Exhortations-Volume-2-Number-1

xhortationsThe Newsletter of the

E Apostolic Christian Publishing Company
“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”

— II Timothy 4:2

Volume 2 Number 1 Spring, 1997

“I Will Remember the Works of the LORD”

— A Historical Sketch of the Apostolic Christian Church —
as told by Brother Henry Michel

Part 1 in America was introducing us Illinois, on August 24, 1947, sion of being a complete his-
to our roots, the history of the the wish was expressed at a tory or a piece of carefully
I was a lad of fifteen years Church. With great enthusi- meeting of the organization worded literature. I have,
when “Uncle” Henry Michel asm he brought the wonderful committee that one evening however, made some
first came on the scene in Cen- stories of God’s great work at Camp should be devoted changes, especially regarding
tral Ohio where I grew up. His through our forebears to life. to the history of the church. I sayings of Samuel Fröhlich
endless energy, love for young We were awed and greatly in- accepted this assignment joy- which have particular histori-
people, and French accent cre- spired to embrace our blessed fully. I gave my message out cal value, and have corrected
ated a magnetism that drew us heritage and “contend for the of memory in an extempora- my memorized quoting of
to him. For some reason, hard faith which was once delivered neous talk that was recorded these to conform to the word-
to explain, he didn’t seem old unto the saints.” (Jude 3). The on a recording machine.
at all to those of us who could series of articles in Exhorta- These notes, based on that Continued on page 4
have been his grandchildren. tions of Brother Henry’s pres- talk, do not have the preten-
He quickly became a part of entation “I Will Remember the
us. Works of the Lord”, given at In This Issue
Camp Lake Bloomington in
His Spirit-filled messages of 1947, will bless many and in- + “I Will Remember the Works of the LORD”
salvation pricked the hearts of spire hearts all over again to
many, creating a revival unpar- faithful stewardship of this — Page 1
alleled in times most brothers pearl of great price.
could remember. It could be + Jesus Lives! — Page 2
said each time he was finished Respectfully, + What You Have Done to One of the Least of
preaching in his poor English
dialect as the Apostle Paul Robert W. Freund These — Page 3
wrote to the Corinthians: “For
the kingdom of God is not in Foreword + Hold Fast Without Wavering — Page 8
word, but in power.” (I Corin- + Arise, and Go Down to the Potter’s House
thians 4:20). A few days before the
opening of the Ap- — Page 13
Perhaps his greatest contri- ostolic Christian
bution to the life of the church Camp at Lake Bloomington, + Effective Prayer — Page 16

Spring, 1997 Exhortations • 1

ExhortationsThe Newsletter of the Jesus Lives!
Apostolic Christian Publishing Company
Edward Baer for His people, and when we
Behold how beauteous, also view that standard not as
How good and pleasant, Reprinted from The Visitor, an unapproachable ideal, but
When among brethren unity dwells! April, 1930, pp 75-76. rather as God’s measuring
line, we see that we must be
This phrase from hymn 327 in our Zion’s Harp states that “Therefore we are buried humbled. For the standard is
unity among brethren is something beautiful and pleasant. For with him by baptism into high; and even though the
us to be unified as a brotherhood we need to know what we death: that like as Christ was Lord has given us grace and
believe and why we believe it. To this end the Exhortations raised up from the dead by has sustained us in it so that
newsletter was begun. the glory of the Father, even we no longer live in sin, yet
so we also should walk in too often we do not measure
This is the first issue of the publication’s second year. I have newness of life.” (Romans up as we should.
heard from many of you over the course of our first year 6:4).
expressing thankfulness to God for this work. Please continue
to give feedback regarding topics that you feel can be useful in In these few words is The message of Christ’s
furthering our Father’s kingdom. Surely the adversary will
reach further into his arsenal as he attempts to lead the Bride pointed out what Christ’s res- resurrection, however, brings
of Christ astray. We must continue to work together to “ear- urrection shall work in the with it the message that in
nestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the life-walk of the Christian, the Him there is power, and also
saints.” (Jude 3). follower of Christ. There is that His followers shall have
strength to be had: and those
Many of you must be sharing information regarding Exhor- power. They
tations. We have received requests from all over the world for who have been
this publication. Loved ones from Germany, France, and Aus- shall have
tralia are now also receiving Exhortations. What a blessing it is baptized into
to see how the Lord draws His children together through a Christ, who “The strength so that
common love for the Truth. they do not
message ofhave died with
May our Father in Heaven continue to work in all our lives need to yield to
to lead us closer to Him and each other. May our love for the Him and have sin. They shall
Truth burn within us until the day of our Lord Jesus.
been buried Christ’s walk uprightly
O loving Concord! Abide thou ever with Him, shall and in love.
As sacred bond where the brethren dwell:
Forsake them ne’er While they live here; also rise with resurrection Those who do
Let naught their hearts divide; Him. They who not and cannot
To endless joys do thou them guide, have been really is that in do this can also
There at the Savior’s side!
Him there isjoined in dying have no right to
Exhortations is the newsletter of the Apostolic Christian Pub- call themselves
with Christ
lishing Company, Syracuse, New York. Its purpose is to declare
and promote the original doctrinal standpoints and practices of power, andthrough sincere Christians. The
the Apostolic Christian Church through the publication of rele- Word of God is
vant articles, both historical and contemporary. repentance and

Correspondence regarding this newsletter and other publica- the giving up of that His clear on this
tions identified herein may be addressed to: Apostolic Christian their own often point. Jesus has
Publishing Company, P.O. Box 416, Syracuse, New York 13215-
0416. Email may be sent to: [email protected] . Visit our World stubborn will, followers said: “Verily,
Wide Web site on the Internet at http://www.acpub.org shall haveand who have verily, I say
unto you, Who-
Gregory D. Kufchak — Editor believed in the
power of
Gaius W. Laubli — Associate Editor power.” soever commit-
Christ’s blood teth sin is the
David M. Freund — Business Manager
to cleanse them servant of sin.”
2 • Exhortations
from their sins, and who have (John 8:34). And the Apostle
then also been buried with John wrote: “In this the chil-
Christ in baptism, these shall dren of God are manifest,
also rise with Him to a new- and the children of the devil:
ness of life. Christ gives them whosoever doeth not right-
the strength to obey Him. In eousness is not of God, nei-
such is fulfilled what is writ- ther he that loveth not his
ten: “For it is God which brother.” (I John 3:10).
worketh in you both to will

and to do of his good pleas- The standard which the
ure.” (Philippians 2:13). Lord has set is the one by

When we in whom God has which men’s works are to be
begun His work and who bear measured (John 12:48-49). It
the name of Christian see the is higher than men set for

standard which the Lord has

set for men, and in particular Continued on page 3

Spring, 1997

Jesus Lives! What You Have
Done to One of the
Continued from Page 2 shares His victory with those Least of These
who live in union with Him.
themselves — often much Otto Seeger
higher — and to a still Christ’s resurrection is an
greater degree it is higher outstanding evidence of His Excerpted from The Visitor, November, 1930, pp 243-244.
than what men’s acts meas- power and of His victory. An-
ure. One need only honestly other token, and a most con- “But Deborah Rebekah’s nurse died, and she was buried be-
try to live as God asks him to vincing one, to anyone who neath Bethel under an oak: and the name of it was called Allon-
do and he will experience sees it is the power of Christ bachuth.” (Genesis 35:8).
that he is not able to do it shown in the lives of His fol-
alone, and he will find that he lowers. If we live consecrated This is a brief account of the death of an old servant, Debo-
needs a greater strength than lives, if we love our fellow rah, the nurse that accompanied Rebekah, Jacob’s mother,
his own. men, if we live holy lives that when Rebekah left her father’s house to marry Isaac. How often
are fruitful in good works, does the Word of God make mention as in a passing way of
Sometimes a person seeks and if we humbly strive to some event which means nothing to us if we hurriedly pass over
in various ways or in various obey God’s commands — if it looking for some great truth, when right in one word many
places for the ability to live we do these things, and only thoughts and wholesome lessons lay before us.
right, but in vain: until he then, we are clear evidence of
seeks at the one Source of the living Lord to the world, Through the many, many years of Rebekah’s married life this
power. For in Christ only — and then we also have the faithful nurse was her standby: she had helped rear her family.
nowhere else — can a person assurance in our own heart It appears from the account that when Jacob returned home
find the strength he needs to that Jesus lives. his mother must have been dead. It seems the joy was not his
overcome whatever tempta- to greet her again. The good Lord deals out to His loved ones
tions come his way. Only Jesus lives. May He live in joy and sorrow as He deems it best. We often must feel, “For
Christ was able to overcome my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my
the evil one, and the Savior us. + ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the
earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts
Jesus lives! And with Him I! than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9). A child of God learns to
Death no longer can appall me. deny himself more and more as he advances in Christ’s school,
Lo, He lives and reigns on high, and he grows accustomed to give up and surrender privileges
And from death and grave will call me. once enjoyed. It seems the closer to the goal we get, the more
I shall then be glorified: narrow the way becomes. It is good so. If we climb higher and
In this faith I here abide! higher, reaching lofty heights, we should not expect smooth and
level highways.
Jesus lives! His healing’s mine;
My life give I to my Savior! I believe it must have been a great pleasure to Jacob to find
Ne’er oppose your Lord divine, his old nurse, the one that helped to rear him, still alive. He
Then He will dwell in you ever; brought her into his household to make her last few days
Truly God doth aid dispense: comfortable and thus repay some of the love and care she had
This shall be my confidence! shown to his father’s family and to himself.

By the bond of hope and love How not short of wonderful is his kindly disposed and good
I am bound unto the Master. influence upon his entire household. We observe this in the
Faith looks up to Him above, name of Deborah’s burial place: Allonbachuth means “Oak of
Rests on Him through all disaster. Weeping”. It was called this although Jacob’s family had not
Even death now cannot keep known Deborah except from what Jacob had told them and also
From my Shepherd me, His sheep. from their short acquaintance with her during the time she
spent at his home in the sunset of her life.
— Zion’s Harp, Hymn 120
Does not God deal with us thus? Are we not but unprofitable
Spring, 1997 servants? Still God does not forget those who serve Him. It is
human to honor and to do reverence to those who are above
us, but it is Godlike to condescend and show kindness and do
good to those who cannot repay.

Jesus speaks of his “least ones”. He found His Father’s
business not only in the temple, but He sought and found it
among those who have no helper. We must look for those and

bring comfort to those who are comfortless. +

Exhortations • 3

“I Will Remember the Works of the LORD” rection until He comes.”

Continued from Page 1 heart and so joyful that I cause my wife insisted that I One after the other, these
could not sleep the whole should take care of my apostles disappeared. Peter
ing of his diary. night. I had waited a long health. However, I could not was crucified. Andrew, the
time for this opportunity to sleep. My heart was filled apostle, was crucified. Paul,
It may be of interest to interest our people in what with thankfulness for what the apostle, was beheaded.
state here that a more com- our grandparents were do- had been done; but often I Poor, poor Thomas had a ter-
plete history has been com- ing. It is not merely a history felt ashamed that we are now rible death. They heated a big
piled in Switzerland and is that I am bringing; rather, it such quiet citizens, sitting in table of iron until it was white
being edited and published is a most fervent appeal into easy chairs and just watching hot, and then put poor
by Elder Brother Hermann which I put my whole heart the time pass on. Thomas on this and roasted
Ruegger of Zurich. At pre- and my whole soul, that we him. Others died different
sent, however, it is available may be reminded of the faith- I was so moved when I saw deaths: Luke was hanged on
only in the German language. this zeal, the life that was in a tree, and so on, one after
“This is not a all the old people, that I was the other. Timothy was of the
The real purpose of the history of a moved to say, “Now don’t younger generation, and he,
message given at Camp was speak about new things, new like the others, had to seal
with the help of the Lord to church... It is a suggestions: just take the old with his blood the faith that
kindle in the younger genera- history of the ones that have been forgot- he had found in his youth.
tion the spark of zeal, joy, and power of Christ ten, and then we will be very One after the other they dis-
faith that existed in those he- revealed in the zealous. We will be ‘full of appeared as a testimony of
roic times. If, under the pep’, if I dare so to say. We the glory of God revealed in
Lord’s gracious blessing, last days.” will be filled with the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
these notes can help to God.”
awaken the true flame of the fulness and the zeal that they Then comes the long his-
“first love”, the earnest urge had one hundred years ago, A Faithful Remnant tory of the Martyrs. One after
and the zeal to bring souls to and which through the years the other died for his faith. I
Christ, and if they can help to we have lost. It is an appeal I believe, my dear was moved when I was young
preserve the generation of to each one of you. ones — I am sure of by the history of a boy who
our youth of today from the this — that from the was thirteen years old, and
danger of living a leisurely What I am bringing to you time of the apostles until now who was bound — one foot
and selfish life — dangers is not hearsay or gossip. I there was always a small and one hand on one side,
that are brought through went and dug the historic number, a little flock of peo-
wealth, comfort, and modern points out of old letters and ple who remained on the “Then comes the
conveniences — then the out of diaries of old brothers truth that Jesus brought, the long history of
purpose of the assignment and also interviewed old peo- truth which the apostles af- the Martyrs.
will have been fulfilled. ple, and I know whereof I terwards used and whereby One after the
speak. I devoted many of my was created the church of other died for
Henry Michel evenings to this endeavor, God, the church of Christ. his faith.”
and what I am bringing you is There was a long sequence of
Introduction the result of fifteen or twenty people. They suffered, but and the other hand and other
years of research. The more I they never lost their faith. foot on the other side. Then
This is not a history of heard, the more I became his persecutors put two
a church; it is not a zealous. When I was digging The apostles, you know, horses — one on one side,
history of a sectarian the details out of a diary, continued gazing after Jesus and the other on the other
group; it is a history of the sometimes the writing was so was risen to heaven. They side — and you can easily
power of Christ revealed in small I had to use a magnify- were looking at the sky. They imagine what happened to
the last days. This power has ing glass. Sometimes I were disturbed. They had lost the poor boy. But he ac-
not changed through the cen- worked till three o’clock in their Savior: “What can we cepted his fate: he died joy-
turies, but is still the same as the morning on this, and I do without the Savior?” Then
it was at the time of the apos- went to bed then only be- the angel came and said that Continued on page 5
tles. Jesus will come again, and
then they had a reason for Spring, 1997
When the suggestion was their lives: “We are preparing
made that one evening at our souls. We are witnesses of
Camp should be devoted to His death and of His resur-
view the history of our broth-
ers one hundred twenty years
ago, I was so moved in my

4 • Exhortations

“I Will Remember the Works of the LORD” of faith. Even Luther be-
lieved in the baptism of faith.
Continued from Page 4 sage was given of Jesus, the who were believers and had The one who brought the
Savior of the world. Then, af- the baptism of faith as we Reformation to Switzerland
fully. There are other thou- ter a time, men tried to extin- have. Baptism of faith is not was a man who was visiting a
sands we could speak guish the fire, but it never was an invention of our church, small Swiss congregation
about — for hours, for the completely put out. Others but always was since the where they preached the
whole night — about all tried to make the way more apostles, when these teach- Gospel exactly as we do and
these wonderful witnesses easy. They set up all kinds of ings were spread through all where they were baptized af-
that sealed the faith they had institutions so that people of Europe. I have read the ter a conversion. After a
found in Jesus Christ with would not have to repent, history of some who went by while he received a vision of
their blood. And the more would not have to be con- foot from Spain to Germany. a big, big church and, wanting
who were killed in this won- verted, would not have to go Those who know a little to have a big church, he had
derful way, the more joyful through a hard school before about geography can realize to make a great big door.
they would be accepted as what a distance it was from Having a big, big door, the
“After a while, children of God. They made Spain to Germany, crossing way had to be made easy. Ba-
the larger part of all kinds of laws, all kinds of all of France. These pilgrims bies had merely to be brought
man-made churches; and af- could spend every night dur- on the eighth day after they
those that were ter a while, the larger part of ing the long journey in the were born. They were sprin-
called Christians those that were called Chris- homes of baptized Chris- kled, and a document was
tians just had the name of tians, of ones who were in given stating that they were a
just had the Christ, but not the power that faith. I don’t know how many member of the church, and
name of Christ, was revealed in Him. But a miles they made a day, but it that was all. That was not the
few still remained, keeping required shelter in many beginning. The beginning
but not the this faith from generation to homes until they reached was the baptism of faith,
power that was generation, and this long se- their destination. Every- based on conversion and new
revealed in Him. quence of witnesses is what birth.
But a few still historians have called the Pil- “The beginning
grim Church. We have a few was the baptism Persecutions
remained, records in history about
keeping this them, telling how they were of faith, based Afterwards the
persecuted. We know that on conversion
faith...” the emperor Nero used and new birth.” Täufer, as they were
Christians as torches in his
they were in dying, the more garden at night so that he where they found believers called, these poor
the Gospel was going from could see when there was a who were peacefully and joy-
house to house. The fire of feast. They also used believ- fully going the way of truth. people living in our wonder-
which Jesus had spoken was ers for torches at other times.
burning, and the Gospel was We know that in one year, in Then came a big awaken- ful country of Switzerland,
going from country to coun- the year 302 ,A.D. in one ing. You know the history of
try. month alone in Rome they the Reformation. I don’t were persecuted to death.
killed seventeen thousand want to speak about this all
Already in the early church believers. They tried to de- evening, but perhaps the The prisons were so filled
came great tribulation. There stroy these faithful witnesses. thing that you do not know is
came the persecution in Jeru- The larger number of them that the beginning of the Ref- that people could not stand,
salem, and they had to go in was killed, but a small flock ormation, that eventually
all directions. One of the was always here from genera- created the Lutheran they could not sit. They were
apostles even went as far as tion to generation. churches and other churches,
India. One went to Arabia. was really a beginning, an heaped one above the other
And you know that Paul went The Baptism of awakening, a revival of peo-
first to Greece, and then to Faith ple believing in the baptism for days, for months, for
Italy, and later on to Spain.
Everywhere the joyful mes- In the year 400 ,A.D. in years, until they died. A terri-
the southern part of
Spring, 1997 France and in other ble persecution raged from
countries, there were those
about 1517 to 1525. In this

persecution thousands were

killed. A person even re-

ceived one hundred dollars

when he denounced one of

these people. One hundred

dollars was a fortune at that

time! In a certain forest in

Switzerland in a very silent

place, about three hundred

used to come together. In-

formers denounced them,

and so there was three hun-

dred times one hundred dol-

Continued on page 6

Exhortations • 5

“I Will Remember the Works of the LORD” tended, people could go to
heaven. Many escaped, and
Continued from Page 5 the last one of these believers good pleasure of the Father one of the families that es-
who was beheaded in that to give you the kingdom of caped was this family of De-
lars paid. All went to jail, and town; and not only in that God!” Joyeaux. They went to Swit-
all died. town, but in the country. This zerland and settled there in a
was in 1571. And now we are coming part of the country that
Many thousands were nearer, and we are coming to speaks the Swiss German.
killed in other places. At the During the time of the Ref- the 19th century. There was a They changed their name
shore of one of our beautiful ormation these persecutions revival in many places, and from DeJoyeaux to Fröhlich,
blue rivers, called the Limat, had continued until it was not one of the results of this re- which means “joyful” in Ger-
in Zurich, Switzerland, there bearable anymore. Even the vival is this wonderful and man.
is still a small chapel. From Dutch government, the gov- dear crowd that we have be-
this chapel they used to put ernment of Holland, made a fore us. That is the wonderful This joyful family had a tra-
the believers in a cage, and petition to the government of story that I want to tell! Un- dition that one of the family
then let them down into the Switzerland to let these peo- derstand me rightly: I don’t had to be a preacher, had to
water in this cage for a few ple get out of the country and want to praise people. I don’t do something for the Lord.
minutes and then lift them want to make people higher That was something decided:
back out. When they did so “It was not a than they are, but we do have it was not a question whether
all the spectators were yell- question a lot of respect for these peo- he likes it or not, if he is fit for
ing, and then they put them ple who were persecuted this mission or not — he just
in the water again and contin- whether he likes through their whole life, who has to be a preacher, and Sa-
ued so, up and down, until it or not — were full of zeal, and full of muel Fröhlich was the one
they were dead. the Spirit of God, leaving the who just had to be a preacher.
Samuel Fröhlich comfort of their homes and He did not believe, he did not
Many had been beheaded, just had to be a going the way of self-denial, like it, he was not interested:
and then something hap- preacher.” bringing the good Gospel but he was rather mocking.
pened. One was the last who and the tidings of peace to Anyway, that did not matter.
was beheaded. Before he was come to Holland. “They are the people. He had to be a preacher.
beheaded, he said, “I am dy- welcome in our land,” they That was all. He went to
ing for Jesus my Savior. I am said, and the Swiss govern- Samuel Heinrich school, he went to college, he
dying because I believe in ment allowed them to go. Fröhlich went to the theological
Him, because I have been They were put on such a mis- school of Zurich; and in his
cleansed by His blood. I am erable boat, and such miser- I have now to mention a diary he says, “When I came
His child; and because I am a able food was given to them name that is perhaps to the theological school, I
child of Jesus, I have to die. on the way, that from fifty-six going to be mentioned a had just a little bit of faith;
You can behead me — the who remained of about one few times: that of Samuel but this little bit of faith I lost
Lord will probably allow you thousand, thirty-four died on Fröhlich. This was a French there completely.” When he
to do this — but as a proof the way, and the rest died family. Their name was De- was graduated from theologi-
that what I say is right, as a when they arrived. Joyeaux, which is a French cal school, he was an atheist.
proof that I am a child of word meaning “the joyful”. He would rather be blas-
God, it will happen that after These fifty-six who left These people were living in pheming against God than to
I am beheaded my head will Switzerland at that time France up to the persecution be praising Him. He was in a
jump by itself into the basket wanted to go to America, of 1648. On this date, the terrible state of unbelief, but
that you have prepared for knowing that it was a peace- Catholic church decided that nevertheless he was gradu-
my body.” But they laughed ful country, but they never everyone that is not Catholic ated a preacher ready to be
at him and beheaded him. In reached it. They all died in should either be killed or ordained.
a moment, however, they Holland before they could leave the country right away.
were badly frightened, for af- get the next boat to come to In one night, the terrible Fröhlich’s
ter the head fell to the your beautiful country. But Bartholomew Night, forty Conversion and
ground, it made a big leap there were always small thousand were killed, mur- Calling
and fell into the midst of the groups, a small flock, of dered in a terrible way. In the
basket! Then the govern- whom the Word says, “Fear name of the “holiness” of the The Lord was watch-
ment of Bern, where this hap- not, little flock, because it is a church, of the “universal ing this boy, and He
pened, decided, “No more, church”, the only church made him sick. He
no more!” There is a monu- through which, as they pre- had a terrible sickness of the
ment in Bern of a man with- lungs: a sickness that was the
out a head, and holding his
head in his hands. That was Continued on page 7

6 • Exhortations Spring, 1997

“I Will Remember the Works of the LORD” there was a very old preacher.
He was sick in bed and could
Continued from Page 6 was right and what was one was, and he gave the not preach anymore. So he
wrong; and when he had fin- glory to Jesus. He spoke always had to have somebody
reason for his early death, the ished his study there was about the conversion he ex- from outside to come, and so
reason why later on he was nothing right in the Bible perienced, about the peace Samuel Fröhlich was sent as
sick practically two months anymore, but everything was he found, and about the re- a vicar. He started to give a
every year and never recov- wrong. He took this book as mission of his sins. The more testimony of Christ, and the
ered completely. He was in much as he could in his weak- he spoke, the more the peo- result was so marvelous that
such a miserable condition ness, and he found the reve- ple were concerned; and after the first or second
lation of Jesus. He found the when he finished they said, preaching, the whole church
“His sermon was reason why Jesus died: that “Such a man is no good. We was deeply moved and in
a wonderful Jesus died for him and for his cannot use such a man.” They tears. And not only was the
message of sins. Joyfully he accepted sal- thought that he would turn church deeply moved, but the
the power of vation by grace and stretched the whole church upside old preacher in his bed, like-
Christ.” his two hands towards his down, and they did not want wise, was under conviction.
Savior, and he found a won- such a disturbance. They He had a whole life of
that every doctor had no derful peace in his heart. As wanted ministers able to preaching behind him, and
hopes whatsoever. And in his soon as his soul was saved keep the people quiet and si- yet he did not know Jesus. He
terror of death, he was asked, and rescued, the body started lent, and able to keep them was in his sins, and now he
“Now how will you present to recover; and instead of dy- coming to church and faith- was dying and did not know
yourself before the Lord in ing as they thought he would, fully paying their dues. anything about salvation. Sa-
the resurrection of the dead? he recovered — not com- muel, who was a very zealous
With your graduation paper, pletely, but anyway he was in So he waited for one year man, not only preached in the
with your diploma and your fairly good health. and then made application church, but he preached to
hatred against God?” He again. They thought, “Now the preacher. The Word
came into a terrible condi- Then it was just the time let us see if this man has lost wrought such a wonderful
tion. He was not only very when he should be ordained his extravagance.” I do not miracle that the preacher
sick, but his soul found nei- as a preacher. I don’t know know exactly if his second found peace before he died.
ther rest nor peace, and was how they do it in this country, sermon was as joyful as the He died in peace in the arms
full of “yearning, sadness, but over there when you are first one. He, at least, had a of Samuel, thanking him for
and anxiety.” He found out to be ordained in the State year’s experience behind what he brought to him, and
that he was the poorest church, you first have to de- him, and it certainly had been he gave him permission to
among the poor, and he came liver a sermon, bring a sam- joyful, but perhaps in a mod- have the funeral service.
slowly but truly into repen- ple of your wisdom, of your erate way, and he was or-
tance, crying days and nights ability. The people who listen dained “on trial”. It was said So this young man who just
for the wickedness of his soul. to this first sermon are not had a license on trial had to
And he went through weeks the public who are generally “He died in give the funeral sermon be-
and weeks of crying to the in church, but just ministers peace in the arms fore a big congregation, most
Lord that He would help him. and all the authorities of the of whom were ministers and
Everybody wanted to help church. A church is filled of Samuel...” authorities of the church.
him for the sickness of his with preachers, old ones and They watched this young
body, but there was no one — critical ones, and they listen to him what is generally said man, and the more he spoke,
not a single one — who could to this sermon and have to when you receive your li- he wrote in his diary, the
be of any help, and comfort, decide whether this man will cense only on trial: “We have longer the faces became. Af-
for his soul; and he suffered be ordained or not. He was so a right to withdraw this li- terwards they took him aside
more than can be told. joyful about the miracles that cense on a moment’s notice.” and said, “You are dis-
he experienced in his sick- So he was joyful anyway: charged.” He had the cour-
In this misery of his repen- ness that his sermon was a “Now I can live for my Lord.” age to say at the funeral serv-
tance, suddenly he looked to wonderful message of the ice that the old preacher had
the Bible: the book he had power of Christ. He told how There was a certain Lu- found peace and remission of
been studying for years, criti- he had been, how he went to theran church near the Lake his sins on his death bed. That
cizing and trying to find what school, how he lost his faith, of Constance, between Swit- was terrible in the eyes of the
how he was sinful as a stu- zerland and Germany, where authorities, but he could not
dent — regardless of the fact do otherwise. The old man
that he was a theological stu- had wanted him to tell, but
dent — just as sinful as any- that was an offense to the
church. So he was discharged
and had to leave immedi-

ately. +

Spring, 1997 Exhortations • 7

Hold Fast Without people — God’s own — own, by a spiritual rebirth, as
whose members are dis- John the Evangelist says:

Wavering persed all over the world, liv- “But as many as received
ing quietly and in seclusion, him, to them gave he power

far away from politics, far to become the sons of God,

K. Stäubli tism, was added unto the peo- away from the pleasures of even to them that believe on
ple of the Lord (Acts 2). the world. his name: Which were born,
This article is taken from the not of blood, nor of the will of
work compiled by Brother K. The Brothers of Although they are not the flesh, nor of the will of
Stäubli of Pfäffikon-Zürich, the First bound together by race, by man, but of God.” (John
Switzerland, in 1928, describ- Christians origin, by language, nor by 1:12-13).
ing the suffering of the Serbian economic, political, nor any
brethren because of their re- The brothers in faith of the other kind of earthly bond, They are wedded to their
fusal to bear arms or swear to first Christians were to be they are firmly united among Redeemer and Savior, Jesus
an oath. The complete work is found throughout all the cen- themselves by a mighty spiri- Christ, and they serve Him
published by the Apostolic turies, across the world. To be tual bond, by divine love. with soul and body, because
Christian Publishing Com- sure, the prophetic word of Their Ruler and King, Jesus He has bought them with His
pany under the title of “The Christ was fulfilled again and Christ, said to them, “A new own blood from the world.
Nazarenes in Yugoslavia”. again in their lives: “If they commandment I give unto His divine teaching is their
have persecuted me, they will you, That ye love one an- guidance for life. “Ye shall
Brother Stäubli served with also persecute you.” (John other; as I have loved you, know them by their fruits”
Brothers Eduard Geistlich 15:20). that ye also love one an- (Matthew 7:16).
and Henry Michel as a dele- other.” (John 13:34).
gate on behalf of the brethren It is impossible to become

of our faith to the official con- They, too, became mem-

ference of the Alliance of the Today there still exists a bers of this people, God’s Continued on page 9

Societies for the League of Na-

tions, in Brussels. He was in- A Widow’s Petition
strumental in addressing the

matter of non-combatant al-

ternative military service with I send this petition for my son, Paja Tordaji, born in 1898. He served at first for two

the Yugoslavian and Roma- months without arms in the battalion of pioneers in Senta, from February 21 to May 5,

nian authorities. 1920, then he served in Kumanovo in the 22nd Inf. Regiment, 5th company. Then he was

This work is the result of his called in again on July 22, 1920. Not having been able to take up arms because his
research and investigation into Nazarene religion does not permit him to do so, he said, “I have never learned to serve
the persecution of the Serbian in the army with a gun. I have even served in the war without arms of any kind, I have
brethren, and documents the never taken an oath, and I shall also do now what I am able to do.” Hearing this, they
trials of faith they had to en- took pity on him and they transferred him to the Transportation troops. He served 18
dure. months in Serbia, six months in Albania on the battlefields, and after he had served his
time, the commandant had him tried before a court-martial, and this court sentenced

The First him to five years and eight months in prison. He has patiently suffered everything,
Christians because he was born in the faith of the Nazarenes, that is, his parents were Nazarenes.
He served his sentence in Srem Mitrovica until July 18, 1926.

When beginning with the Now they have called him again into the army to serve in it. The commandant of the
day of Pentecost the Apostles 22nd Infantry Regiment, 5th company, added up the time and found that he had served
of Jesus Christ, imbued with a month longer than he would have if he had served under arms. And if he would take
the spirit of God, were asked up arms now, he would be allowed to go home at once. The commandant Ljubomir
by inquiring people who de- Toschic ordered him to take up the arms, and this he could not do. The commandant
sired eternal life, “Men and said to him, “Now you must do it,” and gave him a slap in the face. At the same time he
brethren, what shall we do?” called a corporal and together they hung rifles on him by sheer force. Then the corporal
they were told: “Repent and Petar Knezevic drove him into the camp of the soldiers; there they commanded him to
be converted and believe in take up arms and a lieutenant of the 8th company, Anton Milekic, gave the order to lead
Jesus Christ and be bap- him into a store room in order to beat him. As he had no cane at hand to beat him, he
tized...” He who then was took out his sword, but he did not want to break his sword on him and he gave the order
obedient, who repented of to tie ten rifles around his neck. This was done. Three times he was like dead. They nearly
his sins, who was converted, choked him to death.
who believed in our Lord Je-
sus Christ as the Lamb of Then my son sent word to me: “Mother, do come, while I am still alive.” I arrived three
God, and then made a cove- days later. Then he was thrown into prison and two machine guns were tied to his body.
nant with God in holy bap-
Continued on page 9

8 • Exhortations Spring, 1997

Hold Fast Without Wavering year 1857, a true and faithful Pápa, published a book
servant of the Lord. which tells of the origin and
Continued from Page 8 ally died down, the bright growth of the Nazarenes in
glory of Christ’s teachings The Nazarenes Hungary and adjoining coun-
a citizen of heaven, that is, to dimmed in proportion. tries. The following are a few
be “saved”, by physical birth It is written of Jesus Christ, excerpts from his book.
or origin. For this reason they Then it was that God awak- in Matthew 2:23, “He shall be
have passed through real re- ened in Switzerland in the called a Nazarene.” The Jews Excerpts from the
pentance, become free from year 1828 a true and faithful called the Apostle Paul “a Account of
the burden of their trespasses witness in the person of the ringleader of the sect of the Károly Eötvös
and from the deeds of dark- preacher S. H. Fröhlich, who Nazarenes” (Acts 24:5). The
ness, been given the living entered into the new life in first believers in Christ were The Hungarian journey-
faith in Jesus, and made a Christ by his rebirth. It was he called “Nazarenes” in the
covenant with God through who rekindled the candle of earliest times! “And the disci- man-locksmiths Johann
their baptism. the bright light of the Gospel. ples were called Christians
For that reason he was dis- first in Antioch.” (Acts Denkel and Johann Kropat-
The teachings of Christ missed from his office, his ec- 11:26). To this very day the
and His apostles are wonder- clesiastical duties, in 1830. believers in Christ are called schek came to the city of Bu-
ful and full of peace. Begin- He began to preach the pure Nazarenes in Austria, in Hun-
ning about the year 34 ,A.D. Gospel and brought together gary, and in the Balkans. dapest in the summer of 1839.
many thousands of faithful many believers in communi-
believers gladly suffered ties (congregations). He A Hungarian man named In their travels they came as far
death for it. As the flames at evangelized from Switzer- Károly Eötvös, born in 1842,
the stakes where the first land up to the city of Stras- a professor at the Protestant as Zürich where they became
martyrs were burned gradu- bourg, where he died in the Law Academy in the city of
acquainted with S. H. Fröh-

lich, who converted them to

the true faith, and were bap-

tized by him. Denkel immedi-

ately spread the new faith

among his fellow workers in

Budapest, one of whom was

Ludwig Hencsey from Szent-

Continued from page 8 Péter-Úr, born in 1820. He was

He had to remain in the same position the entire night; he could not sleep nor move. For introduced to the new faith by
three days they tied him six times every morning and six times every afternoon to the
machine guns. Denkel on November 20,

At the time when he was to take the oath, the commandant tried to force him to swear, 1839, and was baptized in Bu-
but he said, “I can give a ‘promise,’ as my faith permits me to do, but I cannot take an
oath.” Thereupon two officers struck him with their fists. They loaded him up with rifles dapest on May 8, 1840. He is
by force. They pricked his hands with bayonets, that they might compel him to take up
arms. They kicked him brutally. He was bloody from head to foot. When the commandant the real founder of the Naz-
saw how bloody he was, he said to him, “Go and wash yourself.” After this he struck him
again and again. His head was all swollen, the face bloody all over. He suffered such arean communities in Hun-
agonies of pain that he was unable to eat for five days. Once the officer struck him on
his abdomen so that he fell down as if he had been killed. The soldiers lifted him to his gary.
feet and the commandant fled. When he heard that he was not dead, he returned and
beat him anew. In June of 1840, Hencsey re-
turned to his home for a short
The commandant Dragoljub Caric took his New Testament, spat into it, and then tore time and made good use of his
it up. Often they gave him nothing to eat and they made a bed from boards into which time to gain new converts for
nails had been driven from below, so that the nails might tear his flesh. And, so that he the new faith. The first of these
might not be able to stir, they built a partition from above the boards, and they wanted converts was the nobleman
to lock him into this bed of nails for three days and three nights in order to torment him. Josef Kovács, a man of educa-
Fortunately the commander of a battalion happened to come along. He asked the tion who later began a corre-
soldiers, “What’s that?” They told him, “That is a bed for this Nazarene, to have him sleep spondence with Fröhlich.
on it.” Then the commander of the battalion said, “This is not permitted, you must not Their letters were written in
do such things. It is better to court-martial him.” This was not done, but they continued Latin. In July, Hencsey came
to beat him. When the doctor came, and he reported himself “sick” and said he would back to Budapest to continue
send in a complaint, they kept on beating him still more. After this he kept quiet. his work of conversion. Josef
Trulavs, Johann Klein, and the
Therefore, I, his mother, petition you to ask you if something could not be done in this widow Anna Nipp were ac-
matter. I think the state officials have no knowledge of this. And now they are going to cepted as new members. The
court-martial him. He has now been for three months in the 5th company of the 22nd last of these, whose husband
had been the master of a trade,
Infantry Regiment in Kriva Palanka (South Serbia). I beg you to help me and my son. + placed a room at their disposal
where the little community
could hold their meetings. In
the years 1840 and 1841,

Spring, 1997 Continued on page 10

Exhortations • 9

Hold Fast Without Wavering Christ Jesus put an end to fore if thine enemy hunger,
the teaching of the Old Tes- feed him; if he thirst, give him
Continued from Page 9 and sisters to remain faithful tament, “An eye for an eye, a drink: for in so doing thou
and steadfast. His desire to be tooth for a tooth,” and in- shalt heap coals of fire on his
Hencsey wrote three books in able to return to his native land stead demanded: “Love your head.” (Romans 12:20).
which he set down the princi- within a short time was not enemies, bless them that
ples of the true faith. These realized. He died in Zürich on curse you, do good to them What a great difference
books were copied by his con- March 14, 1844. that hate you, and pray for there is between the one who
verts and distributed among them which despitefully use forgives his enemy and does
the people. In the year 1843, Hencsey’s you, and persecute you; That good to him according to the
brother Imre also came to ye may be the children of teaching of Christ, and the
Josef Bela was baptized in Zürich. After his brother’s one who treacherously kills
the fall of the year 1840. He death, Imre and Bela visited “Only when his enemy — who, perhaps, is
became Hencsey’s most loyally Fröhlich in Strasbourg. Imre better than he himself — and
devoted and useful assistant. returned to Hungary in 1846, the whom he does not even
Later the following members Bela in 1847. Both took up know.
were added: Georg Ihász, who their accustomed activity questions of
began his activity in the county again when they arrived. In Human life is not the prop-
of Sopron, a little later he went 1850, Bela went to America the bearing erty of men. It has been given
to Austria in order to preach where he was very active and to them in trust by God.
there and to make converts; had great success. He often of arms and Christ says, “Render to Cae-
Andreas Hortész was active in came back to Hungary, the last sar the things that are Cae-
Lippa and in Nagyszeben; time being in 1871. of the sar’s, and to God the things
Philipp Waidenhof, a journey- that are God’s.” Human life
man oil miller and an eager Spreading the taking of an is a gift and the property of
disciple, preached and made Gospel God. No man, according to
converts in the county of Békés oath arose the Gospel, may have the ab-
and its vicinity; Josef Samor, The communities of the solute power over the life of
the most efficient disciple of Nazarenes from this time be- did conflicts his fellow man. This right be-
Hencsey, was very active in for- gan to spread in the sur- longs solely to God who gave
eign countries. rounding countries, so that ensue.” life.
their members were to be
Sixteen additional members found up to the frontiers of your Father which is in The Redeemer, captured
were baptized on May 16, Turkey during the World War heaven” (Matthew 5:44-45). by His enemies, takes up the
1841. In June, 1841, several [World War I]. “Therefore all things whatso- ear cut off by Peter with his
members left Budapest with ever ye would that men sword, and heals it to its place
the firm decision to preach the The Nazarenes had every- should do to you, do ye even on his enemy Malchus (Luke
new faith everywhere. Hencsey where acknowledged the so to them” (Matthew 7:12). 22:51). How beautiful is
again returned to his parents constituted authorities and medical service.
and was very active in the en- had served them loyally. Only Now, does anyone desire to
tire countryside, where he when the questions of the be killed by his fellow men? To Take an Oath
made many converts. bearing of arms and of the Do as you would have done or to Swear in the
taking of an oath arose did to you. Light of the
In 1842, we find Hencsey conflicts ensue, owing to the Gospel
again in Budapest. He and Nazarenes’ convictions of John the Baptist, the her-
Bela left this city to go to Lippa conscience. ald of Christ, said to the Ro- The Son of God explicitly
for a visit. Here Andreas man soldiers: “Do violence to forbade His disciples to
Kertész had been very active The Problem of no man, neither accuse any swear. “But I say unto you,
and had won over many new Bearing Arms in falsely” (Luke 3:14). Swear not at all” (Matthew
members. Hencsey returned to the Light of the 5:34). “But let your commu-
Budapest on May 16, 1842, Gospel When they wanted to seize nication be, Yea, yea; Nay,
where he received a few more Jesus, His disciple Peter nay: for whatsoever is more
members. On October 11, “For Christ is the end of struck “courageously” with than these cometh of evil.”
1842, Hencsey and Bela came the law for righteousness to his sword against a superior (Matthew 5:37).
to Zürich and remained with every one that believeth,” force. With it he cut off the
Fröhlich in order to become wrote Paul to the Romans ear of Malchus, but Jesus said The Apostle James writes
acquainted with “the brother (Romans 10:4). “For the law to him, “Put up thy sword into concerning this: “But above
in Christ”. From Zürich Henc- made nothing perfect” (He- the sheath” (John 18:11). all things, my brethren, swear
sey wrote many letters to Hun- brews 7:19). not, neither by heaven, nei-
gary, and in those letters he Peter wrote, “Not render-
constantly urged the brothers ing evil for evil” (I Peter 3:9). Continued on page 11
And Paul advised, “There-
10 • Exhortations Spring, 1997

Hold Fast Without Wavering all told. The greater number Six Nazarenes were called
of these had already given into the army in December,
Continued from Page 10 the villages. A high officer is their “promise” in Decem- 1926, from the military dis-
reported to have said: “Kill ber, 1924. In spite of this fact, trict of Sombor to “swear and
ther by the earth, neither by them, rob them of every- they were not asked for their to take up arms.” Four of
any other oath: but let your thing, burn down their “promise”, but the officers these six men had already
yea be yea; and your nay, nay; houses, do not buy anything insisted on the complete oath given their “promise” in De-
lest ye fall into condemnation from them. If you do this, and on taking up arms. Be- cember 1924. In spite of this
[probably of God].” (James nothing will happen to you.” cause their faith did not per- fact they were again asked to
5:12). For a few weeks they even take the oath. This they re-
had to, in part at least, furnish “... a long fused to do. They suffered
A logical conclusion de- their own board. This impris- the same fate.
duced from the teachings of onment lasted for about four and severe
Christ as mentioned above months. Among the imprisoned
leads to the fact that true period of Nazarenes were men close to
Christians should not kill a Nearly all the meeting fifty years of age when they
human being and that they places of the Nazarenes were suffering were arrested, and now they
should not swear. For this sealed, but many of them were supposed to serve 10
reason the Nazarenes have were reopened again by tacit for the sake years in prison among the
consistently refused to serve understanding. In a confer- worst of criminals. They were
with arms, as well as to render ence which was held in Bel- of their to remain in prison under the
the oath; but they serve faith- grade in the fall of 1924, an severest of conditions until
fully in the medical corps, or agreement was reached be- faith.” sixty years of age.
among any unarmed tween some of the elders and
troops — and although they the higher military authori- mit them to do this, they were The Nazarenes in Yugosla-
do not swear or take an oath, arrested and tried for “insub- via again and again have
they do keep their word. “Kill them, ordination” and also for be- given assurances that they
Even the terrible World War longing to a religious sect not are ready, at once and gladly,
in the years 1914 to 1918 rob them of recognized by the state. to serve their time as soldiers
could not induce them to in the medical corps, or, if
take up arms against one an- everything, Shortly after, fifty of these
other or against others. A fifty-six men were sentenced “Because
number of Nazarenes are burn down in Belgrade for up to 10 years their faith
said to have been shot in Aus- imprisonment. Among them
tria-Hungary during this war their were men nearly 50 years of did not
for the sake of their faith. age, some of whom had al- permit
houses, do ready been sentenced in Aus- them to do
The Nazarenes in tria-Hungary two and three this, they
Yugoslavia not buy times for the same refusal, were
and had served from 8 to 12 arrested
“And at that time there was anything years in prison — a long and and tried...”
a great persecution against severe period of suffering for
the church which was at Jeru- from them!” the sake of their faith. this is not possible, among
salem” (Acts 8:1). other unarmed troops. In-
ties, that in the future they One hundred seventy-six deed, they have even made
In September, 1924, all were no longer to be com- Nazarenes living in the mili- the offer to the War Office to
men of military age, from 20 pelled to swear, but that they tary district of Stari Beºej serve for a longer period, if it
to 50 years of age, living in the were to be given the permis- were unexpectedly called would comply with their re-
territories ceded to Serbia sion to “promise.” There- into the army on September quest.
from Austria-Hungary as a upon the 1,400 Nazarenes 10, 1926; without exception
result of the World War, were were set at liberty towards only Nazarenes were called Besides the men already
called to arms for the “de- the end of December, 1924. for the same reason men-
fense” of the new govern- tioned above. Because they, Continued on page 12
ment of Yugoslavia. Because Contrary to all expecta- too, for religious reasons, re-
the Nazarenes could not take tions, only the Nazarenes of fused to take the oath or to Exhortations • 11
the oath, in accordance with the military district Veliki take up arms, they were also
the Word of God, about 1,400 Beckerek were called into arrested, tried, and sen-
of their number were impris- the army on August 1, 1926, tenced; and in every respect
oned. Some of them, fettered under the pretense of a mili- treated just like the men in
in chains, were led through tary drill. There were 56 men the Veliki Beckerek district.

Spring, 1997

Hold Fast Without Wavering active men remained prison- doned” March 7th were again

ers in different prisons. imprisoned. The torture be-

Continued from Page 11 In the beginning of Febru- In order to get these men gan anew to swear, to take up
ary, 1927, another group of out of prison and, perhaps, to arms, and to renounce the
mentioned, there are still eighty Nazarenes was sen- be able to bring the problem faith of the Nazarenes. As
more than fifty other young, tenced to nine and a half and of taking up arms closer to a they refused again to do so,
active men imprisoned in the ten years in prison. solution, three Swiss brothers they were tried again in court.
different prisons of Yugosla- went once more to Yugosla- Practically all of them have
via, every one of them serving Now the Society for the via in July, 1927. The king again been sentenced six to
a sentence of four to eight League of Nations in Swit- had gone to Bled (Slovenia) ten years of hard labor in
years. Some of them are kept zerland interceded in their to take up his residence in prison. Among them are men
in solitary confinement, behalf. In a meeting of the this health resort. They who are completely unfit for
while others must mingle International Commission waited for three days trying military service.
with the worst of criminals — for the Minorities held in to get permission to see the
and all this for conscience Brussels on February 23, king, but to no avail. They A young Nazarene in
sake. 1927, Professor Bovet ap- could not penetrate the iron Srem-Mitrovica is said to
pealed to the delegation ring of the court. have been examined four
Among the prisoners in Pe- times by the army surgeons,

terwardein, thirty percent of from Yugoslavia, and this The joy of those who were and each time he was de-

the Nazarenes ought to have delegation promised to re- pardoned March 7th was of clared to be completely unfit

been excused from any mili- dress the grievances. As a re- short duration, let it be said. for military service. But the

tary service at all, because sult of their magnanimous On the 11th and the 14th of commandant in authority

they were physically disabled. mediation the king pardoned July, 1927, Nazarenes up to took away his certificates and

These have again been sen- more than 200 Nazarenes on 50 years of age — and only his testimonials and had him

tenced to nine to ten years March 7, 1927, and they were Nazarenes — were again escorted under military

imprisonment. Imagine — dismissed from prison. But called into the army. Nearly guard to a distant cavalry bar-

physically disabled, yet in more than 50 other young, all those who had been “par- racks. +

army service — because they

are Nazarenes! An Afterword by Brother Stäubli
A Nazarene in Srem,

twenty-five years of age, was Brother Stäubli concluded his writings with this brief appeal to the hearts of all the brethren,

sentenced at the close of the whether known as the Nazarenes in eastern Europe, the Evangelical Baptists in western Europe,

war to five years in prison be- or the Apostolic Christians in the United States. Let us recognize that this appeal is not limited

cause he refused to take up merely to Brother Stäubli’s generation, but is just as urgent for our consideration today.

arms for the sake of his con- Let us pray for our brethren in Hungary, Yugoslavia, and Romania, that none would falter
science. After having served in this time of tribulation (I Thessalonians 3:3). Remember those who are in bonds (Hebrews
half of this time, he was “par- 13:3).
doned” by the king and set

free. He was then called into Who are they who will be found at the left hand of God? Those who have neglected the

the army again and sen- following, spoken by Christ: “I was in prison...” (Matthew 25:36, 40, 43-45).

tenced anew to nine years in Therefore let us intercede in prayer for our brethren before the Throne of Grace, if we
prison. cannot physically visit them; for who knows whether the Lord will not hearken to our earnest

entreaty as at the time of Peter (Acts 12:5).

Attempts at The following sentiments from the Zion’s Harp come to mind:
Intervention “Suffering giveth faith its power... here men call thee but a burden, yonder thou wilt be a

The distress of the Naz- guerdon that not everyone may share.”

arenes in Yugoslavia could “Sowing tears brings joyous harvest when to Jesus Christ we cling. Thousand-fold the trials
not remain a secret. Their befall us who to Jesus Christ belong.”
brothers in faith in Switzer-

land and America became in- Therefore let us pray for one another.

terested in their case, and in “Soon, perhaps, you too may enter where the golden harps resound.”
January, 1927, four Swiss

brothers made a trip to Yugo- “Blessed Zion, be contented, God is present in thee still; to be thine He hath consented;

slavia to investigate the He hath Fatherly goodwill. When, as often, tears of sadness are thy food and drink, and

trouble. They were con- though often in thy songs of gladness may be heard a note of woe; if with anguish thou are

vinced of the truth of these shaken, if men bind and torture thee, thou wilt never be forsaken — think upon eternity! O
facts.
rejoice, life’s day is ending, soon the evening thou wilt see.” +

12 • Exhortations Spring, 1997

Arise, and Go Down to the worked according to the art-
ful skill, and to become a

Potter’s House work of art. And when it is
ready, shaped to the potter’s

will, it is then fired — put into

Brian Palanacki ple, until the Lord told him to ter trouble, as he tries with a furnace — that it might be
go down to the potters house, masterful hands to change solidified in that shape. It is
Brother Brian Palanacki is a “and there I will speak to the shape of the clay. Every this process which makes the
minister in the Windsor, On- you.” To us this afternoon, I time a hard lump comes by, vessel ready for its intended
tario, Canada, congregation. believe the message is the the vessel becomes de- use. A vessel cannot possibly
The Scripture text for this same. I believe that the Lord formed, and not according to be used until it is properly
meditation is taken from Jere- would have us to go down to
miah 18. the potter’s house. It is my fired, properly
prayer that the Lord would
The prophet Jeremiah is speak to you as, together, we cured, that it
recognized as one of the ma- go in thought to the potter’s
jor prophets. His service as a house. “A vessel cannot might withstand
prophet spanned forty years and fulfill its in-
and oversaw the rule of five Consider the process of
kings in Israel. But he was a making a pot. In this area, it possibly be used tended purpose.
weeping prophet, a prophet is not any longer a common You and I,
who was burdened with serv- practice in this day and age to
ing a people who were a stiff- make pots by hand. But there until it is properly brother and sis-
necked people, a people who are still places in the world ter, were once just
soon left the ways of their where it’s done the way it was fired, properly
God. Jeremiah clay. In a spiritual

cured, that it might sense we are
taken from the

withstand and miry clay. But be-
fore the Master,

fulfill its intended the Lord God,
could make some-

was burdened purpose.” thing useful of us,
with the task of He needed to
informing those “The potter does bring us down, to

people, as we not put the clay on the shape within the mind work with us, to break apart
have read this af-
and the heart of the potter. the hardened lumps, to break
ternoon, how the the wheel until he
Lord works in the And the potter has to strive down the old nature, to make

lives of His chil- feels that it is with it if this is the case, has us ready and fit to be turned

dren. And unfor- to use force. Sometimes the into a vessel by His own
tunately, he was
right.” pot is ruined, because the hands.

burdened with clay is not right. Because the My friend outside of
clay was too hard to be Christ, pay close attention to
having to tell shaped properly

those children of the living over three thousand years by the touch of

God that their future in- ago. The clay is taken from the potter’s hand. “Pay close attention

cluded captivity, for the very the earth. It is put into a pit, And the potter at

reason that they had left the and there, mixed with water, times has to leave to how the Lord

ways of God. it is trampled by the potter. that and start

Literally stepped on, over anew. prepares those who

Time and time again, if we and over again. It is beaten; it If the clay is too are not His children

read through these chapters is spread: until the lumps and soft, the potter

of this book, we will find that the hard parts are dissolved also has trouble, to become the sons

the prophet speaks the same away. It is brought to a table, because when he
makes the shape,
message over and over again. and it is rolled and mixed un- and the daughters

While others said it’s not so til it is just right, and ready for just by the very
nature of gravity
bad, Jeremiah alone pre- the wheel. The potter does of the living God...”

dicted that the captivity not put the clay on the wheel itself, by its very

would be long and hard. And until he feels that it is right. own weight, it will sag and how the Lord prepares those
change shape. It will go back who are not His children to
so it was, when those who Not too hard, not too soft.

looked in retrospect realized to a shape that the potter become the sons and the

that they should have lis- We can all imagine that a does not have envisioned. So
you see, the clay has to be just
tened to Jeremiah. I believe hardened piece of clay, not right, in the hands of even the daughters of the living God.
that Jeremiah was so bur- right for the wheel, would master potter, if it is to be Continued on page 14
dened at times that he didn’t only give the potter prob-
know what to tell those peo- lems, would only give the pot-

Spring, 1997 Exhortations • 13

Arise, and Go Down to the And that is the same lesson when they began to seek van-
Potter’s House
which God would have us to ity, and to seek ways not cast

learn again this afternoon. up. Perhaps the beginning

You see, Jeremiah went to a was their wish to have a king.

Continued from Page 13 people whom the Bible says And what could be wrong?

had forgotten the Lord. They What was wrong with having

There is a process of humili- world, cannot change it. You one to rule over

ation. Humbling. Down- see, by nature we gravitate them? What was

grading. Painful. Yes, repen- towards our own will. By na- “He continues to wrong, brother
and sister, was
tance can be a very painful ture we are all in the flesh,
mold and to fire us, that the Lord did
process. It certainly is a hum- and we tend to follow our

bling process, without which own way. But God would not that we might be not set them a
king. This was
none can come to God, the have us as such. God would

Bible says. When we are bro- have our will to be com- set firmly...” something of the
world that they
ken down, when we are pletely dissolved, so that His

beaten down spiritually, hands can continue to work wished to have.

when we are humbled to the in our lives the things that He have burned incense to van- This was not a way cast up by

extent that we realize we are would shape. When the Lord ity. And they had caused the Lord Himself in the law

nothing but clay, it is then we has saved us, when He them to stumble in their ways of Moses. And the Lord said

are ready to go on from the ancient paths, to that when Samuel came,

the potter’s wheel walk in paths in a way not cast grieved that these people

and be shaped by “So you see, a up. You see, Israel’s sin was wanted a king. And the Lord
His hand.
that they pursued vanity. suffered them that, for the

The skillful heart must be They left the ways of God, hardness of their heart. But it

master at his right. It must be what God had set down in didn’t end there.
trade has fingers
Moses’ law, and pursued The end of these people, as
which know how soft enough for God ways not cast up. prophesied by Jeremiah in
to shape: not too
Now, we all know when it this very chapter, was further
hard a touch, not to change, but hard
too soft. And the enough that the all started, and where it all wandering from God’s way.
Lord God is a elements of this
Master Workman started. When they were in They did mingle with the
when it comes to
bondage in Egypt, when they people around. They did take

cried to the Lord, when they their customs. They did take

shaping a soul. were just clay, be-
The Lord has
world, the nature ing worked and

promised that he of this world, trampled and “God promised that
will not do any-
shaped by God, when their
thing that we can- cannot change it.” they were faithful.

not endure; that, They prayed to calamity would
God. They sought
though painful
His ways. And come, that He will
some processes may be brought us through baptism
through which He will bring and called us by His name, they believed in
us, He will help us through. If then He continues to mold
our heart is too hard, then the and to fire us, that we might Him. They turn His back, and
Potter will strive to soften us be set firmly, though some- wouldn’t have
again. The Lord said in His times by adversity, by trials, dreamt of taking not His face.”
Word that He cannot work by temptations. Yet in victory
with a hardened heart. If the we become hardened in His Egyptian customs
heart is too soft, and affected will and His ways, hardened
by every breeze, we cannot in that faith which we had into their lives. No place does their gods. And they did sin
retain and keep the statutes received and which we con- the Bible say that the chil- against the Lord. And Jere-
which the Lord Himself fess, keepers of our promises, dren of Israel sinned in miah prophesied the worst
would have us to keep in our walking in the way cast up for Egypt. for them. He prayed to God
heart. us by this Word — that is the
But when God had brought that when the day of calamity
will of God. them out, and when they had would come, for God to keep
So you see, a heart must be inherited the land, and God His word, because God
warned them of ways not cast promised that when their ca-
right. It must be soft enough up, warned them not to min- lamity would come, that He
gle with the people in the sur- will turn His back, and not
rounding areas, warned them His face. You see, while they

for God to change, but hard That is the lesson which not to take their wives, not to

enough that the elements of God had intended that Jere- take their customs, lest they

this world, the nature of this miah would bring to Israel. be polluted with them, that’s Continued on page 15

14 • Exhortations Spring, 1997

Arise, and Go Down to the us. The Lord God is willing to then, when life is ended, we
Potter’s House
make our life an artful vessel. will indeed be a piece of the

But He must continue to Master’s hand, commonly

shape and to mold our lives. called a masterpiece. God is

Continued from Page 14 As the potter in this story indeed a Master Worker.
didn’t like the vessel that was With good clay, He can work
were in Egypt, God had His He is willing to listen to the made, and made it over that masterpiece in your life.
again, so the Lord continues O, blessed is he that can con-
face turned towards them. heart that gives up its will,
fess that he is will-
He heard their prayers. He that leaves its stubbornness,

saw their affliction. But when and is willing to be shaped by ing and ready to be

they were in Babylon, He God’s hand. God, the Bible used and to be

didn’t. God turned His back, says, resists the proud. He “If only we would molded by the Pot-

according to His promise. considers stubbornness as be willing to go ter’s hand.
along with the
But praise God that, al- iniquity and idolatry. A songwriter put
it this way:
though He brings destruction But humility He prizes.

to those who leave His ways, Humility He rewards. Oh, if Potter’s hand. The potter saw a ves-

He also brings salvation to we only knew the value of sel that was broken

humility in God’s Then, when life is by the wind and the

eyes, how we would ended, we will rain;
And he sought with
“Oh, if we only seek after it. How we
would seek to be just
knew the value right in His hand, to indeed be... a so much compas-
sion to make it over
of humility in be molded whichever
way He would have masterpiece.” again.
O, I was that vessel
God’s eyes, how us to be. How we
would heed the Word that no one thought

we would seek that we read and that to shape our lives, to change was good;
we listen to in serv- the things that are not fitting I cried, Lord, You’re the potter,
after it.” ices. How we would for His service into ones that and I am the clay;
are a glory to Him. If only we Make me over again, I pray.
appreciate more the would be willing to go along Then, God picked up the
with the Potter’s hand: when pieces of my broken life that
those who sin — not a sin goodness of the Lord God. the Potter makes a mark, that day;
it stays there; when the Potter And He made me a new vessel
unto death — those who are How much less we would makes a shape, that we do not
and revived my soul again. +
born in sin, those who fail, see pursue our own ways. How

their mistakes, and return much less we would think of

unto the Lord. His grace is so our own goodness. How

great that He is willing to lis- much less we would pursue go back to the original shape

ten to the repentant heart. the things that benefit only that we were before. And

Two ways, O man, before thee lie Therefore, O man, take thought today,
That lead to just two places: While yet the choice is given;
One, narrow, to the throne on high, Reject the road that leads astray
That many a cross embraces; And choose the way to heaven.
The other road is smooth and broad, Great glory shall to them betide
But does not give the peace with God, Who in the faith of God abide,
And leads to utter ruin. But woe awaits the sinner!

Spring, 1997 — Zion’s Harp, Hymn 106

Exhortations • 15

Effective Prayer

Peter Fibison

From The Visitor, February, 1929, p 44.

A person may do well to ask himself, “Has the Lord been hearing my prayers, and if not, why not?” David confessed
in his prayers, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” (Psalm 66:18). It is plain to all of us that
anyone who keeps iniquity in his heart cannot pray so that God will hear him.

God will not hear the man who cherishes sin in his heart. God looks at sin with abhorrence. He is “of purer eyes
than to behold evil” (Habakkuk 1:13). Herein lies the very simple explanation why many people pray and are not
heard.

But if we are in a position to pray to God rightly, are we daily fulfilling the Lord’s call? “Pray ye therefore the Lord
of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.” (Luke 10:2). Here is a duty given to us Christians,
that we should pray in our chambers for ministers of the Word. Those whom God has called to devote their lives to
the ministry of the Word should be the objects of the prayers of God’s people. The neglect of prayer on the part of
God’s people accounts very largely for the absence of more power on the part of God’s ministry.

The apostle Paul wrote: “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be
glorified, even as it is with you” (II Thessalonians 3:1). We complain of the slow progress of the Word: are we praying
that it may have a free course?

ExhortationsThe Newsletter of the
Apostolic Christian Publishing Company
P.O. Box 416
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