ALL SAINTS DAY

Were you influenced by some dear saint who is now with the Lord? For me it was Dr. James H. Pyke, a former missionary in China and my favorite seminary professor and mentor. I rarely made a major decision without seeking his advice. I think of him often and miss him. He is gone, but not forgotten.

November 1 is All Saints Day, when the western church acknowledges that a bond exists between all believers—those presently on earth and those in glory. The Apostles’ Creed declares, “I believe in . . . the communion of saints.” Rev 5:8 speaks of a connection between “twenty-four elders” in heaven who worship “the Lamb” and the praying saints on earth. Samuel John Stone conveys this sentiment in Stanza 6 of his hymn “The Church’s One Foundation” —

    Yet she on earth hath union

    With God the Three in One,

    And mystic sweet communion

    With those whose rest is won,

    With all her sons and daughters

    Who, by the Master’s Hand

    Led through the deathly waters,

    Repose in Eden land.

All Saints Day is a good time for us to remember those who are no longer with us, yet are somehow united with us “in Christ.”