Hi guys and welcome back to another episode of our Pokemon VGC 2019 Battle Series I hope you're all well having a great day and looking forward to getting some more games today with this ultra necrosma's Zernius team So we kicked off with a few changes in yesterday's episode if you missed that and would like to go back to that check that out before coming Into today's episode. I'll put a card up there for you And you can have a look at how good some of those games were that we were able to feature yesterday And like I say we're gonna continue on with it today just to recap the team We've got the dust man the cross mother the zernius the kangaskorn Incineroar or mungus and that type of thing if you'd like to see a team paste and the poker paste is all down in the Description below you can go and check that out try it out And if you do like I always say leave me a comment and let me know how you get on with that team But without further ado, let's just jump straight into today's episode. Let's get some music on and Hop straight into it Hopefully it doesn't take too long to find our first opponent and if it does There's always our cut straight to it and we'll come right back when we bump into that first trainer of today's episode So we've got a first opponent of the episode a 14 28 player rating from Japan So let's hop straight into team pre So today we're going up against an incineroar type of Finney grow out on Gengar, which is potentially mega Gengar That's main necrosis potentially that ultra necrosis and crecelia. So what are we looking at here? We've got speed control options definitely on that crecelia It's got access to icy wind and trick room here to support that primal ground on more than anything else And then we've got to worry about the trapping option of that potential mega Gengar that we're going to see here So and one of the things that we could potentially do to lead out is incineroar And tapafini as well I think tapafini incineroar is quite a nice lead for us We're gonna need because of that primal ground and we need our own ultra necrosis And probably zernius here as well if we can get into a position late game to get the GM I see often I think that's how we have to kind of look at it approaching that going into the late game Getting that off very late. Hopefully not losing incineroar too early on And being able to kind of get that in it's just leading with incineroar type of Finney It does leave our options a little bit short with what we've got to switch in against that primal ground And it might mean needing to switch in something like zernius to oppressors blades when just to leave you a little bit of pressure The same time we've got to be careful around that mega Gengar as well when it traps us in We're not going to be able to do very much outside of that. So we'll lock in there and Get into this first one it should be a lot of fun It's a nice build that my opponent's got an interesting one as well Normally with the groudon you're going to see the dawn wings necrosis as a variant the ultra necrosis Rather than the the dusk main and it's going to be nice You know I said at the start of the week that on Wednesday We're going to change up the team introduce mega salamence tapu lele into the team along with a couple of ideas of my own to kind of Just rejake things going into the end of the week So giving us a nice opportunity to kind of feature these last few changes in a couple of matches today We'll be good before we move on to these other Pokemon So we will lead off with incineroar type of Finney see my opponent lead off with the Gengar and the Criselia there so The incineroar is not a bad option for us here We can easily fake out that Criselia The misty seed boost is obviously going to give us a bit more of an option against this mega Gengar We're not immediately threatened by that sludge bomb as as much as we were previously And we can we can go for an icy wind if we'd like to here and I think I probably do Do I want to do that? Or do I just predict that the Gengar?  It's unlikely that Criselia has protect So going for the fake out and nature's madness into that slot is fine because the next turn and we can Potentially get an icy wind off with a with that type of Finney and pivot you turn out with our incineroar If that's the option to go for we're actually seeing a help in hand come up from this Criselia kind of didn't Really consider that going into this turn so avoiding any fake out Damage in the rocky helmet as well something that we saw very commonly in the 2016 and before that format so nature's madness to have to finish almost out of this game already Which is a bit of a shame to be honest because One of the things that I would probably have to do now. I'd like to get an icy wind off But I really don't feel like we're gonna be able to So I'm gonna have to go for something else and like a snarl here It's gonna help us against that mega Gengar going forward Especially when we bring in a couple of other options To have a finish so important for us there as well. I know taking the sludge bomb is great, but Getting a nice wind off there would have been way more useful And if we'd considered maybe a help in hand on the Criselia there would have Would have changed our options going into that first turn, but hindsight is always a great thing But this is why you practice because then it instills those Potential options when you're going up against these Pokemon in future and especially if it's in a tournament session, you know These these matches don't really count in regards to that. We are gonna see an ally switch from the Criselia Another sludge bomb in this time into the Incinero So we're actually gonna be able to get an icy wind off which is really really important for us big big Turn because as I said, you know it makes The matchup for alternate cross my coming in against that Gengar now a lot better And especially paired with this snarl it really reduces the ability of that mega Gengar to perform as well as it kind of wants to We do get the speed drop there, which is very useful Now I think one thing we could potentially do is just you turn out on that Criselia and go for a heal pulse On the off chance that Gengar scared off by that speed drop and not want to attack this turn It would get a heal pulse into our Incinero, which you'll see it's a lot better and Benefits a lot better going into these latter stages of this game So we'll see the Gengar might just sludge bomb it will outspeed both both of our Pokemon going into this next turn Though even after minus one that's why I didn't really want to do it turn one But if I had done it turn one I could have maybe went for a turn two, but then maybe my opponent's Decisions for what they would do turn two would change these we've seen a couple of options from this Chris I would do you see the protect there, which is nice We are gonna get this he'll pulse into the Incinero Just prolonging that longevity of it for later in the game Especially when we need the intimidate for that primal ground on that's definitely lurking in the back It'd be nice to be able to pick up the Kaon Criselia Which we do here and prevent it from setting up a potential trick room. You do take more rocky Helmet damage without Incinero But that's fine because we are able and all gonna be able to get our ultra necrosis in here Which is pretty huge for us because we instantly put a lot of pressure onto that Gengar Once we ultra burst Which is a big deal really, you know That's the one big thing that you need to do especially with this team We're going up against things like mega Gengar that naturally out speed us We're going to be pressured straight away So it's trying to find ways around Dropping their speed and making sure that we can get into positions where we're threatening them rather than vice versa I'd expect the ground on to come in for my opponent here But they may go for something like yeah, I'll turn across my coming in Which I don't actually mind too much because as long as it's not the dawn wings variant Then we're not really too pressured by that. I'm just gonna ultra burst go for the Earth power into that slot because if the ground on's in the back You can't really safely switch the ground on into that slot And I think we'll go for an icy wind as well It'll put us in a better position Against the alternate cross mode once again If we do end up bringing Azernius on to the field and just give us the option to potentially geomancy If we want to we've still got all four pot of our pokemon to have a finny on its last legs here So it'd be nice to see it to be able to Get through at least one more turn, which would be nice to see the Gengar switch out. It is going to be that ground on okay I don't know if I really necessarily agree with that The Gengar has a really good time against Uh alternate cross mode for sure But we still have our incinero on the back And the ground on's the one thing that you want to keep around to kind of protect the Gengar from that incinero Another alternate cross mode probably has earth power But at the same time, we're probably we're not going to be killed by it unless it's got Calm mind and if it's got calm mind and goes right here, then the speed is going to be reduced So again, it makes Azernius's job a bit easier when it does come in once it does ultra burst like it is doing here in front of us Sunsteel strike. Where's this going? Where are you going to be soon? Into the finny yep Now it gives us that free switch into azernius now We do have to be a bit more careful about how we play zernius in front of this Pokemon, but we do get the earth power doesn't quite take the ground on down But puts it really nicely in range to go down the next turn I think I'll bring in incinero here rather than anything else And we can you can completely check that ground on With that earth power we kind of prevent the Gengar from being able to freely switch in as well And we can we can snarl or fake out the opposing ultra necrosma Um I think I mean I could even just z move into the ground on it gets around a potential protect here I'm gonna z move into it. So we guarantee the knockout there and I'm gonna just snarl Or could you turn actually into the ultra necrosma? It's gonna be better I think snarling would be better because it's gonna have photon geyser um Earth power And it kind of nullifies that I know we're going a bit overkill with the z move here But if the ground on protects we get rid of it. I'm gonna have to cut this though guys So we'll be right back when we hit into that ground on is into the ground on It will be more than enough to take down this like two hp ground on it was sitting in front of but like I say Might seem a bit overkill But because of the protect there we can guarantee the knockout whatever happens there And if the gengar switches into that photon geyser then it goes down It might seem a little bit wasteful. Oh Sword stance ultra necrosma no way That is nasty the snarl is doing nothing in this situation Um, and the gengar gonna come back in now that makes things a bit more awkward for us Okay, so sword stance sun steel strike photon geyser You can't hit ultra necrosma Incinerado you just can't like the sun seal strikes not going to be doing enough Although a combination of sun seal strike plus sludge bomb Could be enough right, I think this this becomes very difficult now because um Yeah, it does become very difficult now because the the zernius doesn't have a very good time when it comes in Against this ultra necrosma that changes the whole The whole dimensions of this I mean we could try and recruit if we've got a trick room up here it would be amazing Um, but we need to guarantee that we're taking this This gengar down this turn. I'm going to just flare blitz into the gengar and trick room And hope we get it off They're going to double into the incineral Sun seal strike into that slot as well plus one is it is it going to be enough though resisted Always survive one HP incineral the king cat Yes, one HP invisible focus actually we go Should be able to get the gengar now and this sets the trick room sets us up So I mean we said in our last episode how we got to see the utility of that trick room Now we're seeing it in full force because the one thing that my opponent wants to do in that situation is get rid of the incineral Then the gengar has a really easy time against our ultra necrosma Um, so for that reason maybe leaving the ultra necrosma that the obvious protect there Alone and gone for the the incineral is definitely the right thing to do there But now it leaves you in a really awkward position where we can just earth power And go for a well we could go for a I mean we're probably better off going for a u-turn to be honest, although we'll go first and then that's not gonna be great Um, hmm No, we'll go u-turn we'll go u-turn we'll go u-turn Still not over still not over by any means. I like necrosma gonna protect. Okay, okay Okay, okay, okay We'll go five turns of this trick room if we can get the u-turn out now the u-turn now is not probably the Best thing to do Uh earth power and flare blitz should maybe be enough to take it down or just uh earth power and snarl Because this snarl is still super effective even though it's not doing too much I'm just gonna be wary about our opponent maybe Gone for that sun seal strike and getting into the incineral to kind of maybe snipe the uh Dishonest, but we're gonna get a crit there It doesn't really make too much difference now because the earth power is gonna be enough to pick up the knockout And we do win the speed tie and close the game out. What an exciting game for us to kick off with today game one That is amazing. So very good game to my opponent and I hope you guys at home enjoyed it. That was great So hopefully we can continue that in the next one and give this variation of the team a nice send-off before we do Move on to that mega salamence tapilele stuff tomorrow, right? Let's click through you don't want to see of it And hopefully it doesn't take too long to find our next opponent. I'm really excited. I like after that I love matches like that where you're like so hyped and you can't wait to get into the next one You can't quite click the button fast enough to get into that next game. So let's get into it And like I say, hopefully it doesn't take too long to find the opponent. We'll click some music in Uh, what are we gonna go with here? Should we go with Cyrus? We never have that one really So it's a nice change I guess um to go into this next game with And hopefully we can have another excellent game to kick us off with But yeah, if it does take a little bit longer, I'll just cut to it now guys And we got our next opponent of the episode. So we're going in against a Japanese player rated 1563 and we'll go straight into that team previews So we're going up against a Kyogre, Domwings, Nekrozma seems to be one of those calls picking up a little bit of popularity at the minute So we'll probably see a lot more of that as we go on through this week and into next Salamence going to be the mega on the team type of Coco probably the z move holder Alongside maybe the ultra nekrozma, but maybe not you can't always guarantee that there's always going to be two z moves on a team Then you've got the support cast with the incinero fake out support Intimidated support alongside that salamence it carries that ability as well And then the stack attacker that's going to be a mode of speed control for my opponent's side of the field with access to trick room wide guard And lots of things that we don't want to have to contend with so how are we going to approach this? Maybe Maybe it's going to be a bit harder than we Well, I think like a moonga seems really good in this matchup just for the redirection against that Domwings Nekrozma And we could take advantage of that. It gives us a nice switching to Kyogre as well There's tailwind and trick room. So how do we get around that? I think we do need our own ultra nekrozma for sure But maybe we leave it for more of a late game situation although I do Feel like the stack attack might lead um We've not got much time. So let's go kind No, we need incinero need incinero zonius Finney and although we're not bringing a moonga's we're gonna be Gone ultra nekrozma I feel like a moonga says like good here, but you're kind of tied like a lot of the time like you are in every pokemon game You're like you want your restricted so leaves two slots open and you've got two slots And I think that comes back to more of a team building issue than anything to do with with What you're facing you need to like really reassess the team a lot of the time If you're coming up against these issues quite a lot. I think go back to your team building and look How can I make the most out of These situations how can I put other pokemon in this team that are going to kind of support In this similar way to how everything else supports but can act really good in different situations We are going to see the dawn wings nekrozma and tapakoko come out from my opponent And one thing we could potentially do here is just fake out the koko and go gieman see We have to be scared a little bit worried about a potential trick room from that dawn wings nekrozma We can't ever discount that has been an option But I feel pretty safe about doing this and all we're going to take is a photon geyser Which we'll be able to take pretty comfortably with zonius Um, so I am just going to do that We've got no threat of serena in the back or tapu lele to prevent this fake out So this should be pretty seamless I'm getting this set up and we don't need to worry like in our last game against that dusk main nekrozma about A potential sunskill strike coming out. It would just be a moon guys beam Um, probably a photon geyser at worst from the ultra nekrozma But it is just going to withdraw we're going to see it retreat stack attack. I hit the field now my opponent Which is fine, and we do get the fake out into the koko Um The problem is now we do have an issue with the stack attack. I've been able to just set up the um the trick room pretty Pretty straightforward, which is not ideal for us. Um But if they go down a trick room route Then I have to take a turn setting the trick room up So it means we could potentially double into them. So whether they want to do that or not is another thing because we could potentially Flare blitz moonblast, but we've got to worry about that koko switching out Into kayoga Yeah, vault switching out into kayoga, which would be which wouldn't be ideal at all. Um Now I think what I will do is you turn out into the koko and Well, we can deny the koko going out by just dazzling gleaming, but we will lose zernius To stack attacker because we haven't intimidated it um But I think you're probably more likely to go for For a trick room here rather than anything else Um, I'm gonna you turn into the koko and I'm gonna dazzle Can we click in in time? I think we have just about a time nearly ran out I hope we don't take a gyro ball here And there we go. We're gonna see. Yeah, we're gonna see the gyro ball into us. Yeah And we lose as only so quickly Just like that Okay It's not the worst. It's definitely not the worst situation in the world It really isn't it could have been a lot worse Now the koko is in a difficult position. We need to try and get our um Do we you turn or do we just flare blitz into the stack attacker because the the koko probably hard switches out here That would be my first and initial thoughts Um, how do we get around this? We could snarl We've got to protect the zernius though because otherwise we just go down to a gyro ball Um, I think we need to switch out and maybe bring in the crossmer of our own Yeah, and just protect zernius and we'll assess what what my opponent does on what we do the following turn I mean, we knew that was like impending it was gonna come But we're kind of locked in after we geomancy and the stack attacker switches in turn one There's the gyro ball. Yeah, and the vault switch light screen I can deal with that. I can really deal with that 100 percent um Now we can't earth power the stack attacker. Yeah, and it might be You know, it's Funny as this sounds It might be better us just going for the earth power into stack attacker And switching out our zernius and preserving it for later rather than just letting it go down now um Because we're kind of forced to go for a double protect and I just I'd rather keep zernius around for later. It has a better matchup against that dawn wings in the crossmer And if we can get rid of the stack attacker then zernius has a way better time I know we're letting go at our geomancy boosts, but In the long term, it's a better option.  I guess I'll reverse in that trick room Maybe um, but we can go for the earth power again Into the stacks. I think this turn. I'm gonna switch incinero out though into Into tap of finny or maybe I don't because if the kyogre does come onto the field No, I yeah, I'm gonna switch out to tap of finny here. Get rid of the electric terrain Uh, yeah And one of the things I was saying is like you feel when you've got that setup kind of done You're tied with that pokemon to keep it out on the field and I feel like sometimes even myself and a lot of players will do this and you know, they'll be Facing impending doom from that next turn and think I've got it set up. I can't waste it. I don't want to waste it So I'm not going to switch it out. I'm going to let it go down and I'm just going to deal with it And sometimes For the better of the team, it's better just to go like for go because at the end of the day Staff boosts come and go but pokemon once they're gone. They are gone. You can't use them anymore So sometimes it is better to um to utilize them While you've got the opportunity to and keep them for later when they will be more beneficial again Rather than just lose them up when it's easy for your opponent Like you don't want to be making it easy for your opponent to take things down and you want to be making it as hard as possible for your opponent to um To make use of we're going to get the earth power into this and across ma. Um, but again The light screen is really really helping them out here So there we go But I mean tapping finish not in a bad place right now. We did get the special defense drop as well on that Dawn wings. Um I think this turn what we'll do Snitches madness into the Kyoga How many turns of trick room we've got left we can't protect that's the only problem with uh I don't wings across my it's the only issue here I don't really want to switch incinero in And I don't want to switch zonius in to be honest to deal with either I think if I had to switch anything in I'd rather switch in the incinero um We keep our restricteds and just go for that nature's madness into the kyoga slot We'll probably underspeed the kyoga as well Pour incinero, but if we see maybe an orange impulse It misses And there's the ultra burst. Okay, so it's actually bursting I don't want it to stay in its It's normal form. So it has access to that z move the next turn Does make it a bit more difficult for us origin pulse incinero boys RNG go shining down on us today I mean, it's a bit unfortunate for my opponent But we will take that because it makes life so much easier for us going Going into these next turns, especially once the trick room ends Do you get the nature's madness off and the nerf power? It's a good show for my opponent We do just survive though We've got access to that fake out as well the next turn if you'd like to um We've got to be a bit more careful though with how we approach Huh these next turns because we do have the fake out, but both targets on the other side of the field are really threatening us right now um I think we could Bring in No Do we just fake out Then across my And go icy wind We could heal pulse as well Could heal pulse It's just we leave the coyote open. I do feel like the coyote maybe switches out um Are we better just icy wind in here? I think we might be yeah, let's go icy wind It opens the door up for our necrosis when it comes in on a zernius Even though we've got the stack attacker to deal with in the back. So there's the fake out Icy wind This coyote probably goes for another origin pulse here Yep It does hit this time though Fortunately foreign synod is going to go down But it does open the door for us, especially to get that zernius onto the field and that's the one thing we need to get onto the field now Because we can pressure and really threaten that ultrasonic kind of forcing it forcing it out almost um I think if the stack attacker wasn't in the back I'd be Inclined to go for another geometry here But with it Is it such an easy switching for my opponent and makes it very difficult to kind of to do that? um So I am just going to go dazzling gleam and I think we'll go heal pulse into zernius just to make sure that we Uh, no, this is the wrong thing to do because we're going to heal pulse before the coyote can attack Uh, we would have been better Icy wind in this is what this is like a good lesson Like always make sure that you're actually thinking about the turn before you click the mindlessly clicking in like I've just done because We could have kept the pressure up now the stack attacker comes in We could have even went for a nature's madness here to get the dazzling gleam But the thing is I guess we're going to be able to yeah, he'll pulse the next turn Ooh thunder at least zernius gets away with it there. I mean if we lose finny here We do just survive. Okay We want to try and deny The trick room again because that's the biggest the biggest problem for us right now But I don't think we're going to have enough in the tank to be able to do that. Unfortunately Um, could we bring in how we could bring in Duskman the cross man um Yeah and go for Just a nature's madness into the coyote. Yeah, let's do that And it's a good job because we haven't ultra burst yet So puts us in a better position if that trick room does go up this next turn I think we need to preserve as any us no matter what we still got to keep in mind that there's as a move at the disposable the disposal of that ultra necrosis as well, so It's just madness.  That is so ridiculous so ridiculous There's nothing we can do now. I mean there is literally nothing we can do we can dazzling gleam hope that I mean even a crit onto that stack attack is probably not going to be enough for us to take it down But a little bit disappointing to end with this team But it's just one of them things and we definitely could have played it a little bit differently I think the emungus here would have been and made a way bigger difference to this match for us And just being able to support zonius that bit better once we've got the geomancy boost off We get the moongus in and we've got that redirection support against the stack attack and potentially if it hasn't got the safety goggles Which would give us a little bit of room to maybe make a little bit more use of zonius as well So I'm gonna see the coyote protect I can't get over the damage of that origin pulse. There's a jar of all this should be game though Yeah, good game to my opponent the origin pulse killed us on the switch in there Maybe we shouldn't have switched in when we did But nevertheless That is how it's ended We can only learn from it and go forward and move forward with the team But that is going to wrap up the megacangus con variant of this team and tomorrow like I've been saying all week We will be introducing that mega salamence and tapulele to the fold So it's going to be a lot of fun playing that Do make sure you catch the episode tomorrow when it does drop as I say the variation with the Ultranocrosmos zonius will be a very fun one to take into the end of the week So I hope you've enjoyed today's episode and before I forget I've got a poll up on the youtube channel at the moment asking what team Core team you would like to see play it going into next week because we will have a brand new team going into next week's episodes So do go over there vote if there's nothing there that you would like to see play it Make sure just a comment and I will see what I can do and make sure that we do feature it Going forward at some point in the ultra series if not next week But the winner will be announced obviously on sunday evening and then we'll go into monday With that brand new core and it's going to be very exciting to explore a new build going into this format So thank you so much for tuning in guys. Have a great day and I will see you all for another episode tomorrow So until then take care and bye. Bye


26 Russian vessels were destroyed by Ukraine's forces. The strike against Russia's Black Sea Fleet's Ivanovets warship near annexed Crimea marks the 26th successful strike by Ukraine of a Russian ship since the war began according to Newsweek. Ukraine's Defence Ministry published night-time footage showing the moment sea drones attacked the Russian supersonic missile-armed Corvette in the harbour of Lake Donuzlav. It's unclear if there were casualties. Independent Russian news outlet The Insider reported that since Russian President Vladimir Putin attempted to invade Ukraine on February 24, 2022, at least 26 Russian vessels have been attacked by Kiev's forces. The Black Sea Fleet has been targeted by Ukraine as it seeks to reverse Putin's 2014 annexation of Crimea. The region serves as Russia's central logistics hub for its forces in southern Ukraine, shipwreck of the day. Ukraine's Defence Ministry said in a statement adding that the operation to destroy the vessel was carried out by soldiers of Ukraine's Group 13 special forces. The Group was aided by the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine and the United 24 Platform, Ukraine's main intelligence directorate said. As a result of a number of direct hits to the hull, the Corvette was damaged, rolled to the stern and sank. The value of the ship is approximately $60-70 million, the Defence Ministry added. Nice job, warriors! According to Russian Telegram Rybar, Ukraine deployed at least nine naval drones that left the western Odessa region toward Crimea and four of them were destroyed by Russian forces. One exploded next to the Ivanovets' warship, damaging it.


My brothers and sisters in life. We need to make some big decisions sometimes. I'm sure we've all Had decisions whereby we don't really know exactly which way to go Whether it's marriage. Sometimes you don't know if it's going to be successful sometimes it's a Decision of a huge business sometimes shifting from one area or city to another These are major decisions. Sometimes it is to do with the health matter I don't know should I or shouldn't I go for the operation for example? And so on so these type of decisions as Muslim in What is the guidance we have in this regard? It's a very important issue because it affects every single one of us We should be knowing that there has to be something in the Quran that guides us in this regard So primarily we believe in Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala we believe in Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wa sallam. We call ourselves muslimin We should be understanding that Islam is a way of life So therefore if we lead our lives in accordance with the teachings of Islam We will be able to make a decision that is not Contradictory to the law of Allah point number one Which means no matter how important this matter is if it is against the instruction of Allah. I'm not interested That's the first step first thing we should think about. I want to do something Is it against Allah's instruction if it is no matter how crucial the deal is no matter How many millions of rands I may be making if it is against the decree of Allah? I don't even want to consult anyone and I don't even want to do anything else I will block it and stop it there because I know this is no-go area May Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala protect us all and may he grant us a very deep understanding I mean secondly if it is permissible now I need to know what to do So there is difference of opinion amongst the scholars as to the first step to take But it's not a major difference in the sense that they will both lead you to the same thing. What is it? two main things one is known as Mashwara or consultation and Two is istikhara istikhara is a type of consultation But it means to seek guidance Regarding the better of two issues to seek from Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala The guidance as to which of these two things is better. That's the meaning of istikhara to ask Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala guidance where you are confused and you are trying to say oh Allah guide me towards one of the two I want to talk on this because I believe many people don't know how to do the istikhara or what to look at after that or Whether or not your venture would be successful people don't know so the first step is the consultation for example And like I said some of the scholars say no consultation comes after the istikhara I for one would like to believe that it's more important to consult Initially, and then if you'd like you can engage in the istikhara if you are still confused So when I want to consult what is the meaning of consultation? I need to present the exact situation I mean to certain people whom I trust number one What do I trust about them? I trust their knowledge. I trust Their genuineness towards me sometimes you have a knowledgeable person say a lawyer if a lawyer is not Genuine towards you or does not fear Allah. He becomes in Urdu. They call them liar I don't know if you've known about that he becomes a liar because he just wants to make money So you need to know mashallah as much as we need lawyers We need honest lawyers the same applies to accountants the same applies to a plumber the same applies to an electrician Someone might come in and give you wrong advice. Why because he just wants to make money So when you ask someone's opinion, he needs to be genuine towards you That's something common. You need to ask someone who has a feeling for you He's not going to rob you steal you and at the same time He's an expert in the field that you have a problem in or you are confused about So if you are going to go for example to a plumber with all due respect to plumbers Or let's change the example in case someone feels bad if you're going to go for example to a pilot and ask him about how to Drive a Ferrari I think you're making a mistake unless you know that he's a pilot was also a really really good driver of these fancy Vehicles, but subhanallah the point I'm raising is you need to ask the expert of the field and he needs to be genuine At the same time if it is something really just you need to know the person needs to be close to Allah as well You can't have a sinful person giving you guidance on a matter where he's not even bothered about what's In transgression of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala or in conformity to the Dean He doesn't even bother about that So sometimes you might want to seek the counsel of a non-muslim, but you will have to add to it Something what is that? You'll have to ask yourself this advice. He's given me maybe genuine. Maybe he's a good guy Maybe he feels for me. Maybe he's an expert, but I need to make sure that it's Islamic as well When you want for example to make a decision of IVF and so on yes, you will get advice sometimes even from a non-muslim But Islam has certain restrictions in that regard. It's permissible with certain rules and conditions We're not saying it's totally not permissible But you need to have the guidance from a person who knows the Dean or Minimum you need to then ask an Aalim or a scholar or a knowledgeable person to say look I've been given this guidance all I want to know from you Is it permissible or prohibited because you might not be an expert in this but halal haram you're an expert But exactly what I should do. I've got that advice already. I just want to get the green light may Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala guide us So that is consultation you consult and you ask one person two people five people ten people There is no limited to that not at all in fact Even if you're a chairman or a leader or an Amir of a society community even if you're a president of a nation for example You need to ask and consult the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam himself was told to consult his Companions not because he needed it because he had to show the importance of consultation to us. That's why He could have got revelation straight and he did get revelation as to what to do and what not to do But when you listen to people's opinions especially as a leader and when you want to give them importance to say look I just need to consult you on a matter It doesn't mean I'm going to adopt what you're going to say But at least I've got an opinion in my mind at least I now know that you know what this is what someone said This is what another person said and myself then who has to make the decision can be enlightened regarding the various Opinions and make a decision based on that which would be enlightened make a decision perhaps not according to anyone's opinion But it's derived from snippets of what everyone has said and I came up with a master plan subhanallah That's what it is. So this is consultation. There are so many benefits of it I want to move on Thereafter if you're still confused and you still don't know do you know what should I or shouldn't I marry? That's I think one of the biggest things that people do is Tihara about is marriage should I or shouldn't I sometimes? I don't know why they do it because they've made their minds up anyway may Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala protect us I had a young man. He told me I need you to make istikhara for me And I told him the Sunnah is you make an istikhara yourself It is against the Sunnah to ask someone else to make an istikhara for you no matter who they are The Sunnah is to ask them to make dua that you are guided in your istikhara But the pure Sunnah is that you yourself do the istikhara You do not ask anyone else to do your istikhara the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam was never ever not once in his life Asked to make an istikhara on behalf of someone else, but he was asked to make dua Oh Allah. Oh messenger sallallahu alaihi wa sallam We are good want to do this and that make dua that we are rightly guided and so on or They asked his opinion or they asked his instruction, but they never ever asked him to make an istikhara So I told the young man look it's better for you to do it alone But anyway, what's it about he says you know I want to get married I said have you are you still confused because istikhara is when you don't know what to do if you know what to do What's the point? He says no, you know I've been going out with her for eight years But now I want to think whether to settle down or not come on come on my brother eight years The party is over you could have had ten walimas already and look at where you are today May Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala forgive us may he strengthen us may he grant us ease So let's not play the fool with Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. You've been doing haram You either quit the haram and everything or you can seek forgiveness and do something halal about it May Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala grant us an understanding. So now Jabir radiallahu anhu says in a hadith a powerful hadith in Bukhari Where he says the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam used to teach us the dua of istikhara Just like he used to teach us a surah of the Quran What that means is to use the wording of the hadith is ideal preferable and even most befitting Because if the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam taught this dua to the companions like he would teach a verse of or a surah of the Quran It means I need to know that dua. I need to know the supplication istikhara. I want the guidance of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala So what was the dua? It is mentioned beautifully. Allahumma.  So when do I ask Allah? I need to ask Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala after having engaged in two units of Voluntary prayer or I could say this is the prayer of istikhara I am reading two units of voluntary prayer in order for me to be asking the guidance of Allah regarding this matter I'm confused in should I or shouldn't I that's what it is. So I made the intention I read the two raka'at of salat this is as per the hadith of Jabir radiallahu anhu and What did I do after that after I made my salam some of the scholars say before you made the salam because it is a sunnah It is a sunnah dua anyway, and there's no there's no debate about it But let's say after the Salah you then ask Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. What am I saying? Allahumma Oh Allah in me astakhiruka. I am Seeking your guidance regarding this matter as to what is better for me. These two issues Khiyar I want to know what is better for me from the two should I or shouldn't I I'm seeking your guidance Oh Allah in me astakhiruka be ill mika from your knowledge.  What is the power of Allah? Absolutely everything. Allah is all-powerful. I'm asking you oh Allah now Before I continue translating the rest of it What's the point of making this dua when your life is not even led on the same page as Allah wants it to be What's the point? Imagine you you are transgressing against Allah day and night and then you say all I need your guidance regarding a matter Allah says hang on there are so many matters that I told you to not to participate in you did now You're asking me my guidance so then the result will probably be lopsided the result will probably be wrong Why because you are not on the right page therefore start off with a lot of is still far start off with a charity with good Deeds lot of is still far. I ask Allah. Oh, Allah forgive me La ilaha illa anta subhanaka in me couldn't mean of the only mean there is none worthy of worship besides you I have definitely been from amongst those who are wrongdoers who have oppressed myself. Oh, Allah forgive me Oh, Allah grant me mercy. Oh, Allah. Don't hold against me the sins. I've committed. I sought forgiveness now I'm seeking your guidance. I really need your help. Oh, Allah and promise Allah that you will change your ways and habits What's the point of saying? Oh, Allah. I need to know whether I should do this business or not But you don't read your Salah you perhaps gamble you perhaps have a lot of other bad habits Let's not mention all of them But at the same time if that is the case and we do say oh, Allah my heart is softened. I need your help I need your guidance. Oh, Allah. That's the mercy of Allah soften your heart then you make the dua then you make the Salah You know Salah of Istikhara is voluntary.  You know what that means I guess but at the same time when it comes to Istikhara, they passionately religiously believe that no ways I'm going to get the guidance of Allah, but where where is your taqwa? Where is your closeness to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala so if we take a look at this? We will find that you making the dua you saying oh, Allah. I'm asking for your help To make a decision here to guide me your power. I'm asking you from your power Well as I look at me in fatherly cal Azeem, and I'm asking you from the great Virtue that you bestow upon all the creatures that you have made Allah is has definitely bestowed upon all of us great mercy. We're asking Allah have mercy on me Why am I asking Allah to have mercy on me a lot of the times? We are not even fit for the mercy of Allah the way we lead our lives is very very wrong So we are saying oh Allah forgive us. We are human. We make mistakes. We falter. I'm asking you from your mercy I know oh Allah. You're going to give me Then we say Allahumma in kana haathal amra Oh Allah if this thing that I would like to do and you either think of it or you either mention it You think of what you're taught what you want the guidance regarding or you mention it if it is better for me in kana haathal amra If it is better for me in what way in what way did the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam say if it is if I'm going to be successful in this if the business is going to boom if the marriage is going to flourish He never said that he said if it is better for me in what way Fee dini in my deal Wa maashi in this livelihood in my life So let's say Dean and Dunya we let's interpret it that way for us to understand right so in my religion in my Spirituality closeness to you and in my livelihood my sustenance my living in this world Wa aqiba to Amri and My Akhirah my my Hereafter if it is better for me in every way of these three ways Then faqdir huli make it possible for me make it happen for me and Make it easy for me why a sir huli Thumma barik li fee then grant me baraka baraka means blessings in it grant me baraka in it Okay, and then the dua continues to say and all life. This is bad for me my Dean my livelihood my Akhirah then Keep it away from me create a barrier between me and that item and at the same time Make me happy with your decree for me your decision for me Grant me that which is best for me and make me happy with your decision for me and The dua inshallah. I will mention it later on in the khutbah But I would like you to learn it as a sunnah as Jabir of the Allah who says wallahi the prophet Sallam used to teach us this dua as though he taught us a surah from the Quran How you know what teeny was a tune or how you know for example? Alam nasrah or cool who Allah who I had you should be knowing this dua of istikhara It is a dua you are asking the guidance of Allah. So now after that I've made the dua What do I do? I continue in the obedience of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. So where does a dream come in? I'm sure you and I have heard that. Hey, you're gonna see a dream after that Nowhere in the Sunnah of Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi sallam is a dream mentioned not at all not once He does not mention a dream, but you may see the dream. Yes, it's one of the ways But it's not necessarily the way it is reported that you continue in your life The biggest way that you will achieve a result of your istikhara is the feeling you have I will start getting a positive vibe within me Suddenly in my mind I will feel good about things when I talk to people every step something positive is said It's just facilitated I want to do a business deal and I'm thinking about it and one man phones me and he tells me you know what? There's a really good deal. Hey, you're talking about the same thing. I was making istikhara about last night That's a sign for example or someone else phones you and gives you negative vibes You want to marry someone and in the morning without knowing someone phones you and starts telling you long stories wait wait wait You need to authenticate before you believe stories today a quick way You know you want to marry this the princess of santan for example I don't know who she is, but I'm just saying there's another ten guys who want to marry the same princess when they know you're interested They're going to phone you and say that princess. She's no longer princess.  You may see a dream. What type of a dream? If there is anything positive that you see anything it could be I want to get married But I'm busy seeing a beautiful scenery somewhere in Phuket for example may Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala grant us The ability to appreciate the goodness and nature that he has yes It may be a positive sign and suddenly I notice a snake or a fire or something those are negative signs These are just signs, but primarily you will be feeling this feeling and it will be a strong feeling May Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala make it easy for us Then when you when that thing happens Allah did not guarantee that your business will flourish nor did he guarantee that you are even going to marry the person He's only telling you it's better for you your Dean your Dunya your Akhirah to go for this.  They say I did istikhara and Then I proposed But when she did istikhara it was negative she rejected why how come this confusion between the two of us Well, I say my brother Allah didn't say that both of you are gonna be positive It's better for you to propose and be rejected. Maybe for your ego Maybe for something else maybe to cut you down to size whatever it is Allah wants you to go through that for some reason to understand Do you really be happy with the degree of Allah Allah didn't say when you do an istikhara? Then the other person will also have a positive result and you both will flourish Similarly people come through and say, you know, we're going through marital crisis We're on the verge of divorce, but I did istikhara. She did istikhara. We were supposed to get married I saw the prophet peace be upon him in my dream telling me to get married to this person Wow, mashallah it happens. Well, I hear it happens. I Say that that doesn't mean did he say marry her it will be successful married her you'll never divorce her That's not what he said you did an istikhara.  This is why Never ever misinterpret an istikhara as being a license where you are guaranteed This is successful normally when people say please can you do an istikhara for me?  They are wrong. Why pass the buck Develop your link with Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala and come forth. Alhamdulillah. So we ask Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala's guidance and really It's up to us. It's absolutely important that we develop a link with Allah so that the guidance we receive is actually That which will make us happy It will make us happy and this is why right at the end of that dua and I want you to go through its meaning It's beautiful at the end Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala has taught Muhammad Sallallahu alayhi wasallam to teach us that oh Allah make me happy with the taqdeer you've chosen for me Primarily the destiny you've chosen something for me. I went into a business I put in 20 million rands and I came out with zero I it was a loss while I tell you what now you're in the masjid five times a day crying to Allah to bring you Back on your feet.  Allah Akbar. I hope you get the point So the point here is many of us used to think that is Tihara means when once I get a response Everything's going to be you know hanky Dory as they say no way not at all. It's not it just means this is better for you You may go positive negative in terms of you know flourishing of this world But perhaps Allah knows what is best may Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala guide us similarly this if you Do not want to engage in the istikhara itself or you have you have engaged in istikhara regarding major matters But you would like guidance regarding all your affairs. There is a way. What is the way that do our of istikhara use? It as a do I there's nothing wrong with that so it's not specifically an istikhara for a matter But through the day I say oh Allah I'm making this do I while I'm driving while I'm walking why oh Allah guide me You know Allah open the door. There's nothing wrong. It's a Sunnah do I you can make that do I just as a do I by the will of Allah If you have the consciousness of Allah in you Allah will guide you regarding all your affairs to what is best for you not necessarily to what is most successful in terms of Business or your social life, but it will be best for you may Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala open our doors My brothers and sisters Again, it's extremely important for us to know that consultation is also of vital importance You know many people think okay I'll just do the istikhara and see how it goes You don't know speak to people ask those speak to your parents speak to your family members or Experts in the field speak to doctors say for example, and I'm sure a lot of us have been through this Where as you grow older sometimes your health begins to fail here and there it's part of Allah's plan to bring you closer to him And then you talk to this doctor and he says go for the op and you talk to the other one And he says don't go for the op and you talk to a Cairo practice And he says the doctors don't know and you talk to the doctors And they say don't ever you dare go to a Cairo practice and so on well you are confused once again So we ask Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala to help us. I'm not swiping at my friends here who are doctors But it's a reality. It's a reality that you are confused sometimes Remember if you are a person who fulfill Salah, you are a person who engages in istighfar Look, we all commit sin minor sometimes some people even major sin may Allah forgive us all Seek forgiveness. Don't lose hope in the mercy of Allah seek forgiveness of Allah because that's how you get back onto the same page Oh Allah I was weak. I did something wrong. I'm changing my life. I'm not doing it again. I promise you all I'm not doing it again. Who knows some people have sought forgiveness and they've died a few days later Some people have gone for Hajj. They came back and they passed away and they changed their lives Brothers and sisters don't wait for Hajj. You might never see it. Don't wait for Ramadan You might never witness it seek Allah's forgiveness here and now and Allah will guide you in your affairs Be happy when something goes seemingly wrong in your life Thank Allah it might just be Allah saving you from something major Allah doesn't want you to go into the business. Allah doesn't want you to marry someone Allah doesn't want you for example to participate in something perhaps He is protecting you without you knowing from something major major later on may Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala Help us to be convinced at whatever he guides us towards Wa sallallahu wa sallam wa baraka ala nabina Muhammad Wa as-taqdiruka bi-qudratik wa as-saluka min-fadlika al-Azeem Allahumma in kunda ta'alamu Inna hadal amra khayrulli fideeni wa ma'ashi wa a'aqibati amri a'u aajili amri wa aajilihi Faddur huli wa yassir huli thumma baareklifih Wa in kunda ta'alamu Inna hadal amra khayrulli fideeni wa ma'ashi wa a'aqibati amri wa a'aajili amri wa aajilihi Fasrifu anni wa usrifni anhu wa qadr liya al-khayra haythu kana thummar deeni bihi


The speakers of Hallmark Reading Cards bring you Opal Lee Berriman's Pioneer Preacher, starring Charles Bickford on the Hallmark Playhouse. Chosen by one of the world's best-known authors, the distinguished novelist, Mr. James Hilton. Ladies and gentlemen, this is James Hilton. Tonight on our Hallmark Playhouse, we present our dramatization of a story by Opal Lee Berriman called Pioneer Preacher. Ms. Berriman's own father was a Pioneer Preacher, so that she brings to her story a wealth of personal reminiscence as well as a warm understanding of her subject. For the Reverend George Berriman was a pioneer and a preacher. He gave to the building of the West the strength of his hands, his heart, and his faith. There were many pioneer preachers in those days, true missionaries who gave their lives all the more truly by living them. And for our starting role tonight, we are indeed fortunate to have that distinguished Hollywood actor, Mr. Charles Bickford. And now a word about Hallmark Cards from Frank Goss before we begin the first act of Pioneer Preacher. At Easter, as on every important event in the lives of your friends and loved ones, there is a Hallmark card to say just what you want to say, the way you want to say it. And the Hallmark on the back will carry an extra meaning for Easter Day, for it says, you cared enough to send the very best. Now Hallmark Playhouse presenting openly Berriman's Pioneer Preacher, starring Charles Bickford. I couldn't begin to write or tell the full story of his life because his story is the story of all the towns he ever lived in, all the people he ever knew, and all their prayers as well as his own. So I'm going to try and let you see my father as I remember him in 1905 when I was eight years old. In October of that year, father and mother and I were on our way to a little town in Texas called La Mesa. It was a hot afternoon and father and I were singing. Mother had fallen asleep beside us. He and those days, for for one thing... Hello, Opal. We may not be the best singers in the world, but by golly, what we like and ability, we make up an enthusiasm. Don't we? I guess so. Of course we do. You know, Opal, I'll wager all your little girlfriends would like to be in your shoes right now. What do they see when they look out their windows? Streets, houses, the same things they've seen every day of their lives. But you're looking at something they've never even seen, the desert. Guns, shadow, color, cliffs, ravines, cacti, mesquites. What's that? That's a coyote. I don't like it. Sure you do. You know what he's saying, Opal? He's saying, I've seen things today. I've seen men on horseback riding west across the desert. I've seen cattle moving west. I've seen civilization go forward one whole day. I've seen sunrise and sunset. I've seen the Baptist minister and his wife and little girl on the way to La Mesa. Yes, sir. By now, every other coyote within here short knows all about us. Look up yonder. That's La Mesa. Unless I'm very much mistaken. Bigger than you'd think. It has 49 residents. Well, there it is, our new congregation. That first Sunday, and their almost grown son, Tom. Sheriff Lubeck, Judge Cawthaston's wife, a wealthy rancher from just outside of town, Brother Fallon. It was an auspicious occasion. It certainly does the body good to hear a sermon again. Thank you, Sister Craddock. This is my son, Tom. He's going east to medical school next week. How do you do, sir? How do you do? I hope you'll come back here to practice when you graduate. I certainly hope to, Brother Bearman. Good to have you with us, Brother Bearman. Thank you, Brother Craddock. Fine boy I have here. He certainly is. I don't blame you for being proud of him. Well, Father Bearman, it is good to have a man of God with us. Let me know if I can be of service to you. Thank you, Brother Fallon. Good day, Father. You're not his father. Why did you let Brother Fallon call you that? Opal Brother Fallon is a Roman Catholic. It's his form of address for a minister of his faith and to note's respect. I consider it a great honor to have him address me in that manner. Oh! Brother Bearman! I brought you before you left the church. I am Brother Dissie, another worker in the field. How do you do, sir? Are you a Baptist preacher, Brother Dissie? No, not exactly. At least I'm not licensed or ordained. But I go about from town to town trying to do the Lord's work as I see it. I thought I'd drop in on you and your good wife for lunch and dinner and perhaps the night. Tomorrow I'll be on my way to another town. Where? Come along, Brother Dissie. What we have, we shall be happy to share with you. Coffee, Brother Dissie? No thanks. Yes, I've been making a lot of plans for this town. It's been without a resident pastor for so long. I hope you won't have any difficulty handling any of the people. They get used to one man, you know. Well, I can only try, Brother Dissie. George, I need some more water. Would you be kind enough to step outside of the pump and get it for me? Of course I will. I'll go with you, Father. That was an elegant repass, Sister Better. Now that a preacher in his family must all be diplomats. But he is no real preacher. He is no dain. Well, I do think he should have credentials. But he's still a man of God. And we must respect him as such. I can't stand him another minute. He thinks he's going to tell you how to conduct yourself in this town, how to conduct your church, and... Oh, no, Mother.  Oh, I'm sure I don't know why you didn't take the position at the seminary when they offered it to you.  I was needed here. Now, let's all get back into Brother Dissie and turn the other cheek, shall we? Look, Father, someone's coming. Reverend Berryman? Yes. I am Dr. Nasib Mesropian. I have just arrived in town tonight. I hope to practice it. How do you do, Dr. Mesropian? This is my wife, my daughter, Opal. How do you do, Doctor? I am going to be one of your congregations, Brother Berryman. I am a member of the Armenian Baptist Church. I am happy to hear it. The church can always use another member. And the town can certainly use a doctor. We had to fight greed, suspicion. It is smallpox, all right. Too isolated in good time, I think. Uh, may I see the pepper tied around that brick, please? Yes. We don't want any foreigners treating our women.  Well, evidently, I have friends here. Pay no attention to it. I have a girl's hands to the side of the bed. If her hands are free, she will not be able to keep from scratching and she will ruin her face. Smallpox is a terrible thing to have strike in a village this size. If it spreads... I have sent for a vaccine. If the mothers will allow me to vaccinate their children and be vaccinated themselves, it need not spread. They'll let you vaccinate. Don't worry. You have more faith than diarrhea. Dr. Mesropian, medicine is your profession. Faith is mine. Tell me that Rose Mahoney has a smallpox and that you're going to nurse her. I've had the smallpox. But Opal hasn't? Oh, surely you're not going to risk bringing it home. Let someone else do it. How can I ask someone else to do a thing that I would not be willing to do myself? Mother, I can't believe I'm hearing you correctly. I'm sorry. But when I think of Opal, I... Dr. Mesropian is coming over to vaccinate her tonight. I've been going to every house I could today begging people to let Dr. Mesropian vaccinate them. And what did they say? Most of them agreed. A few objected. Brother Craddock said he didn't believe in vaccination. Judge Pothouse said he didn't think it was necessary. But I believe they'll come around. We'll show you this. Oh, another note. Print it in crayon. What does it say? This is a white man's town. Unless you get out of your own free will, you'll go out with a coat of tar and feathers. Oh, isn't that terrible? Dr. Mesropian, I think I know the instigator of this thing. And I've already taken some steps in the matter. I'm reasonably sure that within a week we'll have the answer to the whole affair. If you'll just bear with me that long. I think I know the man myself, but I see no reason to subject my profession to such indignities. There are civilized communities in which one may work in peace. Dr. Mesropian, my profession is also one of dignity. But I am willing to abandon that dignity whenever necessary in order to establish the rights of a free man to live and work honorably in a free land. The man we seek is a case for a physician as well as a preacher. It is often more difficult to heal a diseased mind than to repair the body. But the benefits will reach on to generations yet to come. You must stay doubted. Well, Reverend, you have never let me down, and I shall not let you down if I can help you. Thank you. I can assure you that the majority of the people do want you here. Very quickly, who's in back of this? And the first thing I'm going to do is to have a talk with the congregation tomorrow. I would like to say just a word to you. You and I are but a handful of Christian Americans in a small town in Texas. We are American not because of the color of our skin or the nature of our religion. Our fathers, who came from almost every land in the universe, chose this land to prove to the world a mighty precept. They were entitled to certain inalienable rights.  And said to that world, we will show you that democracy can work. America shall be a stronghold for free men and a hope for enslaved men. My friends, 49 residents. How can democracy succeed among the many if we let it fail here among the few? How can religion succeed among the many if we let it fail here among the few? To remind us with greenery and flowers that we too should... and the sending of greeting cards is part of our preparation. For Easter is a time when we want to remember friends and loved ones. And if you're like most of us, I think you'll want the very finest Hallmark cards. If you think this sounds a little prejudiced on my part, just try this. Ask your friends what name they think ought to send the very best. This is so many times. I know they'll quickly answer Hallmark cards. Even a glance at Hallmark Easter cards will tell you why that Hallmark on the back has become such a distinguishing, simple of quality. And there are Hallmark Easter cards for everyone. For friends you want to remember, for loved ones, you'll want to take this occasion to convey the thoughts you have all year long but to seldom express. Cards with flowers bright as spring. Cards that express the deep spirits will joy of Easter. Clever cards to enchant the children and cards for them to send to others. Tomorrow stop at the friendly store where you buy Hallmark cards and see the beautiful collection of Hallmark Easter cards. You'll appreciate that Hallmark on the back, especially at Easter, to say, you cared enough to send the very best. And now here is the second act of Pioneer Preacher, starring Charles Bickford. Towns he ever lived in. All the people he ever knew. What did a Pioneer Preacher have to be in those days? Philosophers, psychologists, doctors, counselors, fighters. Thought you'd never get here and it was getting dark. I'm scared out of my wits that you'll get into trouble before this is over.  That's exactly what they'll have to do before they get a chance to tar and feather Dr. Mesropian. Oh, Brother Dizzy was here. He says the Fallon girl is getting married and he's been asked to perform the ceremony. That's what he says. I can't believe that Mr. Fallon would do a thing like that. Mr. Fallon's in the East, Father. He isn't getting back until just before the wedding. Oh, I didn't know that. Kate wants Brother Dizzy. After all, it's her wedding. I heard the other day that Brother Dizzy's been out to the Fallons making a big fuss over Kate's aunt. He'll end up as the preacher in this town yet. He's been telling everyone that you haven't added any new members to the church since you've been married. Oh, Mother, getting upset won't help. I don't know how you managed to take everything so calmly, George Barrowman.  What's this on the table? The letter from Tom Pratt. Why didn't you tell me it was here? I'll see you later. But George, your dinner... Put it on the back of the stove, Mother. This is more important. Do you know, Opal, there are times when it's not easy being a preacher's wife. I brought it from one part of it. He says, oh, that you have right in La Mesa. One of the nation's greatest doctors. I have just learned this from the American Medical Association and I have written to Dr. Mesropian, asking if he'll let me work with him when I come home. I hope you'll do everything you can to persuade him to agree to this. I hope someday I can become the kind of doctor he is. Brother Craddock, he's speaking of the man you wanted to tire and feather and run out of town. How is a man to know? Osbus was a foreigner. Lafayette was a foreigner. You yourself are not an Indian, are you? I sure am.  Your father probably was English.  She was a half-breed. Oh, I see. So that's it. You thought you were inferior and you started all this row about Dr. Mesropian to hide your own sense of insecurity. You're not inferior, but no one is. This fear of yours is for your own making, your own thinking. What do you think I should do, Brother Berryman? Apologize to the doctor? I certainly do. Think when he learns that I'm the cause of... Brother Craddock, I think Dr. Mesropian knows. He wouldn't be the fine doctor he is if he weren't a good judge of human nature as well. He is also a fine enough man, I am sure, to forgive you. I'll go and see him right away, Brother Berryman. I'm... I'm ashamed. It's not to me that sometimes he almost had to be a saint. Mother refused to go to see Brother Fallon's daughter married by Brother Disney. But father went and he took me with him. I'll never forget that wedding. Let's sit down in these two seats. Everyone's here, aren't they? At least everyone but Brother Fallon. I guess he isn't going to get married. Evidently not. I asked Miss Kate why she was letting Brother Disney marry her and she said it was her answer arranged and that she would much rather have had you. Sacred war is over, my daughter. You didn't know that I'd been asked to conduct this wedding? You are so incorrectly, Brother Disney. Brother Fallon. If there wasn't a Catholic priest in this part of the country, he'd have father and no one. Oh, I'm so glad. Well, I have some news, too. A dozen of the cowboys were by and they're joining the church. So you have enlarged the church membership. The cowboys are joining the church. They were here just a little while ago. My heart is full. My heart is full. Oh, Father, I just love it here in the nether. Don't you? Yes, I do, Opal. I do indeed. There's a letter on the table from the board. Oh. Well, I wonder what new instructions they have now. Brother Fallon said he was donating the money to build a church. Oh, how wonderful. And he says, Mother, would you be willing to pioneer another field? Oh, you don't mean that. The board is suggesting, as soon as we feel things can be safely left to another pastor who is on his way, that we go to Seminole. Seminole. They do say, however, that although they feel we are badly needed there, that if we do not wish to leave, the new pastor can go on and we can remain here. He's evidently quite young and inexperienced in the field, though, and Seminole would be awfully hard for him. Well, you know it's funny. Only the other day I was thinking that, well, I bet it would be nice to see what was going on a little farther west. After all, things have gotten pretty tame here. Sure they have. There'll be new adventures and new people to meet. Oh, I love you so. I love you so. I love you so. I know what it means to you. Believe me. I know. With as thou goest, I will go. Thy people shall be my people. And thy God my God. Remember? I shall remember as long as I live. Opal, you're only eight years old now. Almost nine. Yes, almost nine. But someday you look back to the days we lived out here, as we made our slow way west. And you'll be able to say, I helped homestead this land, helped conquer the wilderness. I pioneered for God and for country. Loaded all our worldly possessions into a wagon and started further west. And now I was nine. There was 1906. And even then I knew that there'd never been a man before sin cut from the same cloth as my father. Reverend George Barrowman. James Hilton will return in a moment. You know, Easter is a day when we like to exchange greetings with our friends and loved ones. Yet often we can't find just the words to express our feelings. In fact, if it weren't for hallmark cards, I'm sure many a message wouldn't be sent. But there are hallmark Easter cards that you'll feel were especially written for each person on your list. Cards that say just what you want to say, the way you want to say it. In addition to Easter cards for your mother, dad, wife, or husband, and all those dear to you, you'll find cards for every friend, whether near or far away. For example, imagine the pleasure a friend in a distant city would receive from this card. It's titled Across the Miles of Easter. And the greeting reads, A special Easter time hello. That's being sent to let you know that though we are apart today, you're thought of in the warmest way. And countless happy wishes too, go out across the miles to you. Not just when Easter time is here, but every day throughout the year. Why don't you stop in tomorrow at the friendly store where you buy hallmark cards and see the complete showing of hallmark Easter cards while the selection is still complete.  Here again is James Hilton. We're really happy to have you with us tonight, Charles Bigfoot. That was a great performance. It was a great story, Mr. Hilton. I don't know how you'd do it, but you managed to get stories for hallmark playhouse that are like hallmark cards.  Thank you. That's high praise indeed. Now won't you tell us about next week? I'll certainly be in your audience. Good. And I think you like our Easter story. It's the Arbutus Bonnet by Margaret E. Sangster, a charming and appealing love story, and our star will be Miss Anne Blythe. And now before I say goodnight, may I just remind you that more help is needed to carry on the important work of the Red Cross this year, to give disaster relief, to give needed services to our armed forces and veterans, to carry on the National Blood Program and other important community services. Your Red Cross needs your help to carry on its help. Our hallmark playhouse is every Thursday. Our director-producer is Bill Gay. The music was conducted by Lynn Murray, and our script tonight was adapted by Jean Holloway. Until next Thursday then, this is James Hilton saying goodnight. These are hallmark cards when you carry it up to send the very best. Charles Vickford will soon be seen in the Paramount picture, riding high, co-starring with Bing Crosby. This is Frank Goss saying goodnight to you all until next week at the same time, when James Hilton returns to present Anne Blythe in Margaret E. Sangster's The Arbutus Bonnet. And the week following, Charles Boyer and James Hilton's Appassionata, and in the weeks to come, a story known and loved by everyone, my sister Eileen on the hallmark playhouse. This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcast.