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Religion in NE
Inez
In writing the stories of
some of our guests, it will be our purpose to set forth such
persons as are representatives of their group. The epileptics are
one of these groups. There come to mind several of these
unfortunates who have an interesting story, who exemplify how
Bethphage has been a means of giving them "a garland for ashes."
I
would like to tell you of Inez. She has passed through similar
experiences to all of those that are afflicted with epilepsy for a
period of years. As a child she was able to attend the public
schools until she passed through the third grade. At that time she
had several seizures in school and the teacher brought home
complaints that the children were frightened and that parents
demanded that she remain at home.
That was the end of her public
school education. Since that time she has spent one year in a home
on the farm, where she received private instruction. After this
she became a recluse in her own home avoiding everyone except
those of her own family circle. At the age of fourteen she
suddenly was freed from her malady and remained so for a period of
eight years. At this time she devoted her time to music and
progressed in her study of piano to the extent that she was
granted a teacher's certificate for private teaching. The good
fortune that seemed to smile on her was not to last long, for her
affliction returned and again she was confined to her own home. At
this time her parents heard of Bethphage and arrangements were
made by which she became a guest at this refuge for them that are
in bonds. The writer asked her some time ago to give some of her
own impressions of the life at Bethphage and we shall quote a few
paragraphs.
"When I was at home, I was shut
in a great deal. I was very timid and self-conscious. Since I have
come to Bethphage to live, I have spent more time out of doors and
also associated with others. I have enjoyed the Bible Class,
Luther League programs, and programs given by neighboring
churches.
"Approximately two years ago a
former guest taught me the rhythm and rhyming of poetry and now I
enjoy trying to write poetry.
"I have gained friends at
Bethphage, those who remain here as
guests and also visitors from distant parts. It is a blessing
and a privilege to have true friends, for whom I am thankful. Now
I have a lot of correspondence to do which I also enjoy.
"As I have always been fond of
children, I enjoy feeding little Julie Ann. (She is a helpless
child afflicted also with epilepsy). I am very much attached to
the children and enjoy playing with them and talking to them.
Feeding one of the little children, working in the art shop, (She
is one of our women who has learned to weave art rugs,) writing
poetry, corresponding with friends and relatives, attending Bible
Class, church, and programs, keeps me busy; so that I do not have
much time to think of self any more and I have overcome
self-consciousness and timidity."
She also adds that she has gained
weight as she was very thin when she came to Bethphage. Her
general health has improved no doubt because of the fact that her
mental and spiritual attitudes have passed through a noticeable
change. She is now living in a world where she no longer feels
that she is an outcast.
Inez has mentioned how she enjoys
to write poetry. That has become a means of spiritual expression.
Indications are that she has a talent in this respect that is
developing. The poem that follows is not only a credit to her
ability but it is also a testimony of a deepening Christian
experience.
Just for Others
Dear Father may I always be
Thy friend and no man's enemy,
And never judge those nearest me,
But share my joy with OTHERS.
May I in love and kindness grow,
Be kind to every one I know,
And hold no hatred o'er my foe
But show true love to OTHERS.
May I be filled with thoughts all pure,
And walk the narrow way secure
Where only good things can endure,
And show the way to OTHERS.
If e'er I see a soul in need,
May I, then, do him a good deed,
And not be selfish, filled with greed,
But be a help to OTHERS.
And guide me so, I'll not compare
Myself with others anywhere
And think I'm better, help me, there,
To see the good in OTHERS.
Chester
It was two years ago that I
made the happy discovery. We had been gathered for our week day
Bible study. The lesson had centered around 
the
Fifty-first Psalm with the superscription, "A Contrite Sinner's
Prayer for Pardon." It had been a rather earnest inquiry into the
requirements of an honest confession of sin. The emphasis had been
directed to such evident facts as: A true confession is always
conscious that although some person has been offended, the sin is
in reality against God; that we are by nature sinful; and that
although sin manifests itself in external acts it comes from a
heart that is unclean.
It was at the close of this
lesson that Chester came to me and ventured the statement, "I know
what you have been talking about this afternoon." It was a joy to
listen to him tell his story and to know that now he was a seeker
after the salvation of God.
Chester comes from the cattle
country of northwestern Nebraska. He was born in Utah and shortly
after his birth his mother died. The father and his family moved
to Nebraska and settled on a cattle ranch. When Chester reached
the age of seventeen his father also died and that broke the
family ties. The children parted one from the other. It did not
look very hopeful for this youth for he was left very much alone
and besides this he was afflicted with epilepsy. He made his home
for a while with the tenant of the homestead. To alleviate the
burden of his aching heart he entered into the rather rough life
of the cowboys. This careless life in sin was no balm for his ills
but rather added to the ravages of his affliction. It became more
and more evident that those responsible for him would have to find
an institution that would care for him. His elder brother was much
concerned about him. He had consulted the medical doctor of the
community and was told that there was a home in Axtell, Nebraska,
that cared for just such cases. This presented a ray of hope for
the brother and then he began to make inquiry. A letter from Dr.
Lonnquist at the time informed him that Bethphage was a home for
epileptics but that room was not immediately available. The
brother was however encouraged and wrote to present his plea. A
few days afterwards a letter came to the Mission telling further
of the circumstances and need of finding a home for Chester. Among
other things it included the following appeal: "I surely would
like to see Chester
have an opportunity to be cared for in a suitable place where
he would be given satisfactory and sympathetic care. I have a
feeling that his rightful place is with you and that perhaps, he
is being divinely guided to you. I hope that you will give this
application every consideration and possibly find a way to admit
him into your home."
Looking at it from our point of
view, we feel that God's hand was in this matter. Here was to be
an opportunity to befriend a homeless boy and to help him bear his
burdens. Here was to be a heart that would be a ground into which
could be sown the Good Seed.
In the fall of 1931 Chester
became a guest at Bethphage. This was quite a change for him.
There were some adjustments that had to be made. There was no
doubt times when he longed to go back to the cattle country and to
ride his pony over the prairies. That had been a carefree life,
and there is something fascinating about driving a herd of cattle.
You are sort of a master of all that you survey, even if it is
only dumb driven cattle. There was some satisfaction in the fact
that the Mission has a farm and cattle that must be cared for.
During those days our visitors were sometimes amused to see among
our guests a young man who wore boots and a ten gallon hat. It was
Chester from the cattle country.
There was another adjustment that
must be made. Now he was to live according to a schedule that
meant regular hours for everything. And then there were the
regular periods of worship. All of this was foreign to his life
and he was not interested. It would have been more fun to be hack
with the old gang with whom he had been associated.
It was some time after his
entrance into this new way of living that Pastor Peterson asked
him one day, "Do you have a Bible, Chester?" He answered in his
rather peculiar voice, for he has never gotten over that period
where a boy's voice changes into that of a man, "I guess it is
around here some place." The pastor suggested that he could have a
new one and that pleased him. And of course, to get a new Bible
suggested that he ought to read it.
What should he read? He had heard
about the story of the epileptic son that was healed, which is
found in Mark, Chapter 9. He read that story over and over again.
The description of that boy was familiar to him for he knew that
by experience in his own life. His own case was very much like
that of the boy in the Bible story. And oh, if only Jesus would
now come and heal him!
That afternoon two years ago,
mentioned above, he knew this story so well that he could almost
repeat it verbatim. He had also in his simple way laid hold of its
most important truths. He had learned that when all else fails we
have a source of help in Jesus. And we know now that this story
was the entering wedge into an inquiring soul. This story
introduced Jesus to Chester in such a way that he wanted to know
more about Him. So it happened that the Book took on a new
interest. He has read more because he wanted to know of Him that
is the most important person in the Bible. He has also learned
that prayer and supplication go hand in hand with faith in the
Friend of sinners.
It has been a joy for us that
mingle among our guests and pray for them, to observe a young man
that now does not have to be told to go to church and Bible study,
for he is always there when his health permits. He is an attentive
listener to the Gospel. The prophecy of the Suffering
Saviour has become more personal with him. Now he can say: "He
was wounded for my transgressions, he as bruised for my
iniquities, the chastisement of my peace was upon him, and with
his stripes I am healed."
And it seems that the call of the
cattle country has lost some of its former appeal to Chester; for
just a few days ago he came to me in his characteristic way: "Do
you know, Reverend, I hope you can fix it so that I can stay here.
1 like this place."
Claude
I should like to have you
meet Claude this time. This boy, maybe I should call him a young
man, for he has already reached his majority, but to the workers
he is still a boy. It was nine years ago that he came to
Bethphage. Then he was just a helpless little fellow that felt
very lonely as he came to this new place with everything so
strange. But time and kind and sympathetic friends have made him
feel very much at home, and now he is a source of joy to all that
know him. Claude has since his birth been afflicted with a type of
paralysis. He has very little use or control of the muscles' in
his body. The result is that he is not able to walk, he cannot use
his hands, or arms and must consequently be fed by some one. He
has never been able to talk but a few words. But he can smile, and
does that in a generous way, so that those who care for him are
amply rewarded. He does not read but listens attentively whenever
anyone does him that favor, if he has a hobby, it is to attend the
Bible classes and programs that are held in the Chapel.
There was one incident that took
place during his first years at Bethphage that has meant much to
those that have cared for him and certainly much more for Claude
himself. It came about this way. Our Directing Sister had a class
for the little folks on Sunday mornings and there taught stories
of the Bible by means of a chart and also by telling the class the
story connected with each picture.
One Sunday Claude came home from
the class and seemed to be disturbed and very restless. The worker
in charge took notice of this, but could not find the cause of
this uneasiness. Questions were asked of the boy, but there was no
explanation. Then she noticed that he often pointed to his head.
The teacher was questioned about the lesson at the Bible school
and it was found that the lesson was about baptism. The clue had
been discovered. Claude was asked if he was baptized - he
looked
puzzled. The only response was one of the few words that he can
say. "Art, Art," he said and then pointed in some direction. The
worker understood that he meant his father and so it was
discovered that he wanted to have her find out from his father
this important matter. The father was consulted and it was found
that Claude had not been baptized.
Claude was now asked if it was
his wish to be united with Christ in baptism and he responded with
eyes full of assent. Then arrangements were made for this
important service. He was further instructed in the way of
salvation. Two of the Sisters became his sponsors and Dr.
Lonnquist baptized him on a Sunday morning. This was certainly a
day of rejoicing for Claude. He was now a great deal more at ease.
His face shone with the peace that was in his heart. He loves to
hear the Word of Cod and when health permits, you will find him in
his wheel chair at the church at the worship services. Last Sunday
morning he was present to partake of the Sacrament of Communion.
This was his own wish, for communion is not made compulsory. It
was his desire to have fellowship with Christ that prompted him to
come.
I mentioned that he had been on
our minds lately. Yes, we have been concerned about Claude, for
his father felt that he could not afford to keep him at the
Mission any longer. This father with many others in this western
country have had hard times to meet their obligations. And he was
of the type that felt responsible for his son that he should have
the best of care. He had contributed toward his support regularly
and that is certainly commendable. Not wanting to ask any special
favor he decided to make provision for his son in a state
institution.
I shall not go into details of
this part of the story, only to say that one day the father came
for the son and as it was without warning, it was a surprise to
the workers as well as the guests when they found that Claude was
gone. There were some rather serious moments following his
departure. The attendants began to visualize a lonely boy who
would have to make adjustments in a new world and one in which the
environments might be very different. There were some tears shed,
there were prayers offered to the heavenly Father, that He might
direct all that were concerned.
Yes, and maybe I should also tell
you that there was a long distance telephone message to the effect
that the workers and others concerned at Bethphage felt that we
would rather shoulder the responsibility of caring for Claude than
to see him go to an institution that might not understand him. The
plea was heard and I can assure you that Claude is now a happy
member of the Bethphage family.
I have mentioned this rather
touching incident for good reasons. In the first place, when we
take young children into our care we make an investment of much
concern and it is no small matter to turn this over to someone
that may not have the same motive or interest in the helpless one.
Again, it was a gratifying revelation to see how our workers are
concerned about those under their care. The temptation in an
institution of this kind where we continue year in and year out
with the same patients, is that workers may tire; this is no
ordinary job. We are dealing with immortal souls and are as those
who must give an account for those who have been entrusted to our
care. We must be faithful in our stewardship.
"Remember them that are in bonds,
as bound with them."
© 2002 for the NEGenWeb Project by Pam Reitsch, Ted &
Carole Miller.
