Steinbach Bible Institute - Star Yearbook (Steinbach, Manitoba Canada)

Page 31 text:

Jd e Rt The Dorm. Tramp, tramp, tramp is the first sound of the morning as Brother John comes up the stairs, at the early hour of seven. Then an echo rings out, “Good morn¬ ing’’. Of course we all know it is time to rise and shine, (mostly rise). So when we are all ready and seated at the table, morning devotions are begun. After pray¬ er, breakfast begins amid the clatter of dishes. Soon the meal is over and the dishes are gather¬ ed together. The dishwashers take their places. Generally the ladies do the breakfast dishes. The next rush comes at dinner time. As soon as the students have gathered, thanks is given by the one whose turn it happens to be, as we all take turns at giv¬ ing thanks and praise to the Lord before each meal.. And so dinner is eaten, seasoned with conversation. Then the gathering of the dishes and once more the dishwashers march up into place. This time it is two of the breth¬ ren. They can’t waste time on the job if they want to be finished in time for class which starts at one-fifteen. So pretty soon it is four o’clock and most of the students come home. The books are left and out go the boys for some fresh air. They return in about an hour and go back to the study room for an¬ other hour. That brings us right back to the subject of eating. Once more we hear a sound and this time it says, “Supper is on.” All the boys head the same way. So after thanks is given to the Lord, supper is underway. Next come the dishes, so again the washers repeat the procedure they went through at noon. The other brethren go to their studies and once or twice a few of them get together for a good discus¬ sion. These talks have proven to be the source of great blessing to all concerned. The evening is soon passed and once more it is time to go to bed. It does not take long till you can hear the click, click of lights going out. Finally a peaceful quiet settles over the dormitory. Abe Giesbrecht Menno Hamm.

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fycill Conference “The measure of God’s love is Calvary and the measure of His power is resurrection. If God can raise a dead man to life it is a small matter for Him to give power for victory.” These are a few of the precious thoughts gi¬ ven to us by Dr. Wenger of Go¬ shen Biblical Seminary at our annual Fall Bible Conference ■held from November 9, 1951, through the 12th. Dr. Wenger, our guest speaker gave us a short study of the book of Ephesians during the morning sessions. He emphasized the fact that salvation is by grace only without works. The afternoon sessions consist¬ ed of lectures on “Our Heritage” as Mennonite people. Many of us had but a vague idea why we are Mennonites and these lessons on the founding and early history of our church gave us a greater ap¬ preciation of our early forefa¬ thers who were willing to sacri¬ fice their lives for the doctrines of our faith which are based en¬ tirely upon the Word of God. The teaching of Non-Resist¬ ance viewed in the light of the Scriptures was of great interest to us. Jesus said, “As the Father hath sent me so send I you.” — Then we ask why Jesus was sent, and we read that he “came to seek and to save that which was lost.” This also is our mission, to spread the good news of salva¬ tion to those who are dead in trespasses and sins that they may have life eternal. Our duty is not to destroy but to bring life to those without Christ. The book of Romans was the text for the evening lectures. We saw that the law condemns us as sinners to eternal separation from God but through Christ Je¬ sus we are justified or declared righteous in the sight of God. What the law could not do is ful¬ filled in Christ. Continued on page 33

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30 STEINBACH BIBLE ACADEMY YEAR BOOK r Uo.lunta uf Service “For the love of Christ constraineth us . . II Cor. 5:14. “I realize that you have applied for summer relief work at Ninette, but a telegram has just come from the Brandon Hospital for Mental Diseases, informing us that they are in dire need of a group of ward aides, to begin work immediately.” This from Mr. Loewen our M.C.C. leader for Western Canada. Would we be willing to go? “Yes, we will go!” What passed through our minds during the time be¬ tween the question and our reply, might take too much space to relate. Suffice it to say that we humbly asked the Lord for guidance in our decisions, committing ourselves into His loving care. Seventeen Christian young people, re¬ presenting four Canadian provinces, made up the M.C.C. unit at Brandon. Of this group Ramona Loewen, Adeline Reimer and myself are from the Academy. During our first days on the wards, we were completely overwhelmed by the sad plight of over one thousand six hund¬ red mental patients. We were faced with a challenge, a real responsibility, but al¬ so a precious privilege. The horror, delusions and misconcep¬ tions which are so real in the nightmare- existence of a mental patient constitute a challenge that cannot be ignored — a challenge for us Christians to be that testimony to those round about us outside of Christ that will win them to the Sav¬ iour. For He alone can give us peace and calmness of soul and mind in this mad, rushing world of today. Is it possible that we as Christians are largely to blame for these broken lives? In our daily contacts with the patients it was plainly evident that in many cases they had become un¬ balanced mentally, due to misapplications and misinterpretations of the Scriptures. Then, also, in some instances, the destruc¬ tive and perversive influence of false cults had done its work in the minds of the uneducated, causing utter confusion. Never before had we been challenged in such a real way to study and “be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you ...” I Peter 3:15. We felt a keen sense of responsibility towards the staff as well as towards the patients. A person who is working side by side with you from day to day is quick to perceive where you stand and what your convictions are, judging not only by your words but by your deeds. We realized anew our responsibility to be true repre¬ sentatives of Christ. It was a sweet privilege to he the means of bringing a ray of hope and cheer to the hearts of discouraged patients. There is so pathetically little to contribute to¬ wards a semblance of enjoyment for those who are in a position to appreciate it. They are starving for love. We were more than rewarded for our meagre efforts when, with tears in their eyes they would thank us for our service to them. The unit life at Brandon afforded amp¬ le and interesting opportunities for ex¬ pression in the devotional, educational, literary and social phases. Never a dull moment did we spend in our off-hours, thanks to the ingenuity of the members of the four committees who provided us with spiritual, mental, and physical ac¬ tivities. We had a wide choice of meeting plac¬ es for our various get-togethers — sur¬ rounding the magnificent nurses’ home are most beautiful lawns, groves of trees, and flower-bordered lanes. Our favorite picnic spot was the spring, about a half- mile walk over hills and across fields. On rainy nights we would gather in the spa¬ cious, luxuriously furnished living room of the nurses residence for sing-songs and talk-fests. Our gatherings for prayer and devotion which we held in the chapel of the hospi¬ tal are looked back upon as times of real blessing and strength which we could not do without in our duties as ward aides and attendants. Our prayer is that our summer’s work at the B. M. H. will have been of benefit to the patients and that our Lord may have been honored and glorified. Evelina Reimer. deceit “Es lautet”! in the “Grammatic” hour. There’s a closing of books and a shuff¬ ling of feet, then a dash through the door to our coats. ‘Are you taking overshoes? — What answer did you have for No. 4? —- Oh! it’s nice out, come on ‘Time’s Money’.” Soon the gossip fades to quiet whispers of those delicate ladies. Our aim outside is to get that volley ball, with nothing in it, over the net. This is sometimes done in a queer way. The ball, if you can call it a ball, is tossed about from one eager player to another, sometimes over the sagging net to the other side but more often it flops to earth on the player’s side. Oh! Oh! someone is passing fudge un¬ der the net but soon the empty paper bag flutters to the ground. Slippery as it may be and in the snow¬ iest weather there is still the volley ball that is flying high in the sky or down to earth at recess. Mary Reimer.