Another Letter From A Pioneer Now In Heaven LOI 1934-11
From BrethrenPedia
Another Letter From A Pioneer Now In Heaven
We recently received the following note from our sister, Mrs. Varder:
“This is Mr. Varder’s last letter to me, written a few hours before he was called home. I do not know if you would care to use any of it, just as you think best.” We have thought it might be in place here. It is a mirror into the heart exercises of this dear servant of Christ and it is a revelation of what still may be the circumstances of those who are often neglected because, like their Lord they seek the shade rather than the places of greater honour and richer recompense. Although seventy-five years of age our beloved brother Varder never graduated from the school of suffering and service."
"I am hoping to get a letter from you this A. M. I would wait until the mail arrives but thought that, if I wrote now, you would possibly get it by tomorrow morning’s delivery. I am still ministering in the colored meeting. On Thursday I went to hear Brother D. Lawrence. He gave me a very hearty greeting. It was refreshing to me. There are about 70 in the colored assembly. Ten of them are white.
The Lord is helping me much in the ministry and I am really enjoying the work. Also I get every care shown me in the home where I am staying. Good food, good bed, all that one could well wish for. I have arranged to minister to the colored folks until next Monday evening. After that I don’t know. I have written to two assemblies here offering to give them an evening’s ministry on their respective meeting nights. Tuesday and Wednesday. I don’t know what the outcome will be. It is probable that I will have to wait until Monday.
As there is no meeting in the colored Hall Saturday night a brother, one of the oversight there, has asked me to minister the word in his home on that evening. They are doing my washing for me here. That hat which Mrs. L. gave me is about done for. The straw is as brittle as a soda biscuit. There is a hole in front, like the one in the hat I left at home and it is cracking all around the edge on top where that stain was. I wish I had my felt hat with me. My cap has shrunk. It never was quite big enough. I am thinking of you all a good part of the day and in the night too when I am awake.
Today the rent is due again. I haven’t been able to keep track of things, having so much to occupy my mind, and I don’t know just how you stand with regard to the August rent. I have been much cast on the Lord with regard to this, and am wondering and waiting to see when deliverance will come.
Yesterday morning I was reminded of Psalm 22:2, “O my God, I cry in the day time, but thou hearest me not, and in the night season and am not silent.” This is a part of our Lord’s heart language when on the cross. But three days after, the answer came, when He was raised from the dead. So I am hoping and waiting for our third day. May He send it soon. If I get a letter from you today, I will write again, i.e., if it requires an immediate answer."
Your Own Dick
MEMOIRS OF A QUIET LIFE
The life of R. F. Yarder, written by his friends and edited by L. Sheldrake, with all his known writings and letters (many like the letter printed above) is now off the press and can be purchased from Mrs. R.F. Varder, 6506 S. Justine St., Chicago, Ill. Over 100 pages, cloth bound, $1.00.
