"There is no new thing under the sun", (Eccl. 1:9).

What's new about another circuit of
    the sun?
That run's been done how many times
    before
Who knows? How many, many thous-
    and more
No one dare guess. What's new to
    that?
Solomon was right: It's all old
    hat;
Beneath the sun there's nothing
    ever new.

The same old wars; the many herded
    by the few;
The same nightmarish end to child-
    hood dreams;
Drab chaos terminates Utopian
    gleams.
Still is youth's fire ashes in old
    age's mouth.
The bleak and bitter north comes
    from the sunlit south.
The prize crumbles to dust before
    the race is won.

Sad circlers of the sun destined
    nowhere,
Your fondest goal: dismissal from
    its glare!

    "Behold, I make all things new" (Rev. 21:5).

What is not new to him who knows
    the Lord?
Who has heard His Word and hid it
    in his heart!
He knows the One who gave the orbit
    start,
Who counts our hairs, who through
    His death
Breathed life in us with His own
    breath!

Ourselves made new, all things to
    us are new.
Once impotent, through Him all
    things we do!
Old men dream dreams and see their
    dreams come true,
And young men's visions dying
    things renew.

The law's harsh rule gives way to
    joyful duty,
And from the ash of wasted life
    comes beauty.
O circlers of the sun for endless
    glory bound:
Shout "Maranatha" -- and loud His
    praises sound!

    In many ways the "old" man, who should be reckoned dead in every child of God, attempts to divert the faith of men to unworthy objects. For this reason it may be profitable to examine the teaching of God's word concerning a few of those things that are NOT TO BE TRUSTED.
    Pursuit of physical beauty is a vanity that ought to be carefully avoided. Skin - beauty is something that quickly fades, (Psa. 39:11; 49:14; Isa. 28:1). And beauty without character is as "a jewel of gold in a swine's snout", (Prov. 11:22; 31:30; comp. I Pet. 3:2-6). Genuine beauty is God - given; a reflection of His image in His faithful and loyal subjects, (Psa. 149:4 Eph. 5:25-27; 2 Cor. 3:18).

    The help of man will fail when it is most needed; DON'T COUNT ON IT! Lack of a single breath can immobilize a man --- however good his intentions, (Psa. 146:3-4; Isa. 2:22; 30:1-3; 31:3; Jer. 17:5-6; Hos. 5:13-15). But such as trust in the Lord find Him able; His grace is ever sufficient, (Jer. 17:7-8; Psa. 121).
    Material riches soon vanish; they take to themselves wings and fly away, (Prov. 23:5). They cannot last forever, (Prov. 27:24; Psa. 49:6-10; Eccl. 2:18; Lk. 12:16-21). They may be a stumbling stone - preventing spiritual progress, (I Tim. 6:7, 17; Jas. 5:1-3). They must be brought under subjection -- not allowed to rule in one's life, (Matt. 6:19-21; 19:21; Rev. 3:18; Phil. 3:8). Christ must be OUR ALL; and our all must be subjected to Him.
    Nor must we await, or trust in, tomorrow's opportunities, (Proverbs 27:1). To trust in tomorrow is a sin of presumption, (Isa. 56:12; Amos 6:1-6). And to think that today's opportunities may be employed tomorrow is an exercise in inexcusable folly, (Acts 24:25; Jas. 4:13-14; 2 Cor. 6:1-2). We must learn to trust in God and live one - day - at - a - time, (Prov. 3:5-6).
    Earthly friendships are too unstable for our trust, (Jn. 16:32). Such friendships are often built upon a foundation of sand, (Psa.

    'The fundamental principle of the Baptists is their belief in the supreme authority and absolute sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures; and their separate existence is the practical and logical result of their attempt to apply this principle in all matters of religion.....
    Let us look at this principle and its importance. A father says: 'Son, do this'. But the Son does something else. When asked about it, he says: 'Well, I thought that what I did was as well as what you told me to do'. A master says to his servant: 'Do this'. But he does something else, and when asked about it replies that what he did was altogether more convenient and proper than what he had been commanded.
    Baptists believe that in matters of religion there must be nothing like this. God's Word is the supreme and infallible rule for our guidance. We must not go contrary to it in any article of belief or duty enjoined. It is no partial revelation. By it the man of God is thoroughly furnished unto EVERY good work...
    I am not a Baptist because Baptists practice restricted communion or immersion, or refuse infant baptism. I am a Baptist because I AM BOUND BY THE WORD OF GOD IN ALL MATTERS OF FAITH AND PRACTICE. I am sorry that we are so peculiar in these matters. But these peculiarities embody an UNDERLYING PRINCIPLE in religion that is more important than reputation or life itself.

    And to surrender these peculiarities is to surrender that principle. And if an honest adherence to it and an honest endeavor to practice it bring odium upon us, let us have the manliness to bear it. To seek odium is detestable; to run from the post of conscience or of duty to avoid it is cowardly and traitorous.
    If I am a Baptist and if I am PROUD of it, I want that it shall affect me NOT in the way of making me narrow and bigoted and intolerant, but humble, generous, energetic, and persevering in the use of my time, talents, and means for the furtherance of the good cause.
    Let us show our devotion to our principles, not by boastfulness and arrogance, but by a watchful attention to the needs of the cause we love. Thus shall we best show to men our fidelity and zeal; and thus best help THE TRUTH in its onward march to complete and final victory". -- (Adapted from an article from R.M. Dudley's 'Baptist Why and Why Not" as published in the Ashland Avenue Baptist)

    Alarmed by a "watered down, polluted, and perverted" Gospel, and various incidents "inconsistent with the beliefs and practices" held by her, the Hebron Missionary Baptist Church of Pekin, Illinois served notice that she was ending her participation in the Illinois State Association of Missionary Baptist Churches on March 5, 1972.
    The five basic reasons given for this action were the increasing

    Having never been officially connected with said association, it is of little concern to us how she receives churches into her fellowship. But we are DEEPLY CONCERNED about the other tendencies -- matters that have faced us in Rockford through the years.

    It is hoped that, instead of regarding Pastor Douglas Sanford and Hebron church as enemies who must be destroyed, those guilty of practicing and condoning such evil may be shamed to repentance -- turning back to the historically Baptist, New Testament principles which they universally claim to believe. ONLY a faith that BEHAVES is acceptable with God. -- Eugene Garner

38:11; 102:1-2, 6-7). We may be forsaken -- even of our brethren, (Matt. 24:12; 26:56; 2 Tim. 4:16). But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother; Jesus NEVER FAILS! (Rom. 5:8; I Tim. 1:15; Heb. 13: 5-6).
    To trust in long life is an exercise in futility, (Jas. 4:1-4). God alone is eternally immune to the processes of decay and death, (Psa. 90:1-2; 103:15-16; I Pet. 1:24-25). It is His very nature to live forever, (Jn. 1:4; 5:26). But God came down -- taking on Himself the form and nature of a man - born of a woman, born under the law, to save us and set us free, (Jn. 3:14-16; Heb. 2:9; Jn. 3:17-18).
    Finally, we must never trust in the fading glory of this world, (Psa. 49:16-20; Isa. 5:14; Hos. 4:6-7; 9:10-12). But what eternal glory awaits those who trust in the Lord! (Jn. 12:25-26). Selfishness leads to ruin; self-denial to eternal glory, (2 Cor. 4:17; Rom. 8:16-18).
    Is YOUR FAITH set on a worthwhile and trustworthy object? Only if it is anchored in Christ! E. G.