Waymarks: Strict Baptist Magazine (1929-1955)

Waymarks: The Monthly Magazine For The Dissemination Of God’s Truth To Old And Young, From “Providence” Strict Baptist Chapel, Rowley Regis. 

“Set thee up waymarks.”—Jer. 31:21

“Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters.”—Is. 32:20

“He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”—Ps. 126:6

Volume 1, 1929

“Search The Scriptures.”—John 5:39

Prov. 1:33; Ps. 91:1; 110:12,14; 37:3; 33:15,16; 118:8; Js. 1:5; Phil. 4:6,7

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Forward

The Committee responsible for this publication, wishes it to be clearly understood that “Waymarks ” is being issued and circulated from ‘Providence’ Rowley Regis, mainly as a local witness for God’s truth in that church and congregation, and also in the district which is rapidly growing around the chapel. Whilst naturally, a wider circulation will be appreciated, it is not being urged, for as we go to press only local readers with some of the Editor’s relatives and friends in other parts are the prospective supporters. The foregoing should therefore make it quite clear, that no unchristian spirit towards any other Editor or periodical, underlies this work which we have undertaken.

Committee—S. Rutherford Hunt, Pastor and Editor; J. Harrold and J. Troman, Deacons; A. Dye Jr., Sunday School Supt.; J. Wyle Sr., J. Wyle Jr. And Frank Sturman. 

Waymarks

“Set thee up waymarks.”—Jeremiah 31:21

In Eastern countries they have no roads as we have, marked out by hedges and travelled over by a long succession of vehicles. Their ways, for the most part, lie over large plains, wild steppes and dreary deserts, where the track is soon lost and with difficulty recovered and this is generally pointed out by marks at various distances within sight of each other to guide the traveller.

With these sign-posts in mind, doubtless the prophet Jeremiah was inspired to write to a people who by grace are brought to start out across the track of time, in search of that city which hath foundations whose Builder and Maker is God. Well did this dear man of God, known as the weeping prophet, realize that the way heaven-bound pilgrims must take did not lie along easy roads in which a great deal of traffic might indicate the way. He knew that, in the absence of human conveyances and help, grace alone must point out the way, and that Jesus Christ alone could be the Way. Taught thus by the Holy Spirit, Jeremiah sets up waymarks which by faith he saw for himself, and while he so bears testimony to God’s eternal truth, others are led by the same Spirit to mark the footsteps that he trod. Says the prophet: ”I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of His wrath. He hath led me, and brought me into darkness, but not into light. “—Lam. 3:1 & 2. He would never lose sight of the way God convinced him of his sin and ruin. That waymark was firmly set up. Then by faith he saw God’s mercy, and another post is reached as he cries: “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning, great is Thy faithfulness.”—Lam. 3:22 & 23. Here was a ray of hope. Then a wonderful succession of waymarks are seen by him, for as hope is strengthened he tells out: ”The Lord is my portion, saith-my soul; therefore will I hope in Him. The Lord is good unto them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeketh Him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.”—Lam. 3:24-26. And this is the prophet, who with humble gratitude sets up this waymark, having had it first implanted by God in his heart: ”Yea I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” Jer. 31:3. In dependence upon Jeremiah’s God, with a real desire for His honour and glory and the good of immortal souls, we send forth this Magazine and call it “Waymarks.” Blessed be God we have had our feet placed in the narrow way which leadeth unto life, and have found the waymarks Jeremiah set up. Hence we know they exist. They have not tumbled out of place, but are still seen in all their beauty by Zion’ s children who are favoured to have their names inscribed thereon, thus setting to their seal that God is true. The path to glory has not altered, the God of Israel has not changed, therefore let not our readers expect to find this little messenger the frequent bearer of new tidings in religion. It has a far nobler object in view than that. “Waymarks” is ‘set up’ as a banner for God’s truth, to point out the old paths and affirm that the Lord is still good unto them that wait for Him and to souls that seek Him. How good He has been to some of us, and we want to speak well of Him. Bonar!s lines which sum up the whole matter nicely, still live, so we give them as a final word to our introduction of “Waymarks.”

Far down the ages now,

Much of her journey done,

The pilgrim Church pursues her way,

Until her crown be won.

The story of the past

Comes up before her view;

How well it seems to suit her still,

Old and yet ever new!

It is the oft told tale

Of sin and weariness,

Of grace and love still flowing down,

To pardon and to bless.

No wider is the gate,

No broader is the way,

No smoother is the ancient path,

That leads to light and day.

God grant that as this little booklet appears month by month, it may be the means in His hand of pointing out effectually to many who shall read it, the way from earth to heaven, for His Name sake.

Amen.