abraham (a) armed his servants, who attacked gourds. (a) The stew was poured out on the Lot's captors and freed the prisoners; (b) sent out ground; (b) the stew was made edible by the a formal protest; (c) waited patiently for Lot to addition of meal; (c) the stew was boiled several escape. hours.
2 When the apostle Paul was tried for sedition 6 Hannah, unable to bear a child, (a) adopted a before Festus, he (a) appealed his case to Caesar; boy; (b) consulted the doctors; (c) prayed about (b) successfully refuted all evidence; (c) re- it in the temple at Shiloh. quested the services of a lawyer. 7 A woman who had long suffered from a haemorrhage 3 As Nehemiah and the Jews rebuilt the walls of (a) pushed through the crowd and touched Christ's Jerusalem, their enemies threatened to attack them garment; (b) asked the disciples for advice; (c) and stop the construction. The Jews (a) worked decided to "grin and bear it." night and day to finish the wall; (b) stopped work and engaged in a fierce battle; (c) continued work- ing, with a tool in one hand and a weapon in the 8 The "prodigal son" of Christ's parable, finding other. himself friendless, penniless, and hungry, (a) went to the city to look for work; (b) returned to his 4 Herod imprisoned Peter, intending to have him father's house; (c) decided to become a hermit. executed. But (a) Herod changed his mind and released Peter; (b) Herod died and his successor 9 An Ethiopian was studying the Bible but found it set Peter at liberty; (c) an angel opened the prison difficult to understand, when (a) suddenly the gates and led Peter away. meaning occurred to him; (b) Philip explained the puzzling text to him; (c) he simply gave up and 5 Students in a school of the prophets were, by stopped studying.
Answers on page 28.
20 CREATION WEEK
by A. C. VINE, Principal, The Voice of Prophecy Bible School
N the light of some present-day scientific presentations in almost all educational institutions and relevant textbooks, the question: "How long were the days of I Creation Week?" is an important one. Many evolutionary scientists today recognize a God who made and maintains the universe by His power. But with that recognition there is a denial of the Scriptural record of how and when God created the world. It is said: "God accomplished creation by directing evolutionary processes, until finally, through long periods of geological time—the 'days' of creation week in the Bible story—He has produced upon our earth the multitudinous plants and animals that we see today." It is thought that by regarding the "days" of a long, or geological, period, we have difficulty in creation week as long periods of time they have explaining how from the third day onward, green harmonized science and the Bible. plants could live through the dark half of the geological "day." The various interpretations of "day" Literal days or long periods ? require anything from one thousand to hundreds of millions of years—according to the school of thought. The question is, were these "days" long periods of geological time, or simply 24-hour periods? The fact is that green plants are helpless to keep In Genesis, the story of creation as found in the themselves alive in continued darkness. In a matter of King James Version of the Bible, we find the word days the food in the plant is used up, and starvation "day" from the Hebrew yom used in three different follows because of the plant's inability to obtain nourishment from the soil. The pigment chlorophyll ways: 1. In Genesis 1:5 it is used to describe the light portion of the 24-hour day; and 2. in the same verse vital to the manufacture of plant food, would rapidly the word is used to include both light and dark decompose in the absence of light. So how could the "days" of creation week, each equally divided into portions of the period; and 3. in Genesis 2:4, yom is light and dark portions, have been ages long? The used to include all the seven days of creation week. A careful study has been made of Hebrew manu- fact that green plants appeared on the third day and scripts, revealing that in every instance in which yom lived through the rest of creation week to feed the is accompanied by a definite number used as an animals, indicates that these were literal days, each adjective, a day of 24 hours is indicated. of twenty-four hours duration. In the Genesis story of creation we find a definite Adam's age number is used with each and every one of these Worthy of consideration also is the thought that periods of time from one to seven inclusive; for man was created on the sixth "day" or division of instance, "the first day" (Genesis 1:5), and "the sixth creation week. If these "days" or divisions were day." Genesis 1:31. geological periods, then Adam's experience would have been fantastic. Even if he had sinned and died as early Only one conclusion as the first day after creation week (and this he did This leaves us with only one valid conclusion. not do, as the story of his life and family indicates), These "days" were 24-hour solar days. From the he would have lived through the seventh period, and Hebrew language usages no other assumption is justi- this—according to the evolutionary concept—would fied. And this is the testimony of the writers of have made him millions of years old. But Genesis Hebrew dictionaries, such as Buhl, Koenig, Brown, 5:5 states that Adam died at the age of 930 years. and others. These authorities know nothing of the Finally, the Sabbath commandment (Exodus notion that Yom means an indefinite time, or a 20:8-11) clearly indicates that these were literal 24-hour geological age, or of one thousand years, etc. days. On the seventh day of creation week God Himself A point worth noticing, too, is that the last three rested from labour, setting aside and sanctifying that creation days were controlled by the sun, and these seventh day to be a memorial for all time of the work three are described in exactly the same terms as are and the God of Creation. used of the preceding days. We need have no doubt that creation was a miraculous act of God performed in six literal days, A difficulty and that the Sabbath is the weekly reminder of the If we assume that each day of creation week was Creator-God.
Unlike the day, the month, and the year, the week has no astronomical reason for its existence. The creation as recorded in Genesis chapter one is the all-exclusive reason for the seven-day period of time we call the week. This period is emphasized in the Fourth Commandment, and was confirmed by Christ by His example and precept.
HE RESTED HE BLESSED HE SANCTIFIED
G OD 5 HOLY SABB
471' 3 tx 4in 5 TB DAY DAY DAY DAY Ninth What a sad comment on the lack of honesty in our generation. It is quite evident that pilfering is article in going on all the time. Honesty is not too highly rated LAW & the series today. The old adage: "crime doesn't pay" is made to by J. A. McMILLAN look redundant nowadays. Stealing and robbery are so LOVE highly organized, with split-second timing that only a fraction of the criminals are caught, and most of them retain their ill-gotten gains, having "paid their debt to society" by a short term of imprisonment. The crime-wave has become a deluge, which leaves the under-staffed police forces largely impotent. "Honesty is the best policy" was a slogan in my young days, but it sounds dreadfully old-fashioned and irrelevant now. IS HONEST Y Coupled with the increasing laxity in public honesty, has come an alarming increase in violence and brutality. Crimes against the person are keep- RtALLY ing pace with crimes against property. This is of ominous significance, coupling our days with the days THE BEST of Noah. The ancient record says: "The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence." Genesis 6:11. POLICY ? In 1967, London saw robbery with violence go up by 9.4%. Woundings and assaults went up by 14.3% and "attacks on the person" rose from 7,209 in 1966 Is honesty the immoral thing our forebears to 7,889 in 1967. made it out to be? Should we question the wisdom of God in setting a protective hedge Ugly twins around the sanctity of property when He Greed and hate seem to be inseparable twins. Wherever the one develops, the other soon appears. commanded: "Thou shalt not steal?" The No frontier can prevent its baleful spread. Like a Bible calls for a just measure, a correct poisonous miasma from a malarial swamp, it has weight, a fair wage, an honest day's toil. enveloped the whole world in its corrupting influence. Before its threatening advance, society stands helpless.
Protective hedge Back in the beginning of social relations, when ISHONESTY is undoubtedly one of the more God presented the guide-lines to happiness, He set forbidding characteristics of our times. In what- up a hedge to protect the sanctity of property, with D ever direction of human activity we look, the the simple precept: "Thou shalt not steal." distressing increase in crimes against private and public Terse, forceful, straight to the point, this command- property is appalling. ment condemns the taking of other people's property. Nineteen-hundred and sixty-seven was a bonanza The principle underlying this precept is that of private year for the shop-lifter. In Britain alone, £100,000,000 property. As Dr. Dale rightly asserts: "To grasp a worth of goods was stolen from shops and super- principle is of more real practical use than to remember markets. Even allowing for the fact that goods dis- a precept. And the principle which would guide us played on shelves and counters offer a temptation to safely through all the difficulties which may appear the light-fingered, it is obvious that robbery is highly to surround this subject is that Property is a Divine organized and wide-spread. In 1967 £2,000,000 was institution; and that it exists to increase the material stolen in wage-snatches. wealth of mankind, to develop the intellect, and to The worst feature of these robberies is the attitude exercise innumerable virtues. The laws of nations should of the individual. For instance, an "old lag" is reported be brought into harmony with that fundamental idea, by the Daily Express (January 11, 1968) to have said and the customs of business, and the habits of to Mr. Reginald Seaton, the chairman of Inner London individual men."—The Ten Commandments, page 202. Sessions: "I have given up big crime and only go in This means that every person has the right to for shop-lifting which does no harm to anybody. The own whatever he has acquired honestly and legitimately. big stores have millions of pounds." It seems that We have all read of cases where an organized quite a large number of citizens share Walter's opinion. body, such as a Council, or Government, has acquired by compulsory purchase or nationalization, that which belongs to some hapless individual. This may be "Not ashamed" according to legal device, but does it not infringe In the same issue of the Express, it was reported this "divine institution?" It reminds me of the old that a councillor was fined £245 for "fiddling his Indian's observation: "When the white man wins, it is local government expenses," and justified his action with victory: when the Indian wins, it is a massacre." these bold words: "I don't feel particularly ashamed of Nowhere does the Bible disapprove of the indi- what I have done. I am sure there are a great many vidual's right to own and keep that which he has members of local councils guilty of exactly the same honestly and legally acquired. The Bible does condemn things." greed and selfishness, but not property, nor property
23 In 1967 £100 million worth of goods were stolen from shops and supermarkets. The disturbing thing about the present situation is that so many people have no fixed principles. Otherwise decent people are prepared to pilfer it they can be sure of not being caught.
rights. Neither money nor property are either moral that the commandment is exceeding broad, covering or immoral: it is the motives and intentions that bring our emotions, our loyalties, our service, as well as morality into relation with these material things. our property and our means. The New Testament teaching on this is plain: Honesty calls for personal integrity. We cannot "We brought absolutely nothing with us when we ape the sharp dealer who cries: "It is naught, it entered this world and we can be sure we shall take is naught, saith the buyer; but when he is gone absolutely nothing with us when we leave it. Surely his way, then he boasteth." Proverbs 20:14. then, as far as physical things are concerned, it is The right to own, use, sell, is governed by the sufficient for us to keep our bodies fed and clothed. higher law of consideration for others. Surely Paul's For men who set their hearts on being wealthy expose appeal to the Romans is appropriate in this connection: themselves to temptations. They fall into one of "Love in all sincerity, loathing evil and clinging to the world's traps, and lay themselves open to all the good. Let love for our brotherhood breed warmth sorts of silly and wicked desires, which are quite of mutual affection. Give pride of place to one another capable of utterly ruining and destroying their souls. in esteem." Romans 12:9, 10, N.E.B. For loving money leads to all kinds of evil, and Some men are more industrious, some more saga- some men in the struggle to be rich have lost their cious than others. Jesus endorsed the differences among faith and caused themselves untold agonies of mind." men in their business capacity when He said: "The 1 Timothy 6:7-10, J. B. Phillips. poor shall never cease out of the land." Deuteronomy 15:11; Matthew 26:11. Because of this the divine guideline to good neighbourliness is appended. "There- "Give Me thine heart" fore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine It is clear from this scripture that to give our hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy heart's devotion to money and the acquisition of needy, in the land." wealth is to rob God of that which is rightly His. Because greed caused Israel to forget this principle, "Give Me thine heart" is His injunction. We can see Isaiah wrote: "The Lord will enter into judgment with
24 the ancients of his people, and the princes thereof: learn to make an honest living, so that you may be for ye have eaten up the vineyard; the spoil of the able to give to those in need." poor is in your houses. What mean ye that ye beat my people to pieces, and grind the faces of the poor? Grace triumphant saith the Lord God of hosts." Isaiah 3:14, 15. But there is also the law of restitution. "If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had "A fine pile !" robbed, walk in the statutes of life, . . he shall surely live." Ezekiel 33:15. James depicts the conditions "in the last days" That the prophet is speaking of more than life when the princes of Commerce are accused: "You on this earth is made plain by our Lord's comment have made a fine pile in these last days, haven't you? on restitution as an evidence of genuine repentance. But look, here is the pay of the reaper you hired When Zacchaeus said: "If I have swindled anybody and whom you cheated, and it is shouting out against out of anything, I will pay back four times as much," you! and the cries of the other labourers you swindled Jesus gave this assurance: "Salvation has come to this are heard by the Lord of Hosts Himself." James 5:1-6, house today." J. B. Phillips. Here is grace triumphing over sin. Most of man- Stealing can be not only the taking of another kind, either in word, thought, or deed, have trans- man's goods, but also the withholding of another's gressed this commandment. But where sin has reigned rightful dues. The history of the French and Russian grace does much more abound to the forgiving and revolutions gives point to the apostle's words of redeeming of the repentant sinner. The words of Jesus, warning. Greed and oppression breed hate and revenge. referring to the tax-collector for the Romans, applies Despair and desperation lead to rebellion, "There is to each of us: "Zacchaeus is a descendant of Abraham, that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that and it was the lost that the Son of Man came to seek withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to —and to save." Luke 19:8-10, J. B. Phillips. poverty." Proverbs 11:24. That is why the Bible calls for a just measure, a correct weight, a fair wage, an honest day's toil. When tax-gatherer Zacchaeus of Jericho was convicted in Social justice depends on ethical standards being his heart by the power and ministry of Jesus, he was anxious observed by men and management. Only when Capital to restore fourfold the losses other people had suffered through and Labour realize that they are a partnership, and his dishonest dealings. not contending forces in a war, will the rights of all be honoured. The principle enunciated by Jesus has its application here: "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much." Luke 16:10. Spurgeon humorously said that "our first fore- father was a certain disreputable gardener who was dismissed from his Master's estate for stealing fruit." A small sin, with vast consequences.
Robbing God We can rob God of the service due to Him. We may also rob Him of love. We may be stealing His "holy day" from Him, by trampling on its sacred hours. (Isaiah 58:13.) And what about the financial support of His cause on earth? "Well, can a man cheat God? And yet you are cheating Me. 'How have we cheated Thee?' you ask. By your tithes and offerings. You lie under My curse for cheating Me, the whole of your nation. If you would enjoy ample rations in My house, then pay all your tithes into the treasury, and see what I will do, says the Lord of hosts; see if I will not then open the very sluices of heaven to pour a blessing down upon you, a harvest more than enough." Malachi 3:8-10, Moffatt. All infringements of the eighth commandment bring their harvest. "As the partridge sitteth on eggs [which she bath not laid1; so he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool." Jeremiah 17:11 (margin). Similarly, Jesus called the man a fool who is greedy and selfish, forgetting his fellows in their need. "So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." Luke 12:21. The New Testament endorsement of the command- ment is: "Let the thief no longer steal." Ephesians 4:28, R.S.V. And J.B. Phillips ends this verse thus: "You must not only give up stealing, but you must
25 A DOCTOR'S VIEWPOINT
by Dr. L. G. WHITE, L.R.C.P.
SECOND ARTICLE IN THE SERIES IN THE STEPS OF ST. LUKE
T was quite a way in the coach from the Turkish I port of Kusadasi (one of my private satisfactions "Our epoch has an end-of-the-world was to hear how this name was pronounced!). Our road ran across the low-lying flatlands which, since character because the acceleration of those early days when St. Paul and his constant com- all technical, economic, political, and panion and Physician, St. Luke, had landed directly from the ship at Ephesus to preach in that sophisticated intellectual processes could well lead city of the first century, has been gradually silted up to this final catastrophe." over the centuries. On this occasion, I was not so interested in the great basilica over the tomb of St. John as in the presumed last resting place of that great diagnostician, St. Luke. With his practised flair for diagnosing disease What is the Bible diagnosis of he had taken upon himself the role of historian and believers in Corinth: "The spirit of this world has was applying that keen clinical Christian mind to the blinded the minds of those who do not believe, and diagnosis of the malady of his age. In the divine prevents the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, providence, Paul, that greatest of all evangelists, the image of God, from shining on them." 2 Corinthians had been provided with a dedicated and scholarly 4:4, Phillips. Without a doubt, Luke had heard this writer who viewed the explosive world of his age and many times in Paul's sermons; and he had actually saw the tremendous impact of the Christian message. seen it demonstrated in those rabid Judaisers who In those days, of course, it was a predominantly dogged their footsteps, persecuted their hearers, Roman world. stirred up the rabble, and invoked the Romans to ban St. Luke's remains lie in a field by the side their preaching altogether. of the crumbling ruins of that ancient city of Ephesus nestling on the slopes of those mountains as they drop down toward the sea. That great amphitheatre Three reactions faces directly out to sea to the west. What a sound- If you hear the Gospel message you may do one ing board this was for the proclamation of the Gospel! of three things: You may listen and accept; you may The echoes of that proclamation ring down the ages listen and reject; or you may ignore the whole thing. thanks to Luke's record in the Acts of the Apostles. The problem of this age is to make an impact on We can ask the same question today that he was asking minds which have been blinded or drugged. As Lord then: "How fast is the Gospel going at this present MacLeod of Iona said to us in our discussion: "In time?" that Medieval age in England, after the evangelizing Holy Writ declares that the world of Luke's zeal of the first centuries when they had no time to time had heard the Gospel during Paul's lifetime. build anything because they were so busy preaching, Surely we need a "flying angel" to accomplish a similar there came the time when they set about building service in this generation, and the remarkable fact churches because they hadn't the mission to put the is that the author of the Revelation, who lies in the Gospel into words. In other words as Chesterton put same part of the world as St. Luke, said there it, 'up shot the Gothics like a flight of arrows.' were to be three such "flying angels." Revelation The real enemy today is not the Ku Klux Klan but the 14:6, 8, 9. They signify a militant Gospel ministry at liberal minds with all the good ideas which say 'Yes, a time of maximum apostasy. it should be done but not just now. When the Gospel There is neither basilica nor church built over impact is really made, then they will crucify us or St. Luke's tomb, but his memorial consists in the join us; but people at the moment hardly think it is imperishable words of his "Gospel According to St. worth bothering about!' " Luke." Furthermore, he jots down with impeccable detail the story of the early Church's advance in his "Acts of the Apostles." What a privileged person End-of—world character was Theophilus to have both these books dedicated to St. Luke would surely have agreed with Dr. Joachim him by this illustrious author (See Luke 1:3; Acts 1:1.) Bodamer who has given me permission to quote from his recent book Gesundheit in der Technischen Welt. Luke's diagnosis He is chief psychiatrist in a large West German mental But what was Luke's diagnosis of his age? It was hospital. He propounds the view that our epoch has in harmony with Paul's comment in his letter to the an end-of-the-world character because the acceleration
26 of all technical, economic, political, and intellectual essential drama and initiative of struggle, and the processes could well lead to this final catastrophe. excitement must be provided by cinemas, TV's, and, Civilized man is no longer the master of his own fate for the teenager, the "kicks" of drugs. Some seek but has become the impotent victim of an escalating satisfaction in rushing everywhere, and in pathological megolomania which he has unchained and let loose. travel for the mere sake of movement. But, as Rather like the sorcerer's apprentice who has been play- our author rightly and acutely observes: "On the ing about with the great magician's code book, and crowded pavements of city streets, in the company of created a host of water-carriers who keep on multiplying a crowd, there can be no question of peace, relaxation, until he is engulfed. contemplation of nature, or spiritual development." Dr. Bodamer says the diagnosis is difficult because Here, then, is the final schizophrenia—the divided it involves a psychic derangement of the spirit of the self, the double personality, the love-hate relationships. age which is greater than the sum of its individual Having then made our analysis of the spirit of parts. Just as a mad crowd will always go further the age, we discover that the intractable hallucinations more dangerously in concert than would any single of the psychotic, find their equivalents in the in- member of that same crowd working in isolation. One corrigibly irrational behaviour of the present-day of the main symptoms is the intensity and extent to ideologists. None consider themselves wrong, or ill. which modern man is turned toward "this-world." Theirs is the "norm"! They confuse health with This radical extroversion, to quote further from this undirected activity, and a restless work-drive with distinguished Christian psychiatrist, presupposes two achievement. things: first, the disregard of the inner life of the Dr. Bodamer rightly concludes that this basic human soul; and secondly, a touching faith that derangement is caused by modern man's inability to improved standards of living and technical progress admit that his existence is only through God, and represent the real values. It goes further and means that man's spiritual centre of gravity is displaced outward into the world: his inner life is stripped of its real values: man loses his equilibrium and then becomes a prey to fear. "Men's hearts failing them for fear" is one of Luke's quotations from one of the last sermons of READERS WHO WOULD LIKE TO KNOW our blessed Lord. (Luke 21: 26.) more about the great truths of the Bible, are earnestly invited to avail themselves of the Craving for security special, free, HOME BIBLE STUDY GUIDES This fear produces an almost insatiable craving advertised on the back cover. Editor for security, and so we insure against everything and everybody; but the inner void is now deprived of the
27 that this deep-seated malaise can only be understood heaven . . . crying in a loud voice, 'Reverence God theologically. Apart from this the prognosis is hopeless and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment and the final catastrophe soon and certain. has come! Worship Him who made heaven and earth, As Paul wrote to the Ephesians of his day: "For the sea and the springs of water." The second and our fight is not against any physical enemy: it is third flying angels add their proclamations to all against organizations and powers that are spiritual. We languages on earth. (Revelation 14:7-11, Phillips.) are up against the unseen power that controls this A degree of success is assured. Resulting from this dark world, and spiritual agents from the very head- final appeal to mankind is the positive response of a quarters of evil. Therefore you must wear the whole "remnant" who have integral and deep-seated primary armour of God. . . ." Ephesians 6:12, Phillips. convictions of loyalty to such messages. "In all this The proclamation for this final age is threefold, stands the endurance of the saints— those who keep as St. Luke's companion now under the dust at Ephesus the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus." declares: "Then I saw another angel flying in mid- (Revelation 14:12.) * • * • * • * • * • * • * • * •
of interchange" is approved "in order that boards of missions should be ecumenically related to such emphases." Thus, in fulfilment of Bible prophecy, the flight to Rome accelerates. It is one of the surest signs of the last days—decline of Bible religion, and upsurge of Rome's NEWS and VIEWS popularity.
LOST LIFE.—"It is estimated that approximately 3.4 years of life are now lost due to the habit of smoking."— Dr. E. Cuyler Hammond, in Alert (U.S.).
SUICIDE.—Noted Psychiatrist Dr. Joel Fort of San HEAVEN OR HOUSING?—A little while ago the Week- Francisco, claimed that "the individual who insists on End Telegraph carried a whole page article entitled: smoking cigarettes, despite evidence of the effects, is engaged "Religion is not about Social Justice." Author Anthony in a suicide equivalent."—Listen News. Lejeune wrote: "Instead of proclaiming the good news of eternal life, the 'political' priests have allowed themselves to become preoccupied with a social gospel concerned "DEAD BEFORE TIME".—The late Senator Robert F. with housing rather than heaven, with race relations rather Kennedy commented concerning American children: "Over than salvation." "Today's favourite heresy is the secular 4,000 children start to smoke every day. A million children gospel, the doctrine of omniscient science, omnipotent now in school will be dead of lung cancer before their welfarism, and democracy as the touchstone of all good. time if present rates continue."—Alert (U.S.). . . . Here, therefore, is the enemy." Christ's commission to His Church was to declare the "everlasting Gospel" LOSSES MADE GOOD.—All the arms and equipment lost to lost sinners. Revealing how man can get right with by the Egyptians and Syrians in the six-day war against his Maker is by far the most important task of the Israel in June, 1967, were much more than replaced by Church. May, 1968—thanks to Russia. But this time the major military stocks are strictly under Russian control, and will not be transferred until the Arab units are fully THE SECRET OF SECURITY.—"Father of the H-Bomb," trained in the use of modern weapons. Russia, like other Dr. Edward Teller, was interviewed a few months ago major nations, is keenly interested in the Middle East, by a U.S. News Reporter on the subject of Nuclear and is obviously getting all set for a new demonstration War and "atomic blackmail" by Russia. He felt he could in that vital area which features so prominently in Bible not rule out the possibility because, though we are now prophecy. in a position of "nuclear stalemate—with Russia and America equally poised, yet "in our technological age, FIRST LIE PERPETUATED.—The first lie ever uttered technological surprises can occur." Dr. Teller advocated was by the devil in the Garden of Eden. It was a that "We put ourselves into a stronger situation than denial of death. (Genesis 3 :4.) Spiritualism is forthright Russia," then "we can greatly limit the chance that we in confirming the devil's claim: "You shall not die." shall be attacked at all." Truly, as the Bible says, the At the cremation service of the "Queen of English Mediums" "perilous times" of "the last days" are upon us. In Gladys Leonard, a spirit message purporting to have come connection with the above interview and the hint that from her was played by a recording machine: "Never security can be found only as we possess stronger fear death because it does not exist. I now go forward weapons, we are reminded of the Bible's inspired advice: and upward to service in the higher spheres." (Psychic "Put not your trust in weapons; but put your trust News.) A sign of the last days before Christ's second in God." (See Proverbs 21:31, etc.) True strength and advent is the fact that the spirits of devils will work stability can be found only in Him. "Trust ye in the miracles to deceive mankind. (Revelation 16:14.) Modern Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting Spiritualism is one of the most potent agencies for this strength." Isaiah 26:4. purpose. INCREDIBLE DECISION.—A May meeting of the United Methodist Board of Missions in New York agreed to employ Roman Catholic missionaries "who meet the usual standards." Due to shortage of eligible Methodists, and "the increasing Answers to "Test Your 'Word' Power" number of requests for missionaries with special skill," the Methodist Board admit it may be "necessary to recruit See page 20. outside one's own denomination." To Protestants concerned about Bible truth, willingness to employ Catholics is both 1. (a) Genesis 14:1-16; 2. (a) Acts 25:1-12; 3. (c) Nehemiah stunning and significant. Reason for this startling decision 4:1-18; 4. (c) Acts 12:1-10; 5. (b) 2 Kings 4:38-41; 6. (c) is explained by the modern emphasis on ecumenism and 1 Samuel 1:4-20; 7. (a) Luke 8:43-48; 8. (b) Luke 15:11-32; the principle of "joint action for missions." "This kind 9. (b) Acts 8:26-39.
28
xr
History of the Lord's Day
G 0 D'S UNCHANGING REQUIREMENT
For a truly sane and stable society, the ' weekly day of rest is among the most essential—and enjoyable—boons that God has given. It lifts the mind from human inadequacy to the limitless power of the Creator by LESLIE SHAW
HERE is one final scripture within the Mosaic law we would like to T deal with, about this matter of Sabbath legislation. It is in the book of Deuteronomy—which means "second law" —and is so named because of the rehearsal of the law by Moses to Israel shortly before he died on Mount Horeb. In Deuteronomy 5:12-15 the Sabbath II 111 Commandment is repeated, not word for Ia word as it was originally given, but in 11(111111111 a free manner with added comment, and 11E111'940II! I likt added reason, for Israel to observe the Sabbath. All men owe their allegiance to God because He is their Creator. But Israel, because of An unchanging God their remarkable deliverance from Egyptian servitude, It is one of the great teachings of the Bible that had an added reason for loyalty. This Moses empha- the Being we all should worship is an "unchanging" sizes when he says: "Remember that thou wart a God: "I am the Lord, I change not." Paul declares of servant in the land of Egypt, and that the Lord thy the Son of God: "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and today, and for ever." Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8. and by a stretched out arm: therefore the Lord thy This guarantees mercy and justice equally to all men God commanded thee to keep the Sabbath day." on the terms that they have always been offered. The Israelites had been unable to keep the Sabbath We need to remember that before His incarnation properly in Egypt. They had been subjected to cruel Christ was that "Angel" who met Moses in the burning slavery, and their freedom had been greatly curtailed. bush. (See Exodus 3.) It was He who, after delivering So God sent Moses to Pharaoh, asking him to grant them from Egypt, guided Israel through the wilder- the Israelites release from labour on the Sabbath. ness by means of that pillar of cloud by day and In the story of the Exodus, God wrought their deliver- pillar of fire by night. He it was of whom it was said: ance so that they should be free to obey His law. He "Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee emphasizes the Sabbath Law in particular, because in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I this was the one they had been least able to observe have prepared." Exodus 23:20, 21. while enduring slavery in Egypt. God similarly described in Old and New Testament Vital part of the law There are numerous passages of Scripture in the With the Sabbath legislation before us, to what Old Testament, even as there are in the New Testa- conclusion shall we come? Clearly we can see from it ment, extolling the merciful character of God, but that God regarded the Sabbath as a vital part of His these never seem to be thought of as minimizing the Law, and that the penalty attached for its transgression penalty attached to transgression. was, within the civil code of Israel, as severe as that We need to discern clearly the nicety of relation- for any other of the Ten Commandments—death for ship between God's JUSTICE and His MERCY. While those who, in a spirit of rebellion, "despised" it and God is abundantly ready to pardon, yet He can not openly flouted it, while mercy was offered for all sins be trifled with, nor can He condone any who presume of ignorance. upon His mercy by wilful persistence in disobedience. Some question the mercy of this. But since Israel Hence the clear statement that He will not "at all was a Theocracy, deliberate Sabbath-breaking amounted acquit the wicked." Nahum 1:3 (see Exodus 34:7). to revolt against God, the acknowledged head of the And this is something that New Testament writers State. Further: in a land that was happily organized also emphasize, including Jesus Himself. for Sabbath rest and worship, as distinct from today As we have already seen, the writer of the epistle when no sanctity is officially or popularly assigned to the Hebrews, referring to the imposition of the to any day of the week, Sabbath-breaking was possible death penalty within the Old Testament law, declared: only by those who were hostile to God and to the "He that despised Moses law died without mercy under country's government. Hence the apparent severity of two or three witnesses;" then comparing that severity the penalty. of the Old Testament times with the position as it is Concerning this, J. N. Andrews comments: "The in the Gospel Age, he adds: "Of how much sorer penalty of death at the hand of the civil magistrate punishment suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, is affixed to the violation of the Sabbath. The same who hath trodden under foot [despised] the Son of penalty is affixed to most of the precepts of the Moral God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant Law. (Leviticus 20:9, 10; 24:15-17; Deuteronomy wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing, and hath 13:6-18; 17:2-7.) It should be remembered that the done despite unto the Spirit of grace?" Hebrews Moral Law embracing the Sabbath formed a part 10:28, 29. of the CIVIL code of the Hebrew nation. As such, the In view of this, we have this merciful reminder: great Law-giver annexed penalties to be inflicted by "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed the magistrate, thus doubtless shadowing forth the to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we final retribution of the ungodly. Such penalties were should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels suspended by that remarkable decision of the Saviour was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience that those who were without sin should cast the first received a just recompense of reward; how shall we stone. But such a Being will arise to punish men, when escape if we neglect [not reject] so great salvation; the hailstones of His wrath shall desolate the earth. which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and Our Lord did not, however, set aside the real penalty was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him." of the law, the wages of sin, nor did He weaken that Hebrews 2:1-3. precept which had been violated. (John 8:1-11; Job Clearly, this writer did not regard sin as less 38:22, 23; Isaiah 28:17; Revelation 16:17-21; Romans punishable in New Testament times than it was in the 6:23.)"—History of the Sabbath, Footnote, page 58. Old! And concerning those who refused both His and Some may ask: "But was not the Old Testament His disciples' witness, Jesus said: "Verily I say unto dispensation one of rigorous law, and rigorous punish- you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom ment, and therefore in contrast with the present which and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that is one of grace and love?" The implication is that we city." Matthew 10:15. God's attitude, then, to the sin may now sin against any of the Ten Commandments of Sabbath-breaking, as to all other sin, is the same without fear of the consequences. This, of course, is a as it was in the days of ancient Israel. dangerous error. God has always been merciful, but not at the expense of holiness, righteousness, and Danger justice. There is another great danger confronting man. It
30 is still as easy for us, as it was for the Jews, to think may enter in through the gates into the city." of others as worse sinners than ourselves, and so to Revelation 22:14. excuse ourselves somewhat for our own sins. But no It is true that "a man is justified by faith without sin is excusable. There is only one way of escape from the deeds of the law," as Paul declares, but if that the penalty of the sins we commit, and that is by faith does not produce in a man "works of righteous- repentance, and a living faith in Jesus Christ as our ness," then that profession of faith is an empty own personal Saviour, and then the submission of our- profession. (See Luke 6:46.) selves entirely to Him. He must become our Lord as "Be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only, well as our Saviour. deceiving your own selves." James 1:22. (Notice "There were present at that season some that told also the very frank statement in 1 John 2:4.) Him of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled (to be continued.) with their sacrifices. And Jesus, answering said unto them [doubtless answering their unspoken thoughts), suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners above all Peace of Heart the Galileans, because they suffered such things. I tell you, Nay: But except ye repent, ye shall all likewise by Stanley Combridge perish. Or those eighteen upon whom the tower of Siloam fell, and slew them, Think ye that they were PEACE dwells within the soul, God's blessed peace. sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell 'Tis not in outward things this boon we find— you, Nay: But except ye repent ye shall all likewise Tranquillity and calm in heart and mind: perish." Luke 13:1-5. Such only can be found when strivings cease. It is never safe to compare ourselves favourably as against another, and so to excuse our own lapses, A soul possessed by God brings true release; and thereby attempt to justify them. A mind and heart surrendered and resigned, Because of the present tendency of preachers to A conscience clear, enlightened, and refined— preach only about the love and mercy of God, men These blessings are for man, God's masterpiece. seem to overlook His holiness, righteousness, and justice. But this is an extremely dangerous thing Impatience means the soul has lost command, to do. It leads to the belief and feeling that God But, to submit to God's own blessed will is so kind, so considerate, so extremely merciful and 'Midst bitterest trials, His peace can still tenderhearted, that however sinful and wicked a The murmur on the lips: we see His hand man's life might be, God will not allow him to perish. Outstretched to bless. In peace, we understand But this is completely erroneous. Each moment of our life by Him is planned. Only one way God's Plan of Salvation is worked out in harmony COPYRIGHT ACKNOWLEDGMENTS with the principles of righteousness, justice, and Cover picture, Barnahy; Keystone, pages 5, 6, 15, 27; Mount holiness. Sinners can be saved only by faith and Wilson and Palomar Observatories, page 8; Donald P. McClure, repentance. There is something that even God cannot pages 10, 11; Studio Lisa, pages 14, 18, 24; Mrs. Jane J. Miller, pages 21, 29; T. Nelson and Sons, page 25; Michael Cowen, do—He cannot save a stubborn, wilful unrepentant page 33. sinner. Faith is a belief in Christ, an acceptance of His substitutionary death and His infinite merits. We hope you have en- Repentance includes sorrow for sin, and turning away from it, to lead a new life through the indwelling joyed reading this issue Christ. And unless both of these principles operate of "OUR TIMES." We in- through God's grace in a man, then he cannot be saved. It is not a case of: "Trust in God, and vite you to join our large please yourself," even though Augustine said it, and family of regular readers. many preachers quote it. Not until a man has been transformed, and has the mind of Christ, will his SIMPLY FILL IN THE COUPON AND POST inclinations be other than sinful, and even then, in this life, he will still have to combat self, and the old nature WITH CHEQUE OR POSTAL ORDER TO: which will continually seek to assert itself till his The Circulation Manager dying day! THE STANBOROUGH PRESS LTD. A fruit of salvation ALMA PARK • GRANTHAM LINCOLNSHIRE What does all this amount to within our study? to to to to to to to ======Frankly just this: that Sabbath transgression has to r I wish to order OUR TIMES and have placed a tick be repented of equally with that of every other sin: against the subscription of my choice. and when it is, true Sabbath-keeping will reveal El My postal subscription itself as a fruit of the Salvation which Christ has of 23/6 for twelve months. I ❑ wrought out within us. "Save me," says the Psalmist, U My postal subscription of 11/9 for six months. "and I will keep Thy testimonies." It is because of this that certain Bible writers Mr/Mrs/Miss stress obedience. James says: "Wilt thou know, 0 vain man, that faith without works is dead." Also Address John the Revelator, in harmony with Isaiah 26:2, says: "Blessed are they that do His Commandments, Block letters please that they may have right to the tree of life, and MI MB MI In MB en
31 THE
Gr M
GOD'S WILD LIFE IN BRITAIN
The earthworm
NOTHER name for the earth- by ALAN P. MAJOR worms could be Nature's Aploughmen, because they are constantly at work in fields, gardens, and pastures, making their tunnels which admit air into the earth and also help to drain it of water. By feeding in the soil and then coming to the surface to make their "casts," which you can sometimes see as coiled, squiggly heaps on lawns, they help \*N- igolo the plants to grow by providing this gtottiolio. rich food which the roots would // 7//7 z///7/ not otherwise reach. It was found in an experiment that if a piece of land is left undug for five years, in that time the earthworms living in The earthworm gathering leaves. it would cover it with an inch of new fertile soil. rotted the earthworm sucks it up as bristles. It uses these to grip the sides Charles Darwin, the famous natur- food. of its burrow, move with and to alist, was very interested in the life To look at the earthworm, which detect the approach of birds, animals, of earthworms. He discovered that is blind and deaf, and has no teeth, and human feet. That is why you can a single acre of land contained up it appears to have only a wet slimy often see a thrush or blackbird, its to 50,000 earthworms, and that in body, but if you could examine it chief enemies, having a struggle one year they brought to the surface under a powerful magnifying glass trying to pull an earthworm out of from deep down in the earth ten you would see it is clothed with the earth. tons of new soil. Without earthworms to till the earth the ground becomes stony and poor for growing crops. You will also probably have TREAD SOFTLY IN GOD'S WOODLANDS noticed several leaves tucked into the soil and if you pull one out it by ETHEL RAMSAY reveal's a worm's entrance hole to its burrow. The leaves are a sign the ESSA enjoyed "wooding" with 'tread softly' . . . I think there is a worm has been out hunting at night her Nannie, for there was woodland creature in distress— for something to feed on as well as T always so much to see in the perhaps we can help it." soil. When it finds a leaf it curls woods, and Tessa found it fascinat- Tessa had heard a tiny—very tiny itself around the stalk and drags it ing to gather logs and cones for —tweet of a bird. She walked a few back to its burrow, then as it returns winter fires. She had a special trolley paces, bent down to the ground and into the hole it pulls in the leaf too, which she took with her and she gathered up a bird not quite big to act as a plug. This also prevents had such fun. enough to explore by itself, which rainwater running into the burrow On one special wooding day Tessa in its eagerness had tumbled out and keeps out enemies, such as suddenly put her finger to her lips of its nest. centipedes. As soon as the leaf has and whispered: "Shush, Nannie, . . . Tessa cradled the little adventurer
32 in her gentle hands, stroking and woods. A small spindly-legged robin She looked astonished. crooning to it carefully. Fortunately, hopped away quietly, but the chaf- "This is my special corner," Bob she soon found the nest, and replaced finches stayed—they were not fright- said, a happy smile spreading over the little bird inside. ened of visitors. A lordly magpie, its his tanned and kindly face. "I keep "I always pray for birds in flawless white waistcoat showing up all my choice wood here ready for difficulties, Nannie. I think God with such purity against its jet people who like such wood with its guided us to this spot. I expect the black feathers, majestically took to beautiful markings." He looked mother bird will return and make it the air. round. "This wood is not for burn- comfortable," Tessa said as we Bob looked up sadly for a moment, ing". . . . he shuddered at the continued our search for treasures. cocked his head very much like one thought of it. "I know you and of his bird companions, and said: your sister will treasure it." Suddenly Tessa pounced on some- "You've frightened my friends away, "We certainly will." thing almost hidden by the autumn they always join me for lunch. . . . "You stay here for a moment, leaves under a tree. She picked up You must tread softly in the woods Tessa, just in case any splinters fly a tiny, beautifully-tinted, silver birch you know." Tessa looked at me and out and hurt you," Bob cautioned as log—only about three inches long, smiled as she remembered her words he crossed to a far corner of the but so perfect in appearance that of caution to me to "tread softly." shed. Tessa was delighted. How this lovely "They'll come back," Bob said. A whirring of an electric saw piece of woodland beauty had arrived "Did you like my woodland friends?" was heard, and soon Bob returned in this position of shelter, until Tessa nodded—rather too excited with twelve small logs, their different Tessa's hands had been able to to speak, as she looked at this little shades showing the beauty and dainti- retrieve it before it disintegrated is man of the trees. ness of the silver birch tree. One one of the secrets of tree protection. I explained the reason for our could understand it being known as Tessa's face lit up with pleasure visit. the "merry tree who dances gaily." as she fondled the tiny log and Tessa showed her small log to Tessa's brown eyes sparkled as she said: "0 Nannie! I must try and Bob and told him: "If I could only gathered up the logs and packed them find some more baby logs like this get another log like this one for my carefully onto the trolley with the one, even if I could find only one for sister Josephine I should be so twigs and cones she had collected. Josephine." But, although we traced pleased." As we came away, Tessa waved to our steps, enjoying walking through Tessa smiled as she explained Bob and thanked him for giving her the crisp, crunchy autumn leaves, more fully: "Josephine and I have a so much pleasure. eagerly looking under trees to see little house at the bottom of our "You must come in the spring," if any more were hidden under a garden, where we do our homework, Bob said. "I'll show you where the tree trunk, not one silver birch log read our Bible, and learn our Sabbath violets hide and where the primroses' could be found. school lessons. We also listen to our bright flowers will bloom." Tessa laughed with glee as she saw records, and I thought the log would Nannie reminded her that the a baby rabbit try to join in the look so pretty on the window ledge." ground would be turned into a blue fun, its little white tail bobbing Bob took hold of the log. "Is this carpet with bluebells, another of merrily as it ran to its burrow. the size you want?" he asked. God's treasures of beauty to us. "To "Didn't it look sweet, Nannie?" "Yes," replied Tessa, hopefully. appreciate all the interesting things "I know, Tessa, let's go and visit "I plan to decorate them with some of nature," said Nannie, "You must old Bob the woodcutter, he knows cones and ferns we have gathered." always remember to 'tread softly,' all about the trees." "Come with me and I'll see what as George Eliot wrote in one of I can find." We soon came to Bob's woodland her books: 'In such silence one could cabin. He led Tessa into another shed almost hear the heart-beats of the full of silver birch tree trunks. squirrels." Tessa looked with amazement at the stacks and stacks of tree trunks, all lengths, widths, and different Tessa loved the woodland. She found it fascinating to gather logs and cones for winter fires. colours. She was very interested to see the circles in the logs, denoting their age, for she always loved the things of nature. Bob was a quaint-looking little man, the soft leather-like skin of his face blending with the autumn branches. He was sitting on a chop- ped-down bole of a tree, the remains of one of the "monarchs of the forest." In front was a smaller tree trunk he used as a table on which sat his friends, sharing his lunch. There were families of squirrels all sizes, some sitting on their hind legs with morsels of food or nuts held in their fore-paws, others chat- ting away merrily before leaving the luncheon party to climb or scramble up the trees—jumping from one branch to another with amazing skill to speed away to another part of the 33 my sister was doing. She was nowhere know that we are walking in the to be found! She had completely dis- right path, and will keep clean from the appeared! Mother frantically searched dirt and grime of sin. our very large garden, the fields sur- Yours affectionately, rounding it, and the various sheds and chicken houses, and as a last resort, took a quick look in the coal shed. What a sight met her eyes! There was my sister sitting in the coal dust and having a wonderful time throwing handfuls of coal dust over her. She was black from head to foot except for two little blue eyes that peeped out from a very black face! RESULTS OF MAY COMPETITION My Dear Sunbeams, Coal is dirty stuff isn't it. Of course, RECENTLY I read of a group of people after a good scrub, both my sister and Prize-winners.—Charles McMorris, 27 Foyle who planned to go down a coal mine. her clothes were clean again, but her Crescent, Newbuildings, Londonderry, N. They assembled with the guide but a shoes never did lose the coal marks. Ireland. Age 14. Alison Smith, 321 Old Farm Avenue, Sidcup, Kent. Age 10. gasp of surprise went up when the There are other places and other things last one arrived. She was dressed in— beside coal mines and coal that are Honourable Mention.—Anne Crawford (West white slacks, white jacket, white shoes, dirty. There are questionable places of Moors) ; Rosslyn Tuson (Edmonton N.18); Joy Price (Newport, Mon.); Angela Wood and she had a white scarf on her head! amusement, books filled with rubbish, (Woodford); Janet Palmer (Lt. Wenham) ; When told she couldn't go down the programmes on TV and wireless that Sylvia Wood (Cardiff) ; Brenda George mine dressed like that, she turned to the carry smut and dirt. (Norwich); Kathryn Meadows (Grantham); Anita Saxby (Hawnby); Howard Nigel guide and asked why. With twinkling It is not so easy to wash away this (Nottingham); Jayne Hackford (Barrow-on- eyes he replied : "You can go down kind of "dirt" for it stays in the mind Humber) ; Patrick Welsh (Edinburgh); that way if you wish, young lady, but you and brain, and it is almost impossible to Geoffrey Statham (East Finchley N.2); Paul- ette Haughton (Merton Park, S.W.20); won't come back looking like that. Coal blot these things from the memory. Ann Grunsell (Buckley) ; Linda McMorris is dirty stuff, you know." Those who take part in questionable (Londonderry) ; Shirley Spear (Portscatho) ; This reminded me of something that amusements can be sure that some of the Jane Warren (Woodford); Pamela Sheldrick (Carlisle) ; Jennifer Sargent (Chelmsford) ; happened when my eldest sister was "dirt" will remain. Also those who Elizabeth Goyder (Raydon) ; Lloyd Houghton just a little girl. Washed, and dressed take part in these things do so alone, (Reading); Colin Mackay (Grangemouth) ; in a pretty white dress, white socks and without their Guide, for Jesus would not Annette Pain (Lincoln) ; Beverley Henry (East Dulwich, S.E.22) ; Stephanie Moses shoes, she was told to be a good girl be with them. (Huddersfield); Glenda Haughton (Merton and play with her toys while Mother Let us, Sunbeams, always have Jesus Park, S.W.20) ; Barbara Robinson (Walsall); prepared the dinner. for our Guide, and only go where He Lester Taylor (London, N.W.2); Patricia Sewsanker (London, N.W.2) ; Simone Fryer A few minutes later, Mother, noticing can go with us, and see only that which (Norwich); John Kidd (Grantham); Kevin an unusual quietness, went to see what He can watch with us. Then we shall Catho (Woodbridge); Edward Addison (Aberdeen); Linda Rand (Chelmsford). Those Who Tried Hard.—Margaret . . ' ...... ' . ' . Chamberlain (Kettering) ; Grace Haughton tj- (Merton Park, S.W.20); Margaret Mackay ... (Grangemouth) ; Peter Murray (Eastbourne); Heather Murray (Eastbourne) ; Carol Joseph (Ashton-u-Lyne) ; Margaret King (Ipswich) ; Susan Booton (Market Drayton); Paul King (Ipswich) ; Andrew Mathias (Liverpool 4); Paul Murray (Eastbourne) ; Julia Leonard (Bracknell) ; Valerie O'Hara (Coleraine) ; Arthur Matthew (London W.12) ; Patrick Morgan (Birmingham 27); Elma Morgan (Birmingham 27) ; Phillip Morgan (Birm- ingham 27) ; M. Pasola (Coventry) ; Lesley See how Jones (Darlaston) ; Paula McKay (Bristol); Christine Slawson (Southampton); John nicely you can Mathias (Liverpool 4); Paul Reynolds (South- colour this end-on-Sea) ; William Line (Southampton) ; David Goyder (Rawdon) ; Kerry Horrocks picture and (DerbY); Robin Spearing (Watford) ; Donna McKinnon (Sheffield 8); Jane Rockey (Ply- send it with mouth) ; Trevor Brookes (Cirencester) ; Peter your name, age, Secker (Bimingham); Judith Emmerson (Wokingham) ; Jeremiah Satchwell (East and address to Dulwich, S.E.22); Clement Morgan (Birming- ham 27) ; Vivienne Sharp (Hornchurch) ; Auntie Alice, Sarah Bradbury (Lymington); Malcolm The Stanborough McClure (Grantham). Press Ltd., Alma Park, WHAT IS IT ? Grantham, Lincs., What is it has a useful head. not later than But hasn't any hair; October 5th It has no ears or nose or mouth Or any cap to wear?
What is it has a useful eye, But doesn't have a head; Yet it can help to make a dress Or a bonnet white or red.
aipaeu uid V •I. :szemsuY
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I would like more details of your new publication "THE BIBLE STORY"
Mr/Mrs/Miss
BLOCK LETTERS PLEASE OT IN JUST TWO DAYS from now your whole life can begin to be changed. Just two days, and you can begin to LIVE as you have never lived before. I did. I tried all sorts of things in an attempt to find meaning and purpose in living; but when Bill—he's the accountant at our firm—suggested that I should try the Bible, I just laughed! But I found he wasn't joking. Seems he'd been troubled for years, not seeing any logic or reason in many things that happen in life and in the world, until someone introduced him to the "Voice of Prophecy" lessons. Bill now has a completely different outlook. When he suggested I should send for these Bible reading Guides, I didn't like to appear rude, and more to oblige him than for any interest I had in the Bible, I wrote off for the Course. You know, right from the first two lessons I sensed that this was some- thing different. Saon I was engrossed in what the Bible has to say to us. At long last I have found meaning behind great historical events and present-day tensions. Talking of tensions—I've lost mine. The Bible has given me peace of mind and an inner calm. I get real satisfaction from life now. Do I recommend the Course to others? Of course I do! Anyone with an enquiring mind ought to write for these free lessons. I'm glad I did. Oh, by the If you would like to receive the way, Bill and I are engaged now and "Voice of Prophecy" Bible Reading Guide Sheets entirely free of charge the lessons are even helping us to plan and with absolutely no obligation, fill in the coupon and send it to: a happy marriage!
The VOICE OF PROPHECY, STANBOROUGH PARK, WATFORD, HERTS.
r BLOCK LETTERS PLEASE and IN TWO DAYS you will receive Please send without cost the first two lessons in the Course of your choice. Courses offered: to me, the first two lessons of Mr./Mrs./Miss. the Course I have ticked. • HOPE OF THE WORLD—The Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ. ❑ Hope of the World Address • GREAT TEACHINGS AND PRO- O Great Teachings PHECIES OF THE BIBLE. I O "Take His Word" • "TAKE HIS WORD"—What Christ I Himself says about our life and ❑ Young People's Course times.
• YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE COURSE Post in unsealed —For teenagers. envelope with 3d. stamp. OT GH — — - - — MI ME EMI OE