The Ohio Independent Baptist. June 1973

earl to eart mong t e omen -Mrs. Earl Umbaugh - Women's Editor- Reflections and Impressions (Part Two) While the Scribes and Pharisees had Moses' chair (Matthew 23: 2) to it in with all possible ease, honor and state, and there corrupted the law; our Lord Je u , is driven out to a common mountain, (as we viewed it in February) ju t a grassy slope be ide the Sea of Galilee, to sit down and teach. He bade his disciples to draw near and learn. ''Blessed are they that ,nourn". Vincent declares this to be a grief manifested too deep for concealment. It flows out of the deep poverty felt in the first Beatitude. Like the woman who wept at Jesus feet; and like the 3,000 converted on the day of Pentecost, who were 'pricked in their heart, and cried out" (Acts 2: 31). The First Beatitude is the inner feeling this now is the outward, emotional cry. It is a present yet a continuous experience. It is the tender sensitive conscience before God. Just to be a mourner is not the significance here. Many professed Christians glory in their grief and attempt to find comfort in their own inward wretched– ness. This in reality is self-pity, not true mourning. "Sadness and sorrow do not seem to be sources of unfailing comfort but they are to the heart which appropriates the Lord's provision of grace that is sufficient. To know heartache and grief, distress and desolation, anguish and agony of spirit, tribulation and tears is likewise to know the sympathizing Saviour and the cheer of the com– torter." (Erdman) When Israel shall, by faith see Christ "they shall mourn for Him". (Zech. 12: 10) It is such tears and groans which prepare the heart to truly welcome and receive the "balm of Gilead". The song writer so beautifully expresses it "When we reach the end of our hoarded resources our Father s full giving is only begun". As we listened to our Israeli guide while we toured the Holy Land we sensed no poverty of spirit in this Son of Abraham or in his nation, only that of a self-sufficient nation who needed no help from the Almighty. My heart cried out for him - and for them, like Jeremiah of old, ' 'My soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eyes shall weep and run down with tears, because the Lord's flock is carried away captive." (Jer. 13: 17) One day Isaiah 61 :2b will truly be fulfilled for His nation - "To comfort all that mourn." Much comfort can come to the child of God who sorrows over his de– partures from a close walk for "if we confess our sins He is faithful to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." ( I John 1 :9) The one who mourns under the chastening rod is comforted by "afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness." (Heb. 12: 11) The rich man was tormented but the beggar was comforted. The "comforts" of Heaven will more than make up for the "mourning" of earth. We may sow in tears but we will reap with joy. Mark the inseparable connection between godly sorrow and godly joy. True comfort is not in anything in self, not even in discovering and knowing our own vileness and unworthiness but in Christ alone as He removes the load of sin and guilt and gives rest and peace, hence comfort. Then we in turn may te able to comfort others by the comfort wherewith we ' ourselves are comforted of God. (II Cor. 1 :4) "Blessed are they that m0urn, for they shall be comforted." Matthew 5 :4 Berean W.M.F. The Berean Women's Fellowship met at the Cedar Hill Baptist Church, Cleveland Area, March 19. Psalm 121: 8 - God's Preservation was their 12 JUNE, 1973 theme. Dr. and Mrs. Raymond Buck, fresh home from Africa, were the speakers. They reported about the in– roads of the Ecumenical movement in the African Church. The Glory Club Fall program of the Metropolitan Missions ( Bapt 1 Mid-Missions girls cl11bs) was al presented. Funds arc being raised J a Glory Club House. A paper, tupperware and ilverw, shower was held for Shalom La amp and new officers were electc Mrs. Lulla Whit, retained as pre dent; Mrs. Mary Crotts, Vice Pre dent; Mrs. Linda Stambaugh, Reco1 ing Secretary and tvtrs. Vera Sheltc Treasurer. There were 114 present. The ladies were urged to send card to Mrs. Inez Milner, 2195 Broe way Rd., University Heights, 8hio 44118 as she is recuperating from 1 cent surgery. Over 200 women met at the Fi Baptist Church in Findlay for th North Bethel Spring Rally. An arr of "little Bible people" were also ve much there. The ladies of the Eli Faith Baptist Church demonstrat the puppets they prepare for Missie aries and new church grounds. Th also showed how to make and pa Flannelgraph backgrounds. They ha made hundreds of these backgroun and puppets in the past three ye: and these are now in use throut out the world by missionaries. Rev. Donald Worch, Regular B, tist Childrens Home, Kouts, India presented a soul stirring message . the need to be the right kind parent. He also showed slides of 1 Home. Home Bible Study Classes and t Bible study for the day were present by our State Missionary's wife, M Earl D. Umbaugh. Their Quarter Banks offering \\ designated for the Debt Free Carr, Project. Mrs. Ellen Snyder, Faith Bap1i. of Elida is their new president. Cedarville Women's Fellowship hi! their April meeting in the Vis1 Room of the College Library. San Entner, President and Jody Gro . Vice President presided. Dr. James G r ier, Professor Cedarville, spoke ·emphasizing t theme "Man's Disappointment God s Appointment." Mary Still wt a Cedarville graduate also gave J· testimony pertinent to the theme. Nearly $4500 has been recei, toward the Organ Fund Project. THE OHIO INDEPENDENT BAPTI