Numidia Mennonite Bible School - Reflector Yearbook (Numidia, PA)

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NONRESISTANCE We students, under the teachings of Brother Menno J. Brunk, were carefully indoctrinated in the subject of nonresis- tance. Pacifism, we learned, differs quite a bit from Biblical nonresistance. Paci- fists oppose war on the basis of econom- ical loss and loss of life. They believe in betterment by reformation rather than by a new birth experience. The purpose of our government is to punish the evil doers, protect the pious, and keep order in the world. We were reminded of our responsi- bilities to the government: we are to pray for, be subject to, pay tribute to, and honor our rulers. Why did God comand His people to fight under the old dispensation? a stu- dent inquired. We learned that God either approved or commanded His people in their warfare. His people suffered because they failed to carry out completely God's decree to exterminate the evil nations of Canaan. In the New Testament, Jesus taught that we should not resist evli, but that we should love our neighbor as ourselves, and that we should love our neighbor as our- selves, and that we should preach the Gospel of peace, bringing glad tidings of good things. -Eva Rhodes DIVISION 3 - CHURCH BIBLICAL BASIS FOR MISSIONS ' In this class we were made more aware of what the Bible has to teach us in the field of mission work. We noticed a type of mission work in the Garden of Eden. When man sinned and fell away from God, God called to Adam: Where art thou ? He was concerned about man and wanted to call him back into fellowship with Him. There are other places in the Old Testa- ment where we see mission activity. But in the New Testament it is more outstand- ing. In fact, it is a direct command of Christ that we go out into all the world and teach all nations about the plan of salvation. The command is not the only reason why a Christian should be inter- ested in mission work. When a person is really born again he will have an experi- ence which he can not keep to himself but he will be overflowing with Christlike joy and love. A burden for lost souls burns deep in the heart of every true Christian. There are many places where a Christ- ian can witness, the first place being in the home to brothers, sisters, parents and children. If we do not accept this mission field, then we will not be of much use to the world around us which would be our next obligation. Starting with our-nearest neighbors we should witness at every op- portunity so that when we are called by Cod to a more difficult task we might be ready to serve wherever or whatever it may be. As we studied this topic with our teacher, Edwin Gehman, the call to mis- sion work seems to come louder than ever before. -Ronald L. Martin

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In the business life, no person who is a Soldier of Jesus Christ will get entangled with the affairs of this world so much that it will hinder his spiritual life. Be ye not enequally yoked together with un- believersf' This verse also applies to courtship and marriage. . The Christian will be careful to have his program of recreation in keeping with his profession or godliness. To do all to the glory of God means that all our conduct under all circumstances will manifest the presence of God in our lives. In the study of nonconformity in attire We learn from I Tim. 2:9 that women are to adorn themselves in modest apparel with shamefacedness and sobriety. This course was taught in two sections by Brother Sidney Gingrich from Myers- town, Pennsylvania and included 52 stu- dents. -Naomi Gingrich and Louise Shank THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS WORK We took this study of the Holy Spirit and His work to learn more of who He is and how He works through the Christian's 1 e. When Christ left this earth He sent the Holy Spirit as a Comforter to the Christ- ian. The Holy Spirit is one of the God- head. He is a divine Person, not only an Influence. He was sent to earth as the SP11'itof Christ, for He was sent to glorify Christ. He is not above Christ. He convicts men of their sins, and leads them to repentance. He creates faith and effects .the new birth. He is the secret power .in a Christian, and our strength OYQI' Slfl. He empowers for witnessing, g1V9S gifts to and guides the church and fglkefgiiiigcithin us all the virtues and graces thgvgleflvve receive Christ as our. Saviour We bliirit comes and dwells within. After S , .9 1eV9 we are sealed with that Holy pmt Of Promise CEphesians 1:13J. a yilgioneed to exercise faith in and have increire for His continued presence and ledgeased Wofklllg- We Should acknow- for H,C1'9d1t and trust in the Holy Spirit IS indispensible work. The Bible is the best and safest text- book to study to learn of the baptism of the Spirit, the filling of the Spirit, and the sanctification of the Spirit. There is much more given in the Blble about the Holy Spirit that we first realize. Outstanding scriptures are John 3, John 14 to 16, Acts 2, Romans 8, I Corinthians 12, II Corinthians 3 and Galatians 5, , A - -Samuel Stauffer A -Warren Martin 1 ASSURANCE The aimvof this class is to answer the question, How can I know I am saved? I am sure this important question has bothered all of us as Christians at one time or another. We need assurance to give our faith a sense of reality, and to sustain happiness in our Christian exper- ience. Assurance is based on the finished work of Christ in His death and resur- rection. John 3:16. Many people today do not have assur- ance because they were never really born again. Also, it is a test of our faith. Do we really believe what God says in Ro- mans 10:9-10? Assurance can be obtained by having real faith and trust in God and His Word. A continued study of the Word, a vital prayer life and a cultivation of Christian races must follow g . Here are a few questions to ask our- selves to confirm our assurance: ' 1. Are we walking in the iight of the Gospel? I John 1:7. Have we confessed and forsaken our sins? I John 1:9. r ' Are we obedient to all the commands of Christ I John 2 :3-5. 4 Do we truly love our brother and are we loyal to'Christ and the Church? I John 229, 15-17. ' Assurance plays a vital role in our wit- nessing. How can we convince the world if we are not sure of our own salvation? My prayer is that this class, along with ' Brother Moses Baer, may our teacher, t have true Christian assurance as we go forth in a world of darkness and uncer- tainty. 2. 3. ...Amos L. Brubaker

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Ii' I H A l ta. I lo .. ' a stu. .rod either people in Ed because 5' God's nel of is Wight IVBS, and F as Our, each the flings of Rhodes elf-but ke joy burns istian. Ihrist- ing in ps and ission we to 9 our arest Y OP' d by it be ar it l Our mis- evel' ffl? J, Q-FX JFQW, ,.--Q-4 ' - .lem ., u!'a', 1,-.g,.,g.:x., ,..v- - . n ,LW wg- V diff' ' it . fig, , . if 1 J ' ff lr' ,. ,Q- ,Sigma ANABABTISTS LEADERS AND TEACHINGS How about joining us at Numidia Men- onite Bible School in our study of our llorefathers? There are about 16 of us that d meet Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday an Friday at 2:40 in room 2, with Brother Edwin Gehman as our teacher. Our studies began with what the Catho- lic church believes and teaches. We then learned how a certain group couldn't go along with those teachings any more, and left the Catholic faith. This certain group was called Anabaptists . Among the main Anabaptists we stud- ied about were Conrad, Grebel, Simon Stumpf, Felix Manz, and George' Blau- rock. We learned of their horrible perse- cutions and sufferings because of their faith. Some were drowned, some had parts of their bodies removed, and others were burned at the stake or starved to death in dark castles. But through all this they wouldn't recant. Praise God for forefathers with strong convictions to stay true to God. May we also prove ourselves faithful till He calls us home to be with Him. g -Rachel Hostetter DIVISION 4 - PRACTICAL STUDIES INTRODUCTION TO CHILD STUDY We discovered in. our class that child study is no different today from what it was a 'thousand years ago. As an introduc- tion to this course we studied the import- ance of life in general. No human esti- mates can determine the immeasurable, incomprehensible value of life. It is a very solemn thought that once we begin life there is no end for us. Child life becomes very important when we realize that Christ Himself was a child, He magnified child life, the child life ministers to mankind, and the child life is plastic. It is a well-known fact that the waters first cuts the channel in which a r1ver runs and that, once it is cut, the channel controls the river. By the age of thlfty an individual has fashioned the groove in which his life Will' run. There are four sources of child study which are accessible to every student. Observation, which is the most used and best method, can become very interesting lf the observer can keep the child unaware that it is being watched. Those Who can recollect their childhood days are well fitted to understand children. Through literature and science we might also un- derstand the ways and methods of child- ren. Heredity, environment, and personality are the three forces that build a life. The child is born in part, he is made in part, in part he makes himself. Religious education has three phases -- information, worship, and expression. A child is born with a right to know God, and it is the place of the parent and teach- er to see that this knowledge is provided. Children are not born atheists. It is through neglect that they become so. The home, school, and church should work together to build up a religious education. We studied the periods of child life from infancy throughout early, middle, and later childhood and on through ado- lescence. Through this study we have become better acquainted with children and our- selves. -Margaret Shelley