8 minute read
Growing Faith
Sabbath, a Snake, and Some Wolves—Part 1
The following story was published in KidsView, Summer 2011. You’ll have to wait until June’s Growing Faith to find out how the story ends. In the meantime, if you have a guess as to the ending, you can write to kidsview@adventistreview.org. We just might give you a hint about what happens next.—Editor.
Merritt Kellogg reached his arms into the air and had a good stretch. It certainly was peaceful here. The water in the creek was just a few feet deep and gurgled happily. The sun was shining, and a cool breeze rustled the tall grasses nearby. Placing his Bible on the ground for a pillow, Merritt lay back and closed his eyes. It was a perfect Sabbath— just right for some quiet thoughts, Bible reading, and a good nap. It wasn’t long before Merritt was fast asleep.
Ssssss. The noise penetrated his sleepy head. Ssssss. Foggy with sleep, Merritt tried to remember where he was. Sssssss. Irritated from being awakened from such a nice rest, he reluctantly opened his eyes. As his eyes focused, he realized that just 7 centimeters (3 inches) from his face, staring right at him, was the largest snake he’d ever laid eyes on. The head was 7 centimeters (3 inches) wide and 12 centimeters (5 inches) long, and it was the scariest thing he’d ever seen!
His heart pounding, Merritt jumped five feet straight up in the air. Grabbing a stick, he quickly put an end to the snake. With shaky legs he steadied himself as he examined the nowdead snake. It was 1.8 meters (6 feet) long and 7 centimeters (3 inches) thick. Merritt took no more naps that Sabbath.
It was 1859, and Merritt was 27 years old. He’d lived in Michigan, United States, all his life, but times were hard, and there weren’t many jobs around. So he sold his house and all his belongings—except for two horses; a wagon; and a few pots, pans, and tools—and headed West with his wife and three children.
The gold rush had begun in California in 1849, and many people were traveling to the new frontier to make their fortunes. Merritt met Captain Parks, a man who had also decided to go West for gold. Captain Parks needed to hire a wagon to carry all his supplies, and Merritt took the job with one condition. Merritt, who had accepted the Adventist faith seven years before, was determined never to work on the Sabbath. He wrote a contract and asked Captain Parks and the rest of the people in the wagon train to sign it. They did, agreeing never to travel on Sabbath.
But Captain Parks soon forgot the agreement. When Sabbath came, he still wanted to continue traveling. Merritt reminded him of the agreement, but Captain Parks wouldn’t listen. Captain Parks told Merritt’s wife about how wagons were not safe left alone. Merritt’s wife was so scared that she didn’t want to stay. She begged Merritt to go with the wagon train, but he refused. The Sabbath was more important. So the wagon train left him behind with a lunch, a gun, and his Bible. Here he was now, alone, with a dead snake at his feet and his heart beating like a drum in his chest.
To be continued! [Or scan the code with your smartphone to visit www.adventist world.org/sabbathsnake-wolves].
Anniversaries
CORNELL. Brian and Joy (nee Knight) were married by Pastor Ken Low at Central church, Brisbane, Qld, on 20.12.1960. Their diamond wedding anniversary was celebrated with their Mossman church family at a thanksgiving lunch on Sabbath, December 19. The much-admired cake, given by Laurian Bailey, was covered with their (edible) wedding photo. The family, Lee and Adrian Sinclair with twins Violet and Peter, and Wendy, Gregory and Wendell Honey, celebrated at Port Douglas on Sunday. “God grant that our 70th anniversary is celebrated with all those we love, under the shade of the Tree of Life!”
HIRST. Pastor George and Barbara (Adelaide, SA) celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on 26.3.21. They were married on 26.3.1951 in Leeds, England and their union led to six children, 14 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, (with another on the way) and one great-great-grandchild. “We were blessed to be brought up in a home where we knew our parents adored each other and God was central in their lives.”
Weddings
BRADLEY–JONES. Andrew James Bradley, son of Euan and Angela Bradley (Melbourne, Vic), and Kirah Jones, daughter of Stephen and Andrea Jones (Perth, WA), were married on 7.4.21 at Bramleigh Estate, Warrandyte, Vic. Bradley and Kirah met at Avondale University College in 2016 and began dating in 2017. Both moved to Melbourne in 2020 where Andrew began working as an accountant and Kirah, as a Year 2 teacher at Edinburgh College before becoming engaged in September 2020 in the midst of Victoria’s COVID-19 lockdown. Tony Knight
NOWICKI–SANDERSON. Nathaniel Nowicki, son of Benjamin Nowicki (dec) and Drusilla Nowicki (Adelaide, SA), and Lily Sanderson, daughter of Rodney and Mabel Sanderson (Brisbane, Qld), were married on 28.3.21 at College Park church, SA. Nathaniel and Lily first met at their best friend’s wedding in Adelaide in 2018. They have made Adelaide their home, buying a house and continuing their love of four-wheel driving and shopping. Nathaniel’s occupation is a dentist and Lily works as a social worker. Travis Siutu
Obituaries
GUEST, June (nee Atkin), born 11.12.1947 in Hobart, Tas; died 6.4.21 in Cranbourne, Vic. On 2.11.1969 she married David. June was predeceased by her daughter-in-law Kara O’Shea in 2020. June is survived by her husband (Blind Bight); sons, Danny and Ann-Maree (Lake Macquarie, NSW), David (Blind Bight, Vic) and Brendon and Sharlene (Hunter Valley, NSW); grandchildren, Eliza, Paul and Jake; and siblings Patricia, Peter, Trevor and Margaret. June dedicated her life to her family and to serving others. She had passion for loving and helping both people and animals. June is remembered by many for her abundant kindness, wry humour, beautiful rose gardens and the wonderful meals she lovingly made for family and friends.
NOWLAN, Albert Robert John, born 21.5.1969 in Lismore, NSW; died 24.1.21 in Yorklea, via Casino. He is survived by his parents, Robert and Rayleen (Ballina); sister, Deborah (Gosford); and nephew, Brian Chau (Gosford). Robert was a great outdoors man who loved to be amongst God’s creation. His kind and compassionate spirit was revealed in his love for people and God’s creation. Eric Greenwell, Tim Merritt Dada Fialho SPERRING, Heather Elizabeth, (nee Petherbridge), born 16.3.1938 in Marrickville, NSW; died 4.4.20 in Elizabeth Lodge, Wahroonga. On 5.5.1959 she married Dudley, who predeceased her in 1969. In 1971 she married Elwin. They were divorced in 1991. Heather is survived by her daughters, Wendy and Barry Faulkner (Bayview), Pam and Nick Krone (Camden) and Patricia and Shane Dunlop (Hallett Cove, SA); and sons, Colin and Margaretha (Wahroonga, NSW) and Alan and Nelly (Glenwood). Heather will always be remembered for her faithfulness to her God and her church at Stanmore.
Geoff Youlden
Positions vacant
IT OPERATIONS AND INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGER ADVENTIST TECHNOLOGY Wahroonga, NSW The South Pacific Division (SPD) is seeking a qualified and highly experienced individual to plan, direct and design the Church’s IT infrastructure and lead the infrastructure team that maintains and supports clients. This full-time position will be based at the Division head office in Wahroonga NSW and be part of the Adventist technology management team. For full selection criteria please visit <adventistemployment.org.au>. To apply, please email a cover letter, addressing the selection criteria as listed online, your CV, three work-related referees and the contact details of your Adventist church pastor, to <hr@adventist.org.au>. The appointing body reserves the right to fill this position at its discretion and close applications early. Applications close May 20, 2021 ACCOUNTANT – DIVISION FINANCIAL SERVICES Wahroonga, NSW The Seventh-day Adventist Church (SPD) Limited is seeking a highly skilled and experienced accountant to maintain the Division Financial Services (DFS) accounting systems and processes, prepare financial reports and process transactions. Working with a small, highly operational team, this full-time role will report directly to the Investment and Financial Services manager and be based at the Division head office. Tertiary qualifications in accounting or finance with at least three years of experience are essential. For full selection criteria please go to <adventistemployment.org.au>. To apply, please send a cover letter addressing the selection criteria, your CV, three work-related referees and the contact details of your Adventist church pastor, to: Human Resources, Seventh-day Adventist Church (SPD) Ltd, Locked Bag 2014, Wahroonga, NSW. 2076 Australia; email <hr@ adventist.org.au>. The appointing body reserves the right to fill this position at its discretion and close applications early; only those who have the legal right to work in Australia may apply. Applications close May 23, 2021.
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The Bible is so important for living as followers of Jesus that it is hardly surprising there are many questions about how it was written, how it came together over many centuries, and how it has been preserved and translated. Even more important: How can we best read and understand the book that we embrace as the Word of God? “A timely book for seekers of the Word, especially for those wanting a clear and succinct explanation on the formation of the Holy Scriptures and how best to understand the different Bible translations today.” —Dr Ronald Stone, Trans-Pacific Ministerial Association Secretary and Global Mission Coordinator, Fiji “This will be a great help to address the issues and questions about translations. It is simple and well explained – with stories from our context. It is wonderful.” —Misikaram Guguna, youth leader, Papua New Guinea
