QUESTION: Where is the Scriptural proof that the tabernacle of Moses was a shadow or type of the New Testament Church and the steps by which one enters into it?

ANSWER: In the 9th chapter of Hebrews, the first eight verses give a detailed description of the Old Testament Sanctuary with its altars, furnishings and all the appurtenances thereto. Then in verse 9 it says, "Which was a FIGURE for the time then present." This makes it clear that the tabernacle of the First Covenant was a figure of something. But what? In Hebrews 9:24 it says, "...the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the TRUE;..." In the 8th chapter of Hebrews, the 1st verse speaks of the High Priesthood of Jesus, and then verse two, describing this further, says, "A minister of the sanctuary, and of the TRUE tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man." Further, Hebrews 9:11, "But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building." In Matthew 16:18 we see clearly what the greater and more perfect tabernacle was which the Lord pitched and not man and which was not made with hands. Here Jesus says, "...upon this rock I will BUILD my church;..." Then it is clear that the tabernacle which the Lord pitched (built) is His church. You may ask: "Is the church referred to in the New Testament as a tabernacle?" It certainly is in a number of places. However, we must remember that the tabernacle was set up during the Israelites' wanderings in the wilderness and was of necessity a portable structure. When they became settled in the promised land and were permanently established, then the portable structure (tabernacle) was replaced by a permanent structure (the temple) which was identical with the tabernacle in its arrangements and served the same purpose in the exact same way. In the New Testament, the church is more generally referred to as a TEMPLE rather than a TABERNACLE. See Ephesians 2:19-22 and II Corinthians 6:16. However, it is also referred to as a TABERNACLE in Hebrews 8:2; Hebrews 9:11; and Revelation 21:3.

The steps by which we enter the tabernacle or temple of the Lord-His New Testament Church-are clearly typified in the Old Testament Tabernacle also. In the 38th chapter of Exodus, verses 1-20, is described the court surrounding the tabernacle, the brazen altar of sin, burnt offerings and the laver; all of which were outside the tabernacle proper, but necessary appurtenances to it; consequently typifying necessary steps to enter into the tabernacle or church. Into the court came the sinning Israelite with his sin offering to be offered on the altar of burnt offering. The court would typify the state of the convicted sinner. Just as this court was an enclosure separated from the outside world and general activities of the people into which the Israelite entered to make his offering unto God for his sins, so the convicted sinner stricken with remorse and godly sorrow today becomes withdrawn from the world and reckless, sinful living. His state is described in II Corinthians 7:9-11 where it describes the person stricken with godly sorrow as having a great carefulness wrought in him-not sinning recklessly and with a high hand as before. Also, it speaks of him clearing himself and having a strong indignation against sin and wrong that has ruined his life. Also, he has a vehement desire to be delivered and set free and a strong feeling for revenge against the works of the devil that have brought him to this ruined state.

Then as he follows these strong urges and impulses in his soul and approaches unto the altar of sin offering, which typifies Christ Himself (see Hebrews 13:10-12 and 16, together with I Peter 2:5, which presents Christ as our altar), and in deep penitence and humbleness of heart offers himself dead in trespasses and sins on the altar of Christ (His mercy and love manifested at Calvary), putting his faith in the merits of the shed blood of the son of God and that only for his pardon and forgiveness of sins, his sins are forgiven him for Jesus' sake.

Then he approaches the laver which stood just before the door of the tabernacle and was always filled with water in which the priests were required to wash their hands and feet before entering the tabernacle (this water typified the Word of God-John 15:3 and Ephesians 5:26 and I Peter 1:22, and the blood of Jesus, Revelation 1:5 and I John 1:7), and is washed from his sins and enters into the tabernacle of the Lord through Christ, the Door. (John 10:9.)

Parents, Have You Tried Prayer?

"Lane has been making trouble again. I dislike to tell you, but what can we do with him?" Mrs. Houston stood by the gate with the tears running down her cheeks, as her husband drove up to his house.

"What is it now?" he asked, with a dark, discouraged look upon his face.

"Oh, that poor boy has sold his watch to procure one of those little revolvers that are so temptingly advertised in our papers. He got angry at his sisters this morning, and I heard him say, `Take care there, or I will draw my gun on you!' I entered the room to find him standing with a loaded revolver pointing at the girls' heads. I commanded him as calmly as I could to go to his room, but the scene gave my nerves such a shock that I have been in a tremble ever since!"

"He obeyed you, did he not?"

"He refused to give up the weapon, but left the living room for his bedroom, saying that he had the best of the family now, and would bring them all to terms before he got through. I have been momentarily expecting that he would shoot himself, or some one of the family, and have listened for the report of the revolver till I am quite unnerved."

"We shall have to send him to the Reform School," said Mr. Houston decidedly. "His offences heretofore have been grave enough to send him to a worse place. I will have lunch, and then immediately start for M- . Oh, it is hard; it is humiliating beyond measure to be obliged to acknowledge to the world that I have a son whose conduct is such as to bring him within the statutory provisions concerning commitments to the Reform School."

Mr. Houston returned from his mournful errand just in time for the six o'clock dinner. When he went to his room to freshen up his wife followed him. "What is the result of your journey?" she asked as soon as they were alone. Her husband looked so distressed that she began to tremble again, and when he attempted to reply it was some moments before he could command his voice, or find words to make himself intelligible.

"The superintendent of the school, a very pleasant, agreeable man, and a Christian, to whom I had confided, some time since, my anxiety in regard to Lane, listened to this new trouble with a grave sympathy which quite won my heart. When I had finished speaking, he said, `Yes, Mr. Houston, you must have him sent here now by all means. He needs the discipline of this institution. But before arrangements are made, I want to ask you one question: you say he has always been a hard case to manage; that you have tried every way to effect his reformation; that love, fear and force have all been employed in the premises; and that you have even tried to hire him to alter his behavior, paying him a certain sum of money per day so long as he should commit no misdeed; but all these measures have failed. Now I want to know whether you have tried praying with him.'

" `No,' said I, very much taken by surprise. `I have never thought of doing that'

" `Well,' said the superintendent, `you must go home and pray with him. I don't feel as if I could receive him or have anything to do with the case until the power of prayer at his home, and that in his presence, has been tried.'

" `I cannot pray before my family,' I said.

"`What! You, a church member, do not have family prayer?'

" `No, sir,' was my answer, very deeply humiliated by the confession.

" `Go home and set up a family altar tonight', he said.

" `I cannot,' I pleaded. `I have not the courage to broach the matter, even to my wife. We never speak upon the subject of religion.'

" `It is high time you take up this cross, if a cross it is,' he urged. `How can you expect that son to submit his will to yours when you do not submit your will to the Master? Tonight at nine o'clock call your family together. Read a chapter of the Word of God, and lead in prayer. At that time my wife and I will go into our closets and pray for you all, and especially for Lane. Let us now take the Lord Jesus Christ into our council.' "

"Dear husband," replied Mrs. Houston, sobbing, "I have been thinking for a long time that we are shirking our duty in this direction. Do not have any more misgivings about it; do not hesitate another moment. I will arrange everything this evening-never fear. The Lord will pardon us, let us hope, and give us strength when the hour arrives."

"Has Lane been downstairs since?" asked the father, himself moved to tears. "No, and he has had nothing to eat, and no one has spoken to him since breakfast."

"What if he should start to go downtown to spend the evening?"

"I have a plan which I think will keep him at home tonight."

On his way downstairs Mr. Houston went to his son's door and called in a pleasant voice, "Come, my son, dinner is waiting." Lane quickly opened the door, with his hair freshly combed and neatly attired. He had dressed for dinner, although expecting, should he try the door, to find it still locked upon the outside, and not doubting that he was again to be put upon a protracted diet of bread and water.

He came downstairs, wondering, on the way, if it were possible that his father in this controversy had espoused his cause against his mother; or whether, as it seemed most likely to him, the possession of the vicious little firearm had not indeed brought them all to terms.

Lane was given to stealing out of the house in the evenings, and frequenting questionable resorts in company with boys who were nearly as wayward as himself; but tonight Mrs. Houston forestalled any such course by saying as soon as dinner was over, "I wish, children, you would make two or three pans full of popcorn balls to carry to the charity festival tomorrow. The materials are all ready, and, Lane, you must superintend the popping of the corn and the preparation of the molasses and sugar."

This was one of the lad's favorite pastimes, and he went about the business in hand with alacrity, his brothers and sisters obeying his many orders, glad to have this new outbreak blow over without developing into a regular warfare between him and his father.

When eight thirty came, Mrs. Houston was called out into the kitchen to see the result of the evening's labor.

"Thank you, my good children," she said. "They are as nice and white and round as any that could be made by the confectioners themselves. Now wash up so as to be in the living room when the clock strikes nine; there is something else pleasant in store for you."

The young people obeyed, wondering and eager. At nine o'clock precisely their mother folded up the day's newspapers and brought a large Bible and placed it upon the reading table.

Mr. Houston's voice trembled a little as he said, "It has been brought very forcibly to my mind today that I have been shamefully neglecting my duty and the highest welfare of you, my children, in not joining with you in the study of this blessed Word and in family prayer. Tonight we will begin a different course, and see whether we shall not all be made happier and better by following it." He now read a chapter, and then knelt down. His wife and children followed his example, all except Lane. He sat bolt upright with a stern, pale face, and perturbed air, now and then casting quick glances toward the door as if meditating an escape.

The poor father at first could find no words to express his conflicting thoughts and deep prayerful desires; but as he called to mind the superintendent and his wife on their knees in prayer for him at that very moment, his stammering tongue was unloosed, and his burdened soul found a wonderful freedom at the throne of grace. As he was closing a most tender and pathetic appeal in behalf of his erring son and that all might submit their rebellious wills to Christ's loving sovereignty, Lane arose from his chair, crossed the room, and kneeling by his father's side, threw his arm around his neck. sobbing: "Pray on, father! pray on! I have tried to ask God to cleanse my wicked heart, but I could not seem to reach Him by myself. I know He will hear me now, when you are all willing to pray with me."

The whole family arose from their knees with melted hearts and tearful faces. It came out that the eldest two daughters had been in the habit of praying in secret, and they declared this to be the happiest hour of their lives.

MI-Dear Bro. Wayne: I send you greetings in the name of Jesus Christ.

I thank God for His full salvation which He purchased on the cross of Calvary. Jesus did a perfect work there, and He has been everything to me that He promised to be.

I am encouraged that God is working in the hearts of mankind everywhere. I hear people talking, and I know that God has visited them. My prayer, and I know the prayer of all God's children, is that people will take time to let God reason with their hearts and bring them to salvation....

In the love of Christ, - Bro. Milford Parsons

KS-Dear ones at Faith and Victory: Just a note this morning to thank you for the prayers on Leo Hiebert's behalf. He had cancer, but now it is in remission. We thank the Lord for His healing touch, and we pray and believe that He will continue His work with Leo until he is completely healed and saved.

Thank you again for all of your prayers, and for your outreach to so many people in so many ways. -Sis. Naomi Dickerson Hiebert

LA-Dear loved ones: Thanks to Jesus, a miracle was wrought in Uncle Arlda Stice's life. He was saved at the last hour. We appreciate all your prayers for his salvation.

Aunt Ila Woodhull and Aunt May Forbes were able to care for him until he passed on to glory.

Ezekiel 34 was a text used at the memorial service, which encouraged the ones that have been saddened. Jesus gives us hope. Praise the good Lord. Love, -Sis. Catherine Bhramayana

OK-Bro. Wayne: I would like to let folks know how things are going with me. It seems like I have been on your prayer list for years. I have had muscular dystrophy about all my life, and according to the ones that keep track of this, I should have been dead many years ago. But God in His mercy has spared me and I have had a good life. I am now 68 years old, and that is not bad for even a well person.

As our children came along my prayer was that God would spare me to be able to help raise them, and He did. Now we have 29 grandchildren and some of them have married and have children (we have 4 great-grands). Isn't that amazing?

Several weeks ago I noticed a weakness in my lungs. It seemed like my breathing just kept getting a little more shallow every few days. About two weeks ago the breathing became very shallow and my lungs seemed to be filling with fluid. I didn't have it checked, but I know it was serious. The saints were so good to pray for me and to come by and encourage me. It got to where I couldn't sleep in the bed, and I got so weary and weak. For a few days it just seemed like the end was near.

One night especially, it seemed like each breath might be the last. I realized that the saints are so dear and will do all they can, but there comes the time and the place where we will have to walk the last few steps alone and meet God for ourselves. Not even our dearest companion will be by our side at that time. We can't blame someone else if we haven't lived right because we will face the Lord for ourselves. I wondered if it just might be my time, but soon the Lord had mercy and gave relief. I got a special touch. I believe the Lord has spared me again and is raising me up.

I thank the Lord for His touch and the saints for their prayers and support.

We are so thankful for the strength God has given to Dora. Even with all her aches and pains from arthritis, she has still been able to take care of things and household duties.

We certainly do appreciate you and your work there. May the Lord bless abundantly. Christian love, -Bro. Dale Doolittle

LA-Dear ones: We have thanksgiving and praise to God for all that He has done for our youngest son, Terrell, who was very sick. It is very good to see him out riding his bike and playing-thank the Lord! We do appreciate the prayers of the saints in his behalf. Continue to remember us in your prayers. -Bro. Ferlin and Sis. Kathy Palmer

OK-Dear Bro. Wayne: Greetings to you in the lovely name of Jesus, our Lord. I am glad that I know Him.

One scripture says, "Israel shall be saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end." Isaiah 45:17. Contrariwise, we shall have fullness of joy forevermore. I want to strive for that crown that awaits us.

Wife and I are contented with our new move to Shawnee. We have more opportunity of doing good. We want to be faithful and do what we can.

We desire your prayers. Neither one of us is very strong in body. With Christian love, -Bro. and Sis. T. V. McMillian

MO-Dear Faith and Victory personnel: I am happy to have received your publication. I am reluctant to cut the order blank out of this edition of your paper, because of the message on the other side. So I took one from an older edition.

I enjoy the testimonies of God's children and the "Window To The Past."

My husband's mother's family originated from Oklahoma, and I notice that Oklahoma seems to be the starting point for a lot of your articles, such as the prayer requests and other statements....

I sincerely desire your prayers for my husband, Wright Louis Pullen, and myself, Ethel M. Pullen. I am 79 years old and he is soon going to be 82 years of age. We need your prayers for health problems. I have diabetes, with other serious health conditions. My husband has osteoarthritis and other problems.

I appreciate your Faith and Victory publication and your prayers for our health and a closer walk with our most precious Savior. Pray for our loved ones to draw near to Him. Sincerely, -Sis. Ethel Pullen

Once a boy fell and hurt his knee. His mother saw his fall and she gathered him into her arms, kissing his wet cheeks and whispering words of love into his ear. She comforted him and patched his injury.

`'Help me!'' cried a little girl to her father as her feet struggled to catch the runaway pedals on her bicycle. Quickly, her father raced after the bicycle and stopped both bike and daughter from falling. He rescued his child and she was thankful.

One time a mother came to Jesus and asked that He heal her daughter of a bad spirit. Jesus denied her request of assistance. Then Jesus commended the mother and said her faith had set her daughter free. (Matt. 15:21-28.)

In each of these incidents loving parents were concerned about their children's well-being. A child is a part of his parents and very precious to them. Jesus said His Father's love was like unto the love of good parents.

`'What man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?'' Matt. 7:9-11. The Lord wants us to keep faith in Him just as a child believes in his parents to supply his basic needs.

When that mother saw her child fall, she picked him up and loved him. So the father rescued his daughter before she was hurt. Our heavenly Father cares about our needs in just this way, and even more so because we never outgrow His arms or ability to help us. No problem is ever too big for our Father.

Notice how Jesus honored the mother who kept insisting on His help? She was not discouraged when Jesus refused to help her daughter, but she humbled herself and asked until she received. We need to follow her example and humbly bring our needs to our heavenly Father. He asks that we do so. ( John 15:16.) He knows about our needs and troubles before we even ask, but He wants us to communicate with Him. (Matt. 6:5-8.) He is a loving parent and He wants a close relationship with His children. Let us not be discouraged in bringing our troubles and sorrows to Him. He may test our faith as He did this mother's, but He does care.

Are you wounded so deeply inside that words cannot express the hurt? Your heavenly Father already knows about it and He can ease the pain. ( Rom. 8:27.)

Have you fallen and injured yourself? Your heavenly Father still loves you and He can lift you up. (Isaiah 55:7.)

Perhaps you are weary and laboring under heavy responsibilities. Our Lord says, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Mat. 11:28. Don't let the cares of life keep you from talking to your heavenly Father.

Do you have a burden or a concern for a loved one? Take it to the Lord in prayer. `'Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.'' I Peter 5:7.

We read a touching story in the 28th chapter of Matthew about two women named Mary who came to the sepulchre. They were intent on seeking Jesus. Instead, they were met by an angel. This great and holy angel, who had frightened the guards so much that they fell down as dead, did not deter the women. They persevered, saying, "Sir, we would see Jesus."

One lesson we learn from this story is that those with a true love for Christ will not be satisfied with angels alone. Nothing will appease the searching heart, but to have God Himself a witness to it.

Fellow believers who can help, encourage and point us to the Word of God are good to have, yet in order to face God in peace on the judgment day we must have had a personal revelation from Him.

Paul wrote to the Galatian church, "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." Galatians 1:8.

We esteem others for their works' sake, (I Thessalonians 5:13) but the guidance and convictions of our heart come from God Himself. It is easy to have someone tell us exactly how to live and what to believe. However, to do so is to make our souls vulnerable.

Recently, Bro. Phillip Gellenbeck brought a Sunday School lesson in Guthrie about our struggle to live for God and how it can be strengthening to us. He related the story of a man who watched a moth struggle mightily to come through a small hole in its cocoon. After accomplishing the task, the moth flew off. The man thought he would assist the next moth, so he cut the cocoon open for it. But the moth could not fly. The reason was that by failing to struggle through the small hole, the moth had not exercised itself or pushed blood into its wings, enabling it to fly.

I encourage you not to rely on others to see Christ for you, even if such a one should appear to be an angel. We are living in a lazy age, when many are satisfied to let others do for them what each should do for himself. We can't afford this luxury with things of eternal value and consequence. Don't be fearful of asking questions which will lead you to forming God-given convictions. Don't be discouraged in your struggles to know God's will. We are told to work out our own salvation. (Phillippians 2:12). Struggles will make us strong. And God will meet us just as He did the two women.

During the month of May, three saints who labored at the Print Shop in years past went to be with the Lord.

My mother's brother, Andrew Pruitt, who was a part of the Print Shop family at its inception, and who worked here as a small boy, passed from this life on May 10, at the age of 90.

We are very grateful that we had the opportunity to see Uncle Andrew last July 11, 1998, when he traveled to the 75th Anniversary Workers' Reunion from his home in Oregon, to reminisce about happenings of long ago.

In 1968, Bro. Byron Wittenborn and his wife, Sis. Virginia, moved to the Guthrie area from California. Previously they had labored in the Mexico mission field. For several years they proofread, helped with Spanish translation, and did other tasks to assist the Print Shop work.

Bro. Byron certainly earned the reward which he now enjoys. We extend our sympathy to his family, especially Sis. Alberta, the daughter of Bro. Sam and Sis. Armilda Abbott, whom he married after his first wife's death.

If you would like to offer your condolences to Sis. Alberta and family, mail your correspondence to 201 East Forest Dr., Apt. 1, Payson, AZ 85541.

Another saint who will be missed is Sis. Lois Sharp. Her life was one given to God, a part of which included working at the Print Shop and laboring with her husband, Bro. Donald Sharp, in the ministry.

Our prayers are for God's sustaining grace to be with Bro. Donald and his loved ones in the days ahead. His address is 38801 Hardesty Rd., Apt. 7, Shawnee, OK 74801.

The flood we had in June of 1995 destroyed the printing negatives for the book Bible Readings for Bible Students by L. L. Speck and H. M. Riggle. It has been a long process to reset the book and reprint it, but it is now available. The present edition is bound in a heavy paper cover and priced at $6.00. For shipping and handling, add $1.00 for the first dollar of your total order, and 10¢ for each additional dollar.

We thank God for every accomplishment made in printing the Gospel. It is gratifying to see Christian literature printed and put into the mail. Through God's provision, and those who love His Word, we continue to send the news of Christ to many parts of the world.

We are still looking for greater ways to serve our Master, and we thank each of you who have submitted articles and testimonies for publication, and those who have stood with us in our work for the Lord. May God bless each one.

From India:

May 1, 1999-Dear Bro. Wayne Murphey: Greetings to you and the dear saints in America, and other parts of the world.

We had a wonderful five days Vacation Bible School during the second week of April. Two hundred children attended and there were 18 teachers to teach them.

The convention at Koottervila was also a blessed one. The attendance was good and those who gathered were blessed with very anointed messages. All other church activities are going on fine.

May God bless your labors in the Print Shop. Our prayers are for the spiritual progress of the saints everywhere.

Yours in Him, -Bro. John Varghese

From Rivers State, Nigeria:

April 10, 1999-Dear Bro. Murphey: Holy greetings to you and the entire Print Shop family in Jesus' name. We do pray for you always, so please keep encouraged. We also solicit your prayers always, as we can't succeed without prayer....

Last Sunday a relation of mine in my paternal family was baptized as a believer here in Tombia. It has also been arranged that tomorrow another convert who seeks baptism shall be baptized. We earnestly join the heavenly host in rejoicing over them and others who have truly repented. Whoever believes in Jesus and is baptized shall be saved!

We are very thankful to our heavenly Father for the spread of the evening light truth to Ogu, the hometown of Bro. Israel Darick. This town is a local government seat in Rivers State. Bro. Israel was baptized in his town in September of last year, during a three-day evangelistic outreach. Last month several of our born-again youths visited the brother at Ogu, and they brought a progress report that is encouraging. Church meetings are now being held there in a rented room. Your prayers are solicited on behalf of that work. Thanks.

Our national economy requires fervent prayers of the saints. The healing of any nation's economy is for God to perform through the earnest prayers of His faithful children. Therefore there is still hope for improvement in the Nigerian mismanaged economy.

Last month I lost two close relatives who were younger than myself. One was my father's daughter, and the other belonged to my maternal family. My deep sorrow has been expressed regarding their unsaved souls.

May the Lord be with you all to the fast approaching end. -Bro. Onimite B. Alalibo

From Ghana:

April 18, 1999-Dear Bro. Wayne: I send greetings to you and all the saints abroad. We thank God that He has been doing wonderful things here. The work is still moving on. Lord willing, we will have one week of workers' meeting during the last week of April, 1999. This meeting will help renew the strength of the workers in the Church of God in Ghana.

We now have a branch at a town called Tanoso, and another one at a town called Nkeukasu. The church at Akumadan takes care of these branches. Pray for us that God may assist us to take good care of them....

Yours for Christ, -Maxwell Nkausah

Missions Update by Bro. Michael Smith:

Dear Saints: In a recent letter from Bro. Maxwell in Ghana, he stated, "By the grace of God all are doing well here in Ghana and the Lord is doing wonderful things in our midst-restitution, forsaking all, and power to overcome sin through the blood of Jesus Christ. Not only is the church increasing in numbers, but records in the Book of Life."

We thank the Lord for how He has been blessing the work in Ghana. Funds were recently sent to help the saints complete the structure of the chapel building. It has been a great blessing not only to the saints, but to the townspeople in Akumadan.

The ministers have been reaching out to surrounding towns and have a great burden to spread the gospel. An amplifier and microphones were recently purchased to help in the outreach ministry. Lord willing, there will be a campmeeting for the first time in years in Ghana.

The saints have a special request for one of the Sunday school children. The child, Atta Boateng, has a hernia and is severely afflicted. The mother has sacrificed many of her belongings for the care of her child, and it is a great burden to the congregation. Please remember this child in prayer.

The saints in Malawi and Mozambique are still pressing on for the Lord. There have been a number of meetings held. In the past, we have visited the congregations in Malawi but not Mozambique. The need is great and the saints are desiring a visit to those congregations.

I am burdened to make a couple of trips to Africa this year as the Lord leads. Please pray that I will be able to obtain the necessary visas and that God will bless in this effort.

There are many spiritual, physical and financial needs in the work of God at large that we should continue to pray about. The work is great, so may the Lord help us each one to do our part.