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

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Why I Attend the S.B.A. “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Tim. 2:15 It is my great privilege to attend Bible School this year. My desire is that I may learn to know more about God’s Word, and His will for my life. The short time I have been here has given me a deeper insight into God’s Word, a clearer picture of what it means to be a child of God and our duty to bring the Word to those who have never heard. It seems to me there are so many even right here who have heard the Gospel often, yet who do not know how to accept Christ as their own personal Saviour. The Bible School has done much to help me make the way clearer to others and I praise and thank the Lord for the opportunity H e has given me. —Mary Kroeker Social Evening Morning Services November 25 Mr. Reimer pleasantly sur¬ prised us with an invitation to a social in the school that evening. At 7:30 we, includ- ding the evening class students, gathered in the school auditorium. Mr. Wittenberg opened the even¬ ing’s activities by leading us in a song. “Lasz d i e Herzen immer frolich.” He then read a portion of Scripture and added suitable re¬ marks. Mr. Penner, led us in chor¬ uses and also in a game of guessing Bible verses pinned on our backs. Mr. Reimer then led us in an¬ other guessing game. Late r the teachers brought each of us a plate filled with good food and then Mr. Reimer showed us some slides. On leaving, Mr. Penner called out, “No pop tests tomorrow.’’ So with a relieved feeling we went home, having tho¬ roughly enjoyed an evening of blessed fellowship. --Tina Wiebe At nine o’clock the students and faculty gather for devotions. The speaker for the morning may be a teacher, a visiting minister or a missionary. After the speaker has announced the song, all join in with singing that stirs the soul and lifts the heart in praise to our loving Father in heaven. Then the speaker leads in prayer, following which he brings us a heart-searching and practical message of God’s Holy Word. The message may be on fruit-bearing showing us that Christ set us an example in this and that “here¬ in is my Father glorified that ye bear much fruit.” Or it may be on the walk of a Christian, exhorting us to walk as children of the light so as to remain in fellowship with God as well as to honour Him before the world. It may also be on the enemies of a Christian, on self-denial, or on the Christian’s equipment for labour. Whatever the message, it is sure to bring us to a deeper realization of our pri¬ vileges and responsibilities as God’s children. In closing one or two students lead in prayer, after which we disperse to our respective clas- m

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Gratis Work at the Dorm. Dorm Life “And to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness charity. II Peter 1:7. With some apprehension and curiosity we arrived at the dormi¬ tory. The apprehension vanished almost immediately. From the first day there has always been a gen¬ eral feeling of brotherly love which has increased as time went by, and as we (the boys) got to know each other better. The day in the dorm’ begins at around 6:30 a.m., except for some very early risers. At this hour bro¬ ther Ben Friesen calls us with a cheery “Good morning.’’ After a short period of devotions we all go down, wash, and gather round the breakfast table. Before the meal we have Bible reading and prayer led by Ben Friesen. After each meal comes the in¬ evitable—dishwashing done by two brethren upon whom this fate has fallen for the week. Then after a short period of study or some other gratis work, the boys all head for school. We always look forward to din¬ ner which is prepared by our very able cook, Mrs. Ben Friesen. At times a problem that arose in » school is discus¬ sed during the meal, each one giving his views. Continued on page 36 Fifteen hungry young men are seated around a well-decked table, making short work of the delici¬ ous meal, so ably prepared by our wonderful cook, Mrs. Ben Friesen. “Is everyone through?” As soon as all are finish¬ ed a chorus is begun and the dishes are‘passed up. “Careful now, don’t break any!’’ Two eager boys rush to put on their dish washing apparel (aprons) and cheerfully go to their task, ft “Singing I’ll go along life’s road IK ll ' ' ' ' “111 . . . ’’ Hmm, sounds like Bro. Abe Giesbrecht (Beverly) is practising his vocal lessons. Perched on the kitchen stool sits another eager beaver, enthusiastic¬ ally attacking the huge basket of unpeeled potatoes. “Please, not quite so thick, It’s the potatoes we want to use, not the peelings.” Where can that cloud of dust be coming from ? It must be Brother Ed. Reimer (our Book of Know¬ ledge) sweeping the floor. “S a y, Bro. Ed., don’t forget t o sweep the front steps and cement walk!” “Sister Friesen, is there anything you need from the store?” “Yes, 6 lbs. but¬ ter, 10 lbs. beef, 5 dozen eggs, 2 boxes of cheese, 2 heads of cab-, bage, and 6 bananas.” What a load! Bro. Peter Brandt, are you fur- naceman for this week ? Better hurry up with those ashes. Classes begin in five minutes.” Although we all seem to rush through these little tasks, we still take heed of the suitable verses printed on our gratis work chart. “Let all things be done decently and in order.” I Cor. 14:40. “Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the the heart.” Eph. 6:6. —Melvin Dueck

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1952 Fall Bible Conference REV. PAUL ERB Editor - Gospel Herald 1952 Conference Speaker Christmas “Glory to God . . . peace on earth.” These words conveyed the evening theme to everyone as he entered the school auditorium. Here decorative efforts pro¬ duced a festive air, reflecting reverent observance of celebrating the Bethlehem Birth. Since the program was directed by the students, the faculty, in company with our parents or two other guests who had come upon invitation, constituted the aud¬ ience. The performance was officially opened with Scripture reading and prayer, in ac¬ knowledgment of our need for Him. “Heilge Weihnacht” by the school chorus was fol¬ lowed by a German dialogue. Next came a reading, effectively supplemented by harmonious humming of “Silent Night.” A “Pageant,” then highlighted the program. The story of the coming Redeemer, from the time of God’s promise in Gen. 3:15 to the fulfillment of that promise in Luke 2, was outlined. Congruously, in closing, our practice of celebrating Christmas was stressed by the speaker, president of the student council. Are we aware of the full significance of “Christ” in Christmas or are we commemorating it in a false mythical manner? Our thoughts turned from spiritual to Paul Erb, Editor of “Gospel Herald,” published at Scottdale, Pa., in the interest of Mennonites, was speaker at the Fall Con¬ ference (Oct. 19-21) of the Bible Acad¬ emy. Open to all, day sessions were held at the Bible School; evening sessions drew larger crowds, necessitating the use of a local church building. By way of introduction, Mr. Erb an¬ nounced he had chosen to speak on Paul’s Epistle to the Colossians, a Book that contains more than milk’’ on which the Christian thrives. Before long, he proved this “diet of meat” was difficult to digest. This was a Book, providing much food for the soul. Stating the theme of Colossians as “Christ the head, of the body, the church,” Mr. Erb began his expository teaching of the Letter, placing emphasis on the latter part of the key verse: Col. 1:18b. “ . . . that in all things He might have the pre¬ eminence.” “With Christ as the centre of our thinking, we have the basis of Christian faith,” the speaker went on. What place has Christ in our lives, prominence or pre¬ eminence ? All too soon the conference had become history. Everyone who heard Mr. Erb will agree his messages served as an incentive to give Christ preeminence in our lives. Program temporal things. A spirit of good-will dom¬ inated the atmosphere. Before lunch was served the guests were given an oppor¬ tunity to contribute their part in making the evening successful. Those in charge of the food had insisted on having turkey. From the first, the com¬ mittee had realized they could not afford to buy even one, so they resigned them¬ selves and manufactured a reasonable fac¬ simile. They did not, however, manage the stuffing. This, they humbly asked the guests to supply. The response was over¬ whelming, greatly exceeding our expecta¬ tions! In short, “Tom” climaxed the even¬ ing. The “stuffing” or offering was sent to the “Back to the Bible Broadcast.” It is difficult to tell who, performers or listeners, received a greater blessing. Suffice it to say, all went home rejoicing in the fact that we still have a living Saviour. Formerly, this Familienabend” has re¬ mained as such. This year, two additional performances were rendered during one evening, for everyone interested. From the appreciation extended, we as students, were sufficiently gratified for our efforts. —Elizabeth Giesbrecht 32