Page 30 - June 2025 - Truth & Tidings

and leadership by example. He was predeceased aware of her need to be saved. At age 11, June
by his wife Jean (née Cummings of Arborfield, was saved through John 6:37. The peace of God
SK) of 65 years and an infant daughter. The and His promises were her constant comfort as
funeral service was taken by his grandson Riley she anticipated her departure to be with Christ.
Taylor, who spoke an excellent gospel message. A valued and loved member of the Marysville,
Morgan Taylor spoke at the interment. Lloyd WA, assembly, June was like Dorcas of old, "full
will be greatly missed. of good works." She knit countless blankets for
Matthew John Brescia of Windsor, CT, on Feb- African babies, cut and sewed dozens of pillow
ruary 15, 2025, age 86. He was saved on April cases, and made personalized Christmas stock-
25, 1947, at age nine after reading the question ings for family and every baby at the gospel
in Matthew 27:22 and answering, “I will receive hall. She is survived by her husband Terry of
Him,” living his life in such a manner. He and 46 years, two sons and their wives, and five
Joyce, his wife of 65 years, enjoyed a loving grandchildren. A large crowd heard the gospel
family of five children, 11 grandchildren, and clearly presented by Tom Hoy. Please pray for
nine great-grandchildren. Their home was family members not yet saved.
always open for hospitality, and Matt, being Magdalene (Mag) Devries of Aplington, IA,
a consummate storyteller, made many occa- on April 18, 2025, age 95. She was saved in July
sions there a time of warmth and fellowship. 1984 while attending gospel meetings held in a
Matt was the publisher and editor of Words in large tent in Allison, IA, with Norman Crawford
Season magazine for over 25 years in service to and Harold Paisley. Three Bible verses that were
the Lord’s people worldwide. He was a beloved meaningful and precious to her were Romans
elder, shepherd and gifted gospel preacher at 5:6, Romans 5:8 and 1 John 1:7. Following bap-
the Hartford and then Newington Gospel Halls. tism, Mag was received into the assembly that
Matt loved to share the gospel with those he meets in Hitesville, IA. She enjoyed quilting,
came in contact with. The funeral was shared by sewing, and mowing her lawn, even up until
his son Bill, son-in-law Philip Rockey, Eugene three years ago. Mag is survived by Earl, her
Higgins and nephew Jonathan Procopio. husband of 71 years, a sister-in-law, and many
June (Wilson) Tanis of Arlington, WA, on April nieces and nephews. Brandon Doll spoke both
5, 2025, age 69, after a brief battle with cancer. at the service in the Hitesville Gospel Hall and
Growing up in a Christian home, she was always at the graveside.

Warnings & Exhortations Continued from p. 186
conviction is that the eternal salvation ering the imminent return of our Lord Jesus
of the soul is not in view but, rather, the Christ, let us consider afresh the challenge
preservation of one’s life on earth from He gave His disciples: “Whosoever will
waste, a ruined testimony, discipline or loss save his life shall lose it: and whosoever
of reward. The writer was convinced that will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
he and the Hebrews possessed the kind For what is a man profited, if he shall gain
of faith that would heed the exhortation,
warning and encouragement and thereby the whole world, and lose his own soul
receive the reward. [life]? .... For the Son of man shall come in
Beloved, we must always remember that the glory of his Father with his angels; and
God will one day richly and abundantly re- then he shall reward every man according
ward our faithfulness (Mat 25:21). Consid- to his works” (Mat 16:25-27).

190 TRUTH kTidings June 2025