|
 In
the small town of Sundridge, Ontario, Ca. 300 miles north of the
U.S.— Canadian border, the young folk of a small congregation
(45-50) put many of their U. S. counterparts to shame. They are
High School and under: with the same love for and participation
in sports, parties, etc., that is common with this age. But they
also—and preeminently— love the Lord.
They
sat together, listening to my sermons and taking notes. That’s
fine “stroking” for a preacher. But it became apparent they
had more serious things in mind than pleasing a visiting
speaker. I began to hear of their teaching “sessions” at
school and in their homes. They had “taken aim” on this or
that boy or girl, and were working to convert them to Christ. On
one occasion I went to a home for a meal, and was told to bring
information on the Jewish Sabbath, etc., for a young man would
be there to talk about this. I made some notes, and as I began
to present them, I found only a few things in my “outline”
that had not already been worked out by the young people who
were interested in teaching their Adventist friend. It was
gratifying to see the mutual respect shown in such studies. When
the prospect showed signs of having “had enough” for the
time, they let up. “Let it cool awhile” as one of them put
it. Older folk should learn that.
|
|
I
heard them speak of a young man who was much interested in the
gospel of Christ, but whose parents were opposed to his being
baptized. They had a “feeling” for the boy, and for the
parents too. There were rumors the boy would have to leave home
if he obeyed the gospel, but one night he walked boldly down the
aisle and confessed his faith in Christ. We went to Lake Bernard
for the baptizing. As car lights played on the fog-shrouded
waters, and a wild duck swam small circles in the edge of the
light, the boy and the preacher walked into the cold waves, and
we witnessed a burial and a resurrection. Joy swept the band of
witnesses like an electric current, and as they sang “Oh Happy
Day—“ there was scarcely a dry eye.
It
was only after the baptizing, that I learned that the boy’s
parents had been present at the service, and showed approval of
the deed. The new brother was welcomed into the circle of
Christian boys and girls, and soon I heard they were “taking
aim” on another lost soul— using their fresh reinforcement.
Want
the punch line? This church has no “Recreation Hall” or
other Unauthorized “church socials.” It has, instead,
converted young people.
[Previous
Article]
[Next
Article]
|
