I'll give My Best, My All. Dear Lord

ON THE 100^thANNIVERSARY OF THE SIGNING OF THE ARMISTICE FOLLOWING WORLD WAR I

Just One Ordinary Family.

Whilst much of the horror and carnage on the Western Front is conveyed to us by the media as we continue to look back 100 years to WW1, there is relatively little said about the far reaching impact that was experienced by many an ordinary family back home.

Few who knew Mrs Maud Kirk(nee Whiddett), a Salvationist who lived in Canterbury, will have had any idea of the heartache experienced during her early life, and particularly what she and her family endured during those war years. Maud Whiddett was born in 1888, the third of thirteen children, one of whom died in its first year. In 1903, Maud's mother died giving birth to her thirteenth child, Hilda Lizzie, who was immediately given away to a relative to care for. None of Hilda's brothers or sisters ever saw her or that relative again, and no one was ever been able to discover what became of that little one.

Maud's eldest sister and brother were by now working, so it fell to Maud, aged 14 years, to bring up her eight younger siblings aged between 18 months and 11 years. What a task for one so young! Having been attracted to The Salvation Army, Maud got saved shortly before her mother's death. Consequently, the spiritual welfare of her younger siblings was of paramount importance to young Maud. In the years that followed, most of them got saved and became life-long Salvationists, and one, Alice, who was just 6 years old when her mother died, became an officer. Maud left a legacy that lives on to this day.

With the outbreak of the war in 1914 three of Maud's brothers enlisted in the army. Her eldest sister had married six years earlier and in May 1915 news came that 'Millie's' husband Edwin Joseph Drew had been killed in action in France, (his name is on the Dover War Memorial). At the time Millie was expecting their fourth child, and she was born several months later. Then, at just seven months old, baby Josephine, (named after her father), died adding grief to a mother still much in mourning. Baby Josephine's Salvation Army funeral in Dover was conducted by Adjutant Waters.

Later, in the same year that Edwin Drew was killed, George, a private in the 6^thBattalion of the Buffs, the youngest of Maud's three brothers who had gone to war, was killed. Two years later, in March 1917, Maud's eldest brother John, a sapper in the Royal Engineers 11^thField Company, was also killed. The month before his death, Victoria, one of Maud's younger sisters started work at a munitions factory in Faversham. In the June 'the factory surgeon found her suffering with toxic jaundice.' She died the following month of TNT poisoning according to the inquest. She was buried at Thanington, just outside Canterbury. At the inquest the coroner was told that new safety measures were being introduced to help prevent such an tragedy occurring again, and the manager of the factory, Henry Minter, expressed his sympathy to the father knowing that he had now lost two sons, a son-in-law as well as a daughter due to the war. 

(N.B.The following year Henry Minter, the factory manager, died of influenza in a pandemic that swept the world and struck a fifth of its population, killing an estimated 50 million people, three times more than died in four years of war! It first arrived in this country in Glasgow in the May of 1918. Within months it had rapidly spread throughout Britain taking over 220,000 lives).

But for Maud and her family, the death of her young sister was not the end of their saga of bad news and grief. On 31^stOctober 1918, just 11 days before the war finally ended, Frederick, a private in the Royal Cyclist Corps, the third of the three brothers who had volunteered for king and country, was killed. 

With the end of this horrific war, it is strange that the Armistice, signed on the 11^thNovember, just happened to be Maud's 30^thbirthday. Although the three brothers killed in the conflict were far from home and many miles from one another, their names G H Whiddett, J R Whiddett and F W Whiddett can be seen together on the Canterbury War Memorial in the Buttermarket outside the main gateway to the cathedral. Aged 87yrs, in 1976 Maud died. Who was Maud? She was my much loved and very special grandmother. 

Because of her witness to her siblings and what God did back then, a number of their descendants, some who know nothing of her, came to know Jesus as their Saviour too. As small as our mission field might be we must never under estimate what God can do, he 'who is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine.' Eph 3:20.

Howard Webber

Major, retired

The Salvation Army UK

VOCAL SOLO

LOVE ONE ANOTHER

Devoid of love, all that we say and do is worthless,

Though men congratulate us for the things they see.

We may impress and leave observers speechless,

But God sees deep into the hearts of you and me.

If I have knowledge and a depth of understanding,

Of all things sacred, with a faith that is profound,

Yet lack the love that does not boast or envy,

Then I am nothing, just a noisy, empty sound.

Have we the love revealed so clearly in our Saviour?

Or are we nursing wounds inflicted long ago?

Do we forgive and love the one who hurt us?

Or crucify again the One who loves us so?

Lord, make us gracious, kind and patient with each other,

Keeping no record of the pain they've put us through,

Never hurtful, rude, revengeful or self-seeking,

Help us forgive as though they know not what they do.

('My command is this; love one another, just as I love you.' John 15:12)

Howard P. Webber

Bournemouth UK

His Provision - The International Staff Songsters

HIS PROVISION

Nothing now can rob God’s servant
Of the peace that He bequeaths,
Nothing take away the strength
His presence breathes.
Of the everlasting arms of love
I’m daily made aware,
And His precious Holy Spirit
Hears my prayer, my prayer;
Of the everlasting arms of love
I’m daily made aware,
And His precious Holy Spirit hears my prayer.

SUNDAY SONG BOOK

HIS PROVISION

How we need God’s Holy Spirit in the many circumstances described in this song! Life may make us feel weakness, despair, bewilderment, fear, loneliness and betrayal. Yet because of Jesus Christ and His sending of the Holy Spirit as our Comforter, we have hope!

Begin the day with God

WW I Ambulancer drivers form a 24 piece SA Brass Band

A unique brass band came into existence during World War I. 

Twenty-five Salvation Army ambulances were serving the wounded in France. Many a German Salvationist casualty recognized the Army insignia on the workers' uniforms; many requests for prayer were gladly agreed to.

Among the ambulance workers based at Boulogne enough instrumentalists were discovered to form a twenty-four-piece brass band. During the summer of 1917 this Ambulance Band played on the local bandstand to crowds of up to ten thousand, and at Christmas brought cheer to three times that number of the war-wounded. 

By the time the musicians disbanded in 1918 the band had played in their spare-time to audiences totalling over a million, and through their activities over a thousand men had publicly decided to become active Christians.

And then there was this....Never has an Army band been formed with less hope of success than at the school in Thika, Kenya. The boys were intelligent and keen, and instruments were available; but the would-be players were all blind! However, the young officer teaching them, now Lieut-Colonel Gordon Swansbury, saw no reason why this should be an insuperable handicap. 
His inventive skills came into full play and, to quote his own words, 'all instruments, from tenor horn downward, were suspended from the shoulders by a leather strap. This enabled the player to have his left hand free to read his music, written in Braille symbols and clipped to his "stand", which was strapped to his left knee! Today, members of the original band are using the same method in other parts of Kenya.

SA band wins first place in Annual Contest of English bands

Excerpt from chapter 3; “Make the World with Music Ring”, the effect of SA music in advancing the Army’s evangelistic reach across borders… RETURN TO BATTLE IN RUSSIA AND BEYOND Volume Two, Kathie Ljungholm Bearcroft and Sven Ljungholm

SA band wins first place in Annual Contest of English band

    Herbert Booth
No organization in Great Britain, musical, military or religious, could muster from its own constituency a better band, comprising better musicians, than that which the Salvation Army could call together when occasion required. That is saying much, but in proof no further evidence is needed than the well known fact that for several consecutive yearsthe picked band of the Salvation Army won first prize at the Annual Contest of English bands.       That contest was the Derby of British musicians. From all over the United Kingdom they came to compete. The Lancashire and the Yorkshire Workingmen's Band, the Stalybridge Old Band, led by Alexander Owen; the great military bands of the Black Watch and the Coldstream Guards, Dan Godfrey's, most famous band in England.

   The winning of the prize by the Salvationists occurred too frequently, and too much was at stake to justify the supposition that either sentiment or chivalry influenced the award. It followed that any original and distinctive contribution to religious music the Salvation Army might make must be essentially good. The standards of musical leadership and practice in the Army could not tolerate anything inferior. At the same time it was necessary that the field-music of the Army should be of comparatively simple melodic structure, popularly appealing, adaptable to the capacity of the inerudite (learned). It was required to be tuneful, yet worthy; singable, yet dignified. Above all it must give true expression to those "unfolded capacities of emotion" given release in Christian experience.[1]

Two Herbert Booth songs

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[1]Ottman, Ford C. Herbert Booth Songs Of Peace And War p.55

At the Cross sung and played by Kjell Edlund former SA officer, Sweden

Lord, through the blood of the Lamb that was slain,

Cleansing for me, cleansing for me;
From all the guilt of my sins now I claim
Cleansing from Thee, cleansing from Thee.
Sinful and black though the past may have been,
Many the crushing defeats I have seen,
Yet on Thy promise, O Lord, I now lean,
Cleansing for me, cleansing for me.

From all the sins over which I have wept,
Cleansing for me, cleansing for me;
Far, far away by the blood-current swept,
Cleansing for me, cleansing for me;
Jesus, Thy promise I dare to believe,
And as I come Thou wilt surely receive,
That over sin I may never more grieve,
Cleansing for me, cleansing for me.

From all the doubts that have filled me with gloom,
Cleansing for me, cleansing for me;
From all the fears that would point me to doom,
Cleansing for me, cleansing for me;
Jesus, although I may not understand,
In childlike faith now I stretch forth my hand,
And through Thy Word and Thy grace I shall stand,
Cleansèd by Thee, cleansèd by Thee.

From all the care of what men think or say,

Cleansing for me, cleansing for me;

From ever fearing to speak, sing or pray,

Cleansing for me, cleansing for me;

Lord, in Thy love and Thy power make me strong

That all may know that to Thee I belong;

When I am tempted, let this be my song,

Cleansing for me, cleansing for me.

2018 Summer Series: I Love to Tell the Story

Conclusion...Or Is It?

Is there a conclusion to the 2018 Summer Series: I Love to Tell the Story? As I pondered this question I remembered being a part of an International “Share Your Faith” evangelistic team at the summer Olympic games in Montreal, which was initiated by The Salvation Army for the purpose of reaching out to the athletes (approximately 6,000 representing 88 countries); visitors (there were over 73,000 at the opening ceremonies); and citizens (the population of Montreal was approximately 1,664,527; and more came from the surrounding areas). The fields were definitely ripe for harvesting souls for the Kingdom (See Matthew 9: 36-38; Luke 10:2; and, John 4: 35). The team was led by 6 second-year Cadets (individuals-in-training to be Commissioned as Salvation Army Officers) from Toronto.  Those of us whom were privileged to participate in this ministry discovered that our lives and faith were transformed. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that the experience of those three brief weeks didn’t end when the summer Olympic games concluded.  The effects were far-reaching, and the ripple effect still continues (e.g., (some team members become Salvation Army Officers, while others assumed leadership roles in their local Salvation Army Corps (community churches) and their communities.)

Thus, if an event that happened 42 years ago still continues to have an impact on the lives of those whom participated on The Salvation Army’s ‘Share Your Faith’ team and in the lives of those touched by God’s love, then it makes sense that God’s working doesn’t ‘conclude’ just because an event is terminated. I discussed with my husband my idea that the 2018 Summer Series, I Love to Tell the Story, doesn’t have a conventional conclusion. He responded that, “Our story is His story, and His story never ends!” Amen! So, let’s consider this article not as a ‘conclusion’, but as a review and a springboard into what God has planned next for us.

The 2018 Summer Series has included an Introduction, 9 Parts, and a Conclusion—maybe. The Introduction launched the series, which encompasses 5 purposes: 1) to introduce readers to the program; 2) to share my recent testimony to encourage others who may be struggling with difficult health or other issues;  3) to explore the miraculous ways that God is still working in our lives today;

4) to introduce readers to the 4-part prayer of Jabez (1 Chronicles 4:9-10) as a means for us to

stir up our faith together (2 Timothy 1:6), and 5) to encourage others to share their story, too.

Challenges:

1) As we evaluate our journey together, I encourage each of us to ask: what new thing is God doing in our lives (Isaiah 43: 19)? Has our faith been strengthened? Has our trust in Christ grown? Have we taken a step outside of our comfort zone in order to share the story of Jesus’ love? Keep in mind that we don’t always know what effect our witness has on others’ lives. When Andrew told his brother, Peter, that he had found Messiah and needed to meet him, I’m sure he had no idea that Peter would be one of the three most intimate friends of Jesus and would be involved as a leader in establishing the Church.

2) Share your story—on your Face Book page, and I would be delighted to share it via the connections that God has given me. I would even be glad to act as your editor to help you ‘enlarge your borders’/your ministry. Remember: the fields are ready to be harvested. Plus, as we share our struggles and our victories we will also continue to stir up our faith, enlarge our ministry for God’s glory, and be channels of His love, grace, and healing to hurting folks.

Will you join me in telling others your story? Send me a PM (private message) if you’d like to share your story, and I’ll send you my email address.

May God bless each of you, indeed (a lot), expand your borders (ministry), may His hand be on you (His power and presence), and may He keep you from harm.

Blessings & Peace

Elizabeth Hogan Hayduk

Former Salvation Army Officer/pastor

Canada

2018 Summer Series: I Love to Tell the Story

Part 9  Tell Your Story!!

In The Salvation Army Corps (community churches) during Sunday services, as well as at open-air (outdoor) meetings, there has traditionally been an opportunity for individuals to share their testimony, to tell others what God has done or is doing in their lives. This is an integral part of our worship and witness, which we are admonished to do in Scripture, “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved,” (Romans 10:9, NIV). So, of course, it’s good to testify in our churches to the reality of Christ's power and presence in our lives. This also provides the opportunity to encourage and comfort each other with the comfort that we have received (1 Corinthians 1: 3-4). And when we share our story in open-air meetings, Holy Spirit uses us to minister to those who gather.                                                              However, what are we doing to reach out to those outside of our church services and activities?  Sidney E. Cox, who was a writer and a composer, became a Salvation Army Officer in Canada. By the time that he died in 1975, he had written beloved hymns, including a song that captures the importance of our mission in his song:

You Can Tell Out the Sweet Story

Tell out the wonderful story,

Tell it where’er you go;

Tell of the King and His glory,

Tell how He loved us so.

This is the story most precious

Jesus has died to redeem us;

You can tell out the sweet story,

You, yes, you (2x)

Somebody’s life will be brighter,

Somebody’s care will be lighter.

You can tell out the sweet story,

You, yes, you.

Ah, so the mandate of every Christian is to follow Jesus’ example of sharing the Good News everywhere we go. Furthermore, the Scriptures are replete with narratives of those whom were touched by Him and their reactions of joy and gratitude. As we follow His lead, we will see similar responses as we reach out to others in His name and for His glory. Hallelujah!

How does this translate into practical ways for us to share our story of God’s transforming love and grace in our lives? This is one approach that I was able to use after my tongue surgery in April this year.  I wasn’t able to speak clearly, but I still had responsibilities and errands to do. At home I used a white board and an erasable marker to communicate, but that was a little daunting to carry around in the community. So I wrote a note that I could use at several places, beginning with the post office, then the library, and finally, the grocery store. The note was friendly, but straight forward and included why I couldn’t speak (b/c of the surgery for tongue cancer, which it was believed all the cancer was caught at that time) and noting that God is good. Then, a couple of lines to explain what I needed, depending on the errands I was completing. In fact, on the way out of the grocery store, I overheard the cashier in the next lane asking my cashier, “What was on the paper that she showed you?” Thus, even though I couldn’t speak to anyone;  and I didn’t have tracts with me, God opened the doors for me to reach others via the written note. Amazing: God can even use my ‘silent’ witness to honour Him. Hallelujah!

How will you tell your story? Ask Jesus to show you how to do so when you find yourself in a variety of situations. Like Paul, we can state that our intention is to, “...become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings, “(See 1 Corinthians 9: 19-23).

Blessings & Peace

Elizabeth Hogan Hayduk

Former Salvation Army Officer/pastor

Canada

 Part 9  Tell Your Story!!

2018 Summer Series: I Love to Tell the Story

Part 8 Prayer of Jabez, part 4

Oh, that You would keep me from evil!

I must admit that this post has been the most challenging thus far.  Why? Because it’s not easy for me to reconcile the harmful experiences in my life with the concept of God as protector. Even clarifying the meaning of “protector”; which means one who shields from danger, injury, destruction, or damage, didn’t help. In fact, more questions were raised as I wondered, such as “How does the final part of Jabez’s prayer mesh with the harmful circumstances we face? When bad things happen, has He been a negligent Protector? Has He overlooked us? With my recent diagnosis of cancer that had metastasized from the small growth on my tongue into the lymph nodes in my neck, I have struggled with some of these questions. It seemed ironic that I got the diagnosis as I was preparing to write the devotional for, “This is the Year of the Favour of Our Lord” (2018 Summer Series: I Love to Tell the Story, part 4).

Ah, God’s favour—does it still exist when we are faced with threatening conditions? Yes! Are the threatening circumstances we experience indicators that God’s favour is no longer with us? No! And sometimes we need others to point out His faithfulness when we are pulled down by the gravity of certain situations.  The Scriptures tell us that God sends His angels to minister to His people (Hebrews 1:14).  To encourage you, let me share an experience that I had in the fall of ‘97 or ‘98:

I would spend evenings at a local library and then walk to the nearby shopping area. Between these 2 locations there was a dark, heavily wooded area. One evening, as I was walking toward the shops,  a very old car sped into the parking lot of an abandoned auto shop, cutting me off so that I was compelled to stop. A middle-aged lady jumped out of the driver’s side of the car and asked me if I would like a ride somewhere. I thanked her, but explained that I didn’t have much farther to walk, it was a nice evening, and I needed the exercise. She repeated her question. Apparently, she was in no hurry, because she spent several minutes chatting with me. Finally, she looked around—as if she was checking for something—seemed satisfied, wished me a good evening, and said, “God bless you.”

As I watched her drive away, I noticed a bumper sticker from the 1970s:”My Boss is a Jewish Carpenter”! I turned to yell out, “Mine, too!” But the car had vanished! I was standing in the only entrance and exit to the lot! I knew I had had an encounter with an angel, but I didn’t know why. When I recounted this experience to a mentor, her conclusion was that God sent me an angel to protect me.

 Surely we have all been in unsafe situations and not known how God was protecting us from harm, from evil.

In “The Prayer of Jabez” Wilkinson points out some essential truths about being kept from evil: 1) The more we engage in a life of supernatural service for Christ, the more attacks we should expect from our nemesis, Satan, such as “distractions, oppositions, and oppression (p. 64); 2) there would be no sin if there was no temptation;3) even in the Lord’s prayer, Jesus models the need to ask for deliverance from temptation and evil. (pp. 67-68).

When did we last pray, “deliver me from temptation?   Or “keep me from harm?”

And now we have briefly looked at the 4 components of Jabez’s prayer: Bless me indeed ( a lot); enlarge my borders (ministry); may Your hand be on me (for protection and power); and keep me from evil.  Praying Jabez’s prayer daily is a powerful way to stir up our faith!  I hope you will join me in this day-to-day prayer, too!

In the next post, the challenge will be to “Tell Your Story!”

Blessings & Peace

Elizabeth Hogan Hayduk

Former Salvation Army Officer/pastor

Canada