Covenanter Witness Vol. 55 - Rparchives.org

abundantly."word."again?"may be put. It may be stored, it may beeaten, or it may be sown. That which isstored cannot bring forth new life. Neither can that which is eaten. Only thatwhich is buried in the ground can liveagain. In the process of dying it maybring forth a hundredfold. Farmers always choose their best seed to plant orsow. Scientists are continuallyat worktrying to improve the quality of seed.New varieties of seed are producing superior crops. But regardless of the variety it must be obedient to the lawsof nature; it must be placed in theground to die before the new life canissue forth.//. This Declaration of Jesus Is alsoTrue in the Spiritual Realm.Paul writes about putting off the oldman with the affections and lusts andputting on the new man Christ Jesus.When we talk of being born again weare referring to the death of the oldnature that is within us, and are takingnote of the new life which has comethrough the acceptance of Jesus Christ."If anyman be in Christ he is a newcreature (creation)" (II Cor. 5:17).As in the case of the seed which iseaten, a man mayconsume his life inpleasure, seeking only the gratificationof selfish tastes and cravings. Such aperson consumes his life as he goes, andout of it there comes no enlargement ofinfluence, deepeningof character or fullness of life. On the other hand there arethose whose lives have been invested inservice. When death comes their workwill be as a living seed which continuesto bring forth fruit.Jesus said, "I am come that ye mighthave life and that ye might have it moreTiiose who would have themore abundant life must first crucifythe old nature. It is a law of life that wecannot ignore.He that consumes hislife, spending upon himself is in truthlosing his life. It is an application of thewords of Jesus, "Whosoever shall seekto save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserveit"(Luke 17:33).Through the centuries men and women have given their lives for the truth ofthe gospel. Pioneer missionaries sacrificed their lives but their sacrifice wasas the seed which is sown. Other workers came to take their places and thegospel went forth as it had never gonebefore. Stephen was put to death because of his faith. At his death a youngman named Saul held the coats of thosewho threw the stones. Soon afterwardSaul was converted. He became thegreatest missionary the world has everknown. Stephen lived again in Paul andin the millions who have been influencedby his teaching.382III. This Declaration of Jesus is Truein Regard to Physical Death.The age-old question of mankind wasexpressed by Job, "If a man die shallhe liveJesus raised people fromthe dead to demonstrate that life ispossible after death. He himself rosefrom the dead after he had been crucified. From beginning to end the Word ofGod teaches that man must die but thatthrough death he will be given entranceinto a life which will far surpass anything that is known upon earth.The belief in immortality is inherentin the human race. Socrates in thepresence of death exclaimed:"Wouldthat we could more securely sail uponsome stronger vessel or somedivineAs David Purves says, "Thereis no more pathetic utterance of antiquity than this." The cry of Socrateswas the cry of humanity before Christcame into the world. Watkinson says,"The slippery raft of Socrates' conjecture has been changed for the Ark ofGod that cannot founder."We do not need to try to prove thatthere is immortality for the soul. God'sWord gives us that assurance and that isall the proof we need. We believe thatdeath is the gateway to life eternal.We cannot enter into the blessing ofheaven without the death of the physicalbody.Prayer suggestions:Since this is the last mid-week prayermeeting of 1955, let us thank God forHis manifold blessings of the past year.Pray that our nation may not spendNew Year's eve in reveling and drunkendebauchery, but in sober reflection uponthe things of the Spirit.Thank you, Mr. Edgar, for your goodmessages of 1955.Church NewsLOS ANGELESOn Friday evening, October 28th, aHalloween partywas held for the congregation at the home of the OliverWalkers, Van Nuys. Games were provided for everyone and children undertwelve, paraded in costume. A livelygame of volley ball whetted the appetites of the young and supple for thedelicious pumpkin pie, apple cider andcoffee which was served later in thespacious patio, where a roaring fire inthe fireplace helped make the occasiona very pleasant one.Recent visitors at our services were,Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Enlowe, Topeka,Miss Mary Lee Patterson, Syracuse,Mr. and Mrs. S. F. Calor, Beaver Falls,Miss Esther Faris, Phoenix, and Mr.and Mrs. Hollenbeck, Fresno.We were very happy to welcome theRev. Bruce C. Stewart, Greeley, as ourassistant for Communion. Rev. Stewartand his wife were in Santa Ana theprevious week. We have benefittedmuch from his ministry. We had a veryprofitable Communion season. Specialservices were held Friday and Saturdayevening preceding, with Rev. Stewartbringing very inspiring messages andour Pastor, Rev. R. Paul Robb, givinghelpful thoughts on the Terms of Communion. Our pastor administered thesacrament of baptism to the littledaughter of Mr. and Mrs. ClarenceWalker, Donna Lee, and we are happyto welcome her as a baptized member,and also to receive Mr. and Mrs. PhilGross, and Miss Jean McElroy, into ourmembership by presentation ofletters from other congregations.theirOn November 8th, Mrs. Ralph Shumandied in the Homestead Sanatariumin Glendale.The previous weekshe suffered a stroke while in her homeand never regained consciousness. Weextend our sympathy to the family andrelatives and especially to Mr. Shuman,who has been an invalid for some timeand is now living in the same sanatarium.Funeral services were held at theWee Kirk of the Heather, Forest LawnMemorial Park. Our pastor had chargeand was assisted by Dr. Samuel Edgar,Santa Ana.Friday evening, November 11th, anelection was held, resulting in Dr. R.E. Smith, Mr. James Honeyman, Mr.Donald Birdsall, being elected elders.Deacons elected were: Mr. ThomasGault, Mr. Kenneth Caskey, and Mr.Jerry Yogoda.Our Bible School attendance recordwas 108,recently. We asked for theprayers of the people over the churchfor our Bible School and for thoseworking in the immediate neighborhoodthat many may be reached for Christ.Mr. Arthur Newton suffered a suddenand severe illness Tuesday evening, andan emergency operation was performedthat night. His condition is not good.He is in the Glendale Sanatorium andwe ask for your prayers for him.COVENANTER WITNESS