The Ohio Independent Baptist, October 1971

I Sonnets Of A Twentieth Century Christian I In past issues of THE OHIO INDE– PENDENT BAPTIST, we ran a series en– titled "A PSALM AND A POEM" . TJ1ese were written by former 0.1 .B. editor. Rev. Ralph T. Nordlund. The Lord has endowed our brother wit/1 the gift of expressing himself through poetry and prose. Different ones have ex– pressed appreciation for his fine work. He has now worked out a new series en– titled - SONNETS OF A TWENTIETH CENTURY CHRISTIAN. We present the first of these in this issue trusting it will prove a blessing to our readers. Let others type sweet sonnets for their love Or lover, whether idly false or true ; II I claim a present, living Saviour now, Ajthough He yielded up His mortal breath ; And yet in claiming this I must allow But I will sonnetize for One above, Whose worth deserves the best that J can (lo. I need not win His love with phrases turned With literary skill, nor feign a sigh; My heart's devotion rather has been learned From Him who cared enough for me to die. Nor need I worship at a sacred tomb For He is risen with eternal bloom, And in that glory form I hold Him fast. A Book has given faith to conquer death. Without it, winds of doubt might whip up fear And leave me feeling I embraced a wraith; But as I read, my well-beloved comes near And gives firm substance to my wavering faith. A Fiancee holds every letter tight Her absent one may send, and reads and reads; So I hold fast this Book and seek a light, And while I read, my famished spirit feeds . I know He loves me, and this Book declares ; I know He waits for me, I know He cares. I write of Christ, my Lord and coming King, For living in His love, my heart must sing. . . . RALPH T. NORDLUND '''Coronation Service' ' For Rose Durham On Saturday, September 11, Rose Durham went to be with her · Lord. Rose, with her husband, Rev. Richard Durham, served the Lord faithfully is missionaries under the Association :>f Baptists for World Evangelism in he Philippines. The Durhams are well <nown throughout our Ohio Fellow– )hip. The auditorium of the Grace Bap– .ist Church in Cedarville, Ohio was filled with friends and loved ones. Rev. Earl Willetts delivered the mess– age. He emphasized that actually it was a "Coronation Service". Rev. Ed– Nard Bomm, Treasurer of A.B.W.E. 1nd a former missionary to the Phil– ppines gave interesting notes concern– ng Mrs. Durham. Her testimony for the Lord was evidenced from the time )he first came to Christ until the day He called her home. Others participating in this glorious )ervice were Rev. Roy Gibbs, Rev Lynn Rogers, Rev. Wm. Broughton ind Mr. Lee Grosch. Both Mr. Rogers ind Mr. Gro ch sang appropriate >Olos. Mrs. Lee Grosch assisted at the rHE OHIO INDEPENDENT BAPTIST organ. A number of dear Filipino friends were present. The service closed with a rendering of the Halle– lujah chorus. Of Rose Durham it could honestly be said ... she "fought a good fight", she "finished her course", she "kept the faith" . . . therefore we may be sure ... "there is laid up for (her) a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge shall give (her) on that day"! • The Word Of Life Dr. Wiersbe At Moody Memorial Church From time to time we have run articles written by our dear friend and brother, Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe. We thought our readers might be in– terested in knowing that he is now serving as pastor of the Moody Me– morial Church in Chicago, Illinois. He began his ministry there on Sep– tember 1st. We are confident the Lord will continue to bless his ministry in every way. ~ ~.,~~ ... ESTABLISHING BAPTIST CHURCHES WHERE THERE WERE NONE OCTOBER, 1971 15