God
has opened many doors to us for service here in the mountains. Only His
power could set aside many of the barriers the Devil has erected to hinder
the spreading of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
We believe the most fertile
and needy ground for sowing the seeds of salvation throughout this mountain
region is to be found among the children. It is truly pathetic that many
of them are growing up without Christ; many are in homes which do not even
possess a Bible. In many cases the one Bible of the home is a sort of heirloom,
which is handed down from father to son, and is kept packed away in a trunk,
and is only opened to register the death of a relative or the birth of
a new born babe. We have found many children of school age who have never
been to Sunday School.
In so many instances the
home life and environment of the children is anything but the best. All
that some of them know is drinking, cursing, and hard work. Most of the
families are very large. It is not unusual to find in home after home anywhere
from 8 to 13 children.
Thus, one can readily see
there are many little hearts to be reached with the message of Christ.
We are asking guidance of our Savior in placing us in every available gap,
that we may be used to reach every one that it is humanly possible and
especially the children. How true is that "to save a child is to save a
life."
Shortly after we came here
last fall, Frances (my wife) was greatly burdened for the children in a
small public school, which is located in an isolated section, far out on
a little mountain trail, and about two miles from where we live. After
much prayer, and the promise from God of an open door, she took the matter
up with the school teacher, a very pleasant young lady, but who seemingly
was not much concerned about the cause of Christ. We had learned that she
had no kind of devotional or chapel or Bible reading at the school. However,
she seemed to think it a fine idea for someone to teach the Bible to the
children.
She said that it would be
necessary to get the consent of the superintendent of the schools; and
kindly offered to see him at her first opportunity. He approved the idea,
but said that the parents of the school children must give their consent
also. When we heard it had been referred to the parents, we felt assured
of an open door, as we were favorably known in that community, having helped
in a meeting over a year ago. How wonderful the thought that God, by His
Mighty Spirit, is able to remove the highest mountain of opposition, to
melt the strongest wall of prejudice, and to break through the most endless
red tape—all these, the Devil's weapons for hindering God's work.
"We praise God
for opening the way that the Bible could be taught in this school, once
each week."
Frances
on right.
Near
Bakersville, NC. |
|
We praise God for opening
the way that the Bible could be taught in this school, once each week.
Frances went to the school where she taught the children Gospel songs and
choruses. They also memorized Scripture verses, for which they were awarded
gospels of John. She also made use of chalk talks and object lessons emphasizing
a clean life through Christ, and bringing out forcibly with every message
the plan of salvation in a simple, direct manner that the smallest child
could understand. How they seemed to enjoy the songs and choruses, as well
as reciting the books of the Bible in unison—and they actually sang the
New Testament books. They also enjoyed making the Books and posters carrying
some of the subjects about which they were studying, and which when finished,
were proudly carried home.
At the close of the last
lesson before the Christmas holidays, she asked how many of the children
would give their hearts to Jesus. There were 8 out of 22 who raised their
hands, many of them with tear-filled eyes.
Shortly after the holidays,
she was unable to go back to the school for a few weeks on account of illness.
However, in spite of the doctor's advice to give up the school for the
rest of the term, she took up the work again as God had definitely led
her to continue the work until the end of the school year.
On her return she found quite
a change in the teacher. There were Scripture verses and some of the books
of the Bible written on the blackboard. These had been put there by the
teacher to encourage the pupils in learning them. The last lesson for this
term was given Tuesday. The subject of the object lesson for this time
was, "And the door was shut." In this message she brought out the thought
of four doors, namely, The Door of the Bridal Party, The Door of the Ark,
The Door of the Heart, and The Door of Life. At the close of the lesson
the invitation was given for all those who wished to open their hearts'
door to Jesus and take Him as their Savior, or all who already had done
so to signify by their upraised hands. In response to this invitation there
were 13 hands raised including the teacher, for which we do praise God,
Who said, "Suffer the little children to come unto Me."
We have no way of knowing
how much has been accomplished in the hearts of these children, or of the
depth of their sincerity or understanding, but God knows, and we do know
that He had promised that His word will not return unto Him void. God grant
that we may be used to hide that in the heart of every child here in the
mountains. That is our prayer in which we request all of God's people to
join us. May we also ask a great interest in your prayers that we may be
used to win many souls for our Savior. Also, remember the mission needs. |