I combined these three short articles together. As time goes on, things change.

August Van Ryn
(1890-1982)

W. Ross Rainey

Mr. August Van Ryn was born on May 15, 1890, in Haarlem, Netherlands. He arrived in the United States at age 17 and was born again into the family of God on May 1, 1910. On May 8, 1910, he was baptized and then received into assembly fellowship on his 20th birthday.

On January 1, 1917, he arrived in the Bahamas where, on January 9, 1918, he was married to his life-partner, Persis Roberts, until her home-going on July 17, 1974.

Brother Van Ryn sailed with R. S. Stratton and others throughout the islands of the Bahamas on the motor/sailing vessel “Evangel” for over 13 years, preaching and teaching the gospel of Christ. In March 1930 he moved with his family to the United States, having spent three-and-a-half years in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He then went to Florida in the fall of 1933 with his family of four children.

In 1931 he began his “Letter of Encouragement,” which continued until his home-going. Mr. Van Ryn also authored numerous books, pamphlets, tracts and articles over many years. For over 66 years he was involved in preaching and teaching God’s Word in the United States, Canada and the Bahamas.

In July of 1980 he moved to Frostproof, Florida, to live with his daughter, Lorraine.

On February 24, 1982, our beloved brother was promoted to Glory.

One of the happiest memories I have of my years in the Lord’s work is having spent eight days with Brother Van Ryn ministering the Word of God together at a conference at Greenwood Hills, Pennsylvania, in the summer of 1967. My several memories of him from the first time we met in 1949 are indeed blessed.

—The Editor

(Editor’s note: When I received word of Brother Van Ryn’s home-going, the May-June materials of the magazine had just been sent to the printer. This, then, is the reason for the lateness of this notice representing one of the problems of editing a bi-monthly magazine.)

(July-Sept 1989)

An Important Notice to Our Readers of Food For The Flock.

The committee members of “FOOD FOR THE FLOCK INC.” have made a difficult but definite decision to cease publication of the magazine at the close of 1989. Two main reasons have led to this decision: (1) declining subscriptions; and (2) deficit spending.

The July-August issue will be extended to cover July-September, and the September-October issue will be extended to cover October-December. This will enable us to save the cost of printing and mailing one issue. Even by taking this step there will be indebtedness for which we as a committee must assume responsibility. Looking back over the years, we are exceedingly grateful to our faithful God for His provision, enabling us by the end of this year to complete 35 years of continuous publication. We express our further gratitude to all of the Lord’s people—past and present—who have encouraged us by their prayers, kind words, and gifts.

The final Annual Meeting of “FOOD FOR THE FLOCK” committee members is scheduled for October 28, 1989, in Toronto. If, between now and that date, any of our readers have questions or comments regarding our decision to cease publication of the magazine, we would be happy to hear from you.

We apologize to our readers for the frequent lateness of the magazine over the past couple of years, especially the March-April 1989 issue. For me personally this has been a source of recurring frustration, but through it all it’s to be hoped that I’ve developed in my own life a little more of the virtue of patience. The simplest and briefest way I can explain things is to state that full responsibility for this nagging problem is attributable to Midland Printers, and not to the editor or any other committee members.

— W. Ross Rainey, Editor
“FOOD FOR THE FLOCK”

An Open Door

By W Ross Rainey

For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries” (1 Corinthians 16:9).

It’s a great thing when the Lord sets before His servants an open door. It has been pointed out from this text that there are three ways to look at an open door. First, it’s a door of opportunity. Let’s be sure and seize the opportunities the Lord affords us. Second, it’s an obligation, a personal, individual, inescapable assignment—unto me. Third, it sometimes involves opposition. If God is pleased to work through us, generally we can be sure Satan and his infernal cohorts will be there to oppose us. Let’s walk through that door today.