Foreword to this book now in our hands, written while alive by the one so well known to us all, now deceased, Aeltester Isaak M. Dyck.

Though we do not desire to write many words while introducing the purpose and nature of this book to the readers, suffice it to say that we, those now living, the remaining congregation, both young and old alike, would like to remember what was written by our forefathers, as a boundary stone, for it has been written for our instruction and edification.

“The memory of the righteous is blessed” (Proverbs 10:7). Those who have walked rightly are at peace, so that they may sleep and rest in their chambers and wait for the great resurrection on the great day of judgment.

The whole of this book has been written as a reminder of how we ought to live and walk according to the example set by the man who was a gift sent to us from God, a man who never allowed the burden of teaching the congregation to become too great, and who experienced and was confronted with so many tribulations all the way to the end of his not short lifetime. For he decided against his own welfare when he always applied his well-wishing mind to each day and took on everything with a benevolent disposition – it appeared that nothing was too difficult or too much for him, whether in season or out of season.

Whoever chooses to read this book without prejudice or preformed opinions, that person will find in it a lesson and will want to imitate the example, for love does not think anything bad, it is not bitter, it does not seek its own, etc. Neither will it be perceived as annoying or tedious. No, love ought to be the sign by which all of God’s children are recognized.

And though he may often have directed his speech to his children, it could also be not just his own biological children, but any who accept his teaching, for there would hardly be one who would not have to say: “Yes, the entire speech and circumstances have touched me and I only wish that I too had such a spirit of wisdom and were so willing to endure with one’s children what he had to endure.”

We must be careful that we do not lose this as people die, but that while it is still so fresh that we erect it before ourselves as living stones of remembrance and that we attempt to conform our life and path according to the will of he who created us and has sustained us even to this day, the one who called us into his wonderful light so that we may be awakened by his forward motion and be ready to meet the Lord, our God, as we live according to his life, who will soon appear to judge and to deal unto each as he has dealt unto others. So let us from now on walk in all humility and lowliness so that we will forever be and remain with our Lord and Saviour. Amen.