The baby in the manger uttered his first cry, and thereby his Father staked a claim upon our lives. Thereby the Mighty God of all creation became also “Abba” — the tender Father of a little child; and OUR Father as well!

The God whose son was born in that stable, amidst the simple farm animals, ceased being (if He ever was!) a God of remote abstractions and technical theories.

He is now, for us, a God who loves PEOPLE, a Father who is not willing that any should perish, who holds back no blessing from His “children”, who searches out and loves even the least worthy and most neglected.

A tiny cry in a manger. It was truly a miracle. It was the greatest of all miracles — the birth of God’s own son!

But isn’t every birth a “miracle”, and a mystery? Isn’t every child a “holy” child, because he or she receives life from the God who is holy? Isn’t every child a “gift” from God, showing His continuing love for man, showing that even yet He has not “given up” on us?

And shouldn’t every child be a special child — like Samuel or John or even Jesus — who should be dedicated by righteous parents to the service of God?

Like Mary and Joseph, many of us have been entrusted by God with future kings and queens — who will one day, by God’s grace, sit upon thrones and apply to the nations the lessons learned in their parents’ homes.

And, in fact, aren’t we ALL — from youngest to oldest — children of God, begotten by His love… children who manifest our “sonship” by our love for one another? If there is a lesson in the Christmas story, it is this: the preeminence of love. We love him, because He first loved us. For, after all, “sonship” is not what we do, but what we receive. Not what we earn, but a gift. Thanks be to the Father in heaven, that through His special Son we have received the gift of knowing what it means to be His children.

These thoughts and recollections are taken from a book dealing with a disaster that occurred in Wellington, New Zealand on April 10, 1968, when the inter-island ferry “Wahine” foundered on Barret Reef near the entrance to Wellington harbour. I have added the Scripture passages that these thoughts and recollections caused me to consider.

Jonah 1:4; 4:8 — But the Lord sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken… And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live.

The ferry had room for another 300 passengers. The passenger capacity of 924 was under-booked; only 610, including 41 children under the age of 14 were sailing that night. The crew totaled 125. Air hostess Sally Shrimpton, 23, on transfer to Wellington from Christchurch, was on the ship because ear trouble had put a temporary halt to flying… Mrs O’Neill, 35 and expecting another child, was uneasy about the voyage to Sydney. I wasn’t worried about the ferry; it was the big trip to Sydney that was on my mind, she recalled later. I told my friends to pray for us. I had my faith in God and thought He would take care of us, but I just felt something was going to happen. When I got on the boat I could not settle. I kept gathering the children together. When she had tucked her children in Mrs O’Neill got into bed. But she left the light on and began praying… Also in the smoke-room were the Hansens, watching television. They’d been early arrivals at the ship, driving their car aboard about 5.30 pm. After leaving overnight luggage in their cabin they had gone across the road from the wharf entrance to the British Hotel, and over a few beers played tunes on a jukebox. One of them was the pop song “There goes my prized possession, There goes my everything.” It was an omen.

Ezekiel 33:6,7 — But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand. So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel, therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.

The 3 am forecast on the NZ Broadcasting Corporation’s all-night programme located the cyclone’s centre off the eastern coast of the southern part of the Coromandel Peninsula. They said:

“Present indications are the centre will be located about 100 miles east of Hawkes Bay by midday today.”

The weathermen were right when they predicted gale force and above southerlies in Cook Strait in a few hours (John’s note — Hawkes Bay is quite a wee ways north of Wellington, and the ferry should have been in Wellington long before midday. Cook Strait is just outside Wellington harbour). But their estimate of the centre’s location at midday was to be proved sadly inaccurate by one factor largely unknown to them: the storm had speeded up. At 3 am it was over Tauranga, building up huge seas on the coast, ripping down power and telephone circuits and in nearby Whakatane pulling a section of roofing from the toll and telephone exchange. The fringes of the storm built up the southerly over Wellington dramatically between 3 am and 4 am. At 3 am the anemometer at Wellington Airport, close to the harbour entrance, registered 10 knots. An hour later it showed 42 knots with a maximum gust of 60. The rain that would not let up until 3.30 pm was driving across the exposed runways.

The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would show them a sign from heaven. He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, It will be foul weather today: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?

He had been joined on the bridge by Chief Officer Luly. Arriving back from the garage, the chief officer saw the visibility had gone and had a quick look at the radar. The picture had spun round and he realised it was out of order. Through the windows of the bridge he could see the scanner on the foremast still rotating, but the mast was shaking so violently it was touch and go if it would remain with the ship. Bracing himself against the ship’s movements, he went and stood by the master amidships and made sure his telegraph orders were received by Third Officer Noblet who was on the port wing telegraph. The orders came in quick succession as Captain Robertson tried desperately to bring the bow round. He had nothing to navigate with but his instinct and feeling. At times he sensed the ship was approaching rocks ahead and ordered her astern, or else he felt she was near the Pencarrow coast astern and ordered her ahead. Whether the ship was in fact moving ahead or astern was difficult to estimate as, so violent was the motion, for much of the time the two huge propellers were spinning uselessly out of the water.

Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth.

About five tense minutes passed and then Chief Officer Luly saw the orange light of the Barret Reef buoy, moored 400 yards south of Outer Rock. Southward from Outer Rock extend drying and low-water rocks, leaving a gap of 200 yards of deep water to the buoy. The chief officer first saw the light on the starboard bow, then on the port bow. A few seconds later he saw rocks to starboard. He cried out “Rocks ahead !”. Almost instantly came the cry “Rocks astern !” Captain Robertson raced for the starboard wing of the bridge. His reaction when he saw the rocks on the starboard bow was horror. “Then I saw them astern and there was no way of getting out of it.” The doomed ship quickly closed on the rocks. Captain Robertson had the impression she was picked up bodily and thrown on to the reef. He did not feel the initial impact but a bit later felt the hull bouncing up and down on the rocks. It was the end of a ghastly half hour of commanding a blind ship in the most hazardous position imaginable.

Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters; who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind… For He commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof… He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth, He maketh lightnings for the rain; He bringeth the wind out of his treasuries… He sendeth out His word, and melteth them: he causeth His wind to blow, and the waters flow… Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling His word…”

Ashore, the wind was battering the city and threatening to remove anything not firmly secured, but it wasn’t until 7.20 that the country as a whole heard about the Wahine. With power restored, announcer Joy Ring gave the news in a special bulletin on the NZ Broadcasting Corporation’s national network link:

“The inter-island ferry Wahine is reported to have gone aground on Barrett Reef a short time ago. Tugs are on their way to help but the Marine Department believes there is no serious danger.”

This was sensational news, but the Marine Department’s belief, unfortunately unfounded, that there was no serious danger, helped allay the fears of listeners around the country, particularly those with loved ones aboard.

(Do we look at events around us and believe that there is no serious danger?)

While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you.

Outside the smokeroom, Clarrie O’Neill and his wife kept a watchful eye on their six children. He spoke to others around them about their plight. “We realised the helplessness of our position and the need of a higher power to save us. I tried to encourage the others but I was still very worried though this receded somewhat as time went on. I met a man from Greymouth and his wife I knew, and talked to them of God for about half an hour. I was very sad the next day to see his name on the death roll.

But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day; For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened… The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.

Clarrie O’Neill and his family were also in the smokeroom after an uncomfortable wait outside. The six children lay on the floor, still in their lifejackets, and Mr O’Neill managed to get a set for his wife, who was pale and not looking too well. He remembers one elderly woman saying, “Your children deserve a medal.” Another added, “The parents deserve a medal for looking after them so well.” “I turned around and said, ‘Medals won’t help us now. What we need is help from above.’ They both agreed.”

2 Samuel 22:3 — The God of my rock, in Him will I trust. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my high tower and my refuge, my Saviour. Thou savest me from violence… Psalm 62:7, 8 — In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before Him: God is a refuge for us.

Suddenly she lurched a couple of times to starboard… and stayed there. The harsh jangle of the alarm bells and the abandon ship order a few minutes later punctured any complacency that remained. Six hundred and ten passengers were faced with the stark reality of getting off the ship into a still wild sea. Fright showed clearly on the faces of the men, women and children jammed into the B-deck smokeroom and cafeteria, passageways and cabins and in the A-deck lounge. For a few minutes panic was imminent as passengers surged to the exits in their desperate desire to get on deck.

Matthew 7:25,27: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house, and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house, and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

It was about 2 pm and now only four men — Able Seaman Donald MacInnes, Luly, Galloway, and Captain Robertson — remained. Save for the occasional crashes from below as equipment and cargo moved, the ship was spookily quiet. In three quarters of an hour 732 people had left the Wahine. Considering the conditions, the abandonment had gone amazingly well.

Jeremiah 51:16: When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens; and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth: he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures. Nahum 1:3 — The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the Lord hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.

Clarrie O’Neill, his wife and six children were also in the (life) boat. He was worried about the waves and feared the boat would get side on to them. “We were helpless, and couldn’t do a thing. A woman came floating towards me in the water crying, ‘Save me, save me.’ I reached out and grabbed her hand and she cried out, ‘Don’t let me go. Don’t let me go.’ She must have been in her fifties, and weighed between 15 and 16 stone. I had a terrible job to try and get her aboard and I had to get another man to help me. I told her how glad we were to have her aboard. Then a woman in the boat cried out — ‘Has anyone seen my baby?’ A man at the end of the boat held up a poor mite, all dripping wet and asked — ‘Is this it?’ It was. The woman took her baby and cuddled it to her. It looked so cold and bedraggled that I took off my felt hat which I had on all the time and put it on the baby’s head to keep the rain off. The woman did not say anything, just gave me a look of thankfulness that was worth all the silver and gold in the world.”

Luke 8:23,24: But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, ‘Master, master, we perish’. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm.

Those rescued include 61-year-old Mrs Tressa Dunford of Christchurch, and her husband, who had a terrifying time since jumping off the ship. ‘Some of my thoughts were for my mother, who is 84, and I wondered who would look after her if I didn’t get out alive. I also thought of my 3 sons and 5 step-daughters and wondered if I would ever see them again. I thought about sharks, and the mess there would be if a few got loose amongst us. Actually I love water but I like to know what is in it with me. I wasn’t frightened of dying but realised that it’s not until faced with death that you realise how sweet life is.’

Isaiah 4:6: And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for r a place of refuge; and for a covert from storm and from rain.

Isaiah 25:4: For thou hast been a strength to the poor , a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.

Clarrie O’Neill, his wife, and 6 children, thanked God for getting them safely ashore. ‘I realised that we had been in a terrible situation and my first thoughts were that we had been permitted to go through the valley of the shadow of death. On the law of averages, I suppose we should have lost one or two of the children, but apart from being soaked and cold we were all right.’

Mark 4:27: And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full… And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, ‘Peace, be still’. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm… And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, ‘What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?’

After radio newscasts had revealed that survivors were being taken to Wellington Railway Station, relatives and friends of those who had been on the Wahine gathered quietly behind the crowd-control barriers. The tense, anxious wait common to all disasters began. For some the vigil was in vain; others spent hours waiting, only to learn that loved ones were already in hospital. For some the wait was mercifully short.

Early in the evening police discovered they had names of far more survivors than the total number of passengers and crew who had been on the Wahine. There was much duplication of names, different spellings of the same name, different addresses for the same survivor. In the chaos of the afternoon the names of many rescuers had gone on the lists. In a few cases the names of the dead were also on the list. No name could be deleted until painstakingly checked out.

Revelation 20:12: And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judges out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

I would like to conclude with a paragraph written in “The Gospel News” one time, by our Brother Christopher Damaso, from the Philippines:

“The boat is our ecclesia that brings its people to the conference which will be at Mt Zion in Jerusalem. This time the subject and the speaker will be our Master, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will reveal himself as the King and those who are patiently and faithfully waiting for him will find joy, receiving the promise, “He who stands firm till the end will be saved.” (Matthew 24:13). However, sailing to the Kingdom is not easy, there are waves and winds of trials to be overcome. Sometimes, along the way, we have brothers and sisters who need to be rescued from a shipwreck. They need us to strengthen their faith. They are the survivors who call for comfort, encouragement, and prayers. Helping the weak must be a primary concern (Acts 20:28,35). Indeed, our voyage is a selfless endeavour. We are not only concerned for ourselves, but for others as well. This is what the apostle Paul meant when he said, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ” (Gal 6:2). If we can fulfil this responsibility, our boat will not sink and no one will fall into the sea, and, at the end, we will finally reach the harbour to meet our King.

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Begone, unbelief! Our Saviour is near, And for our relief Will surely appear: Though rough winds may wrestle — Our God will perform: With Christ in the vessel, We smile at the storm.

(John Ching)

Harry A. Whittaker, Christadelphian and Bible prophecy student, died in 1992 at the age of 83. Harry was exemplary in many areas: Bible student, teacher, preacher, missionary, author, letter-writer, visitor, counselor and upbuilder. His boundless energy, forthright message and genuine concern for the welfare of others were inspirational. Harry’s copious writings [see below] are a source of wonderful Bible insights and discoveries, and have encouraged many people in many countries. His work in the area of Bible prophecy has been particularly interesting, and has certainly influenced the thinking of many.

Harry and his wife Phyllis did pioneering preaching work in Guyana in the 1950s.

A list of the published works of Harry Whittaker:

The Last Days The Time of the End Five Minutes to Twelve Isaiah Joel Of Whom the World was not Worthy (Jeremiah) Revelation — A Biblical Approach Jews, Arabs, and Bible Prophecy Visions in Daniel Studies in the Gospels Studies in the Acts of the Apostles Bible Studies — An Anthology Israel in the Wilderness Letters to George and Jenny Exploring the Bible Enjoying the Bible Exhorting and Testifying The Very Devil Through Patience and Comfort of the Scriptures Abraham — Father of the Faithful Wrestling Jacob He is Risen Indeed Genesis 1-2-3-4 Hezekiah the Great (with The Songs of Degrees, by George Booker) Passover Reformation Samuel, Saul, and David Seven Short Epistles Joseph the Saviour Word Studies Judges and Ruth The Gifts of the Holy Spirit The Letters of Peter Seven Short Epistles Jude

We have ample instruction that we must be diligent and redeem the time, but in many situations waiting on the Lord is the best solution. God is in complete control: we are merely servants. We have many specific duties and responsibilities, but even in the discharge of these, waiting on the Lord plays no small part.

“Who shall roll away the stone?” Who will help…? … or, Who can do… this or that, or whatever may seem to be required? These questions often occasion needless concern to Christ’s disciples. Much of such worry arises from our failure to recognize our own actual insignificance in the overall purpose of God. If we have any place in that purpose at all, it is merely as instruments in the hands of God. As far as we are concerned, the meaning of every circumstance lies principally in our own reaction to it. God is testing us, not coming to us for help. He who holds the earth in the hollow of His hands has no problems or worries, but simply an unalterable and irresistible purpose. We can safely leave all the planning and engineering to Him. Our simple task is confined to reacting to each new circumstance as it comes, in the way most in harmony with His revealed will.

“Wait on the Lord; be of good courage” (Psa 27:14). Waiting provides one of the greatest calls upon courage, and one of the severest tests of it. But circumstances that require courage, like circumstances that require wisdom, are simply arranged by God to give us practical training and experience in seeking these things from Him. They are to impress us with our natural ignorance and impotence, no matter what the external situation that confronts us.

Cowper wrote, “Wisdom and knowledge far from being one, have ofttimes no connection.”

The poet was trying to express the truth that wisdom is superior to knowledge, but in his statement of the difference he went too far. There is bound to be a connection, for although it is possible for men to have knowledge without wisdom, no one can be wise without possessing knowledge. Wisdom makes use of knowledge as mind makes use of matter. It is superior because it is comprehensive. A new-born babe begins life without knowing anything of the world he has entered and without any of the qualities that may come with experience. He cannot possibly be wise until he has knowledge — knowledge of the difference between good and evil, knowledge of the God who has called him into being, and knowledge of the way of life. Wisdom is revealed in the proper use of that which is known. The One who is perfect in wisdom has also the perfection of knowledge.

Wisdom is always good, but there is such a thing as the knowledge of evil. It can never be an advantage to lack wisdom in anything, but there are matters in which it is a blessing not to know.

The apostle Paul wrote, “knowledge puffeth up” (1Co 8:1). He was not condemning knowledge, but simply stating a truth. Knowledge of the right kind is excellent, but even it may tend to inflate the individual who possesses it. Men may be puffed up even by their knowledge of the Scriptures, especially if their reading has been ill-balanced. Much charity is needed to guard against this evil and to make knowledge lead to edification.

There are people who will say that it is only the dangerous “little knowledge” that puffs men up, while those who have studied deeply are truly humble and never boast. This thought has been stated often, but it is not true. Indeed it would be difficult to define the words of such a saying. All the knowledge of mankind is only little. The most ignorant and the most cultured are only separated by a few degrees. It is quite true that intelligent people perceive the ugliness and folly of blatant boasting and so if they boast they do it more skilfully. Or it is possible for a man to feel himself so superior to the common run of humanity that he finds no pleasure in the admiration of the multitude. His detachment is a form of pride, and he may fall into the worst of errors by being puffed up against God.

For all ordinary people it is most natural to find a certain pleasure in the possession of knowledge that is denied to others. The child’s open triumph with the delighted affirmation “I know, I know!” is only the natural expression of a pride which we conceal in later life. Men and women do not feel such keen pleasure in little triumphs, and they may be so self-deceived as to imagine that they are completely above such childish weakness. Often, however, circumstances conspire to reveal the inflation that is there even in those who would claim to be quite free from it. Even in dealing with the oldest and most dignified of men, a diplomatist remembers this human vanity.

An active business man once told us that in early days he made this discovery by accident. He was trying to sell certain articles to engineers, and was finding it very hard work. One day, aside from his business he thought of a very interesting engineering problem which baffled all friends to whom he put it. One of these friends suggested that there was probably one man in the country who could solve the problem, the head of a very large firm, why not write to him? The young man hesitated to be so bold, but at last he wrote, stating his problem. He was invited to make a call. The big man received the youth quite graciously in his office and explained the interesting difficulty. Then having given full satisfaction by his superior knowledge and ability, he began to question the youth as to what he was doing in life, and ended by giving him a good order. There is a sequel to this story which illustrates a worldly wisdom, hardly falling within our subject. The young salesman having found by accident that exalted men were children at heart, changed his method of approach and played on this human weakness. He took advantage of this nattering thought of superior knowledge, the truth noted by the apostle that “knowledge puffeth up.”

In some measure all men are subject to this weakness, but if they are instructed in the knowledge and wisdom that has been divinely revealed, they are aware of human vanity and so are on their guard. Knowledge and ignorance are only relative terms. It is said that in rural England a century ago, a man who could read and write was accounted a scholar, although in other circles the same man would have appeared as an ignoramus. In the same way the man with the greatest reputation for learning in all the world might seem deplorably ignorant to the angels. It is possible even that some of those with the greatest reputation would appear more foolish than their less capable fellows, just as we have noticed when we have chanced to overhear the conversation of children, the cleverest boy talks the worst nonsense, for there is no one to check him, or call in question his assertions.

Wisdom is needed to guide our steps, or knowledge will only bring increase of sorrow and a greater capacity for folly. Wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord and it ends with obedience to all His commandments. It can make use of knowledge on this mortal, material plane, while recognizing that there are other planes unknowable to us now. “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom, and with all thy getting get understanding” (Pro 4:7).

In the first chapter of the book of Proverbs we are told that “wisdom crieth aloud in the streets, she uttereth her voice in the broad places, she crieth in the chief place of concourse, at the entering in of the gates” (1:20,21, RV).

Considered as a “dark saying of the wise”, this is provocative of thought. We very rarely have a literal shouting of words of wisdom in the streets of a city, or in the broad places of human activity, but when we remember that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, we can see a definite meaning in the saying. In ancient Israel and in the modern world the idea of God is before men all the while even though human thoughts fail to turn to Him. In our time we can hardly live for a single day without Christ being brought before our minds, and through Christ, the Father who was manifest in him. Even the daily newspaper utters the call of wisdom in spite of its low aim and its native foolishness. The date it gives is from the birth of Christ, the record of human vanity confirms the teaching of Christ, while often, especially in these latter days, there is an item of news which shouts of the purpose of God to those who can understand.

Even apart from these matters the call of wisdom can surely be heard in the ordered wonders of the universe in which we live. Man’s cheerful acceptance of the earth as his home proclaims that in his heart he recognizes that there is a Creator. Would he feel comfortable on a ship with no captain? A hundred thousand tons of metal and wood driving through unknown seas at thirty miles an hour and no one in control? How then should he feel when he realizes that he is all through life on a vessel weighing millions of tons and going through space at sixty thousand miles an hour? Of course men believe that someone is in control. The stability of the earth and its long continuance, the facts of human consciousness and human ideals, the wonders of chemistry and the wonders of life all combine to prove that there is a mind far above that of man. Human intelligence is just sufficient to contemplate these things and to make some response. Wisdom is thus calling to the sons of men in the streets, in the broad places and at the entering in of the gate.

The Proverbs, however, do not suggest that it is easy for men to secure wisdom even though the first call is so loud and insistent. We have to incline our hearts to understanding, to cry after discernment and to seek for wisdom as for hid treasure; then may a man understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. Then wisdom may be a tree of life to us (Pro 2:1-5).

There is much food for thought in this contrast between the first loud call of wisdom to the sons of men, and the diligent search which is necessary before we can find the real treasures that wisdom can yield. The study of nature will not carry men far. “The mysterious universe” offers new complexities as men advance in knowledge. The investigations of men are like the attempt to reach a goal which is moving from them faster than they can run.

God can only be known as far as He has chosen to reveal Himself. He has revealed that He is “a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him”. Just as there are treasures and stores of wealth in the material world to reward the diligent labours of men, so there are spiritual treasures for those who search diligently in the Scriptures that have been handed down to us. In the only way possible or desirable in this mortal condition we shall find God if we search for Him with all the heart.

In the book of Proverbs there are many contrasts drawn between wisdom and foolishness, most of them easy to understand. From the many passages we choose one because it contains hidden depths and may arouse helpful thoughts.

“Every wise woman buildeth her house, but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands” (Pro 14:1).

Perhaps this has a meaning even on the most material plane. Some women take steps to improve their houses as time goes on, while others let everything go to ruin. We have even heard of people breaking up some of the woodwork of their houses and burning it through foolish indolence or still more foolish anger. On a slightly less material plane we have noticed the extraordinary difference between the woman who builds a home of confidence, unselfishness and love and the one who pulls a home to pieces by suspicion, jealousy and a generally negative attitude. On a higher plane still, the saying is true of the corporate woman formed through the ages. Those who desire to be constituent members of the bride to be, must be wise. They must build the house and not pull it down.

(PrPr)

Charles Curwen Walker was born on February 18, 1856, in Norfolk, England, the son of a landed proprietor, having family associations with Cumberland and Shropshire. As a boy of 13 he accompanied his father by sailing ship to Australia, where as a young man he worked as a surveyor in the gold fields.

He visited England in 1880-81 in connection with the sale of some property, and met two young lady relatives, the Misses Ellen and Edith Sutcliffe. They were at the time enquiring into the Christadelphian belief and were shortly afterwards baptized at Keighley. CC Walker was present when they were received into fellowship. Edith Sutcliffe later became his wife.

On the return voyage to Australia he read “Christendom Astray”, and characteristically checked every passage of the Bible quoted. Such a thorough examination of the subjects dealt with, leading to a careful reading of the Scriptures, could have but one result. While on the voyage he wrote a declaration, which is a revelation of the sincerity of the man. The paper was found after his death; in it he said:

“I hereby solemnly and sincerely declare that if it shall please God to bring me to Melbourne and to allow me to be baptized into the name of Jesus Christ, I will thereafter devote myself entirely and exclusively to His service. Amen.”

The” vow was kept, first by his baptism on September 10th, 1881, and then by the continued service to the Truth he had espoused until his death.

In 1887 he returned to England, accompanied by his wife Edith; and having a private income he intended to give his life to the service of the Truth in whatever capacity he could. He contributed articles to The Christadelphian, undertaking a monthly feature, “The Jews and Their Affairs”; and his association with Robert Roberts, the Editor, became increasingly close. In 1889 there occurred a serious business reversal, which left CCW unable to pursue wider interests, but riveted him firmly in the service of the Christadelphians of Birmingham.

In 1898, on the death of Robert Roberts, CC Walker became Editor of The Christadelphian Magazine and publisher of the works of John Thomas and Robert Roberts, and this continued until he introduced changes in 1937, when the transfer of the enterprise to a committee of brethren, which he had proposed in 1934, took effect.

After being Editor for 39 years, he resigned from the duty in August, 1937. He however remained closely associated with the work until his death some three years later, on April 3rd, 1940.

C. C. Walker was a man of many gifts- — widely travelled, of considerable linguistic attainments, and of wide knowledge. But his greatest gift was his power to use all other gifts as a steward of the grace of God. A noble man, innately courteous, naturally dignified, he was nevertheless a humble disciple of the Lord. As successor to two remarkable men (John Thomas and Robert Roberts), he maintained with voice and pen the Truths of the gospel as believed by Christadelphians. He was a man of strong conviction and strong faith.

His published works include:

Ministry of the Prophets: Isaiah Jeremiah Theophany The Word of God.

Paul was addressing a situation specific to Ephesus. We have no idea if it was unique to them or not, although there seems to be certain similarities with problems in Corinth:

1. The primary reason for writing is revealed in 1Ti 1:3; 3:15. This reflects Paul’s prior warning in Acts 20:17-35 (esp v 30). The whole of the letter is dominated by Paul’s concern over people who were teaching false doctrine.

2. This false teaching was being presented as gnosis (1Ti 6:20) and had an exclusivist and esoteric appeal. It included an asceticism (1Ti 4:3; 5:23).

3. The consequences of this false teaching were quarreling and strife and controversy (1Ti 6:3-5).

4. The false teachers had found a receptive audience in some of the “house churches” and especially in certain women who were going from house-church to house-church spreading this false teaching (1Ti 5:13; cp 2Ti 3:6-7 and 1Co 16:19). Apparently the young widows were a fruitful field for these false teachers.

5. Timothy’s task, given him by Paul, was to (a) correct the false teaching; (b) deal with the related behavioral issues; (c) teach sound / healthy doctrine as the antidote; (d) reform the organization of the Ephesian church by replacing the false teachers with new elders.

The thrust of the letter, therefore, is corrective. Paul does not need to spell out the truth because he is writing to a lifelong companion who does not need such instruction. However, he does authorize him to take corrective measures.

Consequently, the reforms which Paul instructed Timothy to implement were specifically related to this problem, including:

• Stop those women who were instrumental in spreading the false teaching. In particular, they are instructed to learn in quietness (1Ti 2:11,12) rather than saying things about which they know nothing (1Ti 5:13). Paul wants them to become occupied with other things, including marrying and raising a family (1Ti 2:15; 5:14) — this is in contrast to the false teachers who were forbidding marriage (1Ti 4:3).

• These women are to learn “with a quiet demeanour” (the Greek does NOT mean “in silence”). The prohibition on women teaching was not universal because in Corinth they prophesy (1Co 11:5) and teach (1Co 14:26) and Paul elsewhere refers to women who co-laboured with him in preaching the gospel and in the work of an apostle (Rom 16:3-5,7; Phil 4:2,3).

Paul appeals to Scripture (1Ti 2:13-14) first by noting that Adam was formed first, then Eve. He does not elaborate on this, although he makes a similar observation in 1Co 11:8-9 without any suggestion of subordination. The Gen narrative implies no superiority based on the order of creation, except that the creation of man and woman was the climax of creation. Here in Genesis it is the LAST created (ie, man/woman) which are at the pinnacle (insofar as they are in God’s image). There is no suggestion that Eve was in any way inferior because she was created after Adam.

Paul’s second observation from Gen was that Eve was deceived by the serpent. Elsewhere (Rom 5:12,19) he says that it was through the man Adam that sin came into the world. Paul is no more suggesting that all women are easily deceived than he is that all men are led into sin by women. The point of his argument here is not to establish a universal “principle”, but to use an illustration relevant to the situation in Ephesus. In fact, in light of later Gnostic writings, it is almost certain that part of this false teaching which Paul is addressing was the heresy that Eve was created first (hence the reference to the creation order in Gen), and that she was the originator of all wisdom (hence the reminder that Eve was deceived and a sinner).

Paul’s instruction to the Ephesian women, via Timothy, was that they should marry, have children, and devote themselves to good deeds. This is what he means by being “saved through childbearing”.

“Withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us… And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed” (2Th 3:6,14).

The argument for a “pure fellowship” achieved through broad excommunication goes as follows: “It is part of Paul’s word by this letter that we ‘withdraw’ from any brother who ‘walks disorderly’. If this withdrawal is not enforced, then it is necessary to ‘have no company’ not only with the original sinner, but also with all who disregard Paul’s instruction.”

This rather casually-constructed logic runs afoul of several considerations:

• 2Th 3:6 describes not false teachers, but those whose way of life is contrary to the apostolic norm. The “disorderly” meant the idlers, or loafers, who rapidly turned into “busybodies” (2Th 3:7,10,11). The word translated “disorderly” (“idle” in NIV) here is also translated “unruly” in 1Th 5:14. It is actually a military term for those “out of step” when marching, and thus “insubordinate”. This lack of discipline in the case of the Thessalonian ecclesia was manifested in a refusal to work (vv 8,10,12), perhaps because of a misguided belief that Christ’s imminent return rendered labor unnecessary.

• It must not be supposed, because Christadelphians conventionally use the milder “withdraw” instead of the more appropriate “disfellowship” or “excommunicate”, that the severing of fellowship ties is the meaning of “withdraw” wherever it occurs. As a matter of fact, the word stello (withdraw) signifies “to avoid”, the idea being that the ways of the unruly are to be shunned. The brethren themselves, however, are exhorted by Paul to work (2Th 3:12); they have not been cast out of the meeting! He speaks to them directly in terms which would seem highly inappropriate to evildoers no longer worthy of fellowship at all. V 15 uses the word “admonish”, a quite mild term. The parallel passage (1Th 5:14) says that such disorderly brethren are to be “warned”, again a degree of discipline much less severe than excommunication.

• 2Th 3:14: “Have no company with” merely means: ‘Do not join such brethren in their idle ways. By your aloofness you can express dissatisfaction. And perhaps the busybodies will become ashamed (v 15) and begin to reform themselves.’

We see, therefore, that 2Th 3 does deal with matters of ecclesial order, but only as pertaining to local matters of personal conduct. The terms of separation do not necessarily imply disfellowship. Even if disfellowship were the final outcome of an unrepentant attitude, the basis of that disfellowship would be improper conduct and not false doctrine. Finally, there is no suggestion that ecclesias failing to act as severely as Paul commands should themselves be disfellowshiped en masse by all other ecclesias. Yet all use of this passage to justify “block disfellowship” or “guilt by association” assumes that it clearly says this.

“Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain” (Acts 2:22,23).

It is surely true that Jesus was “murdered” by wicked men (Acts 2:23 says exactly that). But it is also true that he was “delivered” or “turned over” to their hands by God, and that this was no whim, no passing fancy: it was, rather, the “determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God” — or, as the NIV, “His set purpose and foreknowledge” — that led to this death. All the sacrifices of the Law of Moses, and many of the events of the Old Testament, were enacted parables, and prophecies, of the One who — when he came — would be the perfect sacrifice for sins. It was in God’s purpose from the very beginning that His only-begotten Son, whom He loved more than anything, must die in a certain way.

All of Jesus’ life was a “sacrifice”, an ongoing “crucifixion” of the flesh with its lusts, a putting to death of the “old man” (which was in him, as it is in us), and a doing of his Father’s will rather than his own.

But it was not enough until he sealed the covenant in his own blood, by dying the death of the cross, freely and willingly laying down his life — the last act of a perfectly obedient life.

Was his death a crime? Yes, from the perspective of those who arrested him, and led him to trial, and condemned him, and drove the nails into his hands and feet.

But, from another perspective, it was God — who so loved the world — “giving” His only-begotten Son as the perfect example of how to live, and the perfect sacrifice, once and for all men and for all time.

And, may I suggest, here’s an aspect that we don’t perhaps think of as much as we might: there was, in the Father’s will, a merciful aspect in the crucifixion of Jesus:

Here was a man carrying the enormous burden of absolute sinlessness; never, in his 33 or so years, had he succumbed to the temptations and weaknesses of the flesh, which he possessed along with the rest of us. He had lived a life of absolute dedication to the Father’s will, but it was not easy, and it would never become easy, so long as he lived in a frail body of flesh and blood. So the man who had reached the age of 33, without sinning, was — in his death, brutal and painful though it was — being in fact liberated from the last “burden” he carried, the last hindrance to serving God. He was, in the words of Scripture, passing through the “veil”, the last “barrier” that separated him from the Eternal God. Seen from that perspective, his death on the cross was not a punishment — it was a “liberation”! It was “graduation day”! It was, praise God, the most merciful end that could be contrived (given God’s requirements) to a perfect life. The One who had struggled mightily, and resisted every impulse to sin (even though he was greatly helped by his Father), would not have to carry that same heavy burden for another 50 or 60 years, until he expired of old age — God was saying to His Son, “Enough. You may now take your rest.”

God “killing” His Son? No! More like God saying to His Son: “It is enough. I am well-pleased. You can do no more. Come, sit down beside Me!”

Jesus was praying during his last evening with his loved ones. He very much needed his Father’s support and that of his disciples. His Father was awake and listening, but his friends fell asleep for “their eyes were heavy” — as undoubtedly were their minds. It had been a long, hard day and all were weary.

To “watch” is defined as “the act or fact of keeping awake, especially of keeping awake and alert, in order to look after, protect or guard”. There are other meanings also, but none that are relative to these verses.

We all spend a lot of time “watching”. We might be clock watchers at school or work; we might be watching children at play; we might be watching TV; we might be watching traffic. The examples could go on and on. We spend a lot of our time watching (and waiting).

One hour… a mere 60 minutes of 60 seconds each… not much of our “threescore years and ten”. But what a long time that hour can be if you’re watching the time and patients ahead of you at the doctor’s office; or it could seem a LONG time if your loved one’s flight was delayed and you are left watching (and waiting).

And yet how short one hour can seem if you’re cramming for a test… or saying goodbye to a loved one.

We know that our Father in heaven has spent countless days and years, watching. He watched “in the beginning” as creation proceeded… for He saw everything that He had made… and it was very good. He watched probably with sadness as Adam and Eve disobeyed and then tried to cover their sin; He watched as wickedness grew upon the earth and Noah and his family were the only ones righteous enough to be saved; He watched as the floodgates of heaven and earth opened up. Yes, He watched throughout countless times… and He watches over us and His land even now.

And there are many examples in Scripture of those who have watched:

Abraham watched as the smoke of the Sodom/Gomorrah area went up as the smoke of a furnace.

Joseph watched his brothers… and his brothers watched him; later Joseph watched over the house of Potiphar and then over the prison house and then over the entire land of Egypt (and the world).

Moses and Israel watched as the Egyptians were destroyed in the Red Sea.

Eli sat watching… his heart trembling for the ark of God.

Saul watched for David… and David watched for Saul.

King Belshazzar watched as the finger of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall… and his knees knocked together in fear.

The examples continue on down to the Pharisees and Sadducees, who watched John the Baptist and then Jesus. They watched him constantly even as he hung on a cross.

But in Mat 26:36-45 Jesus asked his disciples, his friends, to watch with him as he struggled with his humanity there in sad Gethsemane. But they couldn’t and didn’t… not even for just an hour.

And what of us, brothers and sisters? How well do we watch? for an hour? how often do our minds wander during this meeting… during this exhortation… as the emblems are passed?

Can we… do we… give an hour a day for readings? prayer? contemplation of our hope? Or are our thoughts and prayers only fleeting? How many times have we fallen asleep as we said our prayers? An hour isn’t much… indeed, as Duncan Heaster says, “The 6,000 years of humanity is an absolute pin prick in the spectrum of eternity. And our 70 years is even less significant.”

One day soon our 70 years… our brief hour… will be complete, and the kingdom we have prayed for since childhood will be a reality.

“No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back — whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: Watch” (Mar 13:32-37).

(BBk)