CURRENTLY IN THE PAST: Still relevant after all these years

Erna Hamm

I have been going through my copies of the Mennonite Brethren Herald from the very beginning in the 1960s (yes, I am a packrat), prior to donating them to an historical archives. There have been some very inspirational contributions in the past. The thought came to me that the present generation of Herald readers could also grow from them even as we did then.

For instance, these was an interview with Malcolm Muggeridge April 4, 1969, which is still very relevant. Also from 1969 was a good series on Habbakuk. David Ewert had an excellent series on Ephesians from Nov. 29, 1968 to April 17, 1970--the last four in 1969 were on unity, which we need so much today.

On Feb. 25, 1966 Ewert had a good article on women in the church.

On Feb. 6, 1970, Hugo Jantz wrote an article on the Bible: "Almost nobody reads the Bible anymore". Other highlights from 1970 include "I married at 18" by Phyllis Naylor (June 26), "Rooted and grounded in love" by Robert Hoyer (Nov. 27), "Sorry, no vacancy" by Morris Chalfant and "The Supernatural--Fact or Fake" by Leighton Ford (both Dec. 11).

The Wayside Inn column also had some good contributors.

From 1971, "Baptism and church membership" by David Ewert (Feb. 19) has good biblical background, "Love not the world" by John Regehr (July 9) is thought provoking, and "What should we teach our children about drinking?" by Carroll H. Lee (July 19) is very relevant.

"What has happened to Pentecost?" by John E. Toews (May 19, 1972) and "Reflections on Pentecost" by David Ewert (May 2, 1975) may bring us back to recognizing that day's importance.

I'll add one more. From 1975, "The guidance of God" by J.I. Packer (Aug. 8) offers wise counsel on the often puzzling matter of knowing God's will.

This has been on my mind quite some time. I have not finished going through the Heralds yet. When we were so busy in the work years, there wasn't always time to read and ponder. On second thought, maybe I shouldn't give away these older Heralds just yet--there's too much to "reread" in them.

Erna Hamm is a member of Leamington (Ont.) MB Church.

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