“do you think you know the: Scriptures better than we priests do? You are just a boy. You have not the training to enable you to interpret the Bible correctly. Only the Catholic church can expound its true teachings. You have read too much without guidance.” He offered Ed some books on Catholic doctrine. Then the priest warned Ed of the consequences of a break with the church. Ed would disgrace his family with its Irish Catholic tradition. He would be deserting his widowed mother in her hour of need. And he would bring down the judgments of God upon his head by forsaking the only storehouse of God’s grace through which a man’s soul could be saved. Finally, seeing that Murphy turned to the Scriptures to coun ter each argument, the priest said, “The Bible commands chil dren to obey their parents. Your mother has forbidden you to leave the Catholic church. If you dis obey her, you will be disobeying the Bible which you claim is your guide for life.” What could the young Chris tian say to that? “Well, Father, I never thought of it that way be fore. The Bible certainly says, ‘Children, obey your parents’ (Eph. 6:1). Therefore until my mother consents or until I am twenty-one, I suppose I cannot leave the Catholic church or be gin my missionary training.” The priest went home in tri umph and Mrs. Murphy heard the news with great delight. But Ed was in turmoil. For weeks his heart was torn in two directions. “At last, Dr. Hillis, a ray of light seemed to shine on Jesus’ words: ‘I have come to set a man against his father, and . . . But if you love your father and moth er more than you love Me, you are not worthy of being Mine. . . ’ (Matt. 10:35, 37, Living Gos pels). “I saw that my mother had placed herself in the way of God in my life. I realized that I must obey God even if in doing so I had to disobey my mother.
challenge of Christian missions. The pamphlet described the work of missionaries throughout the world. As Ed studied its message, the Holy Spirit engraved upon his heart the conviction that God wanted to use him in foreign service. In the fall of 1948, Murphy knew he should leave school in Chicago and go home to Califor nia as his first step towards mis sionary service. “Mom, God has called me to be a missionary,” said Ed, coming right to the point as soon as he arrived home. “He has called me to preach the Gospel of His love and grace as taught in the Bible. I cannot reconcile this Gospel with many of the doctrines of our church, so I am leaving it. Mrs. Murphy gaped at her son in amazement. She had never expected it to come to this. “You are a Roman Catholic,” she said, “and you will remain a Roman Catholic until you die. You are not going to leave your church. You are still my son and must do what I tell you.” Ed quietly replied that he must obey God. Through an aunt in Los An geles, he learned of Biola College. He was accepted as a student for the semester beginning in Janu ary. When Ed informed his moth er, she was first furious, then heartbroken. In a few days she arranged an appointment for her son with the priest. “My son,” said the Reverend Father, when he and Ed were alone, “your life will end in ruin and the hand of God will be against you if you leave the church. The Roman church is the only true church of Jesus Christ.” Murphy was only nineteen years old. All his knowledge of the Bible had come from his own private study during the past three years. How could he answer a learned priest? From the Cath olic Bible, Ed showed the priest the basis for his faith in Christ and his decision to be a non-Cath- olic missionary. “My son,” returned the priest,
Givethem areasonto goonhoping, struggling,
O n ly the Gospel message o f God’s love in Christ m eets this need.
living, dying.
i. Edward Smith, International Director Alfred A. Kunz, International Director Emeritus I 49 Honeck Street Pit I Howmany Gospels will you give? N Englewood, N.J. 07631 C Canada: 16 Spadlna Rd., Toronto 179, Ontario Pocket Testament League 49 Honeck Street Englewood, N.J. 07631 I want to give a Gospel message to 10 persons, $1 □ 100 persons, $10 □ 250 persons, $ 25 □ 500 persons, $50 □ 1000 persons, $100 □
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DO YOU FIND IT HARD to speak to others about their SALVATIONS their FEARS? their TROUBLES? their SOR ROWS? Many Christians do. And yet they sincerely want their lives to be an influence for the Lord. There is a way of approach that is courteous and effective. Use our leafleis and booklets specially prepared for spiritual needs. Only Bible verses used with appropri ate headings. Sample titles: GOD'S MESSAGE TO YOU, FEAR NOT. FOUR THINGS GOD WANTS YOU TO KNOW, WORDS OF COM FORT, WHY READ THE BIBLE? etc. Send for FREE samples. Make use of the WORD. AMERICAN SCRIPTURE GIFT MISSION 1211 Arch S tm t, Room K, Phil»., Pa. 19107
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OCTOBER, 1969
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