We would like to introduce ourselves briefly. We are neighbors, friends, have the same first name, Betty, and each has a husband, three sons, and a daughter. We became involved in the Right-to–Life Movement in the fall of 1972 when Proposal B would have legalized abortion in Michigan. Victory was sweet when the proposal was defeated by two to one but short-lived when a little over two months later the Supreme Court ruled seven to two in favor of abortion on demand. So the life-giving womb has become the death-stalking tomb, and we continue to work together to promote an amendment to our constitution that will protect human life from the moment of conception to natural death.

“And now I hear that we are killing babies.” These were the words of a returning P.O.W. of the Vietnam conflict. By the exercise of raw judicial power, the highest court in our land has made the killing of babies, abortion on demand, the most “common surgery” of the day. While the abortionist is loudly proclaiming the right of abortion, we as Christians must turn to the Word which forms the rock and basis for all our thinking. There are many passages teaching that the unborn are people or persons, whom God views with the same status and rights that we have. These unborn are people that “Thou shalt not kill.”

God is the Creator of human life, and that life is made in His image (Gen. 1:26–27). Psalm 119:73 says, “Thy hands have made me and fashioned me.” God is the One Who is creating that baby during prenatal development. Psalm 139:13–16 says, “For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.” Prior to birth God personally relates Himself to unborn babies as alive and having feeling and emotion. There are people in the Bible concerning whom it specifically says that God knew them that they were His before birth. An example is Jeremiah. “Before I formed thee in the belly 1 knew thee; and before thou earnest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations” (Jer. 1:5). We read how John the Baptist leaped in his mother’s womb when Mary, the mother of Jesus, greeted Elizabeth. Also we read how he was to be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.

What docs Scripture say concerning our responsibility in this matter? The Living Bible states it so plainly when it paraphrases Proverbs 24:11, 12, “Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to death; dan’, stand back and let them die. Don‘t try to disclaim responsibility by saying you didn’t know about it. For God who knows all hearts, knows yours, and he knows you knew! AnJ he will reward everyone according to his deeds.”

The teaching from Scripture is clear that we must fight this evil. Will you help? First we suggest that this be made a matter of prayer. Then, join in writing letters to our congressmen urging the passage of a human life amendment. Both of us were in Washington, D.C. recently and talked to congressmen and their secretaries. Most of the mail they get concerns the abortion issue. Unfortunately not all the mail is pro-life. Make your views known on a regular basis. Also co-operate with local pro–life groups to promote the cause. Encourage others to join the fight for life! Over 1,000,000 babies are being killed per year in our country. Let us do all we can to stop this evil and to be obedient to the Word of God!