Growing Faith

Sabbath, a Snake, and Some Wolves—Part 2

The following story was published in KidsView, Summer 2011. This concludes the series we started last month, so make sure you read last month’s first part before this one–Editor.

Merritt began to walk in the direction the wagon train had gone. It was about two hours before sunset. Suddenly he saw a wolf. He could see it at a distance, but he knew that if the wolf continued on its path, it would soon pick up his scent. Merritt decided to hide in the bushes and hope that the wolf would change direction. The wolf sniffed the air and then the ground. It began tracking Merritt, coming closer and closer. Even though Merritt was completely hidden, the wolf seemed to know where he was. Closer. Sniff. Closer. Soon the wolf was almost in front of where Merritt was hiding. Thinking fast, Merritt jumped out of the bushes and fired his gun.

Startled, the wolf ran a short distance and then stopped and looked back. Merritt was so nervous that he shot his gun into the air again. This time the wolf ran off out of sight. Heart pounding, Merritt sank to the ground in relief. First a snake, then a wolf. He decided just to stay hidden until the Sabbath ended. It would be safe that way, he hoped.

An hour later two more wolves picked up his trail, and they also began to track toward Merritt’s hiding place. This time he didn’t let them get close. Firing his gun into the air, both wolves bolted for the woods. Merritt bolted too, but in the opposite direction. Reaching the road just as the sun was setting, he took off running and didn’t stop until he had caught up to his wagon train about 10:30 that night.

Captain Parks never asked Merritt to travel on the Sabbath again, and everyone in the wagon train camped during the Sabbath hours. Merritt was glad he was able to share the importance of the Sabbath with those he traveled with during that journey. He eventually reached the state of California and became the first Adventist to live there.

Years later Merritt went back East to become a doctor. While he was there, he asked the church to send missionaries to California. They did, and Merritt soon joined them. They held many tent meetings, and Merritt also spoke to the people about healthy living. Many were baptized, and a new Seventh-day Adventist church was started.

Merritt Kellogg was one of the Adventist Church’s first pioneers. He was one of 16 children, and two of his brothers are probably more widely known. His brother John Harvey was a doctor who built a very large hospital in Michigan in the early 1900s that many famous people went to for better health. John, along with another brother, Will Keith, invented cornflakes. Will began the Kellogg cereal company—the same company that makes all kinds of cereal today, including cornflakes.

If you missed the first part of this story, scan the code with your smartphone to visit www.adventistworld.org/sabbathsnake-wolves.

Wedding

CLAVECILLAS—CASTRO. Honorio Clavecillas Jnr, son of Honorio Clavecillas Snr (Philippines) and Nelia Clavecillas (deceased), and Wenda Lyn Castro, daughter of Wendelmino and Amanda Castro (Philippines), were married on 12.4.21 at Moulton Park Estate, Sassafras, Victoria. Their first contact was as work colleagues. They will set up home in Mildura. May God bless their lives as they continue in their nursing profession. David Pearce

Obituaries

GOSEV, Slobodanka, born 1.6.1928; died 15.3.21, and her husband, Risto, born 11.6.1929; died 4.4.21, were married 9.8.1946 in the remote Macedonian village of Nivicano. They were predeceased by their daughter, Zaprena (Penny) and son, Milco (Michael). They are survived by three children, Slavka, Stojanka and Kolo; 11 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. After almost 75 years of marriage, their love for one another was so strong that Risto, although in reasonable health, experienced deep heartbreak and loss which was the main contributor to his passing less than three weeks after his precious wife. They absolutely adored their family, especially the great-grandchildren. Grandfather Risto nicknamed his ever-growing family ‘ “The Tribe of Jacob.” In 1997, the Lord opened the way for them to immigrate to Australia. During their lives together, they experienced great joy and heartache. In sunshine or in shadow, Jesus was their precious Companion and strong tower. They were united in life and in death. They will be remembered by their family, friends and church family as loving, kind and hospitable to all. Their greatest desire was to be reunited with all of their family and loved ones in the heavenly courts above at the coming of Jesus.

Danny Milenkov, Nikola and Danijela Trajkov, Manuel Tikulin PEACOCK,Pamela Betty (nee Wilesmith), born 25.1.1944 in Little Hampton, Sussex, England; died 25.4.21 in Redcliffe Hospital, Redcliffe, Qld. On 27.2.1965 she married Derek. She was predeceased by her son, David in 1984. She is survived by her husband (Burpengary); daughter, Leanne Peacock and Tracy Watts (both of Morayfield); son, John and Andrea (Diddillibah); and granddaughters, Sophie, Hollie and Georgie. Betty lived a life of selfless service and touched many lives. Betty’s big warm welcoming hugs will be dearly missed, and we look forward to having another hug in heaven.

Scott Wareham, John Rabbas

POLLOCK, Brian, born 24.11.1957 in Bendigo, Vic; died 13.4.21 in Bendigo. He was predeceased by his father, Neil. Brian is survived by his mother, Leonie (Inglewood); and siblings, Robert and Robyn (Derby), Kathryn and Glenn Symons (Bendigo), Marianne and Peter Lanyon (Torquay), Keith and Sue (Bendigo), and Rosalie (his twin) and Grant Burton (Christchurch, NZ). He was a quiet, gentle soul who was much loved by his family, friends and his many nieces and nephews. He was a deacon and faithful member of the Bendigo church and had an unwavering faith in his Lord and Saviour.

Grant Burton, Daniel Maher

VAUGHAN, Peter Martin, born 6.7.1936 in Busselton, WA; died 23.4.21 in Maitland Hospital, NSW. In 1959 he married Shirley, who predeceased him in1995. In 1997 he married Coral. He is survived by his wife (Dora Creek); and children, Geoffrey (Wurtulla, Qld), Peter (Wangi Wangi, NSW), Warren (Howqua, Vic), Rodney (Dora Creek, NSW) and Nerida Sweetman (Newcastle). After secondary school at Carmel College, Peter joined the Sanitarium Health Food Company in Perth, devoting his whole working life to the company. He also served in NSW, Victoria, the ACT Qld and New Zealand. In retirement he was a faithful and respected elder at Avondale Memorial church.

Ross Goldstone, Richard Reynolds

VICKERY, Gloria June, born 8.2.1933 in Wallsend, NSW; died 15.4.21 at North Lakes, Qld. She was married to Pastor Ivan Vickery, who predeceased her. She is survived by her children, Diane, Bryan and Ivan-Paul; sister, Rosemary; brothers, Bryan and Gordon; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and many friends in Christ. June moved house 33 times, 27 of which were in service for the Church across NSW, Qld, WA and New Zealand. June was a servant to 45 church communities with her ministry being one built quietly around friendship, listening, hospitality, music and prayer.

Trevor Mawer

Finally . . .

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