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May & June 2006
Dear friends,
This last week we began planting in our garden. Already the tiny seeds
have started to sprout and burst through the moist soil. As we see
these plants spring up it reminds us of the spiritual work that has
been done recently--the planting of seeds of truth. In the last two
months we have had several seminars. The Lord blessed in each of them.
Those who hosted the seminars were very gracious and we would like to
thank them once more for their hospitality! We pray that the seeds
that have been lovingly planted in hearts will spring forth, as those
in our home garden, and bare much fruit for the Master.
There are some plants that grow better when placed near other plants.
This is called companion planting. We also can grow better spiritually
when in companionship with others with the same love of God.
COMPANIONS
"I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep
thy precepts." Psalm 119:163
"He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools
shall be destroyed." Proverbs 13:20
"Many who profess to be followers of Christ are weak in moral
power....These persons should be helped. They should not be left to
chance in choosing their companions....
"Christian youth who are inclined to be influenced by irreligious
associates should have for companions those who will strengthen good
resolutions and religious inclinations. A well-disposed, religiously
inclined youth, and even a professor of religion, may lose his
religious impressions by association with one who speaks lightly of
sacred and religious things, and perhaps ridicules them, and who lacks
reverence and conscientiousness. A little leaven may leaven the lump."
(Fundamentals of Christian Education 55)
SHUN EVIL COMPANIONS
Thinking that I might learn some practical lesson from life, I went
one afternoon to attend a trial in a higher court of the city of New
York. The court room was well filled with interested visitors.
Shortly after I entered, two policemen brought to the witness stand a
poorly clad young fellow. His face was pale and thin and showed deep
anxiety. After taking the customary oath, he sat down in the witness
chair.
The district attorney arose, and in a ponderous voice thundered out,
"What is your name?"
Trembling, he replied feebly, "James Wilson."
The judge rapped on the desk and ordered, "Young man, speak louder so
the jury can hear you; pronounce each word distinctly."
"How old are you?" continued the prosecuting attorney.
"Eighteen," said the boy, making a strenuous effort to speak audibly.
"For whom do you work?"
"Marshall, Ward & Co., cloth refiners."
"Do you know Jens Jenson, Jack Paul, and Kit Lolly, who have confessed
that on May 28 they robbed your employers, Marshall, Ward & Co.?"
"Yes, I do."
"How long have you known them?"
"Five years."
"Have you seen them often during that time?"
"Quite often in the coffeehouse at night."
The prosecuting attorney's face flushed; he stamped his foot and paced
restlessly back and forth, and in a ridiculing manner repeated, "quite
often, quite often." Then he commanded, "Tell the court just how many
times a week."
"Four or five nights a week."
"You consider them your friends, do you not?"
"Yes, I suppose so."
"Did your friends say anything to you about their plans to rob
business establishments?"
"Yes, sir, many times they asked me to join them, but I told them I
would not steal any more."
"When did they ask you the last time?"
"Last night they asked me to join them."
"What did you answer?"
"I told them I was going to be straight."
"Tell the court your whereabouts May 29."
"I slept in the company's loft. At half past three I got up and swept
the loft. About five o'clock I went as usual to the coffeehouse [for
something to drink and eat].... In a half hour I came back and noticed
the loft was lighted. Two policemen were holding Jens, Jack, and Kit.
Jack spoke to me, and said, 'James, we're caught.' The policemen took
me to the station house, and I have been in the Tombs ever since."
The prosecuting attorney sat down, and spoke a few words to some men
seated near him. The lawyer for the defendant made a few remarks, and
asked a few questions. The district attorney then arose and said
calmly, "I refuse to prosecute further."
The judge stood up. He was a kind-looking gentleman with gray hair and
keen, bright eyes. With the tender sympathy of a loving father, he
looked earnestly at the young man, and said gently and yet
emphatically: "My boy, two years ago I was compelled to send you to a
house of correction for the crime of stealing. I believe you have
learned the lesson I wished to teach you. Since you have been
released, you have tried to be an honest man, and there is no reason
why you cannot succeed in being an honest man. But, my boy, you have
made a mistake in choosing your friends and associates. You have erred
in selecting worthless boys who would lead you astray. Shun evil
companions. Make friends of boys who have ambitions to become true and
noble citizens, young men who can be a help to you. Be diligent in the
service of your employers. There is no reason why you, or any other
boy with a determination to do right, cannot become a successful man.
If you would succeed, be careful whom you choose for your friends. You
are dismissed."
The judge sat down. I could hear the sobbing of the young man. The
kind words of advice given by the judge had melted his heart. I
believe the young man gained courage to take a new hold on life, and
went from that court room determined to shun evil associations.
The court crier dismissed the court. The employers of the young man
rushed over to him, and gave him a hearty handshake.
The jurymen stood about until they had a chance to speak to him a few
cheering words.
I lingered in the court room until many had gone and then slowly
walked home. Often in reminiscent mood I see that calm, wise,
sweet-faced judge leaning over his desk, looking earnestly at the
young man who sat before him, and hear him say gently and yet
forcefully, "You have tried to be an honest man. You have made a
mistake in choosing your friends. Shun evil associations. If you would
succeed, be careful whom you choose for your friends.
--Dudley C. Newbold
MAKE ME A BLESSING TODAY
Of softly the Spirit is whisp'ring to me,
With tender compassion, with pitying plea;
I hear His beseeching, and earnestly pray
That Jesus will make me a blessing today.
Some heart may be longing for only a word,
Whose love by the Spirit is quickened and stirred;
Now grant, blessed Saviour, this service to me,
Of speaking a comforting message for Thee.
Some soul may be plunged in the darkest despair,
Whose shadows would melt in the sunlight of pray'r;
O give me, dear Saviour, I humbly implore,
The sweet consolation that soul to restore.
Come, all ye that labor, ye weary and worn,
Come ye who in sorrow or sinfulness mourn;
With me this petition to Jesus convey:
O make me a blessing, dear Saviour, today.
Lord, make me a blessing today,
A blessing to some one, I pray;
In all that I do, in all that I say,
O make me a blessing today.
--Ida Scott Taylor
As a brief reminder in closing, we want to encourage everyone who is
considering ordering a 2-8 Grade Package Plan this year to get your
order in early. Please do not wait to send in the order until a week
before you need the books. This is not enough time for us to prepare
them for your needs. We put orders in order of filling as we receive
them. So please plan ahead!
Pressing on in the Master's work,
SonLight Education Ministry
PO Box 518
Colville, WA 99114
(509) 684-6843
www.sonlighteducation.com
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