THE PILGRIM
VOL. 53 JANUARY, 2006 No. 1
"And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the
Saviour of the world." (I John 4: 14)
SING TO THE GREAT JEHOVAH'S PRAISE
Sing to the great Jehovah's praise;
All praise to Him belongs,
Who kindly lengthens out our days,
Demands our choicest songs;
His providence has brought us through
Another various year;
We all with vows and anthems new
Before our God appear.
Father, Thy mercies past we own,
Thy still continued care;
To Thee presenting through Thy Son,
Whate'er we have or are.
Our lips and lives shall gladly show
The wonders of Thy love,
While on in Jesus' steps we go
To seek Thy face above.
Our residue of days or hours,
Thine, wholly Thine, shall be;
And all our consecrated powers,
A sacrifice to Thee;
Till Jesus in the clouds appear,
To saints on earth forgiven,
And bring the grand sabbatic year,
The Jubilee of heaven.
From Mennonite Hymns
THE PILGRIM is a religious magazine published in the interests of the members of the Old
Brethren Churdi. Subscription rate: $5.00 per year. Sample copies sent free on request.
Publishing editor: Leslie Cover
Address: THE PILGRIM, 19201 Cherokee Rd, Tuolumne, CA 95379
MYLEBERTY--2006
Beginning a new year~what a time to make resolves or to
inventory and evaluate our attitudes! As moving into a new
house or bigger dairy bam or buying a new car, so 2006 gives
us fresh opportunity to decide on better habits: We will store
things in better order; we will keep this car clean inside and out
and service it promptly. Isn't a new year something like that?
For one new year thought we might examine our liberty:
what it is, how we might abuse it, how we can use it to the best
advantage.
Liberty is an open door that is before us. It is opportunity
to make good choices. It is the right to decide and pursue that
which makes us happy. (Liberty and the pursuit of happiness
were freedoms claimed in the Declaration of Independence of
1776.) God has graciously given His people liberty-not the
right to hurt others but the key to service and true happiness.
For background reading I suggest Romans 14, 1 Corinthians
8, and I Corinthians 10:24-33. In these passages Paul defines
Christian liberty. I suppose most of us reason, from examples
Paul gives, that since we are free, we don't need to be worried
about some extreme views that tiy to fence us in or put us in a
box. But Paul's emphasis is on peace and brotherly kindness,
and when we determine that liberty makes us "our own boss,"
sometimes the result is anything but peace.
Paul speaks of submission- of giving in--not the weak one
submitting to the strong and knowledgeable, but the other way
around. He does not recommend to submit to anything that is
contrary to Scripture. That would be violating our very
constitution and disobeying our Lord. But on practices that do
not break our "law to Christ," we do well to submit to one
another.
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One example Paul uses is meat, and especially meat (or
food) offered to idols. He explains that the idol is nothing and
therefore could not hurt the food. But he tells us that some do
not know this but believe that eating this meat would be
defiling. Now if that weak person saw a strong Christian
eating, he might eat and be in sin because he really thought it
was wrong. Paul asks, "And through thy knowledge shall the
weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?" He was willing to
give up his liberty to eat this meat rather than offend a weak
brother. The greater liberty is the freedom to submit to the
weaker one and not wound his conscience.
Romans 14:17: "For the kingdom of God is not meat and
drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."
We may think since the kingdom is not meat and drink, then no
one should tell me what to eat or not to eat. But this verse is in
the context of the whole chapter which speaks of submission,
charity, peace. Rather then, we should decide that since the
kingdom is not meat and drink, we can easily submit our
opinions to one who is weaker, but may feel strongly on these
issues, like the one who would not eat meat offered to idols.
You may be thinking, "But this brother needs to be
straightened out!" Paul doesn't say he needs this, even though
he could have taught him better, and maybe he did try. Paxil
was one of the best teachers ever. The point is that we have
freedom to be a peacemaker by submitting on issues not
important to our faith. He reasons, "But meat commendeth us
not to God; for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if
we eat not, are we the worse."
I remember reading of an incident in Brethren history when
the congregation was out looking at parcels and trying to
decide on the place for a new meeting house. There were two
locations being considered, and they decided to vote, those for
one parcel would stand on one side of the road and those for
the other, across the road. Only two were on the one side so
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one of them said, "Let's walk across the road, brother."
Submission to make peace!
Some modern examples where we could submit our wills
might be in the music we listen to— especially in the presence of
one who would think it poor music. Another might be the
things we allow our children to do or acceptable activities for
young people.
Freedom to submit on unimportant issues is like the
freedom of forgiveness. There is an easy conscience that more
than makes up for any discomfort or small sacrifice.
Jesus "humbled himself, and became obedient unto death,
even the death of the cross." (Phil. 2:8) Peter writes, ". . .
Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye
should follow his steps." (I Peter 2:21) This liberty we speak of
is so small a sacrifice that it can hardly be called suffering. But
when we prefer one another and in lowliness of mind esteem
other better than ourselves, we become more like our Saviour.
Quoting Mike Atnip in The Midnight Cry: "We do what
we can for the sake of others in going beyond what is required
of us by God, without backing down on the Word of God. The
only liberty we need to desperately cling to is the liberty to stay
nailed to the cross with Christ, denying ourselves of what the
natural man wants. Should any man want to take this liberty
away, we must deny him."
Another quote from the same article: "What giving up our
liberties will often do is lead a body of believers to safer ground.
Many of the convictions that are held by a few are often the
safer path."
May 2006 be a year of victory in our personal lives and in
our harmony with our brethren and sisters. Let us consider our
liberty in the light of Paul's directions and be willing to submit
to one another. Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers: for
they shall be called the children of God." — L.C.
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THE LORD'S PRAYER
"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."
"Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God:
for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any
man." (James 1: 13)
This verse and the verses that follow it are very enlightening
as we study this next phrase of our Lord's Prayer. Jesus does
not lead us into temptation; He makes "a way to escape, that ye
may be able to bear it." (I Cor. 10:13) When we are tempted,
we are drawn away of our own lust. (James 1:14) It is hard to
go through these valleys. Many times we come out feeling like
we lost. Possibly we did. Why? Ask that question to the One
who has been victorious through it; He knows why. (Heb. 4: 15)
God knows where we are weakest and He will allow us to be
tempted right there so we will call upon Him for the way to
escape. Even if you do escape, turn around and try to figure
out why you were tempted like that. Christ wants to be your
strength in that area of weakness.
When I see myself being tempted ovpr and over in the same
area of my life, that is not victory. Somewhere I must have a
selfish stronghold that allows me to lust for such things; and
when I have such a stronghold in my life, I am prone to failure
instead of victoiy. Here again, Jesus knows where this
stronghold is and He will take it captive if I yield it to Him.
It is in us to try to stand against temptation with sheer will-
power: "I will not allow myself to. . . " I am uncomfortable
with that. The first two words of this phrase are "Lead us."
We may find the foe suppressed for a while by will-power, but
temptation of any kind can be stamped out when we can cry in
true brokenness, "Our Father which art in heaven, deliver us
from evil! "
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When we are drawn away of our own lusts and enticed, we
are following deception. Satan, as the father of deception, has
planted a seed in our lives that causes us to believe something
other than the truth. This seed is lust, but it is also deception.
When lust conceives, we sin. God will deliver us from this
vicious cycle that we are all very familiar with. He offers us a
peace and calm that truly leaves us with the feeling of being
delivered. Deliverance is victory. As we call upon Him, we
will live a life that continues to conquer the lusts that would
draw us away. To resist the devil, we must draw nigh to God.
Peter Cover, Tuolumne, California
NONRESISTANCE IN ACTION #1
Nonresistance is not a term used in Scripture, but firmly
rooted in the teaching of Christ is the principle that we "resist
not evil." While this implies nonretaliation, as do the teachings
of the apostles (such as Romans 12 and 13), we must not
understand nonresistance to be totally passive.
Jesus and the apostles taught us to be active as well. Christ
said, "Blessed are the peacemakers." This implies those who
are actively pursuing peace. Christ has broken down the walls
of partition that were between peoples because of class, money,
race, or whatever barriers man has erected, and of twain made
one new man. The Church of Christ is a community of
believers that have beaten {action) their swords into
ploughshares and then spears into pruninghooks.
Tertuilian, an oft-quoted early Christian writer writing about
AD 197, said, "Family possessions, which usually destroy
brotherhood among you (writing to pagans), create fraternal
bonds among us. Being one in mind and soul, we do not
hesitate
to share our earthly goods with one another. All things are
common among us, except our wives." This is part of the
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nonresistant faith that we have been handed from the earliest
days of Christianity. Only with people who have been
reconciled and quit their warring and factionalism can such a life
in Christ be possible! Nonresistance in action! Only in Christ is
peace possible.
Many through the centuries have suffered for this faith, so
dreadfully hated and despised by the world. It challenges their
system, for it strikes at the heart and grips their inner
conscience that tells them that their systems of exploitation and
the warring thus created are evil and rooted in the gross
selfishness and thirst for control of the human heart without
Christ. Christ gives light to men-that some squelch and do not
follow to life in Christ, and thus their misery only increases.
And with the increase of misery, there comes hatred toward
those who do not share in this misery-the disciples of the Elder
Brother of those who have been adopted into the family of God
as brothers and sisters.
It is well for us to call to mind some of these stories that
have been told through the centuries. We may know the names
of Dirk Willems, Dutch martyr who was captured while saving
his pursuer's life, or the Hofer brothers, JIutterian Brethren who
were martyred as a result of their treatment by the United States
government in World War I.
But how many know we have stories of faithfulness to
Christ amid trials such as this from our own beloved Old
Brethren fraternity?
World War I was especially hard on those known as "plain
people." Not only were many plain people German speaking (at
a time when many Americans were anti- German), but there was
no provision by the military machine for conscientious objection
to war. It was also common in those days for civilians to
support the war machine by buying war bonds. Many brothers
of different groups suffered severely-even to loss of life, as the
above mentioned Hofer brothers.
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hi 1918 the Old Brethren had existed as a separate
brotherhood for only five years. One of the elders of the church
in Carroll County, Indiana, then was a brother named John
Leedy. He was known as being very firm in his views. When
neighbors came to persuade John to buy war bonds, he refused.
How could he do such a thing when he believed this was so
opposite the Gospel of our Lord? John would not use a gun to
take his enemy's life. How could he willingly and purposefully
finance someone else to do so?
This was not understood by the patriotic neighbors of
Brother John. They could not understand how he could think it
was right just to let the enemy go on without resistance. But
we think Brother John would rather have given up all his
possessions and been mistreated than to be unfaithftd to the
Lord Jesus and the example of the small flock of Jesus through
the centuries. We as Christians are called to actually love our
enemies. So not only is this a matter of legalistic obedience.
But how could a Christian want to take part in warmongering
or support others to do?
"One evening as John and his wife were about to retire for
the night, they heard a knock on the dpor. John opened the
door, and when he saw the men, he prepared to go outdoors.
His wife begged him to stay indoors, but John knew that the
men who bid him come outdoors were angry, so he motioned
his wife to stay indoors. He stepped outside and closed the
door. Someone said, 'Grab him!' They took John and roughly
set him in then midst. Someone produced scissors, and they cut
large pieces of his beard and hah, but left parts of it in a
grotesque pattern. John offered no resistance.
"The men prepared to go, and one said to him, 'John, you buy
bonds or we will return, and you will be handled worse the next
time.' John stood quietly in the doorway. I imagine his Up
trembled as yours or mine would have done. I imagine he felt
sorry for the men, as you and I should feel. Then he said in his
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characteristic way, 'Well, men, when you return I expect you'll
find the same John. 1
"The next day John went into the local village. Respectful
businessmen in town were enraged that someone would treat
their fellow neighbor in such fashion, hi spite of John's
protests, they put a guard around his house for awhile to
protect them.
"When I ask some old folks today, 'Do you remember John
Leedy? they invariably smile and say, 'John was a firm man. 1 "
—From Fred Benedict's The Same John printed in the
February, 1973, Vindicator. I also used Brother Fred's
article for much of my writing above.
And may we never stray from the path of peace and unity in
Jesus Christ and be firm to the faith once delivered to the saints
and kept through the ages!
Michael Harris, Casstown, Ohio
THE SALVATION ISSUE
What does God require for men to be saved? Before the fall
of man there was fellowship and commupion between God and
man. Man was innocent for he was created in the likeness and
image of God. God gives man a free will to choose; otherwise
how could our Creator receive worship and praise? God wants
our hearts and lives given to Him because we truly love Him
When man yielded to Satan in the garden, he sinned and was in
a fallen state. He no longer had that close communion and
fellowship with his Creator. Now instead of worshipping and
serving his Maker, he began serving self The whole world lieth
in wickedness because self is on the throne.
Satan who was a high angel got lifted up with pride and
wanted to exalt himself above the most high God. Because of
his sin, he was cast out of heaven. So the real heart issue is that
the self life, which is nothing but pride, must die in us or
10 THE PILGRIM
nothing of heaven can live in us. Jesus taught: ". . . He that
loseth his life for my sake shall find it" (Matt. 10:39) Our
Lord wants ownership over our lives. When one had found that
pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had to obtain it.
He that forsaketh not all that he has, cannot be my disciple.
(See Luke 14:33) Paul said that for the excellency of the
knowledge of Christ Jesus his Lord, he had suffered the loss of
all things and counted them but dung. He had given up his life
so that the Lord Jesus was now his life. We must do the same!
Kenneth Garber, Owen, Wisconsin
IT'S NOT BLACK AND WHITE, IT'S BLACK + WHITE
Clear black-and-white distinctions are not appreciated in
much of the church like they once were. In fact much of what
we believe and live appears to be one big GRAY. Most folks
seem content to keep it that way. No need to dig out any
personal convictions, no need to think about how to live
carefiilly according to the Bible. If some believe one thing and
some another and it looks as if God is blessing the whole
muddle, who are we to step in and suggest that the Word gives
us clear guidelines (or even principles!) about what Christians
ought and ought not to do.
However, it is possible that we have become so
compromised with the world that we find it quite soothing to
continue mixing black and white into one big pot of gray. It
may look like the soup of tolerance, but I guarantee you it has
proven to be the poison of impotence. The Bride has slurped
down the whole pot and finds that she is powerless to effect
change within herself, let alone those around her. She tries to
preach absolutes of the Word while proclaiming relativity of
practices (standards). The only resulting "absolute" the church's
compromising union has birthed is the notion that the Word is
relative and the practices are completely unnecessary—if not
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suspiciously legalistic. Essentially, the donkey and horse have
been put together and the outcome is as sterile as the mule.
Instead of the keenness of discernment, we have the
confusion of delusion—contented self-delusion. Thus, folks are
frolicking in the gray fog—each one doing what is right in his
own eyes. Each one expecting God to bless and help them no
matter what they do or don't do. Is it any wonder that the
church continues to shift toward condoning outright sinftdness?
After all, white is unrealistic and legalistic, but gray is
wonderful. Gray is so uncertain, so tolerant, so open. Most
everyone agrees that gray is a quite sensible position to take.
Oh, and black? Why more and more it's looking like just
another shade of gray.
Brandon Byler in The Heartbeat of the Remnant
Selected by Ron Cable
CHRISTIAN SCHOOL VIEWS
A Love That Knits
The many relationships in our schools need the bonding
power of love in order to be productive. When love knits us
together, good things happen. Colossians 2:2 points out
comfort as one example: "That their hearts might be
comforted, being knit together in love."
Knitting is not just looping yarn together so that it becomes
a useful fabric. It has the broader definition of growing
together, drawing together, or tying together. A fractured bone
knits together. In the reference to "the whole body. . .
compacted by that which eveiy joint supplieth," (Eph. 4:16),
compacted is translated from the same Greek word as knit
together in Col. 2:2. Again, this indicates pulling together and
holding together different parts. Knitting brings them so close
together that it is hard to separate them.
So how does love knit us together?
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"Charity. . . seeketh not her own." (I Cor. 13:4,5) A
charitable person is not all wrapped up in his own interests, but
rather makes other people's well-being a top priority. His love
will get him entwined with other people—knit together, A
teacher who truly loves students and parents will be willing to
suffer and to spend himself All the reward he asks is to see
good come to others. A loving father takes a day off work for
the sake of school. He lays down an interesting magazine to
listen to that childish story about school.
"The members should have the same care one for another."
(I Cor, 12:25) When a ball is flying towards the face, does the
hand hang idly by? Oh, no! It flies up to protect the face.
Someone might say, "But I am not the hand; I am the face.
Others ought to be protecting me." Well, if you were protected
by others, then in that situation you were the face. But if you
have the opportunity to protect others, in that situation you are
the hand. The face never has opportunity to protect the hand.
Is any blame or reproach headed your way? Love will not
pass it back, but will absorb it. Do others deserve blame or
reproach? Love will not overlook sin, but still it will protect
other's reputations. "He that covereth a transgression seeketh
love." (Pro. 17:9)
"Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox
and hatred therewith." (Pro. 15:17) The love relationship is so
sweet that people prefer it even if the circumstances are bitter.
In school we face some of those bitter circumstances as well as
some very delightful ones. As we move through these together,
choosing to exercise Christian love in all things, we find
ourselves knit together.
No wonder a wedding invitation from our children's teacher
gets such an important place in our lives. No wonder those
relationships we had with our teacher twenty, thirty, or fifty
years ago stick with us so long. No wonder we say when
someone rubs us the wrong way, "But after all we've been
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through together, I don't want to make a fuss about this. I love
him."
Praise God! Keep the love flowing. Let us not take love
for granted or suppose that we can be knit together without
great effort. Out relationship can find a good pattern in
Jonathan's relationship with David: "The soul of Jonathan was
knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own
soul." (I Sam. 18:1)
By Steven Horst
The Christian School Builder, September, 2004
BAPTISM
Marietta Stalter, New Paris, Indiana, January 1, 2006
May God bless this young sister as she serves in Christ's
Kingdom.
FOR YOUTH
LORD HELP ME
Matthew 15:25
Lord, help me through the coming year
To walk in Thy good way;
To prize Thy Word of life most dear
And ever watch and pray.
Lord, help me overcome all sin,
Be wholly pure in heart,
Thy cross to bear, the crown to win
And never from Thee part.
Lord, help me watch the words I speak
Be ever kind and true;
Thy kingdom ever first to seek
la all I say and do.
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Lord, help me help along the way
To cheer the travelers on:
That none from Thy footsteps may stray
Until the night is gone.
Lord, help me when life's sorrows come,
Thy peace and hope to gain,
Still pressing onward to my home
And share Thy glorious reign.
Lord, help me, for I need Thy aid;
I cannot walk alone
To heaven land Thy hands have made
Thy glory and Thy throne.
J. I. Cover, January, 1964
INSPIRATION FROM THE SNOW
Snowflakes slowly drifting down,
Gently swirling to the ground,
Cover all earth's muddy blight
With their pure and sparkling light.
Blood of Jesus, crimson flow,
Wash me whiter than the snow!
Make my heart all pure within,
Free from stain or blight of sin.
Cover with Thy righteousness
And with all Thy fullness bless
This poor, falt'ring heart of mine;
Make it clear and true as Thine!
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Snowflakes' sweet serenity-
Teach me so to rest in Thee;
And so patiently to wait,
Till Thy wisdom ope's the gate.
Snow speaks quietness and peace,
Of all stress and care, release
May my heart that peace reflect,
And, at least in some respect,
Pass that peace along the way
To another heart today;
With a smile or word or song,
Send that sunny joy along.
Wondrous lessons taught to me
By the tiny flakes I see;
Like a drifting heap of snow
In Thy fair image let me grow!
Susanna Tate (on a snowy day)
Mishawaka, Indiana
CHILDREN'S PAGE
The Fence of Guilt
Goats can be stubborn. I remember one young billy who
pushed his head and horns through the fence to eat the "greener
grass" on the other side. But when he tried to pull his head
back into the pen, his bonis hooked on the fence. He pulled
and struggled and finally screamed for help. I am sure he could
never have freed him self He would have slowly but surely died
if I had not helped him.
Goats are smart, but not always smart enough to use their
"smarts" wisely. It seems all he learned from the ordeal was
that I would free Mm if he got stuck. He just called when he
was through eating that "greener grass." Even making liim wait
a long time did not break him of the habit.
Would you ever do anything so unwise? I hope not, but
since I have done so many times, I would like to warn you of
the danger.
The "greener grass" is like temptation. The fence is like
guilt. We can only get free from guilt if we repent and call on
God to forgive us. Sadly, we are often soon tempted to do the
same thing again. Surely God will forgive again. . .and again. . .
The problem is that not only are you developing a bad habit, but
also it is very hard to truly repent if you sin, planning to repent
later; and you must truly repent to be forgiven and freed from
the "fence" of guilt.
The Lord is. . . longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that
any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."
(II Peter 3:9)
* . Martha J. Wagner
Gettysburg, Ohio
s
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VOL. 53 FEBRUARY, 2006 No. 2
" And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the
Saviour of the world." (I John 4:14)
JESUS CALLS US
Jesus calls us o'er the tumult
Of our life's wild, restless sea;
Day by day His sweet voice soundeth,
Saying, "Christian, follow Me."
Jesus calls us from the worship
Of the vain world's golden store,
From each idol that would keep us,
Saying, "Christian, love Me more."
In our joys and in our sorrows,
Days of toil and hours of ease;
Still He calls in cares and pleasures:
"Christian, love Me more that these."
Jesus calls us; by Thy mercies,
Saviour, may we hear Thy call,
Give our hearts to Thy obedience,
Serve and love Thee best of all.
Mrs. Cecil F. Alexander, 1853
THE PILGRIM is a religious magazine published in the interests of the members of the Old
Brethren Church. Subscription rate: $5.00 per year. Sample copies sent free on request.
Publishing editor: Leslie Cover
Address: THE PILGRIM, 19201 Cherokee Rd. , Tuolumne, CA 95379
FIRST LOVE
The church at Ephesus was the center in Asia for the new
Christian faith. Jesus commended them for their works, labour
and patience. Despite all this, Ephesus had left their first love.
They had fallen from it. Jesus' instructions were to remember
from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works.
If they did not repent, the Lord of the Church would "remove
(then) candlestick out of his place." No small offence!
What would Jesus say to the churches today? What would
He say to our Old Brethren Church? Would He charge, "Thou
hast left thy first love"? I hope not because it is a serious
charge.
What does it mean to leave our first love? We think
immediately of a couple to be married. Their love is fresh,
intense, strong. Their love overlooks faults, sometimes ignores
reality, doesn't question motives, and faces the future with fond
anticipation. If this is kept alive, the marriage flourishes in spite
of financial struggles, sickness, or differing opinions. But for
many young couples of the world, this first love is lost soon
after marriage, and the results are tragic.
For a church to leave its first love, the results are no less
tragic. What are some of the benefits that true love gives its
possessors and some of the sadness when it is lost?
Paul writes in I Corinthians 13 that "charity suffereth long."
When we lose it, does it mean we become impatient and
intolerant, not willing to suffer for a loved one? I once knew an
older couple that may have fit this desciiption. She was loud
and insistent. He was surly and unhappy. It can happen, but
not if love reigns.
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This chapter says love is kind. My grandfather had faults, I
am sure, but when I think if kindness, I think of him. He spoke
softly and with out criticism. May we hold our first love and let
our words and acts show kindness.
Vve wept in the night for the shortness of sight
That to somebody's needs made me blind.
But I never have yet felt a tinge of regret
For being a little too kind.
Our chapter also says, "Charity envieth not." When we lose
our first love, envy crowds in. We do not rejoice when a
brother succeeds or shows special gifts or talents. To the
unloving, it looks like a threat. We become competitive and
critical. But with charity, we are happy when others succeed.
"Charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up." Notice the
politicians who boldly state their qualifications for office and
degrade those of the opponent. Love vaunteth not itself and
does not make its possessor vaunt himself.
"Charity doth not behave itself unseemly." My father gave
us valuable advice when we first started associating with special
girl friends. "If you love a girl, you will never do something to
her that would harm her or be wrong." How many today
violate such a warning and behave unseemly! "Seeketh not her
own," follows well here because so often our own interests— our
own pleasure- comes first, and invariably others suffer. This
quote introduces a gripping story in Perspectives of Truth in
Literature by Christian Light Publications:
"What is the cost of pleasing yourself? Someone else must
always pay for selfishness.
"There is not the slightest hint that the Prodigal Son meant
to hurt his father. He merely wanted to live his own life. Yet a
deeply wounded father was the cost of his self-pleasing. Much
of the appalling misery in our world today stems from this same
seemingly innocent source. Most people don't plan to be cruel;
they simply insist on their own pleasure. But selfish pleasure is
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never free, and a trifle is often purchased at a tragic cost for
others. "
Charity, first love, is not easily provoked. A tactic in debate
is to provoke and belittle. But we can win a debate and still
lose the battle. To be able to differ and not get upset takes
love— the real love that Jesus demonstrated.
Charity thinketh no evil. One version says it keeps no
record of wrongs. To keep evil alive in our minds is corrosive
to ourselves. Strong acid must be put in a special container or
it will destroy that container. Evil thoughts can destroy us. I
Cor. 10:4,5: "For the weapons of our warfare are. . .mighty
through God. . .bringing into captivity every thought to the
obedience of Christ." We poor, weak mortal thinkers stand in
awe at this truth, but God can do it through love.
"Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth." We
rejoice to hear of the truth penetrating into China and Haiti and
many other strongholds. Love will cause us to mourn at the
unbelief in our pampered society.
"Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things,
endureth all things." Intense first love has power. It
accomplishes God's will that we "be perfectly joined together in
the same mind and in the same judgment." When we lose it, we
drift apart; we do our own thing; we become individualistic and
lose the very purpose God has for His church— that we become
one in Him.
Jesus said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." When
we lose that first love, we become careless about the words of
Jesus and His apostles. We fail to testify to others. Our
appearance becomes more like the fashions of the world. Our
personal prayer and Bible study are neglected, and our walk in
the Spirit appeals to us less and less.
Let me turn that around. When we have the first love, we
become careful about the words of Jesus and His apostles. We
faithftxlly testify to others. Our appearance becomes less like
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the fashions of the world. Our personal prayer and Bible study
are increased and our walk in the Spirit appeals to us more and
more.
Lord, send us a revival of that first love when we will love
the Lord with all our hearts and our neighbor as ourselves.
Let that love work in us to make us more like our Saviour and
knit us together with bonds that will not break. --L.C.
LOVE REGAINED
Left that first love, can it be?
When lesus died for you and me?
Gave His life to set us free?
Prayed that we this love may see?
Was it lost along the way
When we spent a careless day?
Careless of our brother's way
Even then forgot to pray—
For the unity that heals
For the peace that each one feels
When our heart's deep need reveals
And the Spirit's earnest seals.
Let us gain again that grace,
Seek again our Savior's face
Let His blood our sins erase;
And unity regain its place.
Praise to God; He has great power;
Satan can do naught but cower.
His grace restores in this late hour;
Again love blooms, a fragrant flower. --L.C,
THE PILGIM
THE LORD'S PRAYER (concluded)
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
It is very fitting to start and end our prayers in worship to
our Father in heaven. In the first of our Lord's prayer, we
hallow our Father's name. As we approach His throne, we are
bound to hold Him in great reverence. As we end this prayer
(and I believe any prayer), we once again hold Him in great
reverence. We acknowledge His place in the big picture-
Supreme!
This phrase is also a good follow up to ". . .deliver us from
evil." There is a kingdom of darkness; its power is deceit and
its glory is its darkness. This is the evil we are delivered from.
What a contrast when we are delivered—transformed, renewed,
given new life! When we see Jesus, we can't help but proclaim
His wonderful kingdom. It is by His power we are delivered
from evil and it is for His glory. In our way of speaking we
could use "because" at the beginning of this phrase, and it
would mean the same thing. Even though we are involved with
the conflict that rages around and in us, it's not really about us.
It is about God, for God, and for His kingdom.
"God wins in the end." This phrase comes to my mind at
the close of this prayer. He is worthy to be praised. God
Jehovah is King. His throne is forever and ever. (Heb. 1:8) He
rules His kingdom with righteousness. His kingdom is coming
and His will will be done. With His power He has delivered us
from evil. With His almighty hand He has supplied our daily
bread. As a merciful King, He has forgiven our debts. He has
washed us clean with the sacrifice of His own blood. When He
comes to set up His Kingdom here, we will be eyewitnesses of
His glory. When we see Jesus for who He truly is and we
accept what He has so willingly done, our hearts almost burst
THE PILGRIM 1
with adoration for Him and to Him. We leap for joy and fall on
our knees at the same time. Our God reigns forever!
Forever! Have you ever thought about that word? Let
your mind wonder on it for awhile. It is beyond human wisdom
or capacity. Now think on that word in light of our God
reigning. What joy to anticipate being there! That again is
indescribable, but it's real and it's coming. Are you ready for
forever*? Amen. (So be it.)
Peter Cover
Tuolumne, California.
NONRSISTANCE IN ACTION
hi the last article, we told of Christians who have suffered
dearly for their faith. Some have given their lives simply
because they refused to harm their fellowmen. And the world
does not like those who follow Jesus.
Many of these stories seem long ago. Some of them deal
with members of Christ's followers who are gathered in other
groups. But some of our number today are the descendants of
those who have given their lives to Christ for this true faith.
They believed that to truly know Christ was to follow Him in
life. How can we claim to know Christ, and then war and kill
our fellowman-or support those who do?
One such man was Heinrich Frick. Heinrich lived near
Knonau, in the canton of Zurich in Switzerland. He was a very
wealthy man. He owned land and no doubt was looked upon as
highly favored in the community where he lived.
But Christ had other plans for Brother Heinrich. War came;
Heinrich's conscience was pricked and opposed to the war.
Heinrich then took a very radical step. He joined the despised
Brethren (Anabaptist) movement. He was baptized on his own
confession of faith and promised to be faithful unto death to the
8 THE PILGRIM
Lord, even should it lead through great suffering. And suffering
was likely in those days for those who did such things.
Switzerland was not very kind to those who did not follow the
teachings of the officially sanctioned church.
But not deterred by the love of money, status, or liking of
friends or family, Heinrich cast his lot with the people of God,
the holy community and nation, and chose to follow Jesus
Christ. He no longer could be part of this world's carnal
warfare and warring nationalism.
Heinrich's conversion was highly troubling to the cantonal
authorities. Heinrich had no doubt been an influential man with
wealth in the community. Heinrich's father Hans had been the
Freimatsseckelmeister (official Treasurer) of Maschwanden
from 1618 to 1629. And his grandfather Gregor was famous
enough to have a stained glass window in the Zurich Art
Gallery dedicated to him. So when Heinrich converted, they
were highly troubled.
For many years the Swiss Brethren had lived in relative
quiet. Things were not always easy for them, and the laws of
the land were so that they could not live "normal" lives like
everyone else, but at least they were not under severe torment.
However, Heinrich's conversion was so troubling to the
authorities that persecution was renewed. To make matters
more complicated, Heinrich's wife at this time was not
converted.
Finally, the authorities came to take Brother Heinrich.
Heinrich's wife was with child, and so frighteningly did the
authorities treat them that she lost the child and did not have
many good days after that.
They took Heinrich and confined him to the council house
in Zurich. There this dear brother was so mistreated that he
consented to go to the state church. This is what the authorities
wanted. The Swiss Brethren had refused to do this because it
was a sign of compromise. The state church did not accept the
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doctrine of Christ as He preached in the Sermon on the Mount.
So when Heinrich agreed to do this they released him.
But Heinrich was not at rest. He knew he had gone back on
his commitment to Jesus Christ. He was not faithful. He had
wronged his soul, violated his conscience, and given offence to
the Church of God. Therefore he, like the beloved apostle
Peter before him, fell into great distress, confessed and wept
over his sins, and was restored.
Heinrich felt he should make this public. He had been
unfaithful publicly, and rather than give the persecutors cause
for rejoicing, Heinrich went back to the council house in Zurich.
There they again confined him.
During this time his two farms and money were taken from
him. The enemies of God have often done this kind of thing to
the children of God— even to poor widows and orphans.
Heinrich's farms were rented for 420 guilders, and 13,000
guilders were taken from him. Heinrich was then released, only
to be arrested some time later. This time he escaped.
Even after his escape, Heinrich was persecuted. But this
time he had to wander about in misery and poverty. This
persecution seems to have begun in 1635. Sometime later,
likely around 1644-1645, upon being released from prison,
Heinrich took his wife and three children to the Rhenish Pfalz
(Palatinate) with whatever they still had. The Palatinate was a
haven for many Amish and Mennonites who were being sorely
tried in Switzerland, mostly from cantons Zurich and Bern.
While in Pfalz, four more children were born. Eventually his
descendants left the Pfalz and came to the United States,
settling in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Some of their
descendants are in our fraternity. George Frick, husband of
Charlotte (who is with us, as well as some of then children and
grandchildren— including the writer's wife), was a direct
descendant of Heinrich. Thus the nonresistant faith has been
passed down for many generations.
10 THE PILGRIM
All because one man was faithful and esteemed the honour
of Christ and His way above the honour, riches, and pleasures
of the world. All because one man refused to compromise and
truly followed Christ.
Michael Harris
Casstown, Ohio
DEAR WHOSOEVER WILL:
Having just been shown a vital truth about salvation and
overcoming, I thought I would share it with you. "And receive
with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your
souls." (James 1:21b) To be saved the Word must be engrafted
into our hearts. This Word is able to save us if we are "doers of
the word, and not hearers only." This living Word must be
received with meekness; the spiritually proud and strong cannot
enter this door. We must be broken on the rock Christ Jesus to
start our heavenly journey.
"The righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise...
But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth,
and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and
shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the
dead, thou shalt be saved." (Rom. 10:6a, 8-9) "Whosoever
therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also
before my Father which is in heaven." (Mat. 10:32) "With the
mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Rom. 10: 10b)
Salvation is deliverance from the penalty and power of sin.
"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name
JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." (Mat.
1:21) If you do not know the power of true salvation in reality,
you will find yourself captive of the devil at his will. (II Tim.
2:26) To be saved and walk in victory, we must not only
believe in Jesus who is the Living Word, but we must speak the
THE PILGRIM 11
Word. "With the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
This is not just to begin in the Christian walk, but for daily
overcoming. "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the
Lord, so walk ye in him." (Col. 2:6) As salvation comes not
only by "repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord
Jesus Christ," (Acts 20:21b), but by confession, so to walk in
victory we must speak the word. To speak Scripture out loud
is essential to overcoming. Our only offensive weapon is the
Word of God, which is the Spirit's sword. (Eph. 6:17): "For
the word of God is quick (living) and powerful, and sharper
than any twoedged sword."
"If ye abide in me (Jesus the Word), and my words abide in
you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.:
(John 15:7) "Now ye are clean through the word which I have
spoken unto you." (John 15:3) "Then said Jesus to those Jews
which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye
my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth
shall make you free. (John 8:31,32)
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by
the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto
the death." (Rev. 12:11)
"And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and
shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when
thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when
thou risest up." (Deut 6:7) "Out of the abundance of the heart
the mouth speaketh." (Mat. 12:34b) "For by thy words thou
shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned."
"But to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of
a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. (Isa. 66:2b)
"Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." (Rev.
22:17b)
In Christian love,
Kevin Garber
/
12 THE PILGRIM ,
NOTE OF THANKS
To our Brothers and Sisters in Jesus Christ,
We have felt some trials this past year with Seth's recurring
cancer. Thank you to God and each one who had part in His
love and support for us. The number of friends who pray for us
and who have given monetary gifts is humbling. May you be
blessed in God's service.
The Harper family,
Seth, Rachel, and Thomas
MARRIAGES
David Winger and Heidi Brown were married December 31 in
Modesto, California.
New address: 1529 Theresa St.
Modesto, CA 95350
Heidi's cell phone: (209) 480-5594
Christopher Taylor and Ana Bella Villegas were married
January 1 in Samachique, Chihuahua, Mexico.
New address: 22292 North Colorado River Dr.
Twain Harte, California
Christopher's Cellphone: (209) 770-1984
Mailing address: P.O. Boxl254
Tuolumne, CA 95379-1254
BIRTH
COVER - A son, Jethro Nicodemus, born January 22 to Ben
and Jolene Cover of Tuolumne, California
ADDRESS CHANGE
Glenn Wells 9863 Grise Road
Bradford, OH 45308
* (937) 448-2003
THE PILGRIM 13
FOR YOUTH
INSPIRATION FROM THE SNOW
Snowflakes slowly drifting down,
Gently swirling to the ground,
Cover all earth's muddy blight
With their pure and sparkling light.
Blood of Jesus, crimson flow,
Wash me whiter than the snow!
Make my heart all pure within,
Free from stain or blight of sin.
Cover with Thy righteousness
And with all Thy fullness bless
This poor, fait 'ring heart of mine;
Make it clear and true as Thine!
Snowflakes 1 sweet serenity-
Teach me so to rest in Thee;
And so patiently to wait,
Till Thy wisdom ope's the gate.
Snow speaks quietness and peace,
Of all stress and care, release
May my heart that peace reflect,
And, at least in some respect,
Pass that peace along the way
To another heart today;
With a smile or word or song,
Send that sunny joy along.
14 THE PILGRIM
Wondrous lessons taught to me
By the tiny flakes I see;
Like a drifting heap of snow
In Thy fair image let me grow!
Susanna Tate (on a snowy day)
Mishawaka, Indiana
OUR GOD
As the snow falls on the ground,
O God's wonders do abound,
As the sun shines on my face,
O His never ending grace.
As the flowers in spring are ever,
O the God that changes never.
As the leaves drop in the fall,
O my God will hear my call.
Teresa J. Miller (age 12)
Bourbon, Indiana
CHILDREN'S PAGE
Eat It With Relish
The church service is over. Soft rustlings become louder.
There is a low murmur of adult voices, also becoming louder.
Children walk into the aisles. You join them. You line up with
smiles and happy chatter. There is some playful pushing and
jostling, but you wait your turn. When your turn comes you
reach out your hand, smile and say "thank you." Then you
scamper away with a small handful of Smarties.
THE PILGRIM 15
Most of you already know that story, don't you? You relish
your Smarties, and I don't blame you. I like them, too!
To relish something means to like the taste of it. King
David relished God's Word. Psalm 119:103 says, "How sweet
are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey (or
Smarties?) to my mouth! "
I hope you relish God's Word. I hope when you grow up
you will relish it far more than you ever relished Smarties, "for
(it) is thy life." (Proverbs 4: 13)
Martha J. Wagner
Gettysburg, Ohio
PILGRIM POINTERS
The Pilgrim's Way
(Tune: My Closet, My Temple)
A pilgrim's a stranger
To those on his way
His goal is in heaven;
He's not here to stay.
His way may be dreary;
His road may be steep;
His back may grow weary
His promise to keep.
It may not sound pleasant,
This long Pilgrim road,
But Jesus is present
And helps lift the load.
16.
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A Pilgrim is favored
To walk in the way;
Our Lord never wavered;
He calls us today.
So come be a Pilgrim;
The best lies ahead;
The end is so blessed
When troubles have fled.
All glory to Jesus;
He hung on the tree.
As Pilgrims He frees us;
Our Saviour is He. — L.C.
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THE PILGRIM
VOL. 53 MARCH, 2006 No. 3
"And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the
Saviour of the world." (I John 4: 14)
COMMIT THOU ALL THY GRIEFS
Commit thou all thy griefs
And ways into His hands;
To His sure trust and tender care
Who earth and heaven commands.
Thou on the Lord rely,
So safe shalt thou go on;
Fix on His work thy steadfast eye,
So shall thy work be done
Give to the winds thy fears;
Hope, and be undismayed;
God hears thy sighs and counts thy tears;
He shall lift up thy head.
Through waves and clouds and storms
He gently clears thy way;
Wait thou His time, so shall this night
Soon end in joyous day.
By Paul Gerhardt (1606-1676)
From The Story of the Hymns and Tunes page 85.
Paul Gerhardt also wrote O Sacred Head Now Wounded.
Selected by Sarah Martin
THE PILGRIM is a religious magazine published in the interests of the members of the Old
Brethren Church. Subscription rate: $5.00 per year. Sample copies sent free on request.
Publishing editor: Leslie Cover
Address: THE PILGRIM, 19201 Cherokee Rd., Tuolumne, CA 95379
THE WAY
Have you heard the stoiy of a traveller lost in a rural area
who supposedly asked a local man the way to the city where he
needed to go? The man looked puzzled and finally told the
traveller, "You can't get there from here!" We would be
dismayed beyond measure if we heard the way from here to
heaven was not open.
Thank God there is a way. Jesus said, "I am the way, the
truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
What does our Saviour mean when He says "the way"? He uses
the definite article "the," not an indefinite "a." This means He is
the only way, and He emphasizes it when He says no man can
approach the Father but by Him. Jesus is the way to be born
into the family of God, now possible because He suffered for
our sins. He is also the way through this life, and it is this road
we write of here. Pilgrim's Progress describes this journey in an
allegory. We must live it in reality. And this road is Jesus
Christ and Him crucified.
We are not used to limitations in our travels to a
destination. If we wish to visit our brethren in the East, we
have a choice of ways. We can travel by air, by train, or by car.
And even in each of these we have several major highways, a
choice of airlines, and several railroads or bus routes. But to
the Father, our most important destination, there is only one
route, only one means, only one conveyance.
Jesus opened this way when He fulfilled ancient prophecies.
Isaiah proclaimed (35:8): "And an highway shall be there, and a
way, and it shall be called the way of holiness; the unclean shall
not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men,
though fools, shall not err therein." All of us, young and old,
appreciate a good highway. We like to travel with other cars
THE PILGRIM
that are driven safely. Drunks, careless drivers, or distracted
drug addicts all make highway driving hazardous. But on this
blessed way there are no unclean, no "lions," no "ravenous
beast" but only the simple wayfarers, the redeemed and
ransomed of the Lord.
Another prophecy tells of the divine direction we have on
this Way: "And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee,
saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right
hand, and when ye turn to the left." (Isa. 30,21).
However, Jesus tells us His way is not an easy, attractive
road. In Matthew 7:14 He warns, "Because strait is the gate,
and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be
that find it." He indicates that the choice is ours, and many
choose the easy road-the wide gate, the broad way that leads
not to the Father, but to destruction. The Father calls; it is His
will that all travel the way to life.
Though the way is described as strait and narrow, Jesus
assures us that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Like
the song writer, can we say, "I've found it so"?
We should be happy on this way and our lives should show
contentment. If we look sour, discouraged, disappointed, we
cannot expect others to be interested in such a course.
However, sometimes we do look unhappy. The reason
cannot be a failure on Jesus' part. We often try to take too
much baggage along. We must leave our load of trouble at the
cross. Peter tells us: "Casting all your care upon him for he
carethforyou."
We have seen a child traveling with a guardian. The child
needs direction and protection. We are like children- so
dependent on our Heavenly Guide. He has lunch along for us.
He points out beauties on the way. He gives us rest stops and
even buys us souvenirs of the places on our route. No? Have
you no souvenirs? I mean memories, communions, precious
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songs, Scriptures having special meaning at different times of
our journey. You may have others.
The way with Jesus is pleasant and precious. But the
destination is incomparable. There the gates are pearl, the wall
foundations are precious stones; the streets are gold. It's all
new and the gates of it are always open. There is no artificial
light or even light of the sun "for the glory of God did lighten it,
and the Lamb is the light thereof."
Heaven won't need a housekeeping department, for there is
nothing unclean or defiling there. Jesus is there, as He said,
preparing the place. He is our way and our destination. What a
place and what a day that will be when traveling days are over
and we reach home. —L.C.
CHRIST, THE WAY
The Saviour said, "I am the way."
In fact, we hear Him also say,
No man can e'er the Father reach
Except by Me; this go and teach.
How blest to know there is a way
In our affluent, puzzling day.
The way is plain to those who call:
Jesus, our Lord, our all in all.
There is a way that seemeth right,
But it will end in darkest night.
Only in Christ we clearly see
The path of life to God is He.
Thy Word's a lamp unto our feet,
A light to make our hope complete.
So walk in light; the dark will flee;
The light will fill eternity.
THE PILGRIM
O Saviour, be Thou still our Guide;
Keep us true; walk by our side.
Take us by Thy power and grace,
To that eternal resting place. --L.C.
WHY?
Every result has a cause. Every belief has a reason. There
is a motivation for every action. We are curious creatures. We
want to know why. The word "why" is found over 300 times in
the Bible. The word "why" is most often used in the Scriptures
to question a correctable or serious situation: "Why is thy
countenance fallen?" (Gen. 4:6), "Why beholdest the mote in
thy brother's eye?" (Matt. 7:3), and "My God, my God, why
hast thou forsaken me?" (Matt. 27:46) are examples of the use
of the word "why."
"Why is thy countenance fallen?" Here the Lord endeavors
to correct Cain's attitude and direction. The motive in Cain's
offering seemed to be to bring attention to himself: a little like
entering produce at a local fair. Could the why of some of our
present church and social concerns arise from doing things for
self rather than sacrificing for the glory of God and to the
benefit of our brother or sister?
"Why beholdest the mote in thy brother's eye?" Another
corrective question. Jesus is telling the Jews the necessity of
correcting one's own action before finding fault with someone
else. It is a temptation to settle into a cocoon of self-
righteousness.
"My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" The most
important "why" ever asked! Jesus was God in man. God
cannot die. The only way for Jesus to die was for God to
forsake or leave the body of Jesus. The answer to this "why"
was to offer the sacrifice for our sins.
6 THE PILGRIM
It is important to examine the reason why. I remember an
elder who wore a lavender wool sport shirt to church. This
brother was poor, and he found the warm shirt at a thrift store.
He felt it was what he needed to offset the cold, foggy valley
weather. Other than a few raised eyebrows, I don't think
anyone made anything over it. If an affluent brother came to
the communion table wearing a bright sport shirt there would be
cause for concern. The older brother bought an inexpensive
shirt to fill a need. The well-to-do brother bought a bright,
showy shirt as a sign of rebellion. There is an eternal difference.
Even if another person's thinking differs from ours, there is
a reason why. Often a person is unable to give an answer to the
question why. It is vital that we have patience and charity with
our fellow brother or sister. We may not need to know all the
whys. Study the Bible. Let the Holy Spirit reveal the answer to
your question why.
Joseph Wagner
Modesto, California
LOVE AND UNITY
Unity in the Church is so important that the New Testament
gives more attention to it than either heaven or hell. God
deeply desires that we have a oneness and hannony with each
other. Unity is the soul of fellowship. Our supreme model for
unity is the Trinity. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are
completely unified as one.
We know God is the highest example of sacrificial love and
perfect harmony. Just like every parent, the Father enjoys
watching His children get along with each other.
Li the final moments, Jesus prayed so passionately for our
unity. We know it was our unity in His mind during those
agonizing hours that showed how passionate He was. I believe
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nothing on earth is more valuable to God than His church, for
He paid the highest price for it. God wants it protected,
especially from the devastating damage that is caused by
division, conflict, or disharmony.
If we are a part of God's family, it is our responsibility to
protect the unity where we fellowship. We are commissioned
by Jesus Christ to do everything possible to preserve our unity
and to protect our fellowship. We must make every effort to
keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Now the question is, how do we do this? We must focus on
what we have in common and not on our differences! So let us
concentrate on the things which make harmony for us as
believers. We share one Lord, one body, one Father, one Spirit,
one hope, one faith, one baptism, and one love.
We must remember that it was God that gave us different
personalities and backgrounds, so we should value and enjoy
these differences, and not merely tolerate them. God wants
unity, not uniformity, but for unity s sake we should never let
differences divide us. We must stay focused on what matters
most, and that is to love each other as Christ loved us.
Now in ending: we are joined together with peace through
the Spirit, so let us make every effort to continue together in
this way. And most of all, let love guide our lives. And if we
do, the church will stay together in perfect harmony.
In Christian love,
Lloyd Flora, Flora, Indiana
NONRESISTANCE IN ACTION #3
Michael Kleinsasser lives in Crystal Spring Hutterian
Brethren colony near Ste. Agathe, Manitoba, Canada. Here is
his story as I remember him telling it:
Patriotism runs high during wartime— especially when the
cause is viewed as "just." Such a war was World War II The
8 THE PILGRIM u
monster of Hitler's Nazism threatened to overtake Europe, and
indeed this was very frightening. But Christians must be faithM
to Jesus Christ no matter what the cost is.
And not only that, but even in peacetime we must always be
prepared to give an answer for the hope that lies within us.
Many are the Lord's professors today who will say things like
"Is so-and-so a Christian? He reads his Bible and prays, and he
believes it is right to go to war. Is he saved?" If one says "no,"
then they say we cannot judge. If one says "yes," then why can
not you go to war just as he? Why would it be right for him
and not for you?
We as believers simply can not judge people either to
heaven or hell. But we do know what the testimony, teaching,
and example of Jesus Christ is. And we do know by that
testimony, some have no reason to believe they are saved.
Michael Kleinsasser was called up before the draft board.
They wanted him to join the armed forces. And they were not
too easy with him. The judge of the board had lost a son in the
war and was not particularly sympathetic to conscientious
objectors. But Michael held fast.
Finally the judge gave him a book to read. He told Michael
that he was to read the book and then report back to him. The
book was to prove from the Scriptures why it was right to fight
and defend one's country and to quiet the consciences of
soldiers.
Michael promised he would read it, and he did. Michael's
dad also read the book. Michael's dad took the book and
ripped it apart and threw it into the fire. He said it was the
devil's book. Why did Michael's dad say this was the devil's
book?
The book had been written by the Canadian government to
give to soldier boys to help them not feel bad about killing.
And to support then* propaganda, they had manipulated and
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misquoted Bible verses. The book was changing the Holy
Scriptures into something vile for their own selfish purposes.
Michael had to report back. While he was before the judge,
a letter came to the judge edged in black. This was the old way
of announcing a death. The judge's second son had just been
killed in combat. And Michael was before him! Michael
offered his sympathy to the judge but held firm to his
convictions.
After the war, the Canadian government denied having
printed such a book as given to Michael to serve their
propaganda machine. But Michael had a friend who found
some later and proved that indeed such a book had been
published.
What about us? Are we familiar enough with the teachings
and veiy words of Christ and the apostles that we would know
it if they were changed? Would we be able to defend our faith
when those around us are enraged because they have just lost
loved ones in carnal warfare—and we refuse to "fight for our
freedom"? Do we maintain nonresistant and Christlike attitudes
towards others even during peacetime?
There are no two ways. Jesus' teachings are clear and
single. Are we?
Michael Harris
Casstown, Ohio
POLITICS AND THE CHRISTIAN
We hear nowadays that with the appointment of a couple
"conservative" judges to the Supreme Court that American
Christians have scored a great victory for Jesus and His
teachings. We are told that the great sin of abortion will be
banned and that Christian values will become the law of the
land.
10 THE PILGRIM
In the past few years, we have also seen increasing pressure
for Christians to become involved in politics. We have heard
how it is our duty to ensure that America develops and supports
Christian values in our laws. We have also heard that displays
of the Ten Commandments are essential to our continued
prosperity and freedom. In short, we are being told that it is the
duty of Christians to join the political struggle to Christianize
the government of our country.
All of the arguments presented to persuade us to vote and
to become politically active, however, have been arguments
from emotions, patriotism, and logic. There has been no
biblical argument. Nowhere have I seen someone point to the
teachings of Jesus or one of His Apostles as an example of
political activism. The reason it hasn't been used is that no such
teaching exists.
To the contrary, Jesus (as He was standing before the civil
authorities) said very plainly, "My kingdom is not of this world:
if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants
fight. . ." The same is true today: voting, politicking and
lobbying are just more subtle forms of fighting. Furthermore,
Paul instructs us, referring to the civil authorities, to be "subject
unto the higher powers." How can we be subject to those
authorities when we, through voting and participating in
government, set ourselves up as the higher power?
We are blessed by God that we are able to live in a country
in which we are free to worship God according to the
Scriptures without fear of repression or persecution. Surely,
therefore, we must have some obligations to the state. I believe
we do, but as in every other area of our lives, our participation
is clearly taught in God's revealed word.
There are three things, according to Scripture, that we
should do. First, we must pray for the government. (I Tim.
2:1,2) Second, we must obey the laws of our country (Rom.
13:1) unless they are contrary to the law of God. (Acts 4: 19)
THE PILGRIM U
Third, we must pay the taxes levied by the government. (Rom.
13:6,7)
Citizenship in the kingdom of Christ is exclusive of all
others. Even in a free and prosperous country like ours, one
that seems to support Christian values, we must remember that
we are called to be "pilgrims and strangers."
Roger Hartline
Picayune, Mississippi
PEOPLE OR GOD
People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior
motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and
some true enemies. Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you. Be
honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy
overnight. Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous. Be
happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow.
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be
enough. Give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God. It
was never between you and them anyway.
Mother Teresa
Selected by Mervin Hilty
12 THE PILGRIM
NOTE OF THANKS
To our friends in Christ:
We wish to thank each one of you for your care and prayers
during our time of concern for Jason. To be told there is no
tumor when first informed there was, has indeed proved that
each of our friends* prayers have been heard. We are very
thankful! May we also be a part of God's praying force.
Thankfully,
Andrew and Maria Martin
MARRIAGE
Forrest Tate and Joy Royer were married February 4, 2006,
near Wakarusa, Indiana.
New address: 28170 C. K 32
Elkhart, IN 465 17
Joy's cellphone (574) 850-3201
is Forrest's cell phone (574) 850-7404
ADDRESS CHANGE
Ruth Crawmer: Season's
2325 St Paul's Way
- — ^ Modesto, CA 95335
HONORING GOD IN BUSINESS
In our lives it is imperative that God is honored. Perhaps
one of the areas the world is most influenced by our lives is in
our business dealings. Here we either honor God or we
discredit Him by our less that fair or honest dealings. Driving a
hard bargain does not necessarily honor God as being a "good
steward," but may tarnish God's reputation and credibility.
Rudy Shafer, Manheim, Pennsylvania
THE PILGRIM 13
God Knows How
When God wants to drill a man,
And thrill a man, And skill a man,
When God wants to mold a man
To play the noblest part;
When He yearns with all His heart
To create so great and bold a man
That all the world shall be amazed,
Watch His methods, watch His ways!
How He ruthlessly perfects
Whom He royally elects!
How He hammers him and hurts him,
And with mighty blows converts him
Into trial shapes of clay which
Only God understands;
While his tortured heart is crying
And he lifts beseeching hands!
How He bends but never breaks
When his good He undertakes;
How He uses whom He chooses,
And with every purpose fuses him;
By every act induces him
To tiy His splendor out-
God knows what He's about.
Selected from Springs in the Valley
FOR YOUTH
You must be born again
Christ said to Nicodemus: "Except a man be born again, he
cannot see the kingdom of God." You may see many countries,
but there is one country—the land of Beulah, which John
Bunyan saw in vision— you shall never behold, unless you are
born again— regenerated by Christ,
14 THE PILGRIM
You can look abroad and see many beautiful trees; but the
tree of life, you shall never behold, unless your eyes are made
clear by faith in the Saviour.
You may see the beautiful rivers of the earth— you may ride
upon their bosoms; but bear in mind that your eye will never
rest upon the river which bursts out from the Throne of God
and flows through the upper Kingdom, unless you are born
again. God has said it and not man. You will never see the
kingdom of God except you are bom again.
You may see the kings and lords of the earth, but the King
of kings and Lord of lords you will never see except you are
born again.
When you are in London you may go to the Tower and see
the crown of England, which is worth thousands of dollars and
is guarded there by soldiers; but bear in mind that your eye will
never rest upon the crown of life except you are born again.
From The Way to God and How to Find It
By D. L. Moody
Do Thou for Me
Do Thou for me, O Father mine;
No goodness bring I to Thy shrine;
Needing to know its depths refined
In Thy dear image thus to shine:
Only in Thee— the strength in Thine.
Yearning folly to follow Thee,
To see all life as Thou dost see.
Where else is pure humility?
I've tried and failed— it's not in me.
I, helpless, to Thy refoge flee
Longing, dear Lord, for Thou for me.
THE PILGRIM 15
O sweetest joy! O comfort blest!
In my dear Saviour's arms to rest.
As trembling bird to cozy nest,
So thus I fly and know it best.
Here ends my weary, starving quest:
Do Thou for me, O God my rest.
Father of love, I thank Thee so!
Thy love hath taught my heart to know
The blessings that Thy grace bestows.
Thou hidest me from every foe;
Within my heart cause peace to grow—
Do Thou for me, O Christ, my Rose!
Susanna K. Tate, Mishawaka, Indiana
CHILDREN'S PAGE
Nobody Likes Me
"Ellen, help Benny with his coat, please. Hannah, are you...
Hannah! Haven't you changed yet? Quickly now! It's time to
go."
"I would rather stay home," Hannah replied sulkily from
behind her book, not even looking at Mama.
"But Hannah, we're going to Paul's! Don't you want to visit
Mary?"
"No!"
"Hannah, what is wrong with you? Mary is one of your best
friends!"
"Not anymore."
"Hannah!"
"She won't talk to me."
"What? She was talking to you just before we left church
this morning!"
"She wouldn't earlier! She was talking to Sue, and when
they saw me coming they quit talking and acted all guilty and
wouldn't tell me what they were talking about. They don't like
me. Nobody does!"
"Nobody? Hannah, shame on you! You need to have more
faith in people. They may have good reason not to tell you.
And don r t you think we like you?"
"You're mean to me. Like now." Even Hannah was
shocked to be talking to her mama like that, and began to cry.
"Change your dress NOW. FAST. And get to the car."
Mama's tone was not to be argued with. Hannah obeyed.
On the way to Paul's, Daddy talked to Hannah about good
and bad attitudes and giving people the benefit of the doubt,
and turning the other cheek. Hannah thought it all very unfair...
until they arrived at Paul's, and she found out they were having
a surprise birthday party for her! Hannah cried a lot that
evening. Her friends thought it was because she was happy,
and she certainly was! But she was also very ashamed. And
she never forgot the lessons she learned that night. It is easy to
misunderstand what people do. Do not jump to conclusions.
And do not take it out on others when you feel hurt.
Martha J. Wagner, Gettysburg, Ohio
<u
THE PILGRIM
VOL. 53 APRIL, 2006 No. 4
"And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the
Saviour of the world." (I John 4: 14)
CHRIST, WE DO ALL ADORE THEE
Christ, we do all adore Thee,
And we do praise Thee forever,
Christ we do all adore Thee,
And we do praise Thee forever,
For on the holy cross Thou hast
the world from sin redeemed.
Christ, we do all adore Thee,
And we do praise Thee forever
Christ we do all adore Thee.
From Seven Last Words
Theodore Dubois
THE PILGRIM is a religious magazine published in the interests of the members of the Old
Brethren Church. Subscription rate: $5.00 per year. Sample copies sent free on request.
IMblishing editor: Leslie Cover
Address: THE PILGRIM, 19201 Cherokee Rd., Tuolumne, CA 95379
JESUS, SAVIOUR AMD LORD
God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our
Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me and
I unto the world. (Galatians 6:14)
Is the world crucified unto you and me? Is it hanging on the
cross writhing in pain as our Saviour did? Is it headed for
certain death to us? Do we have assurance that it has no more
power of influence in our lives?
If this is true, is it also true that we are crucified with Christ
unto the world? Are we in pain and agony and certain death as
far as the world is concerned? Are we dead to sin and looking
foolish to the world?
Dead to the world would I be, O Father;
Dead to the world; alive unto. Thee!
These thoughts and questions point out a vital difference in
values. At all times, but especially at this season, we meditate
on the sacrifice of Jesus. We see Him by faith hanging by the
nails in His hands and feet, taking the penalty for our sins in His
own body. We see the perfect Lamb of God being offered in
atonement for the sins of the world including mine.
And we go about our business with the things our eyes can
see taking the important place in our thoughts.
»|« jfe j&e j|* *|» jig «fe jjj '*fe «& jfc d* j|{ «b
After Jesus rose from the dead, He said: "Ah power is
given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and
teach all nations. . ."
He also said, ". . .Upon this rock I will build my church; and
the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
THE PILGRTM
The church of Jesus Christ is built squarely on Him, the
foundation. We do not invite Him to come and lead us; He
invites us to come and follow.
At this season when we remember the suffering, death, and
resurrection of Jesus, we rejoice in His unchanging love— and
power. The world changes. We older ones can recount many
changes we have seen, even in a short lifetime. But Jesus Christ
is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Jesus declared that His church would endure. When
congregations of believers divide, it does not mean that He is
defeated or His people are defeated. We argue and differ; we
quote Scripture and become entrenched in our own
understandings. Rather that one group is all right and the other
all wrong, it is more likely that both are faulty. "Let God be
true but every man a bar" is not just a figure of speech.
It has been hard to accept the divisions that have come in
the congregations of the church of Jesus Christ. Christ is not
divided. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are
my ways higher that your ways, and my thoughts than your
thoughts." (Isa. 55:9)
Sometimes it seems that the differences that God's people
have are like quarrels among children in the same family. The
parents see the quarrel from a different-a higher-understanding.
Sometimes the children are required to sit still on separate
chairs. Sometimes they are punished. Rarely is it true that one
child is entirely wrong- entirely at fault. The parents would not
consider disowning them. They want them to learn the love of
the family and develop in tolerance. As children grow older,
they see the futility of childhood quarrels, and they grow in
respect for the superior knowledge of the parents.
I risk being charged with trying to straddle the fence or not
teaching clearly on one side of an issue. I'll run that risk. I
would point us to the superior understanding of our Heavenly
Father. Jesus came to promote and even demand love among
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His people. If we lose it, we have lost the very means God
gives us to be united and harmonious.
Look how we grovel here below,
Fond of these trifling toys.
Our souls can neither fly nor go
To reach eternal joys.
Dear Lord, and shall we ever live
At this poor, dying rate—
Our love so faint, so cold to Thee,
And Thine to us so great? —Isaac Watts
I don f t mean that our differences and our understandings are
unimportant. But I do believe that, in the light of eternity, they
are less important than we make them to be.
As we remember the death and resurrection of our Saviour,
our minds can be carried higher than our earthly differences.
I think the adversary rejoices at the conflicts among God's
people. We need to look higher. Can we not see Jesus looking
on His people, His city, and weeping? Luke 19:42: "If thou
hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things
which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine
eyes." The issues were different then and of far greater
consequence than our little struggles. But there are also now
"things which belong to our peace,"— the love and respect that
seem so elusive, so easily lost, but so tenibly vital that Jesus
could say, "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples if
ye have love one to another."
We are not promised peace here. Jesus said there would be
conflicts—even in families. I confess that I am not a fighter— and
there is a battle. The Pilgrim has not been a forum for working
out differences. Perhaps it should be. But most important of
all is to honor the One who died for us and prayed that we be
one.
The closer we are to our Saviour, the closer we will be to
one another, — L.C.
THE PILGRIM
THE CHRISTIAN'S HAPPINESS
The faith that bears and suffers is greater than the faith that
triumphs. How many there are who, through ignorance of this
mystery of faith, have made shipwreck of their hopes and are
sunk under trial and disappointment. Faith must be prepared
for a refusal. Faith trusts for safety but never fails when perils
come. Faith looks for food and shelter, but never falters when
"hunger, and thirst, and cold, and nakedness" become its
portion. The faith that cries with the Psalmist, "At midnight I
will rise to give thanks unto thee," is truer and greater than the
faith that could bid the sun stand still upon Gibeon; and the
sufferings of Paul denote a higher faith than the mightiest acts
of Elijah. "In deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty
stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods; once was I
stoned; thrice I suffered shipwreck; a night and a day I have
been in the deep. . . In weariness and painiulness, in watchings
often, in hunger and thirst, in fasts often, in cold and
nakedness."
"A night and a day have I been in the deep!" Paul— the
beloved child and saint of God, the faithful and honored
servant, the chosen vessel to bear His name before the world,
the foremost of the apostles— clinging to some frail plank upon
the wild, lone sea, hour after hour for a whole sun's round; in
hunger and thirst and cold; the sport of every wave; lost to
earth, and seemingly unknown to heaven; and yet he had a God
who could have delivered him by a word! And though
deliverance came not, he kept his heart and eye fixed upon
unseen realities, and reckoned the present sufferings unworthy
to be compared with the coming glory.
Even in the midst of sorrow and trial, happiness is the
Christian's lot. Happiness: not the flippant gaiety of a careless
heart, (for if, even in the world, such happiness is contemptible-
THE PILGRTM
the uncoveted monopoly of fools-how utterly unworthy is it of
those who have been called to fellowship with the sufferings of
Christ!) but happiness in the truer and deeper sense in which
alone the Scripture speaks of it. The highest type of existence
is not the butterfly, but "The Man of Sorrows"--He of the
marred visage and the melted heart.
Such then is the Christian's happiness. Through all
circumstances, and in spite of them, he is a prosperous man, a
blessed man. He may indeed have care and trial and sorrow;
but his is the God who, while He could leave His child to be a
solitary and outcast wanderer, with no pillow but a stone, and
no companion but a staff, could yet turn that stone into a
memorial pillar of thanksgiving and praise, and make that
loneliness the very gate of heaven! "Happy is he that has the
God of Jacob for his help!" "Happy the people whose God is
Jehovah!"
"SAFE"
Safe in Jehovah's keeping,
Led by His glorious arm,
God is Himself my refuge,
A present help from harm.
Fears may at times distress me,
Griefs may my soul annoy;
God is my strength and portion,
God my exceeding joy.
Safe in Jehovah's keeping,
Safe in temptation's hour,
Safe in the midst of perils,
Kept by Almighty power.
Safe when the tempest rages,
Safe though the night be long;
E'en when my sky is darkest,
God is my strength and song.
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Sure is Jehovah's promise,
Naught can my hope assail;
Here is my soul's sure anchor,
Entered within the veil.
Blest in His love eternal,
What can I want beside!
Safe through the blood that cleanseth
Safe in the Christ that died.
Sir Robert Anderson from The Gospel and its Ministry
(about 1900). Selected by Ken Johnson from his father's
papers.
BROKENNESS
"The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart, and
saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. "
We must bow to God, which means yielding self and giving
up our own will and way to Jesus, that Jesus may have all and
be all. We must die to self and our selfish attitudes, which
justifies itself and wants its own way. We must bow low before
God and admit our wrongs and surrender our rights. Dying to
self must be a constant dying to self. It means no plans, no self-
rights, no time, no pleasures of our own; constant yielding to
God. Matthew 26:39: "Nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou
wilt. (V. 42) Thy will be done."
Brokenness—when self dies and God's will becomes our
soul's desire. We must be broken, that we may have new life in
Christ and be born again. May we be an example of the beauty
of brokenness. The heart must be broken because that is where
the strength is. When I realize brokenness is an
8 THE PILGRIM
instrument of blessings, I will allow God complete control, and
my life will become a blessing and be used for God.
Psalm 51:17: "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a
broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise."
We are not likely to be broken except at the cross of Jesus.
Oh, how our beloved Jesus was broken! Oh, to see Him having
no lights of His own! He was willing to let men revile Him and
reviled not again. Above all, let us see Him broken as He
meekly goes to Calvary—a true picture of true brokenness, that
Jesus was willing to become for us.
We are to come into a love relationship with Him God is
an architect. He has a beautiful plan for your life if you are
willing to be broken to bring Him glory.
The Sermon on the Mount gives us a vision of love,
humility, and a willingness to be broken. To be broken is the
beginning of a revival. It is painful; it is h umili ating; it is the
only way. "Not I, but Christ." Galatians 2:20: "I am crucified
with Christ; nevertheless, I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in
me. . ."
Brokenness is growing into the image of Christ. To be
Christ-like, allow the Holy Spirit control of your body and soul.
Brokenness of the self-life and independent will is conforming
our will to God's will, coming to the end of self with nothing
but God, and giving up your self-centeredness to God. We
must fully depend on Him. The principles and nature of God f s
plan is brokenness in our lives. He targets the area in which we
are not submissive, arranges circumstances in hours of trial, and
controls pressure and time to bring us to His will. Often our
strong determination, self-will, and rebellion against Him, refuse
to yield. This is a most costly decision. So when you yield, you
surrender, you are broken, you are willing to get a new view of
God's purpose in your life. When broken, you will do what
pleases God. When your stubborn, rebellious will is broken,
THE PILGRIM
your priorities change, you find new perspectives in how to live
daily for God's will and with His priorities.
Our life purpose is to glorify God. He is sovereign. We are
His purchases and His possessions. We now have new freedom
in our spirit, submission to the Holy Spirit, humility, and
submission to the will of God. In His love,
Nancy Beidler, Richland, Pennsylvania
ROCKING THE BOAT
God has enlisted us in His navy and placed us on His ship.
The boat has one purpose— to carry us safely to the other shore.
This is no cruise ship; it's a battleship. We aren't called to a
life of leisure; we are called to a life of service. Each of us has a
different task. Some, concerned with those who are drowning,
are snatching people from the water. Others are occupied with
the enemy, so they man the cannons of prayer and worship.
Still others devote themselves to the crew, feeding and training
the crew members.
Though different, we are the same. Each can tell of a
personal encounter with the Captain, for each has received a
personal call. He found us among the shanties of the seaport
and invited us to follow Him. Our faith was born at the sight of
His fondness, and so we went.
We each followed Him across the gangplank of His grace
onto the same boat. There is one Captain and one destination.
Though the battle is fierce, the boat is safe, for our Captain is
God. The ship will not sink. For that, there is no concern.
There is concern, however, regarding the disharmony of the
crew. When we first boarded we assumed the crew was made
up of others like us. But as we've wandered these decks, we've
encountered curious converts with curious appearances. Some
wear uniforms we've never seen, sporting styles we've never
witnessed. "Why do you look the way you do?' 1 we ask them.
10 THE PILGRIM
"Funny," they reply. "We were about to ask the same of
you." The variety of dress is not nearly as disturbing as the
plethora of opinions. There is a group, for example, who
clusters every morning for serious study. They promote rigid
discipline and somber expressions. "Serving the captain is
serious business," they explain. It's no coincidence that they
tend to congregate around the stern. There is another regiment
deeply devoted to prayer. Not only do they believe in prayer,
they believe in prayer by kneeling. For that reason you always
know where to locate them; they are at the bow of the ship.
Still another group has positioned themselves near the
engine. They spend hours examining the nuts and bolts of the
boat. They've been known to go below deck and not come up
for days. They are occasionally criticized by those who linger
on the top deck, feeling the wind in their hair and the sun on
their face. "It's not what you learn," those topside argue. "It's
what you feel that matters."
And, oh, how we tend to cluster.
And then there is the issue of the weekly meeting at which
the Captain is thanked and His words are read. All agree on its
importance, but few agree on its nature. Some want it loud,
others quiet Some want ritual, others spontaneity.
Some want to celebrate so they can meditate; others
meditate so they can celebrate. Some want a meeting for those
who've gone overboard. Others want to reach those overboard
but without going overboard and neglecting those on board.
An, oh, how we tend to cluster.
The consequence is a rocky boat. There is trouble on deck.
Fights have broken out. Sailors have refused to speak to each
other. There have even been times when one group re&sed to
acknowledge the presence of others on the ship. Most
tragically, some adrift at sea have chosen not to board the boat
because of the quarreling of the sailors.
*
THE PILGRIM U
"What do we do?" we'd like to ask the Captain. "How can
there be hamiony on the ship?" We don't have to go far to find
the answer.
On the last night of His life Jesus prayed a prayer that stands
as a citadel for all Christians:
"I pray for these followers, but I am also praying for all
those who will believe in ine because of their teaching. Father,
I pray that they can be one. As You are in me and I am in You,
I pray that they can also be one in us. Then the world will
believe that You sent me. (John 17:20)
How precious are these words. Jesus, knowing the end is
near, prays one final time for His followers. Striking, isn't it,
that He prayed not for their success, their safety, or their
happiness.
He prayed for their unity. He prayed that they would love
each other.
As He prayed for them, He also prayed for "those who will
believe because of their teaching." That means us! In His last
prayer Jesus prayed that you and I be one.
Of all the lessons we can draw from this verse, don't miss
the most important: Unity matters to God. The Father does
not want His children to squabble. Disunity disturbs Him.
Why? Because "all people will know that you are my followers
if you love each other." (John 13:35) Unity creates belief.
How will the world believe that Jesus was sent by God? Not if
we agree with each other. Not if we solve every controversy.
Not if we are unanimous on each vote. Not if we never make a
doctrinal error. But if we love one another.
Unity creates belief Disunity fosters disbelief Who wants
to board a ship of bickering sailors? Life on the ocean may be
rough, but at least the waves don't call us names.
From In the Grip of Grace by Max Lucado
(Copyright Word Publishing, 1996)
12 THE PILGRIM
NOTE OF THANKS
We would like to thank the many kind friends, family, and
brethren who have so kindly helped and encouraged us so much
the last couple of months.
God seems to be granting nearly full recovery from my
injuries. We praise Him for His graciousness. May He bless
each one of you.
Neil Martin and Family
BOUNDLESS LOVE
Jesus left His home above
For this world below,
With a boundless store of love;
Oh, He loved me so!
He set the prisoners free,
He gave new hope to me;
That I may live where I shall be
Free from sin and woe.
Though I far away did roam
From my home above.
Jesus called me to come home;
Oh! His boundless love!
And now that I can see
What He has done for me,
Oh, may I follow faithfully
To His home above.
For a crown of thorns He wore
On His bleeding head,
And the heavy cross He bore
Where His blood was shed.
THE PILGRIM 13
He suffered who can tell
To save my soul from hell,
And there He bravely fought and fell
In that hour of dread.
From the darkened tomb He rose
In a robe of light,
While His guard of watchful foes
Trembled at the sight.
He rose the King of Kings
With healing in His wings;
Heaven a mighty welcome rings
To their Lord of Light.
J. I. Cover January 18, 1922
BIRTHS
MOSER - A daughter, Havilah Jane, bom March 14 to Kendall
and Lorrine Moser of Nappanee, Indiana.
MARTIN - A daughter, Ellen Rosanne, born April 3 to Kevin
and Ina Martin of New Paris, Indiana.
ADDRESS CORRECTION
Stephen Stalter's 28125 C. R. 42
Wakarasa, IN 46573
(574) 862-2026
Excellence is not sinless perfection,
but rather, a pure heart that desires
to grow in Christ's likeness.
14 THE PILGRIM
ASSURANCE
Be persuaded that
Neither death with its voice of fear,
Nor life with its many cares,
Nor the attacks of the enemy
Which falsely accuse you,
Nor things present with
Their pressing claims,
Nor things to come with
Their dark shadows.
Nor the height of any mountains
That stand in your way,
Nor the depths of a great trial
That you may walk through,
Nor any person or circumstance
Which tries to quench your joy
Or rob you of your peace-
Shall be able to move you away,
By even a single inch,
From the love of God
That covers and guards your life.
By Roy Lessin, selected
FOR YOUTH
More Precious Than Gold
When dark the heavens and long the journey,
And rough the road your feet must plod,
When burdens are heavy and stormclouds bevy,
Thickly obscuring your view of God.
When the tears rain fast your cheer to blast,
And your spirit aches till it well nigh breaks,
There's no help in sight, and no strength left to fight,
You want to press on, but don't have what it takes.
THE PILGRIM 15
Then— Yes! Then and there you meet up with God's power.
He's there, though unseen, and His strength never fails.
When you come to the end of your own self-sufficiency
There you may triumph; His power prevails!
Beauty for ashes, rejoicing for woe,
Jesus has promised His children may know
His power is perfected in weakness, we're told;
This trial is precious, more precious than gold.
Job 23: 8-10 Susanna K Tate
Mshawaka, Indiana
CHILDREN'S PAGE
Are You Listening?
Billy nervously got to his feet. His legs felt shaky. There
was an odd fluttery feeling in his stomach. It was time to give
his book report, and it was not going to be easy.
The book was a good one. He wanted to tell about it—
especially the funny part. He felt he had summarized it well.
But standing up in front of everybody. . . that was not easy!
And it did not help that Sam and Joey were making faces at
each other. Billy swallowed hard and began.
Mary promptly put her head down for a nap. Pete's eyes
were also closing. Nick was watching a fly climb the window
pane. Sarah was coloring a picture. No one even smiled at the
fiumypart.
Billy looked at Teacher. She was grading papers. Tears
stung his eyes. What good was a book report if no one cared to
hear it?
# # * * # * # * * * * # % # * # * * * * * # % % sj-jjc % % ^ ^ %
16_
THE PILGRIM
It hurts to be ignored. I have had new employees at work
to sleep while I was explaining paperwork to them Yes, I was
hurt— just like Billy was hurt.
You may think you would never act the way Billys class-
mates acted, but have you ever done things like that at church?
The minister works hard on his sermon. I am sorry I have ever
played or slept during a sermon. I think if you are old enough
to understand what I have written, you are old enough to listen
carefully to a sermon and try to understand. You will make the
minister happy by doing so. After all, he is talking to you\
Martha J. Wagner
Gettysburg, Ohio
2 w
331 tf
S u 1
SSI
THE PILGRIM
VOL. 53 MAY, 2006 No. 5
"And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the
Saviour of the world." (I John 4: 14)
MOLDING IN CLAY
I took a piece of plastic clay
Andidly fashioned it one day;
And as my fingers pressed it still,
It moved and yielded to my will.
I came again when days were past;
The bit of clay was hard at last;
The form I gave it, it still bore,
But I could change that form no more.
I took a piece of living clay
And gently formed it day by day,
And molded with my power and art
A young child f s soft and yielding heart,
I came again when years were gone;
It was a man I looked upon;
He still that early impress wore,
And I could change him never more.
Author unknown
From Scrapbook of Ideas # 2
by Vera Overholt
— ~- —
THE PILGRIM is a religious magazine published in the interests of the members of the Old
Brethren Church Subscription rate: $5.00 per year. Sample copies sent free on request.
Riblishing editor: Leslie Cover
Address: THE PILGRIM, 19201 Cherokee Rd, Tuolumne, CA 95379
GODLY MOTHERS
Among the dearest of man's possessions is a godly mother.
Why is this so universally true? It is because the connection is
like the bond of God to His children. Ephesians 5:30 declares,
"For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his
bones." This is physically the relationship of child to mother
whether or not thaUnother is godly. But when the mother is a
child of God, her love makes a spiritual relationship as well.
The only closer bond on earth I can think of is marriage when
God makes two-man and woman-one flesh. But then, we are
also to be one in the spirit as members of the church of Christ.
Mothers are known for their self-sacrifice. They are also
famous for fierce protective love-even in the animal kingdom
I have seen a mother hen defy a cow or dog many times larger
when they would endanger her chicks. Human mothers have
performed physical feats to rescue their children-feats that in
other times would be impossible. We celebrate the love of
mothers for their children, and we write of a devout mother of
3000 years ago who is still an example for women today,
Hannah was a godly woman, but she had no children.
Evidently in Israel to be childless was a reproach. Every
Israelite woman wished for a son, and Hannah was no
exception.
We honor her on Mother's Day because she prayed for a
son, and God gave her Samuel, famous as a judge and prophet.
Hannah had qualities characteristic of good mothers in any age.
Her husband loved her. This did not just happen. There
was something about Hannah that made her a favorite over the
other wife Peninnah, even though she had no children and
THE PILGRIM
Pen inn ah had several. Peninnah provoked Hannah, and rather
than retaliate, Hannah became sad, wept, and did not eat.
Hannah asked. During one of the yearly visits to the house
of God in Shiloh, she asked the Lord for a son. Like godly
mothers of all time, she knew where to go for help.
Hannah vowed. With her prayer of faith she promised the
son to the Lord to serve Him "all the days of his life, and there
shall no razor come upon his head." He was to be a Nazarite,
set apart for God and identified by uncut hair and a special diet
that included no grapes, grape juice, or wine.
Hannah prayed. - In the temple she prayed in her heart and
her lips moved so that EH the priest thought she was drunk and
accused her of this wickedness. But she told him. "No, my
lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither
wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the
Lord." To pray in the heart is the best way. Surely many
mothers pray frequently without saying words aloud.
Hannah believed. She believed God heard and would
answer her prayer. It changed her life to have this faith. She
was not sad anymore and began to eat better. She didn't tell Eh
her request, but EH recognized her sincerity and told her. "Go in
peace; and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou
hast asked of him."
Hannah paid. FaithfuUy she paid her vow when God gave
her a son. She knew it is better to not vow than to vow and not
pay. So after she had weaned little Samuel (She may have
nursed him as long as she possibly could!), she took gifts and
offerings and left him with Eh to serve in the temple.
From the gifts and the offering of a buUock, we see these
were not poor people. They could have weU afforded to keep
Samuel. But Hannah was faithful to give up her first son, dear
to her heart, to see him probably only once a year. Each time
she provided a Httle coat for him when they went to worship in
the yearly sacrifice.
THE PILGRIM
The last we read of Hannah is that the Lord visited her and
gave her three sons and two daughters. Read Hannah's prayer
of praise and victory in I Samuel 2: 1-10.
What a godly example she was! Our children have a right
to such parents. Hannah told Eli, "For this child I prayed; and
the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him. . ."
She was like Mary, the mother of Jesus, willing to be a
handmaid of the Lord.
Godly mothers are not extinct today. We praise God that
there are still parents that pray for children and devote them to
the Lord before they are bom and teach them the ways of Jesus
as they grow. --L.C.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE HOLY KISS
The holy kiss is stated five times in the New Testament,
found in Rom. 16:16; I Cor 16:20; II Cor, 13:12; I Thess. 5:26;
I Pet. 5: 14. It is a greeting which well exemplifies the heart of
the Christian faith. The "kiss of charity" in I Pet. 5:14 portrays
the mark of true Christians as stated in John 13:35: "By this
shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one
to another."
I Cor. 13 defines the love of Christ, but does it define your
love for your brother? Is your kiss of charity a disgrace? You
must examine yourself daily (Psalm 26:2; I Cor. 11:28; II
Cor. 13:5)
What do you do with Jesus? He has set you fiee from the
bondage of sin; have you allowed the power of His grace to do
its full work? "Kiss the Son, lest he be angiy and ye perish from
the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all
they that put then trust in him." (Psalm 2:12) Have you even
gotten close enough to Jesus to kiss Him? You will not be
THE PILGRIM
blessed and will experience His anger and disappointment if you
do not kiss Him. You do not want to lose "The Way."
The lips are a delicate part of the body that is sensitive to
touch, and they also communicate. Can lips that speak rash and
unkind words kiss with charity and holiness? Does what you
say about a brother or sister behind their back portray charity
and holiness? What awful pretension this is! What you say
during the week should match the charity and holiness you
show with your lips on Sunday.
"But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all
manner of conversation (behavior, ways, manner of life)." (I
Pet. 1:15) God calls you to live a pure, separated life, morally
and spiritually consecrated to God.
When Judas kissed Jesus, it was a kiss of betrayal. (Mat.
26:48; Markl4:44; Luke 22:47) Let us not be guilty of
betraying our brother or sister or Jesus. The hymn says,
"So let our lives and lips express
The holy Gospel we profess. "
Let your life and lips be occupied with serving Christ and the
Church; giving up the old man, putting on the new man. We all
fail at times, and it is vital that we recognize it and correct it.
Many denominations have discarded the practice of the holy
kiss. They have discarded an important practice that is clearly
taught in the Scriptures. Paul, in I Thess. 5:27 charges by the
Lord, "that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren."
Keep reading it and keep doing it. It is much more than a
formal greeting. It is an element of Christ's love and
compassion that can hardly be resisted, for it flows from the
heart to the lips and is passed on from brother to brother, sister
to sister. It permeates to the depth of our soul. What could be
more appropriate, more empowering than a kiss of holiness and
love of Jesus? "Thus may I rejoice to show,
That I feel the love I owe. "
Ron Cable, Elkhart, Indiana
THE PILGRIM
PRAYER
Player is a power that reaches God. Prayer is the breath
and energy of the soul. Prayer is the expression of a devoted
heart. Prayer is the lifting up of the soul to God- giving self to
Him. It is like incense rising to the throne of grace. It is a
sweet fragrance poured forth from your love for God. As
Hannah said, "I have poured out my soul before God as a sweet
incense." The greatest prayer is a deep inward worship of the
Lord. Real prayer is having a sense of His sweet presence.
God f s will, above all, is worship, devoted praise, and
adoration in prayer. Prayer is the key to living in His presence,
having an inward relationship with Jesus, and coming to know
the Lord in a deep way. Let us put on beautiful garments of
holiness and go in before the Lord in prayer.
Living a life of personal integrity and character is essential;
holy, daily living gives us power in our prayer life. Godliness is
a conviction of the highest order, a total, abundant love for the
Lord, a holy life of walking before God. As you possess God,
you will inherit His holiness in your traits and character. Let us
spend much time in our inner chamber.
Piayer should be our response to the burdens of others,
interceding for them. Prayer is fellowshiping and communing
with the Heavenly Father. Prayer is learning to listen to the
heart of God. "Lord, teach us to pray!" Find a secret place for
prayer, a time to be "Alone with God." Matthew 6:6: "But
thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet. . ." Jesus is our
teacher in the "school of prayer." That solitary place is His
"school room." As pupils, we must be quiet before Him and
place ourselves in the Master's hands. Jesus will teach us to
pray if we are willing to be a learner in the school of Christ.
The prayer of faith takes the burden and weakness off self
and rests fully in God's strength. Eveiyone that asketh,
receiveth. Great prayer is spiritual work. True prayer costs
THE PILGRIM
time. Prayer is indeed work— an art developed by practice and
effort.
Desire goes before prayer. The deeper the desire, the
stronger the prayer. Without desire, prayer is meaningless. A
lack of desire should grieve us; grief should give us a sincere
desire for prayer. The absence of desire in your heart to pray is
proof of the decline in your spiritual walk and prayer life.
Two things God hates are insincerity and lukewarmness.
James 5:16: f, The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man
availeth much." We must be righteous— coldness of spirit
hinders prayer. The Holy Spirit must come as fire, baptizing
with Holy Ghost fervency. Pray for God to implant it. Seek it.
Cultivate it to keep it alive. The degree of fervency and our
spiritual desire determines our earnestness in our prayers. To
be fervent in spirit is righteous and is a character of God.
Piayer governs conduct; conduct makes character. Conduct is
what you do; character is what you are. Prayer fashions our
conduct in purity and holiness. Unholy conduct bars us from
successful praying and makes us powerless. A daily devoted
time with Jesus brings powerful prayer. A prayer from a
humble, obedient soul reaches God. Come to your prayers with
reverence, holy awe, and devotion. Come before the Lord; sit
in His presence, turn your mind and spirit before Him in faith.
In His love,
Nancy Beidler, Richland, Pennsylvania
WHAT IS TELEVISION DOING?
This article is reprinted from The Pilgrim, June, 1958. If
this was a menace then, it is at least as much today. Add to the
warning the use or misuse of videos, internet, and other
technology which tends to entertain and divert attention from
the godly and pure. Some of Pastor Smith's predictions have
THE PILGRIM
already come true. Though it is negative, we should beware of
the tactics of him who goes about as a roaring lion or as a wolf
in sheep f s clothing. —L. C.
It seem to me that television is the greatest menace of
modern times, and how Christians are going to be able to make
use of it I do not know. Anyone who has seen it must be
convinced of its danger.
Television can be used for good. It has tremendous
possibilities, but I am afraid it is being used for evil almost
exclusively and that it will do more harm than Hollywood to
demoralize the youth of our country. It has been proven that
the eye-gate makes a much greater appeal than the ear-gate, and
while there will be good programs on television, there will be so
many of the other kind that it is going to be most difficult to put
on the one and blot out the other.
I shall never forget how shocked I was when I visited
homes where television had been installed. They told me about
the lovely church services that could be seen, the concerts and
other programs that could be turned on. But no sooner were
the parents out of the room than the children, boys and girls in
their teens and those younger still, hurried to the television set,
and when some of us returned we found them stretched on the
floor, fascinated by what they were seeing. And what was it
they were looking at? A bloody wrestling match where two
men were tearing each other to pieces, trying to gouge out each
others eyes! As the children watched and listened to the groans
and cries of the wrestlers, they could hardly control themselves.
At still another time it was a night club showing women for
the most part unclad, drinking and smoking, going through
sensual dances, eveiy action plainly visible, the entire scene
revolting and demoralizing. Yes, they could have turned on
another program; they could have looked at something else, but
THE PILGRIM
they turned on that in which they were most interested, the
scene that fascinated them.
For generations we have refused to take our children to
night clubs, theaters, wrestling matches and boxing bouts. Now
these very scenes are brought right into the home and displayed
before the children's eyes. It costs nothing to see them except a
loss of moral standards. In their early life they can become
acquainted with sin in its vilest form. No longer will the parents
be able to protect them from the awful things that go on in the
world.
If you want to know how serious it is, read the Reader's
Digest for April, 1956. The other day a Salvation Army officer
warned parents to turn off their television sets between the
hours of four and seven. These hours which are devoted to
shows for children, are Med with the most brutal crimes
imaginable and it is these scenes that inspire our teen-agers to
go out in gangs and commit violence.
A polluted diet of crime, violence, brutality and sadism,
sponsored by cigarette companies, brewers and distillers, is now
the daily menu for millions of boys and girls. The theater, with
ah its filth, that we Christians wouldn't think of patronizing, is
now brought into our living rooms. Television may well be the
final step in the complete collapse of the moral and spiritual life
of our nation. Children will do what they see others doing.
I do not think television can be controlled. If it is in the
home, it will be used. Children have been known to use knives
on their parents when the parents have insisted on turning it off
Your son will see what he wants to see in spite of what you do.
I have never had a set in my home. I think it is the only safe
policy.
These are the last days, and we are going to the bottom.
Soon we will be on the last rung of the ladder and judgment will
fall. Alcoholism has almost doubled since television began to
feature liquor ads. Robbery with violence is increasing by leaps
10 THE PILGRIM
and bounds. Thirty killings a day have been shown on
television in one city, and in another, forty-eight; and twenty
scenes of violence in a single hour, according to the Reader's
Digest. What kind of a harvest can we expect?
I do not know the answer, but I am afraid. I always have
looked upon the movie world as the most demoralizing agency
in existence. It has been largely responsible for the teen-age
gangs of today and for the terrible things that children have
been doing in this generation. But now something much more
dangerous is upon us. The atomic bomb is bad; the hydrogen
bomb is frightful; but television is going to be worse than either
and far more destructive. It will completely wreck the rising
generation, and before long it will turn the United States and
Canada into a Sodom and Gomoirah, infinitely worse than the
Sodom and Gomorrah of Bible times.
When that day comes, judgment will be inevitable. There
will be no cure. God will have to send terrible judgment on the
race, and it will be because of television and its diabolical
influence on young minds. Science will have succeeded in
wrecking civilization.
By Oswald J. Smith,
Pastor of the People's Church in Toronto, Canada
WHAT IF
Suppose we mortals had to pay
To see the sunset end our day
Or to watch the stars of the Milky Way?
Suppose it cost us eveiy night
To watch the fair moon's silvery light
Or to see a gull in its graceful flight?
Suppose God charged us for the rain,
Or put a price on a songbird's strain
THE PILGRIM U
Or the waving stalks of the golden grain?
How much, dear friend, would it be worth
To smell the good brown fragrant earth
Or to hear the children in joyful mirth?
How much does God ask us to pay
For baby's smile and happy play?
Just suppose God charged us for these, I say.
Suppose we paid to see the hills
Or look at rippling mountain rills
Or to hear the song of the whippoorwills.
What wonders we behold at sea!
God's wisdom, power, and majesty;
And to think He gives them to us so free!
Ah, what do we return for these
At night upon our bended knees?
With ungrateful haste do we mumble pleas?
Ignoring blessings by the score,
We claim to love God and adore
As we beg the Master for more and more.
Anonymous
From The Christian School Builder
THE REFINER'S FIRE
He sat by a furnace of seven- fold heat,
As He watched by the precious ore,
And closer He bent with a searching gaze
As He heated it more and more.
12 THE PILGRIM
He knew He had ore that could stand the test
And He wanted the finest gold
To mold as a crown for the King to wear,
Set with gems of price untold.
So He laid our gold in the huming fire,
Though we fain would say Him, "Nay;"
And watched the dross that we had not seen
As it melted and passed away.
And the gold grew brighter and yet more bright,
But our eyes were dim with tears;
We saw but the fire, not the Master's hand,
And questioned with anxious fears.
Yet our gold shone out with a richer glow,
As it mirrored a Form above,
That bent o'er the fire, though unseen by us,
With a look of ineffable love.
Can we think it pleases His loving heart
To cause us a moment's pain?
Ah, no! but He sees through the present cross
The bliss of eternal gain.
So He waited there with a watchful eye,
With a love that is strong and sure,
And His gold did not suffer a bit more heat,
Than it needed to make it pure.
Author unknown to us.
Why should the wonders God hath wrought
Be lost in silence and forgot? Selected
THE PILGRIM 13
BIRTHS
y MARTIN - A daughter, Ellen Rosaline, born April 3 to Kevin
and Ina Martin of New Paris, Indiana.
j HILTY - A son, Theodore James, born April 14 to Allan and
Carletta Hilty of New Madison, Ohio.
I HEINRICH - A son, Owen Isaiah, born April 29 to Aaron and
Kelly Heinrich of Modesto, California.
ADDRESS CHANGE
Chris Crawmer: 3254 Beckwith Court
Modesto, CA 95358-9709
(209)579-7510
FOR YOUTH
HOW SHALL THE YOUNG SECURE THEIR HEARTS?
Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking
heed thereto according to thy word. (Palm 119:9) Bring them
up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. (Eph. 6:4) Feed
my lambs. (John 21: 15)
How shall the young secure their hearts
And guard their lives from sin?
Thy Word the choicest rules imparts,
To keep the conscience clean.
14 THE PILGRIM ,
When once it enters in the mind,
It spreads such light abroad,
The meanest souls instruction find
And raise their thoughts to God.
Tis like the sun, a heavenly light,
That guides us all the day;
And through the dangers of the night
A lamp to lead our way.
Thy precepts make me truly wise;
I hate the sinner's road;
I hate my own vain thoughts that rise,
But love Thy law, my God
Thy Word is everlasting truth;
How pure is every page!
That holy book shall guide our youth
And well support our age.
Isaac Watts, 1719 (1674-1748)
From 772e Christian Hymnary
SECURITY
Dear Father, undertake for me!
The winding road I cannot see.
The clouds are dark and stars are few;
My only light must come from You.
My need is great and strength is small;
I really have no strength at all;
But Thou art strong! I look to Thee,
For Thou art Life and Hope to me.
THE PILGRIM 15
And Thou art Peace and Joy and Rest;
I fly to Thee and there am blest.
In every need, to Thee I call;
Thou art my Lord, my God, my All!
Susanna Tate
Mishawaka, Indiana
CHILDREN'S PAGE
- George's Big Scare
When I was young we had Muscovy ducks. They were
mostly too heavy to fly, and also mostly voiceless.
George was no exception. I doubt he ever flew in his life.
Imagine being a duck and not being able to fly! He tried, but
his best efforts left him quite worn out, and still on the ground.
Efforts at quacking were equally fruitless.
Any kind of excitement usually led to a ducky gab-fest—
ducks all in a circle throwing their heads about, the hens
peeping softly and the drakes puffing out lots of nothing at all.
We thought it quite amusing and often startled them just to get
them to do it, which was probably not very kind of us.
Our ducks were not wild, but like most birds, they did not
like to be handled. But something happened one day which
proved George trusted us. An aunt and uncle came to visit and
brought their dog along!
The dog jumped out of the car and trotted toward us.
Unfortunately for George, he was between the dog and us. He
knew instinctively dogs were dangerous. He also knew he
couldn't fly. What is a duck to do at a time like that?
George made a veiy wise decision. People could get fat
ducks off the ground! He ran straight to my daddy! Almost
before my daddy knew what was happening, he had the frantic
16
THE PILGRIM
duck in his arms. George would not consider getting down
until the dog was back in the car!
George huffed and puffed with excitement for a very long
time that day. He told eveiy duck who would listen— as often as
they would listen— about his big scare and wonderful escape (or
so it seemed to us.)
God wants us to also run to Him when we are in trouble.
He is well able to carry us through danger. When we know He
has done so, we want to tell about it, too, don't we? We can do
a better job of it than George could.
"What time I am*afraid, I will trust in thee." (Psalm 56:3)
Martha J. Wagner
Gettysburg, Ohio
6
1*1
THE PILGRIM
VOL. 53 JUNR 2006 No. 6
"And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the
Saviour of the world." (Uohn 4:14)
HOLY QUIETNESS
Joys are flowing like a river,
Since the Comforter has come;
He abides with us forever,
Makes the trusting heart IBs home
Bringing life and health and gladness,
All around this heavenly Guest,
Banished unbelief and sadness,
Changed our weariness to rest.
Like the rain that falls from heaven,
Like the sunlight from the sky,
So the Holy Ghost is given,
Coming to us from on high.
What a wonderful salvation;
Where we always see His face!
What a perfect habitation;
What a quiet resting place!
Blessed quietness, holy quietness,
What assurance in my soul;
On the stormy sea, speaking peace to me,
How the billows cease to roll!
— M. P. Ferguson
THE PILGRIM is a religious magazine published in the interests of the members of the Old
Brethren Church. Subscription rate: $5.00 per year. Sample copies sent free on request.
Pubhshiug editor: Leslie Cover
Address: THE PILGRIM, 19201 Cherokee Rd. , Tuolumne, CA 95379
SAD FIRE
On Thursday, May 18, 2006, our Salida meeting house was
destroyed by fire set by two young men. The Modesto Bee and
television stations carried the story, collecting statements and
reactions of some of the church members. The publicity and the
statements were good-expressing sadness, but forgiveness for
the boys. One brother of another congregation declared that
the testimony reached 400,000 people, which would not have
happened without the fire. To God be the glory!
We would like, for our July Pilgrim, to publish impressions
and memories of the Salida meeting house. We invite anyone
who will to send them to us by July 1. We know it was just a
building, but good things happened there. God blessed us and
those who went before. Again, to God be the glory. — L.C.
PENTECOST
Pentecost! What an impressive word full of meaning,
especially to Brethren people! It is called the birthday of the
Church of Jesus Christ. For this reason, our yearly meetings or
conferences are held at this time.
Pentecost for Israelites was a feast held fifty days after the
Passover. They were to number seven weeks of seven days.
The fiftieth day was after the seven weeks. It seems to
symbolize a new time. God set in motion the plans, the
prophecies He had determined before the world in Jesus Christ.
Jesus had told His disciples that He was leaving them and
that the Holy Ghost would come to direct them. He would
come with power to baptize them in preparation for their
fulfilling the work Jesus left for them to do.
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It is possible to read about this event and not actually realize
what an important time it was. Prophecy was being fulfilled—
the f, more sure word of prophecy" Peter wrote of in II Peter
1:19. Power was being given to the hundred twenty believers.
They were changed from fearful, cowering followers meeting
behind closed doors, to enthused witnesses boldly proclaiming
the salvation of God, sent and available to all. Peter made a
public pronouncement of the work of Jesus to representatives,
Jews and proselytes, of many areas: "Therefore let all the house
of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus,
whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ."
God gave proof in the form of "tongues like as of fire" on
the disciples and the miraculous gift of other languages for all to
see and hear. These were chosen vessels to carry the good
news to all the world as Jesus commanded.
What is our part today? God's power is just as great today
nearly 2000 years later. We have opportunity to be, not just
spectators, but special servants also carrying the precious
gospel to needy men. We may not see the same demonstration
of fire and languages like they did. We may not see our Lord
Jesus like they did. But we have access to the same power.
The requirement is to be not faithless but believing. God does
not pick out those who are smart or rich but those who are
willing. May we be part of that group with Pentecostal power
to share the news that "the Father sent the Son to be the
Saviour of the world." — L.C.
JESUS, HOPE OF HIS PEOPLE
This world is a fading flower, a sinking ship. It is reeling to
and fro like a drunken man. The curse of sin and death has
blighted everything and is eating away its life. No wonder those
who have found life through the blood of the Lamb do not feel
at home here. They seek a heavenly country. They seek a city
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whose builder and maker is God. Their kingdom is of another
world. Their King is not from hence; He is from a world where
the air is pure and there is not a trace of the blight of sin. There
is no curse there nor any death. Nothing that defiles is
permitted there, no pain, no crying. But He gave it all up for a
short time, came to earth, walked among men, then died for us.
His blood and the wedding garment He provides are our
passport there.
Those who believe the message, the good news, lose their
life here, are broken, and by faith and trust in Jesus Christ find
Him, start the homeward journey. This world becomes a
battleground, a place of warfare with the prince of darkness and
his angels.
But as we walk by faith and trust in the King (probably one
of the few kings who has died for his subjects) His angels
encamp around us and deliver us. And even when we are
allowed to suffer loss, are afflicted, hated, and perhaps even
killed, His grace never fails us. He is the good Shepherd who
gave His life for the sheep. Eternal praises be unto Him
Kevin Garber
Owen, Wisconsin
NONRESISTANCE UNDER TEST
The following is taken from the book with the above title by
E. J. Swalm telling of his experience as a conscientious
objector in World War I.
We received a letter on Saturday from one of our staunch
ministers, who encouraged us and said that our position should
be that of one of the early church. We should take our stand
and say, "We cannot fight because we're Christians. We cannot
fight though we die."
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My parents received another letter from a man who had
heard I was soon to be drafted, and he dropped a very
encouraging word in the course of his letter and said, "Tell
Ernie we are praying for him." Just how much this encouraged
our hearts, we are not able to put into words.
The Friday morning, previous to our leaving home on
Tuesday, we went to the barn early to feed the horses. While
we were feeding the horses, my father came to the barn. He
watched me in silence mix the feed for a little while, and then he
said to me, "My boy, I'd like to have a few words with you."
He said, "The days- are very dark and they seem to be getting
darker, and I realize that it will be only a few days until you're
going to be forced away from your home and we won't have the
pleasure of associating together as we do now." He said, "I'd
like to ask you something. Suppose that the worst comes to the
worst? How is it with your soul?"
I realize that it was veiy difficult for my father to ask this
question, and yet I deeply appreciated his approaching this
matter as it is the most vital aspect of the whole affair. I took a
brief and rapid retrospect of my Christian life. I said to him,
"You remember the night that I knelt at the altar of prayer in
the old brick church and gave my heart to God?" to which he
said he remembered, and told how the burden was lifted off his
heart when he saw his children seek God. Then I said, "You
remember some years later while seeking God for a deeper
experience, I knelt in this very barn and consecrated my life to
God and sought Him for sanctifying power." This he also
remembered. Then I said in a few words, "I want you to know
that it still holds good this morning."
My father then said, putting his arm around my neck and
weeping, "I would far rather get word that you were shot, that I
should never see you again after you leave home, than to have
you come home again, knowing that you compromised and
failed to live up to the convictions that you had. Though it
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would be very hard for me to lose my only son, and it would
mean a lot, I'd ratlier know that you honored your convictions if
it cost you your life, and I must spend the rest of my days
without you."
This courageous attitude on the part of my father stimulated
my faith and was a great help, and put a buoyancy in my soul
that I cannot describe.
Then he said, "The Word of God says that whatsoever two
or three agree upon respecting anything, it shall be done. Let us
go up in the granary and pray." I consented, and we went up in
the granary where we knelt in prayer together, and God visited
us in that granaiy in an unusual manner. It was there that I
prayed through, and God was pleased to let me see the firing
squad with all that it means. There I faced it and was willing, if
needs be, to die for Jesus.
We left the granaiy that morning with such victory and such
confidence and such a determination that the devil was defeated
on that point from that day on, and when in the actual fray and
the thickest of the conflict, while taking our stand for right, we
would turn our thoughts back with a great deal of satisfaction
and remember the granaiy experience and how God
maivelously visited us there, determination was renewed in our
soul.
CAUTION! YOU ARE BEING FOLLOWED!
No, I am not thinking of the FBI monitoring your
movements. Nor am I warning you about a criminal tracing
your footsteps. But I am thinking of a matter just as serious-
somebody is following your example.
"No man is an island." Eveiy person influences the lives of
others. Our words, actions, and attitudes do make impressions.
THE PILGRIM
Memories are being formed that have great potential for helping
or hindering others.
We tend to be self-centered and to concentrate mainly on
our own responsibilities and problems. But we should
occasionally ask others, "What about my language? my habits?
my attitudes?
Think of the innocent children who are born into this world.
They are like little sponges— absorbing the qualities of those
around them. Like soft clay, they are so impressionable. What
impact does your life have on the children you meet?
Many times people give good counsel to the younger
generation, then they turn around and violate their own counsel.
They say it is not wise to smoke, but they smoke. They scold
younger ones for using bad words, but they use them
themselves. Let us never forget that actions speak louder than
words. What we are, means more than what we say. We must
practice what we preach.
A sobering fact is that God monitors the impact that our life
makes on others. Jesus said, "Whoso shall offend one of these
little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a
millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were
drowned in the depth of the sea." (Matthew 18:6)
On the other hand, special rewards are promised to those
who influence others in the right way. "And they that be wise
shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn
many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever." (Daniel
12:3)
To talk about the evils of our society is easy, but the
question comes to you and me, "Am I part of the problem or
part of the solution? Am I someone who is worth following?"
You are being followed. What a serious responsibility!
How can you exert an influence that benefits others? There is
only one way. Follow Jesus who said, "I am the light of the
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world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but
shall have the light of life." (John 8: 12)
Besides the great sacrifice He made for us on the cross,
Jesus came to show us how God wants us to live. The Bible
gives us the record of Jesus' life and teaching. Following Him
means loving Him, obeying His teaching, and surrendering to
His authority. Only then can we become an example that is safe
for others to follow.
From a tract by Gerald R. Burkholder
published by the Eastern Pennsylvania Mennonite Church
THE COMING OF THE MESSIAH
All is now ready for the most important event in human
history. It is an event planned even before the creation of the
world. It is the keeping of a promise made to Abraham over
2000 years earlier. It is the fulfillment of a host of prophecies
regarding a Messiah who would come to establish His kingdom.
Most importantly, it is the beginning of a dynamically new
relationship between God and man. The event is the coming of
the Saviour of the world, the Messiah— or, as referred to in the
Greek, the Christ.
This Christ is not to be just another world leader, as Cyrus,
Alexander, or Caesar. He is not to be just another great man of
God, as Abraham, Moses, or David. He is to be God Himself in
human flesh! The Lord of heaven is to become a seivant of the
earth. God, who has previously made Himself known through a
nation and a law, is now to reveal Himself in the most personal
way possible—in the form of a man. Until now, God's blessings
have been reserved mostly for a chosen people, but now they
are to become available to all people in every generation.
THE PILGRIM
Who is this Christ, this Messiah? His name is Jesus. His
symbolic name, Irnmanuel (meaning "God with us") signifies
His deity. He is man, to be sure, but God as well, and He is
God— the God of Creation but man as well. God lowers
I Himself so that man might be elevated. He leaves heaven so
that man might enter it. To man who cannot begin to
understand the ways of God, it is clearly a great mysteiy. But
what a marvelous and wonderful mysteiy it is!
As the New Testament record now begins, the Scriptures
proclaim the good news about the salvation of mankind which
comes through obedient faith in Jesus the Christ. The good
news begins with the miraculous birth of Jesus to a virgin of
Galilee in the days of Herod, king of Judea. Then, as Jesus
grows into manhood, His coming as the promised Messiah and
Saviour is announced by John the Baptist. As Jesus begins His
own ministry, He confirms His deity with miraculous healings
and other signs and wonders, and proclaims the imminent
coming of the kingdom of God. His teaching calls men and
women to new spiritual heights in then worship of God and in
their relationships with one another.
But because His teaching challenges traditional practices of
the Jewish religion of His day, and because He claims divine
authority, Jesus meets strong opposition from religious leaders.
That opposition ultimately leads to arrest and trial before Jewish
and Roman authorities. Although falsely accused, Jesus is
condemned and sentenced to die by crucifixion—an event which
is intended to silence both the man and His message. Instead,
the good news comes to a powerful climax when, on the third
day after His death, Jesus rises from the grave and shows
Himself alive, proving His own miraculous resurrection. The
i Christian hope which derives from the gospel message is that,
just as Jesus is raised from the dead, so also the righteous in
Christ will be raised to eternal life!
Selected. Author unknown to us.
10 THE PILGRIM
BIBLE QUIZ
The following Scriptures are words of Jesus. Try to identify
which writer recorded them. Possible answers are Matthew,
Mark, Luke, John. Answers are on page 15.
1. Neither do I condemn thee: go and sin no more.
2. Fear not: from henceforth thou shalt catch men.
3. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the
children of God.
4. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired
servants of my father's have enough and to spare, and I perish
with hunger!
5. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole
world, and lose his own soul.
6. And he said, This will I so: I will pull down my barns, and
build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my
goods.
7. Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also
may glorify thee.
8. Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed:
blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
9. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which
leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
THE PILGRIM 11
WHAT IF?
Suppose we mortals had to pay
To see the sunset end our day
Or to watch the stars of the Milky Way?
Suppose it cost us every night
To watch the fair moon's silvery light
Or to see a gull in its graceful flight?
Suppose God charged us for the rain,
Or put a price on a songbird's strain
Or the waving stalks of the golden grain?
How much, dear friend, would it be worth
To smell the good brown fragrant earth
Or to hear the children in joyful mirth?
How much does God ask us to pay
For baby's smile and happy play?
Just suppose God charged us for these, I say.
Suppose we paid to see the hills
Or look at rippling mountain rills
Or to hear the song of the whippoorwills.
What wonders we behold at sea!
God's wisdom^ power, and majesty;
And to think He gives them to us so free!
Ah, what do we return for these
At night upon our bended knees?
With ungrateful haste do we mumble pleas?
12 THE PILGRIM
Ignoring blessings by the score,
We claim to love God and adore
As we beg the Master for more and more.
Anonymous
Selected from The Christian School Builder!
THANK YOU
We would like-to express a word of appreciation for the
love and support that we have received during my recent bum
accident. Our brethren and sisters in the Lord have made many
sacrifices for us in the past two months in ways that we can't
comprehend. We feel grateful to belong to a body that cares
and understands in times of need, and we wish to do our part in
helping others in the trials ahead.
The Peter Cover Family
BAPTISMS
Luke Wagner Modesto, California May 7
Matthew Cover Tuolumne, California May 14
Leah Royer Wakarusa, Indiana May 14
May God's Spirit direct these dear young people as they
seive in the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus.
BIRTH
J STALTER - A daughter, Eden Alisendra, born June 2 to Simon
and Abigail Stalter ofNappanee, Indiana.
THE PILGRIM 13
FOR YOUTH
THE YOUNG CHRISTIAN
"Let us to forth therefore unto him without the camp,
bearing his reproach." (Hebrews 13:13)
I cannot give it up,
The little world I know—
The innocent delights of youth,
The things I cherish so!
'Tis true, I love my Lord,
And long to do His will;
But oh, I may enjoy the world
And be a Christian still.
I love the hour of prayer,
I love the hymns of praise.
I love the blessed Word which tells
Of God's redeeming grace.
But— I am human still!
And while I dwell on earth,
God surely will not grudge the hours
I spend in harmless mirth!
These things belong to youth,
And are its natural right—
My dress, my pastimes and my friends,
The meny and the bright.
My Father's heart is kind!
He will not count it ill
That my small comer of the world
Should please and hold me still!
THE PILGRIM
And yet~"outside the camp"
Twas there my Saviour died!
It was the world that cast Him forth
And saw Him crucified.
Can I take part with those
Who nailed Him to the tree?
And where His name is never praised,
Is there the place for me?
Nay, world, I turn away,
Though thou seem fair and good;
That friendly, outstretched hand of thine
Is stained with Jesus' blood.
If in thy least device
I stoop to take a part,
All unaware, thine influence steals
God's presence from my heart.
I miss my Saviour's smile
Whene'er I walk thy ways;
Thy laughter drowns the Spirit's voice
And chokes the springs of praise.
Whene'er I turn aside
To join thee for an hour,
The face of Christ grows blurred and dim,
And prayer has lost its power.
Farewell! Henceforth my place
Is with the Lamb who died.
My Sovereign! While I have Thy love
What can I want beside?
Thyself, blest Lord, art now
My free and loving choice,
THE PILGRIM 15
In whom, though now I see Thee not,
Believing, I rejoice.
Shame on me that I sought
Another joy than this,
Or dreamt a heart at rest with Thee
Could crave for earthly bliss!
These vain and worthless things,
I put them all aside;
His goodness Ms my longing soul,
And i am satisfied.
Lord Jesus, let me dwell
"Outside the camp" with Thee!
Since Thou art there, then there alone
Is peace and rest for me.
Thy dear reproach to bear
HI count my highest gain,
Till Thou return, rejected One,
To take Thy power and reign!
Reprinted from The Pilgrim, November, 1956
Bible Quiz: 1. John 8: 1 1, 2. Luke 5; 10, 3. Matthew 5:9, 4. Lukel5: 17,
5. Mark 8:36, 6. Luke 12:18, 7. John 17:1 8. John 20:29, 9. Matthew
7:14
CHILDREN'S PAGE: Singing Praises to God
Joyce was singing, "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine, Oh!
what a foretaste of glory divine!"
She was singing praise to God, and He heard it and was
pleased.
"I will sing praises to the Lord," said King David in Psalm
108. Almost every Christian boy or girl has done it too. Why?
Because God has promised to love us, to help us and to keep us
for Jesus' sake. That makes us want to thank and praise God,
doesn't it?
A good way to praise God is by singing hymns. In hymns
we tell what God has done for us, and we thank Him for His
wonderful love.
Ask yourself, how many hymns do I know? At home, in the
church service or anywhere else, do I gladly join with others in
singing hymns? Do I praise God when I sing, or do I just move
my lips and make some sounds?
Ask your mother or someone to sing hymns to you because
in this way you will learn them. Then sing them at home, on the
way to school, or at any time. It is good to sing hymns to the
Lord and to praise Him with singing.
Those who know and love God say, "I will praise You, O
Lord. I will sing praises to You."
It is also good to pray. Isn't it wonderful how we can talk
to God and how He is able to hear everyone who prays to Him.
We can pray anytime, and many of our hymns are prayers. God
is never too busy to listen to us.
From The Church Correspondent August, 1965
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THE PILGRIM
VOL. 53 JULY-- AUGUST, 2006 Nos. 7 & 8
"And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the
Saviour of the world." (Uohn 4:14)
THE CHURCH STILL STANDS!
As the little group watched the meeting house burning,
The firemen following captain's commands,
A brother with faith said with keen eye discerning,
The building is burning, but the church still stands!
Our hearts are sad; we don't understand
How the devil controls, evil actions demands.
His intent to destroy, God's church to disband;
He burnt the building, but the church still stands!
Though the devil tries hard, he always will fail;
He cannot touch the church made without hands;
Against Jesus' church Satan will not prevail;
He may bum the building, but the church still stands!
O, believer, be faithful! Keep your eyes on the Lord!
Though buildings come down and vanish to sand,
Jesus never will leave us; He's said in His Word,
Though buildings are burnt, the Church will still stand!
Lloyd Wagner
Modesto, California
THE PILGRIM is a religious magazine published in the interests of the members of the Old
Brethren Church, Subscription rate: $5.00 per year. Sample copies sent free on request.
Pubhshing editor: Leslie Cover
Address: THE PILGRIM, 19201 Cherokee Rd., Tuolumne, CA 95379
MEMORIES ISSUE
Seeing the response to the invitation to write memories, this
place, the Salida meetinghouse, was dear. More people could
write. Knowing this we will leave the invitation open and print
more memories in later issues.
We are not nomads. We need our buildings to mark our
place— to give us stability. But it is true that a building can be
destroyed or burned and the purpose goes on. As we see in the
articles, a building makes memories. The famous buildings of
our nation—the capitol, the memorials, the skyscrapers— all have
their purpose, some noble and some for personal gain. This
building near Salida was dedicated to the worship of God and
the preaching of the Gospel of Christ, which makes it special.
As children, we were not to run or play or be loud inside this
place. We had good parents that insisted on obedience and
good behavior.
The young boys who set the fire did not have this privilege.
As in most mischief, it started out small: two incidents of
vandalism and then fire. There is such a difference, such a jump
from vandalism to arson that at first the investigator thought a
different person must have set the fire. But, such is sin. It may
start small but grow large quickly. How we should fear to
violate our knowledge of right and wrong! How thankful we
should be that God favors us with diligent parents and good
meeting houses! As with Israel, it is not that we are so great or
so deserving, but because God loves us and gave His Son to be
our Saviour.
My decision to follow Jesus Christ was made in this
meetinghouse. Here I was touched many times by the
awareness of my unworthiness and His mercy on me. Truly the
THE PTLGRTM
place was special. May the love of Christ and our response to
Him continue no matter where the place or how humble. --L.C.
SALIDA MEETINGHOUSE FIRE
"Just thought you'd like to know: the Salida Church is on
file!" I had just arrived at Brethren Heritage School to take
pictures of graduation for the yearbook when my cell phone
rang. It was Lloyd Wagner with disappointing news. I left
hurriedly and headed for the meetinghouse. As I drove back to
Salida, I could see the smoke rising in a large column. Fire
trucks were responding from the Salida Fire Department, and
due to evening traffic, they were driving down the wrong side
of the road.
As I turned left to head down to the church, a CHP officer
stopped me. I exclaimed, "That is my church building burning!"
"Go ahead. There are others there already," he replied. As I
pulled up in front of the buildings across from the church, the
smoke was dense, although light colored, to barely see the fire
trucks through it. I grabbed my camera and ran upwind toward
the west side of the building. Dodging between the parked fire
trucks, I could see Peter's, Beth, and Luke.
The fire was classified as a 3-alarm fire. This means that
fire trucks responded from Woodland, Salida, Modesto, and
even Ripon. About nine fire engines responded, not including
the chiefs' cars.
As I looked toward the building, the baby room was mostly
burned and sinall flames were visible. The corner over the baby
room door was burned up to the roof, and there were flames
coming out of the eaves and smoke coming from the roof The
fire fighters were dragging out their hoses and putting on then-
suits, masks, and ah tanks. One of them set a huge fan on the
front steps that pushed much air into the building. Other fire
THE PILGRIM
fighters were breaking the windows to let air into the building
so they could see. Suddenly water came shooting out of the
burned section of the wall, quenching the flames. Another fire
fighter on the outside headed for the baby room pulling his hose
behind him. He sprayed a wide stream over the flames and
cooled it down. Then they sprayed the eaves and the roof with
a strong stream of water.
Slowly the roof over that corner sank in. I wondered
whether the fire fighters inside could see what was happening.
Suddenly water came blasting through the soft spot, sending
shingles and wood out and onto the ground. Water was flying
inside the building also. Due to the intense heat, the men would
be inside for five to ten minutes and then would come back out
the front. Another fire fighter, ready and suited up, would head
in to take his place. The men who came out would puU off then-
masks and tanks and breathe deeply for a little bit. Their faces
were beet red, and the men were veiy hot.
Stuart Dutter was on the north side with a hose. He
sprayed water up into the kitchen roof and through the walls
into the kitchen. Then as flames came out the top of the
sanctuary eaves, he shot streams of water up there. By this
time, the smoke was much less, and the flames were smaller,
but would still spring up just in time to be hit by another stream
of water by waiting fire fighters.
About this time, Modesto Fire Department's truck #71
pulled into the driveway and stopped even with the wheelchair
ramp door. The crew of the hook and ladder track began to set
up. They lowered the stabilizers, and one of them climbed up
onto the platform and stood at the controls to operate the
ladder. Slowly he swung it around and pointed it at the
building. Then he extended it out until it was up over the roof
of the sanctuaiy to see if it was hot, as there were small flames
in the eaves on that end. He used a hook and punched through
the roof and smoke came out. The fire fighter pulled the
THE PILGRIM
shingles back and slowly lowered his gloved hand inside. He
pulled his hand out and came back down the ladder. He told
the others on the ground that it was very hot inside.
About this time, John Barton, the volunteer chief, asked if
some of us would help carry out the articles from the kitchen.
The men inside the kitchen brought things out the wheelchair
ramp door and handed them over the side to us: boxes of cups,
plates, pitchers, even the cooker inserts. Many were too badly
damaged to be worth saving, but others were fine other than the
soot.
After all the salvageable items were removed, the fire chief
cleared the building of men and equipment, and turned the job
over to the ladder truck crew. The operator swung the ladder
around to face the kitchen. On the bucket at the end of the
ladder was a very powerful nozzle. Water shot out of this
nozzle and hit the chimney in the comer of the kitchen. The fire
fighters were worried that it would collapse, so they knocked it
over. Up the chimney went the water and then back down, and
the chimney fell west onto the roof, making it sag from the
weight of the bricks. Next, he started spraying water up under
the shingles on the sanctuaiy roof. They peeled back and flew
over the roof to the west. Under the tar shingles were the
original, old and dry wood shingles which were burning in the
roof. He continued to spray water up under them and they flew
off over the roof. In about ten minutes he had the whole east
side cleaned down to the slats the wood shingles were attached
to. Much of this water blasted through the rafters and out the
west side, blowing many of these shingles off also. The amount
of water used to do this made great puddles around the building
and ran into the parking lot and around the restrooms and shed.
At the end, they sprayed foam over the whole building, and
it ran down and out the front steps like a waterfall. The foam
helps to keep the fire from starting again and sticks to anything
it is on for a time.
6 THE PILGRIM
I left at this point and returned to graduation just as the
ceremony was over. Many of the German Baptists were very
concerned and sad. Everyone asked what happened and offered
then condolences. It was a very sad and hard evening to see it
burning and to recall the memories that everyone had there. As
Lloyd Wagner stated later in his poem, "The building is burning,
but the Church still stands!"
Jonathan Miller
Salida, California
HOME CHURCH
The Salida meeting house was our home church. As we
associate family and friends with a house or residence, so our
relationship in a church fellowship is associated with a meeting
house. An old house may not be the most efficient. Such was
the Salida meeting house. Never the less, home is home. Such
was the Salida church house; always our home church.
The Salida meeting house was one of the first, if not the
first, place we were taken as infants. Even in times of World
War II gas rationing, there was enough gas to go to church.
Singing, preaching, and prayer became meaningful as we
matured. Conviction within these walls brought us to the Lord.
We made our wedding vows in the Salida meeting house. It
was here in 1970 the Church installed us to the office of
deacon.
We shed a tear of gratitude for the joy of fellowship
experienced in the old meeting house. We shed a tear in saying
good-bye to our old home church. We know God will supply
our needs and give direction.
Joseph and Letha Wagner
Modesto, California
THE PILGRIM
MEMORIES STILL STAND
The little old meeting house stood in the middle of the
fields. Way out in the country at Salida. At least when I first
came to California, it seemed way out in the country.
Those tall trees standing around the church. It usually was
cool under them, even on a hot summer day.
Tall ceilings— Seemed to reach halfway to the skies. Those
high walls made the singing sound so nice.
Apiicot jam over Communion meeting weekend. And
apricot pie. I think in the little white Salida meeting house was
the first I ever had either one.
I can picture Uncle Dan Wolf in his later years, sitting in the
front, his hand cupped around his ear, trying to hear each word.
Sneaking in quietly just as church started to surprise my
special someone. She thought I would not get here from Ohio
until Sunday afternoon.
Asking her one Sunday morning as we waited for church to
start if a certain date would be a good weekend to get married.
Those tall walls held many, many memories. Memories for
me. Memories for the community.
It stood from an age when wheat was basically the only
crop that would grow in these desert conditions. Wheat which
had to be stored until the steamboats could ply their way up the
Tuolumne River in the winter when the rivers were higher from
the rains.
It stood here when the town was called Murphy's Switch. It
was built just after the first railroad bridge had been built over
the Stanislaus River but before a road bridge had been built.
Thus the name of Salida (meaning exit hi Spanish) stuck, as it
was the exit or the end of the road.
It was here when the entire population of Stanislaus County
was less than half what the town of Salida has now.
THE PILGRTM
It stood here before the town of Oakdale even existed.
It stood when the winter storms pounded on it. It stood
when the neighborhood around it changed from rural into
housing. It stood through many difficult times.
It stood here when Highway 99 was made into a limited
access highway. And stood it did, as the highway was required
to make a bend and miss the humble, old meeting house.
Even when the fire raged within its walls, the little meeting
house still stood. Damaged? Yes. But it still stood.
And now it still stands finnly in our minds. Memories of
good times. Memoiies of moving sermons. Memories of the
brethren of long ago. Memories that the church building stood
there with its doors open wide to welcome all to hear of the
Way of Everlasting Life.
As we toss to and fro as the storms of life are around us, let
us stand firmly like that simple, little old meeting house. The
building was nothing, but what it stood for was eternal. As
Brother Lloyd said in his poem, the building may be gone and
only a memory, but the Church still stands.
Bill Miller
Modesto, California
SPECIAL MEETING MEMORIES
The Meeting House in Salida holds so many special
memoiies for many of us. The building as we remember will
not be used for services, but the memories will live on in our
hearts and minds.
One memoiy is the special smell and sense of expectation
we experienced each Saturday morning before a communion
weekend. Nothing smells as inviting as the beef already
cooking in the large iron cooking kettles! Yes, we would smell
it again and again throughout the weekend, but it always
THE PILGRIM
srnelled best on Saturday morning. The weekend was over all
too soon, and we could return home Sunday afternoon, well fed
both physically and spiritually, with our sense of expectation
fulfilled.
A very special memoiy occurred one Sunday morning in the
Salida church. Bill asked if we should plan to get married in
March! The answer had to wait since it was already time for
church to start!
Many, many excellent sermons, special Communion
services, potluck dinners, baptismal services, funerals, and
elections occurred in the Salida Meeting House. In addition to
these events, there were also many, many conversations before
and after church, while washing dishes, and while cleaning for
Communions. There were also many play-times for the
children— with one game of "Red Rover" ending in a broken arm
for Sarah Cover!
It is special to remember that the last seivice was for Luke
Wagner's baptism. The meeting house was full with children in
both front comers and young folks in the back foyer area.
Some who attended included members from the German
Baptist, Duniard Brethren, and Brethren Community
Fellowship churches, and some had never been there before.
The "Straw Hat" dinner after the baptism was also attended by
many who were at church, plus most of the DB group. It was a
special day of commitment and fellowship.
How important it is that we count our many blessings! We
have so many memories of the Salida church building, events,
and relationships that we have shared there. Nothing can take
awa y the memories, so let us remember to press on, remember
the blessings we share, and remember. . .
The Church Still Stands!
Marilyn Miller
Salida, California
10 THE PILGRIM
HOUSE OF PRAYER
Thy house is called a house of prayer,
A solemn, sacred place.
It was at the Salida church that Ilearned the importance of
greeting each person. You know, the Bible says in III John,
"Greet the friends by name. 1 ' We were a small enough group
when I was a teenager that it was quite possible to speak to
everyone. My parents would ask as we drove away from
church, "Did you speak to everyone?" It would take a special
effort to go over to where elderly Sister Susie Wagner was
sitting and visit with her, but I'm glad today that I can say I
knew her.
A sister that I grew up with said to me recently that it was
the people she remembered when she saw the burned Salida
meeting house. Happy times and precious memories of the
people we met and worshipped with will continue to live in our
hearts.
Rosanna Royer
Nappanee, Indiana
SALIDA CHURCH MEMORIES
Salida Church memories. This one I recall
Of council meeting when I was seven and small.
The ministry gathered to counsel together
And we were out playing in the nice weather.
Eddie was "It" for the game of Red Rover;
I knew he could catch this little Cover.
The church house was "safe," so round it I ran;
To touch the building, that was the plan.
He came in pursuit; I was going too fast.
THE PILGRIM U
I thought the wall cracked, but it was a cast
I soon had on my arm. It broke in two places.
That stopped the Rover game and running of races.
Time traveled on; we grew up, matured too.
'Twas April the fifth, and on the front pew,
There Eddie and I sat for Matthew 18;
Then to Stanislaus River, a lovely scene,
For baptism we went. The crowd on the banks
Encouraged us as we entered God's ranks.
Salida church memories may sometime grow dim,
But let's remember what we learned there of Him,
Sarah Martin
Nappanee, Indiana
OLD BRETHREN CHURCH, SALIDA
On Thursday, May 18, the Old Brethren Church in Salida,
California, was gutted by fire. The fire was deliberately set by
two fourteen year old boys, one of whom had a history of
trouble with the law. The church is the one I attended as a
young boy.
On the following Saturday, Jessie and I went to look at the
damage, and to walk around the old church yard and remember
what it was like to attend there many years ago. The damage is
severe, the nursery is totally gone, and the kitchen is badly
gutted. The sanctuary is badly damaged, with falling plaster
and the ceiling mostly caved in. The roof is shot, with gaping
holes burned in it and the beams charred. It would probably
cost more to rebuild it than the building is worth. By the way,
it was built in 1870, making it 136 years old.
What did I remember when I walked around the old
building that Saturday morning? People, mostly. Events.
12 THE PILGRIM
Sennons. Singing. Love feasts. Visiting after church. Potluck
dinners. Kneeling for prayer. Elm beetles. Helping cook.
The people. Lots of them are gone. I was about eighteen
when I quit going there regularly, and I am turning fifty-eight
this year, so yes, lots of the adults I remember are already home
with the Lord, or are very elderly.
The little light in front of the sanctuary. It was over the
preachers' table and was mounted high up on the wall. It was a
curious little light, and I had never seen one anything like it. It
had a round black shade that was painted flat black on the
outside and white on the inside. The little shade was just barely
big enough to cover the light bulb. Later I learned from my
sister Mary Anna that my father had made the shade for the
light out of a Hills Brothers coffee can.
The little light was still there, the paint looking a little faded
and charred, but it still hung there, ready to perform its task if
needed. Part of me would like to ask for it if the building is
torn down, but I think; the best place for it is in my memory.
The entry room. It had been added on long before my time,
and was a place for the men to hang then hats, and the women
to hang their bonnets. The men wore black broad-biimmed
hats, and the women wore black bonnets over their little white
prayer caps. As you entered, the men's hats were on your right,
and women's bonnets were on your left. The men and women
also sat separately on the corresponding sides. As I grew up
that began to change, especially among the younger members.
My parents sat together as I was growing up, but some of the
older members still sat separately.
The old hand pump. It was already gone before the fire, but
I have a lot of memories of it when I was small. It was not
actually over a well anymore, but was over a little cistern that
was kept full by a float valve. It had a tin cup hanging on the
handle, and you could pump yourself a cup of cold water
THE PILGRIM 13
anytime you were thirsty. Wayne Crawrner and I pumped many
gallons of water out of the old pump over the years.
The old pump house. Behind the church was the pump
house. Not only was the pump inside, but a lot of the
miscellaneous equipment around the church was stored in there.
The pump was a belt-driven piston pump, which would be very
rare now days. They don't pump very fast, but the church really
didn't need much water then, as the restrooms were still out
houses. Behind the pump house were the old front steps of the
church. When the concrete steps were poured, the old wooden
steps were saved for some reason, and put behind the pump
house. They became my preaching platform.
After church, the grownups would stand around and talk for
a long time. I would sometimes stand on the top step and
preach to my congregation of one, which was Wayne Crawmer.
One Sunday I was exhorting him on his sinful condition and the
wickedness of his ways when Uncle Christy came by. He told
me, "I like your style, but your content needs some
improvement." Hopefully Wayne has forgiven me for my
sennons.
Church pews. About one third of the pews were made so
the back rest could be swung up over the top and become a
table. When it was time for the Lovefeasts, this was done for
eveiyone to eat from. The pews were nicely varnished with no
padding on the seats. Under the seat a long metal rod kept the
ends tight. This rod was under a lot of tension, and one Sunday
during prayer, I started fooling around with it. We knelt for
prayer, and the prayers were long, which meant I had a lot of
time to look at it. I pulled it down in the middle as hard as I
could, but it would only spring down about an inch or two. For
some reason I just let go of it, and the result was disastrous. It
made a crack like a rifle shot followed by about four more in
rapid succession. Needless to say, that during prayer this was
probably sufficient to get eveiy ones attention. My parents
14 THE PILGRIM
decided that I needed to sit with them for a few Sundays after
that.
The singing. As far as I know, as long as the Old Brethren
have had this church, no musical instruments have been played
in it. The building has high ceilings, and the whole inside is
plastered. The acoustics were tremendous, and most of the
people were really good singers. When I shut my eyes and
think: about it, I can still hear the singing, and it is a special
memory.
So, there it is. Wood, cement, nails, glass, wire, pipes and
plaster. Put on a roof and you have a building. Put in believers
in Jesus Christ and you have a church. Bum down the building,
and you still have the church.
"Precious memories, how they linger,
How they ever flood my soul.
In the stillness of the midnight,
Precious sacred scenes unfold."
Goodbye, little white church on Kienian Road.
Charles Wagner, Modesto, California
FROM THE MODESTO BEE
Forgiveness was the order of the day Sunday for the 63
members of the Old Brethren Church after the destruction last
week of their church in Salida. Thursday, the Salida church,
estimated to be at least 136 years old, was gutted in a late
afternoon fire that authorities attributed to arson.
Saturday night, officials arrested two 14-year-olds on felony
arson charges, Stanislaus Comity sheriffs Lt. Adam
Chiistianson said. . . "The fire didn't burn the memories,"
(Lloyd) Wagner said. "It's disturbing, but we're not bitter
people. We'll pray for the person or people responsible for
this."
Don Beachler commented that 400 f 00 people were reached
with this testimony.
THE PILGRTM 15
BIRTHS
\J MILLER - A daughter, Alyssa loy, bom JulylS to Gary and
Hannah Miller of Marble Falls, Arkansas.
MARTIN - A son, Clay Nathaniel, born My 14 to Ion and Lisa
Martin of Nappanee, Indiana.
ADDRESS CHANGES
u Andrew Albers: 1270 Ken' Lane
Harrison, AR 7260 1 (870) 743-6064
lason Kreider: cell (937) 621-0465
Heather Kreider: cell (937)621-3888
Ralph Stalter: 13153 N 600 W
Nappanee, IN 46550 (574)773-3353
CHILDREN'S PAGE
Learning Wise Choices
Do you ever wish you did not have to ask your parents
before you do things? Wouldn't it be fim to get to do anything
you wanted to do?
Even grown-ups have people they must obey. God says it
needs to be that way. Why?
If we were all allowed to do whatever we wanted to do, it is
not likely we would care about others. We would do things
other people don't like, and I don't think any of us would like it
veiy well. Some are allowed to do as they please, and they hurt
themselves and others.
16_
THE PILGRIM
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Most of you know about the Salida Meetinghouse being
burned. Some of you saw the fire. It didn't make you feel
good, did it? The children who burned it did it for fun! Now
they are in serious trouble. Is anybody having fun with it, now?
You may think you would never want to do bad things like
that, but God says our hearts are only evil continually. He
wants parents to teach their children how to make right choices.
Even Christian parents would make bad choices if God did not
help them. Philippians 2:13 says it is God who gives us even
the desire to do good, and we could not do good even then if
He did not help us to do it. One way He helps is through our
parents.
You really are no better than those children, except you
have been taught better. I am veiy thankful I have been taught
well. I hope those poor children will also some day learn. And
I hope you will be glad to keep learning, also.
Martha J. Wagner
Gettysburg, Ohio
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THE PILGRIM
VOL. 53 SEPTEMBER. 2006 No. 9
"And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the
Saviour of the world." (I John 4:14)
WHEN WE STAND BEFORE THE THRONE
When we stand before the throne,
Dressed in beauty not our own,
When we see Thee as Thou art,
Love Thee with unsinning heart-
Then, Lord, shall we fully know-
Not till then— how much we owe.
When the praise of heaven we hear,
Loud as thunder to the ear,
Loud as many waters' noise,
Sweet as harps 1 melodious voice,
Then, Lord, shall we fully know-
Not till then— how much we owe.
Even on earth, as through a glass,
Darkly, let Thy glory pass;
Make forgiveness feel so sweet,
Make Thy Sp hit's help so meet;
Even on earth, Lord, make us know
Something of how much we owe.
Author unknown
Selected by Ina Martin
From The Brethren Hymnal #146
THE PILGRIM is a religious magazine published in the interests of the members of the Old
Brethren Church. Subscription rate: $5.00 per year. Sample copies sent free on request.
Publishing editor: Leslie Cover
Address: THE PILGRIM, 19201 Cherokee Rd., Tuolumne, CA 95379
BACK TO SCHOOL
"The children were all smiles as they left this morning,"
remarked a mother on the first day of school. Yes, school is
fun. Maybe we hear a few groans, but all must admit that this
time— the morning of life—is an enjoyable one. I'm sure we see
this best as we look back from adulthood.
Some learning is not fun but takes real labor. One student
asked (voicing the sentiment of many), "Why do we have to
learn stuff like algebra?" One answer is what the climber said
when he was asked why he climbed the mountain: "Because it's
there." Systems of truth are there to learn. However, there is a
better reason. Even though it may not be used, learning is a
good exercise of the mind— inquiring into the principles God has
placed in this complex world.
The easiest time to learn is in our youth. Those families that
spent time in another country found how much more easily the
children and young people picked up the language. Ask the
Taylors or the Renikers or Carl Beck.
Youth is a very important time. Here habits are formed;
decisions are made. Because it is so vital a time of impressions
and learning, parents need all their skills to help them through.
Fathers and mothers are the first and best teachers and most
responsible to teach well.
Psalm 126:5 says, "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy."
How true this is in the training of children! Those parents who
accept the responsibilities with tears and real concern are the
ones who rejoice to see the hand of God leading their children.
These sincere parents, even though they make mistakes, are not
the reason for the failure of families in our time. It is the ones
who don't care and don't weep that are the failures.
THE PILGRIM
Home and school are not the only places of learning. Those
who have finished school now begin to learn by doing. This is a
time of apprenticeship where hands-on experience gives lessons
beyond the training at home and the book learning of school.
Now students can see the real value in skill, in practice "that
makes perfect. " We all are thankful for the doctors, dentists,
and other professional people who have not only studied long
but have learned by doing. God rewards honest, diligent effort
to succeed in a chosen field, whether it be on the farm or in the
office.
We older ones- also need the "back to school" concept.
There is so much to leam that a lifetime is too short. Scientists
"stand on the shoulders" of those who went before them.
Doctors tell us that to keep an active mind is one of the best
protections from a disease like Alzheimer's. Apparently the
mind that becomes inactive deteriorates like a body that is not
exercised.
I admire people who have become "experts" in an
interesting field, whether it be in geography of Bible lands,
travels of Christ, bird watching, or steam engines. The subject
that we must all be schooled in is the "grace of God that
bringeth salvation." (Titus 2:11) This is such a feeble way to
express the magnitude of the new birth because it is more than
learning. It is rather a yielding of the life to God— believing in
the Lord Jesus-allowing Him to work this miracle in us. But
learning to know Him and His will is necessary. The lack of
learning God's Word made the Dark Ages, and it is making our
present age dark as well.
When Jesus, the Master Teacher, was here, He used various
ways to teach. One of the best was by His perfect example.
Our prayer should be to be more like Him. Example is also one
of the best ways to help our children. It is worth many words.
However, words are needed. Jesus taught by parable, by
lecture, by illustration, and by encouraging words. We learn by
THE PILGRIM
hearing His words and believing Him without reserve, without
doubting. We too can teach by encouraging, by demonstrating,
by giving good instructions.
May God help us to keep learning as we teach, to keep
praying as we preach, and to follow our Master Teacher to
grow in His grace. --L.C.
SCHOOL NEEDS AND ANSWERS
A brand new term before us lies
With much of it unknown
With thoughts of hope and some of dread;
Our busy minds have flown
Ahead to times of hustling class
And hearty recess fun.
We cannot know what needs we'll face
Before this term is done.
The skinned-up knees and ripped- out hems
Are easier far to mend
Than left-out feelings, wounded hearts,
Toward which our children tend.
Temptations to dishonesty,
Or selfishness and greed—
Where can we find the answers true
That all our children need?
Sometimes we teachers feel so young;
We lack experience,
And as the school day pressures mount
Our spirits may grow tense.
But there's a source of help and grace
To eveiy teacher near:
THE PILGRIM
God's strength wiJl fill our every need;
His love cast out our fear.
Susanna K Tate
Mishawaka, Indiana
GOD IS LOVE
Of all themes addressed by Christian writers, love probably
ranks among the most popular; so why another essay on love?
The story is told of a minister, new to a congregation, who used
the same topic for his sermon on three consecutive Sundays.
The second Sunday a few eyebrows were raised, and some
comments were heard, but on the third Sunday it was
considered necessary to protest. The minister's explanation was
that when his efforts produced results he would be happy to
speak on a different subject. If we could see love blooming in
the lives of all who claim to be the Lord's people, it might not
be necessary to write much about it.
Yet this grandest of all themes can never be fully magnified
nor exalted by the pen or tongue of man because it is as infinite
as God. The apostle John twice states that "God is love." (I
John 4:8 & 16) There is abundant evidence ("By their fruits ye
shall know them," Matt. 7:20) that love is not in control of all
professing Christians. Hence a need for further exposure is
indicated.
Efforts have been made to assign separate meanings to the
words "love" and "charity" as used in the King James translation
of the New Testament. The revisions replace charity with love.
Recognized reference works such as Craden, Matthew Henry,
and others claim the word "love" better expresses the true idea.
Luther's translation, the Bible of our Brethren ancestors, uses
only one word "liebe" or love. Therefore we shall use love in
this writing.
THE PILGRIM
A writer has said, "The two great evils of the Middle Ages
were the invention of gunpowder and romantic love." This may
be a facetious observation, and romantic love is not the love of
the New Testament, but we do believe that romantic novelists,
assisted by Hollywood and TV have reduced to a vulgar level
the meaning of a word which is worthy of the highest respect
and reverence. The basic unit of an orderly society is the home,
and the foundation of a successful home is God's love.
Disregard for this love has undermined the home almost to the
point of destroying it in the secular world, and Christian society
is not insulated from this corrupting influence. Viewed from
this perspective, the invention of romantic love might indeed be
said to be a great evil.
Like many words, love may have different meanings
depending on how it is used, but the concept we wish to
consider here is God's gracious concern for man and man's
response as expressed in his attitude toward his fellow man.
Since God is beyond the realm of our physical senses, He has
ordained that we prove our love for Him by loving our neighbor
who was created in God's image. The most gifted orator might
declare his love for God a thousand times; but if this were not
accompanied by a harmonious, loving relationship with his
brethren, his words would be worse than worthless; they would
be lies. (I John 4:20) If we despise our neighbor, we actually
despise God. (I Thess. 4:8)
A respected friend related an account of a destructive
struggle which occurred in a neighboring congregation many
years ago. There were two prominent families in this group
whom we shah call Smith and Wood. My friend stated his
conclusion with these words, "The problem was, the Smiths and
Woods did not like (or love) each other." We believe this is the
root of the disunity afflicting poor, bleeding Zion.
But someone will say, "There must have been a reason why
they did not like each other." Reflection on this reaction
THE PILGRIM
suggests the question: How many reasons can you think of
that might excuse brethren from loving each other? "He that
loveth not his brother abideth in death." (I John 3: 14)
The Amplified Bible has this to say about love in I Cor.
13:4-8: "Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never
is envious nor boils over with jealousy; is not boastful or
vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not
conceited— arrogant and inflated with pride; it is not rude
(unmannerly), and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's
love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for
it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it
takes no account of the evil done to it— pays no attention to a
suffered wrong. It does not rejoice at injustice and
unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.
Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is
ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are
fadeless under all circumstances and it endures eveiything
(without weakening). Love never fails-never fades out or
becomes obsolete or comes to an end. . ."
Love is the greatest of the Christian gifts and virtues. (I
Cor. 12:31 and 13:13) Upon it hang all the law and the
prophets. (Matt. 22:40) It is the fulfilling of the law. (Rom.
13:10) It is the distinctive characteristic by which Christians
may be recognized. (John 13:35) It is the foundation, and it
passes knowledge. (Eph. 3:17 & 19) It is the assurance of our
spiritual resurrection. (I John 3:14)
John says God in His very nature and essence is love. (I
John 4:8 & 16) Scholars claim Christianity is the only religion
which presents the Supreme Being thus. What a profound
privilege to be included in this Christian family!
Over the years we have been disturbed by reactionary
remarks such as "Love won't do it all," or "Love won't cover
eveiything," or "Love is fine, but. . ." These expressions imply
that the speaker regards something else to be of greater
THE PILGRIM
importance than love. Since God is love, it would seem very
imprudent to downgrade this holy attiibute. Love never fails,
and it does control the Christian's relationship with his fellow
man.
Love does rebuke and chasten (Heb 12:6 & Rev. 3:19)
because its goal is the greatest good for the one to whom it is
directed. Wise parents understand this and administer discipline
accordingly. Children will readily sense whether chastening is
motivated by love or some other passion. Because carnal
passions are so prevalent, we have child abuse laws, but
legislation can never- take the place of love.
We believe these principles apply in the church. The
assembly as been authorized by its absent Head to administer
discipline when necessary, but this can accomplish its intended
purpose only when done in love. That purpose is restoration,
and Jesus gave His life blood for it. This was the supreme
demonstration of love.
It has been said, "Love is not an emotion but a decision,"
and, "Love is not a feeling but an act of the will." Love does
not depend on mutual admiration and respect for its existence.
If it did, how could God love rebellious sinners? This aspect of
love seems to be widely overlooked. Emotions, feelings,
admiration, and respect are certainly influenced by love or the
lack of it. For love to truly thrive, there must indeed be mutual
respect. God's love is continuously extended to man, but it can
not burst into full bloom until there is a positive response.
Let us consider some notable New Testament references.
Jesus Christ said, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all
thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. . . Thou
shalt love thy neighbor as thyself": (Matt, 22:37 & 39) "Love
your enemies." (Matt, 5:44) "A new commandment I give unto
you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you. . ." (John
13:34) "Continue ye in my love." (John 15:9)
THE PILGRIM
Paul the Apostle in Col. 3:12-14 lists seven Christian graces
that are to be put on and then adds, "And above all these things
put on love which is the bond of perfectness." In Eph. 5:2 he
says, "Walk in love." And in Rom. 12:10, "Be kindly
affectioned one to another with brotherly love. . ." Also in Heb.
13: 1, "Let brotherly love continue/' (and be a fixed practice
with you. —Amplified.)
Peter the Apostle writes, "Love the brotherhood. . ." (I Pet.
2:17) And "Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion
one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous." (I
Pet. 3:8)
Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, says in verse 21, "Keep
yourselves in the love of God. "
Are these options? Are they too difficult to understand?
We believe the answer is obvious. When these commandments,
which he at the very heart of Christianity, are not observed, the
individual, the family, and the assembly suffer.
Some more notable references: "He that loveth his brother
abideth in the light. . . But he that hateth his brother is in
darkness. . ." (I John 2:10-11) "Behold, what manner of love
the father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the
sons of God. . ." (3:1) He that loveth not his brother is not of
God. (3:10) "Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer. . ."
(3:15) "If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a
liar. . ." (4:20) And best known of all: "For God so loved the
world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever
believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
(John 3:16)
In view of all the tremendous statements the Bible makes
about love, why are there still Smiths and Woods who do not
like each other? We know God has a subtle, crafty enemy who
is an accuser of the brethren, but He has assured us that nothing
shall be able to separate us from His love. (Rom 8:39) Thank
God for the fellowship of faithful brethren who radiate love.
10 THE PILGRIM
The oft repeated phrase, "We have only scratched the
surface." applies here, but then,
Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made;
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.
"Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth
through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that
ye love one another with a pure heart fervently." (I Pet. 1:22)
Harold Royer, Goshen, Indiana
(Reprinted from the November, 1988, Pilgrim. )
MEMORIES OF THE SALIDA CHURCH
An old country building stood alone,
Quietly nestled among the tall trees.
Birds joined in a spring-time chorus
With relief from heat in a summer breeze.
Pleading earnestly in sermons and hymns;
Reading the Scriptures on Sunday morning;
Feeding everyone who came to the dinners;
(You'd never find any of that fancy adorning.)
Little children were always loved here;
Everyone welcomed a new baby's cry.
There were praying and teaching with one intent:
'Twas saving souls— with no fear to die.
Elections of ministers to preach the Word;
THE PILGRIM LI
There were elections of elders and deacons, too,
In this cherished building with ceiling so high.
Memories will linger though now gone from view.
In May of 2006, this old wood building
Was vandalized— later set on fire by two boys.
The congregation is showing agape love,
Joined as the Church in sorrows and joys.
Jesus was watching with tear- filled eyes,
Patiently waiting and calling, "Come to me."
Yet, rejecting Him and His saving grace,
The teenage boys will face eternity.
The precious cross surely would make a change
If the blood of Jesus these boys would receive.
Where there is life, there is still hope.
We pray these teens and others will soon believe.
Satan has destroyed this place to worship;
Now he has made a real tragic mistake;
It's the people who make up the Church;
Players are for those lost in sin—to awake.
The congregation is at peace and have no fear;
God placed in these hearts an inner peace.
The building has burned, but not the Church;
Someday all trials like this will cease.
The charred remains of this dearest old place,
Quietly nestled among those still standing trees,
Will always hold many precious memories for us
While the Church of believers pray on then knees.
12
THE PILGRIM
Tears continue to flow for what was done.
The members who could, met there one sad day.
Together they worked and tore the building down;
Only the tall trees yet remain there to stay.
We will sadly miss this sacred old building.
There are many things we cannot understand.
Satan is still seeking whom he can devour,
Yet we know God in His wisdom has all things planned.
These dear Christians continue to worship God;
They are strong in their faith and in their trust.
These difficult times for them are only a test.
They serve God, and He is merci&l and just.
There were special funerals of loved ones,
Then a wedding too, we must not forget;
Applicants for baptisms we'll always remember;
Prayers— Love Feasts will continue, because—
God is not finished yet.
Leona I. Miller, Sonora, California
BAPTISMS
Heather Miller
Orv Brow
Haivey Brow
Katelyn Golding
Alexa Oberholzer
Preston Cover
New Paris, Indiana
New Paris, Indiana
New Paris, Indiana
Wakarusa, Indiana
Goshen, Indiana
Tuolumne, California
August 11
August 24
August 24
August 24
August 24
August 27
May God direct these dear young people as they give their
lives to Him and seive in the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
THE PILGRIM 13
OBITUARY
Susannah "Susie" Sell, age 96 of Bradford passed away
Thursday, June 29, 2006, at Rest Haven Nursing Home,
Greenville, Ohio. Susie was bom in Lake Odessa, Michigan, on
January 17, 1910, to Solomon and Margaret (Mote) Lavy and
was a member of the Old Brethren Church, Bradford.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Creele
E. Sell in 1997; son, Lester Sell; foster grandson, Travis Hodge;
brothers and sisters, John Allen Lavy, Martha Brumbaugh,
Joseph Lavy, Benjamin Lavy, Maiy Graybill, and Daniel Lavy.
Susie is survived by her four sons and daughters-in-law, Lee
and Shirley Sell of Modesto, California, Calvin and Sharon Sell
of Bradford, Charles and Cynthia Sell of Greenville, Glen and
Glenda Sell of Bradford; three daughters and sons-in-law, Ruby
and Eugene Wagner of Greenville, Martha and Dick Emrick of
New Madison, Edith and Jerry Howell of Colorado Springs,
Colorado; two foster children, Geraldine Hodge of Greenville,
Wilham Edward and Robin Hodge of Palatine Bridge, New
York; twenty-seven grandchildren; three foster grandchildren;
numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren;
brother and sister-in-law, Andrew and Mary Ellen Lavy of
Camden, Indiana; three sisters, Elizabeth Garber of Indiana,
Rhoda Milyard of Brookvilie, Ruth Flora of Arcanum; and a
host of other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held
at the Old Brethren Church, Bradford, and interment was at
Oakland Cemetery, Bradford.
We would like for you to know how much we appreciated
all that you did for us during our time of sorrow. Thank you to
the ministers who knew just what to say for our comforting.
Thank you for the wonderful meal prepared by loving hands
and people. Thank you all who helped in the preparing of the
service.
The Family of Susie Sell
14 THE PILGRIM
NOTE OF THANKS
I want to thank everyone for their cards, letters, and calls
with words of sympathy, encouragement, and prayers since the
death of my sister, Susie Sell, and since my recent surgery. It's
comforting to know so many show their love and care. May
God bless you all.
Sister Ruth Flora
FOR YOUTH
Compassion for Others
It started several days ago on Sunday afternoon. We had
been invited away to dinner. We boys came home to start the
afternoon chores.
I went upstairs to change my clothes. Ouch! There was a
sharp pain in my lower back. I had noticed it vaguely before,
but now it was intense; much worse. I couldn't bend over and
had to have help getting on my clothes. I crawled to the couch
and was there the rest of the afternoon. I wasn't able to go to
the young folks' singing that evening.
Monday and Tuesday forenoon found it some better. I was
up and around the place. Tuesday afternoon I took a short nap.
When I got up, the pain was much worse, and I was having
muscle cramps. We arranged a visit to our family doctor.
He felt my back in several places, but it didn't hurt. I told
him it hurt only when I moved. "Ah," he said, "you have
stretched an inner back muscle, something a lot of people don't
think about. Often, it's one of the outer back muscles that gets
stretched." He gave me some muscle relaxant and instructed
me to spend the next couple days keeping my back flat by lying
on the floor with my feet up on a chair.
Did that ever get tiresome! It seemed the rest of my back
was ailing by the time those two days were up. Now, as I'm
THE PILGRIM 15
typing this, my back is much better, though I'm still on a pain
reliever.
All this got me to thinking. This muscle that I had never
given any thought before had changed my life dramatically for a
short time. It made me think of the verse that likens the church
to a body (Eph. 4:12) Another tells us we are members one of
another. (Eph. 4:25)
Fellow youth, are we understanding to those among us who
are hurting or need a listening ear? As young people it's easy to
go on our merry way and forget such things. We are busy. We
have our own agenda—important, so we think. We may reason,
"Why don't they just get over it? They are too sensitive and
shouldn't let things bother them so much. 11
However, that is not how our physical body responds. As
in my case, when one member, however small it might be, is
injured or hurting, the whole body is affected.
This experience has made this thought more real to me.
May we strive to live the truth of these verses among us.
Jesse Martin
New Paris, Indiana
CHILDREN'S PAGE
Turkey Call
This is a stoiy I heard at the Dunkard Brethren Conference.
I trust the minister who told it will not mind my passing it on.
This minister likes to go turkey hunting. He has a decoy
which looks like a turkey hen, and a turkey call with which he
can make sounds like a turkey. If a torn turkey hears the call
and sees the decoy, he will be curious and maybe come close to
check it out.
One day when he was hunting, he saw a torn and a hen
turkey on the mountainside. The torn was veiy curious about
this hunter's call, and wanted to go down the mountainside to
meet the lien he thought was there. The hen he was with did
not want hirn to go. She headed up the mountain, calling the
torn to follow. He would start to follow her until the hunter
called; then he would once again start down the mountain
toward the hunter. Then the hen would call again. For a long
time that torn struggled to decide which way to go, but finally
he followed the hen up the mountain. He never knew how
close he came to death that day. If he would have come a little
further down the mountain, the hunter would have shot him
He thought there was a friend down there, but really there was
an enemy!
That is very much like temptation. Some things seem so
harmless and fun. We do not see the danger in it. But God
sees the danger and says don ! t do it. Or maybe it is our parents
who, like the turkey hen, urge us to go another way. It is far
better to "miss out on the fun" than to find out the hard way
why it is not a good idea! Remember, there is an enemy who
wants to destroy you. He pretends to be a friend, but he means
you only harm! Be very careful wfrat call you follow.
Martha J. Wagner
Gettysburg, Ohio
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THE PILGRIM
VOL. 53 OCTOBER, 2006 No. 10
"And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the
Saviour of the world." (I John 4:14)
THORNS
Strange gift indeed! -a thorn to prick,
To pierce into the very quick;
To cause perpetual sense of pain;
Strange gift!~and yet, 'twas given for gain.
Unwelcome, yet it came to stay;
Nor could it e'en be prayed away.
It came to fill its God-planned place,
A life-emiching means of grace.
God's grace-thorns~ah, what forms they take;
What piercing, smarting pain they make!
And yet, each one in love is sent,
And always just for blessing meant.
And so, whate'er thy thorn may be,
From God accept it willingly;
But reckon Christ—His life-the power
To keep, in thy most trying hour.
And sure-thy life will richer grow;
He grace sufficient will bestow;
And in heaven's mom thy joy 'twill be
That, by His thorn, He strengthened thee.
J. Danson Smith, from Springs in the Valley
THE PILGRIM is a religious magazine published in the interests of the members of the Old
Brethren Church. Subscription rate: $5.00 per year. Sample copies sent free on request.
Publishing editor: Leslie Cover
Address: THE PILGRIM, 19201 Cherokee Rd, Tuolumne, CA 95379
The tragedy at the Amish school in Pennsylvania has
touched us all. We don't always understand the things that God
allows, but we know He is in control. His Spirit's working is
obvious as the public came to know the forgiveness expressed
by those who lost so much. Another vital lesson shows us how
far-reaching, how damaging it is to hold a grudge. May we
learn daily to forgive any who would harm us. God will give
grace through the most severe trials. Those dear families have
our sincere sympathy. --L.C.
TRUE DISCIPLESHIP
". . . He cannot be my disciple."
Thee times in his 14th chapter, Luke records Jesus' saying
these words. What are the conditions of discipleship that would
make it necessary for Jesus to limit His followers in this way?
Most worldly leaders keep then* supporters at almost any cost.
Jesus states the first condition in verse 26: "If any man
come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and
children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he
cannot be my disciple." In other places in God's Word, we are
told to love these veiy people and even our enemies. But in
comparison to the devotion a disciple must have to Jesus Christ,
this love is like hatred. We must forsake these relationships if
they are detrimental to our service to God. When we consider
how much we love our wives, our children, our parents-if this
is to be hatred in comparison, how great must be our devotion
to Jesus! Lord, give me that great love. I don't have it. It must
come from Your Spirit
The second condition is verse 27: "And whosoever doth
not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple."
THE PILGRTM
The cross means suffering and death. When Jesus bore His
cross, it was to Calvary where He was nailed to it and where He
hung and died in atonement for our sins. The cross to us means
death to the old man and his sins. That old man is you, and it is
I. Paul says, "I am crucified with Christ. . ." Crucifixion is a
slow death. Our death to sin and the carnal nature may also be
slow— slow and painful. Sometimes it may mean physical
suffering. I Peter 4:1,2: "Forasmuch then as Christ hath
suffered for us in the flesh, ami yourselves likewise with the
same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased
from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in
the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God." Jesus said
to cut off the hand or foot, to pluck out the eye that offends.
Paul writes, Col 3:3: "For ye are dead, and your life is hid with
Christ in God."
This speaks of bearing the cross, but Jesus also said, "and
come after me." There is a death to die, and there is also a life
to live. To "come after" or follow Jesus means to walk as He
walked--in His steps. As a child I would try to step far enough
to match the footprints of my father. It took effort and
concentration and balance. So it does to walk in the steps of
our Savior. Our legs aren't long enough; we fail to concentrate;
we become unbalanced. Jesus took the beatings and scoffing.
Men spit in His face. We shrink from this. Jesus saw the needs
and met them. He told us the fields are ripe for harvest. We
often do not see this and ignore those around us who are
unbelievers. Jesus prayed all night and early in the morning.
Our prayers are too often hurried and brief Jesus did not
answer His accusers. We bristle and protest when accused
unjustly. We need help. Lord, please inspire me to follow, and
supply the grace.
Jesus gives two examples to teach us wisdom. Who would
start to build without counting the cost? What general would
confront an anny twice the size of his own without efforts for
THE PILGRTM
peace? Discipleship-true discipleship is costly. It costs our
own will, often our pleasure, our worldly hopes and plans. To
some it meant forsaking family and friends. Wisdom says to
count the cost and prepare for these sacrifices. True discipleship
is laying a foundation and building on it. It is meeting the
enemy with strength more than our own.
Jesus says in effect, "Are you ready?" He told aspiring
James and John there was a cup to drink of and a baptism to be
baptized with.
The third condition of discipleship: "So likewise,
whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he
cannot be my disciple." "All that he hath" may include some
pretty dear possessions. We hold on tenaciously to our things,
our habits, our pleasures, our fashionable clothes and shoes, our
entertainments. It may mean losing our friends or the respect of
our family. Jesus mentions houses and lands, which certainly
touches us in our affluence. Again, to hate these is to love the
Lord so much more that our love for them becomes of little
value by comparison. — L.C.
A critical world is watching. By some strange instinct, it
realizes that the Christian life deseives everything or nothing.
When it sees an out- and -out Christian, it may sneer, and scoff
and ridicule— yet inwardly, it has deep respect for the man who
recklessly abandons himself to Christ. But when it sees a half-
hearted Christian, it has nothing but contempt. It begins to
mock him, saying, "This man began to build, and was not able
to finish. He made a big commotion when he was converted,
but now he's very much like the rest of us. He started out at
high speed, but now he's spinning his wheels."
And so the Savior said, "You had better count the cost! "
From the book True Discipleship
by William MacDonald, Gospel Folio Press
THE PILGRIM
WORDS
"A word fitly spoken is as apples of gold in pictures of
silver." (Proverbs 25:1) "Pleasant words are as an honeycomb,
sweet to the soul, and health to the bones." (Proverbs 16:24)
Words can also be unpleasant. The Apostle James warns us:
"And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue
among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth
on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell." (James
3:6) We have a great responsibility to correctly choose our
words and control- our tongues. Purpose and circumstance
should determine what we say.
All communication has a purpose. Whether extending a
brief greeting or engaging in a lengthy conversation, careful
selection of words is important. Purpose will determine the
manner of delivery. Correcting a disobedient child requires a
different tone of voice than comforting for a skinned knee.
A most important factor in communicating is to use words
in their proper context. The standard that determines our
thinking should be the Word of God. The Bible tells us, "All
Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness." (II Timothy 3:16) Our thoughts and
expressions should reflect a commitment to Jesus Christ and His
words. Keep in mind that one of Christ's titles is "The Word."
This sober reminder is given to us by Jesus: "For by thy words
thou shall be justified, and by thy words thou shall be
condemned." (Matt. 12:37)
Words when spoken during an emotional encounter are the
most difficult to control and to deal with. One of my favorite
Scriptures is, "Great peace have they which love thy law: and
nothing shall offend them." (Psalm 119:165) How fortunate
that we have a Lord who knows our thoughts and emotions.
He knows our temptations. If we accept His words and follow
THE PILGRIM
His commandments, He will forgive our sin of weakness when
we say things we should not or when we take offense because
of what someone else has said. Let "The Word" influence our
thoughts and help us to select the right words.
Joseph E. Wagner
Modesto, California
BIBLICAL SEPARATION
The doctrine of separation is found throughout the Bible.
It was the first act of creation as recorded in Genesis 1:4: "And
God divided the light from the darkness." Separation is choice:
every time we make a choice we recognize and apply the
principle of separation. Its opposite is amalgamation, or
without distinction as in Genesis 1:2: "And the earth was
without form, and void, and darkness was upon the face of the
deep." The last act of God in the separation of things is
recorded in Rev. 21:1, "And I saw a new heaven and a new
earth: for the first heaven and first earth were passed away. . ."
Many other instances of the separation of things which God
created could be cited from the Scriptures, such as all the living
creatures, each created after their kind, that is, separate from
other kinds. And as stated in Lev. 11:47: "To make a
difference between the clean and the unclean. . ." (beasts). But
hi this article we are particularly concerned with the Biblical
doctrine of separation as it pertains to the people of God.
God is holy (separate) from all unholy beings, and requires
His people to be holy. ". . .Ye shall therefore be holy, for I am
holy," (Lev. 11:45). Of Jesus Christ it is said that He was
"holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners, and made
higher than the heavens."
Separation to be virtuous must be for a cause and not for its
own sake-to be alone. "Alone" is said to be the most cruel
word in any language. Man was created a social being, and
THE PILGRIM 7
God saw that it was not good that he should be alone. Nor is
separation for selfish reasons Biblical, as stated in Jude 19:
"These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not
the Spirit."
Separation was both a condition and a result of the children
of Israel becoming God's people. For although they were under
the promise made to Abraham, they were not reckoned as the
people of God until after they were saved out of Egypt and
brought under the covenant at Sinai as indicated by the
following Scriptures: "Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice
indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar
treasure unto me above all people. . . and ye shall be unto me a
kingdom of priests and an holy nation. . ." (Ex, 19:5). "Thou
hast avouched the Lord this day to be thy God. . . and the Lord
hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar (separate) people
as he hath promised thee. . ." (Deut. 26:17,18). "That thou
shouldest enter into a covenant with the Lord thy God, and into
his oath, which the Lord thy God maketh with thee this day.
That he may establish thee today for a people unto himself, and
that he may be unto thee a God. . ." (Deut. 29:12,13). "For
thou didst separate them from among all the people of the earth,
to be thine inheritance. . . when thou broughtest our fathers out
of Egypt, O Lord God." (I Kings 8:53).
These Scriptures show clearly that Biblical separation is not
for its own sake or to be alone, but it is a separation from one
bond, to be joined to another as stated in Romans 7:4.
The marriage state is the most exclusive of all separations. It is
being separated from one or many unto another. It is a true
pattern of Christian separation, that is, "Separated unto God in
Christ." "For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of
his bones. . . This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning
Christ and the Church." (Eph. 5:30,32). To be joined to more
than one (man or woman) at the same time is adultery--it is
without distinction of affection or obligation.
THE PILGRIM
The kingdom of God and the kingdoms of this world are
essentially and fundamentally different in origin, purpose, and
destiny, as also its laws and attachments: "For all that is in the
world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the
pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the
world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the
will of God abideth forever." (I John 2:15,16).
Satan's chief strategy in his warfare against God's people is
to present himself as a partner. He is represented in Isa. 14: 14
as saying, "I will be like the most High." And in Job, when the
sons of God presented themselves before the Lord, Satan came
also among them. We read in II Cor. 11:13,14 of ". . .false
apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into
apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is
transformed into an angel of light." This may well be the reason
Jesus would not allow the devils to witness for him when he
was here, that they may not claim partnership in His work; for
he came to destroy the works of the devil.
God began the separation of the peoples of the earth when
he called Abraham to separate himself from his country and
kindred and promised to make of him a great nation; to be their
God and they would be His people, thus indicating that not all
the people of the earth would be God's people. This separation
unto God is often described in the Bible by another term:
"sanctification" which apparently has the same meaning.
So far as we are aware, all Bible students recognize that
there is in fact a fundamental difference between the people of
God and those of the world who are not His people. But many
who recognize this fact appear unwilling to signify it in any
visible manner and refuse to separate themselves from the
organizations and governments of this world and its warfare.
We are convinced that the people of the world are not
opposed to the principle of separation, but they do not consent
to God's application of that principle as revealed in His Word,
THE PILGRIM
The origin and goal of the Christian is different, and thus his
faith and hope is different, and must be expressed in a life that is
different. The natural body is the means of expression for the
spirit which dwells in it. So also the body of Christ is the means
by which the children of God give expression to the Spirit of
God dwelling in them, showing a difference between the people
of God and the people of the world. Non- conformity to the
world signifies this. It is not itself the difference; but it signifies
the difference which exists in all who are transformed by the
renewing of the mind. People are not afraid to be different if
they have something to be different for— in fact, they want to be
different. Exclusiveness is popular in the world, as witnessed
by the many lodges and professional guilds.
II Corinthians 6:14-18 says, "Be ye not unequally yoked
together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath
righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath
light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial?
or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what
agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the
temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them,
and walk in them; and I will be then God, and they shall be my
people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye
separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I
will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be
my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."
I Peter 2:9 says, "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal
priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should
shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of
darkness into his marvelous light: Which in time past were not
a people, but are now the people of God: which had not
obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy."
Of the final separation, Rev. 22:14 says, "Blessed are they
that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree
of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For
10 THE PILGRIM
without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and
murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a
lie. —Daniel F. Wolf (Available in tract form)
OBEDIENCE
In the Bible God offers us wonderful things, but He offers
everything on condition of obedience. Heb. 5:9 says, ". . .He
became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey
him." In I John 3:22, God promises to answer all our prayers if
we will obey Him and please Hi m. The Lord Jesus exhorts us
to abide in Him, and I John 3:24 tells us that, as we obey Him
by keeping His commandments, we dwell in Him. I John 2:6
shows us that to abide in Him we must so walk "even as He
walked." and He always obeyed.
John 15:7 says that if we thus abide in Him, and His words
abide in us, we may ask what we will, and it shall be done unto
us. What a glorious promise! Who can say, "I have all my
prayers answered"? Well, God offers to do this on condition of
full, constant, never-failing obedience. It is far from easy to
obey the Lord always, and this is why God offers such a
glorious reward, but there is an awful penalty for not abiding in
Christ, for we read in John 15:6 that if we fail to abide in Him,
we shall wither.
Do you ever find Christians who were once full of joy and
usefulness and a blessing wherever they went, who now seem to
have but little joy and are no longer able to help people
spiritually as they once did? They have not been folly obedient
and so have not been abiding in Christ and have withered. How
sad! How much better to obey, even when it is very hard to do
so, and be foil of Christ's life, joy, and happiness, having our
prayers answered. How can we expect Jesus to bless us and
answer our petitions if we do not love Him? He says the proof
of our love to Him is foil obedience, and He will accept no
THE PILGRIM U
proof that we love Him except His own test: "He that hath my
commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me." "He
that keepeth not my sayings loveth me not." Jesus said, "If ye
keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I
have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love."
(John 15:10) Our Lord Jesus says, "Without me ye can do
nothing." But hear the victorious shout, "I can do all things
through Christ which strengthened me." Our blessed Lord has
all power and He is longing for us to cry to Him for strength to
obey, and the Word declares that "As thy days, so shall thy
strength be." Also, "My strength is made perfect in weakness;"
and by faith He "always causeth us to triumph in Christ."
Full obedience at all times is overcoming, and Jesus offers
to let the full overcomers sit with Him on His throne and share
with Him in riches, glory, honor, power, dominion, —yea, in all
things through the ages and ages and ages of eternity. The
battle will be hard, and we shall have to watch constantly, but
the struggle will be for just a little while and the reward is
beyond anything we can imagine, and it endures forever. The
Bible tells us that we wrestle against principalities and powers.
Are we not more than foolish to fail to obey, because the strife
against sin, sel£ the world, and the powers of darkness is severe
and painful, and when a reward so glorious is set before us, and
is made possible to us because of the strength He so freely
offers and will so freely give?
Andrew Murray says that the glories and riches of grace
have so filled our eyes that we have failed to see the side of
obedience. Grace will never do for us what God commands us
to do, but grace will enable us to obey fully and also to watch.
Grace is so blessed and glorious that it is impossible to extol
and exalt it too much, but we must not for a moment forget that
God's grace is for those whose hearts are set and fixed to obey
fully. It is as we "walk in the light" that the blood of Jesus
Christ cleanses us from sin. Walking in the light means
12 THE PILGRIM
obedience to the Word, and I John 1:7 tells us that we are to
walk in the light as He is in the light, which means to be as
obedient as Jesus was. God has not put one thing in the New
Testament that He has taken away or allows us to neglect or
disobey, and He asks the question, "What shall the end be of
them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ?" He
means all of the gospel and not just a part of it. God says, if we
are obedient, we shall eat the good of the land, which means
that we shall have the best things God has to bestow. He also
says He will withhold no good thing from them that walk
uprightly— that is, obediently.
God tells us He delights more in obedience than in burnt
offerings and sacrifices. He is better pleased by our full
obedience than by all we give Him and all we bear and suffer
and endure for Him and for His cause. Jesus said, " Why call ye
me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" This was
equivalent to saying, "I am not your Lord unless you obey Me,"
and you know He is Saviour only to those who make Him Lord.
Repentance is simply a set purpose of heart and life to cease
from all disobedience, and fully and forever to obey God.
Jesus said twice, "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise
perish." Notice the message to the churches in Revelation, how
"repent" and "overcome" are used over and over. Obedience is
an essential part of repentance and causes us to overcome.
"Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves seivants to
obey, his servants ye are?"
From the book, The Life of Faith by Mrs. C. Nuzum,
Copyright 1928, by Gospel Publishing House.
Used by permission. Selected by Kevin Garber
BAPTISM
Tyler Cover Tuolumne, California September 10
May God guide and guard this young brother as he selves in the
Kingdom of Jesus Christ,
THE PILGRIM 13
HOW TO MAKE A HAPPY HOME
1. Learn to govern yourself and to be gentle and patient.
2. Guard your temper, especially in seasons of ill health or
trouble, and soften them by prayer, patience and a sense of your
own shortcomings and errors.
3. Never speak or act in anger. Pray before you speak or act
and conclude what Christ would have done in your place.
4. Remember that as valuable as is the gift of speech, the gift of
silence is often more precious.
5. Do not expect too much from others; all have an evil nature;
we should forgive and forbear.
6. Never return a sharp or angry word. It is the second word
that makes the quarrel.
7. Beware of the first disagreement.
8. Learn to speak in a gentle tone of voice.
9. Learn to say kind and pleasant things whenever an
opportunity affords.
10. Study the character of each one and sympathize with them
in then troubles, however small.
1 1. Do not neglect little things, if they can affect the comfort of
others in the smallest degree.
12. Learn to deny yourself and to prefer others.
13. Beware of meddlers and talebearers.
14. Be gentle but firm with children.
15. Do not allow your children to be away from home at night
without knowing where they are.
16. Do not allow them to go wherever they please on the Lord's
day, or at any other time.
17. Do not furnish them with much spending money.
18. Save something against a day of trouble.
19. Remember the grave, the judgment seal, and scenes of
eternity; order your home on earth that you shall have a home in
heaven. Sent by Nancy Beidler
14 THE PILGRIM
FOR YOUTH
Watch What You Read
It has been said, "You are what you read." The way of life
in any society largely reflects the percentage of its people who
can read and write well, and it also reflects what they read and
write.
When people read and hear long enough what is acceptable
or unacceptable behavior, it will definitely show in their actions.
Multitudes are affected in thought and action by mass media.
They are bombarded by the content and promotions of books,
magazines, daily newspapers, radio, and television.
Watch you thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.
—Author unknown
Disciplining our reading interests is crucial because a battle
is going on for the mind right now. "For we wrestle not against
flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers,
against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual
wickedness in high places." (Eph. 6:12). We need to guard the
reading material we allow for ourselves and for our family. "Of
making many books there is no end." (Ecc. 12:12). Herein lies
a real test, with cheap books available at garage sales and used
book stores at little cost. We should not receive literature that
will influence us away from truth and right, even if it is free.
Too many can testify of how they became caught in a web of
sin that started with a defiling reading diet.
From a tract Give Attention to Reading
by Rod and Staff Publishers, Inc.
THE PILGRIM 15
GRAVEL OR GOLD
In weariness I stumble on the gravel at my feet;
My heart and face downcast and faint, and seeking a retreat.
The earth beneath my feet is brown, or gray with rocky shard
Fm so exhausted! And my lot— "Lord, must it be so hard?"
Above me, skies are all aflame with sunset glory fair,
And brilliant hues of liquid gold are bursting clouds up there;
There's inspiration strong enough to lift a stone to praise,
If only I allow my eyes to leave their rocky ways.
The secret lies in what my heart is set to dwell upon.
When I look up, what will I see? Gray clouds or golden sun?
God places His encouragement in view for you and me. . .
Our focus makes the difference; What do we choose to see?
Susanna Tate
Mishawaka, Indiana
CHILDREN'S PAGE
Be Sure Your Sin Will Find You Out
Remember the turkey in my last story? If he had yielded to
the temptation of the hunter's call he would have died. But
often we do wrong and get away with it. Even terrible crimes
are sometimes never solved. The person who did it never got
caught.
Joe Royer recently told about a raccoon which was stealing
com from their patch. Joe set a live trap, baited with a ripe
tomato. The raccoon was able to remove the tomato without
getting caught. This happened more than once. That raccoon
16_
THE PILGRIM
was confident he could go on stealing from Joe and get away
/ith it. . . but finally lie found himself trapped, unable to get
>ut Suddenly frightened, he no longer wanted the tomato.
You may hide something you have done wrong, and nobody
will know. But God knows, and if you confess to your parents,
they will understand and help you. How much better this will
be than feeling guilty. The "tomato" doesn't look very good
when we feel guilty.
That raccoon could have stopped stealing, and he would
probably still be alive. But he went too long, and finally met his
death. If we do not repent of our wrongs, we will meet with
second death, far worse than physical death.
God has a "feast" prepared for us in heaven, which is far
more wonderful than any "tomato" we may find on earth.
Resist temptation; repent of wrong; trust God's Word; and
someday you will join that wonderful feast.
Martha J. Wagner
Gettysburg, Ohio
H M ^
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VOL. 53 NOVEMBER, 2006 No. 11
"And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the
Saviour of the world." (I John 4: 14)
IN THE HARVEST FIELD
In the harvest field there is work to do,
For the grain is ripe, and the reapers few;
And the Master's voice bids the workers true
Heed the call that He gives today.
Crown the garner well, with its sheaves all bright,
Let the song be glad, and the heart be light;
Fill the precious hours, ere the shades of night
Take the place of the golden day.
In the gleaners' path may be rich reward,
Though the time seems long, and the labor hard;
For the Master's joy, with His chosen shared,
Drives the gloom from the darkest day.
Lo! the Harvest Home in the realms above
Shall be gained by each who has toiled and strove,
When the Master's voice, in its tone of love,
Calls away to eternal day.
Labor on! Labor on! Keep the bright reward in view;
For the Master has said He will strength renew;
Labor on till the close of day!
C. R. Blackall
From the Church Hymnal
THE PILGRIM is a religious magazine published in the interests of the members of the Old
Brethren Church. Subscription rate: $5.00 per year. Sample copies sent free on request.
Pubhshing editor: Leshe Cover
Address: THE PILGRIM, 19201 Cherokee RA, Tuolumne, CA 95379
A THANKFUL HEART
There is a story in one of the school readers of an extended
family that always met together on Thanksgiving Day. They
had lots of food and thoroughly enjoyed the time together. It
was a harmonious family that took turns hosting the gathering.
One year a family decided to do something to show more
thankfulness and less indulgence. They had only rice for the
meal, and with the money saved they wrote to a relative serving
in another country and sent Bibles for this needy area. It was
quite a surprise for the others who expected a feast as usual, but
in the end all said it was the best Thanksgiving ever.
I am not suggesting this as a pattern to follow literally.
There are certainly joys and benefits in eating together, and in
this way celebrating— being thankful for the bounty of God's
blessings. But I think the principle represented here has virtue
in our land where we have so much,
Israel was directed to observe several feasts each year. But
times came when their hearts were not in their celebrations of
God's goodness. In Isaiah 1, the prophet denounces their errors
by giving them God's view of their sacrifices, offerings, and
feasts when then hearts were not in tune. Isaiah 1:13,14:
"Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto
me; the new moons and Sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I
cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. Your
new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are
a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them." The meaning of
"I cannot away with 11 is obvious. Other versions say: "I cannot
bear your evil assemblies" or "I cannot endure. . ." "I want
nothing more to do with them." This is a sad state when God is
disgusted with the celebrations of His people. Could it happen
to us? Yes, when we are not thankful from our hearts.
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In Paul's famous denunciation of man's sins in Romans 1, he
links unthankfulness with darkness: (1:21) "Because that, when
they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were
thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish
heart was darkened." This attitude of dissatisfaction is often
accompanied with dark looks and dark complaints.
Unthankfulness is unacceptable, even regarding small favors
to one another. When we realize we have neglected to thank
someone, we may write a note or go back to them, or in some
way try to correct this social error. How much more careful we
should be to thank God "who giveth us richly all things to
enjoy." He is so good to us!
Thanksgiving to God must go deeper than the words. Some
call it "thanksliving" showing appreciation by the way we live.
It shows in the way we handle the gifts God gives. Is it
thanksliving if we waste our food— or waste any of the good
things God gives us? Is it thankfulness when we are so
particular that our food has to be just right or we complain?
What is it when we won't wear out our clothes but send them to
a poor country for them to wear out? (I don't want to
discourage sending clothes and surplus supplies to poor
countries. We should share what we have been given and
rejoice that so much of this is going on.) May we remember
that God looks on our hearts. We so easily take our blessings
as though we deserve them and forget how favored we are.
True thanksgiving comes from a thankful heart. It
confesses that we are not only in need but also undeserving. It
is not just acknowledging God's goodness, but rejoicing and
praising Him for it.
Perhaps we who are so favored materially would actually
benefit to be deprived of some of our blessings. When we lose
something, we are so glad to get it back, and we appreciate it
more—like the woman of Luke 15 who lost a silver coin and
THE PILGRIM
swept the house and hunted diligently for it. When she found it
she rejoiced and called her friends to rejoice with her. — L.C.
Oh give us all a thankful heart;
Help us from evil to depart.
Our daily meat, Lord, let it be,
Thy will to do and follow Thee.
The following story tells of a visit to a Mongolian home
when Carl and Esther Beck were there taking the place of a
missionary who was on furlough We present it all in this issue
rather than breaking it into parts. I hope you all enjoy it as we
have. —L.C.
ENCOUNTER ON A KNOLL
I was standing on a little knoll just outside Ulaanbaatar,
Mongolia. It was New Year's Day, January 31, 1995. Tsagaan
Sar, they call their New Year.
We'd been in the city for just one month now, and this was
the first day off, real holiday that is, I'd had from the office. I
was anxious to explore. Oh I'd walked the half-hour short-cut
from our tiny apartment to the DESENKA, our office building,
every morning before sun-up, and retraced my steps after sun-
down. But you don't see much with your eyes hunkered down
in your hood against minus 30 degree cold in semidarkness.
Then, too, we'd scurried down the long hill to catch the
crowded trolley-bus uptown to do our weekly shopping, with
Esther clinging to my arm against the treacherous snow-ice
underfoot. Again, you don't explore much when you're being
jostled from tiny stall to tiny stall to buy-if you can-a KG of
potatoes here, carrots there, a cabbage yonder or to hunt for the
unavailable salt, or the elusive milkman with 20-liter milk-cans
from which he ladles two liters into your container, if you
happen to catch him in the twenty minutes it takes him to set up
THE PILGRIM
shop and sell out. Sundays are church days, of course. With
two-hour worship sessions right over the noon hour, however,
and long, thing trolley-bus rides, plus walking sessions to get
there and back, Sundays are soon gone.
So on Tsagaan Sar's Day I was ready for new vistas.
I headed east, the exact opposite of where our more
mundane pursuits has taken us. I crossed the small park in front
of our apartment complex, climbed the wide rampart steps that
take you past the gate to the Russian store, crossed a stretch of
rough ground, and eventually came out on a dirt path. Taking it
to the right, I reached the ridge we can see from our apartment
window. There below lay what we'd been praying to see before
we left Mongolia: a ribbon of Gers nroning the full length of
the ravine, almost to the foot of the distant mountains to the
east.
A Ger is the traditional dwelling of the Mongolian nomads.
It is estimated that even now about ninety percent of
Mongolians are thus housed. It is basically a circular tent,
twenty to thirty feet in diameter, depending on size of family
and pocketbook. A lath lattice- work, four to five feet high, is
bent around the desired circumference. A centrally located
circular skylight dome, four feet in diameter is supported by
two posts, set in a precise east-west position, equidistant from
the exact center of the tent. Notches cut into the frame of this
circular skylight accommodate one-inch-by-two-inch brightly
lacquered "tent rafters," which fan out to attach to the exterior
lattice-work at appropriate points. Large felt sheets are then
stretched tightly over this frame-work and securely tied down.
If it is to be a year-round home, a canvas covering is usually
secured over this felt lining and a wood floor installed. There is
one low, felt-lined door, always to the south. A Ger thus
winterized is equal to any thick- walled apartment complex as
protection against Mongolia's ramus forty to fifty degree cold
and fiercely strong winds.
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Anyway, I was delighted to see this ribbon of gers and
quickly made my way down to the bottom of the ravine. I
walked along the rough board fence that enclosed the ribbon,
poking eye and camera through every crack and crevice to feast
on and record the varied rural scenes thus capsulated in the
heart of this capitol city. About the fifth click of the shutter and
my ancient work-horse of a camera decided this cold was not
for it, and froze up on me. So I whipped out my delicate indoor
one with the 400-speed film in it and kept on shooting on
probably far over-exposed film. By this time Tsagaan Sar
strollers were out in all then holiday finely: small boys in new
padded jackets; little girls in brightly colored scarves and
ribbons and sheepskin collars; a wedding party with the groom
in the traditional pointed, gold brocade, red-and-orange
Mongolian cap which left his ears exposed and blue with cold;
middle-aged and older men in then uni-color black, dark blue,
or brown sheepskin-lined silk Dels, reaching from ankles to high
stand-up, double-breasted collars, crowned with their handsome
fur or sheepskin turned up hats; women dressed up like their
men, except that then Dels were gold-brocaded and usually
dark green or maroon. Only the young girls were drab in their
grey or light blue padded jackets and washed out jeans such as
you might see on any European or American street corner. A
nod of the camera and my best chessie-cat grin usually brought
an invitation to snap the shutter. My treasure of over-exposed
film grew.
Merrily shooting away, I worked myself around the full mile
or more of Ger ribbon, clambered up the west side of the
ravine, skirted the army emplacement that lay parallel to the Ger
ribbon and extended beyond it, through an open gateway got a
shot of Lenin on a tall obelisk, and went around the other end
of the military base.
Suddenly I was out of the city. Nothing lay between me
and the snow covered mountains to the north and east except a
THE PILGRIM
white expanse of gravelly meadow sweeping slowly upward to
grasp the mountains' feet.
Standing on this little knoll and feasting on what lay beyond,
I was debating about letting myself be lured further or going
back to Esther, who must be wondering about me by now.
Esther won. With a reluctant sigh, I was just turning back when
I saw another family group wend its way up the path I had just
traversed. Well, maybe just one more picture! As they drew
closer I observed that the man was large. A fierce Genghis
Khanian mustache adorned his upper lip and hung down well
below the corners of his mouth. My camera dropped to my
side. My best chessie-cat grin slid sheepishly from my face.
They walked past the bottom of my little knoll. About twenty
meters beyond me I saw the wife say something to the husband.
There was a brief pause. Then she and the two daughters
started running back towards me. The grin was back in place
and the camera whipped up and aimed. Three pairs of arms
signalled a distressed negative. Then the same six arms
beckoned me to follow. I did, with my jaw disentangling itself
from my feet to compose itself into another grin, this one a grin
of pure pleasure. I was being invited into a Mongolian home.
As I followed along in puppy dog fashion, visions of Esther's
waiting face receded farther and farther into the distance.
We started across the meadow, skirting a high concrete wall
to our left. It seemed to be made out of sections of pre-fab
housing walls; probably something left behind by the Russians.
Eventually we came to a high wrought-iron gate to the left,
through which we passed into a large court-yard-like enclosure.
It might have passed for a farmyard, except for a long, low
brick building to our immediate right. Its length was faced with
a series of perhaps twenty pairs of high, massive wood and iron
doors. Each pah was hung with huge cast-iron hinges at both
top and bottom. Four sturdy, rubber-tired dray wagons with
stub tongues, lined up neatly at the far side of the courtyard,
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suggested that these massive doors might once have
safeguarded a fleet of large hauling rigs.
And there at the far end of the enclosure, nestled beneath
two birch trees, was the prettiest ger I'd seen all day; older, but
perfect in its setting and promise. We headed directly for its
low but inviting door.
I was urged inside with many friendly gestures. For the first
time I was seeing how the average Mongolian family lived! In
the center were the two lacquered posts I had expected to see,
supporting the domed skylight. The brightly lacquered "rafters"
fanning out from the dome were there, supporting felt and
canvas. Directly to the back (north) of the Ger was the master
bedroom which consisted of a crude one-and-a-half width bed
with a brightly colored heavy oriental rug hanging on the wall
to the back of it, against the felt for added protection against
the cold. Immediately in front of the bed a tattered curtain,
suspended by a wire fastened to the "rafters" nearest the head
and the foot of the bed, formed the partition between bedroom
and living area. Now drawn to one side to give the ger its full-
room effect, it completed the bedroom furnishings. To the right
and the left (east and west) sides of the ger were secondary
bedrooms, exact replicas of the "master" bedroom with their
equally tattered curtains either drawn to one side or wrapped
around themselves on the supporting wire. In the space
between the master bedroom and the secondary bedroom to the
right stood a nicely lacquered wardrobe. To the left of the main
bedroom, this non-enclosed space seemed to be reserved for
miscellaneous storage.
To the immediate right of the door, as you come in, was the
kitchen with two low, nondescript cupboards whose wooden
tops furnished worktable and storage space. Hung on a peg on
the dooipost on the kitchen side was the traditional sheepskin
pouch, bulging with airak, a potent drink made from fermented
THE PILGRIM
mare's milk, conveniently located to be slung over the master's
shoulder as he left the house.
Standing against the opposite doorpost was the water
barrel. Hard against it was a washstand that seemed to serve as
both dishwasher, bathroom, and laundry. Between washstand
and west bedroom was another small stand. To my unbelieving
eyes, standing on its top, were of all things, a shining telephone
and a TV set, accouterments such as our somewhat more
modenily appointed apartment failed to boast. Hardly
traditional! But neither was the light bulb suspended from an
electric cord, snaking its way up one of the supporting pillars to
the dome. One must remember that this is Ulaanbaatar, Capital
City and the only really metropolitan area in all of Mongolia.
You might not find another dozen gers thus equipped out of the
million or so scattered across the whole country.
In the center, just to the front of the supporting pillars, was
the winter- time heart of the ger, a low brick stove with a sheet-
iron top with a large lidded circle cut into it. With the lid
removed, a large romid-bottomed pan drops down into the
flames. In no time at all, a cow-dung fire is roaring away, and
the water in the kettle is bubbling. A large chunk of freeze-
dehydrated goat's milk is dissolved into it and soon we are all
served a large bowl of salted goat's milk tea. As soon as we
had stepped out of the 25 below zero outdoor temperature into
the unattended ger, I had noted how warm the interior felt.
Now with the tiny stove going, I was soon peeling off layers of
outer garments.
Immediately to the back of the two pillars was a low table
laden with all sorts of Tsagaan Sar goodies. At the right was a
tower of narrow flat breads, laid up rail- fence fashion to a
height of perhaps two feet. The hollow center of the tower was
filled with wrapped caramels, chunks of mutton tallow, stone
hard flats of dehydrated sheep-milk cheeses, boiled entrails, and
other delicacies I deigned not to sample. In the center of the
10 THE PILGRIM
table was a tub-like samovar piled high with various cuts of
mutton with the choice piece laid out across the top, with the
large, fatty tail cushion, such as I remembered seeing in
Damascus and Jerusalem, turned out toward the entrance door
to be savoured as one entered. To the left of this was a smaller
samovar filled with another assortment of special gastronomic
delights.
Squeezed in the narrow space between this table and the
master bed, they now placed a rather high backless long-bench.
Grandpa and Grandma now took their places in the center of
this bench. As guest of honour, I was given a chair on
grandpa's right, hard against the storage space between master
and west bedrooms and only a few inches from the corner of the
food-laden table.
Now the guests began to arrive, sons and daughters,
grandchildren, in-laws, nieces and nephews and then children.
Grandpa, as the oldest member of his clan, was worthy of great
honour and was receiving it in grand style. First the oldest son
came forward, greeted me with a hands to elbow embrace, and
squeezed by me to grandpa. His children followed by age, each
with a small- denomination bill squeezed into small fists, to be
presented in high honour to grandpa. Last came the daughter-
in-law, to be followed by the second son's family and so on until
the entire ritual was completed. As new guests arrived, the
ritual was resumed. As each guest greeted grandpa, they
grasped him below both elbows, and he grasped them on the
upper forearms and drew them towards him and they touched
cheeks, first right then left. Such clan tenderness brought tears
to my eyes.
Being uninitiated, as I felt guests reach for my elbows, I
tried to reciprocate, and we found ourselves with amis tied up
into knots. Finally, half way though the ceremony, I noticed
how Grandpa grasped each guest on the top of the forearms in
THE PILGRIM 11
a sort of benediction. As I mimicked him, the arm-knotting
problem was solved.
All this time I was both deaf and dumb. The most I could
accomplish was an occasional inane mutter in English or
Japanese. Then suddenly out of this vast and embarrassing
silence a small voice piped up, "Do you speak English?" Like a
choir of angels, it was so welcome at the moment. My face
must have lit up like a Fourth of July celebration. It was an
older married daughter, there with her daughter. The husband
and father was "far away/' She was a teacher of Russian in
district 19 high school. She wanted very much to learn English.
Would I teach her? No, but my wife would be delighted. On
the spot I signed her up as the first student in Esther's long-
desired English Bible class.
Suddenly questions started coming from all over the ger.
She was their interpreter. What is my name? "How old are
you?" "Seventy- six." Then I ventured one. "How old is
Grandpa?" "Forty-six." My chin dropped. Here this venerable
grandpa, honored she of the clan, for whom an elaborate ritual
of ceremonies was in motion, whom I had been honoring as my
senior, was actually thirty years my junior. Then and there I
decided it was high time appropriate honour systems, ritual, and
ceremonies be set up in my clan. After all, Esther and I are
great-grandparents.
Ah yes, Esther! I'd better be getting home! I stood up and
began rummaging for sweaters and coats only to be pushed
down into my chair. "Things are just starting! "
Grandpa drew down from the sleeve of his del an ornately
carved bone snuff bottle and handed it to the elder son who
ceremoniously adinired it, sniffed it, pulled out the stopper and
the feather duster inside, applied ample portions to both
nostrils, re-corked it and passed it on to the guest of honour.
He in turn adrnired it, removed the stopp er, sniffed
appreciatively, and passed it on to the next in line.
12 THE PILGRIM
Again the guest of honour stood up. Again he was pushed
back into Ms chair. How rude can an honored guest get?
Grandpa pulled out a huge vodka bottle and poured a generous
portion for Eldest Son, who drained it in one appreciative quaff
and poured an equally generous portion for the guest of honour.
He sniffed it with great show of pleasure, touched his lips to the
rim and inhaled two drops. It seemed that the top blew off his
head. His trachea refused passage of air. Gasps came from
deep inside; skin changed color; tears overflowed ducts. The
man was miserable, causing politely stifled merriment all
around.
He stood up again. Again he touched the seat with a
thump. Now Elder Son grasped the prize piece of mutton from
the top of the heaped pile. Producing a pocket knife he sliced a
great slab of pure tallow from the fatty tail cushion and handed
this prize to the honored guest. At least it was somewhat easier
to surround than the vodka, though not that much.
In the meantime the women had been busy. Left over salted
goat-milk tea had been scrubbed from the one cooking utensil.
Buzes, meat dumplings, were placed on a wrack to steam. The
ger was filled with the aroma of well- roasted yak. The guest of
honour was served first. This time he needed no coaching.
They were delicious. All thoughts of Esther fled. The keenest
of appetites do get satiated, however, and finally I did push
back and came up with a bright idea.
Producing my camera, I offered to take a picture. In the
ensuing scramble to get next to Grandpa at the honored north
side of the ger, I retrieved my outer garments and parked them
next to the door. Having taken all the desired pictures of
groups and sub-groups, through my now animated interpreter I
made what I thought was a veiy gracious speech expressing my
honour and real appreciation for having been a part of this
beautifully touching family gathering, said my good-byes and
backed out the low door with no further objections.
1
THE PILGRIM 13
Grandrtia and a passel of daughters and grand- daughters
saw me off as far as the knoll of our first encounter and stood
there waving as I scrambled over the rough gravel for Esther
and home with a wami feeling of euphoria and thankfulness to a
provident Heavenly Father for having answered so many of our
prayers on this beautiful Tsagaan Sar's Day.
Carl Beck
Sonora, California
OUT REACH
If there is any one that reached out it was Jesus. And why?
Because of His great love. He made provision for our
salvation. O what a great sacrifice He made for us! Paul said,
". . . Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom
I am chief." (I Tim. 1:15) Yes, He came to seek and to save
that which was lost. (Luke 19:10) Did we notice He not only
came to save but to seek. Also Jesus said: "Follow me, and I
will make you fishers of men." (Matt. 4:19) We believe if we
have found that pearl of great price (Jesus), we will desire to
share that with others, and have a burden for the erring ones.
The Word teaches one soul has more value that the whole
world. Why do we labor so hard for the things that shall pass
away, but neglect to reach out to those in spiritual poverty.
"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth
souls is wise." (Pro. 11:30) Paul said, "Unto me, who am less
than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should
preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ."
(Eph. 3:8)
Kenneth Garber
Owen, Wisconsin
14 THE PILGRIM
A MOTHER'S INFLUENCE
A mother is on display all day. Little eyes, medium- sized
eyes, and big eyes watch. They see how we dress, what we
value, how we act and react. They watch our faces closely
when they tell us something. They know if we love them, if we
really listen, and if we pray. The little ones act it out; the bigger
ones live it out. May God help us to be powerful influences for
Him.
Quoted from "A Mother's Influence 11
by Christian Light Publications. Used by permission.
Selected by Rosanna Royer
BIRTH
Kreider - A daughter, Sophia Ryann, bora October 25 to Jason
and Heather Kreider of Greenville, Ohio
ADDRESS CHANGES
Seth Harper 30351 County Rd. 30
Elkhart, IN 46517
Hubert Moore 1539 Montclair Dr.
Modesto, CA 95350
(209) 238-3784 fax: (209) 524-2524
Daniel Wagner 1230 Adrien Ave. Apt. 0-3
Greenville, OH 45331-8277
(937) 548-9499
THE PILGRIM 15
FOR YOUTH
See if you can fill the blanks in these verses on thanksgiving.
1 . O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is __ _: for his
endureth for ever. (Psalru 107: 1)
2. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts
with : be thankful unto lurrr and bless his
. (Psalm 100:4)
3. For every creature of God is 5 and nothing to be
if it be received with thanksgiving. (I Tim. 4:4)
4. Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable . (II
Corinthians 9:15)
5. At I will rise to give thanks unto thee
because of thy righteous . (Psalm 1 19:62)
6. Rooted and built up in him and stablished in the
, as ye have been , abounding therein
with thanksgiving. (Colossians 2:7)
7. In thing give thanks: for this is the
of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (I Thessalonians 5:18)
8. I will offer to thee the of thanksgiving, and
will call upon the name of the Lord. (Psalm 1 16: 17)
CHILDREN'S PAGE
Go to the Ant
Boys and girls, you are about to go on a journey deep
underground, through many tunnels and rooms. We will even
visit a queen! Ready? Here we go.
Do you see that little hill up ahead? That is the front door
of the ants' house. Normally any intruders would be chased
away, but I have permission to be here. Now, slip through this
little hole. Down, down, down. Here is the first room I want
to visit. This is the nursery. It is where the baby ants, or larvae,
are kept. They are very well guarded by the worker ants, who
feed thern, yuck, with their own saliva.
The ant's life begins as an egg, which is laid by the queen.
The eggs then hatch into larvae, which, in time, turn into pupae.
These pupae then become ants that look like you would think
ants should.
O.K. Let's go on with our visit. Step carefully! This is a
busy place in here. Now, step in here and see where the queen
lives. She is waited on and guarded very carefully since she is
the only one who lays eggs. We'd better leave so we don't get
in the way. This way. In here is the pantry. No snitching!
Grasshoppers, beetles, and fly larvae are some of the "guests"
who stay here. They are eaten by members of the colony.
Now, we are going to make one more stop here before we
leave. This room is the "greenhouse." The ants grow food in
here. They prepare the dirt by chewing up dead leaves for
fertilizer. Then they plant mushrooms in the dirt for their food.
Now, it's time to leave. I want you to consider this verse.
"Go to the ant, thou sluggard, consider her ways, and be wise."
(Proverbs 6:6)
Christian Savage
Arcanum, Ohio
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THE PILGRIM
VOL. 53 DECEMBER, 2006 No. 12
"And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the
Saviour of the world." (I John 4: 14)
VEILED IN DARKNESS JUDAH LAY
Veiled in darkness Judah lay,
Waiting for the promised day,
While across the shadowy night
Streamed a flood of glorious light,
Heavenly voices chanting then,
"Peace on earth, goodwill to men."
Still the earth in darkness lies.
Up from death's dark vale arise
Voices of a world in grief,
Prayers of men who seek relief:
Now our darkness pierce again,
"Peace on earth, goodwill to men."
Light of light, we humbly pray,
Shine upon Thy world today;
Break the gloom of our dark night,
Fill our souls with love and light,
Send Thy blessed word again,
"Peace on earth, goodwill to men."
Douglas LeTell Rights, 1915
THE PILGRIM is a religious magazine published in the interests of the members of the Old
Brethren Church. Subscription rate: $5.00 per year. Sample copies sent free on request.
Publishing editor: Leslie Cover
Address: THE PILGRIM, 19201 Cherokee Rd, Tuolumne, CA 95379
PEACE ON EARTH
Not as a conquering general, but as a tiny Baby came Jesus
into the world to make peace. Today's leaders would make
peace through war, but it cannot come that way. The
announcement of the angels as Jesus was born was "Peace on
earth; good will toward men." God offered us peace with Him
and peace with one another.
God's way to peace is through personal sacrifice like Jesus
did when He left heaven. There are no alternative methods— no
shoit cuts. Coming as a helpless child was Jesus' way to signify
the peace He came to give. A baby is utterly defenseless.
Likewise Christ did not defend Himself but laid down His life to
bring us to Him in peace. His followers in times of persecution
chose also to be defenseless, even though it meant death like it
did to our Savior.
We study these examples. We have been taught
consistently this principle of sacrificing our own will for peace.
We are "prepared" to suffer if persecution should come to our
land of freedom. Or are we as prepared as we like to think?
Jesus said in His teaching about little things we cannot do: "If
ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye
thought for the rest?" (Luke 12:26) We think we are ready to
suffer, but are we willing to suffer in small ways today?
One stoiy (Parable?) tells of a young man who, attracted by
a fat wage, applied for a job in a large factory. The place had
already been filled and as he left, he was stopped by a stranger
who accused him of wanting this job, not to show how well he
could work, but to receive the good wage. The young man was
angered at this criticism which he knew was true. To his credit,
he returned to the manager and apologized for his attitude. He
discovered the stranger was an official in the company, and
THE PILGRIM
because the young man was willing to swallow his pride and
accept the criticism, he was given a much needed job. How
many times do we react that well?
James (1:19,20) gives a secret of peace: "Wherefore, my
beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak,
slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the
righteousness of God," Peter writes, "For what glory is it, if,
when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently,
but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this
is acceptable with God."
Jesus came as a- helpless, defenseless child and went to the
cross not only to make peace in the glaring issues of humanity,
but to give us peace in the daily irritations of life.
Peace is not just a ceasing of hostility in each conflict, but a
condition of our hearts. Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you, my
peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.
Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
After an election, things settle down and there is a measure
of peace. But it is a result of victory, and it is the world's way.
The peace Jesus gives comes even if we lose-even if the
settlement is not a just one-even if we have to be silent and
"swallow our pride."
Peace is a result of forgiveness. Issues don ! t have to be
justly settled if we are willing to forgive. No greater injustice
was ever done than that of condemning Jesus when He is "holy,
harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher
than the heavens." (Heb. 7:26b)
Do we have the peace which passeth understanding? Jesus
brought it and bought it; it is available. It comes from knowing
Jesus, knowing why He came, and being made like Him As we
learn of Him, we can even be peacemakers, and when we are,
we "shall be called the children of God."
This season as we remember the manger, the angels, the
shepherds, the wise men and then gifts, let us confess the
THE PILGRIM
reason Jesus came-to bring peace with God and personal peace
to each of His children. He died to make this peace, saying on
the cross, "Father, forgive thern for they know not what they
do!" This can be the expression of our hearts as we are made
more and more like our Savior. — L.C.
THE THRONE AND DYNASTY OF DAVID
And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring
forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great,
and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord shall
give unto him the throne of his father David. And he shall
reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom
there shall be no end. . . . The Holy Ghost shall come upon
thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee:
therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall
be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:31,35)
From this text we may learn that Jesus, the son of Mary,
who was bom of the family of David, was more than a carnal
son, for He was also the Son of God. And the "throne of
David" was more than a temporal, earthly throne because it is of
endless duration.
The Lord promised such a throne and kingdom to the family
of David on the occasion as recorded in II Samuel 7. And it is
evident that the "house" and "throne" and "kingdom," of which
he spoke at that time, far transcended that of his son Solomon
and the temple which he was to build. Without doubt it was the
same throne and kingdom of which the angel spake to Mary
because verse 16 says, "And thine house and thy kingdom shall
be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be
established for ever."
David himself was well aware that the throne and kingdom
which he occupied was the Lord's and acknowledged it in many
of his Psalms and prayers. Psalm 45:6 says, "Thy throne, O
THE PILGRIM
God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right
sceptre."
In his old age, when David was committing the kingdom to
Solomon, he blessed the Lord before all the congregation and
said, Thine O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the
glory, and the victory, and the majesty, for all that is in the
heaven and in the earth is thine: thine is the kingdom, O Lord,
and thou art exalted above all. (I Chron. 29:11)
When Israel asked for a king, in the days of Samuel the
prophet, they committed a great sin, The Lord said to Samuel,
"They have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I
should not reign over them." Perhaps the key to their sin is
revealed in their request of Samuel to "make us a king to judge
us like all the nations" when the Lord God was their king."
In Matt. 25, it is revealed by our Lord that when He comes
to earth again, He will sit upon the throne of His glory, and
there will be a great separation of all nations that are gathered
before Him. Then He will say to those on His right hand,
"Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared
for you from the foundation of the world."
In the light of this revelation, we can see more clearly why it
was so great a sin for them to ask for a king "like all the
nations." The kingdom was already "prepared from the
foundation of the world," and the Lord their God was their
king. This, no doubt, was pait of the "Eternal purpose which
he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord. . . from the beginning of
the world," (Eph. 3:9-15) and of that revealed by the apostle
Paul in Titus 1:2, "In hope of eternal life, which God, that
cannot lie, promised before the world began."
We believe that the eternal throne and kingdom, promised
to the dynasty of David (II Sara 7:16), the "everlasting
kingdom" shown to Daniel in various images and visions, and
the "kingdom of heaven: and "kingdom of God" which John the
Baptist and Jesus and the apostles preached in the New
THE PILGRIM
Testament, are all one and the same kingdom, determined and
prepared of God in Christ Jesus from the foundation of the
world. It has passed, and is passing, through various conditions
and stages of development in relation to its subjects on earth,
but in the mind and purposes of God, it is one and the same
kingdom throughout all time and eternity.
We cannot believe that when Jesus said to Pilate, "My
kingdom is not of this world," He had reference only to the
future kingdom. Pilate asked Him, "Ait thou a king then?"
Jesus answered, "Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was
I bom, and for this- cause came I into the world, that I should
bear witness unto the truth. . ." The truth was that He was born
a king of a kingdom that is not of this world, but which was
before this world-and is yet to come, when He will be king
over all the earth. (Zech. 14:9; Rev. 19:6, 16)
It is clearly evident from the history of the Old Testament
kingdom of Israel, and during the earthly ministry of our Lord
Jesus Christ-and even to the present time, that the Jews
(including the disciples of Jesus, before they were converted)
failed to understand that the "kingdom" which God promised to
the dynasty of David was not an earthly, temporal kingdom, but
was of heavenly origin with a heavenly king. This was probably
largely because they failed to understand the meaning of the Old
Testament prophecies that Christ, the Son of David and King of
Israel, was also the SON OF GOD.
Li one of the final encounters which Jesus had with the
unbelieving rulers, shortly before His crucifixion, He asked
them, "What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say
unto hirn, The Son of David. He saith unto them, How then
doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, The Lord said unto
my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies
thy footstool? If David then call him Lord, how is he his son:
And no man was able to answer him a word. , ." The meaning
of this prophecy in the Psalms is now clear to us, but it was
PILGRIM INDEX 2006
ARTICLES
A Critical World Oct
A Love That Knits -- Steven Horst Jan
A Mother's Influence -Sel by Rosanna Royer Nov
A Thankful Heart -L.C. Nov
Back to School --L.C. Sep
Biblical Separation -Daniel F. Wolf Oct
Brokenness -Nancy Beidler Apr
Caution! You Are Being Followed Jun
Dear Whosoever Will -Kevin Garber Feb
Encounter on A Knoll -Carl Beck Nov
First Love -L.C. Feb
From The Modesto Bee Jul/Aug
God Is Love -Harold Royer Sep
Godly Mothers ~L. C. May
Home Church -Joseph and Letha Wagner Jul/ Aug
Honoring God in Business -Rudy Shafer Mar
House of Prayer -Rosanna Royer Jul/Aug
How to Make A Happy Home -Sent by Nancy Beidler Oct
It's Not Black and White. . . -Ron Cable Jan
Jesus, Hope of His People -Kevin Garber Jun
Jesus, Savior and Lord -L. C. Apr
Love and Unity -Lloyd Flora Mar
Memories -L.C. Jul/Aug
Memories Still Stand -Bill Miller Jul/Aug
My Liberty 2006 -L.C. Jan
Nonresistance in Action -Michael Harris Jan, Feb, Mar
Nonresistance Under Test ~E. J. Swalm Jun
Obedience -Sel. by Kevin Garber Oct
Old Brethren Church, Salida -Charles Wagner Jul/Aug
Out Reach -Kenneth Garber Nov
Peace on Earth -L.C. Dec
Pentecost -L.C, j un
People or God -Sel. by Mervin Hilty Mar
Politics and the Christian -Roger Hartline Mar
Prayer -Nancy Beidler May
Rocking the Boat Apr
Salida Meetinghouse Fire —Jonathan Miller Jul/ Aug
Special Meeting Memories -Marilyn Miller Jul/ Aug
The Christian's Happiness —Sel. by Ken Johnson Apr
The Coming of the Messiah Jun
The Lord's Prayer —Peter Cover Jan, Feb
The Salvation Issue -Kenneth Garber Jan
The Significance of the Holy Kiss -Ron Cable May
The Throne and Dynasty of David -Daniel F„ Wolf Dec
TheWay-L.C Mar
True Discipleship -L. C . Oct
What Is Television Doing? -Oswald J. Smith May
Why? -Joseph Wagner Mar
Words -Joseph Wagner Oct
POEMS
Assurance
Apr
Boundless Love -J. I. Cover
Apr
Christ, The Way -L.C
Mar
Christ, We Do All Adore Thee
Apr
Commit Thou All Thy Griefs
Mar
God Knows How
Mar
Holy Quietness
Jun
In the Harvest Field
Nov
Jesus Calls Us
Feb
Love Regained — L.C.
Feb
Memories of the Salida Church -Leona Miller
Sep
Molding in Clay
May
Safe -Sel by Ken Johnson
Apr
Salida Church Memories -Sarah Martin
Jul/ Aug
Sing to the Great Jehovah's Praise
Jan
The Church Still Stands -Lloyd Wagner
Jul/Aug
The Pilgrim's Way --L.C.
Feb
The Refiner's Fire
Thorns
May
Sep
Veiled in Darkness Judah Lay
Dec
What If
May
When We Stand Before the Throne ■
-Sel by Ina Martin Sep
FOR YOUTH
Lord, Help Me ~J. I. Cover
Jan
Inspiration From the Snow —Susanna Tate
Jan
Our God --Teresa J. Miller
Feb
You Must Be Born Again
Mar
Do Thou for Me —Susanna Tate
Mar
More Precious Than Gold
Apr
How Shall the Young Secure Their Hearts?
May
Security —Susanna Tate
May
Bible Quiz
Jun
The Young Christian
Jun
Compassion for Others —Jesse Martin
Sep
Watch What You Read
Oct
Gravel or Gold —Susanna Tate
Oct
Verses on Thanksgiving
Nov
The Two Freedoms —Samuel D. Coon
Dec
CHILDREN'S PAGE
The Fence of Guilt -Martha J. Wagner Jan
Eat It With Relish -Martha J, Wagner Feb
Nobody Likes Me -Martha J. Wagner Mar
Are You Listening? -Martha J. Wagner Apr
George's Big Scare -Martha J. Wagner May
Singing Praises to God -Martha J. Wagner Jun
Learning Wise Choices -Martha J. Wagner Jul/Aug
Turkey Call -Martha J. Wagner Sep
Be Sure Your Sin Will Find You Out -Martha J. Wagner Oct
Go to the Ant -Christian Savage Nov
Playing by the Rules -Linda Frick Dec
Marietta Stalter
Jan. 1
Harvey Brow Aug 24
Luke Wagner
May 7
Katelyn Golding Aug 24
Matthew Cover
May 14
Alexa Oberholzer Aug 24
Leah Royer
May 14
Preston Cover Aug 27
Heather Miller
Augl3
Tyler Cover Sep 10
Orv Brow
Aug 24
BIRTHS
Jethro Nicodemus Cover Jan 22
Havilah Jane Moser Mar 14
Ellen Rosanne Martin Apr 3
Theodore James Hilty Apr 14
Owen Isaiah Heinrich Apr 27
Eden Alisendra Stalter Jun 2
Alyssa Joy Miller Jul 13
Clay Nathaniel Martin Jul 14
Sophia Ryann Krieder Oct 25
MARIAGES
David Winger and Heidi Brown Dec 31, 2005
Christopher Taylor and Ana Bella Villegos Jan 1, 2006
Forrest Tate and Joy Royer Feb 4, 2006
Susie Sell
DEATH
Jun 29, 2006
THE PILGRIM U
obscure to theni because of their unbelief In the Revelation,
Jesus says, "I am the root and the offspring of David," which
shows that Christ was both antecedent and successor to David.
Again the prophecy of Micah (5:2) reveals this same truth:
"But thou Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the
thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me
that is to be ruler in Israel: whose goings forth have been from
of old, from everlasting."
Consider the fact that it was so great a sin for Israel to ask
for a king in the days of Samuel. See the immediate departure
of the kingdom of- Israel from the dynasty of David under
Rehoboam, his grandson. See also the subsequent decline of
the kingdom of Judah under then successive kings until they
were finally carried away into Babylon. The evidence strongly
indicates that it never was God's purpose and plan for Israel to
have a temporal, earthly kingdom; nor that the carnal dynasty of
David should continue for any great length of time.
Zedekiah was the last king of the carnal seed of David to sit
upon his throne. And of him the prophet Ezekiel (who was
contemporary with him) says, "And thou, profane (worldly)
wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall
have an end, Thus saith the Lord God; Remove the diadem, and
take off the crown; . . .1 will overturn, overturn, overturn it:
and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I
will give it him. " (Ezek. 2 1:25-27)
Thus ceased the kings of Israel. And the dynasty or
"tabernacle" of David lay in ruins from that time until Christ
(whose light it is) was bom. "For unto us a child is bom, unto
us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his
shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor,
The Mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no
end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order
"You tell us why God gave us that rule, Larry," Uncle Joe
suggested.
"Uh. . . because God knew I'd want another cookie awfully
bad when Mother said I couldn't have any more. And God
knew I'd think about grabbing a cookie and running when she
wasn't looking. That would be stealing, wouldn't it, Uncle
Joe?"
"Indeed it would be, Larry. It would be breaking several of
God's rules. It would be coveting, and it would be disobeying
and dishonoring your parents as well as stealing."
"Now boys, it's been fun having you spend the day with me,
but it's time I run you back home to your parents. I'm glad to
know you are learning to obey and honor them, and to obey and
love God, too."
"Thank you, Uncle Joe!" said Larry. "We've had a good
day with you."
"We want to come again," said Bobbie.
Linda Frick, Gettysburg, Ohio
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