Mrs. Ross: on Halloween, Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.
Trick or Treat Evangelism by MARGARET W. DONALDSON
On Halloween pumpkins glow and goblins talk for boys and girls just about everywhere. And the young sters have a gala time trekking from door-to-door ob serving the now-traditional custom of trick or treat. But in Oakland, Calif, the James Ross family does a switch on the ordinary cookie or gumdrop handout at the door. Their plans begin some days before Oc tober 30 when Mrs. Ross sends notes to the neighbor hood children. She invites them to bring clothing to her home for needy boys and girls in the Orient. This is something new and the children really go for it. When the doorbell rings, Mr. Ross greets the chil dren and when a sizeable group has gathered, they are ushered to the cheerful playroom downstairs. Here, through the medium of a colorful flannelgraph, Mrs. Ross carefully explains the story of creation. Gay flowers adorn the Garden of Eden. Trees and shrubs take root along its pathways! Adam and Eve are placed within the Garden and the story of the entrance of temptation and sin is pictured. Then fol lows the coming of Jesus Christ as the Saviour and a careful explanation is made that our wrong thoughts, our envy, our jealousy, our bad temper are the things
that hurt the Lord and make all of us sinners. The story is unfolded showing the saving work of Christ and the security and provision we have in Him for now and eternity. “ You might think,” said Mrs. Ross, “ that these chil dren would not be interested in the story of salvation, but every child loves a story and I was thrilled to see how easily I held their attention.” In a residential neighborhood there are many chil dren and in the course of the evening, some 50 young sters in their Halloween garb, stop at thè Ross home. Following the warm welcome and the story by flan nelgraph, delicious cookies, candy and punch are served to the children. Mr. Ross assists his wife and the party at the Ross home is a huge success. The influence of Mr. and Mrs. James Ross counts for eternity in their community. The flannelgraph story has registered in the hearts and minds of at least some of the children who will remember it through the years that bring them to manhood and woman hood. And with the facts firmly established in the mind, the Holy Spirit can breathe upon the life and bring it to birth. END.
15
OCTOBER 1956
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