Testimonytestimony

―That in everything ye are enriched by Him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge, even as TheThe TestimonyTestimony

of Christ was confirmed in you.‖ I Cor. 1:5–6 Verse Of The Month ―…the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; the flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land.‖ Song of Solomon 2:11–12 Vol. II May, 2011 No. 5

FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE EARTH For the beauty of the Earth, For the glory of the skies, For the love which from our birth Over and around us lies: For the wonder of each hour Of the day and of the night, Hill and vale, and tree and flower, Sun and moon, and stars of light: For the joy of human love, Brother, sister, parent, child; Friends on earth, and friends above; For all gentle thoughts and mild: For Thy church that evermore Lifteth holy hands above, Off’ring up on every shore Her pure sacrifice of love: For Thyself, best Gift Divine! To our race so freely given; For that great, great love of Thine, Peace on earth, and joy in heaven: Lord of all, to Thee we raise This our hymn of grateful praise. Amen. Folliott S. Pierpoint Selected The Testimony

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ONLY A WORD A word is such a potent thing; A careless word may break a heart; A bitter word may burn and sting; A word can rip a home apart. And yet a word can comfort bring. A word can wound, a word can mend; Can lift the broken; lighten eyes, A word can heal, a word can send The soul a touch of paradise. A gentle word may win a friend. So; Lord of Words, please grant to me The speech that spreads tranquility. Lois Elizabeth Ridenour Selected GOD WORKING THROUGH GODLY WOMEN 3 Editorial

GOD WORKING THROUGH dered many things in her heart GODLY WOMEN and eventually stood by the cross. Though Satan was allowed to God has revealed Himself, His bruise the heel of the seed of the nature, and His plan in many woman, Christ bruised the head of ways. Jesus would be His greatest Satan when He conquered death revelation. Another avenue has and rose from the grave. Through been through His creation of childbearing (the seed of the women and mothers. A godly woman), she (and all mankind) woman loves and cares for her own can be saved if they continue in often at the sacrifice of herself. faith, charity, and holiness with Moses‘ mother, knowing the de- sobriety. (I Timothy 2:15) cree of Pharaoh, hid him when he God uses the surety of the sun, was born as long as she could. She moon, and stars to declare the seed then placed him in a little ark to of Israel will be a nation before float on the water among the flags Him forever. (Jeremiah 31:35–37) of the Nile, and had his sister In a similar manner He chose to watch. God was watching, too. He use a strength of character He cre- appealed to the motherly instinct in ated in woman to declare His faith- Pharaoh‘s daughter, and when fulness to them. He says He will Moses cried, she had compassion on have mercy upon His afflicted. him. God arranged that his own Though Zion feels forsaken and mother nurtured him until he be- forgotten of the Lord, He says, came the son of Pharaoh‘s daughter. ―Can a woman forget her sucking Through the nature he created in child, that she should not have these women, He saved a child and compassion on the son of her raised up a leader for His people. womb? yea, they may forget, yet will God often placed a strong desire I not forget thee. Behold I have in women to bear children. Hannah graven thee upon the palms of my prayed earnestly for a son. Her de- hands; thy walls are continually sire was noble and she said if God before me.‖ (Isaiah 49:15–16) would grant her request she would The powerful strengths of char- lend him to the Lord. God answered acter found in mothers have been her prayer, and she kept her prom- a testimony of God and an influ- ise. She took Samuel to serve with ence in every generation. Godly Eli in the temple. We know she con- mothers today still remember, tinued to think of him and no doubt love, pray and have compassion on prayed for him and made him a the children that are formed in coat every year. Through the strong them. By the power of the Spirit desire and prayers of a godly other women are given these godly woman, God raised up another qualities to be a shining influence leader for His people. in the world around them. May God knew Mary and chose her God continue to cultivate these to be the virgin to bear His Son. virtues and influences in our lives Her character proved good for His glory. throughout His life as she pon- Roger Rapp 4 The Testimony May, 2011 General

JUDGING WITHIN THE giving the help rather than to the BROTHERHOOD one receiving the help. David Burkholder Throughout the Scriptures, the Greek word from which judge is ―Judge not, that ye be not translated implies various judged. For with what judgment thoughts, such as to conclude, to ye judge, ye shall be judged: and condemn, to decree, to sentence, to with what measure ye mete, it think, and to decide. ―Coming to a shall be measured to you again. decision‖ is a definition that envel- And why beholdest thou the mote ops the other thoughts, and it is that is in thy brother‘s eye, but also a very fitting description of considerest not the beam that is in how judge is used in Matthew 7:1. thine own eye? Or how wilt thou During our contacts with each say to thy brother, Let me pull out other, we are constantly making the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? decisions about (or judging) each Thou hypocrite, first cast out the other. This is done not only delib- beam out of thine own eye; and erately and consciously but also then shalt thou see clearly to cast sub•consciously. For example, out the mote out of thy brother‘s when someone talks to us, we eye.‖ (Matthew 7:1–5) ―Brethren, automatically decide whether if a man be overtaken in a fault, what he said is kind or unkind, ye which are spiritual, restore whether it is true or false, or such an one in the spirit of meek- whether it is right or wrong. We ness; considering thyself, lest thou observe each other‘s lives and also be tempted.‖ (Galatians 6:1) draw various impressions accord- The message of the Bible on ingly. The judgments or decisions judging contains both negative we make affect our attitudes and and positive aspects. Its goal is to actions toward each other. give direction to the Christian Therefore, the way in which we brotherhood in helping each other judge each other governs our in- on toward perfection. The focus is terpersonal relationships. When on the brotherhood relationship in the judging produces a mutual which there is an awareness of appreciation for each other, the existing imperfection in the lives relationship is enhanced. If unfair of others as well as a desire to help or incorrect conclusions are drawn, remedy the situation. Primary at- relations become strained and tention is given to the individual communication is hindered. The JUDGING WITHIN THE BROTHERHOOD 5 tendency to judge critically, un- no right to judge each other. fairly, and unkindly is native to Then when someone raised a the carnal man, but the saints voice about certain actions, the need to rise above this method. rebuttal is ‗‘You are judging! And However, observation and experi- the Bible says, ‗Judge not.‘‘‘ In ence reveal that too often the flesh this misconception, the Word is is more involved than it should be. not honored as the basis of authority, and the person who dares The Mission of Judging to raise his voice against evil is The Bible calls the Christian to cast out as being a dissenter and judge his brother redemptively. a troublemaker. Being redemptive is employing Others take this verse a bit fur- and promoting the process of re- ther ―Judge not, that ye be not deeming. So, judging each other judged,‖ and insist that if they do must be done with the goal to help not judge anyone else, no one has the individual to be victorious over any right to judge them. The mu- his particular need. The tual agreement in this set- degree of the problem ting is ―If you let me has no effect in alone, I will let you excusing us from The Bible calls the alone.‖ The re- using a redemp- Christian to judge sult of this ar- tive approach. redemptively… rangement is There is no li- employing and pro- similar to that cense to harsh, moting the process of of Judges 21:25, where ―every unkind, and con• redeeming. demning judgment, man did that but rather that which which was right in will assist in helping to re- his own eyes.‖ Finally you deem our brother. This touches a have a group that fears to help very tender part of our lives, and each other. we need to properly understand The extreme distortion of this the function of Biblical judging. verse is the idea that if we do not We want to notice next some mis- judge others, God will also not conceptions. judge us! The Word needs only to be Misconceptions given an opportunity to expose Concerning Judgment the fallacy of these miscon• The ―judge not‖ of Matthew 7:1 ceptions. The responsibility of the has been used to say that indi- brotherhood to test, examine, and viduals within the church have judge each other becomes clear. 6 The Testimony May, 2011 We cannot fulfill this responsibil- The Scriptures conclude the ity or have a Scriptural church necessity of the brotherhood to without judging and deciding judge each other according to the whether our conduct and practice Word. Even when the misconcep- (and that of others) is according tions are removed, there are vari- to the Bible. Matthew 7:6 calls us ous mistakes that can be made in (and it is right in this context) judging that will render it unsuc- not to give that which is holy to cessful and useless. In fact, it will the dogs nor to cast our pearls not be to the redemption of oth- before swine. How could we know ers, but to their destruction. who the dogs and swine are with- Mistakes in Judging out some deciding and judging? In Matthew 7:16 we are in- Assuming that an excessive structed to detect the false amount of authority in judging is a prophets by their mistake, we need to fruits. Would it judge humbly as be possible to ―Philippians 3:17 brings men and not as know this the positive value of this God. God has not appointed w i t h o u t judging. We are to mark close exami- us to sit on nation? Je- them who walk scriptur- His seat as sus calls His ally, so as to have them final judges. He disciples to for an example.‖ has reserved the ―judge righteous final consign•ment judgment.‖ (John 7:24) of destiny for Himself. The Epistles also give clear Another mistake is that of over- teaching on proper classification confidence. This results from the within the brotherhood. Romans idea that one has all the under- 16:17 calls us to mark them who standing, all the insight, and all cause divisions and to avoid the information. God has not them. II Thessalonians 3:14 given us absolute insight as He teaches likewise. I Corinthians did to Peter when dealing with 5:12 and 13 commands the saints Ananias and Sapphira. This cau- to judge those within the body tions us against judging before all and to deal with them accord- the information has been carefully ingly. Philippians 3:17 brings the examined. positive value of this judging. We Judging critically and harshly are to mark them who walk without giving the benefit of the scripturally, so as to have them doubt is not redemptive. Decisions for an example. and judgments formed about each JUDGING WITHIN THE BROTHERHOOD 7 other by wrong attitudes are found all Christian women wear the to be saturated with suspicion, head veiling?‖ or ―Must a di- assumption, and opinion. The re- vorced and remarried couple sult is a greater barrier rather separate in order to be right with than a redemptive process. God?‖ we have no choice but to Judging in an excusing way is stand on the Word. While human not redemptive. Overlooking and nature likes to make an easier excusing substandard and wrong way, it is not redemptive to en- conduct in others by endorsing it dorse any disobedience. Judging will only make them bolder, rather persons carelessly by Christian- than helping them to be delivered. izing them when the Bible does The motive can be one of self- not approve their lives will prove justification if our own standard is to be disastrous. no better. We need to remember Any of the mistakes in judging that even if man excuses someone, that were noted will not produce this is no indication that God will redeeming results. It is evident do likewise. that we need to judge carefully Sometimes judgment is made and scripturally. Not only is the carelessly without using the judging itself important, but also proper standard of comparison. If the method in which it is done. a wrong standard is used, one can Methods of Judging always find something worse, so Redemptively as to make any kind of action more acceptable. This is why the Matthew 7:2 tells us that we Bible tells us that comparing our- will receive according to the judg- selves among ourselves is not wise ment or measure by which we (see II Corinthians 10:12). There- judge or measure. It is only to be fore, the Bible is the only safe rule expected that if we demand perfec- to judge by. tion from others, they will look for Another area of careless judg- the same in us. This calls the ing is the manner in which many brotherhood to an understanding persons are Christianized irre- and sympathetic judging of each spective of their experience and other. Truth may never be compro- practice. Even though individu- mised, but the Bible tells us to als may claim great experiences, consider ourselves when helping their lives must be judged by the the fallen individual ―lest thou Word, we have no right to offer also be tempted.‖ (Galatians 6:1) hope to those who are deliber- The next verses in Matthew 7 ately violating the Bible. In the teach us the necessity of self- face of questions such as ―should preparation before judging others. 8 The Testimony May, 2011 The ―beam‖ must first be removed When the church is forced to before we can see the ―mote‖ in administer discipline, there may our brother‘s eye. The contrast is be those who extend support and between a twig and a log. A log sympathy to the erring person (or beam) in the eye is anything with the hope of helping such. It that keeps us from judging our is not redemptive for those within brother redemptively. It may be the church to treat those without the unbridled tendency to judge as if nothing has happened. in a harsh and condemning way. Rather, it often causes the dis- Or it can be inconsistency in our senter to become more bold in his own experience. The beam can be ways and therefore to move fur- detected only as we allow God to ther from his own possibility of search our lives, and then by His redemption. grace respond to that revelation. Matthew 18:15 gives valuable The method must always be instruction concerning the method motivated by love. After person- of judging. ―Moreover if thy ally examining ourselves for the brother shall trespass against beam, we have a right to proceed thee, go and tell him his fault be- only if our desire for our brother tween thee and him alone.‖ Go to is for his spiritual health and suc- him alone! Too often the opposite cess. Are we eager to see our is done. Instead of going, it is brother have victory over his broadcasted to practically every- mote, and to see him have it re- one but the right person. moved, or are we primarily inter- The greatest method that over- ested in exposing it? Love for our shadows all other methods is brother makes the difference. found in the context of Matthew Overlooking the mote in our 7. ―Therefore all things whatso- brother and allowing him possibly ever ye would that men should do to lose out because of it is not re- to you, do ye even so to demptive. Love will not overlook them.‖ (Matthew 7:12) We should while another wanders into dan- approach others in the same way ger. Sometimes the idea is pro- that we would want others to ap- moted that we love someone too proach us. If we allow this atti- much to risk hurting his feelings, tude to temper our judging of or that love in the church keeps each other, most certainly it will the church from exercising Scrip- be redemptive. Do we want others tural discipline. True Christian to give us the benefit of the love has no alternative but to do doubt? Do we want the opportu- all it can to salvage the erring one nity to answer for ourselves? from eternal destruction. Would we appreciate having oth- JUDGING WITHIN THE BROTHERHOOD 9 ers come to us first? The Golden tion together. When saints care Rule has a vital message for us. enough about each other to bring Not only is it important that we matters to each other‘s attention, judge redemptively; we also need to a mutual love is cultivated. Re- cultivate the ability to be judged. demptive judgment of each other Our readiness to receive becomes will enhance our own experience evident to the brotherhood and as well as prove to be a blessing to therefore they will feel more free to others. May we be challenged to help us, which is to our personal exercise this ability effectively. benefit. Exercising proper judg- Selected from ment both in giving and receiving Rod and Staff Publications is one of the acid tests of the caliber of our experience. by Galen Mohler Scriptural judging within the brotherhood welds the congrega-

NEVER LOOK BACK Margaret Penner Toews

You say the manna no longer falls, the sweetness is gone, and you Must strive to nourish the inner life, and the blessings you feel are few, But brother, remember the manna fell in the wilderness of our need; God sends exactly what we require, so now it‘s not manna, but seed! We‘ve entered the land of plenty; the territory of grace, Behind lies the desert of sin, and now… it‘s fields and foes that we face. When the fruit on the tree needs picking, why gripe that no manna falls? Why cry that our garments are wearing thin when the flax is standing tall? Why look at the foe and yearn all day for the sage and the sifting sand? Is not God providing His power and might, and a sword in each able hand? Never look back, my brother! Remember the heat and the thirst? Remember the aimless wandering in the desert that we traversed? Pick up your weapon, brother! Don‘t yearn for the manna again. Look up! We‘ve arrived! and Canaan needs courage, and muscles, and men!

Selected by Brenda Filbrun

10 The Testimony May, 2011 THE COURAGE TO STAND pay. Far away from home and church support, this arrange- Introduction: ment often resulted in men leav- If you were to browse the ing their faith quicker than in shelves of your local library, read the previous times. Yet praying the news stories, and scan the parents, visits from their home movie titles, you would find that congregations, good spiritual everywhere, war is glorified. War training in their youth, and the shapes countries, changes the dy- grace of God enabled them not namics of culture. Presidents are only to be faithful to their con- molded in times of war, unknown victions, but to leave a mark on men made heroes. If we aren‘t their communities—at home and careful we can fall into the trap of at service. Would I be as strong making them as our heroes, too. in the same circumstances? It makes us wonder, what im- Would I be able, like these men, pact did war have on the lives of to look back and proclaim that our fathers and grandfathers? the years I was required to give The convictions they held were in service to my country made based on Jesus‘ command to me a stronger person for Christ. ―love your enemies and do good – Stories and Good Counsel – unto those who despitefully use you and persecute you.‖ Were Parents, encourage your chil- they able to serve their country dren to believe in the power of the without sacrificing those convic- Holy Spirit. Get them familiar tions? Were they accepted by with God’s Word—they need to their communities? know what the Bible says. Remind We are in danger of losing our them that every man’s work will be fathers‘ and grandfathers‘ sto- manifest. It is better to suffer for ries. These men lived under dif- your faith now and to gain eternal ferent circumstances than those reward. just ten years older than they. The apostle Paul was told he World War II was over, Civilian would have to suffer many things Public Service Camps (the gov- for the name of Christ. He was ernment‘s previous solution) a glad to do it because he was doing thing of the past. Instead of liv- it for a cause. Someday you may ing and working, day in and day be asked to suffer as well. Do it for out, with other men who refused Christ Jesus. —Glen Wagoner to fight, the men of this era Lowell Beachler where thrown into the general arena of the working world, fill- ―Marvel not, my brethren, if the ing jobs left by those going off to world hate you.‖ I John 3:13 war. They had little say in Just two days after the twelve where they would work and had of us boys started our C.O. work no choice but to accept meager at the Camarillo State Mental THE COURAGE TO STAND 11 Hospital in Camarillo, Califor- at us. ―Let‘s ask them! Maybe they nia, we discovered we had ene- will have some ideas.‖ We slunk mies. It was our fellow employ- down in our seats. ―There‘s two ees who were against us. We C.O.‘s right here.‖ knew we must act in a way that Well, that really upset the meet- showed our faith in God. ing. The crowd turned and chased Less than two weeks later, on us out of the building. As we ran a Monday night in early April, towards the car, I was praying. I we found ourselves in real trou- don‘t know if I‘d ever prayed so in ble. Poncho (Marion Fisher) and my life. Praying that God would I went to supper and afterwards work things out. gathered with the rest of the He did. Things calmed down boys in one room to read from and the tide changed. We proved the Bible. The employee labor to be willing workers and they u n i o n accepted us. One of the men who w a s rallied against us later became “What impact a l s o my friend, and when my time did war have on h a v i n g was up he hugged me and cried the lives of our a meet- and gave me a farewell party. fathers and ing that Truly, God had worked all things n i g h t together for good. grandfathers?… for all Dale Swearingen we are in danger w h o of losing [their] w o r ke d ―But my God shall supply all your at the need according to his riches in glory stories.” h o s p i - by Christ Jesus.‖ Philippians 4:19 tal. Of There were no exemptions for course we wanted to know what C.O.s in Clark County, Ohio, at was going on. Since I wasn‘t a that time. All of us boys were member of the church at that automatically classified as 1A: in time, I volunteered to go. Bill good health—nothing to keep us Hockman said he‘d go with me. out of the army. C.O. status re- Minutes after the meeting quired an appeal. That meant started, it became plain that we when I was notified, I had to go weren‘t invited. The agenda to Columbus for a physical. Joan was: how to deal with the ―C.O. and I had married a few months problem.‖ before and were in Michigan at ―We‘ll get rid of them,‖ they the folks‘ cottage when my letter threatened. But how? They came. Joan saw the letter first needed a plan and couldn‘t come and knew immediately what it up with one. was. We cut our trip short. After what seemed like days to A couple of other young men Bill and me, a lady in the middle boarded the Greyhound bus with of the room stood up and pointed me that morning in Springfield, 12 The Testimony May, 2011 Ohio, headed for Columbus. It was raised.‖ was to be an all day deal. The Lord must have given me I handed my papers to an officer the words and tempered the reac- and tried to appear calm. tion of these men. They reclassi- ―C.O.‘s in this line,‖ a uniformed fied me as a C.O. and gave me a man bellowed. list of approved places to do my I moved into the proper line two years of service. Joan and I and in a room with hundreds of had ten days to find a place. others, stripped off my clothes and Because it was close to home, carried them over my arm to we headed first to Findlay, be examined like an Ohio. To our delight, animal. there was an oppor- The next step ―I look back now and tunity in the was to appeal Brethren‘s my 1-A classifi- see the hand of God Home. We went cation and to be there, providing… no further with labeled a Con- not our wants, but the list, but scientious Objec- came right back tor. For this I our needs.‖ to Springfield and needed to appear told the draft board before the draft board. that we had found work No one could go with me—every at the Brethren‘s Home. boy must speak for himself. The ―How far is it from here?‖ they pointed questions came, and I wanted to know. felt all alone. ―Ninety-nine miles,‖ I told them. ―Why can‘t you fight?‖ ―Sorry. That won‘t work. It‘s ―Are you sure you‘re not say- got to be one hundred miles.‖ ing this just because your church If only we had known. I would says so?‖ have driven a different way. ―What if someone came into We started out again. The your home and tried to hurt your next place on the list was in family?‖ Pennsylvania at the Elizabeth- I stood before these business town College. No openings. men in their suits, trying not to Next, a bull breeding farm in imagine whether they had sons Maryland. Filled. On and on, who had been killed in the war until our list was exhausted. All while I was asking not to go. I available jobs were taken. Now found out later that in fact, one of what were we to do? them did have a son who died on Thankfully, the list had the battlefield. grown by the time we got back ―I can‘t fight,‖ I said simply. ―I to Ohio and we went to Elyria believe in the Bible, I believe it Memorial Hospital near Cleve- means what it says. Love your land. The hospital administra- enemies, do not kill. That‘s how I tor, Mr. Zealey, agreed to inter- THE COURAGE TO STAND 13 view us. He was sitting behind berly, righteously, and godly in his desk, across from Joan and this present world.‖ Titus 2:12 me, when Mr. Fealy, the main- We were farm boys. Fresh tenance supervisor and my pro- off the farm. You take a farm spective boss, appeared. Mr. boy and put him in surgery Fealy thumped down in a chair where they‘re removing a man‘s and never said a word. Never lung, or severing a man‘s brain introduced himself, never in two and you‘re going to smiled. Just listened to our in- change his life. terview and stared me up and At Camarillo State Mental down, measuring, judging. I Hospital we were put through an squirmed in my seat and Joan abbreviated, ten week registered looked flustered. nursing course and then took the Later we found out that the California State Nursing Test. only C.O. the hospital had ever Those ten weeks were a cram hired had been employed under course in nursing. I gave shots, Mr. Fealy. The C.O. hadn‘t been dispensed pills, did everything reliable and demanded all kinds an R.N. would do. of things. Mr. Fealy had said, There are a lot of characters in ―I‘ll never hire a C.O. again. I a mental hospital, including the want nothing to do with them.‖ doctors. I worked for awhile in They must have been desperate the autopsy department. Every- or thought we looked trustwor- one that died at Camarillo had to thy, because he hired me after have their brain autopsied. My all. Joan was hired to work in job was to hold the cadaver‘s the special diet kitchen. head so the pathologist could Mr. Fealy turned out to be a saw the top off. In the lab they good boss, but it was a chilly be- would make slices of the brain ginning. and study the behavior pattern I look back now and see God‘s of these mental patients. They hand there during those two learned a lot that way. Then the years, providing our needs. Not pathologist would sew the skull our wants, but our needs. He tem- back on for the funeral. The pa- pered the reactions of the people thologist I worked with was an we worked with and we were alcoholic. If I would shake or granted kindness instead of re- move the head while he was sentment. working he would holler, ―What‘s the matter with you? Are you Marvin Gish alcoholic, too?‖ ―For the grace of God that Once, after one of those verbal bringeth us salvation hath ap- assaults, I asked, ―Why don‘t you peared to all men, teaching us have a bracket or something to that, denying ungodliness and hold the head in place so I don‘t worldly lusts, we should live so- have to?‖ 14 The Testimony May, 2011 ―Make one,‖ he ordered. cent, sheltered. It was a shock And so I did. I welded up two for us, like stepping out into an- arms to hold the head and a other world. Suddenly it‘s not clamp to fasten the arms to the just Young Folks, church folks table. It wasn‘t fancy but it did and family, but people of differ- the job so I didn‘t have to. ent nationalities, different cul- Twice a week the men in our tures. We witnessed wrecked ward received electric shock lives, the sadness of homes torn treatment. Afterwards, it was apart, the desperation of people our job to mix with them and trying to live without Christ. befriend them. This gave us the At Camarillo, I worked mainly opportunity to bring some spiri- in admissions. Buses dropped tuality to the conversation. I patients off at the courtyard in helped feed a man who had the front of the compound, where taken literally the verse that poinset- says ―if thy hand offend thee, cut t i a s “It was painful for it off…‖ and he had run his w o u l d me to see that in hands through a table saw. He grow to forgot the other verse that says the roof some cases people that our bodies are the temple of and hi- were shipped off the Holy Ghost. b i s c u s to our mental hos- To the young people I give this flowers pital simply be- warning: The government wants climbed cause their family to know if you live what you say. up the Watch your behavior today. You sides of didn’t want think no one sees and no one t h e them.” knows the things you do, no one b u i l d - reads the things you write or ings. My job was to meet these looks at the pictures you take. new residents and give them cof- You think no one cares about fee and cookies. I would sit where you go or what kind of down on a park bench with a things you say, but a day is com- new resident and ask a set of ing when it all will be out in the questions, trying to determine open, all will be made clear. where this particular patient Definitely in that Day, but should be placed. It depended on maybe sooner. how stable they were, how much Vance Bauman care they needed. The doctors made the final decisions, I made ―But grow in grace, and in the the preliminary ones. Often I knowledge of our Lord and Savior would take new patients to their Jesus Christ.‖ II Peter 3:18 units and introduce them to We arrived at Camarillo State their room mates. They were Mental Hospital in Southern scared and since I was their first California as young boys. Inno- employee contact at the hospital, THE COURAGE TO STAND 15 it was my job to put them at The man who ―played dumb,‖ ease. It was painful to see that spoke. It felt good to be making in some cases people were a difference in people‘s lives. shipped off to our mental hospi- Another patient, who I became tal simply because their family friends with, had a twisted didn‘t want them. bowel. I was with him through One evening, on my way home surgery where they tried to cor- from the beach I stopped by the rect it. I held his hand in the Cantina for a hamburger and recovery room while he died. milkshake. I returned to my car, That was my first experience ready to head back to my room with death up close and it when I found a woman lying on changed me. the floor in the back of my car. I Yes, we arrived at Camarillo recognized her as a patient who just young boys. But we grew did cleaning in some of the em- up there. ployee houses. I had interviewed ************* her twice in admissions. ―I want The Biblical concept of non to go home,‖ she pleaded. ―Will resistance must be taught. If we you help me?‖ The pathetic look lose the two kingdom principle— in her eyes and the desperation that the church is witnessing to in her voice made me sympa- the world but is separate from thetic, but there was nothing I it—we will find ourselves asking, could do but take her back. Run- ―Why should we be different? aways were common. Why should we stand out?‖ I got to know a man there who It is a tolerant age we live in. hadn‘t talked in years. He would A beautiful time to be alive but a stand in the corner, trying to deception lies behind it—a de- look invisible. I would point him ception that says it will always to a chair, help him into bed, be this way, when in fact it walk with him to get his meds. could all change quickly. For a His silence was a protective young man or a young girl to cover, a coping mechanism, make a stand that is not re- probably for dealing with his spected by the world takes much past. I came up with an idea: for courage. And someday, if our three or four weeks in a row I country’s tolerance disappears, it took him past fields of strawber- may take a tremendous amount ries and celery and we climbed of faith and courage to make up the mountain to the east of that stand. —Glen Landes the hospital. We hiked past streams, cactus and wildflowers, breathing in clear air. Then we As told to: would sit and look out over the Michelle Swearingen ocean. One day he said, ―Thank you. Thank you very much.‖ 16 The Testimony May, 2011 SIMPLICITY’S CHALLENGE baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be We find ourselves living in a damned.‖ There has been much complex age. We also recognize debate and comment about what that we profess to believe in living this simple passage ‗really‘ means. simply in order to avoid distrac- Since the fall, man has an in- tions from service to our Lord and nate desire to glorify himself Master. rather than his Creator. Some Living simply is much more ‗deep‘ Scripture study in cases than outward lifestyle choices. where the literal meaning makes Simplicity involves our inward sense might only accomplish attitudes, which manifest them- man‘s desire for self-glorification. selves in our daily actions. Do we It would be well to remember the have the attitude that we need the basic rule of Scripture interpreta- best we can afford financially, or tion we learned several years ago: do we realize there are some ―When the plain sense of Scrip- things our soul cannot afford re- ture makes common sense; seek gardless of our finances? no other sense or it will all be Are we willing to take a stand nonsense.‖ for simplicity even when it is not May we ―serve the present age,‖ popular? This would include Spiri- recognizing that whatever call He tual Simplicity as well as simplic- sounds in our lives can be summed ity of lifestyle choices. When we up in the one continual call to sim- use the term ‗Spiritual Simplicity,‘ ple trust in the sufficiency of our we are referring to taking Scrip- Lord and His Word. He has prom- ture at face value. There is a ten- ised He will never leave us. No dency in professing Christendom matter how or where He calls us to try to glean the ‗deeper mean- to walk in this world, He has our ing‘ from some portion of Scripture best interests in mind. where there is no deeper meaning than the literal Scripture text it- Jacob A. Cover self. One example of this is Mark 16:16, ―He that believeth and is FAITH Only believe! How sweet that tender message, While roundabout the night grows dark and drear. Only believe! It is the voice of Jesus That gently calls in accents soft and clear. Only believe! Fear not the tempest‘s raging. Only believe! the darkness fadeth fast. Only believe! Oh, grip the Rock of Ages! Only believe! The day will dawn at last. Avis B. Christiansen Selected HOME HYGIENE FOR MOTHERS 17 Home and Family

HOME HYGIENE FOR MOTHERS Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 Be saturated with God’s Word. I cannot teach something I do not know myself. Do I rise up early enough to offer up the first fruits to the Lord so that I can gather strength for my day? (Psalm 138:3) Or do I wait until I fall into bed exhausted at night to read a short chap- ter that I end up drifting off to sleep midway through? Am I daily, hourly, (sometimes every minute) laying down all of my burdens at the foot of the Cross, so that I am able to help bear the concerns of my children? Or do I carry the weight of my anxieties around all day with a long face, being stressed out and unable to show joy? Am I daily praying for each child by name? For their needs, their special challenges…realizing that I don‘t have to deal with these problems alone? Do I realize that each one is unique and no two can be dealt with exactly the same? However, each one desper- ately needs encouragement, every day! Try to tuck them into bed each night with words of encouragement and tell them something you appreciated about them that day. If there is not peace in my soul, I cannot expect to have a peaceful household. One person can set the tone for the whole day by their mood and attitude. Do I love my husband 100%? Greeting him when he comes home from work? Showing how to love unselfishly, thereby giving our children security and a Biblical example of what God intended a marriage to be. How do I spend my time? Do I frequently engage in ―time stealers‖ such as the internet, fiction books, magazines, lengthy telephone calls, being gone from home ―just to get out‖? Idleness truly is the devil‘s workshop. I will have to answer to God for how I spend my time! Am I teaching my children how to care for their bodies? With good hygiene and good manners? Confirming that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Ghost. (I Corinthians 6:19) Am I truly building a relationship with them? Or do we simply exist in the same household, ―sharing space‖? Am I trying to reach their hearts, looking in their eyes when they speak, seeking to understand their needs, and trying to say ―yes‖ whenever possible. Do I try to remember what it‘s like to be their age? Do I grow weary of discipline? …thinking I‘m too tired or I‘ll simply wait until my husband gets home to handle this ―big issue‖? 18 The Testimony May, 2011 Thus, losing the reward of reconciliation and missing those delight- ful, teachable moments. (Proverbs 13:24) Do I repeatedly ignore their needs in order to help someone else? ―Deserting my very own greatest mission field‖ as one minister recently suggested. Do I encourage them to be all that God designed them to be? Challenging them to be in God‘s Word and to make wise decisions on their own? Do I imply that it’s ok, even desirable, for them to see me without answers, or falling on my face in prayer to seek God’s wisdom? Do I speak of others in an unkind way? …or talk about other people‘s problems…teaching them to ―gossip and be busy-bodies‖… Or could I better ―open my mouth with wisdom, and on my tongue have the law of kindness‖? (Proverbs 31:26) Am I joyfully showing them by example that all of the house- work and daily chores are to be done for the Lord? ―And what- soever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord…‖ (Colossians 3:23) Do I remind them daily that they are created in God’s image, …that Jesus died for them, and how much they are loved by God and by their parents? Am I thankful for all of the wonderful, Godly mentors that God has placed in our children’s lives every day? All of those precious friends, aunts, uncles, grandparents, teachers and neighbors…letting them know how much they mean to our children and encouraging positive interaction between the two. Am I humble enough to accept help when it is offered? …showing my children God‘s design—that one person has to receive the blessing in order for another to give? How often am I spontaneous, fun, and occasionally “off-the- wall”? My dear aunt once reminded me that while proper training and good habits are essential and critical in child-raising…when your children are grown, they are going to have the fondest memories of all those ―crazy times‖ together. A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance… Proverbs 15:13 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine…Proverbs 17:22 Are we training our sons to be honorable and truthful in all things, and how to love and cherish their mother and sisters? …and instructing our daughters about doing good and not evil to others (Proverbs 31:12) and how to respect their father and brothers? Teaching both our sons and daughters about obeying and honoring their parents. (Ephesians 6:1, Colossians 3:20, Exodus 20:12) How about the way we treat our own parents and spouses? Remem- bering there are many times when ―more is caught than taught.‖ QUESTIONS TO PONDER 19

Do I cherish every moment spent with my entire family? Do I try to comprehend that each day is a gift from God? Don‘t wait until to- morrow to do or say that special something you have been wanting to. Do I apologize for my own wrongs and inconsistencies, showing meekness and repentance? Or do I portray hypocrisy by the attitude that ―I don‘t make mistakes‖? Do I allow half-done, lazy work from my children because I am tired of repeating the same instructions over and over? Can I improve the witness of patient persistence and train in the beauty of a job done right— by going alongside them and helping them do the job properly? Do we train in giving guests our unselfish best? Yet demon- strate how to open ourselves and our homes in a split second, extend- ing Christian love and offering soul refreshment to others in the true meaning of hospitality. All children are seeking love, approval, acceptance and recognition…they do so by mimicking and following the examples they see in adults and people that they admire. ―Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.‖ 1 Timothy 4:12 Don‘t be overwhelmed! We are spending our days building character in the souls that God has placed in our care. Jocelyn Root

Questions to Ponder

This section offers some questions to think about, or for Sunday afternoon discussions, or to prompt future articles from our readers, etc. Readers are encouraged to offer questions. 1. Pharaoh‘s daughter said to world recently said this: ―If the Moses‘ mother: ―Take this child members of a Bible-believing and away and nurse it for me, and I practicing church have a deep re- will give thee thy wages.‖ And the gard for the older ones, and an woman took the child, and nursed humble respect for each other, I am it.‖ (Exodus 2:9) not afraid of what direction that Question: What did Moses‘ church will go.‖ mother understand her charge to Question: What will the impact be? What is a mother‘s charge to be upon our fellowship and up- be today? coming conferences, if we each are 2. A brother who is very con- truly immersed in the teaching of cerned about separation from the I Peter 5:5? 20 The Testimony May, 2011 General Items

BAPTISMS evening meeting schedule to 6:00 pm, Dec. 12, 2010; Fair Haven, KS beginning April 10, 2011. Tristen Hirt Lon and Corinne Bowman Jan. 9, 2011; Fair Haven, KS Olivia Hirt Goshen District March 13, 2011; Cascade Valley, WA The New Conference Brethren and Colista Flory Sisters near Goshen, Indiana have March 26, 2011; Bethel, OH recently asked for and received ap- Diana Hudson, Jurnie Hudson proval from the Central Indiana Dis- April 13, 2011; Sugar Grove, OH trict to become a district of their own. Nathan Sink We have organized and send a special

NEW MEMBERS RECEIVED invitation to all to pray that the Light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ would March 11, 2011; Shiloh, OH shine and prosper (3 John 2) in our Donald (Butch) and Karen Win- community. We invite all to come wor- trow, Gary Peters ship with us on the 3rd and 5th Sun- March 13, 2011; Cascade Valley, WA day of the month at 10:00 a.m. We Leonard and Kristi Deaton meet at the Twin Oaks Old Brethren April 1, 2011; Bethel, OH meeting house at 28591 County Road Blaine Brumbaugh 44, Nappanee, Indiana April 3, 2011; West Manchester, IN Joe and Monica Gish In behalf of the church, April 10, 2011; West Manchester, IN Jerry Bowman Gary and Jill Long 2011 ANNUAL CONFERENCE COMMISSIONS The 2011 Annual Conference of the Jan. 14, 2011; Stillwater, OH Old German Baptist Brethren Church Rusty Flora (and wife Ellie) called —New Conference, will be held on to the Office of Deacon May 28 through May 31, Lord willing, at Cedarville University, 251 COMMUNION NOTICES N. Main Street, Cedarville, Ohio, 45314. This is located approximately May 29, 2011 ..... Annual Conference, OH 11 miles south of Springfield on State July 9, 2011 ...... Zillah, WA Route 72. Sept. 24, 2011 ...... Pleasant View, OH Information Packets for the Confer- Oct. 8, 2011 ...... Covington, OH ences have been distributed. If you are Oct. 15, 2011 ...... Kidron Valley, KS planning to attend and have not yet Oct. 22, 2011 ...... Lower Twin, OH received a packet, please contact Ed Oct. 29, 2011 ...... Bethel, OH Bauman at (937) 604-9154, or the packet information may be accessed at Nov. 5, 2011 ...... Columbia River, WA www.ogbbc.org. The packet includes the following information: DISTRICT NOTICES Shiloh District - Directions to the Conference We, the members of the Shiloh con- - Handicap & RV Parking gregation, in Ohio, have changed our - Conference Schedule GENERAL ITEMS 21 - Lodging Reservation Funding for the - Meal Reservation 2011 Annual Conference - Communion Survey Anyone wishing to contribute to this - Arrival and Check-in expense before the Conference may do - Preteens Registration so by mailing donations to: - Young Folks Information

Anyone seeking lodging accom- OGBBC New Conference Fund modations in the university Curt Flora – Treasurer dorm rooms and all who plan to eat meals provided by the Confer- ence are to have reservation infor- During the Conference, donations mation submitted by April 1st. Please make use of the response ad- will be accepted at the Information dress published in the Information Center and donation boxes will be Packet. Anyone receiving the packet available in the dining hall during late or deciding at a later time to meal times. attend the Conference, should submit the reservation information as Conference Line Call Number soon as their plans are known, even The Williams Personal PA hear- if it is later than April 1st. Those ing-assistance receivers used in vari- who decide to attend at the last min- ous meetinghouses across the broth- ute can be accommodated at the In- erhood are expected to be compatible formation Desk upon arrival. The with the sound system at Cedarville Information Center is located just University. Listening to services at inside the Stevens Student Center the Conference can be accessed via on campus and will be open from telephone. The conference line 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Friday, phone number is (712) 432-8773 May 27th, and will open at 6:30 a.m. and the Conference ID is 201162#. on Saturday, May 28th. All Confer- ence attendees that are staying over- The first worship service is sched- night should go to the Information uled to begin at 10:00 a.m. on Satur- Center upon arrival at the Confer- day, May 28th. ence site. All of us from Ohio are eagerly an- Due to the close proximity of town ticipating this brotherhood meeting and nearby ponds with deep water, and extend a warm and hearty invita- it is recommended that children be tion to our dear members, friends and accompanied by parents or desig- all who desire to attend. We look for- nated adults at all times. Ripsticks, ward to a season of worship and the roller blades, roller skates, skate- boards, foot scooters, bicycles, etc. opportunity to encourage each other in are not permitted to be used at the our walk with the Lord. Our prayer is Conference site. that as we labor together, we may show forth the gospel in love, being Communion bread baking is found as worthy stewards. planned for May 7th, 2011, at Allen and Marie Huffman‘s at 12:30 p.m. In behalf of the Anyone who wishes to help with this Committee of Arrangements, is welcome. Ed Bauman, Secretary 22 The Testimony May, 2011 poems

SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW Jerilyn Schaurer Somewhere over the rainbow, Way up high! There‘s a place that we hope to dwell, far beyond the sky. Somewhere over the rainbow, Skies are blue! And the things that God said will be…really will come true! Someday we‘ll see beyond the stars, And dwell up where the clouds are far behind us! Where troubles will no longer be… and we can spend eternity! Our Lord will call us! Somewhere over the rainbow, We will fly! We‘ll fly over the rainbow, In the sweet by-and-by! To our Dear Lord we‘ll fly! Selected by Kelly Brooks

In sweet memory of Mother Dear, and in joyful anticipation of that blessed day when we can join our loved ones in HEAVEN to spend ETERNITY and see JESUS face to face!

MOTHERS… AND OTHERS Amos R. Wells Others weary of the noise, Mothers play with girls and boys; Others scold because we fell, Mothers kiss and make it well. Others love us more or less, Mothers love with steadiness. Others pardon, hating yet, Mothers pardon and forget. Others keep the ancient score, Mothers never shut the door. Others grow incredulous, Mothers still believe in us. Others throw their faith away, Mothers pray, and pray, and pray.

Selected by Pamela Layman

POEMS 23 FOR THIS CAUSE… TELL GOD HOW MUCH YOU LOVE HIM For this cause…I bow my knees, Tell God how much you love Him, To the Victor of my peace. Not in words, but with deeds. Who endured the very wrath of God, He is worth, whatever the cost, To pay for my release. To love another, however He leads.

For this cause…I lift my hands, If someone says, ―I love God,‖ To the Champion of my joy. But lashes out at another, Who delivers me from Satan‘s snare, Then they should question the love And the powers that destroy. They have toward God the Father. For this cause…I yield my life, To the Redeemer of my soul. It is easy to love a stranger, Freely offering up my all, They have never done us wrong. To His supreme control. Even to love a brother With whom we love to sing our songs. For this cause…I seek thy face, As a son to his father would. But how about the one, Because thy patience has won my heart, Be it family or other kin, As only THE SAVIOUR could! Who have wronged us, brought us pain? For this cause I bow my knees unto the How can we show love to them? Father of our Lord Jesus Christ… Ephesians 3:14 By loving as God the Father, He gave Jesus, His only Son. Michael Root If we give up our self-righteousness, Then love can shine, excluding none!

MATTHEW 6:19–21 Tell God how much you love Him, The flower blooms and then is dead, Rise above the hurt and pain. The leaves are green but soon turn red. Reach out with love toward others, The snow is here then melts away, God smiles with pleasure unfeigned. The sunset fades to end each day. Gloria Wright

The seasons change four times a year, Shouts of laughter replace a tear. Little babies grow up so fast; MY LIFE Nothing on earth will ever last. O God, not like a stagnant pool,

With tepid depths, let my life be; What treasures are inside your heart? What will be left when you must part? But like a stream, undaunted, cool, My friend, where do you put your trust? That plunges, surges toward the sea. In lasting gold or rotting dust? O God, not like a sodden log, Don‘t waste your time on earthly things, Now, dead, tho‘ once a stately tree; And the false hope and peace it brings, But pushing high above the bog, Put your trust in the living Lord, Still upward yearning, let life be! Obey His Word and take His sword. Author Unknown Evelyn Mohler Selected 24 The Testimony May, 2011 ONLY GOD… Only God can form creation out of nothing made with hands, Only God takes earthly clay, and out of it makes He a man. Only God can use a rib to form a woman as a wife, Only God can breathe into them, giving them the Breath of Life. Only God… Only God can change the seasons, make the dazzling winter snow, Only God can form the crocus as the first in spring to show. Only God can dry the hay to brown in dead of summer‘s heat, Only God creates fall splendor no human can compete! Only God… Only God can paint a sunset at the closing of a day, Only God can make the sun shine to chase dark clouds away. Only God can make a newborn fawn on wobbly legs to stand, Only God can help the eagle fly according to His plan. Only God… Only God can make a rainbow when a storm has washed the earth, Only God can find the tiny worm and give to him new birth. Only God can make a butterfly emerge from its cocoon, Only God can form a baby deep inside a mother‘s womb. Only God… Only God can move the mountains, cause the earth to blow up ash, Only God can make an ocean that is beautiful and vast. Only God can make a palm tree, make the desert and the sand, Only God can turn a raindrop into rivers with His Hand. Only God… Only God is omnipresent, everywhere—He hears your call, Only God can change a mind to know, He is the All in all. Only God can give a baby to the childless mom and dad, Only God can bring a soul mate to make the widow glad. Only God… Only God can start the love that joins a boy and girl as one, Only God can make their marriage as the Church and His dear Son. Only God can make a family built upon the Solid Stone, Only God can give true meaning that will make your house a home. Only God…

Only God can take a man and make him fish for men, Only God can heal a once stopped heart to start to beat again. Only God can be a Shepherd to each soul that wants the best, Only God provides green pastures wherein we can find sweet rest. Only God… POEMS 25

Only God can make the dumb to speak and cause the deaf to hear, Only God turns words to music that is pleasing to the ear. Only God designed the power of a simple caring touch, Only God creates the smell of bread that children love so much. Only God… Only God can heal the broken heart and make the blind to see, Only God can make the lame to walk, just like you and me. Only God can cause the dead to rise and calm the angry seas, Only God can save a soul who in Jesus Christ believes. Only God… Only God can win a battle we‘ve been fighting all our life, Only God can take the road we trod…smooth out the bumps and strife. Only God can bring contentment and a joy we can‘t contain, Only God can give acceptance that affirms His Holy Name! Only God… Only God can make an aura shine about us as we walk, Only God can give us hope for life and praise Him in our talk. Only God produces peace that no one can explain, Only God can make us not ashamed in bringing Him great fame! Only God… Only God can preach a sermon through our actions of the day, Only God will judge our motives, and the idle words we say. Only God can give us music for the words that bring Him laud, Only God brings understanding as we give the Praise to God! Only God… Only God can offer life two times as man is born again, Only God can use the crimson Blood to wash away my sin. Only God can change a person‘s heart to love and to forgive, Only God can cause the miracle that lets us live and live. Because… Only God has offered life in heaven, no tears will e‘er be shed, Only God can change our image through the offered Living Bread. Only God can use His written Word as a sharp two-edged sword, Only God can make us conquerors o‘er the prince who rules the world. Only God… Only God can give me words to rhyme that others it may bless, Only God can touch your heart and then will give you peaceful rest. Only God knows when the time will come for us to go with Him, Only God prepared a place for us eternally in Heaven! Only God!!

Shannon Beeghley

26 The Testimony May, 2011 CHOICES It really doesn‘t matter, one way or the other, The hairstyle I have chosen, or the one that‘s on my brother. It doesn‘t make a difference if cars are black or white, Or if I wear a color shade that you would think too bright. Salvation, holiness, and love, are heart and spirit things. They don‘t consist in what I drive, or what my brother sings. Why this fuss of right or wrong, bickering all the while? My brother‘s not like me, so what? Embrace him with a smile. Is this the truth? — The whole truth? Or is it only half… Is God the Author of these thoughts? Or does the devil laugh… To see so many Christians behind this thinking hide, And taking refuge in these ―truths,‖ Indulge in Self and Pride. It doesn‘t really matter? But God says that it does. And furthermore He teaches that it‘s not an idle fuss. If details do not matter, why didn‘t our Father say So simply to each child of His, ―Be holy, go thy way‖? Instead He gives instructions, On what to do and say, On how to treat our elders, and when and what to pray. On worship and its manner, Alms, and just how to bring, On who should be a leader, And how that we should sing. He tells us when to laugh and weep, and what to eat and drink, And how to talk, and work, and sleep, and even what to think. He cares about our business, If we are rich or poor, Our clothes, our love, our feelings, plans, relationships and more. ―Angel of light‖ the devil is—A wolf with clothing fair, Who cuts the truth in half, and spreads confusion everywhere. ―Do these things really matter?‖ He says to you and me. You have the right to choose your way, and thus in Christ you‘re free! You choose, Ah, there‘s the secret, of Satan‘s lie—half told! These choices are the building of either straw or gold. No, outward things don‘t save us, this fact is true, so true! But it‘s the choice behind them that saves or ruins you. The clothes you wear, your hairstyle, the words you think or say, The car you drive, the books you read, the work you do each day, The way you dress your children, the songs you want to sing, The preacher that you listen to, the way your phone may ring… Are all because of choices God sees and understands; He weighs each choice and it‘s reward in His all-knowing hands. Say not, ―It doesn‘t matter,‖ this is the devil‘s snare, The dress or car or shoe reveal the choice that put it there. When we are making choices, which question is our test? ―I wonder just what‘s wrong with it?‖ or ―Which way is the best?‖ What is our deepest longing? To glorify God‘s name? To build and edify His Church? A worker free of blame? Or is our heart the garden spot where grow the subtle weeds, Of flesh and self uncrucified, that trouble and mislead? If we are making choices, with heart and soul and mind, Completely given up to God, His blessing we will find. Author Unknown Selected by Weston and Lynae Peters

OBITUARIES 27 Obituaries

KLINE — Alice Mae Holsinger, Mother passed from time to Eter- daughter of Jay and Estella (Boyd) nity on February 9, 2011, at the age of Holsinger was born May 12, 1924, in 86 years, 8 months, and 28 days. Modesto California. She was preceded in death by her At around 5 years of age her par- husband of 49 years; her parents; 4 ents moved to Indiana where she brothers, Harry (Effie), Elmer (Mable), spent the remainder of her childhood Otho, and David; 1 sister, Mary Flory around the Cutler, Bringhurst, and (Charles); and 1 sister-in-law, Myrna Flora area. Dutter. In November 1941 Mother accepted She leaves to mourn her passing, the Lord as her Savior and was bap- one daughter, Anita Martin and hus- tized, becoming a member of the Old band Elwood of Oakland, Maryland. German Baptist Brethren Church. Four grandchildren: Wendy and Jevon As a young woman Mother became Helmuth of Oakland, Maryland, Travis and Christie Martin of Nappa- a Nurse‘s Aid. She moved to Logans- nee, Indiana, Hilary Martin of East port, Indiana and worked at Home Earl, Pennsylvania, and Wyatt and Hospital on the OB floor, where she Stephanie Martin of Kokomo, Indiana. enjoyed working with new mothers Nine great-grandchildren: Jesse, Kory, and their babies. Troy, and Brooke Helmuth; Cameron, At around 25 years of age she Julie, Joshua and Addison Martin, moved back to Modesto, California and Elijah Martin. One sister Ruth and while living there met her future Blocher of Flora, Indiana, and one husband, Donald F. Kline. brother Lloyd and Mary Holsinger of Mother and Daddy were married on Camden, Indian; brother and sisters October 26, 1958 and made their home in law; Viola Holsinger of Pendleton, at Waterford, California. This union Indiana, and Ivan and Bonnie Dutter was blessed with a daughter, Anita of Union City, Ohio; and many nieces Joy, in May of 1963. and nephews. In November, 1977 they moved to Mother‘s life has been a living testi- Wakarusa, Indiana. Then in 1978 mony of sacrifice and faithfu1ness, Daddy was diagnosed with Multiple which is only made possible by a faith Sclerosis. Thus began a long journey in the Lord Jesus Christ. of faithful loving care. When Daddy‘s The family care became greater, he moved to

Miller‘s Merry Manor Nursing Home. In 2002 Mother moved to Miller‘s As- FLORA — Mary Catherine sisted Living, where she faithfully saw (Mohler), daughter of Ira D. Mohler to Daddy‘s needs in the form of feed- and Mary Ann (Skiles) Mohler was ing him and keeping him comfortable, born near Noblesville, Indiana, on until his death on December 19, 2007. May 30, 1912. 28 The Testimony May, 2011

On February 22, 1931, she was bap- Funeral services were held on Febru- tized at North Fork by Elder J. W. ary 26.at the Bodine Funeral Home and Skiles into the Old German Baptist the Middle Fork meetinghouse, with Brethren Church. She was united in burial in the Middle Fork Cemetery. marriage with Herman D. Flora on Words of comfort and encouragement December 24, 1933. This home was were given by Elders Ezra Wagoner, blessed with 3 children. Melvin Mohler, John Hess and Darrell In 1942, Dad and Mom moved to Boyd. Thoughts were taken from Reve- their present home in the Middle Fork lation 21:1–4 and hymns 455 and 260 district. were used. Hymns 494 and 443 were They were called to the office of sung as the grave was being filled. Deacon on June 6, 1956. Having a Mother spent her life dedicated to great love for the church, they enjoyed church and family. the privilege of serving in this capacity. Her love was like a beacon light, They spent their life working to- Shining faith, and truth, and prayer, gether on the farm. Traveling over the And through the changing scenes of life, Brotherhood was a blessing they We found a haven there. greatly enjoyed, and the highlight of their travels were their visits to the The Family Holy Land. Mother blessed the lives of many SINK — Gerald James, Sr., son neighbors and friends by caring for of William J. and Mary Ida (Peters) them during their illnesses. After Sink, was born July 4, 1927, many years of good health, she became near Wirtz, Virginia, and passed away ill in November of 2009. She departed this life, quietly and peacefully, at the March 6, 2011, at the age of 83 years, Miller Nursing Home on February 22, 8 months, and 2 days. Gerald moved 2011, at the age of 98 years, 8 months to Ohio with his parents when he was and 23 days. 9 years old. Surviving are her children; Nancy He married Virginia M. Bower, Brovont, Gerald and wife Loretta, daughter of Jesse and Maude Bower David and wife Millie; 12 grandchil- on June 5, 1948, near Brookville, Ohio. In dren, 45 great-grandchildren, 15 great- June, 1949, Dad and Mother were great-grandchildren and a brother-in- baptized into Christ and the Old Ger- law, Arnold Flora. man Baptist Brethren Church, to which She was the last of her family and they have remained faithful. In a for- was preceded in death by her parents, mer illness, Dad asked for and re- her husband in April of 1994 and 1 ceived the anointing, which gave him son-in-law, James Brovont. Also 3 much comfort. brothers and their wives; Clarence Dad enjoyed being a tiller of the soil and Sarah, Harry and Dora, Jacob with Mother and their sons on the and Lulu; a brother-in-law, Earl and family farm. He loved the his wife, Betty and a sister-in-law, creation of God, being inspired by the Mary Ellen. great outdoors with fishing and hunt- OBITUARIES 29 ing with his family. For several years joice in his freedom from suffering, they went to Florida in the winters and that he is in the presence with our where he enjoyed the fellowship and Lord. He left us many good memories working with farm produce. But in and our loss is his eternal gain. 1987, his life was drastically changed The Family when he lost his right arm in a farm- ing accident. Dad‘s desire was that his quiet little spot in this world would be OYLER — Robert ―Bob‖ Fall, son a shining witness of his faith in the of Elder Joseph Lloyd and Mary service and the love of God. He had a Gladys (Fall) Oyler, was born in Co- special love and concern for his family vina, Los Angeles Co., California. The and friends. family lived in Whittier until 1939 He is survived by his loving wife; 3 when they moved to Modesto where he sons and their wives, Leon David and lived the rest of his life. Jewel, Gerald James, Jr. ―Jim‖ and He accepted Jesus Christ as his Sav- Chris, and Edward Lee and Janet; 16 ior and was baptized on January 13, grandchildren; 19 great - 1952, along with Don Landes, Ed Gish, grandchildren; a brother, Wilfred; a Roger Haney, Ben Root and Lester brother-in-law, Luther Angle; and 2 Grover. He joined the Old German sisters-in-law, Gladys Sink and Baptist Brethren Church and in 2009 he identified with the New Conference. Woneda Sink. Preceding him in death He had three major auto accidents are 5 brothers, Jesse, Lloyd and in his lifetime, leaving him with a per- Louise, Roy and Thelma, Nelson manent limp. In December 1956, on and Evelyn, and Clinton; 2 sisters, an his way to Indiana to attend a wed- infant, Ethel, and Mary Elizabeth ding, he had an accident on the icy Angle; and a sister-in-law, Marcella Sink. highway in Illinois. In 1963, while on Funeral services were held at the his motor scooter riding to work he Covington meetinghouse on Mar. 10. had an accident on Carver Road. In Comforting words and encouragement 1970, Bob‘s family and his sister Rose- were taken from I John 3:1–6 and 5:1–3 mary Denlinger‘s family, here visiting by Randy Garber. Allen Royer enlight- from Ohio, were on their way home ened us with Luke 24:32, 33 where the from night meeting in the mountains disciples were basking in the after- when their van hit a black horse on Patterson Road. glow of life. Burial was in On March 1, 1959, he married Highland Memorial Cemetery, Cov- Maralee Joyce Brenneman and their ington OH, where we were reminded home was blessed with four children, by Larry Bower that we don‘t know if Scott, Trent, Drew and Deann. we have one more day. The clouds we Bob had various occupations in his see in the afterglow only give us a lifetime: butcher for his dad at Oyler‘s purer sight of the day when we shall Frozen Foods, harvester for B&B Har- meet to part no more. vesting, owned Economy Repair Ser- We will greatly miss him, but re- vice (small appliance repair), and 30 The Testimony May, 2011 farmed his almond orchard for 40 this life peacefully at Upper Valley years. He especially enjoyed volun- Medical Center in Troy, Ohio, the teering at Memorial Hospital for the morning of March 2, 2011, surrounded last years of his life, and loved to tell by his loving family. Following an auto- his favorite jokes to one and all. He mobile accident on October 15, 1983, passed away at ―his‖ Memorial Hospi- Curtis was disabled and many loving tal on March 24, 2011, after a brief hearts and hands have given again and illness, at the age of 76 years, 1 again volunteering countless hours of month, and 18 days. their time for his physical therapy. Preceding him in death were an These times of sharing and caring will infant granddaughter, Jaina Oyler, be greatly missed and no amount of his parents Joseph and Gladys Oyler, thanks will ever be sufficient to express and his in-laws Homer and Gladys our gratitude to all who have shared in (Moore) Brenneman. Curtis‘s life through this and other Left to mourn his passing, his wife ways. Being able to communicate by of 52 years, Maralee; children and blinking his eyes Curtis responded in grandchildren: Scott and Becky, Jill, faith to the Lord Jesus Christ and was Jarin, and Jaden; Trent, Brent and his baptized in Sugar Grove District on daughter Alena; Drew and Stephanie, September 14, 1994. He is survived by Kent, Eric, Marcy and Julie; Deann his parents Glen and Lois Jean, sister and Edward, Blake, Joshua, Mason Diane, brother Randy and his wife and Kelsie Wagner; sister, Rosemary Diane Mohler; nieces Holly Eikenberry and Dale Denlinger; brothers-in-law, Homer Keith and Beulah, Donovan and her husband Trent, with their chil- and Jean Brenneman, and many other dren Carter, Jade and Will; Nicki Claw- relatives and friends. son and her husband Casey, and their Viewing was at the Old German daughter Kyra. He was preceded in Baptist Brethren Meeting House in death by both sets of Grandparents Modesto, California, Saturday, March David E. and Martha Mohler, Forest 26, from 5:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. and Amy Miller, and most recently his Funeral services were held on Sun- great niece Lena Clawson. We are day, March 27, 2011, at 2:30 pm at the blessed by many fond memories of Cur- Modesto District Meeting House, with tis‘s life and cherish them. He loved the Elders Roger Gish, John Fall and outdoors, especially fishing and hunt- David Rumble officiating and burial at ing. In the later years little children the Wood Colony Cemetery with Elder and friends recalling memories would Wes Bauman assisting. bring a twinkle to his eyes. Dad is now free of the pain he has The funeral service was held March suffered most of his life and we will 5, 2011, at the Sugar Grove meeting commit the keeping of his soul to a house. Roger Rapp and Rodney Spren- loving Father. kel delivered words of encouragement The Family and hope including several personal experiences which spoke to our hearts. MOHLER — Curtis Allen, son of Scriptures from Psalm 34 and John 14 Glen and Lois Jean (Miller) Mohler was were read and hymns sung were 498, born on June 28th, 1963. He departed 463, and 246. Burial was in the Sugar OBITUARIES 31

Grove Cemetery near Covington He was united in marriage with where we sang hymn 457 and Gary Alice ―Doley‖ M. Boone on March 9, Stull spoke uplifting words of our eter- 1957. They shared the joys and sor- nal hope. rows of life together for 54 years. Great is the Lord and greatly to be During their life together, they praised for His perfect designs for our were blessed with six children, of lives. What a joy He has granted all of which five remain; 3 sons and their us to care and share in life together. wives: Nathan (wife–Elizabeth), Blessed be the name of the Lord! Charles (wife–Neldel), and Dale; two The Family daughters and their husbands: Karen (husband–Sean) Wolf, and Ann LESHER — John Burkholder, (husband–Edward) Hess, and one son of Roy E. and Susan (Burkholder) daughter-in-law, Lori Lesher. He is Lesher was born January 2, 1932, in survived by one sister, Lois (husband– Franklin County, Pennsylvania. He Fred) Myers; a sister-in-law, Teresa peacefully passed into eternity Lesher; 12 grandchildren, and 12 Wednesday, March 9, 2011, at his great-grandchildren. Aside from his home in Chambersburg, Pennsyl- parents, he was preceded in death by vania, at the age of 79 years, 2 a son, Jay, and a brother, Wayne. months, and 7 days. Funeral services were held at the He was baptized in the Falling Falling Spring meeting house on Spring congregation of the Old Ger- March 13, 2011, by the home brethren man Baptist Brethren Church, and and Elder Donald Hess. The burial was a member of the Eastern Dis- was in the adjoining cemetery. trict of the New Conference to which Our loss is His eternal gain. he remained faithful until the time of his death. The Family

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9102

New Conference New

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The Testimony The

Old German Old BaptistBrethren Church 353 Rd. Billman 45347 Paris, New OH

The Testimony is a Christian publi- restore and maintain a fellowship of cation intended for those who desire true primitive Christianity through nourishment in their spiritual walk, the communication of all good things. and for writers who wish to express Send all communication to: witness to the Truth of the Gospel as experienced in their own lives. It The Testimony holds the Holy Scriptures to be its 353 Billman Rd. only Creed. Its purpose is to bear New Paris, OH 45347-9102 witness to the Truth of God‘s Word Phone: (937) 437-4685 as it is applied in the daily life of [email protected] committed Christians. It supports the anabaptist and pietist founda- tions of the Brethren of Schwar- The Testimony Committee zenau, Germany (1708) including the Roger Rapp biblical principle of the community of Kenneth Hopkins believers bound by a confession of Lowell Miller, Editor faith in the Lord Jesus confirmed by Dean Kinsley adult immersion baptism (Mark Gary Peters 16:16). It strives to promote a life of Associate Editors true living piety among all who con- Marcus Miller fess Jesus as their Lord. It seeks to Darryl Filbrun