THE WISHES OF A WILL Frequently “Biola Hour” listeners are encouraged to make certain they have a bonafide Christian will. Stew ardship representatives from the Bible Institute of Los Angeles have helped concerned Christian people take care of this important aspect of life before their demise. Yet, even with this re peated prayerful suggestion, tragedy continues to hit families and the Lord’s work, too. There was a certain man who had served the Lord from the days of his youth. He had given generously, often sacrificially, to his church and to other Christian causes. He had served as a consecrated laymen, and in offices and administrative responsibilities in the church. His interests had gone beyond the borders of his home town. H e sup ported foreign missions as well as the training of future Christian leaders here at Biola. He, too, prayed earnestly for the work of the Lord around the world. And God honored him with long life, many loyal friends and a measure of earthly possessions. But when he died, he left no will. Oh, he had meant to do so for many years but he just never had gotten around to it. Life seemed so full, health was robust and it didn’t occur to him that such would be necessary. There was something foreboding, or distasteful, even think ing about it. When the representative from Biola called and prayed with him, he really meant to do something tangible. Yet, still, with the promise there was that repugnant feeling of facing up to a matter which indicated cessation of life. Once, when one of the Biola leaders spoke in his church, his heart was moved and he decided to invest a substantial sum in the school, the income from which would go to him and then to his wife when he died, and then finally to the Lords work at
Biola. But when the field representa tive made a special trip to see him just a few days later he found him in the hospital drugged and in pain. A short time later the message came that he had died, without making a will. No one doubts his love for the things of God, or for his faithfulness in stew- ardship while he lived. Most certainly his eternal reward is not in question. Often he had made plans and talked to his wife how that a portion of his estate should be used for the lo rd s glory. But he died intestate, that is, without a will. Now the government will have to decide where his posses sions will go. Some, more than neces sary, will go for taxes. Some will be given to his heirs, even to those who did not respect his Christian testimony. But much of it will be dissipated and will not go where he really desired it to go. For the government has no way of ascertaining the wishes of the dead. The supposed "spark“ of good in man, without Christ, will be completely covered by the waves of eternal death, » • * LOST OVER THE FALLS The West has many favorite beauty spots, but probably few would begin to excel Yosemite. Occasionally, how ever, tragedy has struck this area of grandeur. While on their vacation, an eleven-year-old son of a famous doctor fell into the swollen river trying to re trieve a canteen. It happened just a short distance from Vernal Falls. By standers screamed in horror knowing the impending fate of the lad. Only one had the quick thinking courage to try to save him. He was a 21 year old Navy man. Still in uniform, he leaped the guard rail and swam to the strug- (continued on next page) 31
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