THIS ISSUE - MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

Page 1 ......................................Opening Address

Page 2 ........................................Gambling versus Security Part Three

Page 3 .......................................Membership and Election Results

Page 4 ........................................Treasurer's Report by Hank Metzlar

Chuck Colson has written that man cannot be good without God. We see this virtually every day, especially among those in public office and with responsibilities.

At our November 29^th annual meeting we accepted the resignation of Henry Ellis and welcomed Mary Del Rosario to our Executive Board. We elected Gord Truscott as our candidate for the next Federal election pending the completion of the usual three conditions for acting in this capacity. The Christian Heritage Party of Canada maintains rigorous standards for candidates.

The Report of Hank Metzlar, Treasurer and Membership chair indicated that we need $ 2,000 to break even by year's end (see his report on page 3) and that we have increased in members from 115 to 135 in 1999. All offices will be decided upon by our 8 executive members on Thursday, January 6, 2000.

As president, Gord Truscott reported that much has been accomplished in our first year as a riding association. Support for monthly meetings promoted a unity among our 1999 executive of Gord Truscott, Paul Muller, John and Barra Gots, Hank Metzlar, Karl Biel, Frank and Henry Ellis. Our most successful venture of publishing The Motivator saw over 2,000 copies distributed. On April 24^th, the well-received Understanding Our Times Conference took place near Cayuga for all CHP members.

This fall we twinned with the Waterloo-Wellington riding by holding three meetings in Fergus toward establishing a riding association there. On September we hosted the visit of Ron and Janet Gray. We attended the Drayton Fall Fair and arranged staffing for and helped at the International Plowing Match at Dashwood. In 2000 Guelph-Wellington will host the plowing match booth at Webfoot Farms south of Elora. It has been a prosperous year!

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GAMBLING VERSUS SECURITY Part 3 by Gord Truscott

I was recently asked if articles on gambling are worthwhile as our members do not gamble. I cannot attest to the fact that our members do not gamble. Our individual weaknesses magnify into a corporate limitation and impediment. Allow me to continue painting a picture of how this happens using one of the vices which ensnares a variety of people. At the very least, knowledgeable and practising Christians should be able to provide the God-honouring perspective on any question of morality and daily life.

Johnny and Maria worked hard to establish themselves and their efforts paid big dividends. A 23-year-old son, their only child, claimed the position of being their pride and joy. This boy had been given everything. Johnny and Maria's marriage of 25 years had weathered the storms, which often break up couples. Maria, a pillar of strength, worked intensely for 24 years in a restaurant. Along with Johnny's income they had bought a nice house and saved for retirement. The restaurant's release of Maria almost coincided with the time that she would retire. She deserved to reap the rewards of full-time work plus maintaining their home.

In the early days, Johnny and Maria worked together in their own restaurant. Next they did the same work, but in two different locations. Everything would have been fine in this typical, committed relationship, but Johnny had a weakness.

At his work Johnny started to gamble. It was innocent at first, but he invested larger and larger sums of money on his addiction. As his level of anxiety rose, so did his desperation to be free of his financial obligations from gambling. He took out two life insurance policies on his wife for $1,000,000 each. He then paid some men $10,000 to take his wife's life. Remember that divorce had never been a factor in this committed marriage. Twice Maria happened to be in the right place and eluded the paid assassins. However, the third time she was not so fortunate. The funeral took place as planned and the insurance money was paid. Johnny left the country. The insurance company did not realize that they had been defrauded and would not for several months.

The truth and the long arm of the law reached out and snatched Johnny back into Canada. The investigation and trial were extensive. We would wonder what sort of investigation occurred initially that allowed Johnny to pay back his debts of almost a million dollars and then calmly leave the country. One would think that two different insurance companies would have wanted to make sure that Johnny's claim regarding his wife's death was accurate. Friends were shocked as the details unravelled of the case. It was the son who blew the whistle and this only from his suspicion of foul play. That which seems to be harmless entertainment or fun should not be underestimated in the damage done to innocent lives. When we consider the problem of gambling in Canada, we might want to ask Maria, but we cannot for she is dead.

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A few of our executive have brought in most of the new members in 1999. We all need to appreciate that this is necessary, desirable and pleasing to God as we proclaim the way back to righteousness and justice for all Canadians. Prizes will be awarded for signing up new or renewal members. Each new member you enlist will be worth two points, each renewal is worth one point. The contest runs till the meeting of the Ontario Council of the Christian Heritage Party on January 15, 2000.

All Christian Heritage Members are eligible. Please phone 763-9443 for membership booklets. Thanks in advance for your help in keeping us growing. Not a single request came in for a membership booklet this past month. We need everyone's help. For advice on how to approach your friends about joining our commendable and active organization, please call Gord Truscott at 824-4642 or Hank Metzlar at 763-9443.

Ron Gray's election campaign saw a 66% increase in the number of votes he received over the 1997 election. This impressive gain must be understood in the light of running in Quebec. Would any of us have the courage to stand up for God and our beliefs in a language we had only recently acquired?