Desember 2012

Uit Leraar Servaas Viljoen se pen ….

2012 het aan sy einde gekom. Daarmee saam die goeie en die slegte. As jy oor jou jaar terug kyk, kan jy ook sien waar Jesus jou gedra het? Is daar dinge waar jy eerder graag die “delete” knoppie wil druk en dit wil oor doen? 2013 lê voor ons. ‘n Nuwe Jaar vol beloftes en op-winding. Daarom wil ons die eerste kwartaal toespit

op: (Upreach) Opreik is my verhouding met God. (Januarie 2013) Jesus is my Verlosser, Skepper, my oorsprong, my motivering en my Krag vir elke dag. Hy is die begin van my lewe en die rede vir my lewe. Die lewe kan nie aangaan sonder opreik nie. (Inreach) Inreik is my verhouding met my broers en susters in die kerk.

(Februarie 2013)

Soms noem ons Inreiking "gemeenskap" of "kerk" of dit is die broederskap van die Christelike gemeenskap, die uitreiking na mekaar, om die hart van ons Vader in mekaar se lewens te deel. Hoekom? Omdat geen enkele menslike lewe alles kan begryp wat (Inreach) "Inreiking" aanbied nie. Ons is nie bedoel om alleen te wees in ons geloof nie. Dit is die rede waarom inreiking 'n noodsaaklik plek is om te koester, te deel en te onderrig, want God maak gebruik van 'n verskeidenheid lewens ... mans en vroue, jonk en oud, enkel en getroud. En saam in ons geloof, wat in "Opreiking" begin het verdiep en volwassenheid bereik deur middel van die "eensgesindheid" van Inreiking, soos God ons voorberei vir Uitreiking. (Outreach) “Uitreiking” -

DARWIN’S MISTAKEDARWIN’S MISTAKEDARWIN’S MISTAKEDARWIN’S MISTAKE

Three monkeys sat on a coconut tree

Discussing things as they’re said to be.

Said one to the others, “Now, listen, you two

There’s a certain rumour that can’t be true

That man descended from our noble race!

The very idea is a big disgrace!

No monkey ever deserted his wife,

Starved her babies and ruined her life,

And you’ve never known a mother monk

To leave her babies with others to bunk,

Or pass them on from one to another

Till they scarcely know who is their mother.

And another thing you’ll never see -

A monk build a fence round a coconut tree,

And let the coconuts go to waste,

Forbidding all other monks a taste.

Why, if I’d put a fence round the tree

Starvation would force you to steal from me.

Here’s another thing a monk won’t do -

Go out at night and get in a stew,

Or use a gun or club or knife

To take some other monkey’s life.

2012 het aan sy einde gekom. Daarmee saam die goeie en die slegte. As jy oor jou jaar terug kyk, kan jy ook sien waar Jesus jou gedra het? Is daar dinge waar jy eerder graag die “delete” knoppie wil druk en

2013 lê voor ons. ‘n Nuwe Jaar vol beloftes en op-winding. Daarom wil ons die eerste kwartaal toespit

Jesus is my Verlosser, Skepper, my oorsprong, my motivering en my Krag vir elke dag. Hy is die begin van my lewe en die rede vir my lewe.

Inreach) Inreik is my verhouding met my broers en susters in die kerk.

broederskap van die Christelike gemeenskap, die uitreiking na mekaar, om die hart van ons Vader in mekaar se lewens te deel. Hoekom? Omdat geen enkele menslike lewe alles kan begryp wat (Inreach) "Inreiking" aanbied nie. Ons is nie bedoel om alleen te wees in ons geloof nie. Dit is die rede waarom inreiking 'n noodsaaklik plek is om te koester, te deel en te onderrig, want God maak gebruik van 'n verskeidenheid lewens ... mans en vroue, jonk en oud, enkel en getroud. En saam in ons geloof, wat in "Opreiking" begin het verdiep en volwassenheid bereik deur middel

Urma WilliamsUrma WilliamsUrma WilliamsUrma Williams

CommunicationsCommunicationsCommunicationsCommunications

Email: muwill@telkomsa.netEmail: muwill@telkomsa.netEmail: muwill@telkomsa.netEmail: muwill@telkomsa.net

“Troublous times are before us, but if

we stand together in Christian fellow-

ship, none striving for supremacy, God

will work mightily for us.” 8T, p. 38

(1904)

(Outreach) “Uitreiking” - “is my only other human relationship.” (Maart 2013) Dit beskryf waar ons almal begin het - buite. God het ons daar gevind en ons ingebring binne die deur van geloof. Maar nou dat ons binne is, beskryf “Uitreik” die doel wat ons deel met die Vader. Nou reik Hy uit, deur ons, om ander te red wat buite die geloof is.

UpReach … InReach … OutReach. Together they are the shape of faith.

Our Conference has the following vision for 2013:

“Our vision for church growth in the Western Cape is encapsu-lated in “AiR – Adventist Impact Revolution” which is a call to

impact the Western Cape in ways we have never done before. We are calling all Adventists in the Western Region to engage in

some form of personal missionary outreach on a daily basis Each One, Touch One, Each Day! Whether you greet, tweet,

bbm, whatsapp, inbox, email, sms, give a book, say a prayer, share food, cycle, or have a bumper sticker or anything that you

may see fit to use, let the people know about Jesus’ love. Tell

them “I am a Seventh-day Adventist, waiting for Jesus to come soon!” or “I’m an Adventist!” People must now know who we

are. By God’s grace, by daily commitment to the mission, by prayerful activism, we can do this – Each One, Touch One,

Each Day! Be part of the Adventist Impact Revolution!”

Ek wil ook graag die Kerkraad bedank vir hulle harde werk die afgelope jaar. Welkom aan die nuwe Kerkraad van 2013.

Mag u en u families in hierdie tyd waar die wêreld Kersfees besing, dit as ’n tyd van liefde en samesyn ondervind. Mag 2013 die jaar wees waar ons almal nader aan God sal groei. Seënwense word u toegebid.

To take some other monkey’s life.

Yes, man DESCENDED—with all his fuss -

But, brother, he didn’t descend from US!

Alcohol is a wonderful stain remover. It removes stains from winter and summer materials. It also removes furniture, homes and cars, as well as car-pets, beds your family, your wife and children. It re-moves your judgment, your ability to think, it removes your friends, your clothes, your shoes and even your self-respect. It removes your good name and even your job. And if used too much, it removes even yourself. God loves a Cheerful giver!God loves a Cheerful giver!God loves a Cheerful giver!God loves a Cheerful giver! Church finances were a little tight, so the pastor

took extra time this particular day to emphasize the

importance of everyone giving their tithes and of-

ferings. He went on to challenge the people to give

enthusiastically because 2 Corinthians 9:7 says:

“God loves a cheerful giver.”

As the plate was passed, a little boy in the second

pew, quickly slipped off his neck tie and placed it

into the offering plate. His mother, absolutely mor-

tified, asked him what in the world he thought he

was doing.

The boy replied: “The pastor said put your ties in

the offering plate and do it joyfully. I love that

man!” are before us, but if

stand together in Christian fellow-

none striving for supremacy, God

8T, p. 38

buite. God het ons daar gevind en ons ingebring binne die deur van geloof. Maar nou dat ons binne is, beskryf “Uitreik” die doel wat ons deel met die Vader. Nou reik Hy uit,

“Our vision for church growth in the Western Cape is encapsu-Adventist Impact Revolution” which is a call to

impact the Western Cape in ways we have never done before. We are calling all Adventists in the Western Region to engage in

some form of personal missionary outreach on a daily basis – ! Whether you greet, tweet,

bbm, whatsapp, inbox, email, sms, give a book, say a prayer, share food, cycle, or have a bumper sticker or anything that you

. Tell

day Adventist, waiting for Jesus to come People must now know who we

. By God’s grace, by daily commitment to the mission, by Each One, Touch One,

Each Day! Be part of the Adventist Impact Revolution!”

Ek wil ook graag die Kerkraad bedank vir hulle harde werk die afgelope

Mag u en u families in hierdie tyd waar die wêreld Kersfees besing, dit as ’n tyd van liefde en samesyn ondervind. Mag 2013 die jaar wees waar

Dennis & Alice Dennis & Alice Dennis & Alice Dennis & Alice Conning Conning Conning Conning Alice Alice Alice Alice het in Upington groot geword. Na skool het sy haar in Kaapstad in die onderwys bek-waam. Daarna het sy in Namibië gaan onderwys gee. Hierdie trotse mamma van 2 kinders kyk vandag terug en weet dat God deur die jare gedra het toe sy haar kinders alleen groot gemaak het. Van-dag is Elanor werksaam as ’n Antropoloog en Alistair studeer in Che-miese Ingenieurswese

aan die Universiteit van Stellenbosch. Alice het Dennis 8 jaar gelede by Hartenbos Kampvergadering ontmoet. Sy kan die Here nie genoeg dank dat Hy ‘n wonderlike lewensmaat op haar pad gebring het nie.

Dennis was born and raised in Durban. Seven years ago he married “his gift,” Alice. As a roofing specialist, he worked for 30 years for a roofing company. A year ago he decided to go solo and started his own company, “Eden Roofing Contractors.” The Lord has blessed him abundantly. To work for the Lord and telling others of His goodness, is his main passion. Dennis was one of the first to help with the “Brood vir my Brood” project when it was started. He en-joys giving Bible studies to families and help to spread the Word in Syferfontein. You can hear Dennis on EdenFM on a Sabbath morn-ing from 6-7 am where he is one of the Prayer Warriors.

Dennis & Alice—welcome to Loerie Park.

VERONICA SMITH was born in Johannesburg and became

Rudolf (Dolf) van der Westhuizen het in Kaapstad in ‘n Adventiste

huis groot geword maar nooit die groot stap geneem om hom te laat

doop nie. As ’n jong Passer– en Draaier het hy op Beaufort-Wes

gewerk waar hy Poppie ontmoet het. Vandag, 46 jaar later, is hulle nog

steeds mekaar se beste ondersteuningsvriende. Dolf het baie jare op

die myne gewerk. In 1994 vestig hulle in George. Op 13 September

2012 ontvang Dolf die skoknuus dat hy longkanker het. Die dokters

het vasgestel dat dit as gevolg van sy jare se mynwerk is. Tog laat dit

hom nie onder kry nie. Hy hou homself besig met houtwerk. Sy posi-

tiewe uitkyk op die lewe tref jou dadelik. Op 3 November is hy deur Lr

Servaas gedoop. ‘n Besluit wat groot blyskap en vreugde in die Van der

Westhuizen & Godbeer huishoudings verskaf het. Dolf, ons glo en ver-

trou saam met jou en bid dat God, wat die Groot Geneesheer is, jou sal

behoed en bewaar. Welkom by die Groot Familie.

VERONICA SMITH was born in Johannesburg and became

a Georgian about 28 years ago. Even as a little girl, she knew that the Lord loved her. Growing up and becoming

part of the world and it’s pleasures, she could never find

true happiness. Even her marriages failed. Somehow she seems to keep on remembering the text: “You did not

choose me, but I chose you .. ’ John 15:16. For the past few years she has been “church hunting,” going from the one

church to the other. Some she found too “happy-clappy”, some were filled with “laughing in the spirit.” Not one

where she could learn more about the Bible truths. One day she saw an ad in the news paper for a free DVD. Curiosity

got the better of her—who gives away DVDs for FREE? She received the DVD and an article on the Sabbath. She stud-

ied it and found it all scripture based. She wanted to find this “Sabbath church” and contacted Ps Servaas. It all led

to more Bible studies and on the 3th of November 2012, Ve-ronica buried the old Veronica when she was baptized by Ps

Servaas. She says she is now like a sponge—ready to soak

up all the new info. She enjoys Bible study and readings from Ellen White’s books. At last she found true happiness.

Happiness that can come from only one source—Jesus Christ our Saviour. Veronica, we thank the Lord that you

made a decision to follow Him. May He continue to bless you. Like you said with your baptism—”Lord, keep my

humble.” And He will. Veronica, we love and welcome you.

• Ons verwelkom ook vir Annatjie Cronjé vanaf Oudtshoorn. Dit is wonderlik om haar weer terug te hê.

Ons moes ongelukkig afskeid neem van: • Pieter en Cecilia de Klerk wat na Riversdal verhuis het. • Johan van Dyk wat na Ladismith verhuis het.

Klein Abbygail Godbeer is ook op 3 Nov ingeseën. Ma Stella hou haar vas terwyl

Ouboet Micheal wat deur Pa Basil vasgehou word, seker maak dat Leraar Servaas

die gemeente mooi vertel hoe om kinders te leer om mooi stil in die kerk te sit!

CONNIE PEDRO was born in Cape Town but had to leave the Mother City because of ill health. She moved to Johannesburg where she was a mem-ber of the Mount Calvary SDA church in Midrand for over 14 years. She met and married Cyril and moved to George. Connie started doing colporteur work and enjoys meeting people and shar-ing her love for the Lord with them. She also helps at the High School with administration work. But her passion is the aged. She gets excited when she tells you that she is think-ing of starting something very special for our older people. Her dreams for 2013 are to concentrate on our Golden Oldies - do their hair, take them out shopping, have a meal to-gether and even teach them crafts. Connie—we welcome you to Loerie Park.

SOME FEEDBACK ABOUT THE CAPE CONFERENCE OF SEVENTH

SECOND BUSINESS SESSION HELD AT LANGENHOVEN GYMNASIUM HIGH SCHOOL,

OUDTSHOORN ON 03-07 OCTOBER 2012

(taken from minutes supplied by Conference)

Roché Schoeman represented the Loerie Park Church.

The newly elected EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS are:

Cape Conference President - Ps R Gelderbloem

Cape Conference Executive Secretary - Dr M Gwala

Cape Conference Chief Financial Officer - Br R Raelly

Vice-President - Ps A Niemand

NEWLY ORGANISED CHURCHES – GLORY TO GOD

History was made in that a total of 59 churches were organised. In recognition of God’s leading the dele-

gates joined in singing “To God be the Glory” after which Dr TL Letseli, Dr OT Mngqibisa, and Dr D

Spencer, each led out in a special prayer of thanks to God.

En wat is nogal so snaaks? Jothilda verduidelik baie mooi …

Gesellige klomp by ons Jaareindfunksie. Dankie Anton, Col-

SOME FEEDBACK ABOUT THE CAPE CONFERENCE OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS

SECOND BUSINESS SESSION HELD AT LANGENHOVEN GYMNASIUM HIGH SCHOOL,

07 OCTOBER 2012

(taken from minutes supplied by Conference)

History was made in that a total of 59 churches were organised. In recognition of God’s leading the dele-

after which Dr TL Letseli, Dr OT Mngqibisa, and Dr D

Amazing Gracie Gran, Loerie Park’s oldest member

turned 101 on the 25th of November. Seen here is a happy group that visited her on her birthday, not knowing that it would be the last time.

She passed away on 11 December 2012.

MY-MAN-KAN AAND - ‘n Aand van pure genot!! My-Man-Kan! Miek & Marthie de Jager was die algehele wennersB AIE prêt ! Die toegangsfooi was ‘n Blikkie Baked Beans. Die Wenpaar kon besluit aan watter Welsynsorganisasie hulle dit gMarthie het op Bethesda Jeug—& Kinderhuis besluit. Dankie Charmaine—ons waardeer jou harde werkKonsentreer—Kon-sen-treeer !

Gesellige klomp by ons Jaareindfunksie. Dankie Anton, Col-

lette, Ria & Roderick! Ons het heerlike gekuier!

BEDRYWIGE 2013 IN DIE VOORUITSIG MET BAIE OM NA UIT TE SIEN

Is dit dalk die jaar dat Jesus gaan kom?? - DAGBOEK SOLANK

Hou bulletins dop—alles sal vroegtydig aangekondig word.

JANUARIE - UPREACH—

My verhouding met God -Maak bywoon van Bidure jou Nuwejaarvoorneme

09—19 World wide praying for 10 days for Global Rain.

12de Nagmaal, Saamete, Opleiding, Kerkraad 26 & 27 Kerkopleiding vir dames wat nog nie die 3de reeks lesings gedoen het nie.

FEBRUARIE—INREACH—My verhouding met my mede gelowiges

14 Valenteinsdag

23 Saamete 09-19 Jan: World Wide praying for 10 days for Global Rain

Vir jonk en nie-so jonk ! Miek & Marthie de Jager was die algehele wenners—maar dit was duidelik ‘n baie suksesvolle aand met sommer B AIE prêt ! Die toegangsfooi was ‘n Blikkie Baked Beans. Die Wenpaar kon besluit aan watter Welsynsorganisasie hulle dit graag wil skenk. Miek & ons waardeer jou harde werk!

MAART—OUTREACH—Nooi mense om 1 Vrydagaand saam

met jou te bid Wêreld Biddag vir Vroue

16-17 Cansa Relay : Please support us. We need willing hands to

help us right through the night at the different stations (blood pressure,

lung capacity test etc) as well as willing feet to walk around the

track—all night.

28 Kampvergadering te Hartenbos. Daar sal ‘n oorsese spreker

wees sowel as ons eie Lr LF du Plessis.

19 Jan: World Wide praying for 10 days for Global Rain

The Observance of Christmas

Over the past few years, the Adventist Review has received several letters and e-mails fro

mas. This year, the Adventist Review presents a selection of the Ellen G. White writings

by the Biblical Research Institute, based at the General Conference.

I. What Is Christmas?

“CHRISTMAS is coming,” is the note that is sounded throughout our world from East to West and from North to South. With youth

aged, it is a period of general rejoicing, of great gladness. But what is Christmas, that it should demand so much attention?

is accepted by the unbelieving world, and by the Christian world generally, as the day on which Christ was born. When the wor

honor to Christ. They refuse to acknowledge him as their Saviour, to honor him by willing obedience to his service. They show

whom the day is celebrated, Jesus Christ.

II. Christ’s Birthday Not Known

The twenty-fifth of December is supposed to be the day of the birth of Jesus Christ, and its observance has become customary and

we are keeping the veritable day of our Saviour’s birth. History gives us no certain assurance of this. The Bible does not gi

knowledge essential to our salvation, he would have spoken through his prophets and apostles, that we might know all about th

There is no divine sanctity resting upon the twentyfifth of December; and it is not pleasing to God that anything that concer

fice made for them, should be so sadly perverted from its professed design. Christ should be the supreme object; but as Chris

glory is turned from him to mortal man, whose sinful, defective character made it necessary for him to come to our world.

III. The Wonderful Theme of the Incarnation

Jesus, the Majesty of heaven, the royal King of heaven, laid aside his royalty, left his throne of glory, his high command, a

to fallen men, weakened in moral power, and corrupted by sin, aid divine. He clothed his divinity with humanity, that he migh

human woe and misery, to lift up fallen man. By taking upon himself man’s nature, he raised humanity in the scale of moral va

themes are almost too high, too deep, too infinite, for the comprehension of finite minds.

IV. The Gift Season for God’s Cause

Parents should keep these things before their children, and instruct them, line upon line, precept upon precept, in their obl

to honor and glorify one another by gifts and offerings. But they should be taught that Jesus is the world’s Redeemer, the ob

work is the grand theme which should engage their attention; that they should bring to him their gifts and offerings. Thus di

V. A Day of Gladness and Rejoicing

As the twenty-fifth day of December is observed to commemorate the birth of Christ,

of gladness and rejoicing, you will find it a difficult matter to pass over this period wit

mails from church members asking about the appropriateness of Christians celebrating Christ-

writings on Christmas that offers guidance and counsel on the topic. The document was compiled

“CHRISTMAS is coming,” is the note that is sounded throughout our world from East to West and from North to South. With youth, those of mature age, and even the

aged, it is a period of general rejoicing, of great gladness. But what is Christmas, that it should demand so much attention? This day has been made much of for centuries. It

is accepted by the unbelieving world, and by the Christian world generally, as the day on which Christ was born. When the world at large celebrate the day, they show no

honor to Christ. They refuse to acknowledge him as their Saviour, to honor him by willing obedience to his service. They show preference to the day, but none to the one for

fifth of December is supposed to be the day of the birth of Jesus Christ, and its observance has become customary and popular. But yet there is no certainty that

we are keeping the veritable day of our Saviour’s birth. History gives us no certain assurance of this. The Bible does not give us the precise time. Had the Lord deemed this

knowledge essential to our salvation, he would have spoken through his prophets and apostles, that we might know all about the matter. . . .

There is no divine sanctity resting upon the twentyfifth of December; and it is not pleasing to God that anything that concerns the salvation of man through the infinite sacri-

fice made for them, should be so sadly perverted from its professed design. Christ should be the supreme object; but as Christmas has been observed, the

glory is turned from him to mortal man, whose sinful, defective character made it necessary for him to come to our world.

Jesus, the Majesty of heaven, the royal King of heaven, laid aside his royalty, left his throne of glory, his high command, and came into our world to bring

to fallen men, weakened in moral power, and corrupted by sin, aid divine. He clothed his divinity with humanity, that he might reach to the very depths of

human woe and misery, to lift up fallen man. By taking upon himself man’s nature, he raised humanity in the scale of moral value with God. These great

themes are almost too high, too deep, too infinite, for the comprehension of finite minds.

Parents should keep these things before their children, and instruct them, line upon line, precept upon precept, in their obligation to God,—not their obligation to each other,

to honor and glorify one another by gifts and offerings. But they should be taught that Jesus is the world’s Redeemer, the object of thought, of painstaking effort; that his

work is the grand theme which should engage their attention; that they should bring to him their gifts and offerings. Thus did the wise men and the shepherds.

st, as the children have been instructed by precept and example that this was indeed a day

without giving it some attention. It can be made to serve a very good purpose.

The youth should be treated very carefully. They should not be left on Christmas to find their own amusement in vanity and pl

detrimental to their spirituality. Parents can control this matter by turning the minds and the offerings of their children t

VI. Not to Be Ignored With Children

The desire for amusement, instead of being quenched and arbitrarily ruled down, should be controlled and directed by painstak

desire to make gifts may be turned into pure and holy channels, and made to result in good to our fellow

Christ came into our world. Self-denial and self-sacrifice marked his course of action. Let it mark ours who profess to love Jes

nal life.

Youth cannot be made as sedate and grave as old age, the child as sober as the sire. While sinful amusements are condemned, as t

guardians of youth provide in their stead innocent pleasures, which shall not taint or corrupt the morals. Do not bind down t

lead them to feel themselves oppressed and to break over and rush into paths of folly and destruction. With a firm, kindly, c

guiding and controlling their minds and purposes, yet so gently, so wisely, so lovingly, that they still will know that you h

VII. The Emblem of the Evergreen

On Christmas, so soon to come, let not the parents take the position that an evergreen placed in the church for the amusement

may be made a great blessing. Keep before their minds benevolent

there may be some who will turn these occasions into seasons of car

characters these seasons will be highly beneficial. I am fully satisfie

Christmas is coming. May you all have wisdom to make it a preciou

this innocent amusement and recreation, in devising ways and mean

remember the claims of God. His cause cannot go forward without

Lord’s treasury. . . .

In every church let your smaller offerings be placed upon your Christmas tree. Let the precious emblem, “evergreen,” suggest

us; and the loving heart-work will be to save other souls who are in darkness. Let your works be in accordance with your faith.

books such a Christmas as has never yet been seen, because of the donations which shall be given for the sustaining of the wo

dom. —Review and HeraId, Dec. 9, 1884.

VIII. Interchange of Holiday Gifts

The holiday season is fast approaching with its interchange of gifts, and old and young are intently studying what they can b

ate remembrance. It is pleasant to receive a gift, however small, from those we love. It is an assurance that we are not forg

IX. Making Melody and Praising God

Brethren and sisters, while you are devising gifts or one another, I would remind you of our heavenly Friend, lest you should

pleased if we show that we have not forgotten him? Jesus, the Prince of Life, gave all to bring salvation within our reach. .

It is through Christ that we receive every blessing. . . . Shall not our heavenly Benefactor share in the tokens of our grati

with your children, even the babes in your arms, and bring your offerings to God according to your ability. Make melody to hi

your lips. . . .

X. Not Forgetting God

While urging upon all the duty of first bringing their offerings to God, I would not wholly condemn the practice of making Ch

is right to bestow upon one another tokens of love and remembrance if we do not in this forget God, our best friend. We shoul

fit to the receiver.

The youth should be treated very carefully. They should not be left on Christmas to find their own amusement in vanity and pleasure-seeking, in amusements which will be

detrimental to their spirituality. Parents can control this matter by turning the minds and the offerings of their children to God and his cause and the salvation of souls.

The desire for amusement, instead of being quenched and arbitrarily ruled down, should be controlled and directed by painstaking effort upon the part of the parents. Their

desire to make gifts may be turned into pure and holy channels, and made to result in good to our fellow-men by supplying the treasury in the great, grand work for which

sacrifice marked his course of action. Let it mark ours who profess to love Jesus; because in him is centered our hope of eter-

as old age, the child as sober as the sire. While sinful amusements are condemned, as they should be, let parents, teachers, and

guardians of youth provide in their stead innocent pleasures, which shall not taint or corrupt the morals. Do not bind down the young to rigid rules and restraints that will

lead them to feel themselves oppressed and to break over and rush into paths of folly and destruction. With a firm, kindly, considerate hand, hold the lines of government,

guiding and controlling their minds and purposes, yet so gently, so wisely, so lovingly, that they still will know that you have their best good in view. . . .

On Christmas, so soon to come, let not the parents take the position that an evergreen placed in the church for the amusement of the Sabbath-school scholars is a sin; for it

may be made a great blessing. Keep before their minds benevolent objects. In no case should mere amusement be the object of these gatherings. While

there may be some who will turn these occasions into seasons of careless levity, and whose minds will not receive the divine impress, to other minds and

characters these seasons will be highly beneficial. I am fully satisfied that innocent substitutes can be devised for many gatherings that demoralize.

Christmas is coming. May you all have wisdom to make it a precious season. Let the older church members unite, heart and soul, with their children in

this innocent amusement and recreation, in devising ways and means to show true respect to Jesus by bringing to him gifts and offerings. Let everyone

remember the claims of God. His cause cannot go forward without your aid. Let the gifts you have usually bestowed upon one another be placed in the

In every church let your smaller offerings be placed upon your Christmas tree. Let the precious emblem, “evergreen,” suggest the holy work of God and his beneficence to

work will be to save other souls who are in darkness. Let your works be in accordance with your faith. . . . Let there be recorded in the heavenly

books such a Christmas as has never yet been seen, because of the donations which shall be given for the sustaining of the work of God and the up building of his king-

Review and HeraId, Dec. 9, 1884.

The holiday season is fast approaching with its interchange of gifts, and old and young are intently studying what they can bestow upon their friends as a token of affection-

ate remembrance. It is pleasant to receive a gift, however small, from those we love. It is an assurance that we are not forgotten, and seems to bind us to them a little closer.

Brethren and sisters, while you are devising gifts or one another, I would remind you of our heavenly Friend, lest you should be unmindful of his claims. Will he not be

pleased if we show that we have not forgotten him? Jesus, the Prince of Life, gave all to bring salvation within our reach. . . .

It is through Christ that we receive every blessing. . . . Shall not our heavenly Benefactor share in the tokens of our gratitude and love? Come, brethren and sisters, come

with your children, even the babes in your arms, and bring your offerings to God according to your ability. Make melody to him in your hearts, and let his praise be upon

While urging upon all the duty of first bringing their offerings to God, I would not wholly condemn the practice of making Christmas and New Years gifts to our friends. It

is right to bestow upon one another tokens of love and remembrance if we do not in this forget God, our best friend. We should make our gifts such as will prove a real bene-

--Ibid., Dec. 26, 1882.