From: Don Anderson[SMTP:basicsof@inasec.ca] Sent: December 6, 1997 8:24 PM Subject: freedom of worship Reading the polity side of The Basis of Union. Seems the United Church can't enact legislation that interfers with the freedom of worship enjoyed by the negotiating churches to union (8.6.2). If they do so it can be declared 'ultra vires', and struck down. ****************** From: Don Anderson[SMTP:basicsof@inasec.ca] Sent: December 5, 1997 2:30 PM Subject: unitarian re: Charles David Young's letter to the Citizen There is a possible explanation to the scripture reference Mark 10:18 "Why do you call me good? No one is none good but God alone." It's found in the question immediately before Mark 10:17 "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" and echoed in Mark 10:21 "come, follow me." Was Jesus' question "Why do you call me good?" rhetorical? The sense of Jesus' reply is then, "Do you realize why you call me good?" The answer to that question is the threshold to eternal life. // Somewhere in the last weeks there is reference to meeting a college student with a sandwich board which read, "A FOOL FOR CHRIST". The person thought it rather simplistic until they turned after passing the student and read the back of the sandwich board, "WHO'S FOOL ARE YOU?" ******************* From: ab497@chebucto.ns.ca (Jack Waller) Subject: poem Date: Sun, 14 Dec 'Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house Not a creature was praying, not one in the house. Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care In hopes that Jesus would not come there. The children were dressing to crawl into bed, Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head. And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap. When out of the East there arose such a clatter, I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash! When what to my wondering eyes should appear But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here. With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray I knew in a moment this must be The Day! The light of His face made me cover my head It was Jesus! returning just like He had said. And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself. In the Book of Life which He held in His hand Was written the name of every saved man. He spoke not a word as He searched for my name; When He said "It's not here" my head hung in shame. The people whose names had been written with love He gathered to take to His Father above. With those who were ready He rose without a sound While all the rest were left standing around. I fell to my knees, but it was too late; I had waited too long and this sealed my fate. I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight; Oh, if only I had been ready tonight. In the words of this poem the meaning is clear; The coming of Jesus is drawing near. There's only one life and when comes the last call We'll find that the Bible was true after all! copyright © 1993 Bethany Farms, Carrollton, IL