Covenanter Witness Vol. 86 - Rparchives.org

upon it,it withered. The wise virgins,however, had prepared themselvesbeforehand, with "oil in their vessels withtheir lamps." Without the oil of God's freegrace no one can be prepared for thecoming of the Bridegroom, who is Christ.5: It Is Natural to Slumber WhileWaiting for the Bridegroom."While the bridegroom tarried theyall slumbered and slept." Both the wiseand foolish virgins did this. Sleep isnecessary for health. The second comingof Christ has been delayed for divinereasons, and consequently people shouldengage in the natural functions of theirlives which include worship, both publicand private, also work and wholesomerecreation. All of life's activities arefiguratively included in the words,slumbered and slept.6: The Second Coming of Christ WillOccur at an Unexpected Time."At midnight there was a cry made,behold the bridegroom cometh; go ye outto meet him." The virgins were in a soundslumber when they were awakened by thiscry. In 24:36, Jesus said concerning Hissecond coming, "But of that day and hourknoweth no man, no, not the angels ofheaven, but my Father only." No one canlook into the future and ascertain just howlong he is going to live. But when deathdoes come it will be the end of opportunityfor preparation. For the people who diebefore Christ comes, for them that willmean His coming.7: Salvation Cannot Be Passed fromOne to Another.It is strictly a personal matter. "Thefoolish said unto the wise, Give us of youroil, for our lamps are gone out. But thewise answered, Not so, lest there be notenough for us and you." No one has morethan he needs of divine grace; others mustget it for themselves.8: The Time Comes When the OpportunityIs Past. "The door was shut.""Lesson based on International Sunday SchoolLessons: the International Bible Lessons forChristian Teaching, copyrighted 1967 by the Divisionof Christian Education, National Council of Churchesof Christ in the U.S A."Junior Topicfor March 21,1971EstherUnit: Later Old Testament Daysby Mrs. Herbert A. HaysMemory Psalm: 46:1,2,5,6, p. 118.Psalms: 1:1,2,6; 25:1,3,4; 23:1-3, p.53.Memory verse: Matthew 25:21a:"Well done, thou good and faithful servant...enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."EstherLet us analyze the life of the beautifuland brave Queen Esther. She delivered theJews by her heroic determination to appearbefore the king with a plan in hermind to deliver her people.1. She was beautiful. Esther 2:7.2. Self denial and heroism, acharacteristic. Esther 4:16.3. She was tactful. Esther 5:8.4. She was courageous. Esther 7:6.5. She was a great patriot. Esther8:3-6.Leader: How Queen Esther saved herpeople may be read or told. It is found onpage 405 in the Child's Story Bible byCatherine Vos.After considering the characteristicsof Esther we know why the Lord had herbrought forth to become queen.A Prize WinnerObjects: Two candles, one short andone unburned, and a blue ribbon with agold seal cut from gold-colored paper.Lesson: There is a prize winner herethis morning, and I am going to award thisblue ribbon with the gold seal to the winner.Each of you is wondering whetheryou are the one to receive the blue ribbon. Iwill give you a hint who this is. It is one ofthese candles on the table. Which onewould you choose to be prize winner?"The big one."I knew you would guess the wrongone. Which candle has given itself to lightthe darkness?"The short one."Yes, and this candle should have theblue ribbon for service. The tall candle ismore beautiful to behold, but it has nevergiven itself to drive away the darkness.Queen Esther was both beautiful andgave of herself to serve her people. Her lifeof service made her beautiful. She had lovein her heart for her people. She was willingto give her life in order that she might helpthe people who were in trouble.We Christians are not killed becausewe let our light shine, but our faithfulnessto Christ often costs us friends andposition.We are not to look at the present cost,but the future reward, when Christ shallsay: "Well done, thou good and faithfulservant" (Matt. 25:21). We shall then beglad that we gave our life to give theGospel light to many who were indarkness.Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, blessthose this night who have given their livesto serve Thee. (Here prayer for themissionaries in Cyprus, Japan, and theSouthern Mission may be offered.)Prayer MeetingTopicfor March 24,1971PRAYER FOR THENATIONAL REFORM ASSOCIATIONDr. W. W. WeirWhat is the National ReformAssociation? We turn for an answer to thenew brochure published in January, 1971:"The National Reform Association is aninterdenominational organization,founded in 1864, 'for the purpose ofmaintaining and promoting in our nationallife the Christian principles of civilgovernment,' (NRA Charter) byawakening our citizens to moral andspiritual Biblical standards essential forthe preservation of our nation and itspeople."Copies of the brochure have been sentto the pastor or the clerk of session of eachcongregation for distribution among thefamilies who attend prayer meeting, thatyour prayers may be more specific.On January 27, 1971, the NRA completedits 107th year of service. TheAssociation was never intended to replacethe church; it is an organization ofChristian citizens of severaldenominations (at present, ReformedPresbyterian, United Presbyterian,United Methodist, Assemblies of God,Christian Reformed are represented onthe Board of Directors) attempting to dealwith problems, individual and social, in apractical way. Recently a letter came tothe NRA office containing this paragraph:"Do you currently carry on any programof social concern aside from alcoholism,tobacco, narcotics, and Sabbathbreaking?Is the National ReformAssociation currently engaged in anyeducation program in regard to racerelations, labor-management relations,pollution, mental health, family planningand abortion?"In reply to the question it was pointedsee page 1512COVENANTER WITNESS