February, 1946
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Greek Word Treasures Bernard Ramm, A.B., B.D. < T WO interesting words claim our attention this month. The first is "compel": “And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain” (Matt. 5:41); “And as they came out, they found a mar^ of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross” (Matt. 27:32). This word has a rich heritage. It has reference to a Persian custom. In an emergency, the m i l i t i a or tKe couriers of a king had the right to force anyone to assist them. They could demand the animal upon which a man was riding, or they could make him bear a part of their load. When the Romans took over the Persian empire, they changed their postal system into a “luggage system” whereby the citizens of any conquered country had to help to carry the lug gage of the military. This developed into such an extensive system that special laws were required for its regulation. Thus, the soldiers who were in- strum'ental in t h e crucifixion of Christ, forced Simon into service to carry the cross of Jesus. Thus our Lord < instructs us that when we are asked to assist in an emergency, we are not to grumble, and make excuses, but are to “carry the baggage” twice the distance requested. This* is His love . and compassion in action through us. There are those who will not listen to the Gospel until we have demon strated the love of Christ by going this “second mile.” Epictetus corroborates this inter pretation of these Scriptures. In com menting upon this custom, he writes: “Don’t resist, ^nay, don’t even grumble. If you do, You’ll not only be beaten, but will lose your ass as well.” The second word which we consider is "read" as used in Matthew 24:15: “When ye therefore Shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place (whoso readeth, let him understand).” This has the signif icance of reading to comment; in fact, the concept is near our idea of lectur ing. It was a form of class-room recitation in which the students did the reading, and the professor lectured or commented upon it. Professor Hatch paraphrases this passage: “Let him who reads, and comments upon these words in the assembly, take special care to understand them.” It might also be stated: “Let him who gives an exposition of this subject, be care ful in his preparation so as to have understanding.” The same word is used in 1 Timothy 4:13: “Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.”
$ 5 , 000 M FICTION CONTEST The Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company Announces
Peace Uncovers Plight of Hebrew Christians
a new contest for writers of Christian adult fiction. A prize of $5,000 will he awarded for the novel most successfully 'depicting Christian faith and Christian living. The publishers are aware that, on the whole, Christian fiction has fallen far short of the literary standards estab lished and maintained in the- secular fields; and they fully agree with recent critical articles published in the “ M oody Monthly” and other religious periodicals. The purpose of this contest is to en courage. Christian writers to raise the art of the Christian novel to a new and ac ceptable level. “ Roofs Over Strawtown," winner in a recent oontest conducted by the Eerdmans Company, indicated a defi nite forward step. It received an excel lent press and was enthusiastically read by a discriminating public. It is hoped that the new contest will result in fur ther progress and that* in the near fu ture we shall have superior Christian novels to rank artistically with the best In secular fiction. In harmony with this program, it is desirable that in the submitted manu scripts the presentation of Christianity will be achieved through skilful delinea tion of the characters as they move natu- rall.v through the narrative, and not through direct teaching or moralizing. CONTEST RULES 1. All residents of the United States and Canada are eligible to enter. 2. Manuscripts should be around 100,000 words or more in length. However, no rig id limits as to minimum or maximum will be imposed. 3. The, Christianity exemplified in the manu scripts should be evangelical in doctrine and spirit. 4. Manuscripts should be typewritten, double spaced, on 8% by 11 inch paper. Author should retain carbon copy and submit orig inal. Every precaution will be taken for safety of manuscripts, but the publishers do not assume responsibility in case of loss or damage. Manuscripts will be re- •turned after the contest. 5. Author’s name and address, with the title of the manuscript, should be placed in a sealed envelope and enclosed with manu script. Author’s name should not appear on manuscript. Manuscripts should be la beled, “ Christian Fiction Contest.” 6. Only unpublished work is eligible for the contest. 7. Only one manuscript should be submitted by each contestant. 8. A prize of $5,000 will be awarded the- au- ,* thor, of the entry considered best by the committee of judges. After the first edi tion author will receive royalties at usual rates. 9. Any manuscript of merit not receiving the award will be considered for publication at regular royalty rates. 10. The publishers reserve the right to with hold the prize of $ d ,000 should all entries prove of insufficient ‘caliber to justify award. 11. Contest closes March 1, 1948. Manuscripts should be submitted before midnight. March 1, 1948. 12. Manuscripts' should be addressed to: Fic tion Contest' Editor, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 255 Jefferson Ave., Grand Rapids 3, Mich. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. 234 Pearl St. NW , Grand Rapids 2, Mich.
The Rev. Jacob Peltz, Fh.B., B,D.
In the extremity of their dire need, after unspeakable sufferings under Nazi perse cutions, many Hebrew Christian survivors have turned to us for help. A young Jew whom we rescued from Germany in 1938, now a missionary in Great Britain, writes: “ I had hoped that at least some of my dearest ones might have survived, but have learned now that both my parents and my brother have perished in gas cham bers.” Torn with anguish for survivors not his own, our missionary pleads: "My parents and brother are beyond help but I would like you to treat the'S. family ^s though they were my own people.” Here is a pitiful plea concerning a large and most worthy Hebrew Christian family in Czechoslovakia: "It is a miracle that they have survived and come out of the nightmare with their faith unshattered. They want to leave Europe and I wonder if you can take the first steps towards their immigration into the U.S.A.” SUFFERING ISRAEL PLEADS FOR AID We urgently need funds to alleviate the sufferings of so many who plead for help out of devastated Europe. We beg you to consider the starving, homeless, suffering brethren of our Lord. If the plight of afflicted Israel appeals to your sympathy please send us a gift soon. With .your gift we have an unprecedented opportunity to witness concerning a living, loving Savior Who is sufficient for the sorrowing and suffering. NOTE,: Free booklets, "The Virus <; of Jew ^Hatred” or "A Christian’s Attitude. Toward the Jews” gladly sent on request. THE Internationa l Hebrew Ch r is t ian A llian ce Rev. Jacob Peltz, Ph.B., B.D., Secretary Dept. B-125, 4919 N. Albany Ave., Chicago 25, III. Canada: 91 Bellevue Ave., Toronto, Ontario
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