Covenanter Witness Vol. 55 - Rparchives.org

people."not."and Israel ceased from being a nation.Now the thing that concerns us mostis, How are we using our period of probation? Are we bringing forth fruit untoeternal life or not? If we are not thenundoubtedly we are "cumbering" theground. In other words we are just inthe way and we are drawing strengthwhich might otherwise go into productive plants. Jesus desires fruitbearingvines in His vineyard and the way for usto be such is to repent of sin.Another outstanding thought in thislesson is that no ruler or faction in theworld is strong enough to thwart the infinite purpose of God in the establishment of His Kingdom. The Phariseesconnived with King Herod to have Jesuseliminated. No doubt Herod consideredJesus to be a harmless fanatic. He wasnot armed with sword or spear, andneither did He have an armed following.But He was stirring things up. So Heroddecided to kill Him, but to give Him timeto get out of the country if He wished toescape. Jesus was not in the least perturbed by this message which the Pharisees brought to Him. He even regardedHerod and his plans with contempt. "Goye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast outdevils, and I do cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected."Jesus, as much as said, "I willleave this place when My work is completed and not before." God's plans inthe world may seem to be thwarted nowand then, and the Kingdom work setback, but, "now we see through a glassdarkly."We so often feel as did the twodisciples on the way to Emmaus whenJesus met them and walked with them,"We trusted that it had been he whichshould have redeemed Israel." Neithershould we be unduly disturbed by theconnivance of sinful men who seeminglyare able to set back the clock. Jesusremains in a place until His work isperfected, "for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem." And, when apunyruler decides to kill Jesus in oneway or another then, "He that sitteth inthe heavens shall laugh: the Lord shallhave them in derision."Finally: we would not leave thiswonderful Sabbath school lesson withoutspeakingof the infinite love and compassion which Jesus shows toward Hiswayward people. Read into these wordsHis agony when He, looking over thecity, said, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem,which killest the prophets, and stonestthem that are sent unto thee; how oftenwould I have gathered thy children together, as a hen gathereth her broodunder her wings, and ye wouldWehave a loving Saviour, One of the "Second Mile" who says, "All day long I havestretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying428Church NewsMiss Ora Hayes has recently beenelected to Delta Kappa Gamma, National Honor Society of Women Teachers.Mrs. A. J. McFarland is also a member.WHITE LAKEOur Fall Communion was held on October 23, with the Rev. George W. Priceassisting. Mr. Price brought to us veryhelpful messages.The W. M. S. held its annual ThankOffering service on the eveningof November 30. The program consisted of theshowing of the "Martin Luther" film.A new C. Y. P. U. was organized onthe evening of November 25 at the homeof our pastor. The officers are :Mr.Albert Dill, president; Miss Joyce Lynn,vice-president; Miss Beatrice Dill, secretary; and Miss Diana Brucher, treasurer. There are thirteen charter members in our society. A Junior Societyhas also been formed under the leadership of Miss Dorothea Miller.Our church was host at the community Thanksgiving service on November 23. Our pastor presided and theRev. Charles Stewart, minister of theMethodist Church, brought the message.On December 4, the Renwick Taceyfamily met with an accident on theirway to church. A fire truck returningfrom a fire, skidded across the road andcollided with their car. The only oneseriously injured was Mrs. Tacey whosustained a fractured patella. She willbe hospitalized for two months. Theprayers of the congregation are thatshe will have a complete recovery.Another of our members who has beenhospitalized recently is Miss Mae Laird.We hope that she too will be up andaround real soon.OUR HOMEOn Sabbath November 20, Mr. RobertMcCracken of the Seminary preached.Thank you, Bob, you were as usual,good.On Sabbath, November 13, the Reverend David Carson preached at theHome. Mr. Carson is head of the Political Science Division on Geneva College.and is also an excellent preacher.On Tuesday, November 22, the GirlScout troop from the nearby Methodistchurch had a nice little program andserved cookies and candy in basketswhich they had made.Our regular Thanksgiving dinnerwas had at the Home. Many of themembers came down to the Central-Pittsburgh, which is alwaysa unionservice on Thanksgiving, alternatingwith Allegheny, for the Thanksgivingservice. The Reverend Kermit Edgarpreached the sermon this year, and anexcellent sermon it was! The druggistwhom we patronize generally near theHome, sent in ice cream for the dessertfor our members.The Allegheny Young Adult Groupsent in individual baskets of mints foreach member for a treat. How nice,Young Adults, "Inasmuch as ye havedone it unto one of the least ofthese,ye have done it unto Me." Thank you,and DO COME AGAIN, not only forthe joy you bring, but also for theblessingyou receive from so doing!On Friday, the 25th the Primary Department under Miss Mary McCloskeyand Mrs. Robert McConaughy and MissShirley Hoy (our church visitor) madeand brought in individual basketscookies and candy for each one. Thechildren had made the cookies at thechurch earlier in the day. Thank youvery much.You will be glad to know Dr. Wiggins is continuing to improve. Again,thank you for your prayers. Do continueto pray, and give tlvanks for the improvement.REMEMBER: 1955 is almost over.You can DEDUCT from your incometax your contributions to the HOMEBUILDING FUND. PRAY, PRAY,PRAY THAT THE LORD WILLLEAD US AND TOUCH THE HEARTSOF THE CHURCH TO GIVE TO THISDESPERATELY NEEDED HOME FORTHE AGED AND MISSIONARIESAND MINISTERS. ARE THERE NOTSOME OF YOU WHO COULD GIVEUS $10,000, SOME $5,000, SOME $2,000,SOME $1,000? LET US PRAY, PRAY,PRAY BELIEVING.Press CommitteeOAKDALEOur sympathy goes to Mr. and Mrs.Charles Palek and Mary Beth in theloss of their father and grandfather,Mr. Joseph Palek.Our oldest member, Mr. James Piper celebrated his 96th birthday November. 14. His many friends wish himmany more such celebrations. Mr. Piper lives with his niece, Mrs. Ann Lyonsof Nashville. He enjoys fair health andcomes to church often.Mr. and Mrs. Earl Auld, Morning,Sun, Iowa, visited for two weeks inCOVENANTER WITNESS