Covenanter Witness Vol. 54 - Rparchives.org

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Missionary Number 

LESSON HELPS FOR THE WEEK OF JANUARY 23, 1955 

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VOLUME LIV WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 1955 NUMBER 1 

A Testimony I'll Always Remember 

Shadow on the Wall 

By 

John Thompson 

A journalist friend of mine was in the habit of 

visiting an indoor swimming pool each Thursday 

night. There was a certain man he met at the pool 

who always amused and intrigued him. This man 

would come out of his cubicle with his bathing suit 

on, go straight to the edge of the water and dip his 

big toe into the pool, and then smartly climb right up 

to the highest diving board, make a wonderful dive, 

and down the pool with splendid form. 

and swim up 

It was difficult for my friend to understand why 

such an expert swimmer and diver should resort to 

a novice habit of sticking his toe into the water be 

fore entering. He plucked up 

courage one night and 

asked him why he did it. 

He smiled and answered, "I suppose it is just 

force of habit ; however, there is a reason and I shall 

tell 

He used to be an instructor in a large college for 

men. His job was to teach them to swim and dive. He 

was in the swimming pool nearly every day and knew 

every inch of the place. One night he could not sleep 

and decided to slip into the swimming pool and have 

a swim, thinking the exercise would induce sleep. 

pool," 

"I did not put on the lights in the he con 

tinued, "for I knew every inch of the place and the 

other 

roof was made of glass. The moon shown through, 

throwing the shadow of my body on the wall at the 

end. My body and arms made a perfect sign of 

the cross. I cannot explain to you why I did not dive 

at that moment; I had no premonition of danger of 

any kind. 

"As I stood looking at the shadow of the cross, 

I began to think of the cross of Christ and its mean 

ing. I was not a Christian. I found myself repeating 

the words of a hymn I had learned as a boy, 'He died 

that we might be forgiven, He died to make us good, 

that we might go at last to heaven, saved by His pre 

cious blood." 

"I cannot tell you how long I stood poised on the 

diving board or why I did not dive. I came down from 

the board and walked along the pool to the steps that 

I knew led to the bottom of the pool and began to de 

scend. I reached the bottom and my feet touched the 

cold smooth bottom of the pool. The night before the 

caretaker had drained the pool dry and I knew 

nothing about it. I realized then, that had I dived I 

would have dived to my death. 

'The cross on the he added, "saved me 

that night. I was so thankful to God for His mercy in 

sparing my life that I knelt on the cold bricks and 

asked the Christ of the cross to save my soul. I ex 

perienced a two-fold deliverance that night. That, sir, 

is why I always put my toe into the water before 

diving." 

Moody Monthly

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Glimpses of the Religious World 

Frank E. Allen, D. D. 

Drinkers Compared 

The Methodist Board of Temperance reports that in 

crease in drinking liquor is rapid among 

with 1949, the number of male alcoholics (in 1950) has in 

women. "Compared 

creased 

by 4,000, and the number of female alcoholics by 20,- 

000." 

They 

point out that since 1948 the rate of alcoholics per 

100,000 adults has been practically unchanged (3,952 per 100,- 

000). However, more women, comparatively, are becoming al 

coholics than men. What of the future of our homes when the 

mothers yield to the custom of our time and become steady 

drinkers Another sad fact is that the heaviest drinkers are 

found in the District of Columbia where the per capita drink 

ing of distilled spirits is 4.87 gallons. In Wisconsin we find 

the largest drinkers of beer 

son 

during the past year. 

the average 26.9 gallons per per 

Advice to a Girl 

The New York columnist for teen-agers Patricia Evers, 

as quoted by Christian Herald, councils an 18-year-old girl 

caught in a crowd of drinkers thus: "There is only one way 

to solve the problem and keep it solved once and for all. 

That's to order what you want. The lad who tries to embarrass 

you is a bully and bullies ought to be squashed firmly. Or 

dering a drink along with the crowd and not drinking it 

isn't the answer. It's better to be open about it. You'll get 

along better with the crowd if they know where you stand on 

the issue. Explaining that you aren't going to drink till you 

are 25, or that your father is giving you a hundred dollars 

if you'll be a teetotaler is also a waste of time. You don't 

have to explain anything. Your actions are up to you 

to the gang. They 

not 

aren't entitled to an explanation. Lots of 

adults let people like this make things unpleasant, let them 

bully them into things they don't want to do 

and regret 

later. Pretty silly, isn't it Who are these jokers who think 

they 

can intimidate 

The editor adds: "Worth cutting out and passing 

a teen-ager, 

he (or she) can 

on to 

who these days needs all the backbone stiffener 

Baptists in Russia Accused 

The leading Communists in Russia have acted with in 

difference toward Russian Baptists for years, but now they 

have changed their attitude toward them and are accusing 

them as secret agents of the American spy system. One of 

their statements runs like this: "The American imperialists 

are only 

too pleased to use the sect for the purpose of re 

cruiting spies to send to the U.S.S.R. and the countries of the 

people's democraties." Writers on Russia find it difficult to 

explain this blast at the Baptists just after the Communists 

party's central committee has ordered a toning down of antireligious 

propaganda. 

A Judson Broadcast 

The experiences of Ann and Adoniram Judson, first Bap 

tist missionaries to Burma, are dramatized on Cavalcade of 

America, an American Broadcasting Company network pro 

gram sponsored by DuPont. It is apparently possible for var 

ious TV stations to obtain this program for their constituency. 

Unique Gospel Messages 

Some Christian Endeavor Union members of Northern 

Ireland have sent out gospel messages in floating bottles 

during the year that is past. They have received many re 

plies among which was one from behind the Iron Curtain and 

another from Mexico. 

Good Friday Holiday 

Many Christians in South Carolina have stated their 

views as against any 

clare Good Friday 

effort on the part of Congress to de 

a legal holiday. Such resolutions on the 

part of Christians in different places might prevent the pre 

sentation of a bill asking for such a holiday, but if not they 

would bear much weight against its adoption. 

"Martin Luther" 

The film "Martin Luther" is still attracting large au 

diences not only in the U. S. but in other countries as Austral 

ia, Holland and Norway. Thus the lesson of the Reformation 

is being carried to various parts of the world with telling ef 

fect. 

Evangelism Around the World 

Invitations have been received by Billy Graham to con 

duct evangelistic meetings in Singapore, Hong Kong, Formosa, 

the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, 

and as a result he is planning a preaching tour around the 

world in 1956. 

Help for Korea 

The bishops of the Methodist church made an appeal to 

their churches for aid to Korea on November 14. The giving 

has amounted to $1,486,941. It is expected that during the next 

three years 765 churches will be built or repaired with these 

gifts. 

Christ in Christmas 

The Watchman-Examiner (Baptist) presents an article on 

Christmas from which we quote: "There are many who make 

of Christmas a mere holiday, without acknowledging the 

Kingship of Jesus Christ. They decorate their homes and 

places of business; they give tokens of love to their family 

and friends; they join in public festivities and sing Christ 

mas carols. But there is no love in their hearts for the Sav 

iour, no faith in him as 'the Lamb of God that taketh away 

the sin of the Christmas to them has no more meaning 

than the Fourth of July 

... 

"A Christless Christmas is about to be celebrated all 

about us. The streets and stores are crowded. Little presents, 

tokens of love and friendship, are being purchased. Eyes aregleaming 

and hearts are beating in anticipation of Christmas 

mc ning . 

is a grave mistake, however, to subordinate 

the religiour significance of Christmas to matters even as im 

portant as the expression of family affection, new emphasis on 

friendship and national and international goodwill. 

"During Christian history, Christmas had degenerated 

from joy to gaiety and often from gaiety to riotous dissipa 

tion. It is a pity we have allowed Thanksgiving to become 

associated with sports. It is a greater pity still that in cele 

brating our Lord's birthday the world has adopted the old 

Epicurean motto, "Let us eat, drink, and be merry! . . . . 

In 

all the festivity and tumult of the present observance of 

Christmar, we plead with God's people to realize more pro 

foundly its spiritual significance .... In emphasizing 'good 

will among let us give 'glory to God in highest."' 

the 

COVENANTER WITNESS,

Current Events 

By Prof. William H. Russell, Ph.D. 

BIPARTISANSHIP BEGINS 

President Eisenhower is working to disprove his own 

campaign prediction that a Democratic Congress and Republi 

can administration could not cooperate. In December he 

called in twenty-one Congressional leaders for a policy con 

ference, and apparently won Democratic support for the most 

important parts of his program. In some areas, such as for 

eign aid and a more liberal tariff policy, his main problem 

will be to win Republican votes. The President promised to 

consult Democratic leaders on the details of legislation in re 

turn for their help in putting it through Congress. Key Demo 

crats in Congressional committees will also have close con 

tact with department and bureau heads, even though they are 

of oppo-ite parties. If this approach succeeds, the next Con 

gress may enact quite a bit of constructive legislation. By the 

time you read this, Presidential messages will be 

specific proposals before the lawmakers. 

McCARRAN ACT PASSES TEST 

laying 

The U. S. Court of Appeals has upheld the constitutional 

ity of the Internal Security Act of 1950, requiring the Com 

munist Party to register as a Russian-controlled movement. 

This law, commonly known as the McCarran Act, is our most 

important piece of anti-Communist legislation next to the 

Smith Act of 1940. It requires the Communist party and Com 

munist-action and front groups to register with the Justice 

Department, list their officers and members, report thpir 

finances, and label their mail. The court brought in a 2-1 

decision, with one judge ruling that the act violated the Fifth 

Amendment by requiring the Reds to give evidence against 

themselves. The other two judges decided, however, that the 

Fifth Amendment was not involved because the law did not 

make party membership a crime. The Communist Party is 

still a legal organization in this country 

despite all the re 

strictions on it, and will appeal the case to the Supreme Court. 

PANAMA CANAL TREATY 

After more than a year's negotiations, Panama and the 

U.S. have agreed on a new treaty 

which should remove some 

major sources of friction over the administration of the Canal 

Zone. This area, 48 miles long 

and 10 miles wide, is still 

legally part of Panama but is almost completely controlled by 

the U. S. Our annual rental payments to Panama will be 

increased from $430,000 to $1,930,000 a year if the new treaty 

is ratified. Commissaries operated by the American govern 

ment will be restricted to U. S. servicemen and Ameri 

can civilian employees, to avoid unfair 

competition with 

Panamanian merchants. Steps will also be taken to eliminate 

discrimination against local workers, the most irritating fea 

ture of U. S. administration. The State Department will ask 

Congress to draw up a uniform wage scale for North Ameri 

can and Panamanian workers, and to extend retirement bene 

fits to all. The new agreement should do much to promote 

good feeling 

SPANISH ROYALTY 

in this vital spot of Latin America. 

Generalissimo Franco may be looking 

ual restoration of the Bourbon dynasty 

has been empty for over twenty years, since the 

toward the event 

in Spain. The throne 

abdication of 

Alfonso XIII. Don Juan, the Bourbon heir, has been living in 

exile with his family in Portugal. But dictator Franco has now 

reached an understanding 

with Don Juan regarding the edu 

cation of his 16-year-old son, Juan Carlos. The prince will 

finish his schooling in Spanish military academies and uni 

versities. This will please the powerful monarchist faction who 

have given Franco considerable trouble recently. Franco has 

not been favorable to the return of Don Juan to Spain, but 

may be grooming the prince as his own successor. In any case 

there is little hope for social progress, for a Bourbon king 

would be supported by the Church and the landed nobility, 

who are mainly 

MORE MANGANESE 

responsible for Spain's backward condition. 

A new American source has been discovered for man 

ganese, one of the indispensable metals of modern industry. 

Manganese makes steel stronger and harder. The U. S. uses 

about 800,000 tons annually, or about fourteen pounds for 

every ton of steel. But 90 per cent of our supply has had to' 

be imported, from such distant places as India and Africa- 

Now a Canadian mining company has found a deposit of at 

least 150 million tons of ore, 10 per cent pure, in New Bruns 

wick, close to the Maine border. This will be enough to sup 

ply the U. S. for twenty years, and more may yet be found. 

In northern New Brunswick, less than 200 miles away, there is 

also a large deposit of iron pyrites, which will yield sulphur 

for refining the manganese ore. Rail and water transporta 

tion is already available, and a mill should be operating with 

in a year. 

BETTER HEALTH 

America's health last year was "the best on 

record," 

ac 

cording to a report issued by the Metropolitan Life Insurance 

Company. The national death rate for 1954 reached an alltime 

low of 9.2 per 1,000 population, 5 per cent under 1953. 

There was no major flu epidemic in 1954, and the death rate 

for nearly every disease fell. The tuberculosis death rate fell 

by 10 per cent, and influenza and pneumonia by 25 per cent. 

The death rate for cancer remained about the same, but heart 

(Continued on page 5) 

THE COVENANTER WITNESS 

Issued each Wednesday by the Publication Board of the 

REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 

OF NORTH AMERICA 

at 129 West 6th Street, Newton, Kansas or 

through its editorial office at 1209 Boswell Avenue. Topeka. Kansar. 

to promote Bible Standards of Doctrine, Worship and Life 

For individuals, churches and nations 

Opinions expressed in our columns are those of the individual writers; 

not necessarily the views of the Covenanter Church or of the Editor. 

Dr. Raymond Taggart, D.D., Editor 

1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka Kansas 

Contributing Editors 

Frank E. Allen, D.D. 

Prof. William H. Russell 

Walter McCarroll, D.D. 

Remo T. Robb. D.D. 

Departmental Editors 

Rev. John O. Edgar 

Mrs. J. O. Edgar 

Mrs. Ross Latimer 

Subscription rates: J2.50 per year; Overseas. $3.00: SinK* Cbpre* 

10 cents. 

The Rev. R. B. Lyons, B.A., Limavady, N. Ireland, Agent for i)m- 

British Isles. 

Entered as second class matter at the Post Office in Newton Kanâ: 

under the Act of March 3, 1879. 

Address communications to the Topeka office. 

January 5, 1955

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An Appeal for Short Termers 

Dear friends in Christ, 

By T. M. Edgar 

This last Sabbath 

^ 

morning, in our Boarders Sab 

bath meeting, at 11:00 o'clock, one of our teachers, 

Mr. Angelos Chattalas, gave us a very inspiring mes 

sage concerning the mission of Christ's Church, and 

our own particular responsibility as individuals in 

spreading the Gospel message. His text was James 

1:21-27, with special emphasis on the 22nd verse, 

"But be ye doers of the word and not hearers only, 

deceiving your own His remarks were a chal 

lenge to both students and teachers. 

This young^ man was graduated from our Acad 

emy in 1948, and, after six years of study in Ameri 

ca, and a short period spent in the United States 

Army, he has returned to us for one year, full of zeal 

and enthusiasm to put into practice our school motto, 

"TO GROW AND TO SERVE." We shall be very sor 

ry to see him leave at the close of this school year, 

which has been passing much more quickly than one 

should wish for it to do. I am sure that there may 

be some of the young people of Bloomington who will 

remember Angelos, for he served as President of the 

Young People's Society for one year while he was at 

tending Indiana University. 

So often we express the wish that we might have 

more of our young people graduates of the school 

who have gone abroad for higher studies, return to 

our midst to help us here build up the type of Cove 

nanter Mission School which I am certain all of you 

at home really desire, and the type which we here 

feel is so necessary. Yes, it would be fine if we could 

add to our Staff each year two or three of these 

Academy graduates who have migrated to other 

lands, have found the Lord, and desire to serve Him, 

but, unfortunately for us have decided to remain in 

another part of His vineyard rather than to return 

to help us. There is often the temptation for us to 

ask the Lord, why Why must it be so difficult to 

draw young people to work in the Academies in Cy 

prus Not only those who have had the benefit of a 

Christian education here at the Academy, but also 

those of our own Covenanter Young People living at 

home in America Is it because there is a lack of 

vision Remember what the Scriptures teach, 

perish." 

"Where there is no vision, the people 

It has now been some years since we have had a 

short-termer here at Larnaca Acadamy. In fact, the 

last to come was Clark Copeland in 1938. Let me em 

phasize that the work of a short-termer is of great 

value, for he lives in the Boarding Dept. where he 

has a wonderful opportunity to be a "doer of the 

Word and not a hearer for twenty-four hours 

of the dav, and for a period of three years. This year 

we have a rather large number of boarders, in fact, 

of whom are at the school for the first 

136, many 

time this year; and certainly there is present this 

year a fine opportunity for any young man who 

wishes to both teach, and do personal evangelistic 

and, 

work. Just think of all that is involved : 136 boys and 

young men, many of whom have not accepted Jesus 

Christ as their Saviour, students at the Academy 

who may be led to Christ because some young man 

in America, a Covenanter, has decided to dedicate his 

life to personal evangelism, and Christian education, 

is one who wishes to come out to live in our 

Academy Boarding Department for three years with 

the boys of our school. 

This year I am the Acting Director of the school, 

and will carry on in that capacity until Mr. Weir re 

turns. It has taken just a very short time to open my 

eyes to the present need for at least one or two Cove 

nanter short-termers in our Boarding Department. 

You friends at home will hardly realize what I am 

stressing, unless you have actually been on the For 

eign Mission Field here in Cyprus or in Syria, China 

or Japan. If not, you might ask someone who has 

been a missionary what it means to have Boarding 

teachers who are entirely dedicated to Covenanter 

principles. Let me emphasize just once more, that if 

this is to be a Covenanter Mission School, then we 

need young men who are fully trained and consecrat 

ed for Christian education young men willing to 

leave their homeland with its fine jobs and good sal 

aries. 

I have at different occasions, this year and last, 

had the assurance that there are many of you at 

home who have been remembering me in your pray 

ers. So often, problems which at first seemed diffi 

cult to solve, were worked out easily. Let me express 

my appreciation for your prayers and interest. 

Dear Friends: 

Home Again in Latakia 

By Mrs. Ada M. Hutcheson 

Tomorrow it will be six weeks since I got back to 

Latakia and I am thinking I should get a letter to 

you telling something about my trip and getting back 

to work again. As I looked forward a few months ago 

it seemed to me there were so many decisions to 

make and so many things to do I wondered how it 

would all get straightened out but we remembered 

the promise, "He careth for 

and we prayed 

many times that He would lead us in the right way. 

We all feel that our prayers were answered and in 

nearly every question the way was made plain to us. 

It was a great satisfaction that our son Harold whom 

I had not seen for two years was able to get to Olathe 

and have a short visit with the family there and then 

travel with me to New York and help me get started 

to Syria. 

Sailing on the Excalibur September 10 besides 

Mr. Awad and myself there were many whose des 

tination was Beirut. Four of these were persons I 

had known before but most were new members of 

Beirut University 

staff or diplomatic personnel or oil 

people or special services of the army or navy. One 

of my roommates was Miss Beatrice McClellan of the 

U. P. Mission in Egypt and the other was Miss Rich 

ards who is teaching in the American Community 

School in Beirut. This last mentioned young lady was 

one of the best dressed and most popular on the ship 

and she did not drink or smoke. I imagine that our 

state room was perhaps the only one where there 

was no smell of smoke. 

There is one reason why this will be a memor 

able trip. We left N. Y. near 4 P. M. and soon it was 

supper time and afterwards we unpacked for the 

trip. We had so many suitcases we emptied what we 

COVENANTER WITNESS

needed and thought we would get several stored in 

the baggage room next morning. As it turned out 

they were still there the third day for that night 

Hurricane Edna struck. For 30 hours we were rolled, 

jerked, tipped one way, then the other. We could hear 

the big waves slam the sides of the ship and go right 

over the decks. We stayed in our room all the second 

day and did not even want food. It was dangerous to 

try to walk and the chairs and suitcases were shift 

ing 

around so we decided the best place was in bed. 

However the thing I like to remember most is that 

though seasick and rather frightened of the storm 

I kept feeling that the Lord was able to make a path 

right through the stormy sea if it was His will and 

I felt near to Him and peaceful. May it be to His 

glory that we came through the storm safely! 

Getting into the familiar Beirut harbor was a 

thrill. Before we got tied up we could see Mr. Hutche 

son and Mr. Tewfik Awad, brother of the pastor, and 

others. That afternoon two carloads of us left Beirut 

when we reached Latakia we were a procession of 

6 or 7 cars. According to eastern custom most of 

Mr. Awad's family and relatives had come to escort 

him home. It was after dark by that time and we 

were hungry and quite ready to enjoy a delicious sup 

per in the Hays home with Miss McClurkin and the 

Hays family. Across the street the Awads had a 

family gathering. Since then it has been a busy time 

for all. Both schools are under way with good enroll 

ment even though tuitions have been raised. Loyal 

Christian teachers are at work in the two schools 

but several more were needed and it has been hard to 

find them. Substitutes or inexperienced ones have 

had to be used. The weather has been fine and Mr. 

Hays has been making frequent trips to the villages. 

Rev. Awad is trying to have family worship with 

each family of the congregation before the fall com 

munion which is to be November 28. We are rejoicing 

with Bassam and Shirley Madany over the birth of 

their son. The women's society is making plans to 

sponsor a junior society. Mrs. McKelvy's book, 

"Taught of the Lord" is going to be used as program 

material. I've promised to help with this project. I 

am teaching three classes a day in the high school 

and am looking forward to having this contact with 

the younger children. Miss McClurkin is taking a 

group of high school students to Tripoli on Saturday 

for a one day rally of Christian Students Fellowship. 

The boarding students plan to have a game night in 

the lower hall of the girls school Friday night. This 

hall is equipped for shuffle board. The boys will also 

be using table games which friends from U.S.A. sent 

out some time ago. Two junior high age Yugoslav 

boys whose father is here in connection with building 

the new port are in school this year. They do not 

know English, Arabic or French but hope to learn 

English and we hope to be able to talk to them some 

day. We understand that they have been raised with 

out religion. We miss Miss McElroy, the Sandersons 

and our four children. We are always remembering 

them in our prayers and enjoy the good letters that 

come from them. 

In closing I should like to thank the many who 

entertained us in their homes as we traveled around, 

and especially the Olathe congregation which did so 

much to make our comings and goings pleasant 

their love and their gifts of many kinds will not be 

forgotten. I want to mention the nice stainless steel 

table ware for the boarding school, a gift of the Kan 

sas Presbyterial. There was a nice quilt from the 

College Hill congregation, a gift of money from the 

Stafford congregation and several other gifts of 

money from individuals truly the Lord has been 

Then at sailing Mrs. Beatty and Miss Weir, 

representing the Synodical, saw that we had fruit for 

the trip and an orchid for decoration. The good 

wishes expressed in these ways are very precious. 

And I almost forgot to mention the steamer letters ! 

It would have been terrible to have to sail without 

steamer letters. May God's richest blessings rest 

upon you all. 

In His service. 

Foreign Missions Board Treasurer's 

Report 

(Condensed) 

Sept. 1 Dec. 1, 1954 

RECEIPTS 

Living Donors $ 968.71 

Bequests 900.00 

Invested Funds 158.00 

Miscellaneous 1,229.21 

Total Receipts $ 3,255.92 

EXPENDITURES 

Travel Expense 

___$ 1,810.92 

Cyprus 2,030.15 

Syria 4,501.80 

Japan 2,687.60 

Home Base 1,017.45 

Total Expenditures $12,047.92 

Excess of Exp. over receipts $ 8,792.00 

Overdraft Sept. 1 3,548.58 

Overdraft Dec. 1 __$12,340.58 

RECEIPTS 

April 1, 1954 Dec. 1, 1954 _._$14,993.08 

EXPENDITURES 

April 1, 1954 Dec. 1, 1954 ___$26,070.94 

Overdraft April 1, 1954 1,264.72 

Overdraft Dec. 1. __$12,340.58 

CURRENT EVENTS Cont'd from page 3 

and kidney ailments and diabetes declined. There were more 

cases of measles and whooping-cough last year than in 1953, 

but few fatalities. 

VOLCANIC POWER 

Scientists are beginning to exploit the tremendous re 

serves of heat in the depths of the earth. Volcanic steam will 

be used to generate electric energy in a new power develop 

ment in New Zealand. The chief engineer of the Ministry of 

Works predicts that in three years the South Pacific islands 

will have 40,000 additional kilowatts of capacity from this 

source. Three test drillings show steam pressures up to 200 

pounds per square inch at a depth of 2,000 feet. The power 

capacity will merely depend on the size of the shaft that is 

sunk. Natural steam has been used to produce power for many 

years near Florence, Italy, and has also been harnessed for 

heating purposes. It may yet prove to be a major source of 

energy for some parts of the world. 

January 5, 1955

Evangelicals Are Persecuted in Greece 

Glenwood Blackmore 

Evarfgelicals throughout the world need to know 

the facts about the persecution of their brethren in 

Greece. We read column after column these days 

about persecutions in Colombia, Spain and Italy. We 

have learned to expect the Roman Catholic hierarchy 

to oppose evangelical missions. But we know very 

little about the persecutions for which the Greek 

Orthodox Catholic Church is responsible. 

It is very difficult to get the facts about the per 

plexities faced by the Evangelical Church in Greece. 

Its leaders are reticent about giving out information 

because both the State church and the Evangelical 

church are members of the World Council of Church 

es. Evangelicals are striving to be good members of 

the WCC and good citizens of 

Greece, but the WCC 

and the Greek government are so tied up with the 

Greek Church that they can do little to help the poor 

evangelicals. 

The facts we present in this article are well 

substantiated and we take full responsibility for pre 

senting them. It is time somebody had the courage to 

tell the truth about a situation which is a disgrace to 

the WCC, the Greek Church and the government of 

Greece. 

The Constitution of Greece guarantees religious 

freedom, though it recognizes the Orthodox Church 

as the State or Established Church and it definitely 

forbids "proselytism." There are, however, laws 

which were put in force in 1938 during the Metaxes 

dictatorship putting such restrictions on the activi 

ties of non-Orthodox Christian groups, that religious 

liberty is not accorded to the non-Orthodox Chris 

tian communities in the full meaning of the word. 

Even that meagre degree of religious freedom, how 

ever, is now being threatened. 

Denied Church Building 

In a little town in Macedonia, Neos Mylotopos, 

there is an Evangelical community of seventy fami 

lies, all of whom are refugees from Asia Minor. 

These families have lived peacefully in that little 

town for over thirty years and the measure of re 

spect they enjoy on the part of their fellow-citizens 

can be realized by the fact that the mayor of the 

town has for a long time been an elder of the Church. 

For a good many years these people have been hold 

ing their religious services in the house of one of 

their number. This, however, has been altogether in 

adequate and in 1950 a petition was filed with the 

Ministry of Cults in order to get a permit to build 

a proper church building for this community. 

In order that such a permit should be given to a 

non-Greek Orthodox community, the consent of the 

Greek Orthodox Bishop of the district is required. 

Bishop of the district was at that time Mgr. Panteleimon 

who is at present Bishop of Thessalonica and 

who at that time was a member of the Central Com 

mittee of the World Council of Churches. The Mod 

erator of the Evangelical General Assembly visited 

6 

Mgr. Panteleimon and asked him to give his consent. 

The bishop promised to do so and a few weeks later 

gave the assurance that in a letter of his to the Min 

istry of Cults he gave that consent. This, however, 

was not true. And the Ministry replying on the re 

fusal of the bishop to give his consent turned the 

petition down. You can imagine the dismay of those 

seventy families who saw that in a Christian country 

they were not permitted to worship according to the 

dictates of their conscience. 

This happened at the time when the Greek Or 

thodox Church was raising money in the USA among 

the Protestant churches for the erection of one thou 

sand Greek Orthodox churches in Greece. An editor 

ial appeared at that time in the Christian Century 

which deplored the fact that a Church which had re 

ceived the generous help of Protestant churches 

abroad to erect its own places of worship refused to 

give its consent to a small Protestant community to 

erect its own place of worship. The appearance of 

this editorial disturbed the Greek Orthodox circles 

and the Moderator of the Evangelical General Assem 

bly received a message from the Archbishop of Ath 

ens asking him to file a new petition with the defi 

nite promise that this time the permit would be 

forthcoming. The new petition was filed more than 

two years ago, but in spite of the repeated oral prom 

ises which the Archbishop gave, the permit was defi 

nitely refused. An appeal against this decision was 

made to the Supreme State Court, which turned it 

down on the ground that according to information 

supplied to the Court by the Greek Orthodox Bishop 

of Edessa and the police authorities, evangelicals 

practice proselytism. The Bishop said the Evangeli 

cal Church gave each one of its proselytes the equiva 

lent of $3 in Greek money and promised them further 

financial help, declaring that no one is in danger of 

being persecuted by the Communists if he joins the 

Protestant Church, etc. On the basis of this false in 

formation given 

by the Bishop and the police au 

thorities the Protestant community in Neos Myloto 

pos was definitely refused the right to have its own 

place of worship. 

Evangelical School Banned 

Members of the largest Evangelical community 

in Greece, the town of Katerini in Macedonia (some 

500 families), filed a petition with the Ministry of 

Education for a permit to found a private primary 

school. The need for such schools was imperative on 

account of indignities suffered by children at the 

hands of Greek Orthodox schoolmasters, because of 

their religious principles. The Greek Constitution 

recognizes the right to establish such schools and the 

law which ratified the Treaty of Sevres expressly 

recognizes that religious minorities have the right of 

establishing their own educational institutions. In 

spite of that the Ministry of Education turned down 

the petition. The Supreme Court in April, 1953, an 

nulled the decision of the Ministry of Education and 

COVENANTER WITNESS

ecognized the Constitutional right for evangelicals 

to have such a school. In spite of this judgment, how 

ever, the Ministry of Education still persists in its 

refusal to issue the permit on the ground that the 

Archbishop of Athens has not given his consent. It 

should be noted that the Archbishop has no legal 

right whatever to interfere in an educational matter 

of a religious minority. The Moderator of the Evan 

gelical General Assembly visited him and tried to 

persuade him to withdraw his objections. The arch 

bishop, however, was adamant in his refusal to do 

so and asked the Moderator never again to mention 

this matter to him. 

Equally unsuccessful was a visit by the Mod 

erator and other members of the Executive Com 

mittee of the General Assembly to Prof. H. Alivizatos 

who is the liaison between the Greek Orthodox 

Church and the World Council of Churches and its 

relief branch, the Church World Service. Alivizatos 

is famed as a great believer in "ecumenical" ideals. 

Unfortunately he proved even more definite than the 

Archbishop in his refusal to recognize the right for 

a small Protestant community to have a day school 

of its own. When it was pointed out to him that both 

the law of the country and the judgment of the Su 

preme Court recognize this right, he answered in 

anger that he did not care what the law and the Su 

preme Court is in this matter and that, if he were the 

Minister of Cults, he would never consent to give a 

permit to the Evangelical Church to have its own 

schools. 

Seizure of Property 

Again in Katerini Evangelicals received their 

most severe blow. Between the beautiful church 

building there and the orphanage, where fifty Greek 

Evangelical orphan boys and girls are being given a 

home, evangelicals have a piece of land which they 

have planted by their church with trees, flowers and 

shrubs and for the last thirty years has served as a 

little park as well as a place where the Sabbath School 

children meet for exercises, etc. The town munici 

pality, incited by fanatical Greek Orthodox church 

men, issued a decree by which they seized this piece 

of land, for the purpose of building a Greek Orthodox 

school. This decree of the town municipality was 

recently ratified by the King and was published in 

the State Gazette in spite of the fact that the local 

court decided in favor of the evangelicals. 

This serious blow against religious freedom 

opens the door for fanatical elements in the Greek 

Orthodox Church to lay hand on all Evangelical 

Church property without any indemnity being paid. 

Under such conditions the very existence of Evan 

gelical Christianity in Greece is imperiled. At the mo 

ment all evangelicals can be expelled from their plac 

es of worship. 

The Katerini brethren then went to the Supreme 

State Court, 

although bitter experience had taught 

them how futile this is if the Archbishop 

chooses to 

tear its judgments to pieces. On the day of the hear 

ing there was brought to the notice of the Court a 

Panteleimon 

addressed to the Holy Synod of the Church of 

letter of the Bishop of Thessalonica Mgr. 

Greece which the Synod promptly sent to the Court, 

in order to influence its judgment on the case. This 

letter is full of false statements which the bishop did 

January 5, 1955 

not hesitate to make at the expense of a small Pro 

testant Church which never did anything to incur 

his wrath. It should be noted that both the bishop 

and the Holy Synod intervened in this case, which 

was strictly between the Evangelical Church in Ka 

terini and the Municipality, wholly uninvited by ei 

ther party and of their own free will, in order to 

throw their weight in the scales against the evan 

gelicals. This proves once again beyond any doubt 

that the source of it is not so much the Greek gov 

ernment authorities, but the Orthodox Church of 

Greece that is responsible for these tragic persecu 

tions. 

Worship Services Forbidden 

Evangelicals living in villages and small towns 

in the provinces have asked for the necessary per 

mits so that they may have the right to gather for 

worship. These petitions have been turned down at 

the instigation of Greek Orthodox officials. Over and 

over again people have been thus refused the right to 

meet and worship God as Evangelical believers in 

Greece. 

The Moderator of the Evangelical General As 

sembly, Dr. G. A. Hadjiantoniou, gave a lecture re 

cently in a public auditorium of Athens on "The True 

Nature of the Church," in which he tried to show 

that the spirit of religious intolerance is unchristian 

and pleaded for a more generous spirit in the rela 

tions of the churches one with another. A second 

lecture had been planned in the same auditorium by 

the same speaker to be given a month later. The so 

ciety, however, to which the auditorium belongs, 

withdrew its permission for the lecture, having made 

it quite plain that this was done because the Office 

of the Archbishop of Athens did not give its consent. 

Greek Orthodox authorities have repeatedly re 

fused to permit Evangelicals even to bury dead in the 

public municipal cemeteries. In many 

other respects 

a decided effort is being made to uproot this little 

Church by robbing it of the small measure of relig 

ious freedom which it now enjoys. 

Protest and Prayer 

Although this Evangelical Church in Greece is 

not a member of our World Evangelical Fellowship 

and chooses to hold membership in the World Council 

of Churches, these humble people are our brethren. 

If we might be permitted to aid them American 

evangelicals would be most happy to do so. 

We protest against this unchristian treatment 

of a small Protestant minority by a nation that 

boasts of its religious freedom and by a church that 

boasts it is the one and only true Christian church. 

We protest against the utter neglect and disregard 

accorded these patient and long-suffering evangeli 

cals at the hands of the World Council of Churches. 

We ask every reader of these lines to pray for 

Dr. Hadjiantoniou and the members of the Executive 

Committee of the General Assembly and for those 

humble brethren in Katerini, Neos Mylotopos and all 

other communities who are experiencing the darkest 

hour in the 100-year history of evangelical Christian 

ity in Greece. This is not the first time in the history 

of the Church that persecution has been faced for 

loyalty of the Faith. May God give the evangelicals 

of Greece ultimate victory in His Name !

1854 One Hundred Years in Egypt 1954 

"Assuit College Its Past, Present, and Future" By Dr. Walter J. Skellie, President 

In UNITED PRESBYTERIAN 

(Condensed) 

As the Mission in Egypt celebrates its centen 

nial year we would recall the large and important 

place occupied by Assiut college, which for 91 of 

those 100 years has witnessed in the name and spirit 

of the Master Teacher to the people of Upper Egypt. 

After two attempts by the Mission to open edu 

cational work in Assiut in 1860 and 1863 had failed, 

the school which has developed into Assiut college 

was opened March 13, 1865, by Dr. John Hogg. His 

purpose was to train Christian leaders for the evan 

gelization of Egypt. Church and school were very 

closely associated in the mind of this gifted and de 

voted missionary who was used by God in the estab 

lishing of numerous congregations and schools as he 

worked out from the Assiut center. The service of 

the college to the church has always been foremost 

in all its endeavors, and the Protestant church in 

Egypt is what it is today largely because of the in 

fluence of the college, both on individuals and on the 

Christian culture of the country. 

Assiut college was born, as was the Master it 

serves, in a stable. A room on the first floor of a 

native house which had long been used for animals 

was rented and cleaned up for the beginning of a 

small day school. This school soon secured more ade 

quate quarters and passed through the stages of a 

small boarding school, 

an academy, and a college 

with a theological seminary as a part of its work un 

til the seminary was later moved to Cairo. The 

strong character of Dr. Hogg, the founder, was built 

into the very life of the school. 

Capable Egyptians Cooperate 

Loyal and capable Egyptian teachers have al 

ways played an important role in the work of the 

college, and their devoted service means much to it. 

Since 1936 three Egyptians have been members of 

the administrative faculty, and some of these men 

now serve on every faculty committee, sharing in all 

our planning. We are glad to have our Egyptian 

brethren assume these increased responsibilities, and 

we feel that the college is the richer because they 

are doing so. We are particularly grateful for the 

services of Egyptians who have had the opportunity 

of advanced study in America. Rev. Tawfik Salih was 

a tower of strength on our staff for many years .un 

til he was called to full-time work as resident pro 

fessor in the Seminary in Cairo. Rev. Badie Ibrahim, 

Rev. Fayez Fares, and Mr. Latif Tawfik Ghobrial 

have all recently secured Masters' degrees in Ameri 

ca and returned to Egypt to serve with us. Their 

knowledge of and acquaintance in the church in 

America are a great asset in this service. 

Plans are nearly 

completed for the establish 

ment of a board of trustees for the college which will 

include representatives of the Synod of the Nile, the 

Alumni association, and the Assiut Christian com 

munity. We welcome this step forward, and believe 

that it will enable the church in Egypt to feel more 

definitely that the college is theirs, and not a foreign 

institution in their midst. We do not anticipate that 

this new organization will contribute largely to the 

8 

support of the college for a few years at least. Eco 

nomic conditions in Egypt today and new economic 

legislation make it difficult for many to give much to 

such causes, but we have hope and faith to believe 

that Egyptians will assume increasing responsibility 

for every phase of the school's life and work. 

The Institution Described 

Now just what is Assiut college It is a mission 

school of 850 students and a staff of 50. It has pri 

mary, preparatory, and secondary departments and 

prepares students for Egyptian Government exam 

preministerial 

students. We have excellent grounds and 

inations, as well as giving a special course for 

buildings and equipment. Our classroom teaching as 

well as our promotional examinations are subject 

to inspection by men from the Ministry of Education, 

and these inspectors are unanimous in their high 

praise for the school and its work. Our boarding de 

partment cares for about 300 of our students. It is 

a place where parents from areas where adequate 

schools are not available can send their sons with the 

assurance that they will be well looked after, and 

where they will be trained in a cultured Christian 

atmosphere. 

The religious life of the college is of primary im 

portance. Regular religion classes and chapel exer 

cises are a part of the program for all Christian stu 

dents. Muslim students, who number about 15 per 

cent of the total, are not allowed by law to share in 

these exercises but they spend the class time in the 

library. The college has an active YMCA organiza 

tion, a CE for the boys in the preparatory depart 

ment, Sabbath school for all the boarding students, 

and regular Sabbath preaching services in which the 

staff and girls from the Pressly Memorial institute 

join with us. It is a thrill to speak to that fine au 

dience of young Egyptian Christians. The Volunteer 

band carries on services in quite a group of villages 

which would not otherwise be reached with preach 

ing 

services. Each year Religious Emphasis week is 

observed, personal work is done with students, com 

municants classes are held, and a fine group of stu 

dents unite with the church on profession of their 

faith. In short we can sum up the religious influence 

of the college by saying that it is a stronghold of 

Protestant Christianity, a leavening influence in a 

non-Christian land, a center of evangelism, and a 

training school for Christian workers. 

Future Faced In Faith 

The future of Assiut college, from the human 

standpoint, depends upon a number of factors. 

Among these is the attitude which the Egyptian gov 

ernment will take toward private schools in general 

and mission and church schools in particular. We 

have many reasons to believe that this attitude will 

be favorable on the whole. Another factor is that of 

Egyptian support. We cannot expect a great deal of 

material support from the Egyptian church for some 

time, but we believe that it will increase. The moral 

support of the church and of the community is as- 

COVENANTER WITNESS

committee" 

offerings" 

sured, for they believe that we have something spe 

cial to give their sons in character training which 

other schools do not give them. The measure of spe 

cial support which can be obtained from American 

sources is also a factor which may have a vital influ 

ence on the future of the college. Can we hope that 

another "Pittsburgh 

will be formed, not 

to secure more property and buildings, but to build 

up 

an assured income which will be adequate to meet 

the financial needs of the day in which we live and 

serve Are there not many consecrated individuals 

who are willing to make provision in their wills for 

the continuation of their interest in this type of 

Christian witness We have the equipment ; we have 

loyal and able Christian teachers ; we have abundant 

opportunity to serve. We thank God that his re 

sources are abundant and unfailing, and we believe 

that he still has a great place in his plans to use 

Assiut college in building up the Kingdom of God in 

the valley of the Nile. We face the future in faith 

that He will provide for our needs beyond all that 

can ask or think. 

Thailand Welcomes Missionaries 

From China 

By Isobel S. Kuhn and Ivan Allbutt 

Thailand is a new field, entered during the past 

three years by a task force of more than eighty 

China Inland Mission missionaries forced out of 

Communist China. In spite of the difficulties of 

learning new languages and customs, contacts have 

been made among the Yao, Lahu, Miao, Shan and 

Kachin, as well as the Lisu tribes. 

some of these languages to 

The work of reducing 

writing is well in hand, gospel primers and cate 

chisms have been produced, literacy classes are the 

order of the day, small church groups have been 

formed in several places and chapels have been built 

by the believers. 

One woman worker has been widely used in help 

ing opium addicts break their habit of taking that 

awful drug, introducing them to the God of deliver 

ance. A Lisu magazine, mimeographed and mailed 

over the border into Burma, may also be reaching 

under the Iron Curtain. The marvel of all this is that 

it has been done in the short span of three years. God 

is doing a new thing in Thailand. 

To the south, in the plains of the central prov 

inces among the Thai (pronounced tie) race, seven 

key cities now have resident missionaries, and an 

eighth city will probably be occupied before this item 

appears in print. These are carrying the Word of Life 

to the world-conscious, gracious and genteel Thai 

who are Buddhist in social life and politics as well 

as in religion. 

A barrage of gospel literature is being released 

to meet the challenge of 20,000 monasteries and 

170,000 yellow-robed Buddhist priests and novices. 

The gospel launch, Maranatha, plies the canals and 

streams that make a network of waterways, the only 

routes of communication to many towns, 

villages and 

farmsteads. Evangelistic and medical workers climb 

ing the banks of the rivers find an immediate in 

terest in their message. The gospel is new to these 

people. 

It is a new thing, too, for the Moslems of south 

Thailand to have Christian witnesses living in their 


towns. Proud of their tradition and boastful of their 

Koran, they will nevertheless listen to the missionary 

who shows them the authenticity of the Gospel rec 

ord. 

Becoming all things to all men, sitting 

people sit, diligently proclaiming the gospel in season 

and out of season 

where the 

there is nothing startlingly new 

about that for the CIM, but doing it in new ways in 

new fields is putting new life into an old mission. 

Tither's Corner 

By J. Merrill Robb 

We believe in and practice the tithe for the fol 

lowing reason : 

1. It belongs to God anyway. 

"And all the tithe of the land, 

whether of the 

seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the 

Lord's : it is holy unto the Lord" (Leviticus 27 :30) 

. 

"Will a man rob God Yet ye have robbed me. 

But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee In tithes 

and 

(Malachi 3:8). 

2. God Blesses the tither. 

"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that 

there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now 

herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open 

you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a bless 

ing, that there shall not be room enough to receive 

it" 

(Malachi 3:10). 

Surely God has "leaned over backward" when 

He blesses us for merely giving Him the tithe which 

belongs to Him anyway. 

3. It solves the tither's financial problems. 

We fare better on nine-tenths of our income 

with God's blessing than on ten-tenths of it without 

God's blessing. Can any 

one of us say how many 

times God has spared us a costly accident, sickness 

or other unfortunate happening ! 

4. It WOULD solve the church's financial problems. 

We have no way to know how many earners of 

income there are in our church. And likewise we have 

no way to know how much they earn in total. How 

ever, let us suppose that the number of earners and 

what they earn might be as shown in the figures be 

low. Then the total earnings of the church would be 

what the example shows. 

E'ach of 

Suppose whom earns That would 

there are annually total 

25 $20,000 $ 500,000 

75 10,000 750,000 

150 7,000 1,050,000 

200 5,000 1,000,000 

300 4,000 1,200,000 

400 3,000 1,200,000 

200 2,000 400,000 

1350 TOTAL $6,100,000 

Then the total earnings of the church would be 

$6,100,000 and the tithe on that amount would be 

$610,000 a year. And last year we contributed only 

$430,243 (1954 Minutes of Synod). So, wouldn't the 

tithe solve the church's financial problems, too 

Geneva

. . The 

personally." 

sick" 

girls' 

Lesson Helps for the Week of January 23, 1955 

C. Y. P. U. TOPIC 


"SPEAK FOR YOURSELF JOHN" 

Romans 12:1, 2; Ephesians 5:15-21 

(Used by permission of International 

Christian Endeavor) 

Psalms 

78:1-4, page 187 

71:12, 13, 18, 19, page 171 

108:1-4, page 270 

145:9-13, page 351 

73:9-11, page 179 

References: Ecclesiastes 9:10; Isaiah 63: 

7; Luke 12:11, 12; 21:14, 15; 21:34; John 

7:17; Col. 3:16; 4:5; 2 Timothy 4:7, 8; 

4:17. 

Comments by Remo I. Robb, D.D. 

Our topic comes from a famous old 

poetic drama "The Courtship of Miles 

Standish" 

by Longfellow. You will re 

member that General Standish (or was he 

merely a captain), a good soldier but of 

crude speech, wanted to woo Priscilla, so 

he got John Alden, 

of nice words and soft 

voice, to go and do the courting. But 

Priscilla didn't quite fancy a wooer who 

would not woo for himself, so she asked 

coyly "Why don't you speak for yourself 

John" 

I like to read and reread J. B. Phillips' 

Preface" 

"Translator's to "Letters to 

Young Churches," a free translation of 

the New Testament epistles. Although he 

declares that he does not hold "funda 

mentalist view of inspiration," he speaks 

in no uncertain admiration of the power 

and belief of the writers of the New 

Testament. Four statements will sum up 

his views: 

1. "They had a tremendous sense of 

the overwhelming Moral Perfection of 

God . 

only safe approach to, and 

in spiritual 

the only means of living 

union with such Power lies in Christ 

God become Man." 

2. Any other view of Christ was out of 

the question to these men who "were 

sure of the truth, and had in many cases 

known Christ 

3. We are apt to reduce the Christian 

religion to a set of rules of heart and life. 

To those men it was the invasion of a 

new quality of life altogether. 

4. If we believe what they believed, we 

might achieve what they achieved. 

It strikes me that if we are really com 

pletely given to the Lord Jesus Christ as 

the Gospel presents Him, we should be 

showing more openly that we are invaded 

by His Eternal Life principle, and that 

we do believe what His apostles believed. 

Are young people today only 

echoes of 

others Do we talk about the love of 

God, the working of Christ, missionary 

sayachievements, 

church hopes, sort of 

10 

ing 

what we think ought to be said 

"Speak for yourself, 

John." 

We should speak out more concerning 

our own Christian experience. If Christ 

has "invaded" our lives and crushed the 

enemy, if "He is our 

peace" 

as the Bible 

declares, then by all means we have 

something to speak. We need not fall 

back on what happened to others, or 

hundreds of years ago, "Speak for your 

John!" 

self, 

I do not mean that we should be up 

"testifying" 

every whip-stitch, or becom 

ing nuisances that people dislike seeing 

appear. That sort of thing is not to the 

glory of God. It is not even good speak 

ing for yourself. I mean that every 

Christian ought to have an experience 

of the reality of Christ, so he can speak 

out of his own heart and not have to 

rely solely 

long time ago or way 

on what Christ has done a 

off somewhere else. 

And when you have this experience, 

there will be times when you have to 

speak up for it. 

You're bowling, or golfing, with your 

friends, and they propose "a little side 

bet." 

Speak for yourself, John. 

Your 

club is picking the hide off 

some absent member in a good gossip 

session. Speak for yourself, Joanna. 

The talk is of politics, and how did you 

vote Spee

ear)." 

sixty times as much; and in other places, 

even a hundred times as much. 

After hearing this story the people went 

home and Jesus was left alone with the 

twelve disciples. When they 

were alone 

the disciples asked Jesus what He meant 

by the story He had told the people. So 

Jesus told them what the story meant. 

Instead of my telling 

you what Jesus 

said was the meaning of this parable of 

the sower, let's open our Bibles to Mark 

4 and find out the answers to some ques 

tions : 

1. What is the seed Mark 4:14 

2. To what shall we liken the ground 

whether by the wayside, or stony ground, 

or thorny ground, or good ground See 

Mark 4:15 

3. What was true in each kind of heart 

where the Word was sown Mark 4:15, 

16, 18, 20 

4. In the case of the seed sown 

by the 

wayside, whom do the "birds" represent 

that ate up the seed Mark 4:15 

5. In the case of the seed sown on 

stony ground, what does the sun repre 

sent Mark 4:17. What is the result 

6. In the case of the seed sown among 

the thorns, what do the thorns represent 

Mark 4:19. What is the result 

7. In the case of the seed sown on good 

ground what else happens besides hearing 

the Word Mark 4:20. What is the re 

sult 

And now, Juniors, Jesus didn't tell 

stories to entertain the people. He was 

teaching them. Some of them began to 

examine their own hearts, and that's 

what He wants you and me to do. When 

you go to Junior meeting do you listen 

to what your leader tells you about God 

and about His Son Jesus Christ You 

cannot help but hear the Word. But each 

one of these four groups of people heard 

the Word. So hearing isn't enough. Does 

it go in one ear and out the other Well, 

that is all right if you mean what the 

heathen man in Africa meant by it after 

he was converted. A visiting missionary 

was talking to him about the Gospel. 

"Yes," 

beamed the African, "it goes in 

one ear and out the 

other." 

You see, he 

had learned an American expression and 

he thought it fit in his case exactly. The 

missionary expressed surprise and 

groaned. 

"Oh," 

the African went on to 

explain, "the Gospel goes in here (point 

ing to one ear) and it goes all through 

me and out here (pointing to the other 

He was trying to explain that he 

received the Word into his heart and 

when he got so full of it, it just had to 

come out. And so, when we are full of the 

love of God in our hearts we just have to 

let our playmates and parents and every 

one else know of the joy which is in our 

hearts. 

For your Notebook: 

Draw four hearts. Color the first a 


sandy brown. 

"WAYSIDE." 

Under it put the word 

Color the second, brown 

with some gray stones. Label it 

"STONY" 

Color the third, brown and 

have some prickly plants here and there. 

Label it "THORNY." Color the fourth 

one green to represent growing. 

Label 

this one "FRUITFUL." Look at these 

hearts and decide which kind of heart 

you would like your heart to .be. 

I'm 

sure you will all want the "FRUITFUL" 

heart. Ask God to make your heart to 

have good ground in it and to be fruit 

ful. Only He, can give you this kind of 

heart. 

SABATH SCHOOL LESSON 


Rev. W. J. McBurney 

(Lessons based on International Sunday School 

Lessons; the International Bible Lessons for 

Christian Teaching-, copyrighted by the Inter 

national Council of Religious Education.) 

John 14:25, 26; 16:1-15; Acts 2:1-4; 3: 

1-4:31; Rom. 8:26, 27; 1 Cor. 2:9-16; 

Galatians 5:22, 23 

Printed, John 14:25, 26; 16:7-11; Acts 

2:1-4; 4:7-13, 18, 19 

The disciples had been in school three 

years, (36 months), with Christ as their 

teacher. That was equal in time to a 

four year college course. They were 

taught by lectures, example, demonstra 

tions, experience, and greatest of all, per 

sonal contact with the best teacher of 

all time. 

The Holy Spirit is the Third Person in 

the Godhead. There are many spirits 

that are not persons. We should have no 

difficulty in knowing the Author of the 

Spirit of joy, the Spirit of goodwill, the 

Spirit of the season we carelessly call 

Christmas. These spirits should not be 

personalized, 

or in anyway treated to 

supplant their Author. To caricature any 

one of these can find no defence. Pro 

fanity and reverence, when mixed, are as 

dangerous as arsenic and milk. 

Christ called the Holy Spirit "the Com 

forter." 

The word in Greek is Paiacletos. 

It is sometimes translated advocate, 

sometimes helper. We should think of the 

Holy Spirit as Comforter, Advocate, and 

Helper. Christ went away to the controle 

room, that through the Holy Spirit, He 

might be with us always. 

The Holy 

Spirit is sent to convict the 

world. To convict, there must be author 

ity, proof, wisdom to judge, and power 

to punish. 

To convict the world of sin, because it 

had denied God, and believed a lie. That 

was the first sin, and is still the fun 

damental and greatest sin. 

To convict the world of righteousness. 

What righteousness In this case, convic 

tion is akin to revelation. From His 

vantage point on the throne, Christ sends 

His Holy 

Spirit into the world, to set 

the 

righteousness of God in sharp con 

trast with the unrighteousness 

of un 

regenerate men, and so teach them to ab 

hor and forsake sin. 

Of judgment; because sin and Satan 

have been condemned, and all who hold 

with them suffer the same condemnation. 

But the righteousness of Jesus Christ is 

offered to all who will seek it from Him 

who has paid the penalty, has risen from 

the dead, and is waiting with the Father 

to grant forgiveness, 

Acts 2:1 

and salvation. 

Pentecost was the fiftieth day after 

the Passover. It was the day after the 

last Sabhath of the week of weeks. Some 

think it was the beginning of a new or 

der of weeks each year. It is not likely 

that the new world calendar will ever 

be adopted. But if it is, here is our solu 

tion; Observe the extra day, which would 

follow our Sabbath, as a Sabbath. An 

extra Sabbath would be a blessing to us, 

it we observed it. Christ told His dis 

ciples to tarry until the Holy Spirit came 

upon them, and He came on Pentecost, 

making that a sacred day. The disciples 

were together, waiting when the Holy 

Spirit came upon them. There was the 

sound of a rushing mighty 

wind. That 

was the mystery of power. Then a puri 

fying fire, which touched their tongues. 

Isaiah could not speak until a coal of 

fire from the altar had touched his lips. 

Most of the disciples could speak in two 

languages. But when the Holy Spirit 

came upon them, they were able to speak 

the language of anyone who needed the 

message. There is no virtue in speaking 

in a language that the hearers do not 

understand. This marvelous power was 

given by the Holy Spirit. Is it less mar 

velous, that today, 

under the guidance of 

the Holy Spirit, God's Word is spoken 

by His disciples in every language of the 

world, and His Word is printed in the 

language of over 90% of the world's 

population The Holy Spirit in the lives 

of men gives life to their work for Christ. 

That power is as essential to us today 

as it was to the disciples. 

play 

Acts 4:7-13 

It is hard to imagine a more gross dis 

of cowardice than Peter displayed 

at the trial of Christ. That was before 

Pentecost. Now we see him after Pente 

cost. He is on trial for his life, 

and 

knows it. He stands so strong in the con 

fidence of Christ's righteousness that the 

threat of death cannot move him. In 

stead of standing at the bar of men, Peter 

brings his judges to the bar of God. He 

accuses them of 

a crime they cannot 

deny, shows them how God has over 

ruled their wickedness, and points them 

to the Saviour who is ready to save them. 

Christ set an example that many have 

11

sin." 

way" 

you," 

you." 

verily," 

selves." 

followed, when He prayed for the salva 

tion of His murderers. To those who 

would 

destroy Peter's temporal life, he 

proclaims the way of eternal life. 

Acts 4:18, 19 

When Peter and John were accounted 

to be ignorant and unlearned men, their 

courage was thought to be from their as 

sociation with Jesus. These judges (with 

out portfolio), had seen the courage of 

Jesus, and saw it reflected in Peter and 

John. These men had been with Jesus 

too long to be either ignorant or un 

learned. The leaders of the Jews were 

right in one thing; they attributed the 

courage and learning of Peter and John 

to their association with Christ. Through 

this association, they had received the 

Holy Spirit, and by Him had been taught 

the way of life and courage. 

Christ, in His human form, was not 

able to be with His people everywhere at 

the same time. By going away He was 

able to be with them always, even to the 

end of the world, by His Holy Spirit. 

Christ's name for the Holy Spirit is 

"paracletos." 

Literally, that means, "One 

who walks beside." I read a story of a 

girl who was being followed in a crowded 

street by a very 

persistent wolf. Not 

wanting to create a scene, she put her 

hand on the arm of a passing officer, and 

said quietly, "Will you please walk with 

me a little 

When the wolf saw a 

policeman walking at her side, he van 

ished. 

With the knowledge of Christ at his 

side, Peter could answer the Jews kindly 

and firmly. He was not afraid. 

GOOD ADVICE 

Beware of sins of omission ; lose no op 

portunity of doing good of any kind. 

Be zealous of good works; willingly 

omit no work, either of piety or mercy. 

Do all the good you possibly can to 

the bodies and souls of men. Particularly, 

"thou shalt in no wise [reprove] thy 

him." 

neighbour, and not suffer sin upon 

Be active. Give no place to indolence 

or sloth ; give no occasion to say, "Ye are 

idle." 

idle, ye are 

Many will say so still; but let your 

whole spirit and behaviour refute the 

slander. 

Be always employed; lose no shred of 

time ; gather up the fragments, that noth 

ing be lost, and "whatsoever thy hand 

might." 

findeth to do, do it with thy 

Be slow to speak and wary in speaking. 

"In a multitude of words there wanteth 

not 

Do not talk much; neither long at a 

time. Few can converse profitably above 

an hour. 

Keep at the utmost distance from pious 

chitchat, from religious gossip. Plain 

Account of Christian Perfection. 

12 

PRAYER MEETING TOPIC 



LIFE: THE BELIEVER'S PRESENT 

Psalms 

POSSESSION 

John 5:24 

Psalm 5:1-3, page 8 

Psalm 63:1-5, page 153 


Psalm 30:1, 4, 5 page 69 

Scripture References: John 3:16; 6:40, 

47; 8:51; 20:31; I John 3:14; Col. 2:13; 

Eph. 2:15; 5:14. 

This is the first of a series of twelve 

prayer meeting topics on the "Verilies" 

of Jesus. The word "verily" has often 

been passed over as having little signifi 

cance, but it is in truth one of the rich 

est words to be found in Scripture. It oc 

curs fifty times in the Synoptic Gospels, 

and it appears twenty- five times in its 

reduplicated form "verily, in the 

Gospel of John. 

"Amen" 

Greek, 

is the form of this word in the 

and it is often written in its 

original form. It corresponds to the He 

brew "amen," which means firm or trust 

worthy, and was the pledge-sign of God's 

covenant with His people. Williams 

translates the word, "I solemnly say unto 

and where the word is doubled, 

renders it, "I most solemnly say unto 

Wherever this word appears it has the 

value of "Thus saith the Lord." It is 

noteworthy that this word occurs only 

in connection with the sayings of Christ. 

The sacred writers never employ it in 

any other capacity. It therefore appears 

that this is a divinely copyrighted word, 

and carries a divine seal of authority. In 

our studies we will find that there is a 

reason for this word whenever it is used, 

and that it conveys a significance that 

is not to be found in any other word. 

In the subject which is before us we 

find Jesus is making 

emphatic the 

thought that "Life is the believer's pres 

ent 

possession." 

He is telling 

us with 

great assurance that the blessings of the 

spiritual life do not wait until we are 

raised up in glory but begin immediately 

upon our believing in Him. 

This discourse of our Lord followed 

the miracle of healing the impotent man 

at the pool of Bethesda. The Jews were 

finding fault with Jesus because He had 

performed the miracle on the Sabbath 

day, and also because He had declared 

that He was equal with God. Jesus then 

spoke to them, identifying Himself with 

the Father and explaining that He had no 

power of Himself, but only as the Father 

was pleased to work through Him. In the 

21st verse He says, "For as the Father 

raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth 

them; even so the Son quickeneth whom 

he will. For the Father judgeth no man, 

but hath committed all judgment unto 

the Son." 

THE WORD THAT RESULTS IN 

BELIEVING 

Believing is the action which follows 

hearing. The Jews had heard the word but 

did not believe. The mere hearing of the 

word will not save; it is only when the 

action of believing takes place that the 

word becomes effective. When Jesus 

said to the lame man "Rise, take up thy 

bed and 

walk," 

the man believed and 

was immediately 

made whole. A sick 

man may have in his hand the doctor's 

prescription for a remedy that will cure 

his illness, but unless he goes to the 

pharmacy and has the prescription filled, 

and begins to take the medicine it will 

not help him. There are many who hear 

the word of Christ but it does not take 

possession of their hearts to the point 

that they believe and accept him. James 

writes, "But be ye doers of the word, and 

not hearers only, deceiving 

your own 

It is the hearing and believing the 

word which has changed millions of lives. 

The files of the rescue missions are re 

plete with the stories of men and women 

who have been in the gutter both figur 

atively and literally, but when they heard 

the word, believed, and it was the begin 

ning of a radically different life. It was 

not a life which they would experience 

only in heaven, but a life which had its 

beginning in the present. 

THE ONE IN WHOM WE MUST 

BELIEVE 

Jesus says that we must not only be 

lieve His word, but must also believe in 

"Him that sent 

me." 

The Father and the 

Son are identified together as the object 

of belief. We must first of all believe the 

historic record of the life of Christ, how 

He lived on this earth, taught, preached, 

performed miracles, sought out His fol 

lowers, how He suffered on the cross, 

was buried and rose again. But believing 

in Christ means more than that. We must 

believe that He is all that He claimed to 

be. He declared that He was co-equal 

with God, and was the Only Begotten of 

the Father. We must be ready to accept 

that claim, for by our rejection of it we 

make Christ the greatest imposter that 

ever lived. 

This is the doctrine the Jews refused to 

believe. They could not deny the fact 

of Jesus Christ, for He was with them 

in person. But they would not accept His 

claims; they ridiculed Him, persecuted 

Him, and even tried to 

identify Him 

with Satan. No man can 

truly be said 

to believe in Christ and the One who sent 

Him who is not prepared to affirm with 

out question that Jesus is all that He 

claimed to be. 

THE COVENANTER WITNESS

abundantly" 

storm." 

already." 

verily," 

you." 

THE RESULT OF BELIEVING IN 

CHRIST 

Here is the high point of our lesson: 

"He (the) believer hath eternal life and 

is not come into judgment. Scripture 

has not been given to us merely that we 

might know Christ as a historical person, 

but that believing in Him we might have 

life in its fullness, both here upon earth 

and in heaven. "I am come that they 

might have life and that they 

might have 

it more 

(John 10:10). 

Eternal life is more than the expecta 

tion of heaven. The life that is eternal be 

gins as soon as one believes on Christ, 

consummation in heaven. 

and reaches its 

This thought is amplified by Jesus when 

He says that the believer "is not come 

into judgment." Williams translates it, 

"He will never come under condemna 

tion." 

The judgment of the believer takes 

place at the moment he accepts Christ, 

and the final judgment has no fears for 

him. Godet expresses it in these words, 

"The judgment is thus for him an accom 

plished thing. If therefore the word re 

ceived with faith frees the believer from 

the judgment, it is because it anticipates 

it." 

A gentleman while crossing the Bay 

of Biscay, became exceedingly alarmed 

and anxious as he beheld what he 

thought was an approaching hurricane or 

tornado. He trembled and addressed him 

self to one of the sailors: "Do you think 

she will be able to live through it" 

'Through 

what" 

inquired the sailor. 

"Through that fast approaching 

The old sailor smiled and said, "Sir, you 

need not be alarmed; that storm will 

never touch us, it has passed 

So, in regard to the believer; judgment, 

so far as siri is concerned, is past already. 

Christ has been tried, 

condemned and ex 

ecuted in his stead for his sins. 

THE SURE WORD OF CHRIST 

Jesus has given us His sure word that 

these things are true. "Verily, 

"I most solemnly say unto 

No 

stronger word could be used to express 

that assurance. Christ's word can always 

be trusted, but when we find His words 

prefaced with "AMEN" it is an indica 

tion it is a truth that He wants us to be 

lieve absolutely and without a doubt. 

FOR DISCUSSION 

1. When does eternal life begin for 

the believer in Christ 

2. Why do believers need have no fear 

of the judgment 

3. Discuss the meaning of the word 

"verily" and how it is used in Scripture. 

PRAYER SUGGESTIONS 

1. For individuals in your community 

who are in need of life as a present pos 

session. 

2. For our president and members of 

congress, 

that they may 

spiritual needs of our nation. 


recognize the 

OAKDALE: Dr. J. Ren Patterson 

preached for us on November 14. 

We 

were glad to hear more of the work of 

the National Reform Association and to 

have Mr. Patterson in our midst again. 

NEW YORK CITY: Mrs. Robert Hen 

ning is in Cecil, Pa., with her mother 

regaining her strength. Miss Anna Haw 

thorne has returned to Roosevelt Hos 

pital with an attack of Yellow Jaundice. 

Mrs. Richard Weir is improving slowly. 

OAKDALE: Mrs. May Hood, who 

has been ill for several months, passed 

away at her daughter's home on Novem 

ber 22. The funeral was held at the 

R. P. Church on Thanksgiving Day, 

where Mrs. Hood had long been a faith 

ful, dependable member. Three children 

mourn her passing: Mrs. Norman Frie 

man, and Lawrence Hood of Oakdale, 

and Mrs. George Kerr of Pennsylvania. 

Sabbath, October 24, is long to be re 

membered. It was Communion. Our Pas 

tor, Rev. Donald Robb, conducted the 

services, guided by the Holy 

might sum up 

tence 

Spirit. We 

the occasion in one sen 

it made one feel he never again 

wanted to offend his Lord. The signing 

of the Covenant followed the service of 

the previous Friday evening. 

Since the last Communion Miss Janet 

Davis united with the church by profes 

sion of faith, and Mr. Leonard McKeown 

by 

letter. (Cambridge). 

REHOBOTH: Fifteen years since the 

writer was sent home from the hospital, 

after two X-rays, as a hopeless case. I 

am still shooting 

arrows wherever I can 

for more Bible in the public schools 

with emphasis on Memory Work. 

LISBON CONGREGATION lost one 

of its lifelong members in the passing of 

Anna L. Smith, a retired teacher, who 

after a lingering illness was called to her 

heavenly home on December 5, 1954. 

THE PHOEBES OF BLOOMING 

TON, Indiana, wish to pay tribute to 

the memory of Mrs. Jack Baird who, 

early one morning, was called quite sud 

denly to her eternal home. Although Eu 

genia, because of her work and heart con 

dition, could not often attend our meet 

ings, she retained a keen interest in 

what we were doing. Always she enjoyed 

her work even though it did tax her 

strength. Her friendliness radiated every 

where among those with whom she came 

in contact. Any 

occasion was brightened 

by her genial personality. "Thou shalt 

be missed because thy seat will be emp 

ty." 

We extend our sympathy to her hus 

band, her three daughters, the grand 

children, and other members of her fam 

ily. 

The Phoebes 

LOS ANGELES: Mrs. Caroline Sloan 

was called to her reward on September 

29, 1954. In other days she was well 

known amongst the active young wom 

en of the Old Eighth Street Church and 

was ever alert to the needs of missions at 

home and abroad. Mrs. Sloan moved to 

California with her daughter Mrs. Don 

McEwen, with whom she made her home. 

For years she had been almost a shutin, 

seldom having the joy of attending 

church, yet her interest in the work of 

the church held a warm place in her 

heart. The Los Angeles and Santa Ana 

pastors kept in close contact with the 

home and she delighted in the visits. 

To visit her was to be impressed with her 

enthusiasm and vigor of mind even when 

the physical powers were 

not able to 

keep up. Her home going leaves a big 

vacancy in the McEwen family life but 

precious memories will be treasured until 

the glorious reuniting 

House. 

in the Father's 

FIRST BEAVER FALLS: Dr. S. 

Bruce Willson was the assistant at our 

Communion October 10. The general 

theme was 

Covenanting" 

"Covenanting." 

"Repentant 

and "Committed Cove 

nanting" 

were the subjects presented 

Wednesday and Thursday evenings. An 

impressive Covenant Signing Service was 

held on October 8 with an address "The 

Spirit in Which We Should Covenant" 

by 

our pastor Rev. D. Howard Elliott 

and an address "Covenant Keeping" by 

Dr. Willson. The congregation (by fami 

lies) then signed the Brief Covenant. The 

Communion Service on Sabbath with the 

subjects "Covenant Grace" and "Cove 

nant Fullfillment" brought this never to 

be forgotten Communion week to a close. 

The following 

were received into the 

membership of our congregation. Mr. and 

Mrs. Willard Harsh by letter from the 

Sharon Congregation; Mrs. Betty Laszacs 

upon the profession of her faith in 

Christ. 

MORNING SUN: Mrs. H. G. Pattson 

passed away in a hospital in Orlando, 

Fla,. on Sabbath evening, December 19, 

and the funeral was held in Morning Sun, 

Friday 

at 2:30 p.m. 

PHOENIX: We are glad to welcome 

Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Graham and son, 

13

people" 

Billy; who are now residing at 1124 E. 

Portland St. Mr. Graham is working for 

the AiResearch Mfg. Co. 

FIRST BEAVER FALLS: A new 

young people's organization to be known 

as "Junior Hi" was formed in September. 

This group meets at 6:45 each Sabbath 

evening under the leadership of Miss 

Nancy Mandeville. The age group is from 

seventh grades through ninth grades. 

PHOENIX: The congregation elected 

Robert Cox 

and Fred Mackenroth as 

deacons. Following the morning service 

December 19th they 

installed to this office. 

were ordained and 

MORNING SUN: The Sabbath School 

teachers and officers met at the home of 

Milford Todd's to hold a committee 

meeting. At the conclusion Sue 

Cum 

mings carried in a lovely birthday cake 

to celebrate the birthday 

of our pastor. 

Games planned by the hostess and her 

daughters were carried out in honor of 

the birthday. 

NEW YORK CITY: The Women's 

Missionary Society 

are happy to announce they 

and Junior Guild 

$1000.00 goal set for thankoffering. 

reached the 

COLDENHAM: In connection with the 

observance of the Sacrament, October 31, 

was the swearing and signing 

of the 

Brief Covenant. On Sabbath evening the 

Newburgh brethren worshiped with us 

when their pastor Rev. Charles S. Sterrett 

delivered an impressive message on 

Broken Vows. 

WHITE LAKE: Our Sabbath School 

Christmas Party 

was held in the base 

ment of our church on the evening of 

December 23. Following the program 

gifts of candy and Christian story books 

were presented to the children. Atten 

dance awards were then passed out with 

special prizes going to Robert and Harolyn 

Bergendahl for perfect attendance in 

1954. 

FIRST BEAVER FALLS: Recent ar 

rivals at First Beaver Falls are; a daugh 

ter Rhoda Eileen born to Mr. and Mrs. 

Ralph Rohm. A daughter Janice Louise, 

born to Mr. and Mrs. Glen Harper (Lena 

Philips). A daughter Denise born to Mr. 

and Mrs. Leonard Javens. A son Orrin 

Russell born to Mr. and Mrs. Willard 

Harsh. 

Sabbath morning, November 21, 

our annual Thank Offering Service 

was 

which time Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth San 

derson told of their work in Syria. 

Rev. D. Howard Elliott administered 

the sacrament of baptism on December 

5 to Rhoda Eileen Rhome and to Orrin 

Russell Harsh. 

Dr. G. M. Robb is accepting the call 

to KANSAS CITY and expects to take 

14 

at 

up the work there about the middle of 

January. 

HOT SPRINGS, N. M. 

Greetings to the Editor and Staff of the 

Covenanter Witness, and also to the 

many Church friends who are encourag 

ing the work of the Hot Springs Congre 

gation by prayers and good wishes. 

Miss Elda Patton, 

and her brother, 

Renwick, and her nephew made a brief 

passing-through-town visit at the Dr. 

Edna White Clinic and the Hot Springs 

R. P. Chapel on their return trip to San 

Diego. Even brief visits are much ap 

preciated by the Hot Springs Covenant 

ers. 

The Rev. and Mrs. Paul D. White, 

and the Wendell White family,, of Den 

ver, 

visited the Hot Springs Whites over 

Thanksgiving, and were present for the 

Thanksgiving Dinner and Testimonial 

service in the Chapel. They called on 

Elder and Mrs. John Dale Russell, in 

Santa Fe, on their way home. 

The Rev. 

Philip Martin family has 

cast its lot in Hot Springs. Their help in 

this small congregation, where "laborers" 

have been so few, is greatly appreciated. 

Already Mrs. Martin is proving her skill 

in helping to care for some of Dr. Edna 

White's patients. 

The Dr. Edna W. White Clinic plays 

an important part in the life of the Hot 

Springs Congregation, not only in provid 

ing employment for several of its mem 

bers, but in interesting patients in the 

work of the Church. 

The aim of the 

Clinic is to reach from the physical to the 

Spiritual. Recently, an inval'd patient 

told of the funeral director's wife (a 

Roman Catholic) reporting to her the 

funeral service of her husband. The de 

ceased husband had requested that 

"Boyd" 

(White) 

should conduct his fu 

neral rervice. With tears streaming down 

her cheeks, this Roman Catholic woman 

told the bereaved widow that "the singing 

of the 23rd Psalm, by Mrs. Cunningham, 

Dr. Edna and Boyd White, was the 

song" 

most beautiful sacred she had ever 

heard. Then the White's and Mrs. Martin 

sang the Psalm for the patient, following 

with the Lord's Prayer at her request. 

A Testimony for the Psalms. 

For several month", 

one of the special 

courses of Bible Study in the Hot Springs 

Sabbath evening services has been in the 

Acts of the Apostles. This Book of the 

Beginnings of the Christian Church, with 

its mi-sionary reach from Jerusa^m and 

Judea to other lands, has been inspiring 

to the young Hot Springs Congregation. 

The zeal and courage of the Apostle Paul 

and his co-laborers should inspire church 

workers today to press forward in King 

dom labors in every community, regard 

less of discouragements and opposition. 

Had the Apostle Paul been carrying on 

his missionary work in modern times, 

no doubt, the "Jews" who 

opposed him 

would have made use of air-mail, long 

distance telephones, and radio to "stir 

up the 

in cities before Paul ar 

rived, and they might even have dropped 

bombs on Paul instead of stoning him. 

Old Satan hasn't changed, and he is cer 

tain to use modern methods to oppose 

faithful missionary efforts to proclaim 

the Blessed Gospel of our Lord and Re 

deemer. Shall we be less zealous and 

courageous than was Paul 

BLOOMINGTON, IND. 

Two of our members are now able to 

worship with us again after being con 

fined to the hospital for a time. They are 

Mrs. Ellsworth Moore and Mrs. Robert 

Curry, Jr. 

The annual Sabbath School Christmas 

Party will be held at the church Decem 

ber 23. The congregation and parents of 

the children are invited. Carols will be 

sung 

and the children will be presented 

gifts by Santa Claus. 

Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Sanderson 

spoke to us recently at a Sabbath evening 

service on their work in Syria. Mrs. San 

derson also gave a short talk to the Sab 

bath School children concerning their 

work there. 

GERARD IRVING BACHE 

entered into Rest September 20, 1954, at 

the age of 42. He endured his final years 

of physical weakness and suffering with 

triumphant faith in Christ. His funeral in 

the Coldenham Church was largely at 

tended, and his body committed in the 

Cemetery nearby, as he had requested, in 

testimony of his faith. Following his 

faith, in the Covenanter Church, are his 

widow, and daughters Carolyn, 9, and 

Bonnie Sue, 7. Among the many pleasant 

memories of their devoted husband and 

father, are his commendation of them in 

prayer to the Lord their shepherd, his 

teaching them to "Sing Psalms unto 

Him," 

along with the example of his 

faith in often singing with them a favor 

ite : 

a 

"In Thee, O Lord, I put my trust." 

DOROTHY ARNOTT RAU, 

member of Coldenham congregation, 

departed this life October 19, 1954. In 

addition to other trials of her faith was 

an incurable bodily affliction, which she 

endured 

uncomplainingly and cheerfully, 

always having a smile for everyone. With 

scant support in it from the members of 

her own family, husband, two daughter, 

two sons, two brothers, she held fast the 

profession of her faith in Him who alone 

can give and reward such 

faith, saying, 

"Blessed is the man that endureth 

temp 

tation, for when he is tried, he shall re 

ceive the crown of life, which the Lord 

has promised to them that love Him." 

COVENANTER WITNESS

MEETING OF THE FOREIGN 

MISSION BOARD 

The Board of Foreign Missions met 

in the 23rd Street Y.W.C.A., December 

14, from 10 A.M. to 6 P.M., except for a 

brief period for lunch. The meeting was 

opened with prayer by the President, W. 

K. Metcalfe. Fourteen members were 

present. Devotions, based on Phil. 2:19- 

24, were conducted by Rev. R. A. Hen 

ning. 

The Recording Secretary, having an 

nounced his intention to accept a call 

to Kansas City, tendered his resignation. 

His resignation was accepted with re 

grets, and a rising vote of thanks was 

given him for his efficient service, and 

a resolution of thanks for the minutes 

was ordered to be prepared by Rev. J. P. 

Wilson. 

The balloting for a new Recording 

Secretary 

resulted in the election of T. J. 

Wilson. Since he was not present, Rev. 

R. A. Henning was chosen, and acted, as 

Recording Secretary 

pro tern. 

The Treasurer, Mr. C. R. Fox, re 

ported an overdraft of $12,340, and $5,000 

in bonds that had been called in was 

referred to the Finance Committee for 

recommendations as to investment. Dr. 

G. M. Robb led in a prayer of thanks 

giving 

for God's continued blessing in 

providing funds for mission work. 

In the correspondence reported by the 

Corresponding Secretary, Rev. C. S. Ster 

rett, was an interesting letter which 

promised $1,000 to help in sending an 

other new missionary to Japan, providing 

the missionary would be sent out by Sep 

tember, 1955. This and some other mat 

ters in the correspondence got attention 

in the general discussions and special 

intercessions following recess, but no 

definite action at this meeting. 

The advertising of our mission work 

got some action, as was recommended 

by the Finance Committee, Mrs. Olive 

Beatty, Chairman. A new brochure has 

been prepared, ordered printed, and cop 

ies are to be sent to the congregations 

of the Church. A special page in the 

Covenanter Witness is to be requested, 

and an advertisement inserted in Evan 

gelical Action, to run for six months. 

The Constitution for a newly proposed 

Governing Body for Larnaca Acad 

emy, Cyprus, consumed about three 

hours of the Board's time in discus 

sion. Dr. W. W. Weir, by request, 

was present to present his views 

on the subject. Elder Niklaus Hagmann 

ably championed our denominational 

ideal for a mission school. Others par 

ticipated in the discussion pro and con. 

The question was involved with our 

former "Re-study 

of our Mission Pro 

gram in the Near East," and resulted in 

no action about it, 

except the passing of 

a motion to consider the matter further 


at a special meeting of the Board, set 

for January 18, 1955. 

Reported by Rev. W. C. McClurkin. 

A COVENANTER COMMUNION IN 

SAN DD3GO 

By Walter McCarroll 

It was my privilege to assist 'Dr. Ed 

gar in that congregation's second com 

munion. The high day 

of the feast was 

Sabbath November 28 with a prepara 

tory service Friday night, which had been 

preceded by a Thanksgiving service on 

the Thursday at which time was inaug 

urated a new 

building fund for a much 

needed addition to the church to meet 

the requirements of a growing Sabbath 

School. Saturday was a strenuous day 

for the Pastor in visiting and in pro 

longed conferences with prospective mem 

bers. At the Session meetings Friday 

night and Sabbath morning seven new 

members were received into the fellow 

ship of the Church: Mrs. Roberta Kem 

per and son Van; Mr. and Mrs. Marvin 

McKensie; Mrs. Norma Runkle; Wayne 

Adams; and Ronnie Foss. There were 

six baptisms: Norma Runkle and daugh 

ter Lynn, Wayne Adams, Ronnie Foss, 

Van Kemper, and Debise McKenzie. This 

brought the total membership to 46. The 

congregation was organized with 39 mem 

bers. 

A table was spread across the front of 

the church which accommodated most 

of the communicants which 

42. Some members were away 

numbered 

from the 

city at the time. The action sermon was 

preached by the guest minister from the 

familiar text, "He brought me into the 

banqueting house, and His banner over 

me was love." (Song of Solomon 2:4). 

After the usual reading and explaining of 

the words of Institution the communicant 

members came to the table singing a 

part of the 45th Psalm. It was a time of 

refreshing from the presence of the Lord. 

The congregation pays $700 toward the 

pastor's salary, and are making pay 

ments on a parsonage as well as retiring 

$1,000.00 borrowed from the Board of 

Church Erection for the completion of the 

church building. The prospects are good 

for the congregation to become self-sus 

taining within a few years. 

Under the efficient leadership of Dr. 

and Mrs. Edgar the congregation has just 

completed participation in the Christian 

Life Magazine's annual Sabbath School 

attendance contest which lasted from 

October 10 to November 14. This in 

volved an almost unbelievable amount of 

publicity 

and promotion before tê con 

test began. Then continued publicity and 

promotion each week of the contest. Then 

after the contest is over, the preparation 

of a Contest Scrapbook, consisting of 

samples of publicity 

and pictures of the 

contest in its various aspects. Then an 

8-page entry blank to fill out giving ad 

ditional information. All of which has to 

be sent in to the Magazine to be laid 

before the judges. There are six different 

Classes set 

up by the Magazine, depend 

ing on the size of the school. Our School 

was in Class E in competition with other 

schools all over the world, having an at 

tendance last year between 75-125. 

50% 

of the score is based on the in 

crease in attendance for the six weeks 

period over against the average atten 

dance for the preceding twelve months; 

30% on the promotion before and during 

the contest, and 20% upon the visitation 

preceding and during the contest. The at 

tendance increased during the contest 

from an average of around 100 last year 

to about 230 for the six weeks of the con 

test. The high point was reached on the 

last day 

of the contest when 265 were 

present. 385 different persons were pres 

ent at one time or another during that 

six 

weeks' 

period. It is the aim of the 

school to keep attendance up 

around the 

200 mark during the coming year, which 

is more than they have space to accom 

modate in the church. They used garages, 

a living room and a tent, with one class 

outside during the contest. The building 

fund, inaugurated on Thanksgiving Day, 

at last report had grown to $400. The ad 

ditional class rooms have become a 

necessity, and work will be begun as soon 

as the necessary funds are available. 

I was entertained in the beautiful new 

home of Dr. and Mrs. Edgar, located on 

a mountain side, about ten minutes drive 

from the church, and commanding a view 

of a land of far distances. The success of 

the work has been due in large part to the 

untiring and devoted labors of Dr. and 

Mrs. Edgar, assisted by a fine corps of 

workers in school and church. The Cove 

nanter work in San Diego should com 

mand the prayer support of the entire 

church. 

A NEW YEARS GREETING 

We pray that you may all survive 

Twelve happy months in '55. 

And many years thereafter. 

May all the tears and all the fears 

Have compensating laughter! 

If brilliant rays filled all your days 

And none of them deficient 

There'd be no place for heav'nly grace 

Which God says is sufficient. 

The thorns in flesh are sent to mesh 

With our own soul's resistance; 

They build up strength that will at length 

Increase our faith's persistence. 

INTERCESSION 

D. R. T. 

In traveling among the nations, John 

R. Mott made it a practice to study the 

sources of the spiritual movements which 

transform whole communities. Invari- 

15

myself." 

stars." 

ably, when he could reach the source, he 

found it to be intercessory prayer. 

"I heard of a 

man," 

he says, "who 

intercession." 

spent three hours a day in 

When someone asked him, "How can 

we multiply intercessions" he replied, 

"I used to lay down a great many points 

on how to get people to pray, but I have 

made up my mind that the only way to 

get them to do it is to do it 

OPEN LETTER 

War Cry. 

To the COVENANTER WITNESS: 

The sermon, CHRISTMAS OR SAT 

URNALIA, (WITNESS January 8), is 

timely at any time of the year. If every 

Christian could read that sermon, it 

would have a revolutionary 

some modern practices. 

effect on 

It is a pity, however, that the analy 

sis of the name Xmas by Rev. Edersveld 

is not correct. If X was the sign of the 

unknown quantity that would be well. 

The tragedy of it is that the X in Xmas 

is the initial of the Greek Xristos, Christ. 

We need to question the meaning of 

the mass, 

which is little known to most 

of us. If we considered the meaning of 

the mass, we would not associate Christ's 

name with it. It would be well to con 

sider the mass as an unknown, or ques 

tionable quantity. 

We should not associate Christ's Name 

or initial, with a profane institution. If 

we consider the birth of Christ reverent 

ly, we will not associate with it any 

pagan or idolatrous practices, or the 

hip hip hurrah of fun making, that are 

so common in our thought and practice 

in connection with the profane name 

Christmas or Xmas. If we wish to refer 

to the Roman institution, let's call it 

mas. 

We hold in reverent thought the birth 

of Christ. We should never name it ir 

reverently, or treat it profanely. 

OPEN LETTER 

W. J. McBurney 

To the Editor of The Covenanter Wit 

ness: 

The open letter by the Rev. Alvin W. 

Smith in the issue of December 8, 1954, 

opposing my 

statements on the subject 

of temperance (S. S. lesson for November 

7, 1954), fails to grasp the real point of 

my 

remarks. Perhaps a few additional 

remarks will help to prevent any further 

misunderstanding of my views. 

My 

statements in the Sabbath School 

Lesson do not imply a denial of the duty 

of total- abstinence; I believe in and ad 

vocate total-abstinence from alcohoilc 

beverages. 

Any sober person will readily acknowl 

edge that beverage alcohol creates a 

serious problem. But my 

contention is 

that as Christians we ought to have a 

16 

sound biblical view of what the problem 

"Bd 8 qarnqsq^Ta: 

really is. The temperance probem, ac 

hearts of men; for its poison; for its bit- Changing Times. 

cording to the Bible, is not simply a re 9AV. tIU9(J eit^ 

sult of alcohol, but rather the result of 

A

again" 

new" 

saved" 

LESSON HELPS FOR THE WEEK OF JANUARY 30, 1955 

THE FIELD tS THE WORLD, 

TW 5rrO (S THE WORD OP GOD 

" 

VOLUME LIV WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1955 NUMBER 2 

Happy Sew 

Year 

or is it a HAPPY new year That will depend upon 

the way in which you will face this coming year. 

Some face it with a hangover. They have hur 

ried the old year out with a hoot and noised the new 

one via the pathways of this world's fancied plea 

sures. 

Some face it with a horror. They know that the 

of one year for another will not of itself 

dropping 

make any welcome change, for there will be a carry 

over of problems and perplexities. 

Some face it with a hush. Perhaps stark tragedy 

has struck during this dying year. Or maybe now at 

the time-threshold, some loved one is "lingering in 

shadows," 

the land of the long and they walk softly 

wishing that this were not a new year. 

Here and there will be found those who face it 

hallelujah." 

with a "heavenly These are they who 

have been to Calvary, having come to know the bles 

sed marvel of, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, 

he is a new creature : old things are become (2 

Corinthians 5:17). Being "born (John 3), 

there has truly been a brand new beginning. These 

have given heed to the requirement of, "repentance 

Christ" 

toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus 

(Acts 20:21). These are safely anchored in the 

"Haven of Rest," and are more than able to declare, 

"I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded 

that he is able to keep that which I have committed 

unto him against that day" (2 Timothy 1:12). Yes, 

For them it is truly HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

There is no true NEW year, and there is certain 

ly no HAPPY new year, if it be commenced without 

Christ and without Calvary. That is a final fact ! 

I have nothing but pity and sorrow for, you if 

you face this new year with mere resolutions. What 

is vitally needed is not resolution, but revolution! 

There needs to be a radical change in the entire life 

makeup. What is desperately necessary is not "turn 

ing over a new leaf" (for the whole book is stained 

with sin !) but the transformation of a new life. Hear 

the Word of the Lord: "He that heareth my word, 

and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting 

life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is 

passed from death unto life" (John 5 :24) 

. 

It will not be wise nor well for you to say, as you 

have been saying for all these past new years, "Well, 

I will try to do better," for such a "better" without 

the Blessed One, is bitter indeed. Why not say in 

stead : "I will not try to do better but will do the very 

best, the only right and proper thing. I will turn my 

Christ." 

self completely over to the Lord Jesus 

It is not petty promises made to yourself that 

count. Rather, what is vitally important are God's 

and defi 

powerful promises, so marvelously, clearly 

nitely underwritten in the blood of the cross. 

When Christ is claimed and crowned, then ev 

erything becomes blessedly NEW! And certainly 

these years which are now past should have more 

than sufficed for rejection and refusal. Who can dare 

tell if you shall reach the end of this present year 

and welcome another new one 

"Come now, and let us reason together, 

Lord" 

(Isaiah 1:18). "Believe on the Lord Jesus 

Christ, and thou shalt be (Acts 16:31). 

saith the 

Let Christ come into your heart, then this will 

indeed be a HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

Edwin Raymond Anderson 

American Tract Society a non-profit organization 

Publishers of Christian literature since 1825 

21 West 1,6th Street, New York 36, N. Y.

generation.' 

open." 

virtue" 

' 



Where Covenanters Were Hanged 

The place in Edinburgh, called Grassmarket Square, 

where approximately one hundred Covenanters were hanged 

because of their faith, is now considered a place of honor. 

The place where the gallows stood is now marked by a cir 

cular raised section of the pavement, and this is surrounded 

by a stone wall. This was done by the Edinburgh Corpora 

tion, and we are told in the Reformed Presbyterian Witness 

that the suggestion was first made by some American visitors, 

and promoted by one of the councilors. We are pleased that 

this has been done as it was difficult for a stranger to learn 

exactly where the spot was when so many Covenantsrs were 

executed. 

Dedication 

The ceremony of dedication took place on October 24 at 

which there were a number of prominent officials and the 

Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) as a guard of honor. "The 

Duke of Hamilton in his speech referred to the National Cove 

nant of 1638, as embodying principles which shaped the pat 

tern of Scottish religious life. It was a document which stood 

for liberty without the sacrifice of loyalty, and for tolerance 

wherever such was compatible with truth, said the Duke. He 

closed: 'May this simple ceremony and fitting 

memorial to 

Scots who died for the Kirk inspire us. to renew our cove 

nant with Him who is the Light and Truth for men of every 

garden and declared it 

Thereafter he unlocked the gate of the memorial 

How often true Christian patriots have been imprisoned 

or martyred for their unyielding 

ored in later years! 

Lessons for Today 

faith and their names hon 

We think of the Communist leaders of Rursia and China 

as being most atrocious in their methods of persecuting and 

"liquidating" 

men and women today. But let us remember 

that the Romanist and Prelatic leaders in Scotland some three 

hundred years ago were just & 

bloodth'rsty and fearfully 

cruel in their day in the manner in which they hunted down 

the faithful, imprisoned, mutilated, shot, starved, burned and 

hung them. The boot, the rack, the thumbscrew, the dungeon, 

the fire, the gallows were used to torture and to kill not once 

but hundreds and thousands of times. Think of men, under 

the guise of patriotism and religion, 

as in the case of Hackston, 

cutting out his heart with a knife while he was yet alive! 

Why 

Reform Communists 

do we refer to these terrible p~sccut:on:; Not to 

condemn the Scottish people in general then, and certainly 

not today, but to lead us to realize that Russia is not hope 

less. God may, and we believe will, in His own good t;ne, put 

down the forces of evil and persecution in Russia and bring 

about a reformation and revival there as he has done in 

Scotland. His hand is not shortened that it cannot save. The 

great nations of the world are in His hand as the dust of the 

balance. He can change the hearts of rulers as rivers of water. 

Universal Training 

By the time this appears in print the issue of Universal 

Military Training will probably be before our Congress and 

18 

therefore before the people of the nation, for it is repeatedly 

affirmed that the administration intends to have a bill intro 

duced which, though not called by this name, amounts to 

universal military training. Just this morning, as we write, one 

senator was reported by a radio announcer as saying that he 

would push for higher pay for common soldiers and that 

would result in a sufficient number of volunteers so that we 

would not need a law enforcing universal training. 

Why Oppose It 

We oppose universal military training on various grounds, 

but mainly because of the moral debauchery which so com 

monly results. It ir now reported that evil mcral conditions 

and Japan 

surrounding our occupation forces in Germany 

have improved. We hope that is true. But the editor in The 

Christic

process" 



FRANCE WAVERS 

The French National Assembly has ratified the key 

treaty for rearming West Germany within a seven-nation 

Western European Union. But the decision was by the 

narrow margin of 287 to 260, after the Assembly had once 

rejected the treaty. The pact restores sovereignty to the 

German Federal Republic, admits it to NATO, 

and author 

izes a force of half a million German soldiers. Because of 

France's traditional fear of German military might, Premier 

Mendes-France had to stake the life of his government on 

the issue. Failure would have meant political chaos both 

in France and among the Western allies. All political 

parties except the Communists were sharply divided, and 

the French situation is still precarious as Mendes-France no 

longer commands the big majorities he had last summer. 

The French upper house still must ratify the treaty. 

The British House of Commons and Italian Chamber of 

Deputies have already done so, while the lower house in 

West Germany has given preliminary approval. The U. S. 

Senate also must act on the restoration of sovereignty for 

West Germany and her admission into NATO. Complete 

approval is likely within two or three months. French 

hostility toward Germany has dimmed the alliance's pros 

pects, however, for organizational machinery is dead without 

a spirit of cooperation. 

END OF THE G. I. BILL 

President Eisenhower is terminating the 

fits commonly known as the "Korean G. I. 

veterans* 

bene 

Bill." 

Persons 

now in service will still get these benefits, but they will 

not apply to anyone entering 

and those already serving 

eligibility 

service after January 31, 

cannot accumulate additional 

after that date. The rights thus ended include 

education and training allowances up to three years at a 

maximum rate of $160 a month; loan guarantees for farms 

and businesses; 

unemployment compensation up to $26 a 

week for twenty-six weeks; 

and mustering-out pay of $100 

to $300. Also terminated, for Korean veterans, is govern 

ment hospital care for disabilities not connected with ser 

vice. The Korean G. I. benefits were costing about $45 mil 

lion a month and would have gone higher if continued. 

Their conclusion is 

in line with President Eisenhower's 

belief that peacetime service is a universal obligation which 

does not deserve any special rewards. His action does not 

end the state of national emergency proclaimed by Presi 

dent Truman at the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950. 

Various defense agencies still derive their power from this 

"emergency." 

SECURITY CHECKUP 

The Senate Civil Service Committee will soon begin in 

vestigating the security program for government employees. 

Strong 

protests have been made over the case of Wolf 

agricultural attache at our 

Ladejinsky, embassy in Tokyo. 

The State Department gave him several security clearances, 

one as recently as last April. A few weeks ago his job was 

transferred to the Agriculture Department, 

which removed 

him on security grounds. Ladejinsky is a Russian Jew who 

came to the U. S. in 1922 and was naturalized. Agriculture 

officials 

objected that he still has relatives in Russia and 

that he worked as an interpreter for Amtorg, Soviet trad 

ing agency, in 1931. This ouster has raised a storm of protest 


from Congressmen, the State Department, and anti-Com 

munists in Japan. 

During the recent election campaign many Democrats 

charged that the personnel security system, set up by 

President Eisenhower in April, 1953, was being used for 

partisan purposes. They also claim that employees are 

harrassed by interminable security checks, with different 

agencies making different findings on the same facts. 

There is no doubt that the program has hurt the morale 

of government workers and is a source of difficulty in re 

cruiting 

new personnel at the upper levels. The present 

system makes the head of each executive department re 

sponsible for security in his jurisdiction. The Democrats 

now advocate a single central security board, with one 

set of standards for the whole program. 

ASIAN-AFRICAN MEETING 

Five Asian premiers have met in Indonesia and issued a 

call for an Asian-African conference late in April. India, 

Pakistan, Ceylon, Burma, and Indonesia are the sponsoring 

powers, with Indonesia as the host. Thirty countries will 

be invited, ranging from Japan to Liberia. If all accept, 

the conference will represent over half the world's popula 

tion. Communist China is invited, but not the Nationalists. 

The Union of South Africa is also excluded because of its 

racial policies. Race questions and colonialism will be among 

the topics discussed. Our government is afraid the confer 

ence may be taken over by the Communists, but will prob 

ably encourage those countries friendly to us to attend, 

as a counterbalance. 

LOYALTY TEST 

The whole loyalty program is also being tested in a 

case now before the Supreme Court. Dr. John Peters, pro 

fessor of medicine at Yale University, was twice cleared, 

and then dismissed on security grounds. He claims that 

his constitutional rights were violated because loyalty 

hearings do not follow "due process of law." The accused 

cannot confront or cross-examine his accusers, and often 

is never even told the charges against him. The Engineers 

and Scientists of America, an organization of 40,000 defenseplant 

workers, has filed a brief supporting Dr. 

tion. 

Peters' 

posi 

Government attornies claim that a government job is a 

privilege, not a right; that dismissal does not imply con 

viction of any crime; and that constitutional guarantees of 

"due 

therefore do not apply. Certainly the FBI 

would be badly crippled if all security proceedings had to 

be conducted as public trials. Unfortunately, the actual ef 

fect of the security dismissal is to taint a person's character 

and make it difficult for him to find employment anywhere. 

The Supreme Court has a delicate decision before it. 

SAFETY BY AIR 

U. S. civil avaition established an all-time safety record 

in 1954, with less than one fatality 

per billion passenger 

miles on scheduled flights. The airlines carried about 35 

million passengers for a total of 21 billion passenger-miles. 

There were a number of serious crashes, but they involved 

foreign or military aircraft. Airplane flight continued, 

as it 

has for many years, to be much safer than travel by auto 

mobile. The New Year's weekend ran up a shocking total 

of 259 traffic deaths in 54 hours. 

19

along" 

name." 

The Editor's Page 

Why 

Stand Ye Here Idle 

'Not oWy is he idle who is doing nothing, he also is idle who is not doing his best.: 

An Inspirational TV Program 

While many TV programs bring undesirable sug 

gestions into our homes (if we will let them), in 

fairness it must be said that there are others that 

leave a lasting impression for good. "This Is Your 

Life," 

for example. Each week it presents the life 

story of some relatively obscure person who is doing 

a magnificent humanitarian or Christian work. The 

person is enticed on various pretexts to go to Cali 

fornia where the programs originate, and suddenly 

finds himself or herself in the focus of the several. 

TV cameras, and facing a large audience of specta 

tors. One one a number of persons who 

by 

have been 

the beneficiaries of this life are brought on the scene 

in chronological order from all parts of the world and 

after mutually affectionate embraces and kisses, the 

incident of previous contact sometimes fifty years 

or more ago is related ; that person retires and the 

next one comes. The show ends with all these rela 

tives, students, patients or what have you appear 

ing together, with presentation of gifts such as 

movie camera, projector, film record of the program, 

a Mercury sedan, expense trip and maybe a million 

dollars to continue the good work begun, and a ban 

quet promised in a nearby ritzy hotel for all these 

friends. 

On a recent evening the announcer walked up 

the aisle of the well-filled auditorium saying that the 

subject for the program would be chosen from the 

audience ; he handed the book of biography to a gray 

ing negro on the end chair of the front row and asked 

open the book and 

him if he would untie the string, 

lead the name inside. He read "Lawrence Jones, why 

that's my name! There must be another man with 

that He had been brought to California to 

address the Rotarians and brought to the program as 

the guest of the Rotarian president. On being as 

sured that he was the intended victim of the plot he 

was escorted to the settee on the stage. The early 

years of his life were related by the MC. Born in St. 

Joseph, Mo., 

crooned to sleep by mother and grand 

"Inchin' inchin' 

mother with the spiritual, along, 

he began the long upward climb. 

The Jones family moved to a small community 

in Iowa where he received his elementary and second 

ary education. A lady high school classmate was 

present to tell us that her class had chosen Lawrence 

to write their class song but as the weeks went by 

were afraid 

they confided to the principal that they 

Lawrence was going to let them down, but he assured 

them that if Jones were given the responsible duty 

he would produce the goods, and he did. Being the 

first negro to graduate from the school and such a 

worthy boy, 

the town gave him an ovation on com 

mencement day, 

and made him feel that the world 

would recognize true worth regardless of the color 

of the skin. The next tribute was paid by a high 

executive from an insurance company flown in from 

20 

Des Moines to tell of Mr. Jones' service to their col 

lege fraternity where he waited on tables, blacked 

boots, etc. while working his way through college. On 

graduation he had the offer of several jobs but de 

clined them all because he wanted to help his own 

people. 

Next he was presented as the young graduate, 

sitting on a log in Piney Woods, Miss., meditating on 

James A. Garfield's famous remark that Mark Hop 

kins on one end of a log and a boy on the other con 

stituted a university. With $1.65 in his pocket, he of 

fered to open a free school for all the children who 

would come, and a single boy showed up for regis 

tration on the first day. But the school grew rapidly 

and before cold weather began they were given an 

abandoned sheepshed and forty acres of worn-out 

"inchin' along." 

land. The theme song was still The 

school continued to grow, adding 

equipment and 

appeal had 

buildings as means permitted, but finally 

to be made for community support, and trustees 

were chosen, and one lumber man offered 10,000 

feet of lumber. Students from far and near now fill 

' 

the large dormitories. 

A white lady with a Ph.D. came from Columbia 

to the school for a commencement address, and re 

mained to serve and is still there. Several of the 

alumni et alumnae came to add their tributes of love 

among them a tall fine-looking Baptist minister, 

housewives, teachers, carpenters, and a lady county 

superintendent who attributed her life success to a 

saying of Lawrence Jones quoted above "Not 

only 

is he idle who is doing nothing, he also is idle who is 

not doing his best." Another said "He taught us how 

to be Christians as well as students." 

After giving 

the usual gifts to Mr. Jones, the climax was an ap 

peal to the listeners to contribute to the continuation 

of this institution after its founder passes on, a dol 

lar from each donor, with the ultimate goal a million 

dollars. The report two weeks later was that more 

than half the sum had already come in. And it is 

still 

"inchin' along." 

PUT THIS QUESTION SERIOUSLY TO 

YOURSELF, "AM I IDLE" 

After viewing the lives of such men and women 

who in their own generation set on fire the lives of 

thousands and in following generations, tens of thou 

sands for Christ, I confess to a 

feeling akin to envy 

and shame. But some of us were not created to be 

apostles, or even teachers, but every person's best is 

equal in the sight of God, whether we gained one 

pound or ten. But BEST is a big word. And big op 

portunities are all about us. 

Our Church's Budget is a tremendous opportun 

ity, practical and within the reach of every person 

that has a dime. Recent articles of Rev. Sam Boyle 

seemed to have touched many hearts regarding the 

need for more workers in Japan, and here is hoping 

that others may be encouraged to believe this is 

COVENANTER WITNESS

possible." 

ministers' 

within the range of possibility. In the Tither's Cor 

ner of two weeks ago we read of a pastor's family 

who out of a salary of less than $3,000 and parsonage 

are giving two tithes to make this possible. Subtract 

two tithes and the income tax on the balance, then 

subtract the result from your income after your giv 

ing to benevolence and taxes, and how much have 

you left A layman tells us in last week's Tither's 

Corner that he estimates there are 25 families with 

incomes of $20,000 in the church. That seems like a 

wild guess to the writer who deals in smaller figures, 

and I almost hope for their sakes and ours that it 

is not so because Jesus said such incomes are dan 

gerous. ' How hardly shall they that have riches en 

ter into the Kingdom of God!" but "With God all 

things are The safety valve in such in 

comes is not the tithe but multi-tithes. An analyst 

interviewed several hundred alcoholics, and found 

a large percentage of them were college graduates, a 

larger number high school graduates, a small per 

centage in the lower educational brackets, but of 

these the great majority were the descendents of 

rich parents. Dare you take that risk Those Israel 

ites who thought to store up manna for a rainy day 

discovered that it bred worms and stank, and it still 

does. But God has established a bank for surpluses 

in Heaven where neither moth or rust can corrupt 

and confidence men have never held it up, or swin 

dled a depositor. "He is idle who is not doing his 

best." 

Idle money comes under the same condemna 

tion. 

SHALL WE MAINTAIN OUR INTEGRITY 

An integer is a whole number as opposed to a 

fractional or mixed number. To disintegrate is to 

break up the completeness or integrity of a sub 

stance. The Budget system was adopted in order to 

integrate the whole giving of the church. Some folks 

sincerely believe that if the budget system were 

given up, more money would be given. They want to 

pick and choose the objects they will support. Maybe 

they do not like to give to the Widows and Orphans 

Fund. A young minister dies in early life, having 

spent his life and all his funds serving the church for 

a mere subsistance (or less) wage. His widow out 

lives him by forty or fifty years struggling to sup 

port and educate small children, and ends up in her 

old age scrubbing floors in an office building (an 

actual case). Does the contributor who refuses to 

have any 

of his contribution used in her support or 

for the pension fund $600.00 per annum, 

think God will think more of him and reward him 

because he gave all his contributions to missions 

Every fund on the budget is a necessary one neces 

sary to the complete work of the church, whether 

Seminary, College, Aged People's Home, or even the 

Covenanter Witness. I suppose when Moses was col 

lecting materials for the tabernacle, there were some 

who insisted that their contribution would all be used 

to gold-plate the wings of the cherubim. Let the poor 

folks supply the badger skins dyed red. They did not 

realize that those red badger skins were a necessary 

prerequisite to the Mercy Seat. I have seen a guest 

scrape all the cherries out of the jam and leave the 

juice for the home folks. I have known folks to ask 

for white meat only though the fowl was small. Let 

the others eat the dark meat. Jesus saw guests edg 

ing quietly toward the best seats at the feast. Why 

did they do it To feast their ego Or to appear more 


worthy in the eyes of the other guests One guest 

or deceived. 

they did not fool, for God is not mocked, 

They seem to have reminded Him of animals He had 

once seen rushing violently down a steep place four 

feet in the trough. He had far more admiration for 

that little fellow at the foot of the table who chose 

that place. Jesus Christ has sovereign control of all 

contributions directing where they shall be used. 

What disposal do you suppose He made of that poor 

widow's two mites Were they used for the Chief 

Ruler of the Synagogue's salary, or to pay the door 

keeper, or were they used to buy a new mop-stick 

for another poor widow with a sore back who 

scrubbed the Synagogue's floors Inasmuch as ye 

have done it unto one of the least of these my breth 

ren, or sisters, ye have done it unto Me. She cast in 

all her living with no strings attached. 

MACEDONIA IS READY, WHAT ABOUT 

CORINTH 

We believe that the Church is able, and is will 

ing to raise the whole Budget, and the additional 

$5,000 for the extra missionary to Japan, if they 

were convinced that all would cooperate. Topeka con 

gregation is now without a church building of their 

own, but are planning to build in the immediate fu 

ture. They are also without a pastor to spur them on, 

but they are not without laymen leaders. On Decem 

ber 12 they contributed $139.04 to the American 

Bible Society. Then it was proposed that a special 

collection and pledges should be made on December 

26 to help raise the Budget plus the $5,000.00. This 

was to be in addition to the regular collection which 

also covers the annual contribution to the budget. 

The giving that day was as follows : 

National Reform Association $106.04 

Building Fund 515.00 

Synod's Budget (special) 608.00 

General Fund 183.95 

1412.99 

Unpaid pledges to Budget (additional) 428.00 

1840.99 

This was a laymen's movement. If we have any of 

those $20,000-per-year-income people, they have been 

quite silent about it, but we have several widows. 

If it were just a matter of $5,000.00 for Japan 

it would be over subscribed within a week, but this is 

in addition to the full budget, and it is no use to buy 

chimes until we have built the main structure clear 

to the belfry. So let's GO. 

GLIMPSES . . . 

Cont'd, from page 18 

Lsubach's Program for 1955 

Frank C. Laubach and his literary team, who teach the 

illiterate to read, started their 1954-55 program December 5 in 

Pakistan. After eight weeks they are to go to the southern 

Sudan, then across south Asia to Netherlands New Guinea, 

ending with a month's work in Korea. There are on the team 

Dr. and Mrs. Laubach, Phil Gray (artist), Richard Cortright 

(linguist), Mrs. Richard Cortright (secretary), and Mrs. 

Baity, a writer associated with the World Health Organiza 

tion. Their object has been, as they have gone from country to 

country, to teach a simplified method of reading and arrang 

ing for this to spread from one to another, so that people of 


21

societies." 

A Bible Study and Bible Memory Program for 

The Covenanter Church 

K 

by Remo I. Robb, D.D. 

Ever since 1947, when the Covenanter Crusade 

was adopted by Synod and presented to the Church, 

I have felt that our evangelistic efforts would be 

more effective if we knew our Bibles better. After 

various evangelistic meetings through the years, 

people have come to me and said "I'd like to do per 

sonal work. How do I go about it" These people 

really were speaking for a host of others who are 

conscious of the need for effective soul-winning en 

deavor but lack the know-how. Even on the floor of 

Synod, ministers, long in the pastorate, have asked 

for some general and effective method to win souls 

to Christ. 

When the apostles went out to "make disciples" 

they used their "Bibles," and it will always be one of 

the marvels of mankind that for the greater part of 

the first century they won men to Christ by the 

thousands through the Old Testament alone. They 

knew it well, and they knew how the Lord Jesus 

Christ matched its promises and its precepts at every 

point. 

In our day, we have God's full and complete 

revelation. We heard its stories as small children, we 

learned its precious passages, we know what it 

teaches, we know a great deal about it, but some 

where along the line we have missed getting it in 

such a form that we can give it to others. The diffi 

culty does not appear to be in a shortage of methods, 

but rather in finding the people to really go to work 

and use them. At the same time, there is a place for 

some simple, easy-to-work program by which the 

average person may himself first be benefitted and 

then equipped to carry the message to his friends 

and neighbors. 

The task of preparing an adequate study of this 

sort is enormous. Over the years, I have preferred 

rather to seek out studies and systems already pre 

pared. Among those I have favored is the Naviga 

tor's Topical Memory System, which I suggested as 

early as 1948. Moody's Bible School also had a Bible 

Memory Course, and there were others. After the 

Billy Graham campaign in Pittsburgh two years ago, 

his follow-up campaign made use of the Navigators, 

and a good number of our young people have been 

helped not only in their Bible knowledge, but also in 

knowledge of how to study the Bible and how to pre 

sent it to others. But like nearly all the prepared 

courses available, 

objections are raised, sometimes 

quite valid, sometimes hypercritical, but objections, 

nevertheless, which indicate some degree of inade 

quacy for use by the whole Church. 

Still, the wide consciousness of the need for 

more and better knowledge of the Bible has contin 

ued to show itself. From the Grinnell convention of 

1954, three incidents (or items) impressed me as 

calling for some immediate action on this matter. 

First, a very discouraging report was brought 

to Synod. After it was read, a young man, a member 

of the committee, took the floor and urged a positive 

program of Bible instruction. The spirit of his mes- 

22 

sage was so different from the report that Synod 

broke into handclapping, and then returned the re 

port to the committee for further study. 

Second, there was the Brief Covenant, in which 

we all attested with our signatures our oath to God 

that the Bible would be our rule of life. We said "We 

do" 

to this statement 

"We do promise to avail ourselves of oppor 

tunities public and private for growth in grace 

and for Christian service, 

. . . 

including study of 

the Scriptures." 

Does it not follow that the Church is in some mea 

sure obligated to provide Scripture studies for its 

people 

Third, the young people, without any suggestion 

from the national secretary, adopted a Plan of Work 

in which this item was set first : 

"1. Bible Study Memory. 

We suggest the introduction of a systematic indi 

vidual Bible study and memorization with a regu 

larly planned group discussion. Methods are to be 

decided by the local 

Clearly the young people have a genuine desire 

to know the Bible and to use it better. 

Acting on these and other indications, I invited 

a group of ministers from the Pittsburgh and Beaver 

Falls areas to meet with me early in September to 

discuss : 

1. The advisability of undertaking a Bible Study and 

Memory Program for the Church. 

2. How it should be developed. 

3. How it should be presented to the Church. 

4. Other matters involved in the project. 

Those invited were Dr. J. B. Willson, professor 

of Bible language in the seminary; Dr. J. G. Vos, 

Bible professor at Geneva College; the Rev. D. 

Howard Elliott, clerk of Synod; Dr. F. H. Lathom, 

chairman of Synod's Board of Christian Education; 

the Rev. Kenneth G. Smith, pastor of Central 

Pittsburg congregation, and the Rev. Willard G. Mc 

Millan, pastor of the Parnassus congregation. We 

met for two and a half hours. We talked over many 

phases of the question. It became clear that although 

there were differing opinions, all these men were in 

terested in such a project, and at length they voted 

in favor of a Covenanter Bible Study Program and all 

agreed to work together in its preparation. 

At subsequent meetings other ministers have 

attended or been invited to attend the Rev. J. Paul 

McCracken, the Rev. Robert B. Tweed, the Rev. John 

H. Tweed, and Dr. S. Bruce Willson. 

The following statement of purpose has been 

formulated : 

1. What is Intended. 

A Life-time Plan of Study and 

Memorizing of the 

Word of God. 

2. Why a Bible Study and Bible Memory Program. 

a. Because the Word of God (the Bible) is di 

vinely ordained to direct man how to glorify 

and enjoy Him. 

COVENANTER WITNESS

animals." 

b. Because it is commended and commanded in 

the Scriptures. 

Bible study Acts 17 :11 ; 2 Timothy 2 :15. 

Bible memory Deuteronomy 6:6; 11:18; 

Proverbs 7:13; Psalm 119:11. 

c. Because God assures that meditation on His 

Word will bring prosperity and success. 

Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:2, 3; 1 Timothy 4:15. 

d. Because of growing interest in Bible study 

and Bible memory work. 

e. Because of our solemn vows to God in the 

Brief Covenant of 1954. (See statement 

above) 

f. Because of widespread need for more knowl 

edge of the Scriptures. 

Hosea 4:6; 2 Corinthians 3:15, 16. 

g. Because spiritual leadership 

of God's people 

requires showing them how in addition to tell 

ing them they should. 

Exodus 18:20; 1 Cor. 11:1; Philippians 3:17; 

4:9; 1 Thessalonians 1:5; 4:1. 

h. Because few available systems are entirely 

satisfactory. 

3. Aims of the Bible Study and Bible Memory Pro 

gram. 

a. To develop and implant the basic BIBLE CUL 

TURE as the background for the correct so 

lution to the problems of our age. 

Deut. 4:1-8; Prov. 30:5; Romans 15:4; 1 Cor. 

10:11. 

b. To instruct all age groups in the knowledge 

and use of the Bible. 

Deut. 6 :6, 7 ; Josh. 1 :8 ; 1 Tim. 3 :2, 9 ; Titus 2 : 

1-3. 

c. To furnish suitable Scripture material for con 

tacting the unsaved. 

Isaiah 55:11; John 5:39; Hebrews 4:12. 

d. To provide Scripture foundation for our sys 

tem of theology and for its applied principles. 

Philippians 1:27b; 3:16; Jude 3. 

e. To provide an opportunity, personal and social, 

"for growth in grace and for Christian serv 

ice." 

(The Brief Covenant). 

Psalm 119:97; 2 Peter 3:18. 

f . To provide a workable plan for lifetime Bible 

study 

and Bible memory. 

4. Suggested Development of the Bible Memory Pro 

gram. 

a. A Syllabus of Bible and Catechetical Memory 

Work. For use in Sabbath Schools and/or 

Junior Societies. 

b. A Bible Memory System for young people and 

young adults. 

(Nothing definite has been done yet on these parts 

of the project.) 

5. Suggested Development of the Bible Study. 

a. Some Guiding Principles. 

(1) The first step is to "know Him." 

Those of us who have had Christian train 

ing from before we can remember will un 

derstand that the purpose of living is to 

glorify God. But to people who have had no 

such training or who have not accepted 

Christ, the first step must be to "know 

Him." 

Before a child can know the rules of 

life, he must be born. So also before a per 

son can truly understand the purposes of 


spiritual living, he must first be born again. 

Therefore, the opening studies are designed 

to bring the Gospel of Christ our Saviour 

to the human soul. 

(2) Strengthened in Faith. 

Those who already know Him should be 

strengthened in their faith by reviewing 

the matter. Furthermore, in going over the 

early lessons, Christians may prepare them 

selves for presenting Christ to unchristian 

acquaintances. 

(3) Limited use of the Bible. 

It was further judged that the early studies 

should not cover too wide a portion of the 

Bible. The whole Bible is the Word of God, 

but the average unbeliever does not know 

how to use it at all. To ask a beginner to 

turn to widely scattered references might 

lead to confusion. The better way is to 

bring the Bible message from a small or 

limited portion, 

and then, as the Holy Spirit 

increases faith, reach out into other por 

tions with possibly more direct references. 

b. The Bible Study Program will therefore cover 

the following steps : 

(1) An Introductory Study, presenting the Lord 

Jesus Christ as our Saviour. This will be 

from the Gospel of John. 

(2) A Series of three studies on Salvation. 

These will be on Belief, Repentance and 

Surrender, and will make use of the entire 

New Testament. 

(3) A Series of six studies on Christian Char 

acter Development. 

(4) A Series of four studies on Introduction to 

the Bible. 

(5) A Series of studies following the develop 

ment of thought through the Shorter Cate 

chism. 

(6) A Series of studies on the Church, leading 

to Church membership. 

(7) A Series of studies for Fruitful Living. 

(a) On Your Own in Memory Work. 

(b) Plans for personal systematic Bible 

Study. 

(c) How to present it to others. 

(d) Fields of service in all the world. 

Surely the Holy Spirit leads the Church, its lead 

ers and members, in a movement to know His Word. 

Surely, too, He will make such a move an empower 

ing force toward a growing Church. Pray with us 

that this may be so. 

In another article, possibly next week, I shall of 

fer suggestions on how to use the studies, and will 

present the first one. 

GLIMPSES . . . Cont'd, from page 21 

backward countries can read the Bible and other literature, 

with the hope that they may learn to know the Lord and 

reach a respectable standard of living. 

Organization Opposes Evolution 

The Rev. Gladden James, a retired missionary of Boulder, 

Colo., has organized a group which stands for the Authentic 

ity of the Bible and Religious Liberty to fight the theory of 

evolution, "especially the part that teaches that man is de 

scended from fish or They have appealed to re 

gents of the University of Colorado to stop the teaching of 

evolution on the penalty 

of court action against them. Mr. 


23

well." 

me' 

meditation." 

wine." 

'^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^("((WWWW* 


WHY I BELIEVE AND PRACTICE THE 

PRINCIPLE OF THE TITHE 

By Wilbur A. McElroy 

Topeka, Kansas 

In the first place I was taught the principle of 

the tithe in my youth, learning that the tithe was 

the only accurate and safe way to return to God what 

was rightfully His. Thai it is a command and if our 

hearts are full of love for God and gratitude to Him 

for His great love toward us we must show it by giv 

ing to His kingdom work, and how better do it than 

in the business like way He has shown. As I grew 

older there was nothing I could find in the Scripture 

that proposed a better system than giving the tithe. 

We have many examples in the Scripture where men 

were blessed that practiced giving the tithe. When I 

use the term 'blessed' I do not necessarily mean in 

material things, there is a spiritual blessing that is 

far greater. Although tithing and thrift do seem to 

be brothers, I cannot give any sensational personal 

testimony as to why I practice the principle of the 

tithe other than the training I received, the indoc 

trination by ministers of the Gospel, the study of the 

Bible, and the blessed feeling of obedience in obeying 

one of God's Commands. 

BOOK REVIEWS 

"SPEAKING FOR THE MASTER" By Batsell 

Barrett Baxter. The Macmillan Company, 1954, New 

York. 134 pages, price $2.50. 

"Whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing 

Whatever is done ought to be done the best 

in the best possible way. What is done for our Sav 

iour and Lord ought to be the heighth of excellency 

so far as we can make it so. The writer of this book 

is a professor of speech in David Lipscomb's College, 

Nashville, Tennessee, and also a pastor of a Church. 

He is likewise a son of a minister. As the title sug 

gests it is a book on public speaking and concentrates 

on the idea of learning to speak well so that we may 

speak in public effectively. A sub title is "A Study 

of Public Speaking for Christian Men" but every 

thing in it would apply just as well for women. 

The book has been written first of all for the in 

dividual who wants to be a better speaker himself 

and it is also written so that it can be used for class 

work and before the book is finished it recommends 

that every church should have a class in public 

speaking and certainly this book is a model text book 

for such a class. 

It is very practical from the first to the last. 

Beginning with such subjects as "Stage Fright, 

What To Do About It, Making Announcements, 

Reading the Bible, Praying in Public, Delivery, Im 

proving the Voice, Earning the Right to Speak, Or 

ganization, Arrangement, Beginning and Ending 

Speech, Persuasion, Words and then the climax is 

Learning to Preach." 

Looking at the book superficially you may think 

'the book has no interest for but don't start to 

read it unless you have time to finish or can find a 

24 

time, for you will want to finish. I am delighted with 

the many applications of Scripture and also with the 

fact that the man is no modernist but believes in 

the inspiration of the Bible and quotes it frequently 

and effectively. I heartily recommend this book to 

anyone who has even so much as an announcement to 

make for his church and most ministers could profit 

from every chapter of which there are 16. 

D. R. T. 

Another McMillan Book "Acquaintance with 

God" 

by J. P. Phillips, 51 pages, price $1.75. This 

book is fully devoted to the profitable observance of 

communion and would be a very excellent book to 

have when your pastor asks you to "spend the inter 

vening time between preparation services and the 

observation of the Lord's Supper in 

The 

writer recognizes that to many 

people the observance 

of Communion is apt to be just a duty to be per 

formed and often with dread. The book is long 

enough to be worth its price again and again. And 

short enough that everyone could read it through 

with profit at every Communion season and find in 

the sacrament new meanings, a realization of its im 

portance and it will certainly help us to keep from 

eating and drinking to our own damnation. The writ 

er calls attention forcibly to the difference between 

Romanists' 

observance of the Sacrament and the 

Protestants', and reminds us that this sacrament is 

one of the strong evidences of the truth in Christian 

ity, that it is a "holy pipeline running unbroken 

through all the church's visisitudes back to the 

source of Christ Himself," and "even on the bare 

memorial view of the sacrament we have behind us a 

continuous tradition of meeting in fellowship around 

the unbroken bread and poured out 

The book ends with a plea for open communion 

with persons of other denominations permitted to 

take of this sacrament and while we do not agree 

with this conclusion it presents a case for it that is 

rather hard to meet. One way we can meet the ob 

jection to closed communion is to remember that it 

was found necessary at the World Ecumenical Coun 

cil at Evanston, Illinois, where every delegate was 

supposed to come with a mind concentrated and 

aimed toward ecumenicity and world wide fellowship 

with all barriers down, to have five different groups 

to have communion according to the satisfaction of 

each person there, and even then there was a mis 

cellaneous group that did not enter into the Sacra 

ment at all because they felt that the ordinance was 

too sacred to share with those who had such various 

and erroneous views on the Bible and Jesus Christ, 

of the atonement and all other fundamental princi 

ples of Christianity. This is something to think about. 

D.R.T. 

ECUMENICISM AND THE BD3LE 

David Hedegard 

The book is a translation from the Swedish orig 

inal and is both interesting and valuable in view of 

the recent Evanston meeting and of modern trends 

toward church union. It is written from the Euro 

pean viewpoint and gives more of the life and beliefs 

of European and Asiatic leaders than an American 

book might. It traces the beginnings of the Ecumeni 

cal movement, the Faith and Order movement, the 

Life and Work movement, Foreign Missions and 

movements for unity, and the World Council of 

COVENANTER WITNESS

movement." 

' 

Churches. It also gives a good summary of the doc 

trines of "Peter" (the Roman Catholic Church) who 

tarries," "John" 

"still and (the Greek Orthodox 

Church) as 

they bear on the question a world church. 

Modernism has tended to create divisions within 

the denominations, but its leaders have found kind 

red spirits among the denominations, 

and thus the 

"new theology" has been an important unifying fac 

tor. Its view of the Bible minimizes the importance 

of doctrinal differences. "Theological modernism is 

the most important prerequisite of the ecumenical 

The closing chapter on "Evangelical Ecumenical 

Movements" 

has a strong bias toward the Interna 

tional Council of Christian Churches but seems fair 

in its appraisal of other movements. 

C. E. C. 

Stanley's African Letter 

By Harry J. Albus 

Many people know about Henry M. Stanley, the 

famous explorer who found David Livingstone. In 

fact, some even know that Stanley discovered the 

second largest lake in the world, hidden away in the 

jungles of Africa. Stanley named the lake "Nyasa" 

in honor of England's great Queen Victoria. But few 

people know the amazing story of a special letter 

Stanley once wrote. 

He wrote this letter one day in an African vil 

lage during one of his travels. On this particular 

journey he visited Uganda. When he first landed 

in Uganda, he was met by 

a great crowd. Bright 

flags waved, tomtoms sounded, and trumpets blew. 

Through the rows of welcoming people, Stanley 

was led to the king. The king's name was Mutesa. 

The old king was half heathen and half Moham 

medan. 

For many days Stanley told the king about the 

great world outside and about the true God. It was 

about the true God that Mutesa was most interested, 

and he would sit for hours listening while Stanley 

told about God, the Heavenly Father, and about 

Jesus. 

Tears streamed down the old dark-skinned war 

rior's face as Stanley told him how God had sent His 

Son to the earth to live and die among men, and how 

Jesus had been spit upon, pierced and nailed to the 

cross. 

Mutesa," 

"And best of all, Stanley told him in 

the native tongue, "is the fact that Jesus died for 

you. He died for you, King Mutesa, that your sins 

might be forgiven." 

The old chieftain was so moved by the story 

that he begged his white friend, who was not a mis 

sionary, to send them a teacher to tell them more 

about God. 

That night Stanley paced the floor of his tent 

as he prayed to God for wisdom. 

"Lord, how can I get a missionary to tell this 

tribe more about Jesus" Stanley prayed. "I'll not 

get back to England for many months, and I must 

soon leave this tribe to go further into the jungles. 

0 God! What will I do" 

After much prayer over the matter, Stanley 

suddenly came upon an idea. Why not write a letter 

asking for missionaries 

In a matter of a couple of 

hours, the letter was 

written. But there was no post office, no train, no 


stagecoach, no letter carrier, and he was a thousand 

miles from any ship. 

His next problem was how to get the letter back 

to England. 

After further thought and prayer, he decided 

to send a young Frenchman, who was anxious to 

return home, back to England with the letter. 

Early the next morning the young Frenchman 

set out with the letter on the dangerous journey 

down the Nile through the wild country toward 

Egypt. 

Making his way through the jungles, he was 

soon discovered by a wild tribe of savages. Soon 

the tribe began to pursue the Frenchman, determined 

to take his life. 

When the young Frenchman saw the tribesmen 

following him, he increased his speed in a desperate 

attempt to escape. Running through the jungles, he 

prayed, "0 God, somehow, some way, 

through." 

get the letter 

But the tribesmen vastly outnumbered him, and 

on the banks of the Nile he was killed by the band 

of savages and robbed. His dead body was unburied 

on the dry, hot sand. 

left 

Months passed the letter seemed destined not 

to reach England. 

Then one day some English soldiers found the 

bones of His body. His boots were found lying near 

by. They found, to their amazement, a letter hidden 

inside the letter written 

by Stanley. 

They sent the letter to the governor in Egypt, 

who sent it to England. After seven months it finally 

reached. London and was printed in the Daily Tele 

gram. 

Here is part of that letter : 

"King Mutesa of Uganda has been asking me 

about the one true God. Although I had not expected 

to turn missionary, for days I have been telling this 

black king all the Bible stories I know. He has furth 

er caused the Ten Commandments, as well as the 

Lord's Prayer and the golden commandment of our 

Saviour, 'Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself,' to 

be written on boards for his daily reading. 

"Oh, that some pious, practical missionary would 

come here!" 

Do you know what happened as a result of that 

letter Seven Christian young men who read it in 

the Daily Telegram went to Uganda as missionaries, 

preaching Christ. 

One of these young men was Alexander McKay, 

the famous missionary who won thousands of Afri 

cans to the Lord Jesus. Christian Digest. 

GLIMPSES Continued from page 23 

James bases his objection on the First Amendment to the 

Constitution which calls for separation of Church and State. 

Romanists in Quebec 

It has been charged by the Canadian Prime Minister that 

the Premier of Quebec is attempting to convert that province 

into an independent French Roman Catholic state. Both of 

these men are Catholics, but they have been sharply divided 

on this question. The province of Quebec has been a source 

of trouble for the Dominion for many years. It has been not 

only a religious but a moral and educational problem. It was 

strongly opposed to prohibition before and during the period 

of national prohibition in Canada. 

25

ple," 

shine." 

communism" 

places." 

against" 

saved." 

Lesson Helps for the Week of January 30, 1955 

C.Y.P.U. TOPIC 

For January 30, 1955 

NEEDED: STEADFAST CHRISTIANS 

Psalms 

I Corinthians 9:14-27 

1:1-3, page 2 

18:12, 14-16, page 37 

66:8, 9, 12-14, page 158 

118:13, 18-20, page 285 

146:1-4, 6, 7, page 353 

References: Luke 17:5; John 20:20-23; 

Acts 20:34; Colossians 3:12-17; Hebrews 

11:33-40; 12:1, 2; Revelation 7:9-17. 

(Used .permission 

by of International 

Christian Endeavor) 

Comments by Remo I. Robb, D.D. 

Communism is the most evil national 

philosophy in the world today. It begins 

with a denial that God even exists, and it 

develops through using appealing terms, 

like "freedom," "democracy," "the peo 

but inserting its own meaning into 

them. It appeals to downtrodden people 

and promises a better life. Its seed is ly 

ing propaganda, planted in ignorant 

minds, and its fruit is slavery, tyranny 

and utter disappointment. Again and 

again we 

brains go for 

ask "How can anyone with 

Yet its devotees are the most zealous, 

earnest and loyal workers on earth. They 

filter into high positions in all countries. 

At risk of their own lives they 

steal state 

secrets from every important national 

capital. They may be imprisoned, fined 

heavily, deported, degraded, but they 

keep on being faithful communists, loyal 

to the world's most terrible lie. 

Christianity is opposite in every way. 

It is anchored in God, yes, in "God be 

come 

man," 

its seed is the good news of 

salvation, it grows in "grace and knowl 

edge," 

and it issues in kindness, peace, 

equality, and all that men want to be and 

to have. Through 2000 years it has 

changed men from bad to good, from 

slaves to freemen, from being hateful to 

loving, from being selfish to considerate, 

and "from the power of Satan unto God." 

Christianity is true, it is victorious. 

Christ is the Hope of the World. 

But few present Christians show any 

thing like the zeal, earnestness and loy 

alty that the Communists show. For the 

most part, professing Christians still need 

Christ's early command, "Let your light 

The early Church had such zeal. They 

were on fire for Christ. Take Peter and 

John. After the timid fear of the "last 

night" 

of Christ's suffering, after the 

shaking sorrow of His crucifixion, they 

26 

changed so radically that you wonder if 

they are the same men. They went be 

fore that most powerful Jewish Court 

which had condemned Jesus Christ to 

death, and charged it openly 

with the 

murder of the Prince of Life. They told 

those men concerning Christ, "there is 

none other name under heaven, given 

among men, whereby ye must be 

It was as though a man brought before 

the U. S. Supreme Court were to shout 

"Long live Communism!" except that he 

would be upholding a lie, but the disci 

ples were right. 

There was Stephen, a young man, not 

of the disciples at first, but such a stout 

defender of Christ that he was stoned; 

and Paul, a highly educated and zealous 

Jew, who was converted to Christ, and 

dotted all Asia Minor with Christian 

churches. Why, 

at Thessalonica he start 

ed a congregation in but three weeks of 

time. 

Such steadfastness characterized the 

Church in its beginnings. And the Chris 

tian Church "went 

At first it 

seemed to be a harmless sect, then 

"everywhere it was spoken 

(Acts 

28:22), then its messengers were turning 

"the world upside down" (Acts 17:9), 

then Rome feared and fell. 

Christianity 

still is the world's great 

est power for good, the only means of 

salvation. A Christian has something to 

get excited about. Jesus Christ lived and 

died and rose from the dead, He ascended 

into heaven, and He is coming again. 

More than that, through His Spirit He is 

with us always "even to the end of the 

world" 

(Matt. 28:20). 

Christian young people are called to 

the same steadfastness, earnestness and 

zeal that characterized the young man 

Stephen and the young 

apostle John. 

Shall Communist youth, fed on the noth 

ingness of a lie, be loyal even to death, 

while Christians with the fulness of Truth 

quiver into silence 

Let steadfast Paul speak for you "I 

am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, 

for it is the power of God unto salvation 

to every one that believeth" (Romans 1 : 

16). 

A FEW MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION 

1. Some folks say "If I had known 

Christ personally like Peter and John, I 

could be more 

steadfast." 

Paul did not 

know Him personally in the flesh. What 

kept him steadfast 

2. If a mob burned your church, and 

broke all the windows in your house, 

would that affect your faith How 

3. Would twice a week for two years 

be too often to invite a friend to Sab 

bath School and Church 

4. Since the Christian Amendment was 

not passed at the last Congress, 

and the 

new Senate will have non-Christian 

a 

as 

chairman of the committee that consid 

ers it, is there any use to try again 

5. Have a Question and Answer night. 

Invite your pastor to answer questions 

about your spiritual problems. 

by Mrs. 

JUNIOR TOPIC 


Philip 

W. Martin 

A MAN IN A GRAVEYARD 

Scripture: Mark 5:1-20 

Memory Verse: "Go home to thy friends, 

and tell them how great things the Lord 

hath done for thee, and hath had com 

passion on thee." (Mark 5:19). 

Psalms 

Sing from memory Psalm 18:12, 13, 

16, page 37 

Psalm 32:1, 2, 13, page 74 

Psalm 103:1-4, page 246 

Psalm 86:1, 7, 8, page 210 

The title to today's story 

sounds sort 

of spooky reminding us somewhat of 

Halloween. But Halloween stories aren't 

true and they usually are supposed to 

happen at night. But our story today is 

true and happened in the daytime. 

Jesus and His disciples had been in a 

ship crossing the Sea of Galilee. It had 

been an exciting trip for there had been a 

storm at sea. But Jesus rebuked the 

storm and the ship came safely to the 

southeastern shore of the Sea of Galilee. 

As soon as Jesus got out of the ship a 

man met Him. 

Now there should be 

nothing strange about a man's meeting 

people who get off a ship. But this place 

where the boat landed was not a regular 

place to unload for it was very close to a 

graveyard. And this man was not like 

most men that we know. This man was 

naked; his hair was standing on end; he 

had a wild look in his eye; he lived in 

the mountains and night and 

day he went 

all through the graveyard crying, and 

cutting himself with The stones." 

devil 

had possession of him so that he had 

unusual strength. It took many men to 

bind him with iron chains to try to calm 

him down. But his yelling kept up and he 

broke those iron chains every time. He 

just couldn't be tamed by men. It was 

this man that met Jesus as He stepped 

out of the boat! Wouldn't you be scared 

to meet such a man even in daylight I 

think I would run away just as fast as I 

ever ran in my life. 

But Jesus didn't run. No, the scribes 

COVENANTER WITNESS

pigs." 

and Pharisees church leaders in 

Jesus' 

time wouldn't believe that Jesus is God. 

But this wild man came and fell down at 

Jesus' 

feet. (You see, Satan and all his 

devils are afraid of 

Jesus.) Then Jesus 

commanded the devil to come out of the 

man. But the man yelled out, "What 

have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son 

of the most high God I adjure thee by 

God, that thou torment me There 

not." 

were lots of Satan's devils in the man and 

they begged Jesus not to send them far 

away. Not too far away there was a herd 

of pigs rooting around for food and the 

devils said, "Let us go into those 

And the devils went into those pigs so 

that the pigs became wild and ran here 

and there squealing loudly. They ran 

just pell mell down a steep place and 

right into the sea where 

they were 

drowned. The men who kept the pigs ran 

into the city and country and, almost out 

of breath, they told people what had hap 

pened. The people came running out to 

the place and what do you think they 

saw There was that man who had been 

wild, sitting down quietly and he had 

clothes on and he wasn't wild any more 

but was in his right mind. Well, it was 

such a change that the people were afraid. 

But they saw that it was true and they 

began to tell every one else about it. 

The man who was changed wanted to 

stay right with Jesus as He went through 

the land. But Jesus told him, "No, your 

duty is to 'go home to thy friends, and 

tell them how great things the Lord 

hath done for thee, and hath had com 

passion on thee.' " 

If Jesus could change the heart of such 

a wild man as this, He can change any 

body's heart. Are you ever angry Do 

you think naughty thoughts Do you 

say unkind words Jesus is able to 

change your heart so that you will not 

get angry or say unkind words. He is able 

to make you an obedient child, one who 

loves to do what is right. Confess your 

sins to Him and He will take away your 

sin. Then tell your home folks and friends 

what the Lord Jesus has done for you 

not just that He has forgiven you, but 

tell them about His great love for you in 

leaving His Home in glory to come to 

this earth to suffer and to die on the 

cross for you. Tell them that Jesus is 

risen and is at the right hand of His Fa 

ther praying for you, praying that His 

Father will wash away your sins in the 

blood of Jesus Christ. 

Ask each Junior to tell a lesson which 

we can learn from this story. There are 

several lessons if you'll look for them. 

For Your Notebook. 

Draw three hearts. Color one black 

for sin, one red for the blood of Christ, 

and one white for a heart cleansed by 

the blood of Christ. 


SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON 


MAN'S NATURE AND NEED 



Lessons: the International Bible Lessons for 

Christian Teaching, copyrighted by the Inter 


Gen. 1:26:31; 6:5, 6; Matt. 6:9, 10 

Mark 7:21-23; Luke 6:35, 36. 

Printed text, Genesis 1:26-30; Rom. 3:23; 

Heb. 2:6-9 

Memory verse, Ps. 8:4, 5 "What is man, 

that thou art mindful of him and the 

son of man, that thou visitest him For 

thou hast made him a little lower than 

the angels, and hast crowned him with 

glory and honor." 

Gen. 1:26-30 

Man's history for 2,000 years is told 

in the first ten chapters of Genesis. 

It is fair to assume that many things 

are not narrated. We are not told in 

what stage of physical development man 

was created. Our interest is in the nature, 

opportunity 

and conduct of the mature 

man. In the conversation of God with 

Adam and Eve, after the fall, only one 

sentence is recorded concerning the re 

demptive work of Christ. Yet the sacri 

fices offered by Cain and Able imply as 

full knowledge of the way 

of salvation 

from sin through the atoning blood of 

Jesus Christ as was revealed to Moses 

and the Prophets. Among the animals 

that were created before man, there was 

not one that had the capacity to live 

virtuously, or to sin. 

In the story of the creation, the crea 

tion of animals is reported by groups. 

Man's creation is described separately. 

Under special counsel of God, he was 

created in God's image. This likeness was 

not physical. God's messengers and Jesus 

Christ appeared in the likeness of men, 

that they might be seen. God never au 

thorized man to impersonate Himself or 

any of His messengers. Man was 

equipped by creation to fee God's mes 

senger. Man had qualities in his own 

person whereby, under God's direction, 

he could perform works for God. He had 

the Truth, Righteousness, and Holiness. 

This we call Original Righteousness. 

LIBERTY AND LAW 

Man's first necessity and pleasure is in 

food. A wide variety of nourishing and 

delicious food was provided for man's 

use. One was forbidden. The first sin 

had to do with eating. Any disobedience 

is the denial of God's truth, 

ity. Truth and authority 

and author 

are both in 

volved in the command to eat and drink 

to the glory of God. 

We often discuss the second part of 

this command. I have heard only one 

sermon that dealt consistently with the 

first part of the command. The preacher 

was just recovering from a serious ill 

ness. As we left the church, I overheard 

a man say that the pastor did not com 

mend his sermon by his physical ap 

pearance. I thought the Pastor's weakness 

was a striking emphasis to his message. 

He died the next Saturday. 

When we do not try to eat for the 

glory of God, but eat rather to please 

our appetites, we are denying both the 

truth and the authority of God. Adam 

and Eve were the first that lost their 

lives by eating, but not the last. 

Even with the loss of Original Right 

eousness, man still had intelligence and 

moral freedom. Man still retains that 

much of the image of God. That may be 

his blessing, 

or his curse. As none of the 

animals can do, he may choose blessing 

through Jesus Christ, or remain in sin 

to his eternal death. 

Verse 28 

"And God blessed them." First, 

they 

were to replenish, (populate), the earth. 

In Eden, the family 

was organized with 

one man and one woman. That was the 

regular order "from the 

beginning." 

Christ endorsed it as the proper family 

order for His people who believed. We 

need not expect more from those of "un 

belief" 

than Christ did. The family is 

based on the need of man and society, 

and where families are Christian, there 

is no juvenile delinquency. 

Second, Man is to subdue the earth. 

The earth does not produce our food 

without our labor. It does not yield our 

houses, clothing and machinery without 

work. Yet God left it largely to man to 

produce the curse of briars and thistles 

with which he has to contend. Pioneer 

farmers know that virgin soil seldom con 

tains noxious weeds. Man imports them. 

The pronouncement of the curse was 

more a statement of what man would 

do to his own hurt, by sin, than a state 

ment of what God would do. For every 

acre that man has subdued in this coun 

try, he has ruined an acre by careless and 

greedy 

methods of farming. 

Third, man is to have dominion over 

all animals. Except in unusual circum 

stances, man has no fear of any animals 

that can be seen with the natural eye. 

The hardest task with our invisible en 

emies is to discover them. With optical 

and chemical aids, we are hopeful soon 

to discover the causes for most diseases 

and conquer them. Many immoral in 

fluences are invisable until the Holy 

Spirit reveals them. He is able. 

Man is also responsible for the moral 

evils 

that plague the earth. Men are 

either the agents of God for righteousness 

under God, 

or of sin for the devil. Choose 

ye! We don't need to choose the devil, 

27

.References: 

ple." 

sinned." 

.... Matt. 

above" 

willingness" 

earth." 

receive" 

you" 

me" 

sin" 

for if we do not choose Christ, we go, au 

tomatically to the devil. Next week we 

will learn what is the future of the man 

whose chief end is to have a "Good 

time." 

Rom.. 3:23. "For all have 

Ask a Democrat, and a Republican and 

between them they will convict all men. 

One who can find no fault in himself 

should borrow his neighbor's glasses. 

Japan listens to our missionaries with 

one ear, and watches us with both eyes. 

And the "us" that they see are mostly 

tourists, merchants, soldiers, movies, and 

our tariff rates. What they think of us 

is of more vital importance than what 

we think of them. All have sinned. The 

wages of sin is death. 

Heb. 2:6 

This introduces the 8th Psalm, a poetic 

statement of man's origen, fall and op 

portunity, as exemplified in the humili 

ation and exaltation of Christ. O, the 

depth of the riches of Love, in Christ 

Jesus! The Loving Father received the 

Prodigal when he came back, not because 

he came back. The Father was waiting 

for him. Man does not choose to be lost. 

He is lost. 

Psalms 


February 2, 1955 

PRAYER 

James 1:5-8; 5:13-18. 

M. K. Carson, D.D. 

143:1-3, page 346 

5:1-2, page 8 

86:1-5, page 208 

102:1-3, page 240. 

these verses 

Prayer Promises. Compare 

from the Sermon on the 

Mount and the corresponding verses in 

James. Matt. 5:3 and James 1:9; 2:5; 

Matt. 5:4; James 4:9. Matt. 5:7-9; James 

2:13; 3:17; Matt. 5:8; James 4:8; Matt. 

5:9; James 3:18; Matt. 5:11, 12; James 

1:2; 5:10, 11; Matt. 5:19; James 1:19-25; 

2:10, 11; Matt. 5:22; James 1:20. 

In these and other references we have 

an "echo of the oral teaching 

of our Lord. 

There is scarcely a thought in it" says 

Dr. Scott, "which cannot be traced to 

Christ's personal teaching. If John has 

lain on the Saviour's bosom, James has 

sat at His feet." Following the teaching 

and example of his Brother and Lord, 

James became a man of prayer. "He is 

said to have kneeled until his knees were 

as hard as the knees of camels, and to 

have been constant in prayer in the tem 

If any of you lack wisdom about 

how we can count it all joy when we fall 

into divers temptations, ask God. This 

is the one never-failing recourse we have 

in any experience or emergency in life. As 

28 

he began to sink, Peter cried, "Lord, save 

me" 

(Matt. 14:30). Peter availed himself 

of his great privilege as a believer, a priv 

ilege which we all have. "Prayer is not 

conquering God's reluctance, but taking 

hold of God's 

Philips 

Brooks. As soon as Peter prayed, Jesus 

stretched forth His hand and caught 

him." 

Is it not from God that we get the 

strength, the power and the wisdom to 

meet the experiences of life with joy 

even its trials In times of sickness and 

affliction, we are commanded to pray. If 

in need of forgiveness, 

pray. Prayer 

availeth much. "Ask and ye shall 

who 

7:7-11. God is our Father 

delights to "give good things to 

them that ask Him." Do I really believe 

that God is answering my prayers Does 

thanksgiving have its proper place in our 

prayers "Every good gift ... is 

ing 

from 

(James 1:17). The prayer meet 

should be given to prayer practice 

rather than prayer discussion. 

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him 

ask of God. . 

Is there any one who 

does not lack wisdom How greatly we 

feel our need! How grateful we are for 

the privilege of prayer! Certainly He 

giveth wisdom to the ignorant and power 

to the faint. But we must ask in faith. 

It is the prayer of faith that shall save 

the sick (James 5:15). "If ye had faith 

as a grain of mustard seed . . (Luke 

17:6). We might feel our need and help 

lessness but this cry for help must be a 

prayer of faith, otherwise it is a vain cry. 

"All things whatsoever ye ask in prayer 

BELIEVING. . 

(Matt. 22:21). How 

many doubt before they ask, while they 

are asking and even after they have 

asked! They have no faith that their 

prayers will be answered. In "THE 

BACK TO GOD FAMILY ALTAR" is 

the story of a woman who dreamed that 

she died and werrt to heaven where an 

angel escorted her through the heavenly 

palace. In one large room she saw many 

bundles piled in a corner. Finding her 

name on several of them, she requested 

an explanation, saying 

as she did 

so, 

"I remember praying for those very 

things when I was down on This 

was the reply: "Yes, when any of God's 

children make requests of Him, prepara 

tions are made to give the answer, but 

the angels are told that if they do not 

find the petitioner waiting expectantly 

for the answer, they are to return with it, 

room" 

(Psalm 5:3). 

and store it in this 

Are we double minded and unstable 

Are we ever startled in receiving an an 

swer to our prayers We had not expected 

an answer and had almost forgotten that 

we had prayed for that particular bless 

ing. We must believe that God is and 

that He is a rewarder of them that dili 

gently 

seek Him (Heb. 11:6). We often 

see the motto, "Prayer changes things." 

But it is God who changes things through 

believing prayer. 

Another condition is 

righteousness. 

"The effectual fervent prayer of a right 

eous man availeth 

much." 

The Psalmist 

said, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, 

the Lord will not hear (Psalm 66: 

19). Isaiah speaks of our sins and our 

iniquities as making it impossible for God 

to hear us. (Isaiah 59:1-2). We are not 

heard for our much speaking (Matt. 6:7). 

It does not necessarily follow that if 

prayer is good that twice as much prayer 

will be twice as effective. We are heard 

because we have fulfilled the conditions 

of true prayer. We are righteous because 

we are in Christ (II Cor. 5:21). 

Why do we pray James says that it is 

amiss." 

possible to "ask How much self 

ishness is there in our prayers Are our 

prayers concerned chiefly 

with those 

things which pamper our physical na 

tures Of course we 

food, clothing, 

ought to ask for 

shelter and the necessities 

of life. Christ has promised to give us 

these blessings (Matt. 6:33). Are we ful 

filling the conditions by seeking first the 

kingdom of God As we examine our own 

hearts and our own prayers, what do we 

find Doubtless we are too selfish in 

our prayers. "The Lord turned the cap 

tivity of Job, when he prayed for his 

friends (Job 42:10). Were these friends, 

the "miserable comforters of former 

days (Job 16:2). So James is urging us 

to "confess our faults one to another, and 

pray one for another. . (5:16). 

"Therefore to him that knoweth to do 

good, and doeth it not, to him it is 

(James 4:17). We know that prayer is 

commanded of God. It must be a good 

thing. Are we praying If we are not, it 

is sin. Samuel said, "God forbid that I 

should sin against the Lord in ceasing to 

pray for 

Questions 

(I Samuel 12:23). 

1. What is prayer S. C. Question 98^ 

2. For whom and for what things are 

we to pray L. C. Questions 183, 184. 

3. How can we achieve more effective 

ness in prayer 

Prayer 

1. For cleansing and sympathy that we 

may not only have power in prayer, but 

that we may have a 

longing to help oth 

ers through prayer. 

2. For the Home Mission fields. 

3. For the College and Seminary. 

4. For the spirit of 

generosity that the 

budget may be raised. 

ADVISORY COUNCIL OF THE 

AMERICAN BLBLE SOCLETY MEETS 

IN NEW YORK 

An estimated budget of $3,544,000 for 

the work of the American Bible Society 

for 1955 was 

unanimously approved at 


the 36th annual meeting of the Advisory 

Council of the Society, meeting 

on No 

vember 30 and December 1 at the society's 

headquarters in New York City. Seven 

ty-four members and guests, representing 

54 different communions were present. 

This is the largest group that has attend 

ed these annual sessions, representing, 

as they do, those churches that place the 

Bible Society in their yearly budgets as 

their recognized agency for Scripture 

translation, 

publication and distribution. 

The session was opened with a mem 

orial service for the late Dr. Frank H. 

Mann, general secretary of the Bible So 

ciety, who died on October 11. The serv 

ice was conducted by Dr. J. A. Aasgaard 

of Minneapolis, 

official representative of 

the Evangelical Lutheran Church and 

Dr. Francis C. Stifler of the Bible So 

ciety. Dr. Mann inaugurated and was re 

sponsible for the program of the Advis 

ory 

Council. Before his death he had 

chosen as the theme for these meetings, 

"These Are the Lively Oracles of God." 

Dr. Robert T. Taylor, who had worked 

closely 

with Dr. Mann on the program, 

presided at the meetings. 

The Rev. Richard H. Ellingson re 

ported 

that Bible distribution in this 

country last year rose to almost ten 

million volumes in 81 different lan 

guages. In every state, and often county 

by county, trained people are at work 

distributing Scriptures as representatives 

of the Bible Society. Twice during the 

Society's history 

been made to supply whole Bibles for 

a nation-wide effort has 

every Bibleless home. Of recent years, 

Mr. Ellingson said, such efforts have 

been state-wide or city-wide on a rotating 

basis so that every section of the country 

will be covered periodically. 

Mr. Ellingson, a former Navy chap 

lain, stated that last year 1,301,145 vol 

umes of the Scriptures were supplied to 

chaplains by the Bible Society for free 

distribution. Ever since its first grant of 

Bibles to the Navy in 1820, the American 

Bible Society has freely supplied military 

chaplains with all the Scriptures needed 

for their men, totalling over the years 

more than 39,000,000 volumes. 

Miss S. Ruth Barrett, secretary of the 

Society's work for the blind, said that 

for the past 120 years the Society's rec 

ords show that it has offered the Bible to 

every blind person in America. Today the 

Bible in Braille, the embossed system 

most widely used by the sightless, re 

quires 20 large volumes and costs $60. 

Volumes are furnished to the blind at 25 

cents a volume. The Bible Society not 

only 

supplies the Scriptures to the blind 

in 38 different systems and dialects, but 

also provides the entire Bible in 170 

Talking 

Book Records. 

Russia and some Soviet-controlled 


areas are still closed to Bible Society 

work, reported Rev. Laton E. Holmgren, 

one of the Cociety's secretaries engaged in 

foreign distribution. For Russia, the So 

ciety has Scriptures on hand for ship 

ment to that country as soon as doors 

for which the Society is seeking are 

opened. 

China is closed but measures have been 

taken to provide Scriptures there when 

opportunity comes. Nearly 20 million 

Chinese are 

living outside the China 

mainland in the countries of East and 

Southeast Asia. To minister 

directly to 

these people, the Bible Society has sent 

Dr. Ralph Mortensen, its former secre 

tary in China, to begin a new ministry to 

these people. Dr. Mortensen, who with 

Mrs. Mortensen, is living temporarily in 

Japan, is visiting among these displaced 

people, to discover their Scripture needs 

and to set up a program by which the 

serve them. 

Society may 

Suoolies of oaper are again being sent 

to Hungary for the manufacture of a 

second edition of 30,000 Bibles, declared 

Mr. Holmgren. Other Scriptures are be 

ing sent to Hungary, Czechoslovakia and 

Yugoslavia. One hundred and fiftv tons 

of paper and funds for distribution work 

have also been sent to East Germany. 

What the Bible Society has been able to 

do in Communist areas in 1954, conclud 

ed Mr. Holmgren, the Society 

ably repeat in 1955. 

can prob 

Work in Latin America and particular 

ly Brazil has rapidly expanded and if 

more Scriptures were available the So 

ciety's distribution could be greatly in 

creased in these countries where there are 

many thousands of new literates 

and 

where others are becoming aware of the 

power of the Scriptures. 

Dr. Samuel Nelson wis introduced to 

the Advisorv Council as a new member 

of the Society's staff. Dr. Nelson, a Bap 

tist minister recently 

president of the 

Spanish-American Baptist Seminary in 

Los Angeles, 

California, has been ap 

pointed to head up a colporteur's train 

ing 

school to be located at some strategic 

point in Latin America. This is the first 

time such a project has been undertaken 

by the Society. The first year Dr. Nelson 

hopes to have six or eight students, who 

will be graduates of college or seminary, 

as his pupils. Training courses will cover 

class work and laboratory and field train 

ing. Dr. Nelson will leave shortly after 

the first of the year to establish this 

school. 

The Bible Society is seeking to provide 

the illiterates of Pakistan with recordings 

of Scripture passages and inexpensive 

phonographs on which to play 

them. If 

this experiment is successful it will be ex 

tended to other areas 

world. 

throughout the 

YOUNG NAK PRESBYTERIAN 

Dear Friend, 

CHURCH 

69 Juhdong, 2nd Ka 

Seoul, Korea 

December 1, 1954 

Greetings in Christ. This year has been 

a very busy and strenuous year, but we 

are grateful that it has been also one of 

the fruitful years. It was our prayer at 

the beginning of this year that our 

church might become truly missionaryminded. 

And we prayed that we might be 

able to send and support at least ten 

evangelists (home missionaries) to var 

ious parts of South Korea. We are grate 

ful that we have sent 17 workers so far 

and we plan to start mission churches in 

four more places next month. We have 

also decided to support one foreign mis 

sionary to Thailand which will go under 

the auspices of the Presbyterian Church 

of Korea. There are many things we need 

in Korea today, but I am sure we need 

Gospel more than anything else. So 

please pray for the mission work in Korea 

and that our people may all come to the 

knowledge of saving grace in our Lord. 

We are also very grateful that we dedi 

cated a 

building for 

widows' 

home yes 

terday. The American Army helped us 

with most materials and our Church sup 

plied labor and some other expenses. This 

building 

can accomodate 36 war widows 

and their children and there is also a 

large room for work project. The work 

will be mostly making clothes. So we 

need about a dozen sewing machines. 

This home is not large enough but we 

are glad we can help 

some anyway. We 

had a fine dedication service yesterday 

afternoon with many Army officials and 

missionaries present, not to speak of our 

people. 

We are also grateful that the children 

who had been sent away on Christmas 

Day in that tragic year of 1950 to Cheju 

Island, came back safely to Seoul once 

again last month. We provided a new 

place for them, for the old home is occu 

pied by other orphans. All of us are very 

happy that we are able to get together 

once more in Seoul. We certainly hope we 

will have peace from now on and our 

country may be unified through peaceful 

means. 

We are also grateful to our Lord that 

a new building is being built now and we 

will have a service of laying corner stone 

next Sabbath. When this building will be 

finished, it will accommodate about 50 

children. This is also through AFAK 

plan, our church paying labor costs and 

other expenses. We thank God for all 

these blessings this year and we also want 

to express our thanks for your prayer 

and help. 

The Union Christian College which was 

29

charges.)" 

opened last April, is struggling hard 

for its existence. For we lack fund, per 

sonnel, building 

and what not. We have 

only a splendid group of students. They 

are our only asset. We have only 250 stu 

dents now, but from next April we will 

have another 250. That means we must 

build our school next year, but so far 

we have no budget. Please pray for our 

College. This certainly is a venture of 

faith and we 

only trust God who is 

able. Our Old People's Home, Bible Club 

and Night School are all getting along 

fine. 

It is my hope and prayer that you are 

all well and your work blessed. A Merry 

Christmas and Happy New Year to you 

all. 

Very sincerely yours, 

Kyung Chik Han, 

Pastor of Young Nak Church 

"I HAVE FOUND THAT" 

By Freda B. Elliott 

Many young parents are intent on liv 

ing their own lives, and they are paying 

for it with the souls of their children. 

We see it all around us young fathers 

busy making a living young mothers 

busy with the never-ending duties of 

keeping the home. Or perhaps mother, 

feeling more money is needed to main 

tain a standard of living equal to that of 

her friends, takes outside work. 

Evenings and days off are spent in a 

variety of ways, depending 

on the social 

inclinations of the individual. Some piefer 

a quiet evening 

choose a movie; 

at home; others 

and there are those who 

like a party in the company of friends 

But one 

thing all have in common all 

are too tired or too busy to find time to 

spend in the house of God. 

Most of these young parents believe ir. 

God. Most of them intend to turn to 

God some day and give Him some of 

their time when . Each 

has a dream for 

the future and, when that is realized, he 

intends to devote the balance of his life 

to God. 

Many times that is just what happens 

provided the Spirit has not long since 

departed. The once young parents, now 

middle-aged, turn wholeheartedly to God 

but with what heartbreak! Those pre 

cious little children of theirs have now 

grown to young manhood and young 

womanhood with no spiritual background 

in their lives. No Bible understanding, no 

love for God, no desire for spiritual 

things 

only 

ignorance and indifference. 

Nowhere in the Bible does God give 

the assurance that He will answer the 

prayers of such parents, as parents, for 

the souls of their children. 

They have 

waited too long! They have trained their 

children a different way. 

"Train up a child in the way he should 

go: and when he is old, he will not depart 

from it" (Prov. 22:6). 

30 

TOPEKA 

Lie. Paul Robb supplied our pulpit on 

December 19 and on January 2. The in 

tervening Sabbath the pulpit was sup 

plied by Rev. J. Ren Patterson, D.D. who 

gave us an account of the National Re 

form Association work. On January 9 

and 16 the pulpit is to be supplied by 

Rev. Philip Coon. 

Our Christmas program was held De 

cember 23 with Mrs. Ned Nusbaum in 

charge of the program. Those in attend 

ance had an enjoyable evening. Treats 

for the children were furnished by the 

Alden Hall family. 

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. How 

ard McMahon, who were married Decem 

ber 8 at University City, Missouri. She 

is the former Myrtle Skoucart. Howard 

is now at Camp Chaffe, Arkansas. 

NEW YORK CITY 

On Sabbath January 2, 

seven Cross 

and Crown Awards were presented to 

members of the Sabbath School for per 

fect attendance for the preceding 13 

weeks. 

HEBRON 

Our Thanksgiving service was held 

Thursday, November 25 with Joe Cope 

land as leader. With all 

taking part it 

was truly a time of Thanksgiving. 

Friends who worshiped with us at the 

Thanksgiving service were Mr. and Mrs. 

Raymond Bennett and family of Sterling, 

Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Copeland and family 

of Denison, Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Cope 

land and family, Mr. and Mrs. Walkin 

shaw of Superior and Mr. Harold Mc 

Crory of Denison. 

Rev. A. J. McFarland and Armour Mc 

Farland have brought us inspiring mes 

sages on several different Sabbaths dur 

ing the past months. 

We are thankful for the restoration of 

three of our number who have recently 

undergone operations: Mrs. Harold Mil 

ligan, Mrs. Wilson McMahan and Mr. 

Howard Mann. 

We were happy 

to have Keith Cope 

land home from Geneva during the holi 

days. 

meeting 

On December 8 our Thank Offering 

was held with Miss Annie Cowell, 

a local person who has been a mis 

sionary in the African Inland Mission 

for the past twenty-six years, as our 

speaker. She showed pictures and gave an 

inspiring message. A social hour was en 

joyed after the meeting. 

gram 

On New Year's Day a dinner and pro 

was enjoyed by 

congregation at the Church. 

members of the 

Mrs. Dale McMahan is in the hospi 

tal at Concordia following an operation. 

We are happy that she is improving. 

Those of our young people who attend 

ed the Forest Park Booster at Topeka on 

December 28 were Ronald and Evelyn 

Dunn, Charlene Hatfield, Ralph Craig, 

David Dunn, Marvin Ping and Keith 

Copeland. 

YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO 

CONGREGATION 

A church supper November 17, was fol 

lowed by a Silent Auction. Every one en 

joyed the fun, and the Missionary So 

ciety was slightly 

the evening. 

richer at the end of 

We were privileged to hear Mr. and 

Mrs. Kenneth Sanderson speak at our 

evening esrvice November 21. We are 

always happy to hear about the work 

in the mission fields, and to meet the 

people who so ably carry on that work. 

The annual Christmas party was held 

in the church basement. Games, a grabbag, 

refreshments, and Santa Claus all 

contributed to make the evening a suc 

cess for young and old alike. 

The Glen Georges 

held open house 

New Year's Eve for friends and members 

of the congregation. 

The Youngstown Congregation wishes, 

belatedly, to recognize Mrs. Carrie Mit 

chell as the donor of the nice sign on 

the church lawn, which she gave in 

memory of her late husband, Frank 

Mitchell. 

Attendance pins and bars were given 

to the following Sabbath School pupils 

for .perfect records: 1 yr. Terri Sue 

George. Tom Clark, Ralph and Raymond 

Van Kirk, 2 yrs., Barbara Clark, 3 yrs., 

Randy George, Richie Marshall, and 

Ronnoe Whitehouse, 5 yrs., Dickie Lath 

om, 6 yrs., Linda George, 7 

yrs., Ken 

neth 

Whitehouse, 8 yrs., Harold Thomas, 

and 14 yrs., David Lathom. 

"Don Crawford of the PHOENIX 

CONGREGATION is very eager to bor 

row two tape recordings for a couple of 

weeks. 

These tapes are Dawson Trotman's 

addresses at Grinnell and the pre 

sentation of Christ in 

the Psalms at 

Grinnell in 1954. Anyone willing to oblige 

should contact him at 1032 E. San Mi 

guel, Phoenix, Arizona. (He will pay all 

mailing 

ORLANDO, FLA. 

The annual Sabbath School program 

and entertainment was on 

Wednesday 

COVENANTER WITNESS

night before Christmas. Teachers and 

children are to be commended for the 

splendid 

showing in memory work. After 

the various awards were bestowed Mr. 

John Bayless, president of the Deacon 

Board, presented to Mr. L. L. Dudley our 

treasurer and to Mrs. Dudley his assis 

tant, a Bible in token of the appreciation 

of the congregation of the faithful carry 

ing 

out of the treasurer's office for the 

past twenty-two years. 

Our sympathies are extended to Dr. 

H. G. Patterson and family connection 

in the death on December 19 of Mrs. Pat 

terson. We will treasure the memory of 

their stay in our midst. 

Mr. and Mrs. Cameron Patterson have 

been enjoying a visit from his Aunt Mary 

Patterson of Huston, 111., his sister Wil 

la Patterson of Kirkwood, Mo., and 

their daughter Miss Lou Patterson of 

Beaver Falls, Pa. 

Mr. and Mrs. Harsh had as visitors 

over the week-end Mrs. Harsh's cousin 

Mr. R. H. Reed and wife of Bellefountain, 

also Mr. and Mrs. Roy Templeton 

of Belle Center, Ohio. 

Mr. and Mrs. Willard Finley 

and son 

Chester, also Miss Eleanor Wilson, Mrs. 

Finley's sister, of Sparta, 111., were visi 

tors at church on Sabbath December 26. 

Other visitors were Mr. and Mrs. A. G. 

Alexander's daughter Mrs. Harold Wil 

kins 

and husband and their daughter 

Cynthia; Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Young of 

Oklahoma City; Paul Matthews! of Pitts 

burgh and Milton Harrington of Hether 

ton, Mich, and Arthur Chestnut of Al 

bany, Ga. 

The Fellowship Class held their an 

nual Christmas party at the church. Dur 

ing the evening they also honored Mr. 

and Mrs. Reed Terry's tenth wedding 

anniversary. 

The Junior society held their Decem 

ber party at the home of Mr. and Mrs. 

Robert Simon. Gifts were exchanged, 

games played and refreshments served. 

Mr. and Mrs. H. G. Windham were 

pleasantly surprised when returning from 

a dinner out, given by their two sons 

Don and Alan, to f'nd their home oc 

cupied by members of their S. S. class 

and friends with packages containing 

something 

of silver to rhow that their 

25th wedding had not been forgotten; 

though the self inviting guests brought 

the:r own refreshments 

they were 

sur 

prised to find on the table a beautifully 

decorated cake. 

FRESNO, CALIF. 

On December 9 Kirk gdwa-d was born 

to Don and Donna Richardson. Congrat 

ulations ! 

Rev. and Mrs. R. W. McMillan, Mar 

garet, Rosalie, Bobbie, and David trav 

eled to Keene on Saturday the 18th of 


December and had dinner at the home of 

Dr. and Mrs. R. E. Smith. 

On the 27th of 

December, the McMil 

lan family went down South to 

Monterey 

Park, Fullerton, Whittier, and Arcadia 

to visit with the Van Rynn, J. K. Gault, 

T. R. Gault, and Wilson Dougherty 

households. The seven of them reported a 

very enjoyable time, and they were home 

in time to have the Congregational So 

cial and Watchnight Service from 9-12 

Midnight in their home. 

Mr. Loren Towner passed away at the 

beginning of the New Year. The funeral 

is to be in the Santa Ana church with 

Dr. Samuel Edgar in charge. Burial will 

be in the family plot there. Our sympathy 

goes out to Mrs. Nora Dodds in the loss 

of her father. He is the first member of 

the congregation to pass away during Mr. 

McMillan's pastorate. 

The Fresno Bee of 


carried the testimony and the photog aph 

of Mr. Willard Buck, our S. S. Superin 

tendent and an elder too. This was in the 

Church Section and under the Title, 

"What My Religion Means to Me." 

Ten people gathered at the church on 

Saturday, January 1, 1955 to plan for 

the Pacific Coast Summer Conference. 

Mrs. Matt Chestnut, the President of the 

W.M.S. Presbyterial, was in charge. Miss 

Matilda Buck, the President of the 

Young People's Presbyterial reported 

that we would be meeting at the Long 

Meadow Camp near Hume Lake some 

time in July. Our theme this year is to 

be "God Can" and the Verse is found in 

Luke 1:37. The Theme Psalm is 55: vers 

es 12, 13, 14 and 17. Many 

other items 

were discussed. Our next meeting on 

Saturday, April 9 with a lunch at noon 

in the Fresno church should find more 

people gathered to make the final plans. 

LIMAVADY 

Prof. Ramsey died at Portstewart, 

Co. Derry in retirement on No 

vember 26, 1954, just a week short of 

his 94th birthday. He was born in De 

cember 1860 and had a brilliant career 

at School and at Trinity College, Dublin. 

He was ordained in Bally Money Con 

gregation on December 7, 1886 and con 

tinued in the pastorate until June 1940. 

For many years he taught Science and 

Mathematics in Bally Intermediate 

School and was for a time joint-principal 

and then chairman of the Governors. A 

new wing 

of the school was named the 

John Ramsey wing in his honor. From 

1922 to 1945 he was Prof, of Hebrew 

and Greek in the Theological Hall and 

for 45 years he was co-editor of the 

Covenanter. He was a member of mort of 

the important Synodical Committees and 

was often spokesman of the Synod. He 

was moderator of Synod and his mod 

erator's sermon in 1915 

doubing 

. 

"Where is the 

. was a memorable deliver 

ance. 

Two daughters in the homeland 

survive him and, one sister in England 

and Mrs. Nimock, Messrs. Robert and 

Wm. Ramsey in U.S.A. 

THANK YOU 

We would like to express our appre 

ciation to a thoughtful and generous con 

gregation through the 

columns of the 

Covenanter Witness. All through the year 

we have been well remembered. A new 

garage for our car has been built on the 

back of the lot. A Christmas gift of half 

a hundred dollars came in handy 

holiday season. For these and all the oth 

at the 

er tokens of love and appreciation we 

give thanks to God. 

Rev. Frank H. Lathom and 

family of 

the College Hill Congregation. 

TORONTO, CANADA 

The W.M.S. met with Mrs. James 

Craig, with ten members present. After 

the devotions, Mrs. Rivers read from 

the Witness "Prayer a Nation's Great 

est Weapon." Mrs. Parke who is leaving 

Toronto for Locheil resigned as President. 

After the meeting closed a number of 

friends and former members gathered to 

show their appreciation of over 

twenty 

years 

friendship with Mrs. Parke, and 

the W.M.S. presented Mrs. Parke with 

a Dresden Plate Quilt, and Mr. Parke 

with an illustrated Bible. Mr. and Mrs. 

Parke also received a hamper filled with 

gifts from friends. 

A tea was then served by Mrs. Craig, 

the hostess. Entertainment was by sing 

ing Irish songs and recitations. Tributes 

to the Christian life and associations with 

Mr. and Mrs. Parke were made and re 

grets expressed at their departure. After 

singing the 121st Psalm, Mr. Black closed 

the meeting with prayer. 

Mr. and Mrs. Parke are changing their 

residence to Glengary County, 

the bounds of the Lochiel church. 

and within 

SYRACUSE, N. Y. 

At our 

Thanksgiving service, Mr. and 

Mrs. Edward Murphy presented their 

infant con 

D'Arcy Philip for baptism. 

Mrs. William Wright and Bernard 

Egeleston joined our church recently by 

profession of faith. 

Our congregational dinner preceded our 

Christmas entertainment. The moving 

Story" 

picture "The Christmas was 

shown. The "White Gift" for our Ken 

tucky Mission was $145.30. 

Some of our members went carol sing 

ing to the homes of our shut-ins, and 

then to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles 

Murphy where they were served refresh 

ments. 

Mr. Edward Dougall and Mrs. Eugene 

Ernst have been sick for some time. Mrs. 

James Park fell and broke her leg. Mr. 

Wm. Patterson fell from a roof when the 

ladder slipped and broke both his arm 

and leg and bones in his foot. 

SI

shepherds" 

saints." 

The Martins from Denver visited their 

son Hugh and 

family during the holi 

days. 

NEW CASTLE CONGREGATION 

The Adult Bible Class of the New 

Castle Congregation held their Christmas 

dinner at the home of Mr. and Mrs. 

Kenneth Kennedy with 26 present. 

The Sabbath School and Junior Club 

held a combined Christmas party in the 

Church at which time the film "Holy 

Night" 

was shown. 

A new adult class has been formed in 

the Sabbath School which will provide a 

place for the younger adults. The class is 

under the leadership 

of Rev. Harold Har 

rington and John S. Riley, Jr. 

A communicants class has been started 

by the pastor, Rev. Harold Harrington, 

looking forward to church membership 

in the spring. 

HOPKINTON 

Mr. and Mrs. W. Kenneth Sanderson, 

after a short visit during the holidays 

with Dr. and Mrs. Allen and friends at 

Hopkinton, have gone to Urbana, 111., to 

attend and take part in the Inter- Varsity 

Missionary Convention which meets from 

the 27th through the 31st of December. 

There are over 1,600 students and many 

missionaries enrolled for this convention 

and Mr. and Mrs. Sanderson, among 

other missionaries, are to speak to groups 

of students. 

Mr. R. J. McNeill who spent several 

weeks in the hospital is now recovering 

at his home. 

The family and friends of Mr. Walter 

Johnson are hoping that his visit and 

stay in Florida may benefit him as he 

has been ill for a long time. Mr. Hugh 

McGlade, 

ied him. 

his father-in-law, accompan 

PARNASSUS 

The W.M.S. and the Y.W.M.S. united 

in their Thank Offering Meeting which 

was held in the home of Mrs. Edward 

Wachter. Mr. and Mrs. Sanderson gave 

us the story of their work in Latakia. 

The Revival among the students of the 

School is inspiring. A social hour fol 

lowed. 

On Sabbath October 31, we observed 

the Lord's Supper. Rev. Paul McCracken 

of Eastvale was our assistant and 

brought us helpful messages. Mr. and 

Mrs. H. A. 

Biondi were received into 

membership Mr. Biondi through bap 

tism and confession of faith and Mrs. 

Biondi by letter. We welcome them and 

their little daughter, Kim, who was bap 

tized at that time. 

Preparation Sabbath our pastor 

brought to us the message which was fol 

lowed by the signing of the Covenant. It 

was a solemn and memorable service. 

Three of our members, Mrs. Edgar 

Earney, Mrs. Hershel Cypher and Miss 

32 

Edith Miller, have recently 

undergone 

surgery. All three have made a good re 

covery and we rejoice with them that 

God was "a very present help in time 

of trouble. 

We welcome into our midst the infant 

daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Wenk 

hous whom they have named Rebecca 

Lynn. 

Under the supervision of the Y.W.M.S. 

a very attractive nursery has been fixed 

in the basement of the Church. Furni 

ture was donated by 

bers of the Church. 

GENEVA 

two generous mem 

The Juniors held their annual Christ 

mas party on December 20. After David 

Willson had led the group in a round 

of parties, a gift exchange was enjoyed. 

Refreshments in keeping 

with the sea 

son concluded a most enjoyable evening. 

A daughter, Jacqueline, arrived just 

two days before Christmas to gladden the 

hearts of her parents, Bill and Jackie 

Dodds. Proud grandfather is our elder 

W. G. Dodds. 

Elder Russell Lathom was elected 

clerk of our Session at the meeting held 

December 20. Merrill Robb will serve as 

Assistant Clerk. This election came, fol 

lowing the resignation of S. R. Davis who 

has served faithfully in this capacity for 

23 years. We take this opportunity to 

express to him our appreciation for this 

service. 

On Sabbath, December 26, our pastor, 

Rev. Tweed conducted the devotional 

service over our local station. This pro 

gram is conducted each Sabbath morning 

from 9-9:30, conducted by one of the 

churches in the valley, each in turn. We 

welcome this opportunity 

Community 

to tell our 

about our Saviour and to 

sing for them the Psalms, direct from 

God's own Word. Our choir, directed by 

Miss Adella Lawson, sang several se 

lections. Our local station is also broad 

casting "The Way Out" each Sabbath 

morning at 8:15. 

"And there were in the same country 

is the beginning of one of 

the most beautiful stories in the Bible. 

Those of us who gathered in the church 

basement the evening of December 22, 

could not help but feel His presence as 

we listened to the children tell in song 

and story the things that Christ's birth 

day 

meant to them. The occasion was our 

annual Christmas entertainment with 

Willard Hemphill, our Superintendent, 

as Master of Ceremonies. Each 

acting 

child was presented a gift from the Sab 

bath School for his faithful attendance. 

Santa made his appearance, but in a 

hurry for he had many places to stop. 

He stayed long enough to give the tiny 

tots a nice treat and then he waved goodby. 

The church was beautifully decorat 

ed thanks to Mrs. Donald Smith and her 

corps of helpers. Special mention should 

go to Jimmy Dunlap, one of our 

tiny 

tots, who recited a poem almost as big 

as himself. Jeanne Garrett played a med 

ley 

of Christmas songs and Elaine Bell 

gave a reading. Carol singing was en 

joyed, led by Mrs. Stewart McCready 

with Yvonne Lathom at the piano. We 

were all sent home, our arms full of can 

dy and our hearts full of joy from fel 

lowship with Christian friends. 

Overlength Editor 

MEMOIR OF MRS. AGNES C. 

WILSON 

by T. C. McKnight, D.D. 

The Covenanter Church, as well as the 

New Concord congregation, sustained an 

unmeasured loss in the recent passing of 

Mrs. Agnes C. Wilson. She was the wid 

ow of the Rev. William Walter Wilson 

who died August 11, 

1907, after a brief 

pastorate in the Topeka, Kansas congre 

gation. After his death Mrs. Wilson re 

turned to New Concord, Ohio, where they 

had both resided, 

home. 

and established her 

For many years she served the con 

gregation as the efficient leader of the 

singing. She loved to sing the Psalms 

and her leadership in singing them was 

an inspiration. She was a woman of fine 

Christian spirit and was always loyal to 

her church. "The law of kindness was in 

her tongue" because it was in her heart. 

Mrs. Wilson was well known and 

highly respected in the town of New Con 

cord; also in the faculty and student 

body of Muskingum College. For many 

years she operated a "fort" in her home 

near the college campus, where many 

students took their meals; and she was 

much more than a cook to those young 

people. She was really so truly a mother 

to them that she alwaysi spoke of them as 

her boys and girls, and they thought of 

her as Mother Wilson. Therefore there 

are many people scattered all over the 

country who, as well as her own surviv 

ing loved ones, rise up and call her bles 

sed. 

She is survived by one son Walter C. 

Wilson of 

Columbus, Ohio, and three 

grandchildren. She passed away in Wal 

ter's home November 14, 1954 after a 

brief illness. Funeral services were held 

November 16, 1954 in the Mock Mem 

orial Home, New Concord in which I, as 

a former Pastor and close 

friend, re 

quested to officiate. "Precious in the 

sight of the Lord is the death of His 

COVENANTER WITNESS

LESSON HELPS FOR THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 6, 1955 

THE FIELD IS THE WORLD, TWE SCfrD S THE WORD 

OE GOD 

' 

VOLUME LIV WEDNESDAY, JAUNARY 19, 1955 NUMBER 3 

When Joshua Stopped the Sun 

By M. A. Arthur 

All through the ancient writings of the different peoples of the world 

there is this story of a day that lasted twice as long as it should. The ancient 

Egyptian priests showed the Greek historian Herodotus records which 

spoke of this long, long day. In the ancient writings of the Persians, it is 

found. Even among the Polynesian peoples of the islands in the South Seas 

there is a legend of a time long, long ago, when the sun seemed to stay and 

did not go down until a day later. The Chinese have preserved it, claiming 

it was in the reign of Yeo, a ruler of China who was a contemporary of 

Joshua. The Bible has the solution and gives the original account. 

If you read the tenth chapter of the Book of Joshua, you will find that 

as the battle progressed between the Israelites and their foes and the day 

began to wear on to the afternoon, Joshua commanded the sun to stand still 

until he had finished the battle and won. 

The late Professor Charles A. L. Totten, of Yale University, made a 

study once of "Joshua's long day." 

Joshua's long day, when he won the battle, it will be recalled, was not 

a complete day. It lacked forty minutes of being twenty-four hours. In the 

20th chapter of the second Book of Kings, you will find another stepping 

back of the calendar which rounds out the time to a full day. 

Hezekiah, king of Israel at the time, became very ill. He wanted to live 

a little longer and prayed to the Lord, whereupon God promised him fifteen 

years more of life. As a token that this would happen, Hezekiah was told 

that the shadow of the sun would

medicine." 


Frank E. Allen. D. D. 

Crisis in Argentina 

The Peron government of Argentina is having its prob 

lems with the Roman Catholic Church. It is apparently en 

deavoring 

to strengthen its control over religious schools. A 

new decree has abolished the National Department of Re 

ligious Teaching, the Inspectorate General of Religious Edu 

cation, 

and the National Committee of Culture. The services 

of these will be taken over by the Ministry of Education. The 

object of the government seems to be to weaken the control 

of the Roman Catholic church over the appointment of re 

ligious teachers in public schools and to revise the educa 

tional program. 

Theological Students in India 

There are 36 Protestant theological schools in India with 

a total enrollment of 1400 students. In addition to these theo 

logical institutions there are many Bible schools of which it 

is said no attempt has been made to secure statistics. There 

are 271 regular teachers in the seminaries and theological col 

leges. 

Unitarians and NCCC 

The president of the American Unitarian Association of 

Boston, Dr. F. M. Eliot, has urged that the National Council 

of Christian Churches should admit the Unitarian Church 

into its membership. He calls the Unitarians "undogmatic" as 

over against the "dogmatic" Protestant groups. When and 

if the so-called "dogmatic" groups come to the place that 

they leave out Christ, as the Unitarians do, the National 

Council should not call itself Christian. A few years ago the 

Federal Council, now the National Council, refused to admit 

the Unitarians, and despite the liberal attitude of the Na 

tional Council it seems unlikely that they will accept the 

Unitarians or the Universalists into their Council. A writer in 

the Watchman- Examiner (Baptist) affirms that the National 

Council, since its reorganization, is less liberal than formerly. 

However, we await proof of this assertion. As far as we can 

observe, the tendency of the National Council seems to be 

more liberal rather than less liberal. 

troubled by the police of Italy for a considerable time, but this 

ruling should give them a large measure of relief. 

Church Stewardship 

Recently on this page we referred to Alvin Dark, captain 

of the New York Giants baseball team, 

as a tither of his in 

come, and of the fact that he has urged others to be-ome 

tithers at an early age. We did not at that time make any 

reference to his playing on Sabbath. We thought it probable 

that he thus broke the Sabbath, but were not sure that he did, 

therefore did not mention it. There is an item in The Banner 

which reads: "It is to be hoped that Southern Baptist chil 

dren do not get the idea, from Captain Dark's advice, that 

tithing is the whole of Christian stewardship. It seems a bit 

strange to get a lesson of stewardship of money from one who 

has not learned the more important aspects of stewardship. 

To devote one's life to professional sports, involving con 

tinual misuse of the Sabbath, 

would not seem to indicate a 

clear sense of one's duty to God. It is easy to tithe, especially 

if one's income is large much easier than to consecrate the 

life and talent to God." 

A Doctor Talks to Doctors 

In an address before the American Medical Association 

Dr. J. P. Price declared that America is afflicted with a 

"spiritual disease." This disease is evident in the social evils, 

juvenile crime, corruption in athletics, and in the too gen 

. 

eral dishonesty in such matters as the reporting 

of income 

tax. The "mad search for pleasure which causes our people to 

spend four times as much for alcoholic beverages as they do 

for religious and welfare 

activities," 

and the "inroads which 

the doctrine of communism is making on the thinking of 

some of our citizens. It is my sincere belief that the greatest 

need of our country today 

and of our profession is a spirit 

ual rebirth, a return to God and his eternal principles. And the 

rebirth must come in the heart of the average citizen 

the average doctor of 


and in 

The Po,pes on Panama Stamps 

The Republic of Panama plans to portray 

all the popes 

of the Roman Catholic Church on postage stamps during the 

next 8 years. They declare there have been 259 popes during 

the history 

of the Catholic church. The stamps are to be is 

sued in groups of popes of the same name. The most of the 

philatelists will probably seek to secure a collection of these 

stamps. It will serve as an advertisement for Romanism and 

possibly a source of income for Panama. The Bible tells us 

that the priests were not suffered to continue by 

reason of 

death, that Jesus continues ever and has an unchangeable 

priesthood. It is distressing to see people deluded into thinking 

that there are men today, called popes, who are considered by 

vast numbers as vicars of Christ. 

Protestants in Italy 

The Council of State of Italy, which is their Supreme 

Court, has ruled that the Assemblies of God will have the 

same status accorded to them as other recognized Protestant 

groups in Italy. The Ministry of the Interior has been ordered 

action." 

to "put the present decision into This group has been 

34 





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Remo I. Robb. D.D. 

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COVENANTER WITNESS

security," 



STATE OF THE UNION 

President Eisenhower's opening message to Congress 

went straight down the middle of the road on most nation 

al problems. In foreign affairs his most specific request 

was for a more liberal trade policy. He stated his faith 

in continued expansion of the domestic economy under free 

enterprise. But the budget cannot be balanced this year, 

and the President wants no tax cuts. The last part of the 

speech, covering welfare proposals, was almost New Dealish 

in tone. The President supports an extensive highwaybuilding 

program, aid for private health insurance plans, 

more public housing, and some form of aid for schools. He 

also favors revision of the Taft-Hartley law and an increase 

in the federal minimum wage from 75 to 90 cents an hour. 

In addition, Eisenhower advocated higher salaries for Con 

gressmen and other federal employees, lowering the voting 

age to eighteen, and statehood for Hawaii. Some of these 

are measures which he requested, but did not obtain, from 

the last Congress. 

POLITICAL LINEUP 

The President's message creates an interesting political 

situation. His personal followers are delighted, and are 

confident they can re-elect Eisenhower on such a platform 

in 1956. The conservative Republicans are not very happy and 

will vote against some of the measures, but are in no posi 

tion to lead a major revolt. The Democrats are in a dilemma 

because the President's program is so liberal that they will 

have trouble attacking it. They will thus be hard-pressed to 

find issues for 1956. A "me too" campaign has little popular 

appeal, as the Republicans learned when running against 

F. D. Roosevelt. The Democratic party may move farther 

"left" 

to find a distinctive program, but any such trend is 

likely to widen the split between Northern and Southern 

Democrats. Most of the Democrats in Congress are speak 

ing cautiously because of Eisenhower's personal popularity, 

and may not move against him until next year. 

LOWERING THE BOOM 

The Federal Reserve Board acted to curb speculation 

on the booming stock market by raising 

margin requirements 

from 50 to 60 per cent. Margin is the down payment on a 

stock purchase. Stock prices rose about 50 per cent last 

year, with an especially sharp increase since the election. 

The change in margin requirement was not drastic and 

was intended mainly for psychological effect, 

as a warning 

against speculation. Stock prices promptly took their worst 

dip since June, 1950. The market recovered in a few days, 

however, and experts considered the drop a healthy one. 

Insurance companies and pension funds now hold tremendous 

amounts of stock as permanent investments. Most individ 

uals are also keeping stocks for long-term investment, 

rather than selling 

for a speculative profit. The 

capitalgains 

tax encourages this. The Senate Banking Committee, 

however, has promised to study the rising 

if there is any chance of a 1929-style crash. 

TRAVEL LIMITS 

market to see 

Our State Department has prohibited Soviet citizens 

from traveling in nearly a thousand counties and hundreds 

of cities, totalling 27 per cent of the land area of the U. S. 

Americans are barred from about 30 per cent of the Soviet 


Union, and this is a retaliatory 

sians are affected, mainly embassy 

measure. About 400 Rus 

employees and a few 

press representatives. Russians living in this country already 

are required to secure advance permission for any trip 

beyond a 25-mile radius from New York or Washington. 

The prohibited areas are supposed to be based on "re 

ciprocity and but there is little logic in many of 

them. The purpose is mainly to show the absurdity of such 

restrictions and to induce the Russians to relax theirs. The 

Russians can still acquire as much information as any or 

dinary traveler by reading 

BILLIONS FOR HIGHWAYS 

our newspapers and magazines. 

President Eisenhower's Highway Commission has agreed 

on a ten-year program involving the spending of $101 billion 

for highway modernization. About half of this is new plan 

ning. The federal government would pay nearly the whole 

cost of a $24 billion improvement in major cross-country 

highways. States now pay about 40 per cent of the cost 

on "U.S." routes. But the new program still calls for in 

creased expenditures by the states, and there is no sug 

gestion as to how they will raise the necessary funds. This 

report will probably be the basis of President Eisenhower's 

recommendations to Congress. The highway program may be 

strongly opposed by those who believe the money should 

go into schools instead. In both cases, our country has 

been unwilling to tax itself heavily 

enough to meet the 

growing needs, so that the problems are getting steadily 

worse. 

OFF FOR THE ANTARCTIC 

The U. S. Navy has begun a three-year Antarctic ex 

ploration program with the departure of an icebreaker 

from New Zealand for the South Polar continent. It will 

establish a base at Little America, Admiral Byrd's former 

headquarters. Meanwhile an Australian expedition is already 

under way on the opposite side of the continent, from a 

base set up last February. They are traveling inland by 

"Weasel," a tracked vehicle developed by the U. S. for 

work in the far North, and have found a new range of 

mountains. Great Britain also has plans for Antarctic ex 

ploration. A British group may try to cross the continent 

by surface vehicle, touching at the South Pole on the way. 

The trip would cover 1750 miles of virtually unknown ter 

rain, including 

some rugged mountains. The British and 

Australians are coordinating their work with our own. The 

U. S. expedition will be the most elaborate, including the 

operation of an observatory at the South Pole during the 

"summer" 

of 1956-57. 

POLITICAL CASUALTY 

Panama lost a good president, and the U. S. a close 

friend, by the assassination of Jose Remon. Among the sus 

pects arrested was former president Arnulfo Arias, but there 

were no real clues to the plot. If the purpose was to over 

throw the government, it failed, for the vice president took 

over and kept good order. Remon was police chief under 

Arias and then became president in 1952. He was popular for 

his honest, effecient government and welfare program. This 

is the first presidential assassination in Panama's fifty 

years of independence. 

35

seed." 

obedient." 

words." 

covenant" 

years" 

Our Covenant Obligations 

Saturday Morning Devotional Address of Grinnell Conference 

by Rev. Paul Wilson 

After considering on previous mornings our 

"Declaration of Faith" and "Our Confession of Sin," 

we move on this morning to "Our Covenant Obliga 

tions." 

No better passage could be found in scripture 

as a basis for our subject than the one selected from 

Exodus 24:7 with its context which depicts how Mo 

ses, after receiving the law in the Ten Command 

ments from Sinai, built an altar at the foot of Sinai 

and twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel. 

Then they offered burnt offerings and peace offer 

ings of oxen unto the Lord. Taking half of the blood, 

he sprinkled it upon the altar. After reading the 

book of the Covenant before the people, they respon 

ded, in the words of our text, "All that the Lord hath 

said will we do, and be Thereupon Moses 

took the remainder of the blood in basins and sprin 

kled it upon the people saying, "Behold the blood of 

the Covenant, which the Lord hath made with you 

concerning all these 

One thing we should get firmly in mind concern 

ing covenanting as this is revealed to us throughout 

the scriptures is that from the ' standpoint of God, 

the Covenant is one, and it is eternal in its origin 

and sweep. From the standpoint of God's people, the 

historical covenants that appear from time to time 

are a firm standing to that eternal Covenant on 

their Dart in crisis periods and a renewing of their 

vows with the words, "All that the Lord hath said 

obedient." 

will we do, and be 

God's eternal covenant, therefore, comprehends 

His whole purpose and the means thereunto, all of 

which is ordained to bring glory unto Himself. In the 

early Bible scenes we view the Covenant relationship 

depicted, and observe the gradual disclosure of God's 

purpose, and His method of dealing with His chosen 

people. To Adam He first gave the simple test of 

obedience, forbidding him to eat of the tree of the 

knowledge of good and evil with death, spiritual and 

physical, as a penalty. This covenant of works was 

broken as a means to eternal life by the disobedience 

of Adam through which the human race fell. Where 

upon, God extended to Adam the hand of mercy in 

the promise that the seed of woman would bruise the 

head of Satan (Gen. 3:15). Thus while Adam had 

failed through disobedience, the hope was kindled in 

his heart that through the obedience of the Seed of 

woman (who was Christ) salvation, and life, might 

be offered to mankind. 

At the time of the flood, God said to Noah, "But 

(Gen. 6:18). 

with thee will I establish my 

That is, it was the eternal covenant, re-established 

with God's chosen people in Noah. After the flood, 

God enlarges the scope of this covenant saying, "Be 

hold, I establish my covenant with you and with your 

He gave the rainbow as the token of this 

covenant as He says, "That I may 

remember the 

everlasting Covenant" (Gen. 9:16). 

Next we find God's Covenant established with 

Abraham, with whom He reaffirmed the Covenant 

36 

promise again and again. On one instance Abraham 

is told, "Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a 

stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve 

them; and they shall afflict them four hundred 

(Gen. 15:13). This was fulfilled in the bond 

age of Israel in Egypt. 

From this slavery Moses was called to lead the 

people out. After nine plagues were visited upon 

Egypt the tenth and last plague was visited upon 

Egypt in the death of the first-born among their 

families while the Passover was instituted among 

Israel. At this time they are commanded to leave the 

land of Egypt in haste. Three months later they 

camped before Mount Sinai where they received the 

law. At this point we come to the scene of the ratify 

ing of this Covenant which is described in the im 

mediate context of our passage. It was then that the 

whole assembly acknowledged their solemn duty as 

they pronounced the words, "All that the Lord hath 

obedient." 

said will we do, and be 

There are four points to consider in the develop 

ment of our theme: 

I. The grounds from which our Covenant 

obligations arise. 

These are two in particular. The first of these is 

the relationship which prevails between God and man 

as the Creator and the creature. Since God has creat 

ed man, man is dependent iroon and therefore subject 

to God. The Confession of Faith in Chapter VII, par. 

1 states: "The distance between God and creature 

is so great, that although reasonable creatures do 

owe obedience unto Him as their Creator, yet thev 

could never have any fruition of Him as their blessed 

ness and reward, but by some voluntary condescen 

sion on God's part, which He hath been pleased to 

express by way of Covenant." In the Shorter Cate 

chism we find the answer to question 12. "When God 

had created man he entered into a Covenant of life 

with him, upon condition of perfect obedience; for 

bidding him to eat of the tree of knowledge of 'good 

death." 

and evil, upon pain of 

The second basis of our Covenant obligations is 

found in the Redeemer-redeemed relationship pre 

vailing between God and His covenant people This is 

brought out so well in the preface to the Ten Com 

mandments, as God says, "I am the Lord thy God 

which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt 

out of the house of bondage." Then follow the Com 

mandments. This clearly shows that the obligation 

of obedience to the Covenant of God's moral law 

flows from the Redeemer-redeemed relationship 

This is further seen in our immediate context When 

they offered burnt offering and peace offerings of 

oxen, Moses sprinkled the blood the symbol of re 

demption upon the altar and on the people as thev 

voluntarily assumed the obligations of the Covenant 

In the New Testament, too, the Covenant seals a re 

lationship between the Redeemer and the redeemed 

COVENANTER WITNESS

nant." 

mind," 

covenant" 

posterity." 

secured." 

as it is seen at the coming of Jesus Christ, the Re 

deemer. In the words of Zacharias, the father of 

John the Baptist, speaking of the birth of Christ, "To 

perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to 

remember his holy (Luke 1:72). 

II. To whom the covenant obligations extend. 

On the occasion from which our text comes it is 

apparent that all classes of the congregation of Israel 

are included as being bound by the Covenant. There 

were Moses, Aaron, the Levites, and the elders of the 

people who were the representatives of the tribes of 

Israel. There were men, women and children, in 

tribes and in families. This fact is recognized 

in other passages. In Deut. 29:14, 15 Israel 

stands in Moab before crossing the Jordan 

into the promised land and Moses declares, 

"Neither with you only do I make this cove 

nant and this oath, but with him that standeth here 

with us this day before the Lord our God, and also 

with him that is not here with us this day." All were 

to be included. In the taking of the Covenant under 

King Josiah this is seen again. We read in II Kings 

23:2, 3 "and the king went up into the house of the 

Lord, and all the men of Judah and all the inhabi 

tants of Jerusalem with him, and the priests, and 

the prophets, and all the people, both small and 

great ; and he read in their ears all the words of the 

book of the covenant which was found in the house 

of the Lord . . . And all the people stood to the cove 

Accordingly we find this principle of cove 

nanting is recognized in our own covenant of 1871 in 

the opening words, "We ministers, elders, deacons 

and members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church 

in North America, with our hands lifted up, do joint 

ly and severally swear by the Great and Dreadful 

name of the Lord our God." 

III. The third observation in development of our 

theme is the permanent nature of Covenant 

obligations 

This principle has been an historic position of 

our church through the centuries, and it is clearly 

drawn from the Bible. The principle rests upon a 

two-fold foundation. The first is the permanent ap 

plication of the moral law of God, which always 

forms a part of the Covenant relationship. The Bible 

commands pronounced in the Old Testament and re 

inforced by our Lord in the New Testament were, 

"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart 

and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength and 

with all thy and "Thou shalt love thy neigh 

bor as thyself." These never have and never shall be 

rescinded. The Ten Commandments shall always be 

the rule of obedience for God's people as well as the 

finger of God to point out sin to the unrepentant. 

The law of God is of permanent and perpetual appli 

cation. 

The second of the two-fold foundation to the 

principle of the permanent or descending obligations 

of the Covenants is the organic 

unity of succeeding 

generations with their forebears. Here again let us 

appeal to scripture. In Deuteronomy 5:2, 3 we find 

the Israelites almost forty years after the ratifying 

of the Covenant at Sinai, with a new generation 

standing in God's presence before entering Canaan. 

We hear Moses saying to them, "The Lord our God 

made a Covenant with us in Horeb. The Lord 

made not this Covenant with our fathers, but with 


us, even us who are all of us here alive this day." 

Further, we find Israel warned of punishment by the 

prophets because the covenant people in their days 

were breaking the Covenant of their fathers. To cite 

but one, we turn to Isaiah 24:5, 6, "The earth also 

is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because 

they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordin 

ance, broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore 

hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that 

dwell therein are desolate." 

Accordingly our Covenanting forefathers have 

recognized the descending obligations of the Cove 

nants. In the National Covenant of Scotland in 1638 

we quote, "Finally, being convinced in our minds and 

confessing with our mouths, that the present and 

succeeding generations in this land are bound to 

keep the foresaid national oath ... we hereby pro 

fess . . 

In the Solemn League and Covenant (1643) the 

oath was taken in these words, "That we, and- our 

posterity after us, may, as brethren, live in faith 

and love . . 

In our Covenant in America in 1871 we find at 

least three such expressions : Section K. "We receive 

for ourselves and for our children the Lord Jesus 

Christ as He is offered in the Gospel to be our Sav 

iour." 

Then in Section II we promise "to transmit the 

knowledge of (our faith) to In Section III 

we declare that we will "pray and labor for the Chris 

tian Amendment and we will continue to refuse to 

incorporate with the political body, until this blessed 

reformation has been These are clear indi 

cations that we bind, with us, our sons and daugh 

ters from generation to generation under the bonds 

of the covenants that which is clearly the teaching 

of the Word of God until the objectives sought are 

attained. 

IV. Finally we must conclude by observing the 

elements of our Covenant obligations. 

As the people standing before God and Moses 

at Sinai recognized their obligations with the words 

"All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be obe 

dient," 

so we, today, must confess that our personal 

and combined obligation can be summarized in one 

word 

obedience. And let us recognize that it is a 

perfect obedience that is required. Yet we must con 

fess that we are prone to failure and given to sin, for 

"no mere man, since the .is 

fall, able in this life, per 

fectly to keep the commandments of God ; but doth 

daily break them, in thought, word, and deed." Thus 

we must enlist the aid indeed rely wholly upon 

the perfect obedience of our Lord Jesus Christ as the 

Mediator and surety of the New Covenant. 

As we turn to our Covenant we see that it is 

called "A Brief Covenant." This should not be under 

stood to suggest that we consider that God has re 

duced His terms of obligation laid upon us in con 

trast with earlier generations. No! In fact the irre 

ducible obligations of God's people are set forth in 

the whole scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. 

Our prepared Covenant is professedly a summary 

in brief compass of the obligations laid upon God's 

Covenant people. 

Turning to the Covenant itself, let us point out 

briefly the following: 

1. We begin our statement of obligation by a 


37

good." 

A Bible Study and Bible Memory Program for 

The Covenanter Church 

by Remo I. Robb, D.D. 

A previous article presented the background and 

explained the purposes and guiding principles of a 

Church-wide Bible Study and Memory Program. 

It will begin with the presentation of the Gospel mes 

sage, then follow through the principles of Christian 

character 

development, and enlarge into an under 

standing 

of the great Bible truths as presented in 

the Shorter Catechism, and then lead to Church 

membership and Christian service. 

At first, for the sake of those being introduced 

to the Bible, only a limited part of it will be used, la 

ter the entire New Testament will be explored, and 

as the studies progress both Old and New Testa 

ments will be studied. 

The First Study 

"Committee" 

At the most recent meeting of the 

on December 20, the opening study was agreed to. 

It is taken from the Gospel of John. There is no in 

tention of trying to present every doctrine contained 

in the Gospel, but rather to present only the message 

of salvation as it is found there. 

Here are the questions with their references : 

1. How did the world begin 1:3; 1:10. 

2. What was the world like 

From Genesis, the first book of the Bible, chap 

ter 1 :31, we read : 

"And God saw everything that he had made, 

and behold it was very 

3. What is the world like now 1:5. 

4. How did it come to be in darkness 3:19. 

5. Into what groups does the Bible classify men 

15:19. 

6. What is the natural condition of all mankind 

8:23. 

7. What is the natural and just end of a sinful life 

3:36b. 

8. Will all sinners reach this end 8:24. 

9. How did God enable men to escape this "just" 

end 3:16. Why did He do this 

10. What was the supreme step in God's plan for 

bringing sinful men into eternal life 19:17, 18. 

11. How complete is this provision 5:24. 

12. Why is Christ the perfect provision for man's 

need 6:35. 

13. What is His promise to those who believe 8:12. 

14. Is there any other hope for salvation besides the 

Lord Jesus Christ 6:68, 69; 14:6. 

How to Use the Bible Study. 

This Bible Study Program may be used widely. 

It may be used as Sabbath School lessons, young 

people's studies, young adult studies, 

and otherwise. 

With about fifteen questions in each study, they may 

be completed in a week's time each 'by looking up 

two questions a day. Then at the general class meet 

ing on the Sabbath (or whenever it is held) there 

may be discussion and a clearing up 

of uncertain 

points, and a "nailing down" of the truths of the les 

son. 

38 

But the best use of the studies will come 

through those who have themselves studied the 

lessons and then as workers present them to others, 

guiding them also into the knowledge and acceptance 

of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

The aim will not be that the worker can do the 

talking, but that the Bible may be presented so it can 

do its own searching of the heart. Most folks will 

casually agree that the Bible is a good book. It is only 

a step from that point to the question "Wouldn't you 

like to know more about it " When that is agreed to, 

the studies may be presented. 

Each week the worker should contact the pros 

pects, and go over the studies with them. Conversa 

tion should be limited to the points developed by the 

studies, so that arguments and discussion of unre 

lated matters will be avoided. No worker should en 

list more prospects than can be contacted every 

week. 

The Form 

The initial study will be presented, at first, in a 

four-page mimeographed form with an attractive 

design. In addition to the study it will have some in 

troductory information for persons who do not know 

how to use the Bible, such as the meaning of the 

numbers at the end of the questions. There will be al 

so blank lines under each question with the sugges 

tion that the answers be written there. 

Some may wonder why these studies are being 

issued thus in mimeographed form. For one thing, 

no funds have been provided for their printing. But 

more important, we wish to have suggestions for im 

provement of the studies before they are set up in 

print. If the Church is ready to use these studies in 

quantities, they will be so prepared, but it is not wise 

to publish beyond the demand. 

The Demand 

Are the pastors, Sabbath Schools, Young Peo 

ple's Societies ready for a Church-wide Bible Study 

and Memory Program 

The cost for the first study will be 2c per copy. 

Write to the Home Mission Secretary, 1102 Ninth 

Ave., Beaver Falls, Penna., and tell him how many 

copies you would like to have. 


Lowell to Skeptics 

James Russell Lowell, says the Free Methodist, once an 

ambassador to England, just before leaving the latter country 

for the United States attended a meeting in London to do 

honor to the poet Browning. Some of those present made ad 

dresses in which they aired their skepticism and said that they 

could get along without any religion. They did this, though 

they knew that by so doing they would give offense to many 

who were there. Mr. Lowell, having the courage of his con 

victions, said, among other things: 


COVENANTER WITNESS

name." 

escape" 

you!" 

you." 

This 

prayers." 

you." 

all." 

you." 

prayers." 

you." 

This article is written at the request of Rev. 

Paul Faris for the Evangelistic Committee. I under 

stand it is to be the layman's follow-up to an article 

being written by a minister, Rev. K. G. Smith. 

BUCKET OR PIPE 

"That which we have seen and heard declare we 

unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us : 

and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with 

his Son Jesus Christ." 1 Jn. 1:3. 

Some months ago, I was given this verse to learn 

with the suggestion that it should apply to my life 

as a Christian. And I began to see a new and sobering 

thought expressed here. Turning the first phrase 

around, I saw, "We (I) declare unto you that which 

we (I) have seen and heard." Why that meant that 

my complaining, worrying, envying, backbiting, 

frowning, talking about what the rain had done for 

my garden but not about what God had done for my 

soul, in fact, my whole appearance before others is 

a declaration of what my fellowship "with the Father 

and with his Son" means to me. I might orate long 

and loudly on the blessings and joys of the Christian, 

but my neighbor would judge their true meaning 

to me by the living epistle of my life. 

I am glad to testify that a planned and systema 

tic consideration of God and His Word and of what 

salvation and the Christian life mean can certainly 

give increased vitality and life-changing meaning to 

our fellowship with our God and Saviour. 

First, I realized the need to gain more familiarity 

with God's Word. 

John 20:31 says "these are written, that ye 

might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of 

God; and that believing ye might have life through 

his (See Jn. 21:25 and 20:30 for further em 

phasis on this purpose). Most of us have learned 

some Bible verses such as Jn. 3:16, Matt. 6:9(b)-13, 

Ex. 20:3-17, Num. 6:24-26; too often without even 

knowing where to locate them or finding them of 

much meaning. Learning verses under definite sub 

jects started me to see the meaning and purpose they 

should have for myself and others. There were prom 

ises, steps to be followed to reach a desired goal (the 

first being salvation), commands, warnings, an 

swers ; all waiting to be appropriated. 

But then I saw that verse learning was not an 

end. I was encouraged to read the verse in its context 

And that which I saw and heard again broadened 

and deepened. Psalm 19 : 7, 8 was recently suggested 

to me for memorizing. Read these verses and then 

read the entire Psalm and note the richer and more 

accurate meaning these verses gain. So one does 

chapter studies; rewriting them in his own words, 

choosing the central thought, outlining, etc. 

Furthermore, these studies have challenged me 

to try also to see chapters in their context. I learned 

to read 1 Corinthians 12 with Chapter 13. Bible Mas 

tery Month with its month-long study of a book fits 

in admirably with this program and I know many 

have found a deepened fellowship from following this 

project. 

Now I found a danger. It was so comforting, so 


satisfying, being a bucket; just feasting on the 

Word, listening to the minister or other speaker pro 

pounding on the joys and blessings of the Christian 

life, reveling in the congenial fellowship of those of 

like heart and desire. I was soon made aware that I 

should declare Christ to those who knew Him not. I 

was to be a pipe not a bucket. 

So it seemed I must compel the unsaved, the 

cold, the indifferent to come in. I would give them 

the Word of God and how could they help seeing in it 

what I was now seeing But I found that this atti 

tude was often antagonizing my neighbor rather 

than winning him and I became aware that there was 

still a missing element. That was love and a sincere 

desire to see my neighbor know Christ even as I 

knew Him. Studying Paul's ministry from his epis 

tles gave helpful suggestions. 

1. Paul yearned for souls. 

"How greatly I long after you "I have you 

heart." 

in my "Being affectionately desirous of 

People can tell by our attitude if we are really inter 

ested in helping them. This attitude can be developed 

by God's grace. Reading such chapters as Isa. 53 

and 55, Jn. 14 and Rev. 22 will be a big help. I read 

of a soldier with an amputated arm who had become 

a Christian. He was walking in a busy city jostled by 

the hurrying throng. He was tempted to curse at the 

bumps and pain. Then God showed him "a way of 

and at each bump he whispered, "God bless 

Visit the fatherless and widow, never betray a 

confidence, rejoice with them that rejoice and weep 

with them that weep. 

2. Paul prayed for souls. 

"Without ceasing I make mention of you always 

in my "Always in my "Always in 

every prayer of mine for "Praying always for 

suggested to me that I should have a list 

of the church members and pray for each one ; that I 

should learn the names of the other members of a 

family where only one or two had professed their 

faith in Christ and pray for each one. This praying 

should be continued. Fellowship denotes continuing, 

not passing interest. 

3. Paul revisited his contacts. 

"Let us go again and visit our brethren." "I 

was minded to come again unto We have a 

price" 

treasure to share, "the pearl of great ; a won 

der to behold, if the angels in heaven rejoice over 

the repentant sinner, can we do less We share our 

Bible studies, our experiences, our problems, our de 

sires, our hopes, our suggestions. And so the fellow 

ship grows and becomes more contagious. 

I would be only hypocritical if I suggested that I 

have more than begun to develop this fellowship with 

God and my fellowmen. But I will be thankful if God 

sees fit to use any of these remarks to suggest to 

some readers the means to a vision of the wonder and 

boundlessness of the fellowship with our God and 

Saviour available to us for ourselves and for sharing 

with another. 

R. McConaughy 

Central Pittsburgh 

39

neck." 

INTERRUPTIONS 

By Rev. Wm. Young, B.A. 

One of the things that many of us were checked 

for as children was interrupting a conversation. We 

were told that we must not do it. No matter how 

imporant what we had to say might seem to us, we 

had to wait till there was a lull in the conversation. 

I think we can see now that our parents were right. 

Generally speaking, it is wrong and unmannerly to 

interrupt when someone else is talking. None of us 

likes to be interrupted ourselves. 

Yet there are times when we are glad of an 

interruption. When we are listening to, or taking 

part in, a conversation that is boring or perhaps 

we are glad of an interruption 

even embarrassing, 

of any kind. There are many conversations that 

might be interrupted with profit to all concerned. 

None of us who profess to love the Lord should en 

courage in any way conversations that are God-dis 

honouring and detrimental to the highest welfare of 

those who take part in them. 

There is a very pleasing interruption in the 

parable of the prodigal son. You remember how the 

returning prodigal had his speech all ready. He had 

thought out carefully what he was going to say to 

his father. But he didn't get saying half of it. His 

father interrupted him, saying to the servants: 

"Bring forth the best robe and put it on him; and 

put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet . . 

What a wonderful revelation we have there of the 

father's love and forgiveness! That is what God 

is like with you and me. When in penitence, we come 

with our confession of sin and shame, before we 

have told the half, He is speaking to us words of 

pardon and peace, How true He is to His promise: 

"Before they call I will answer, and while they are 

still speaking I will hear." 

Other things can be interrupted as well as con 

versations. How often the work and routine of our 

daily lives is interrupted and how much annoyance 

these interruptions sometimes cause us ! 

An interruption that is very annoying to many 

young men nowadays is the two-year period of Na 

tional Service. It must be very exasperating when 

one has perhaps just finished one's apprenticeship 

and has begun to earn a decent wage to have to rise 

up and leave it all and go away to the Forces. 

There are even less welcome interruptions. How 

often our daily work and the daily routine of our 

lives is interrupted by such things as illness and 

accident ! How often, too, these things seem to come 

at the most awkward time at a time when we can 

least afford to be laid aside ! Yes, many a one is laid 

aside by illness or accident sore against his will. 

There are many things that can happen day by 

day to interrupt us at our work. How often, for 

example, are we interrupted at our work by the ar 

rival of a visitor. We have planned a busy day in the 

house or office or field as the case may be and then 

we get an unexpected visitor and our plans are all up 

set and much of our work remains undone. 

It is very annoying to have our work and the 

routine of our lives interrupted in these ways. And 

yet if we believe, as we profess to do, that our lov 

ing heavenly Father controls each detail of our 

lives and causes all things to work together for our 

good, then it follows that He must have a wise and 

40 

loving 

purpose even in the interruptions that come 

to us. There can be nothing arbitrary or haphazard 

about them. They are His appointment for us and 

are intended to serve some useful purpose in our 

lives. 

Sometimes when our plans are thwarted and 

interrupted, it may be that God is seeking to turn 

us from something that is not for our good or His 

glory. Balaam was doubtless annoyed when his 

journey to Balak was interrupted by the seeming 

stubbornness of the beast on which he rode. But 

there was more to it than Balaam at first realized. 

It was the angel of the Lord who stood in the way to 

prevent him from blindly continuing in his wayward 

self-sought course. God often graciously interrupts 

the schemes and plans of men, that He may turn 

them from some unworthy 

and dangerous course. 

I remember once hearing a sermon on the provi 

dence of God in the course of which the preacher 

said that "sometimes God breaks a man's leg to 

keep him from breaking his It was an arrest 

ing way of stating this aspect of God's providence. 

Many a man, as he looks back over life's way, thanks 

God for the illness or accident which interrupted the 

routine of his life and kept him from rushing blind 

on his way. He realizes that that spell on his back 

ly 

was a blessing in disguise. It gave him time to think 

and to remember life's values. It enables him to con 

sider afresh the interests of his immortal soul and 

the claims of God upon him. 

But what about those interruptions which come 

when we are earnestly seeking to do God's will 

These, too, have a gracious purpose. That visitor 

who upset your plans so badly was perhaps sent by 

God that you might minister guidance and comfort 

and help. Or perhaps the visitor was God's messenger 

and ministering angel to you. 

It may be that God interrupts us at what we 

are doing because He has got something 

more im 

portant for us to do. In the eighth chapter of the 

Acts, we read how, while Philip was busy preaching 

the Gospel in the villages of the Samaritans, the 

angel of the Lord told him to go "unto Gaza, which 

is desert." It must have seemed strange to him to 

be commanded to leave a scene of spiritual activity, 

and go to an uninhabited, desolate region. 

But, on 

obeying the command, Philip had the privilege of 

pointing the Ethiopian eunuch to Christ, and so 

a whole continent was touched for Christ that day. 

The next time, then, that we are inclined to 

be annoyed because of some interruption to our work 

or our plans, let us try to realize and remember that 

God has a wise and loving purpose even in the in 

terruptions that come to us. It may help, too, to re 

mind ourselves that the Saviour, who was tried in 

knew what it was to experience 

all points as we are, 

interruptions. When He and His disciples had with 

drawn for rest, how annoying it must have been for 

them to find that the crowds had followed them. 

Yet Jesus didn't get annoyed. Instead He ministered 

to their needs and as a consequence of that inter 

ruption we have the beautiful account of the feeding 

of the multitude. Our Divine Master, who thus turn 

ed the interruption into blessing, can 

help us to do 

the same. He can give us grace to overcome our an 

noyance and to make the interruption a 

blessing to 

ourselves and to others. 

Death is sometime spoken of as an interruption 

COVENANTER WITNESS

obligations" 

ourselves" 

works." 

views." 

and in a very real sense it is. It is a very long and 

far-reaching interruption. How many plans are up 

set by death ! How much seemingly good and neces 

sary work is interrupted by the angel of death ! The 

interruption caused by death is one that we will all 

experience some day. When the angel of death calls 

we must obey the summons. Everything must be 

laid aside at once. We can't bribe the angel of death 

or keep him away. 

And yet, looked at aright, death is not really 

an interruption. If we trust and love the Lord Jesus 

Christ, if we are living daily in union and fellowship 

with Him and in obedience to His will, then death is 

not really an interruption but a promotion to higher 

service. One of the things we are told about heaven 

is that there "His servants shall serve Him." That 

heavenly service will be the continuation and consum 

mation of the service begun here on earth. 

Let us then make sure that we are Christ's 

that we have chosen Him as Saviour and are con 

secrated to His service. Then the so-called interrup 

tions of life we shall be able to regard as His ap 

pointment, and when the last interruption of all 

comes and death calls, it will seem to us the voice 

of Christ inviting us to higher service. 

The Reformed Presbyterian Witness 

OUR OBLIGATIONS . . . Cont'd from page 37 

recognition of need, in "accepting the Covenant of 

Grace." 

We acknowledge that we sin and fall short 

of the glory of God. That we are frail creatures and 

that any hope of acceptance rests in the provisions 

of God's grace offered to us in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

2. We "undertake 

promising to seek 

to conform our lives to the teaching and example of 

Our Lord Jesus Christ in the testimony of a consist 

ant, godly life. In this we promise to "endeavor to 

forsake all that is sinful and that would compromise 

our witness." 

3. To this end "we promise to avail 

of the means of grace and the opportunities of stew 

ardship of the whole life, in service as well as in 

monetary giving. 

4. We do solemnly purpose to "seek first the 

righteousness" 

Kingdom of God and His 

with all of 

its implications in opposing evil in high places and 

furthering that which is right and good in Church 

and State. 

should be given that 

Now a concluding warning 

our chief purpose in renewing our Covenant should 

not be the blessing which we may anticipate, but, 

instead, that God's name may be glorified in the act 

of renewal and in the continuing life of obedience 

which should flow from the Covenant renewal. Then 

the grand purpose should one day be attained that, 

"All ends of earth, remembering Him, 

Shall turn repenting, to the Lord ; 

The kindreds of the nations then 

To Him their homage shall accord; 

Because the Lord the kingdom owns 

And rules above all earthly thrones." 

GLIMPSES- Continued from page 38 

"The worst kind of religion is no religion at all, and those 

men who live in ease and luxury, indulging themselves in the 

amusement of going without religion, may be thankful that 


KANSAS SPEAKS AGAIN 

Rev. Sam Boyle's article of December first on a 

new minister for Japan stated that if the 2000 adult 

members, supposed to be furnishing the bulk of the 

church's giving, would increase their gifts by $58.00 

each, the over-all asked for budget woud be sub 

scribed. 

Mr. Boyle's home congregation decided to do 

something about it. So a pledge-card was distributed 

on Sabbath, December 26, which reads as follows : 

"I PLEDGE IN EXCESS OF REGULAR 

GIVING SO THAT SYNOD'S BUDGET WILL 

BE RAISED AND A MISSIONARY SENT TO 

JAPAN. SOME OF PLEDGE TO BE PAID DE 

CEMBER 26 AND THE BALANCE BY 

1955." 

MARCH 1, 

This would seem an inopportune time to present 

a card like that. First, because an offering was to be 

taken for the building fund for their new church. 

Then there was the regular fund that comes Sabbath 

by Sabbath. Besides all that, it was the day set for 

the offering for National Reform. A pledge-card on 

top of all that on the same day 

So What I copy from their church bulletin of 

January 2, 1955. 

Treasurer's Report on Collections 

for December 26: 

National Reform Association $106.04 

Building Fund 515.00 

Synod's Budget 608.00 

General Fund 183.95 

Total $1412.99 

Pledged to Synod's Budget (Pledge Card) 1036.00 

(of which $608.00 was paid that day) 

Well, there it is folks and from a congregation 

which now has no church building and is without a 

pastor to lead them! Knowing Topeka as we do we 

are not too greatly surprised. 

Be it known that Topeka congregation has not 

asked or authorized us to publish these facts but 

we take it that church bulletins are public property. 

Besides we deem it a good way to "consider one an 

other to provoke unto love, and to good 

D. H. Elliott 

they live in lands where the gospel they neglect has tamed the 

beastliness and ferocity of the men who, but for Christianity, 

might long ago have eaten their bodies like the South Sea 

Islanders, or cut off their heads and tanned their hides like 

the monsters of the French Revolution. 

"When the microscopic search of skepticism, 

which has 

hunted the heavens and sounded the seas to disprove the ex 

istence of a Creator, had turned its attention to human society, 

and has found a place on this planet ten miles square where 

a decent man can live in decency, comfort and security, sup 

porting and educating his children unspoiled and unpolluted; 

a place where age is reverenced, infancy respected, manhood 

esteemed, womanhood honored, and human life held in due 

regard 

when skeptics can find a place ten miles square on 

this globe where the gospel of Christ has not gone and cleared 

the way and laid the foundations, and made decency and se 

curity possible, it will then be in order for the skeptical liter 

ati to move thither, and there ventilate their 


41

people." 

eat." 

Lesson Helps for the Week of February 6, 1955 



Charles R. McBurney 

WHAT'S IN MY PSALM BOOK 

Psalm 100 

In my Psalm Book are God's own 

songs for me to sing. There is much to 

say about them, too, but comments are 

intended merely to prepare for singing. 

Any group can enjoy at least ten songs in 

an hour's meeting, with time out for 

prayer and reading and precentor's sug 

gestions. 

There's praise in my Psalm Book. 

Gladness, thanks, service, noise are some 

ingredients of the praise I sing in Psalm 

100. Praise for deliverance, for a goodly 

theme, 

for victory, for justice I sing 

about in Psalms 30, 45, 66, 96, 98, and 

a host of others. Psalm 145 on page 350 

is one of my favorites, but I'll be just 

as happy to sing yours. 

There's anguish in my Psalm Book. 

Disaster, defeat, discouragement, remorse, 

indecision, helplessness are expressed in 

Palms like the 6th, the 38th, the 42nd, the 

55th, the 88th, the 102nd, to mention only 

a few. But when I make my anguish a 

theme for song, the depths are full of 

hope. In the compass of one short Psalm, 

which I hope you will sing with me, I 

travel in song the entire distance from 

despair to exultation. I am 

thinking of 

Psalm 13 on page 23. Or would you pre 

fer Psalm 130 

There's vision in my Psalm Book. I see 

the godly man in Psalm -15, the godly 

home in Psalm 128, the world won to 

Christ in Psalm 67, enduring peace and 

prosperity in Psalm 85, our loving heav 

enly Father in Psalm 103. 

upon the Lord continually are 

"Mine eyes 

set" 

for 

the sight of goals worth attaining. In the 

first four stanzas of Psalm 97 on page 

233 we can sing together of Christ on His 

throne, a vision of eternal power and 

glory. 

There's prayer in my Psalm Book. 

There are the prayers Christ taught His 

disciples: prayer for the keeping holy of 

God's name in the final stanzas of Psalm 

72; prayer for the coming of His King 

dom in the refrain of Psalm 57; prayer 

for obedience to His will in part 5 

Psalm 119; prayer for daily food in part 

3 of Psalm 119; prayer for forgiveness in 

Psalm 51; prayer for deliverance from 

evil in Psalm 141; ascribing kingdom, 

power, and glory to Him in Psalm 96. 

Many of these prayers I offer when I 

sing from that favorite prayer Psalm on 

page 347, the 143rd. 

There's music in my Psalm Book. God 

W 

42 

of 

provided the words, not the tunes, but He 

asked me to sing, and I find in my Psalm 

Book, leafing rapidly through, 

some 

tunes so well known and so respected all 

over my country that Psalms may be 

sung by any group if words only are pro 

vided. Such tunes, with favorite passages 

already attached to them, occur on pages 

8, 43, 118, 132, 156, 246, and 347. There 

are simple tunes, easily sung 

over and 

over, like those on pages 52, 91, 102, and 

137 ; tunes with power and movement like 

those on pages 110, 119, 171, and 175; 

tunes with lingering beauty and depth 

like those on pages 57, 140, 223, 327, and 

341; tunes that challenge the best of 

choirs, yet can be sung by all, like those 

on pages 49, 106, 225, and 336. On pages 

13, 51, 86, 87, 165, 213, 219, 224, 283, and 

288 I find tunes from medieval and 

classical masters; on pages 7, 12, 46, 197, 

and 237 I find melodies from Psalters 

of Psalm-singers across the seas and the 

centuries; on pages 6 and 281, tunes re 

corded from childhood memories of God's 

praise; and on pages 131, 195, 210, 227, 

283, 314, 325, and 327, tunes from the 

hearts of Psalm-lovers whose voices we 

remember or hear still in our midst. 

Before I ask you to use up the rest of 

our meeting time in singing 

with me 

some samples from this list, would you 

like to concentrate for a moment on the 

poetry in my Psalm Book The prose 

version will serve, for Psalter poetry con 

sists in a rhyming of thought, a rhythm 

of ideas. Have you ever tried reading 

Psalm 19:7-11 by dividing into two 

groups and having 

one group read the 

first part of each verse and the other 

group the last, Beautiful that way, isn't 

it Or turn to Psalm 73:23-28 and have 

the groups read alternate verses. Or use 

our text, Psalm 100, that way, reading to 

gether the last verse. 

I have mentioned a few of the things 

in MY Psalm Book. What's in yours 

Do you find faith, repentance, challenge, 

and resolutions Where And what else 

JUNIOR TOPIC 


by Mrs. Philip W. Martin 

JESUS AND A BOY'S LUNCH 


Memory Verse: "And they say 

We have here but five loaves, and two 

unto him, 

fishes. He said, Bring them hither to 

me." 

Matthew 14:17, 18 

Psalms 

February Memory Psalm 25: 3-6, page 

57 

Psalm 86: 9-11, page 209 


Psalm 116:8, 9, 11, 12, page 282 

I think that every boy and girl likes a 

picnic and I know that some grown-up 

boys and girls like picnics, too. Today 

our story is about a picnic, but I know 

that you and I have never been to a 

picnic like the one in our story. 

John the Baptist had dared to tell 

King Herod that he was a sinner because 

he had taken someone else's wife to be 

his wife. Herod put John in prison but 

was afraid to kill him. But on Herod's 

birthday the daughter of this woman had 

danced for the king and his men friends, 

so 

Herod promised her whatever she 

wanted. She asked for the head of John 

the Baptist! So Herod had John be 

headed in the prison. The disciples told 

this sad news to Jesus. This made Jesus 

sad, too. There were so many 

people who 

wanted to see Jesus that He didn't even 

have time to get a bite to eat. So Jesus 

suggested to His disciples that they go 

some place where they 

could be alone for 

a little while. The only way to get away 

from the people was to go by boat across 

the sea of Galilee to a desert place. 

But the people saw them leave and 

they were so anxious to see Jesus that 

they ran around by the shore. They ran 

so fast that they were waiting 

on the 

shore when Jesus and His disciples ar 

rived by boat. Jesus saw the need that 

the people had of Him so, tired and sad 

as He was, He got out of the boat and 

taught the people many 

things. The sun 

had come to its height and it was now 

going down, down, down. Soon the day 

would be done and the people had been 

so anxious to see Jesus that they hadn't 

taken food with them. 

The disciples interrupted Jesus and 

said, "Master, it's getting late. You are 

tired and the people are hungry. Tell 

them to go home now. 

Pretty 

soon the 

stores will be closed and it will be too 

late for them to get anything to 

Jesus turned to His disciples and said, 

"Give ye them to 

eat." 

This surprised 

and shocked the disciples. They began to 

figure how much money they had. "We 

haven't enough money to buy enough 

bread to even begin to feed the great 

crowd of 

Now while the rest of the disciples were 

trying to figure things out, Andrew had 

been going through the crowd to see if 

they had food they could share. But all 

he found was some food which a little 

boy had thought to bring along. So An 

drew told Jesus about this little boy and 

said, "But he has only five barley loaves, 

and two small fish: and they won't

me." 

me." 

me." 

glory." 

son." 

very far." Jesus said, "Bring them hither 

to Then Jesus commanded His dis 

ciples and said, "Make everyone sit down. 

So they all sat down. Then Jesus asked 

the blessing, thanking His Father for 

just five loaves of bread and two small 

fish! Perhaps some people even laughed 

out loud at such thankfulness, but their 

laughs were soon turned to amazement 

as Jesus broke the bread and gave some 

bread and fish to His disciples. They dis 

tributed what Jesus gave them and went 

back to Jesus for more and more and 

more and more! Some people wanted 

"seconds" and Jesus supplied bread and 

fish until everyone was full! Then Jesus 

said, "We mustn't waste good food. 

over." 

Gather up everything that is left 

So the disciples gathered up twelve bas 

kets full of food that was left over! And 

when they counted how many were 

served at that picnic there were at least 

five thousand men 

besides women and 

children! perhaps about fifteen thou 

sand people! Did you ever hear of such a 

picnic! This was another proof that Je 

sus is God. 

That little boy's lunch was enough for 

only one boy. But Jesus said, "Bring it 

And He multiplied it fifteen 

to 

thousand times and more! Also, let us 

notice that it was all that the lad had. 

What do you suppose might have hap 

pened if the lad had said, "I must keep 

one loaf and one fish for myself, but 

Jesus can have the rest" Jesus is saying 

to you and to me today "Bring them 

(your whole life, your abilities, your 

various kinds of activities, your money, 

everything that you possess) hither to 

For your notebook 

To the side of your paper draw five 

round loaves of bread and two little fish. 

Then put a big "X 15,000," meaning that 

these five loaves and two fish were mul 

tiplied 15,000 times. Below this put "My 

Life in the Hand of Jesus Christ equals 

(use the equals 

sign)" 

In the meeting 

perhaps you could name some people 

such as David Livingstone whose lives, in 

the Hand of Jesus Christ, 

have been 

used to bring the Bread of Life to many 

thousands of starving souls. 






Christian Teaching:, copyrighted by the Inter 

national Council of Relieious Education.) 

THE GRACE OF GOD 

Luke 15:11-24; Eph. 2:1-10; Titus 2:11- 

14; John 4:10 

Printed text, Same as above. 

Memory verse, 1 John 4:10. Herein is 

love, not that we loved God, but that He 


loved us, and sent his Son to be the pro was the honest worker in his work clothes. 

pitiation for our sins. 

Of course he should have felt as his 

Luke 15:11. A certain man had two father did. But who are we to condemn 

sons; the younger son was a pleasure 

him Would you have gone in Some 

loving, lazy fellow. He didn't mind exer 

have inferred that he never did go in. 

tion in a game or sport. If it was some 

Eight times in this parable, 'sori is from 

useful work for the good of the home, it uios, the common word. When the Father 

peeved him and added no pleasure to addressed his elder son he used a differ 

'teknon,' 

himself or others. When he was of 

ent 

age, he word, that is seldom used 

asked for his portion. Perhaps he and 

had has a special sense of endearment. 

some scheme for planting his money, and Mary used it in addressing Christ. Paul 

gathering the fruit without work. 

used 

That it in addressing Timothy and Titus. 

is the meaning of one of the six Hebrew Weymouth makes it "My dear 

words that are translated usury. That What higher appreciation could the fa 

has always been a favorite method of the ther have expressed "Son, thou art 

Jews, though I understand that the Jews 

always with me, and all that I have is 

thine." 

exact no interest from Jews, but Not one word of praise for the 

only 

from Gentiles (Deut. 23:20). If this younger brother. He has come back. That 

young man had a plan for business, it is all. It was cause for rejoicing. Do you 

failed. Of course he was surrounded by 

think the elder brother did not go in 

butterflies and gold diggers who helped then I have been wearied by the hero 

him spend his money until he had none, worship sometimes heaped on the prodi 

then of course, they left him and looked gal son. And equally wearied by the 

abuse for some other fool who would part 

of the elder brother. 

from his money. Poor fellow! He had not The purpose of this parable is to show 

made friends, he had fed vultures. the loving grace of the Father. We might 

Unskilled in useful labor, his hunger think that Paul had just been reviewing 

drove him to a job that was cheap, and this parable, when he wrote to the Ephe 

despised by his people. Feeding hogs! sians:; 2:4. "But God, being rich in mercy, 

It fed him so ill, that he tried to for His great love suppliment 

his breakfast by eating hog feed. 

us." 

wherewith He loved 

His love far exceeds that of an 

Did you ever taste carob beans If not, earthly father. When we were dead, He 

made 

get a nickle's worth from some Greek or 

us alive through Christ. Robe 

Jewish store. They taste like dates Ring Feast "Made us to sir with Him 

mixed 

with corn-cobs. At last, his fine 

in clothes heavenly places, in Christ Jesus." Both 

bartered, haggared by sin and 

sons had the same cause to rejoice. After 

hunger, 

ragged and dirty; no where else that he all, they were brothers. "For by grace 

could go, he decided to go home. have ye been saved through faith; and 

not of yourselves, it is the gift of God." 

The elder brother had been his father's 

If 

comfort, steady, dependable. He did the any man had a right to boast, it was 

the elder brother. Paul said, "Not of 

work that his brother left undone; he 

works, that no man should 

had done the extra work caused by his 

brother's neglect and mischief. His Titus 2:11. Salvation implies a serious 

brother's leaving, instead of adding need, that the needy one can not meet 

work, actually left the work lighter. He alone. Salvation from death! Only One 

was out at work when the prodigal came could meet death for us, and He owed 

home. 

us nothing. So it is by His grace alone 

The Father was waiting. He saw the that He can save us. Grace is an un 

boy 

when he first came in sight, and went deserved favor. 

to meet him. He did not wait for the What did the prodigal deserve Had 

boy's confession, but told a servant to he not thrown away in sinful pleasure 

put the best robe on him, after a bath, 

every right to favor Sam Hadley, telling 

of course. These robes were kept for us of the work in the Water Street Mis 

travelers, as a mark of hospitality. Put 

sion, said that they had little hope for 

a ring on his finger, thus giving him a the men of the street until they sunk to 

place in the home, 

even a place of some 

the very bottom, and knew that they 

authority. In some certain field he could 

were down and out. Then, when there was 

seal contracts with the ring. Then a feast 

nothing they could do, and they realized 

was prepared, friends called in and they it, they might be led to Christ. The most 

were having a merry time. 

helpless people are the self satisfied 

That was what the elder brother found Christians. 

when he came in from his work. Put The purpose of salvation goes beyond 

yourself in his place. He was not angry the felicity of the one who is saved. 

because the Prodigal had come back. Christ wants a redeemed, purified .peo 

It was because this waster was received ple for His possession. A people zealous 

on equal terms with himself. Yea more; of good works. We love God because He 

a special feast was spread for him. And first loved us. We serve Him, because we 

here, in this dressed up merry making, love Him. 

43

woman." 

glory." 

Psalms 



"REVERENCE IN PRAYER" 

Gen. 18:22-23 

Rev. P. D. McCracken, D.D. 

8:1, 3, 4. page 12 

19:1, 2, page 41 

139:7-10, 13, page 342 

109:17, 20, 23, page 274 

References: II Sam. 9:6; I Kings 1:31; 

Ps. 111:9; Heb. 12:6-9; Heb. 12:28. See 

also Psalms 86; 61:1; 25:1-6; 17:1-7; 

8:1-4 in the Psalter. 

COMMENTS 

One of the vivid recollections of my 

high school days was of a fellow-student, 

who, whenever he referred to his father 

or mother, always called them "my old 

"my old 

man" 

and 

He, of 

course, thought that was smart, but it 

revealed not only 

an ignorance of the 

Fifth Commandment, but a gross irreverance 

toward those for whom he should 

have had respect. This same irreverance 

was seen in other lines, for he was fre 

quently profane toward God, and most 

objectionable in regard to things he 

should have held sacred. 

But this chap was by no means an 

isolated case. Irreverance is one of the 

prevailing sins of mankind, and is every 

where in evidence today. And one of the 

places where it is frequently demonstrat 

ed is in PRAYER. This subject calls for 

careful consideration on the part of God's 

people for very likely 

less guilty. 

we are all more or 

Prayer, as we have it summarized in 

our catechism, is an offering up of our 

desires unto God for things agreeable to 

his will, in the name of Christ, with con 

fession of sin, and thankful acknowledg 

mercies." 

ment of his AND WHO IS 

GOD 

"God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and 

unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, pow 

er, holiness, justice, goodness, 

God is an infinitely exalted being. He 

and 

truth." 

is the great I AM. His greatness is re 

vealed everywhere. We can see much of 

this greatness and majesty and power 

with our eyes, but infinitely more when 

we use the microscope and the telescope. 

"The heavens declare the glory of God 

and the firmament showeth his handi 

work" 

(Ps. 19:1). All Scripture is filled 

with references to His holy 

perfections. 

and infinite 

In the Sabbath School lesson material 

for January 9, 

one of the quarterlies car 

ries this significant paragraph: 

"As the 

LORD, He is the self-existent One and 

the covenant making God. As the HOLY 

ONE, He is the God who acts in agree 

ment with His own character, whether in 

salvation or in judgment. As the EVER 

LASTING GOD, He is capable of main- 

44 

taining 

a steadfast purpose for all time 

and of bringing it to consummation. He 

is unchanging from age to age. As the 

CREATOR OF THE ENDS OF THE 

EARTH, He is a God of power, unchal 

lenged by any deity of man's devising. 

All things are under His sovereign sway. 

As SPIRIT, He assures us that He is not 

a part of the world process in a pantheis 

tic sense, but stands above and apart 

from His own creation as the designer 

and fabricator of it. As FATHER, He 

exemplifies all the truths which we can 

possibly associate with an earthly father, 

only in a far more wonderful degree. As 

ONE WITH THE SON, God the Father 

shows Himself to us in a way which we 

can understand and appropriate. We can 

know God through Jesus Christ His Son." 

This is the One to whom we pray. How 

infinitely great and high He is how 

small are we! When one looks down from 

the top of the Empire State Building in 

New York to the streets far below, the 

cars appear like ants crawling along, 

and the people are mere specks. How 

small must we look in the eyes of God 

who is so infinitely above us! See Psalm 

8. So, in His presence, and especially 

when we are praying, it behooves us to 

be most reverent and humble, in our atti 

tudes, in our words, and in our actions. 

In the passage suggested for our study, 

we watch Abraham while he pleads with 

God for Sodom. He is most persistent, 

but his attitude of reverence is sugges 

tively marked by his statement, "Behold 

now I have taken upon me to speak 

unto the Lord, which am but dust and 

ashes." 

And six times God met Abra 

ham on his own terms. Humility and 

reverence have a big place in answered 

prayer. 

Toward the end of the Book of Job, 

after God had revealed Himself in that 

remarkable series of questions in chap 

ters 38 through 41, Job humbly bowed 

his head and with reverence said, "I 

have heard of thee by the hearing 

of the 

ear, but now mine eye seeth thee; where 

fore I abhor myself, and repent in dust 

and 

ashes" 

(Job 42:1-6). 

In Isaiah's vision (Isa. 6), he knew 

the reason for reverence, and reacted fa 

vorably, when he saw and heard the 

seraphim in the presence of the Lord 

cry one to another, "Holy, Holy, Holy is 

the Lord of Hosts ; the whole earth is full 

of His 

Consider Moses, 

with his shoes off and 

his face hidden, before God at the burn 

ing bush (Ex. 2:1-6). Also Solomon, 

standing before the altar, with hands out 

stretched toward God, at the dedication 

of the temple (II Chron. 6:12); and 

Daniel, kneeling in his house in prayer as 

was his custom. These are all examples of 

reverence, and reverence helps to spell ef 

fectiveness in prayer. 

In our communion with God in prayer 

we need to guard our words. There seems 

to be a growing tendency in these days 

"familiar" 

to .become 

with very God, 

and address Him and talk 

in terms of "you" and "your" 

with Him 

instead of 

the more reserved and reverential King 

James Version language of 

"thou" and 

"thine." 

"thee" 

and 

Certain recent trans 

lations of the Bible have increased this 

tendency. Some would say, "I feel that 

I can get closer to God in this way. He 

seems more 

real." 

Others react just the 

opposite way and feel that this tends to 

bring God down to a merely human level. 

Perhaps we need to be on our guard con 

tinually 

tempt." 

lest "familiarity breed con 

Again, we need to consider carefully 

our actions in prayer. Our Directory for 

Public Worship states, "The posture in 

prayer is not a matter of indifference. 

Kneeling or standing 

are Scriptural and 

are expressive of the spirit of reverence 

and devotion" (p 309). These are the 

positions, physically speaking, that we 

take when we desire to honor some dig 

nitary or person of fame, and certainly it 

is no less appropriate to thus honor the 

Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit 

when we pray. But it is no secret that 

many people can be most irreverent and 

slovenly when assuming these positions 

in prayer, especially standing. Some get 

tired and figity, especially if the prayer is 

long, 

and at other times the whole land 

scape seems to be in focus. Thus, to 

many, the position of sitting seems more 

reverent and worshipful, at least for cer 

tain times and circumstances. But what 

ever the physical posture is, it should 

certainly be with bowed heads and hearts, 

to give reverence to the One who, when 

properly approached, both hears and 

answers prayer. 

For Discussion: 

The Greatness of God 

Attitudes in Prayer 

Language used in Prayer 

Posture in Prayer. 

To live in the presence of great truths 

and eternal laws, to be led by perma 

nent ideals 

that is what keeps a man 

patient when the world ignores him, and 

calm and unspoiled when the world 

praises him. Balzac. 

The flower of youth never appears 

more beautiful than when it bends to 

ward the Sun of Righteousness. Mat 

thew Henry. 

Summer: What you wait for all year, 

complain about when it arrives, and 

wonder where it ever went after it is 

gone. Changing Times. 


edemption" 

shame." 

W. M. S. Department 

Mrs. Ross Latimer. Editor, 

Prayer Hour, 1:00 P.M. Monday 

W. M. S. TOPIC 

For February 

SEEKING AND FINDING 

Prov. 2:4, 5 

Irene Piper 

/. Asking for Wisdom, James 1:5 

Wisdom is available to all who seek 

it. It has its source in God. James said, 

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him 

ask of God, that giveth to all men liber 

ally, and upbraideth not; 

and it shall be 

given him." When the Lord appeared to 

Solomon in a dream in Gibeon, he asked 

for wisdom, and the Lord gave him a 

wise and understanding heart (I Kings 

3:5-15). Solomon exhorts us to seek wis 

dom above everything and tells us it is 

the principal thing (Prov. 4:5-7). We 

need to pray daily for this gift which 

God has graciously promised to give us 

if we ask for it. 

II. The Place of Wisdom, Job 12:13 

Wisdom has a necessary place in the 

lives of righteous persons. Solomon de 

clared that wisdom and uprightness are 

as one (Prov. 4:11). Christians are com 

manded to walk in wisdom (Col. 4:5). 

Wisdom teaches the principles by 

which we may obtain God's guidance and 

avoid the society 

and influence of the 

wicked. The two ways of life are con 

trasted in the third and fourth chapters 

of Proverbs. One is the evil way of dark 

ness which brings insecurity and violence. 

The other is the way of wisdom, which is 

the way of light, bringing physical, in 

tellectual, and spiritual blessings. It is 

the way of peace bringing right rela 

tionships between men and God and be 

tween men and their fellowmen. The 

Bible values wisdom above all earthly 

riches, strength, and weapons of war. 

It is of measureless value because it is an 

attribute of Jehovah. 

III. Finding Wisdom, Prov. 8:13 

Where shall wisdom be found Job 

asked the question and answered it (Job 

28:12-28). The fear or reverence of the 

Lord is wisdom. It is also written that 

the fear of the Lord is the beginning of 

wisdom (Prov. 9:10). The New Testa 

ment reveals Christ as the wisdom of 

God. The Apostle Paul said, "Of him 

are ye in Christ Jesus who of God is 

made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, 

and sanctification, and 

(I Cor. 1:30). True wisdom may be 

found through repentance and faith in 

the Lord Jesus Christ. 


Life Magazine's Liquor Advertisements 

There was a drop of $1,000,000 in Life 

Magazine's Liquor Advertising revenues 

in 1954 over the year 1953. On the basis 

of single insertion cost, Life's Liquor Ad 

vertising revenue for 1953 was $11,024,- 

024; for 1954, $9,945,320, a decrease of 

$1,078,704, 

For several years past there has been 

an increase from year to year in Life's 

Liquor Advertisements. How account for 

this decrease in the past year Over this 

same period the National Temperance 

and Prohibition Council has been carry 

ing forward a crusade against Liquor 

Advertising. It has given special atten 

tion to Life Magazine due to the magni 

tude and highly 

artistic character of its 

liquor ads. It has been bombarded with 

protests against its liquor advertisements 

by those participating in this crusade 

from all over the United States. 

In addition, 

at the hearings against 

Liquor Advertising, before the Inter 

state and Foreign Commerce Committees 

of the House of Representatives and the 

Senate at Washington this past Summer, 

special mention was made of the magni 

tude of Life's Liquor Ads, of its circula 

tion of over 5,000,000, of its claimed 

readership of over 25,000,000, many of 

whom are children or youth in their 

teens. 

Whether this is the explanation of the 

decrease, we cannot say with certainty. 

In any case, this decrease of more than 

a million dollars is significant. Mr. Luce, 

the Editor-in-Chief, and his cohorts have 

at last come to realize that there is a vast 

and increasing 

public sentiment against 

the magnitude and alluring character of 

this Liquor Advertising, and that it is 

good business, if not good morals as well, 

to recognize and defer to it. 

Life has been notorious for the stepping-up 

of its Liquor Advertising before 

Christmas. In 1953 the revenue from its 

Liquor Ads for the month of November 

and of December up to Christmas, totaled 

$2,879,441. The peak was reached in the 

December 14 issue which contained 25 

pages of Liquor Ads and which brought 

Life a revenue of over $700,000. In 1954 

its November and December Liquor Ads 

dropped to $2,444,802, a decrease of 

$434,639, with the peak in the December 

13 issue of 19 pages of liquor ads with a 

revenue of $576,080 

$125,000 less than 

the corresponding issue in 1953. 

Again, we ask, why this decrease The 

Committee Against Liquor Advertising 

of the National Temperance and Prohi 

bition Council has given wide publicity 

to the liquor industry's profanation of 

the Day 

on which the Saviour of man 

kind was born, by spending multiplied 

millions to increase the sale and con 

sumption of its poisonous beverages at 

the Christmas season, thus turning this 

Holy Day into a Bacchanalia, charac 

terized by drunkenness and debauchery. 

In this publicity special emphasis was 

placed on the part Life Magazine had in 

it. The same was true in the Hearing be 

fore the Committees of Congress referred 

to above, where this pre-Christmas ad 

vertising of liquor was characterized, in 

the language of 

Scripture, as "Crucifying 

the Son of God afresh and putting Him 

to an open 

Perhaps this testimony against Life's 

liquor ads has reached the ears of the 

Editor-in-Chief of this magazine and his 

associates, and has had its effect. In any 

case, Life's liquor ads in 1953 

pre- 

Christmas ads and ads for the entire year 

were markedly below those of 1953. 

This is encouraging. It raises the ques 

tion as to our method of procedure. Here 

tofore, in our crusade against liquor ad 

vertising, instead of concentrating our 

protests against a single magazine or oth 

er media advertising alcoholic liquors, 

thus bringing the full weight of public 

opinion and of the Committee Against 

Liquor Advertising to bear upon it, we 

have been scattering our fire far and 

wide. Why not try the method of con 

centrating 

our protest upon one wet 

magazine or one other wet media, thus 

bringing 

the full impact of the public 

sentiment against liquor advertising to 

bear, upon it Then follow this by an 

other, and this still by another, and so 

on. 

The Temperance and Prohibition 

Council has decided to put this policy to 

the test. It is now inaugurating a cam 

paign to be focused chiefly upon Life 

Magazine. For the month of May this 

year the endeavor will be to bring the 

full weight of public sentiment against 

liquor advertising throughout the entire 

country to bear upon this magazine to 

discontinue its liquor advertisements. 

It is known as the "Sticker Campaign." 

A gummed sticker with the words "I 

don't like this or any of the liquor ads 

in your Publication" is to be attached to 

a liquor ad taken from Life Magazine, 

enclosed in an envelope and mailed to the 

magazine. The slogan is: 

"A Sticker a Day 

For The Month of 

May." 

This campaign will be publicized in 

further releases. 

cerning it address: 

For information con 

Committee Against Liquor Advertising 

R. H. Martin, Chairman 

209 Ninth Street 

Pittsburgh 22, 

Penna. 

45

ministry." 

Center, Kansas, spent a recent week-end 

in the John Cabeen home and worshiped 

with us. 

This is our Centennial year and we 

are praying that it may be a year of 

spiritual growth and advancement. 

NEW YORK PRESBYTERY 

Introducing REV. WALTER J. MA 

GEE, received from the Orthodox Pres 

byterians by New York Presbytery, 

through its Ad Interim Commission, Jan 

uary 7, in Coldenham, and commended 

to our covenanted brethren throughout 

the Church, as being "profitable . . . for 

the 

"HOW GOOD AND HOW PLEAS 

ANT" 

the get-together 

at Coldenham 

January 7, when New York Presbytery's 

Commission received into the fellowship 

of our Church, Rev. Walter J. Magee of 

the Orthodox Presbyterians. About forty 

Covenanters from Montclair, Newburgh, 

White Lake and Coldenham were present 

to extend a welcome to Rev. and Mrs. 

Walter J. Magee. 

NOW AVAILABLE and recommended 

by New York Presbytery for preaching in 

vacant pulpits of the Covenanter Church: 

Rev. Walter J. Magee, Goshen, New 

York. 

GENEVA 

"I was glad when they 

said unto me 

let us go into the house of the Lord." In 

observance of the week of prayer, we 

united with the COLLEGE HILL Con 

gregation in a week of special services. 

On Sabbath evening, the 3rd of January 

Rev. Tweed brought the message to the 

combined group. Tuesday 

and Wednes 

day evenings, prayer meetings were held 

in our church with Edwin Clarke, College 

Hill and Russell Lathom, Geneva, lead 

ing the meetings. Thursday evening, six 

cottage meetings were held. On College 

Hill we met in the Walker Wilson home 

with Adella Lawson as leader; in the 

C. B. Metheny home with Mrs. A. A. 

Wylie as leader; in the C. M. Lee home 

with Mrs. J. B. Willson as leader. In 

lower Beaver Falls the meeting was held 

in the Ida Aiken home with Larry Coon 

as leader. Two were held in outlying dis 

tricts, the Dodds Balph home with Mrs. 

R. G. Young as leader and the Robert 

Hemphill home with John Mclsaac as 

leader. We concluded the week with 

preaching service on Friday evening with 

Dr. Lathom bringing us the message. 

To promote interest in the CAM paper, 

the CHRISTIAN PATRIOT, our C.Y. 

P.U. as part of their missonary project, 

has contacted every family 

of the congre 

gation reminding them of the paper and 

suggesting that they 

subscribe to it. 

those things which are be 

"Forgetting 

hind, I press on 

every 

46 

" 

should be the goal for 

one of us as we begin the New 

Year. Devotions led by Lauren Walcott, 

President of the C.Y.P.U. at our New 

Year's watch party were based on this 

chapter in Philippians. After an hour or 

so of games led by Mary Mitchell, Kay 

McCready and Sylvia Montini, we had 

our quiet time during which we also 

sang Psalms and our Pastor led in 

prayer. After ushering in the new year, a 

delicious lunch was served by the group. 

Special mention goes to Marilyn Hemp 

hill who entertained the four juniors who 

were brave enough to come. They were 

Virginia Montini, Ruth McCready, Ra 

chael and Libbie Fallon. 

A new address for one of our SERV 

ICE MEN. He welcomes any letters. So 

take a minute to write to him. 

Pvt. Ronald G. List 

U. S. 52319426, Co. D 

1st Bn., MTC BAMC, 

Fort Sam Houston, Texas 

Mrs. Marguerite McCreary is recover 

ing from her contacts with the flu bug at 

a rest home in New Wilmington, Pa. We 

pray for her continued recovery and hope 

she will soon be back in our midst again. 

CLARINDA 

It was a joy 

have some of our out-of-bounds mem 

to our congregation to 

bers home for the holiday season, Fran 

ces Dunn from Sheffield, Iowa, Mr. and 

Mrs. Walter Stokes (Charlene Dunn) 

from Las Cruces, New Mexico, and Mr. 

and Mrs. Melville Kennedy (Luella Mc 

Calla) from Wellesley, Mass. 

Our congregational dinner was held 

as usual during the holiday 

week. New 

officers elected were: Chairman of the 

congregation, Donald Whitehill; Secre 

tary, Gertrude Lee; S. S. Superintendent 

Mrs. Howard Caskey; Assistant Sup 

erintendent, Jamet Whitehill Greenwood; 

Secretary Treasurer, Deloris Blair. 

According to custom the young people 

visited the homes of the shut-ins and the 

older people before Christmas. At each 

home a short worship 

service was held 

after the singing of some Christmas 

Carols. This custom is a mutual delight 

to the visitors and the visited. 

The annual Christmas entertainment 

was held December 21. The program 

given by the children is always much en 

joyed, and this year was no exception. 

Welcome visitors in the Manse during 

the Christmas vacation were Miss Grace 

W. Finley of Greeley, Colo., and Rev. 

and Mrs. Norman M. Carson and Mark 

of Chicago, 111. 

Mr. and Mrs. Lee Copeland of Clay 

PHOENIX 

A very happy surprise came to the 

Phoenix congregation during the Christ 

mas holidays when fifty new Blue Psal 

ters were delivered by "Uncle Sam." No 

bill has been received so 

"Our most sin 

cere thanks to the generous donors." 

Our visitors during the Christmas sea 

son were Mr. and Mrs. Harold Hannah 

from Bloomington visiting the Searle 

home; Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Strahl and 

children from Pocatello, Idaho, with the 

Mackenroth's ; and Mr. and Mrs. Russell 

Williams and children, Boulder, Colo., 

with the Wolfe's. 

The Adult S. S. Class elected Mrs. J. 

G. McElhinney 

as their teacher for the 

coming year and Elmer Graham the as 

sistant teacher. 

December 19 at the close of the S. S. 

hour we had a short program in observ 

ance of Bible Sabbath conducted by 

Miss Lillian McCracken. 

KENTUCKY MISSION 

We in Kentucky wish to publicly ex 

press our sincere thanks to those through 

out the Church who have so graciously 

remembered us at this season of the year. 

Even though Christmas day 

was spent 

quietly here at home, we were able to re 

joice in the glorious blessings we re 

ceive through our wonderful Lord and 

Saviour Jesus Christ. Among these 

blessings are the friendships throughout 

the Church which were manifest in so 

many ways 

oranges from Florida, gifts 

from Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, 

Michigan, New York, and Kansas and 

greeting cards from everywhere. Besides 

these personal gifts, there were gener 

ous gifts of money for the Mission ex 

pense. 

Our Fall Evangelistic Services were 

ably conducted by the Rev. Howard El 

liott. It was a 

joy to have him in our 

homes and the messages he brought were 

a blessing and a challenge to all who 

heard them. The attendance and response 

were both better than usual and brought 

some encouragement. 

Recent visitors to 

Sandy Hook and 

Wrigley have included Mr. and Mrs. 

Kenneth Sanderson, Miss Marjorie San 

derson of 

Dayton, Ohio, Mr. and Mrs. 

Howard Hervey of Belle Center, Ohio, 

Robert More Jr. from Geneva College, 

Rev. Kermit Edgar and Rev. Howard 

Elliott who 

Home Mission Board. 

are both members of the 

The average attendance in the Wrigley 

Sabbath School during the past year was 

COVENANTER WITNESS

about 35. The attendance was about the 

same at Blaze also. The missionary of 

ferings in these two Sabbath Schools 

amounted to over $155 and most of this 

was sent to our own Foreign Missions. 

The figures are not at hand at present 

for the two Elliott County Sabbath 

Schools. 

FROM MACEDONIA 

"Katerini, 18/XII/1954 

dear Dr. Taggart: 

My 

This is just a word of Christmas greet 

ing to you, and through you and the 

dear Covenanter Witness, to our church 

in the U. S. I want you to thank those 

faithful among 

our people who continue 

to uphold me before the Throne of Grace, 

and to ask them to still follow me up 

with their prayers. For reasons I am un 

able to disclose I have had to cut down 

personal correspondence to the mini 

my 

mum and people who do not hear from 

me would have been perfectly justified in 

losing interest in the cause in which my 

people and 

wife, my 

I are engaged. That 

is why we appreciate all the more the 

interest and the prayers of our good 

friends the American fellow-Covenanters. 

Thanks too for the 'Witness' which, week 

by week, brings cheer and comfort just 

when needed. 

Ever yours, 

MERCER 

Argos Zodhiates." 

Mercer celebrated the Lord's Supper 

the first week in October. Rev. Harold 

Harrington was our assistant. The Cove 

nant signing 

evening 

service was held in the 

when all members present at 

tached their signatures. 

Ruth Marie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. 

Joseph Rodgers and Roberta Lynn, 

daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond C. 

Rhodes were recent baptisms in our con 

gregation. 

Mr. James McKnight is improving 

nicely 

from a recent appendectomy 

P" 

eration in the Grove City Hospital. 

Mr. Alfred Taylor and daughter Elean 

or spent Christmas with Dr. 

Taylor's 

family in Crosstree, Tenn. 

Our New Year's dinner was held at 

the home of Mr. and Mrs. Zigmunt Gursky, 

Grove City, at which time the ses 

sion met, and Mr. Gursky, formerly a 

Catholic, joined the Church. 

Rev. 

ALMONTE, CANADA 

F. F. Reade has resumed the 

classes. singing The first one was held at 

the manse on Wednesday evening, De 

cember 8. 

A congregational dinner at the home of 

Mr. and Mrs. Milton Bowes was enjoyed 

by a good number of the folks. It was 

held on Monday evening 

December 27. 

The monthly meeting 


of the W.M.S. 

was held December 30 with Mrs. Alex 

Burns as hostess. 

Rev. F. F. and Mrs. Reade invited 

everyone to the manse on New Year's 

Eve. During the evening Isaac McKee 

showed a film. Later Mr. Reade lead in 

a devotional period, then the 121st Psalm 

was sung 

to welcome the New Year. 

Happy New Year, Everyone! 

SEATTLE 

On December 12, at the evening service 

the ordination and installation of two 

new elders and two new deacons was 

held. Those newly elected to the office of 

elder were Mr. Verd Dunn and Mr. Jo 

seph Lamont, Jr. Our newly elected dea 

cons are Miss Jean Dill and Miss Ro 

berta Dodds. 

During 

the week of Prayer meetings 

were held at the parsonage on Monday 

night, the S. M. Dodds home on Wednes 

day night and the Joseph Lamont, Jr. 

home Friday night. 

The epidemics of winter are now going 

strong it seems, but outside of colds the 

only ones are the Verd Dunn's with the 

chickenpox. 

THE COVENANTER HOME 

Thursday evening, December 2, the 

Women's Missionary Society of the Central-Pittsburg 

congregation entertained 

the members of the Home family at the 

Home. Mrs. H. G. McKelvy conducted 

devotions. These were followed by col 

ored slides of Alaska taken by Mrs. Edith 

McKinney Brown on her tr;p of last 

summer to the Far North. The pictures 

were breath-taking in their beauty, and 

Mrs. Brown gave us a running commen 

tary 

as she showed the pictures. The 

pictures were thoroughly enjoyed by the 

Home folks. Thank you, Mrs. Brown, 

for the joy and information you brought 

into the Home, and the Society for their 

thoughtfulness and refreshments. 

On Sabbath, December 12, Mr. Robert 

McCracken conducted worship 

services 

at the Home. As usual Mr. McCracken 

was very good! 

On Wednesday evening December 15 

Mr. Paul Robb, a Senior in the Semin 

ary, conducted the prayer meeting at the 

Home. It, too, was excellent! 

ALFRED KILPATRICK 

Alfred Kilpatrick, a life long member 

of the Sharon congregation passed away 

on December 26, at the age of 77, follow 

ing surgery in a Burlington hospital. A 

daughter and four sons mourn his pass 

ing. His wife preceded him in death in 

1938. One of the sons is Rev. Lester Kil 

patrick, pastor of the Sterling congrega 

tion Mr. Kilpatrick was always faithful 

at the House of God. He served as a 

teacher in the Sabbath School and had 

been chairman of the Board of Deacons 

since 1911. In the absence of the Sharon 

pastor, funeral services were conducted 

by Rev. J. E. McElroy, assisted by Rev. 

S. Bruce Willson who is a nephew of Mr. 

Kilpatrick. 

UNITED PHILADELPHIA 

We are glad to welcome Mrs. John 

Coleman into our Congregational circle 

who comes to us by certificate from the 

Geneva Congregation. Dr. John Coleman 

will also be a welcome member of our 

Presbytery. 

Today 

we bid a reluctant farewell to 

Marshall and Jean Smith who will be 

leaving this week for San Diego, Calif. 

Marshall will be serving in our congre 

gation there as Assistant Pastor to Dr. 

J. D. Edgar. We deeply 

splendid loyalty 

congregation while they 

appreciate their 

and service in this 

have been with 

us, and pray God's richest blessing upon 

them as they answer the call to serve 

Him in another field. 

The WEEK OF PRAYER is over, but 

we trust results will be long-lasting, as 

we have become better acquainted with 

the Holy Spirit, and as He works in and 

through us to bring glory to Christ and 

progress to His Cause. We give thanks 

for all homes open for our meetings, for 

those who have led, and for all attenders 

and supporters. 

WINCHESTER 

Capt. and Mrs. Ray H. Curry have 

visited her sister, Mrs. Beth O'Neill. 

Mrs. O'Neill accompanied the Currys 

to Wisconsin to visit relatives and 

friends. Capt. Curry has been stationed in 

Kobe, Japan. 

Mirs Joan Millson and Mr. Dale Curry 

were married November 13, in Toronto, 

Canada, the bride's home. They have 

come to Winchester to make their home. 

Two of our members have attained 

their 97th birthdays recently. Mrs. Nan 

nie French, October 29 and Mr. Alec 

Andrews, December 29. 

We welcome three little new comers 

to our midst this fall. Mr. and Mrs. Gene 

O'Neill, a son Jay Kenneth, November 

12; Mr. and Mrs. Paul Hensleigh, a 

son Robert Glenn, November 17; and 

Mr. and Mrs. Mark Dill, a daughter 

Martha Anna, December 23. 

The Young People sponsored a Psalm 

Festival for this area November 26. Mr. 

NEW PSALM RECORDS 

This year, the Genevans, under the 

direction of Alfred H. Johnson, have 

recorded two sacred numbers. These 

are; O Send Thy Light Forth (a part 

of the 43rd Psalm) by Balakireff and 

the Twenty-Third Psalm set to the 

tune of 

Crimond by David Grant. 

This is an unbreakable record selling 

for $1.25. 

Bob Gross 

Geneva College 

47

Charles McBurney conducted the psalm 

sing and Rev. Frank Stewart led the de 

votional .period. 

Miss Mary Jane Curry received her 

cap in her practical nursing course at St. 

Anthony Hospital, Denver December 17. 

Mrs. Etta Mae O'Neill and Mr. Neil 

Curry were married in the John Madory 

home at Lakewood, Colorado, December 

18. Bruce and Mary Jane Curry came 

home with Mr. and Mrs. Neil Curry for 

the holidays. Bruce is taking 

ate work at Fort Collins, Colorado. 

post gradu 

Mr. Clark Milligan arrived home De 

cember 23 after two years work in For 

mosa. En route he visited points in India, 

Italy, Switzerland, Germany and France. 

Mrs. Denise Hillyard from Wichita, 

Kansas, and Lt. Gene Stuart from De 

troit were at home with their parents 

Mr. and Mrs. Ira Stuart for the holidays. 

BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA 

The annual New Year's dinner was 

held in the basement of the church Janu 

ary 1. A delicious dinner was served. In 

the afternoon, a congregational meeting 

was held. 

During the holidays, Mr. and Mrs. 

Hugh Hunter and daughter Nancy and 

son Tommy visited with Mr. Hunter's 

parents, Mr. and Mrs. Elfrey Hunter. Mr. 

Hunter is connected with the Naval Or 

dinance Testing Station at China Lake, 

California. 

We were happy to have "Bill" Russell, 

of the Geneva faculty, visit us during the 

holidays. 

Rev. and Mrs. Roy Ble.ckwood and con 

Billy 

spent a few days in New Concord 

and Pittsburgh during the holidays, 

where they 

visited relatives and friends. 

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. The Zonder 

van Publishing 

From this date 

House has announced 

NOTICE 

Please order Flannel 

graphs from our new Synodical Flannel 

graph Librarian: 

Mrs. M. K. Carson 

Belle Center, 

Ohio. 

Notice 

Will those who have accepted assign 

ments to write lesson comments please, 

PLEASE prayerfully consider that this 

is a 

duty of prime importance, not to be 

postponed on account of any other duty. 

Negligence on your part encourages oth 

ers to be "sloppy Joes" and our calendar 

is going all awry, and lessons out of 

place inconvenience all concerned. 

Editor 

its sponsorship of six new contests for 

creative writers: 

1. Church Social Programs 

2. Primary Worship Programs 

3. Young People's Programs and Ac 

tivities 

4. Religious Readings for All Ages 

(3 minute to 15 minute limit) 

5. Poetry for Boys and Girls (2-5) 

6. Junior Church Programs 

All of these contests will close October 

31, 1955. Manuscripts submitted to the 

contests will be judged promptly and all 

SKg^5L& 

those not accepted will be returned short 

ly after the closing of the contests. For 

further details, write: 

Zondervan Publishing House 

Contest Editors 

Grand Rapids 6, Michigan 

NOW WE HAYE THE DATE 

July 12-17, 1955 

From the East to the West we welcome you 

to the Covenanter Young People's 

Conference of Colorado 

Plan to spend your vacation enjoying 

the beauties of Nature 

and the glories of God's Word 

COVENANT HEIGHTS CAMP 

EXTRA! EXTRA! 

REE! 

Here is a beautiful little record book of 16 pages called Heaven's 

Blessing Book that costs you nothing. It resembles a bank deposit 

book with a place to record all of your contributions with the 

date, the amount and the cause for every Sabbath of 1955. 

You must see it to appreciate it. 

Send for enough to supply your congregation and do it today 

so as to have them to begin the New Year. 

Just fill in the following 

The Bible Meditation League, Inc. 

Box 477, Columbus 16, Ohio 

I would like to have ( 

) 

copies of the beautiful Heaven's 

Blessing Book on Christian Stewardship for 1955. I understand 

they are free of charge. My home Church is 

Name 

Address 

While these are free, a contribution to this Worthy League 

would be a gesture of appreciation. 

D.H.E. 

48 COVENANTER WITNESS

once!" 

salvation" 

pebbles." 

sad" 

season" 

ECHOES NUMBER 


VOLUME LIV WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, iM* \H$ NUMBER 4 

44 

Midnight Pebbles" 

by 

Three horsemen were crossing the Eastern des 

ert in the dead and black of night. In the course of 

their journey they came to the edge of a dried-up 

river bank over which they were about to cross. 

Suddenly a commanding cry cut through the 

stillness of the night, "Halt! halt at Not 

knowing what to expect, they did as commanded. 

"Good !" whipped the word of the unseen one. "Now, 

dismount and step into the river bed . . The voice 

waited until the action had been taken. "Now then, 

bend low and brush your hands against the bed. 

You will feel the touch of pebbles. Gather up as many 

as you can. . 

Surprised, the three horsemen did as command 

ed. At last with pebbles in hand, they stood in the 

dried ground, waiting, wondering. . . 

"You are wise men indeed," the voice testified. 

"You have obeyed as commanded. Take your pebbles, 

put them into your pockets. Then mount your steeds 

and continue your journey, without pause nor ques 

tion. At the first light of dawn, draw to a halt, pick 

the pebbles from your pockets and examine them 

closely The voice dropped to a whisper. "Exam 

ine them closely. When you do, you will be very hap 

py and very sad. .. . . . 

The three horsemen waited long after the voice 

had spoken, then remounted and continued their 

course, scarcely speaking a word, each filled with his 

own questions. Whatever could it mean who was the 

strange midnight commander what was the purpose 

of it all. . . 

Then the first streak of the new day's dawn. 

Remembering the command they came to a quick 

halt, plunged their hands into their pockets, drawing 

forth their pebbles. As the morning light played 

of startled surprise passed all 

upon them, a gasp 

their lips together. The pebbles were . . . brilliant 

diamonds ! 

They stared at their treasure with long fascina 

tion. . . and then understood the strange final words 

of the midnight visitor. "You will be very happy 


. . . and very sad "Happy" 

. . 

. . . indeed! for the 

"pebbles" 

in their possession . . . 

; "Very for not 

having picked all the more when opportunity for 

such wealth had thus dramatically presented itself! 

This is just an ancient Arabian legend. But like 

so many legends, it carries "long 

lines" 

of spiritual 

significance, particularly to Christians. Those "peb 

bles" 

speak of the "diamonds" of opportunity for 

service, for testimony, for activity, for witness on 

behalf of Him who has called us out of darkness and 

death (John 5 :24) to show forth His praises (1 Pet. 

2:9). Far greater than earthly treasure is the value, 

the preciousness of speaking "a word in 

(Isa. 50 :4) on the blessed behalf of Him who is "the 

Way, the Truth and the Life" (John 14:6). Who can 

ever adequately weigh the worth of a word, given in 

love, under the power of the Spirit, in warm witness 

for this Wonderful One 

These "pebbles" come in differing forms, each 

suited to our talents and capabilities and we are 

called upon to engage in "Operation Opportunity," 

with every 

spiritual ounce of complete consecration 

and supreme surrender (Rom. 12:1, 2). The ancient 

Greeks pictured Opportunity as a swift runner, en 

tirely bald except for a forelock which could be 

grasped if one were alert and waiting for him, but 

once he had passed there was no way of laying hold 

of him. How swiftly do the opportunities pre 

sent themselves . . . and pass on forever beyond 

recall . . . have we heard and heeded while it 

had been here "NOW is the accepted time, NOW is 

the day of 

(2 Cor. 6:2), applies to Ohris- 

-tians as well. 

In a soon coming day, we shall be very happy 

for the "plucking of the 

. . . and perhaps we 

shall also be very, very sad. . . What day the day 

when morning shall come and we shall appear before 

the Judgment Seat of Christ for accounting which 

might prove quite agonizing. Perhaps our record may 

occasion great regret and our sparse service bring 

(Continued on page 55)

pace," 

murder." 

Pray 

school." 



Cigarettes Shorten Life 

Results of the study by the American Cancer Society 

show that one who smokes cigarettes at the rate of a pack 

a day shortens his life by six hours a pack if he keeps this 

up for ten years or more. This astounding fact was revealed 

to the American Association for the Advancement of Science 

by Dr. Hardin B. Jones, University of California medical 

physicist, as he spoke recently at Berkeley, California. "This 

smoking 

of the average life 

said Dr. Jones, "means a total of ten years 

span." 

His graphs showed that the 

average smoker is physically ten years older than he would 

be if he did not smoke and were otherwise healthy. 

Let everyone, especially the youth, take careful note of 

this discovery, and let them realize with all seriousness 

that such smoking results in a slow .process of suicide, short 

ening the life by ten years or more. Long 

ago cigarettes 

nails" 

were called "coffin and the above study shows how 

this is really true. With this before you, boys, girls and men, 

if you are addicted to smoking, resolve with an unyielding 

firmness, that, by God's grace and with His help you will 

put it away now and forever. 

Other tests by the Cancer Society 

have shown that other 

forms of . 

smoking are almost as injurious as that of 

cigarettes. 

90 Per Cent of Crime 

The Polk County grand jury (where Des Moines is 

located) has declared, "We believe that 90 per cent of the 

cases (criminal) we have had to deal with are more or less 

attributed to alcoholic beverages." The report continues, "We 

are alarmed by the number of drunken driving cases we 

have had and such cases seem to be on the increase. Some 

of the taverns are veritable 'hell holes,' having no regard for 

the law or rights of others. In these places, we have had 

cases originating all the way from drunken driving 

and kid 

naping to rape and 

This report appeared with large headlines on the front 

page of the Des Moines Register, the leading newspaper of 

Iowa, so men generally are not ignorant of the facts. Why 

then do the people and the officers of the law permit this 

terrible source of vice, crime and death to continue to operate 

The majority of the citizens who permit this source of greed, 

selfishness and crime to continue are guilty along 

with the 

manufacturers and venders of the various grades of alcoholic 

beverages. 

A Message from Jacob DeShazer 

We received a recent "Christmas Letter from the 

De- 

Shazers" 

which contains items of interest for our readers. 

You will remember that Mr. Jacob DeShazer was one of the 

Dolirtle fliers of the war forced down in Japanese held ter 

ritory, made a prisoner of the Japanese and persecuted at 

their hands for over three years; but while held by them, 

read a Bible, gave his heart to God in consecration and re: 

solved to be a missionary to Japan. 

Their letter says: "It is with mingled feelings that we 

approach the end of our first missionary term in Japan. 

Gladness that the Lord has counted us worthy to be His 

ambassadors in this needy land; sorrow that we have fallen 

so short in accomplishing the great task of evangelizing in 

Japan. Praise to God for the miracles that He has wrought in 

50 

our lives and work during these six years ; 

sorrow that our lack 

of faith has hindered His working in even greater ways. Heart 

felt thanks to those of you at home who have supported us 

with gifts, prayers and letters; disappointment in those who 

should have given, prayed or sent a letter and did not. A 

pang of lonesomeness as we think of leaving our home and 

loved ones in Japan; joy to think that we shall soon be re 

united with parents and loved ones in America. The Lord 

willing, we plan to return to the States for furlough some 

time in April. . . . 

"Rev. DeShazer keeps very busy with Bible Classes and 

Evangelistic services nearly every night of the week and with 

language study and mission responsibilities during the 

morning hours 

Quite a number of people have been con 

tacted through the tent meetings held this fall and also 

through the weekly radio program .... 

School Work 

for 

these." 

The DeShazers continue, concerning their work: "We are 

approaching the end of another semester at the college. Satan 

has done much to destroy the work of the revival which we 

had two years ago but we are praying that He will give us 

another gracious outpouring 

of His Spirit in our midst. . . 

This afternoon we attended the funeral of one of the girls 

in the educational department of the college. She was struck 

by an automobile on Thursday 

and died the next day. She 

had only been saved one year but left a glowing testimony. 

We thank the Lord that the students and faculty of Osaka 

Christian College were helpful in leading this girl to the 

Lord Jesus. Pray 

for our 

International Missionary Convention 

The Fourth International Students Missionary Con 

vention met on December 27-31 at the University 

nois, Urbana, 111. 

of Illi 

The Convention was under the auspices 

of the Intervarsity Christian Fellowship 

tions. 

and other organiza 

Word has just come from the Sandersons who attended 

and were among the regional speakers at the Convention, 

a part of which is of interest to the whole church. "This is 

a wonderful conference. We wish you could all be enjoying 

it with us ... . 

missionaries and 

There are around 2,000 here, about ISO 

speakers." 

There were 1650 registered from 

the U. S., 250 from Canada (80 of those from Winnipeg), 88 

staff members, and some not registered who attended . . . There 

are quite a number of international students too, some of 

whom are not Christians 

yet." 

There were about 50 mission 

boards represented. The writer spoke of meeting a young man 

from Egypt and another from Bethlehem, both are attend 

ing schools in the U. S. There were some who were interested 

in work in the Near East, 

and some in our mission. 

Student Volunteers 

The above writer states: "Last night 

they asked all to 

stand who were going 

to a mission field and one fourth to 

one third of the audience stood. Then they asked for all those 

who were going to consider the mission field and definitely 

pray 

for God's guidance in their lives and 90 per cent or 

more of the audience stood. 

(Continued on page 

55) 

COVENANTER WITNESS

self-interest," 



FOR FREER TRADE 

Foreign trade policies have top priority with the new 

Congress. Before the session was a week old, President 

Eisenhower delivered a special message on this subject. He 

asked for about the same things as last year, but will 

push the program harder and with more chance of success. 

A bill embodying the Administration proposals was intro 

duced in the House the first day, under Democratic spon 

sorship, and designated H. R. 1. It would extend the Re 

ciprocal Trade Agreements Act, due to expire in June, for 

three more years. The President would be authorized to re 

duce tariffs by as much as 5 per cent in each of the next 

three years on a reciprocal basis with other countries. 

He already has the power to cut 1945 rates by 50 per cent. 

The President said that a liberal trade policy was a mat 

ter of "enlightened 

and his cabinet will back 

the program strongly. Most Democrats agree with the 

Administration that it will do more for the economic 

strength of our allies, and bring more good will, than a 

give-away program. Tariff revision is sure to be opposed, 

however, by certain protected industries, such as textiles, 

chinaware, chemicals, and various finished products. In 

some cases there is a legitimate argument for protecting 

certain industries for defense purposes. Other industries, 

such as automobiles, want lower tariffs so that they can 

gain a larger export market. Many Congressmen will vote 

according to which interests are strongest in their districts. 

PAY AND POSTAGE 

President Eisenhower also asked Congress for an aver 

age 5 per cent pay raise for Federal higher- 

workers, and for 

meet the cost. The million and a half 

postal rates to help 

national employees under civil service have had no raise 

for about four years. Last year Congress voted them an 

increase, but Eisenhower vetoed it because there was no 

corresponding boost in postal rates. The postal increase is 

overdue, for we have paid three cents for first-class mail 

for over twenty years, while most prices have doubled or 

tripled. Politicians are afraid of the public reaction, how 

ever, and the increase may not pass. 

CAMPAIGN PLANS 

Next year's Presidential campaign is already drawing 

much attention. The big question is whether Eisenhower 

will run again, but nearly everyone now believes that he 

will. Of course he will not say 

so until the last possible 

minute, to avoid Democratic attacks. The Democrats have 

decided to hold their nominating convention late in Aug 

ust, six weeks after their usual time, and the Republicans 

apparently will follow in September. Not since 1864 have 

the conventions been held so late. A short campaign will 

reduce the expense, which has become especially serious 

since the advent of television. It will also lessen the physical 

and emotional strain, both for candidates and for the listen 

ing public. Two months will give ample time for presenting 

the campaign issues Great Britain and other democracies 

have even shorter campaigns. The short campaign makes 

it much more likely that Eisenhower will run again, since 

the Republicans would need longer to build up a new candi 

date. For the same reason, it means that the Democrats 

are likely to renominate Adlai Stevenson. 


STILL IN PRISON 

Russia has released two Americans after holding them 

prisoner for several years; but prospects are still dim for 

the release of the eleven U. S. airmen imprisoned by Red 

China. Dag Hammarskjold, U. N. Secretary General, spent 

several days talking with Premier Chou En-lai. He reported 

that the discussions included all areas of East- West tension 

and had proved "useful," but there seems to be no im 

mediate hope for the return of the fliers. Chou probably 

wants to use this issue as an opening for general negotia 

tions. Our government is still maintaining a policy 

straint. If this fails, there is no easy 

or re 

alternative between 

risking a war and backing down from some of our com 

mitments in Asia. 

WHEN OLD FRIENDS MEET 

Marshal Tito of Yugoslavia has made a new trade agree 

ment with the Soviet Union, the first arrangement of this 

kind since he broke with the Cominform in 1948. Over a 

year ago Tito began "normalizing" his relations with the 

Soviet satellites, and the process is now about complete. 

Yugoslavia has also established diplomatic relations with 

Communist China, after a series of conferences in Moscow. 

Tito offered recognition to the Peiping government over 

five years ago, but the bid was ignored, supposedly due to 

Soviet pressure. Tito now has one foot planted in each of 

the world's great camps, which is a nice trick if he can 

keep his balance. Meanwhile some high officials in the 

Yugoslav government have lost their positions because of 

dissensions within the Communist party. The trials are 

more open than in Russia and the penalties less severe, but 

we are reminded that Yugoslavia is still a police state. 

NEW DEFENSE LINK 

A favorite project of Secretary of State Dulles has been 

the building of a "northern tier" of defense against Com 

munism across the Middle East, from Turkey to Pakistan, 

to join NATO to the forthcoming Southeast Asia organiza 

tion. This has come a long way toward reality by an agree 

ment between Turkey and Iraq for a mutual defense al 

liance, which they will ask other Middle Eastern countries 

to join. Turkey already has an alliance with Pakistan, and 

will now approach Syria, Lebanon, and Egypt. Iran may also 

join the new group, 

and Afghanistan is another possibility. 

The link between Iraq and Turkey is the first break in the 

"neutrality" 

of the Arab states. Iraq, which lies between 

Syria and Iran, has had considerable experiences in combat 

ting Communist subversion, and recently broke diplomatic 

relations with Russia. She has a prosperous economy based 

on oil exports. 

TURMOIL IN CENTRAL AMERICA 

Costa Rica is Latin America's latest trouble spot, with 

a rebellion going 

on in the northern districts 

or is it an 

invasion from Nicaragua Costa Rica has a fairly liberal, 

democratic government and almost no armed forces, while 

Nicaragua has long been under a military dictatorship. 

President Figueres of Costa Rica and General Somoza of 

Nicaragua have been hostile ever since 1948, each charging 

the other with harboring political opponents. The actual 

fighting thus far has been on a small scale. Nicaragua 


51

en" 

earth." 

will." 

earth." 

name." 

one." 

commandments." 

am." 

end." 

men," 

Th r 1 n c e o f P e a c e 

A sermon by Rev. Robert B. Tweed delivered over Sta 

tion WBUP Beaver Fails, Pa., on December 26, 1954, 

quested for publication by 

(Geneva). 

and re 

members of his congregation 

During the past few weeks, and especially the 

past few days, the attention of people throughout 

most of the world has been drawn to a Person who, 

although born more than 1900 years ago in the ob 

scurity of a little Judean village, now commands a 

universal appeal that is without parallel in all his 

tory. In recent days, on the printed page and in word, 

the name of Christ has appeared more often than 

any other. From every quarter we have listened to 

His name in song over the channels of the radio, 

along the avenue, in private and in public gatherings. 

We have been confronted with Him on every hand, 

at every turn, and the slogan that has appealed most 

to the national mind is that which urges that Christ 

be put back into Christmas. Who of us has not heard 

the call to manifest the true spirit of Christ so that 

peace and happiness will flow into and fill every life, 

and unite the nations in a lasting bond of love and 

good-will 

A proposal such as this was well-expressed last 

Friday by one of the area's well-known newspaper 

cartoonists. The caption read: "A Prayer for Three 

Wise Men," and it pictured three men on camels 

following the leading of the Star in the East. Over 

the star was written: "Peace on The leader 

of the procession was President Eisenhower, followed 

by Mao Tse-Tung of Red China, and Malenkov of 

Russia. That cartoon was simply a graphic way of 

saying that a rediscovery of Christ as the Prince of 

Peace and Governor among the nations is the only 

answer to a world that is torn by human strife and 

hatred and misunderstanding. But HOW FAR are we 

willing to go in seeking out and recognizing this One 

whose name has been written large before us in re 

cent days Is it possible for the nations of the world 

to be educated into having the "spirit of Christ" be 

fore they have been led to apprehend Him as a per 

son The question is intensely practical. 

In much of our celebration at this season of the 

year we seem to be content to think of Christ as a 

babe lying in the Bethlehem manger. We read over 

and over again the record of His wondrous birth of 

the visit of the shepherds and the wise men. Through 

out the country-side we erect scenes of Christ's na 

tivity to present the story more vividly to the public 

eye. And all the while, is it not possible that, in our 

adoration of Christ the babe, we have given too little 

attention to the work that He came to accomplish 

and to His sovereign position as our Saviour from sin 

and as the King of kings and Lord of lords We have 

given due emphasis to the opening words of that 

prophecy concerning Christ in the 9th Chapter of 

Isaiah : "Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is giv 

but we have not given an equal emphasis to 

those important words that follow : "and the govern 

and his name shall 

ment shall be upon HIS shoulder : 

be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, 

The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the 

increase of his government and peace there shall be 

52 

no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his king 

dom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment 

ever." 

and with justice from henceforth even for 

In the course of the past few weeks we have 

heard a number of prayers for a world which will be 

at peace with itself. But where are we to find the 

key to the attainment of a just and lasting peace 

among men and nations We find it in one short 

phrase of the passage just read : "Of the increase of 

his government and peace there shall be no An 

peace is to be found in one thing, and one 

enduring 

thing alone the government of the Lord Jesus 

Christ. That is true because it is a government which 

has been founded on a force that has eclipsed all 

other forces it is the force of unselfish love which 

binds man to God and man to man. It was heralded 

the angelic host at Christ's birth in those words 

by 

that are familiar to us all: "Glory to God in the 

highest, and on earth peace, good will toward 

or, more literally, "on earth, peace among men of 

good At the very dawn of His earthly ministry, 

our Lord was proclaimed as the very center and cir 

cumference of a peaceful world. When men every 

where come to realize that the supreme authority in 

all the affairs of men belongs to Christ and none 

other then, and then only, will they 

achieve the 

kind of peace for which they have been praying. 

Look for just a moment at a few of the many 

unparalleled claims that Christ makes concerning 

HIMSELF: 

on 

"I and my Father are 

"I am the way, the life." 

truth, and the 

"Ask in MY 

"Keep MY 

"I came down from heaven." 

"Before Abraham was, I 

"All authority is given unto ME, in heaven and 

"I am greater than the temple." 

"I am the Lord of the Sabbath." 

"He that hath seen me hath seen the Father." 

And the truth of all these claims was verified by the 






through its editorial office at 1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka. Kansai 



Opinions expressed in our columns are those of the individual writers 









Subscription rates: $2.50 per year; Overseas, 

10 cents. 

The Rev. 


R. B. Lyons, B.A., Limavady, N. 





$3.00 ; 

Ireland, 

Single 

Entered as second class matter at the Post Office in Newton 

' 

under the Act of March 3. 1879. 


Copies 

Agent for the 

Kann 

COVENANTER WITNESS

pleased." 

man," 

star." 

abundantly." 

many." 

man," 

come," 

us." 

A Travelog 

by Orlena Lynn 

Japan address : P.O. Box 822, Kobe, Japan 

Dear Friends, 

It barely 

January 1955 

seems possible that it has been one 

year since I left Japan and the furlough time is 

nearly over. The trip home the long way shortened 

the time at home some, but was certainly interesting 

and well worth while. When Helen and Anne first 

planned to come that way I thought that I could nev 

er consider such a trip because I would never be able 

to afford it. When I found it to cost no more than 

living in Japan the extra 2y> months and then com 

ing directly across the Pacific, I was certainly glad 

that I had come the Europe way. 

Our trip included many stops but only short 

stays in each place. In Singapore we found tempera 

tures of 80 in January. Monkeys were running wild 

on Elephant Island just outside of Bombay. Our legs 

verdicts of His contemporaries 

friends and enemies 

alike : 

"I find no fault in this said Pilate. 

"Truly this was the Son of God," exclaimed the 

centurion at the foot of the cross. 

John the Baptist said, "Behold the Lamb of 

God." 

John on the Isle of Patmos refers to Him as 

"Tlie bright and morning 

"Never man spake like this said the offi 

cers. 

"I have sinned in that I have betrayed the inno 

cent blood," confessed Judas. 

Thomas exclaimed: "My Lord and my God." 

The angels in heaven addressed the world : "Un 

to you is born, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." 

And last of all, the Father in heaven said of 

Christ : "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well 

Think again, then, this morning on Him on 

whom the eyes of the world so recently focused. 

Think of His purpose in coming. "The Son of man 

came not to be ministered unto, but to and 

to give his life a ransom for "I am He 

said, "that they might have life, and that they might 

have it more 

And further we read, that 

He "hath abolished death, and hath brought life and 

gospel." 

immortality to light through the 

Where do YOU stand this morning before Him 

whose birth the world has so recently remembered 

Have you made your peace with Him, who, through 

the forgiveness of 

sin, 

will fill your life with "the 

peace of God, which passeth all understanding" If 

you have not yet committed your life to Christ, listen 

this morning to Him as He says : "Come unto me all 

ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give 

you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me ; 

for I am meek and lowly in heart : and ye shall find 

rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my 

burden is light." And with the words of the writer to 

the Hebrews, I close: "See that ye refuse not him 

speaketh." 

that 


were a bit stiff after we rode the camels out to see 

the Sphinx and pyramids in Egypt. It was only after 

I had walked down the street at 2 a.m., alone and 

carrying my suitcase, and ended up in a dump of a 

place that 1 learned that Port Said is not considered 

the safest city in the world. Having learned one 

Arabic word in Egypt, and having occasion to use it 

just as I arrived at our school in Latakia, the gate 

keeper insisted on rattling off a great string of Ara 

bic, feeling sure that I must understand every word 

of it. The ladies in the Syrian mountain village knew 

better, though, and thought I must be -very dumb 

because I didn't even know how to speak Arabic. 

The stop on the island of Cyprus provided the oppor 

tunity of visiting our schools in both Larnaca and 

Nicosia. 

A third class passage on a small Italian ship on 

the Mediterranean can prove most interesting, es 

pecially when there are 100 members of an Italian 

circus troupe aboard and only two others in third 

class can speak English. My friends were waiting for 

me in Venice, and from there we went on into Swit 

zerland. There we saw the beauty of the snow-cov 

ered mountains for which that country is so famous. 

I took colored slides as our chair was lifted by cable 

up to the top of Mt. Niederhorn. After an enjoy 

able visit with Anne Beguin Horton in Paris, Helen's 

Swedish background gave us good reason for heading 

northward. Swedish missionary friends from Hong 

Kong gave us a hearty welcome and made us reluc 

tant to leave their country. 

London has no end of interesting places to visit. 

The changing of the guard was a colorful event. 

When the queen mother went from Clarence House 

to Buckingham Palace there was a large crowd at 

each place, but we alone were standing by Victoria 

Monument as she rode by and graciously waved to us. 

We also had the privilege of attending the Billy Gra 

ham meetings in London. The effect was tremendous 

there. Bagpipes sound the best as one stands outside 

Edinburgh Castle at night looking over Princes 

Street. The 2y2-day visit with Alison and Hugh Blair 

in Ballymoney, Ireland, was too short, but delight 

ful. 

A great part of the time at home has been spent 

in traveling about to many of our churches. In fact, 

the time in the U.S. includes traveling about 17,000 

miles and speaking for 120 meetings. There has been 

time with the family and friends, too, 

and this we 

have enjoyed. 

Mother and Dad expect to drive me as far as 

Phoenix this month. I am to sail from San Francisco 

on February 4th on the "Pacific Bear," and return to 

Kobe, Japan. It has been good to be home on this 

furlough year and to be with the family once again, 

yet I also find myself looking forward to getting back 

to the Covenanter Book Room in Kobe. The spiritual 

darkness in the land of Japan is great and we have 

the responsiblity and privilege of sharing with them 

the Good News that "while we were yet sinners 

Christ died for We are not ashamed of the Gos 

pel for it is "the power of God unto salvation to 

everyone that believeth."

ever." 

scene" 

word." 

clean." 

spirit." 

am." 

Why Covenant Now 

S. Bruce Willson, D.D. 

The first of three Saturday evening addresses at the Grinnell Conference, July 17, 195U. 

The word "Covenant" is a treasured word in our 

vocabulary. We have heard of the covenants of the 

past and Mr. Blackwood will be speaking of that 

particular phase of our subject a little later. We will 

be concerned with the application of the Covenant as 

it concerns each individual, and Mr. McMillan will de 

velop that theme. But the subject that may be con 

cerning some of us this 

Now" 

evening is, "Why Covenant 

If we wanted to be formal we might speak 

of "The Contemporary Problem of Covenanting." 

What is there in the "contemporary which 

calls for covenanting now Why should the church 

covenant at this time To focus our attention upon 

this question I wish to call attention to a common 

word used in the Scripture, "henceforth." We find it 

in the record of the covenant of promises in Isaiah 

59:20, 21: "And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, 

and unto them that turn from transgression in Ja 

cob, saith the Lord. As for me, this is my covenant 

with them, saith the Lord; My spirit that is upon 

thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, 

shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the 

mouth of 

thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy 

seed's seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth and for 

We are indebted to the Anglo-Saxons for many 

words in our modern speech. The early Britons had a 

word "hens" from which has been derived our word 

hence. "Hens," had nothing to do with poultry, but 

meant "the place where you are now standing, from 

which you must proceed in any 

direction." 

It as 

sumes that somehow you have gotten to that place 

where you now stand. 

All who attend this conference have come to this 

place by traveling from our homes by train or bus 

or plane or car. In another sense, however, we have 

come to this place for the purpose of renewing our 

Covenant with God. Throughout the history of the 

Church, God has prepared the way whereby each 

generation may come to dedicate the life which he 

has given through a pledge of loyalty. Tonight we 

have come to this place by God's grace. For us, at 

this moment, this is hence. 

Someone may be considering another question. 

"Why should we renew our human covenants, when 

there is but one Covenant of Grace " The plan of sal 

vation has been made possible because God the Fa 

ther and God the Son entered into the Covenant of 

Grace. This is the Scriptural teaching which under 

lies all Christian faith. Our human covenants, be 

tween individuals, in group associations, in nations 

and between nations are dependent upon the mutual 

trust. Even more, the covenants which bind men to 

one another in God's kingdom's work, is grounded 

upon the eternal Covenant of God. But God's hence 

is not our hence. The Covenant of Grace was made in 

the councils of eternity. There is neither time nor 

place for the Covenant of God, it is eternal. It is 

from eternity to eternity the same. But as far as our 

life is concerned the hence of the Covenant of God 

does enter into human history. We can point to a 

period when God's Son came and took His stand at 

a designated place. And for Him that place became 

54 

His hence. There He was nailed to the cross. There 

He was lifted up by men who did not believe in Him. 

They said to Him, "If you are the Son of God, come 

down (from that place) and we will believe." There 

He completed His covenant promise. This was 

Christ's hence. It was at this point God came into 

our life in this unique manner. 

Calvary is the starting point, so far as you and 

I are concerned, in our relationship with God. It is 

our starting point, because Christ willingly took His 

stand there, having come into the world to accom 

plish the purpose of the Covenant of redemption. It 

was there He could say, "It is finished." "Into thy 

hands I commend my 

Jesus spoke, not for 

Himself alone, but for you and for me. We too may 

stand in the presence of God because He has taken 

upon Himself the burden of our sin. He is our Re 

deemer as had been foretold, "The Redeemer shall 

come to Zion." And Zion became the meeting place 

with the Son of God. And there come with Him those 

"who turn from transgression in Jacob," Jacob, the 

usurper who unlawfully takes the place of another; 

who by the grace of God became Israel, the man who 

stands with God. 

God said this is My covenant with you who 

stand in this place. Having accepted Jesus Christ you 

have accepted that Covenant of Grace which was en 

tered into in the place where you could not stand, and 

because you are mortal, where only the God-man 

could come and stand. You are called upon that you 

may now have the privilege of talking with God and 

having fellowship with Him. That you might receive 

from Him His blessing, and that you might return 

to Him your love. 

Hence! No one can enter into Covenant with God 

until he has taken his stand there upon the Covenant 

of Grace. We must say with the Apostle, "By the 

grace of God, I am what I Only by the love of 

Christ am I called from the sin of which too often I 

am not conscious. Only by His Holy Spirit convicting 

me am I shown wherein I have lived for selfish ends 

and purposes. God by His Holy Spirit brings me to 

stand at the foot of the Cross. But when He has 

brought me to that place, He says, "My grace is 

sufficient for thee." "My spirit is upon thee, and my 

words which I have put in thy mouth shall not de 

part out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy 

seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed from 

henceforth, saith the Lord." What a wonderful bless 

ing it is to hear God say, "All the words that I com 

mand thee to speak unto them; diminish not a 

We cannot speak for God until we have 

me." 

obeyed His invitation to "Follow It is a wonder 

ful experience to have the fellowship with Christ. To 

have that peace of heart and conscience He 

alone can give. What a glad privilege that is ! And yet 

I hear Christ speak to the man who said, "I want to 

follow you. I too want that wonderful 

fellowship with 

one who can feed five thousand people with no visible 

effort. With one who can look at the blind man and 

say, "See." Who can touch the leper and say to such a 

a man, "Be thou This Christ I love His fel 

lowship. I want to be with Him. But let me first 

COVENANTER WITNESS

age." 

you" 

. Continued 

. . Let 

night." 

bid farewell to those who are at home." But let me 

first . . . 

Like this man there are those who are brought 

to the place of the Covenant, but who hesitate, turn 

back, postpone, delay. This was his hence. It was 

only from this point that he could go forward. "But 

let me first." Let me first. I care not what we might 

add to that statement we all, at one time or other, 

have the tendency to say what that man said to Je 

sus. But let me first. . . But what was Jesus' reply 

"No man having put his hand to the plow,and looking 

back, is fit for the Kingdom of God." Not that the 

man cannot be saved, but that he is not fit for the 

kingdom of God. For that kingdom involves service. 

It involves commitment to a program of action. It 

involves, believing and speaking, and serving as God 

lays burdens upon your heart and mine. 

We cannot be obedient to Him, until we have 

taken our stand at the point where we commit our 

way to follow Him. Where is your "hence" It is that 

point where you say, "From this point on, I will serve 

and be obedient to the God who saved me. How will I 

say that Will I serve Him simply on my own power 

and in my own wisdom Can I serve Him while going 

my own independent way Or am I to identify my 

self with the body of Jesus Christ which He institu 

ted in this world, and which He commissioned as His 

church. "Go ye into all the world and teach all people 

all things whatsoever I have commanded you, and lo, 

I am with henceforth! It is from this hence 

forth that the people of God have the assurance of 

the presence of Christ, "forever, even unto the end of 

the 

There need be this word of caution. The indi 

vidual believer who takes his stand at the foot of the 

cross or who advances beyond through commitment 

to covenant obligations must be very careful not to 

look in disdain upon another who may 

not stand at 

the same place, at the same moment. Those men of 

olden times, such as Abraham, who entered into 

Covenant with God made their promise to God in the 

place where they 

were standing. You and I could not 

have stood in Abraham's place, for we have never 

stood in precisely the same conditions in which Abra 

ham stood. We may study carefully what was in 

volved when the Covenanters of Scotland entered 

into their covenants. But we have not stood in their 

place, and we cannot therefore enter into their cove 

nant. But we are living here and now. God, in His 

providence, has drawn us from all over this land, and 

from other lands, and brought us together with a 

common desire. And we have committed ourselves, 

that upon the morrow, the Lord willing, and in hum 

ble reliance upon His Grace, we will take our stand, 

at this place to which God has brought us not only 

in the physical surroundings of this campus, but in 

the deeper sense. For He has brought us to commit 

to our trust an heritage of truth. He has brought us 

to the consciousness of the work that is to be car 

ried on in His Kingdom. Having brought us to this 

place, He says, "This is my covenant with you . . . 

from HENCEFORTH." 

"MIDNIGHT PEBBLES" 

(Continued from front page) 

burning shame. Christian ! to the work while it is yet 

day ! There is always so much more that could be car 

ried out, were we more awake, alert, alive, active 

(Rom. 13:11). May we allow the Holy Spirit to make 


us more lntemgein, mme beniwi v mun, j.uujjuihjjli v 

great," 

place," 

not." 

which' 

subscribed." 

would." 

REMO I. ROBB, D.D. 

ECH 

For Covenant! 

ECHOES 

January, 1955 

TO ILLUSTRATE THE Y. P. TOPICS 

February 6 

February, 1955 

What's in My Psalm Book 

Did you know that the praise by which 

the Pilgrims greeted the new world was 

the 100th Psalm 

Their journal states: "Being now 

passed the vast ocean and sea of troubles, 

before their preparation unto further pro 

ceedings as to seek out a place for habi 

tation, they fell on their knees and 

blessed the Lord, the God of heaven, who 

had brought them over the vast and fur 

ious ocean, and delivered them from all 

perils and miseries thereof." 

Each family had brought, as the most 

precious earthly possessions, a thick vol 

ume containing, first, the Book of Com 

mon Prayer, with the Psalter appointed 

to be read in churches; second, the Bible 

in the Geneva translation, which was the 

basis of our English translation; and 

third, the Psalms in meter with the music 

notes adapted to singing. So it was that 

the Mayflower Pilgrims lifted their voices 

in song, and the noble tones of Old 

Hundred for the first time floated over 

silent Plymouth bay 

and mingled with 

the sound of wind and waters, consecrat 

ing the American shores. 

February 13 Psalms in the Lives of the 

Early Martyrs. 

"My sins and faults of youth 

Do Thou, O Lord, forget; 

After Thy mercy think on me 

And for Thy goodness 

was the beginning of the song of Margar 

et Wilson as the sea was rising round 

her at the mouth of the water of Blednoch 

by Wigtown. She was twenty years 

of age, and along with an elderly woman, 

Margaret McLachlan, was condemned to 

be drowned for attending field and house 

conventicles and for refusing "the test." 

They 

were tied to stakes within tidemark 

where the waters of the Solway 

come up 

swift and strong. The older 

woman was put farther out that the sight 

of her struggles might terrify the young 

er and lead her to "conform," but she was 

faithful to the death. 

56 

"O do thou keep my soul; 

Do Thou deliver me; 

And let me never be ashamed 

Because I trust in Thee." 

The two women are buried in Wigtown 

churchyard and descendants of the fami 

ly to which Margaret Wilson belonged 

are to be found in the neighborhood of 

Glenvernock where she lived. 

February 20 Christ in the Psalms 

The value and beauty of family wor 

ship in time of bereavement are sublime 

ly illustrated by an incident in the life of 

Rev. J. A. James. It was his custom to 

read at family prayer on Saturday eve 

ning the one hundred third Psalm. On 

the Saturday of the week in Mrs. 

James died, he hesitated, with the open 

Bible in his hand, before he began to 

read; but after a moment's silence, he 

looked up and said, "Notwithstanding 

what has happened this week, I see no 

reason from departing from our usual 

custom of reading the one hundred and 

third Psalm "Bless the Lord, O my 

soul: and all that is within me, bless His 

Holy Name.'" 

Jesus Christ thus spoke to that entire 

family through the Psalm, enabling the 

deepest sufferer in the depth of his sor 

row to bless the Name of the Lord. 

February 27 

to Me. 

What the Psalms Mean 

One morning a teacher went to her 

school and found many vacant seats. 

Diphtheria had entered the village. Two 

little scholars already had died, 

and sev 

eral others were sick. The few who went 

to school gathered around the teacher, 

asking "What shall we do Will we be 

sick Do you suppose we may die" 

The teacher quieted them and said 

"Children, you are all afraid of this ter 

rible disease, and I do not wonder. Your 

little friends are gone, 

and you are afraid 

you may take sick and die, too. I know 

only one way to escape, and that is to 

hide. 

The children gasped in wonder, but the 

teacher went on: "I'll read you about 

this hiding and read "He that 

dwelleth in the secret place of the Most 

High shall abide under the shadow of 

the Almighty." (Psalm 91:1). 

Later a little girl came to the teacher 

and asked "Teacher, aren't you afraid 

of the diphtheria" 

"No, my child, I'm 

"Well, wouldn't you be, if you would 

be sick and die" 

"No, 

I don't think I 

Looking for a moment at the teacher, 

the little girl's face lighted, as she said 

"Oh, I know! you are hidden under God's 

wings. What a nice place to hide!" 

THE C.Y.P.U. YEARBOOK 

for 1955 

Have you sent your society order yet 

This book of twenty pages is prepared 

to help every member of the C.Y.P.U. It 

contains the C.Y.P.U. pledge, a directory 

of the Presbyterial secretaries, the Con 

ference officers and the Topic committee. 

It contains the topics, suggestions for 

special meetings, and society projects for 

each month, listed on separate pages. 

There are also lines for the names of 

the leaders, and a page for the names of 

your society 

members. 

officers and committee 

The Plan of Work adopted at the last 

national convention and now 

being pro 

moted by the C.Y.P.U. Staff is also 

found in the Yearbook. 

The cost is only 15c per copy, and 

every member should have one. Order to 

day, if you have not already done so, 

from Remo I. Robb, D.D. 1102 9th Ave., 

Beaver Falls, Penna. 

THE GOAL POST 

This 8-page monthly magazine is the 

Young People's own. It was started at 

their suggestion and is carried on with 

their support. 

It contains news of what others are do 

ing 

editorials on popular subjects 

reviews of important books 

sermonettes by the secretaries 

testimonies by young people 

articles of interest and importance 

further helps for young .people's 

meetings. 

An item in the national plan of work 

reads : 

"We recommend the continuation of the 

Goal Post, and that each society be 

W0% 

Here is a year of good young people's 

reading for $1.50. Send or renew your 

subscription today. Write The Goal Post, 

1102 Ninth Ave., Beaver Falls, Penna. 

COVENANTER WITNESS

3 

YOUNG PEOPLE'S 

SECRETARY 

Hing People 

THE SOUL-WINNER'S PROJECT KIT 

Another item of the national plan of 

work states : 

"We recommend the formation of evan 

gelistic groups, both speaking and. sing 

ing, for the purpose of sharing with oth 

ers our experiences in the Lord." 

The 

Soul-Winner's Project Kit was 

prepared by the young people several 

years ago to help in precisely such a 

project. A limited supply is still avail 

able, and will be sent prepaid and free of 

charge to those who first write and ask 

for it. Write Remo I. Robb, 1102 Ninth 

Ave., Beaver Falls, Penna. 

IN 1955 

Another year stretches out before the 

Covenanter Young People. A back 

ward look recalls mainly the Na 

tional Convention of 1954 and the 

plan and decisions that were made there. 

The new year calls for all societies to be 

gin 

in earnest to make the decisions 

count and to put the plans to work. 

The winter months are a good time to 

go to work on a Bible Memory program. 

Possibly your pastor has a system which 

he can recommend, or your Sabbath 

School may be at work on one. Or you 

may wish to use one of several good sys 

tems which can be secured from religious 

houses. The Topical Memory System of 

the Navigators is an unusually good one. 

All of these systems should be followed 

with the guidance of your pastor or so 

ciety sponsor. 

A Bible Study Program for the Cove 

nanter Church is being prepared. You 

may have read about it already in the 

Covenanter Witness, and you should 

watch its columns for more information. 

It will be in a series of studies cover 

ing several months, designed to prepare 

you to present the Gospel to those who 

are unsaved, and also to enable them to 

grow in Christian Character and Bible 

knowledge. The first of these studies is 

ready for publication and distribution, 

and will be sent on request. You should 

first make the study yourself and then 

be able to give it to some unsaved friend. 

Early summer will bring the Crusader's 

Corps, a one week school for training in 

Christian service, specifically in training 

for Vacation Bible School work. Then 

two teams will go out to minister in con- 


gregations where otherwise a Vacation 

Bible School might be impossible. The 

entire project will continue for six weeks 

from the first of June to mid- July. Do 

you plan to help in your congregational 

school this summer Would you like to 

join the Crusaders Teams It is not too 

early to begin planning. 

And before you know it, it'll be "con 

ference time in August." Some conferenc 

es already have their programs pretty 

well planned. Midwest had a Booster af 

fair during Christmas holidays. Confer 

ence texts and themes have been chosen, 

conference Psalms are being practiced. 

Speakers are being asked to appear. It 

won't be long until the time comes on us 

with a rush. 

In 1955 we may grow in the knowledge 

of God's Word, in witnessing to others 

of His Precious Salvation and of our 

Precious Saviour, in preparation for His 

service, and in the glorifying 

our chief end. 

of God as 

May the C.Y.P.U. grow yes, "grow in 

grace and in the knowledge of our Lord 

and Saviour Jesus Christ." 

FOURTH INTERNATIONAL STU 

DENT MISSIONARY 

CONVENTION 

"Changing World, Changeless Christ" 

was the thought emphasized again and 

again by 

speakers and missionaries at 

the Fourth International Student Mis 

sionary Convention at the University of 

Illinois campus in Urbana last Christmas 

week. The gathering was sponsored by 

Inter- 

Varsity Christian Fellowship and 

its affiliated groups, Foreign Missions 

Fellowship 

lowship. 

and Nurses Christian Fel 

That the shift in world population and 

political power and the rise of literacy 

and 'nationalism are creating 

new situa 

tions for the missionary was the concern 

in the main sessions and many discus 

sion groups. "Failure to be alert to the 

times in which we live is inexcusable," 

said the Rev. Arthur Glasser, former 

missionary to China, now on the faculty 

of Columbia Bible College. "Unfavorable 

conditions are no excuse for inactivity," 

he warned. 

A consideration of . 

the "Changeless 

Christ" provided the solution to prob 

lems, both missionary and personal. 

China Inland Mission director Mr. J. 

Oswald Sanders, in outlining the history 

of missions from Pentecost to the present 

day, declared that God's purposes have 

always been the same, only the world 

and opportunities have changed. 

The 

Christian's personal relation to the 

"Changeless Christ" .became the issue 

of prime importance in messages by the 

evening speakers and by Dr. A. W. 

Tozer in his morning series "The Man 

God Uses." 

"You must be undone before you can 

be used of God to any 

degree," 

Tozer 

told the students. Dr. Paul White, the 

"Jungle Doctor," medical specialist and 

missionary enthusiast from Australia ob 

served, "Sidestepping the great commis 

sion by living our own lives as we 

please is utterly 

futile." 

Attendance ran 350 over expectations, 

450 over the last convention in 1951. 

There were 2141 registrations, 1950 of 

which were students, 88 staff members, 

and 149 missionaries representing 77 dif 

ferent boards. Christian colleges and 

seminaries were represented by 352 stud 

ents and graduates, nurses groups by 

291. The rest were from secular uni 

versities. Forty-five states and the Dis 

trict of Columbia sent delegates, the 

leaders being Illinois with 270, New York 

with 218, California with 140. Of the 

total, 120 were from 40 foreign countries. 

Registrants came from 263 universities 

and colleges, and from 60 Bible schools 

and seminaries in the United States and 

Canada. 

Mission leaders who attended were 

generally of the opinion that these col 

legians are taking a sound and realistic 

view, that they are better informed than 

students of a few years ago. The serious 

ness of their purpose was revealed in the 

difficulties they endured to get there. 

Foregoing their holidays, they pinched 

pennies, baigained for rides, prayed and 

trusted until 

they finally acquired the 

$30 needed for fee, meals and room. 

Probably there never was such a con 

centration of missionaries and eligible 

young people at one convention, nor as 

much information about the world and 

the types of mission work .being done. 

Adding 

to the platform reports and 

private interviews, 16 booth displays de- 

(Continuel on page 61) 

57

martyrs' 

song!" 

etc." 

waters." 

etc." 

etc." 

etc." 

soul." 

over." 

etc." 

etc." 

etc." 




Charles McBurney 

PSALMS IN THE LIVES OF 

EARLY MARTYRS 

Psalms 23 and 121 

A martyr is one who, in face of perse 

cution and even death, insists upon the 

reality of his experience and holds fast 

the faith inspired ,by it. "Witness" is the 

literal meaning of the word. A Christian 

martyr is one who knows the Lord Jesus 

and professes faith in Him unto death. 

General references in history to Psalmsinging 

by persecuted 

Christians, even in 

the moments preceding cruel execution, 

abound, and such mention of specific 

Psalms as there is makes us realize that 

the 

favorites are our 

favorites, 

that not merely one Psalm, but many 

Psalms were loved and sung by each of 

the many martyrs who knew them. 

Let me suggest a circumstance in which 

we know some Psalm brought courage or 

comfort for the hour and a Psalm that 

might have been used. If you think of 

another equally fitting, we can sing it in 

stead, or both of them. 

Two young missionaries, recently ar 

rived in Europe, had been worshiping 

with a group 

on the banks of a river 

near Philippi and, after several encount 

ers with a young slave girl who said 

weird and surprising things (worth 

money in those days), had healed her. 

The slave masters were not at all pleased 

and had the young missionaries arrested, 

beaten, and thrown into prison, with 

their feet made fast in the stocks. In the 

middle of the night these men (you 

know, of course, they were Paul and Si 

las) prayed and sang praises. Now they 

might have sung, "Out of the depths have 

I cried, Lord, unto 

Thee," 

or, "Save me, 

my God; defend from foes." But in view 

of the fact that prisoners stayed awake to 

listen, I think likely they sang, "It is a 

good 

thing to give thanks unto the Lord." 

Take your pick: Psalm 130, 59, or 92. 

Any one of them could cause an earth 

quake under the circumstances. 

In 363 A. D. Christians were suffering 

severe persecution under the Roman Em 

peror called Julian the Apostate. Since 

they had enjoyed several years of relig 

ious freedom and since Julian himself 

once was a professing Christian, this turn 

of affairs should have been most dis 

heartening. Only an apostate, 

some have 

said, can be really thorough in persecu 

tion, and Julian gives convincing evi 

dence to support the statement. Do you 

know one of the favorites of the perse 

cuted Christians of this period We are 

58 

told it was Psalm 96, "O sing unto the 

Lord a new 

I don't know what 

tune they used, but none could have 

scared Julian more than the one we have 

on page 232 

words do. Sing stanzas 1, 

packing the wallop those 

2, and 5 and 

see for yourself. Disheartened The mar 

tyrs knew whose side to be on! 

In the beautiful valleys below the Alps 

between Italy and France lived for cen 

turies a little band of Apostolic Chris 

tians called Vaudois. They 

never needed 

a 

Reformation, for they believed and 

worshiped and lived with the sincerity 

and devotion of the early disciples at 

Jerusalem and sent their missionaries all 

over Italy. Crushed between the great 

Papal powers of Italy, France, Spain, and 

Austria, these valiant Vaudois were 

cruelly massacred and finally driven into 

exile in 1686, and not until after a dec 

ade of heroism and hardship, sustained 

by 

an unquenchable love of their Lord 

and their native valleys, were they finally 

able to return. Would you select as the 

song 

of triumph for these Psalm-lovers 

the 85th or the 126th 

In 1682 the Ottoman Turks laid seige 

to Vienna in one of their last bids for 

control of eastern central Europe. Sobieski, 

King of Poland, had a band of 

Christian soldiers in the fight to save 

Vienna from the religion of the sword, 

and on the eve of victory they sang as 

their battle song, "Lord, not to us, not 

unto us, but do Thou glory take to Thine 

own name." 

In any language Psalm 115 

is a mounment to martyrs. 

Luther referred to a trio of Reforma 

tion songs as the Psalms of Paul, be 

cause they gave musical expression to 

Paul's great doctrine of salvation 

through faith 

confession and remission 

of sins through the blood of Christ. They 

are Psalms 32, 51, and 130. If you wish 

to sing some of the early 

verses of the 

first of these now, I will suggest next a 

settingfor 

some of the later verses. 

The immediate historical forebears of 

our faith, dear to us because they sang 

Psalms in our own tongue, endured much 

for their devotion to Christ. The Cove 

nanter believed in the Shepherd of Psalm 

23 and the Keeper in the hills of Psalm 

121. I wonder if young Richard Cameron 

ever sang stanzas 9 and 10 of Psalm 32 

after a hair-breadth escape from the 

dragoons, knowing that, even when cap 

tured and condemned, he would still be 

encompassed with songs of deliverance. 

For those at Grinnell last summer I 

need only mention the reference Dr. Cole 

man made in his Sabbath morning ad 

dress just before the Covenant-signing. 

The aged Donald Cargill, when he tried 

to speak to the throngs about his scaf 

fold, was driven to silence by a 

volley 

of drums, but he broke into the song as 

sociated with many baptisms and com 

munions in his long ministry, "Bless thou 

soul." 

Jehovah, O my If you haven't time 

for the whole Psalm, do a bit of choral 

reading and sing 

at least the triumphal 

conclusion found on page 248. No won 

der drums weren't loud enough to drown 

that song! 

You will, of course, want to sing our 

text Psalms in your favorite versions. 

Perhaps you would libe to read Psalm 

23 from your Bibles in this manner: 

All read verse 1. 

Leader: I shall not want for rest. 

Group: "He maketh me to lie down, 

Leader: I shall not want for peace. 

Group: "He leadeth me beside the still 

Leader: I shall not want for strength. 

Group: "He restoreth my 

Leader: I shall not want for guidance. 

Group: "He leadeth me in the paths, 

Leader: I shall not want for courage. 

Group: "Yea, though I walk, 

Leader: I shall not want for compan 

ionship. 

Group: "For thou are with me, 

tion. 

Leader: I shall not want for recogni 

Group: "Thou preparest my table, 

Leader: I shall not want for healing. 

Group: "Thou anointest my head, 

etc." 

Leader: I shall not want for refresh 

ment. 

Group: "My cup runneth 

Leader: I shall not want for reward. 

Group: "Surely goodness and mercy, 

Leader: I shall never be in want for 

anything. 

Group: "And I will dwell in, 

Have you prayed yet this meeting 

Martyrs always do. Sometimes they 

might conclude with the prayer at the end 

of Psalm 80, "O let Thy hand be still 

upon the man of 

Thy right hand." 

CURRENT EVENTS 

(Continued from Page 51) 

denies responsibility for the attacks 

and protests against any move to arm 

Costa Rica. The Organization of Ameri 

can 

States, which includes all 

twentyone 

American republics, has demonstrat 

ed its value in this dispute. It's council 

met 

immediately in Washington and 

sent an 

investigating committee to the 

scene. 

COVENANTER WITNESS

am" 

JUNIOR TOPIC 



AN IMPORTANT QUESTION 


Memory Verse: "And he saith unto 

them, But WHOM SAY YE THAT I 

AM And Peter answereth and saith 

unto him, "Thou art the Christ." Mark 

8:29. 

Psalms 

February Memory Psalm 25:3-6, 

page 57. 

Psalm 16:1, 7, 8, page 27. 

Psalm 38:10, 11, 13, page 98. 

Psalm 13:3, page 23. 

The Lord Jesus Christ performed many 

miracles when He was here on earth. 

He healed the sick and miraculously 

fed five thousand men besides women 

and children. At another time He fed 

about four thousand people. All these 

miracles show that Jesus is God for no 

mere man could do these things which 

Jesus did. These miracles led Jesus to 

have some talks with His disciples. To 

day we are studying about one of these 

talks with His disciples. 

Jesus and His disciples were going into 

the towns of Caesarea Phillipi. The time 

was drawing nearer when Jesus would 

die on the Cross for our sins and we 

have several very searching talks of 

Jesus with His disciples. As they were 

walking on the road between two villages 

of Caesarea Phillipi, Jesus asked His 

disciples a question. "Whom do men 

say that I am Now Jesus knew the 

answer to this question but He wished 

to make His disciples think about Who 

He was. The disciples thought back over 

what they had heard people say about 

Jesus. Herod and some others thought 

He was John the Baptist come to life 

again. Some people thought Jesus was 

that great prophet Elijah of the Old 

Testament times who had come to life. 

And if He was not so great as Elijah, 

then He was one of the prophets. We 

who know Jesus Christ as our personal 

Saviour and Redeemer think that these 

are such silly 

answers. John the Baptist 

and Elijah and Isaiah and Jeremiah 

were great men, but they were still 

MEN. They could not do the miracles 

that Jesus was constantly doing. But 

I'm sad to say that lots of people today 

think that Jesus is simply a great teach 

er. They think that, perhaps, He is the 

best of the prophets, just a very good 

man. They just don't want to believe 

that they 

are sinners and have to have 

a Saviour if they are to be saved from 

God's wrath. 

Then Jesus asked His disciples an 

other question. "But whom say YE that 

I 

am" 

Jesus is asking you and me this 

question today. We 

are sad to think 

there are some people who think Jesus 


is only a man. But what somebody else 

says doesn't have to be our answer. You 

and I must answer the question for our 

selves. Notice that little three-letter word 

BUT. It isn't a whole lot of good for us 

to know what Aunt Susan or Uncle 

Josiah or even Mother and Daddy think 

of Jesus. However, we must admit that 

it ought to have a good effect on us 

to know that our parents know the 

Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour. 

A doctor was on his deathbed. The 

minister who had known his father and 

mother, came to visit this doctor. The 

minister was much concerned about the 

doctor's soul. And he asked him, "Do 

you know Jesus as your 

Saviour" "Oh," 

said the doctor with a sneer, "my mother 

and father used to believe that stufif 

but I don't." And the doctor died. He 

should have known better. He had a 

good opportunity to know Jesus, but he 

refused to accept Him as Christ, his 

Saviour. What answer do you have for 

this question, "Whom do YE say that 

am" 

I (Take a little time out in your 

Junior meeting to have several Juniors 

tell whom 

they say Jesus is." 

Peter, who is known as the "spokes 

man"of the 

disciples answered Jesus' 

second question. "Thou art the Christ." 

What did Peter's answer mean It 

meant that Jesus is the Saviour who was 

promised way back in the Garden of 

Eden after Adam had sinned. He is the 

One of whom Isaiah wrote, "He was 

wounded for our 

"Christ" 

transgressions." 

in the New Testament is the 

same as "Messiah" in the Old Testa 

ment. See John 5:24. 

"Christ" 

means 

"The Anointed One." There were kings 

and priests who were anointed, such as 

Aaron, Saul, and David. But "THE 

Anointed One" is "King of kings." He is 

not just a high priest but our GREAT 

High Priest. The work of the high priest 

was to stand between the people and 

God. But the high priest was himself 

a sinner. Our GREAT High Priest has 

no sin; He will never die; He did not 

have to offer animals but gave Him 

self to die for our sins; He is praying 

for you and for me. This Christ is the 

Christ, the Saviour of all who will re 

ceive Him into their hearts. Is He 

YOUR Christ 

For Your Notebook: 

Write a short paragraph giving your 

personal answer to the question which 

Jesus asked His disciples, "Whom say 

YE that I 






Christian Teaching:, copyrighted by the Inter 


NEW LIFE IN CHRIST 

John 3:1-21; 10:7-16; Acts 16:19-34 

2 Cor. 5:17 

Printed Text, John 3:5-7; Acts 16:25-34; 

2 Cor. 5:17 

Memory verse: Rejoice in the Lord al 

ways: and again I say, Rejoice. Phil. 

4:4 

Three and a half score years ago, a 

young preacher, supplying our pulpit, en 

tertained us youngsters of all ages, with 

a song, "Put the cookies on the lower 

shelf." 

The song was an appeal to 

preachers to phrase the truth in lan 

guage that we could reach. Jesus was the 

perfect example in presenting the truth 

in a way that could be understood. He 

brought the truth right down where we 

could reach it. 

Nicodemus was a very tall man, in 

tellectually. He realized that Jesus was 

dealing 

with truths much deeper than the 

common people could understand, and so 

was presenting them down where they 

could be reached. Nicodemus wanted to 

go into the very heights of the mystery, 

and know how a man became a "New 

Creature." 

Christ handed him the mystery 

on a shelf so high that he could not reach 

it. "Ye must be born 

again." 

Nicodemus 

called out to have it put down a little 

lower. Christ immediately brought it 

down a shelf; "Must be born of water 

and of the Holy Spirit." 

Nicodemus had misunderstood, 

thought the change was something physi 

cal. The New Birth is not of the flesh. 

It is by water and the Spirit. By water, 

the old is washed away. Then the Holy 

Spirit gives New Life, creating the New 

Man. 

Jesus spoke in the language we know. 

He spoke of the fields, the seed, the 

cattle, floweres, houses, foundations; He 

illustrated Heaven by the home, and 

family relations. He gave us a sugges 

tion of God's love in the prodigal's Fa 

ther, 

of the way 

of salvation in the 

prodigal, and of the need of brotherly 

love in the elder brother. 

Our physical birth was without our 

knowledge or understanding. The most 

learned physician does not understand. 

How can we expect to understand the 

invisible Spiritual birth And so Christ 

and His disciples talked much of God 

the Father; Jesus our Brother, the Holy 

Spirit the Comforter, sons, brothers, 

heirs. They spoke of things that are eter 

nal in terms of our present experience. 

Thus they 

would lead us to realize in 

some measure the relationship between 

God and his children. 

Acts 16:25. Paul and Silas were in 

prison in Philippi. They were in the in 

ner prison, bound, and their feet in the 

stocks. Their backs bruised from beat 

ing, and unwashed. Why Because they 

had freed a slave girl from an evil spirit 

59

prisoners' 

new." 

can" 

of divination. Her masters lost their gain 

and complained. So Paul and Silas were 

arrested. Folks were just as 

sensative 

about their pet idolatries then as they are 

now. 

The nature of devil-possession in the 

days of Christ, has been much dis 

puted. Some would find it even now in 

some forms of insanity. Others consid 

er it a special attempt by Satan to imi 

tate the incarnation of Christ. If so, the 

attempt was a dismal failure, and no 

wonder. Christ, Himself pure, took to 

Himself a true body and a reasonable 

soul. Satan, himself evil, could get only 

evil .bodies. Satan may have thought to 

discredit the apostles by having them 

proclaim by a soothsaying slave. They 

rebuked the devil, and were imprisoned. 

Paul and Silas were in no condition to 

sleep, with their wounded backs un 

washed and their feet in the stocks. In 

stead of grumbling and groaning, they 

began to pray and sing. Notice Wey 

mouth's translation of verse 25. "About 

midnight, Paul and Silas were praying 

and singing hymns, and the prisoners 

were listening." This quite literal trans 

lation, would suggest a prayer meeting. 

Some of the hearts may have 

been like the good soil of the parable. 

Perhaps that is why they did not try to 

escape in the earthquake. We do not 

know if the Jailer was listening. We do 

not know how much Paul may have said 

to him before he asked his great question. 

He must have known about sin and sal 

vation, before he could ask the question, 

or understand the answer. It is interesting 

to notice that the answer given to the 

jailer was the same that Christ gave to 

Nicodemus. A learned teacher of the 

Jews, and a jailer, probably Roman, 

one claiming the covenant of Abraham, 

the other an idolater: the answer was the 

same, because their need and opportun 

ity were the same. 

The Jailer was so glad and had ex 

perienced so great a blessing that he 

treated the apostles with the kindest 

hospitality, and had them teach his 

household so they were all baptized to 

gether. So that prayer meeting bore 

fruit. 

Baptism is the sign of cleansing from 

sin. If it is sincere, there is the regenera 

tion by the Holy Spirit, giving the New 

Life, the New Birth. Jesus did not come 

into the world to make men better. He 

came to make them good. Christ came 

not to improve men, but to change them. 

Not to make them better, but to make 

them .perfect. 

Salvation is a new experience, and 

gives a new outlook on life. If our heart 

is centered on this world, 

we know that 

there is nothing that cannot be taken 

from us, and so we become peeved if we 

think someone has wronged us. In the 

50 

new life, we know that nothing can be 

taken from us, that no-one can injure us. 

So we can smile and return good to those 

who would do us evil. If in this life only, 

we have hope, then it is quite natural 

to hoard the things that will buy this 

world's goods. If we have experience of a 

place and work in Christ's Kingdom, then 

naturally, we will find a motive in 

acquiring and using earth's values for the 

service of Christ's Kingdom. For our own 

personal health and comfort, just so 

much as is for the glory of God, 

and 

no more. And if we have not paid to 

the Lord the tithe from the wheat that 

we owe, we will likely take the Lord a 

bucket of turnips as a present. 

We cannot become perfect except by 

being born again by water and the Holy 

Spirit. "Therefore, if any man be in 

Christ, he is a new creature: Old things 

are passed away; behold, all things are 

become 


For February 16, 1955 

Rev. Roy Blackwood 

THE DANGER OF SPURNING GOD'S 

Psalms 

LOVE AND WORSHIP 

(Malachi 1:6-14 & 2:1-9) 

Psalm 122: page 316 




This man whom God has called "My 

(Malachi), began the mes 

Messenger" 

sage (1:1-6) by stating and proving 

God's love. Against that rich background 

of God's gratuitous love, he now pro 

ceeds to describe these people to them 

selves; and their actions and inward 

thoughts betray a lack of love that 

stands out in naked and ugly con 

trast. God charges that they didn't give 

Him the honour a child would give his 

parent, nor the fear a servant would give 

his master. He was their Father (Hos. 

11:1; Is. 63:6; 64:8) because He had 

made them and all that they were, and 

He was also their Master or Lord (Is. 

43:8). In other words, "He had made 

them and He had bought them" from 

bondage safely through the wilderness. 

He could have commanded their obedi 

ence on either count, but He wanted a 

"service" 

of love. Bernard said, "God requireth 

to be feared as a Lord, honored 

as a Father, loved as a husband. Love is 

the chiefest of these . . . Honor 

and glory 

belong to God alone ; but neither of them 

will God accept, unless seasoned with 

the honey of love." Love keeps fear from 

being servile torment, honor from being 

adulation. It makes of honor a thing of 

grace. 

PROOF NO. 1 

OF THE SPURNED 

LOVE 

The people denied God's charges with 

another sullen "prove it if you 

question (1:6 last sentence), 

and God 

answered by describing 

their services 

to Him around the temple. Their lack 

of love showed up first in their WOR 

SHIP services. God considered that evi 

dence the most direct and important and 

He gives three indications of it: (1) their 

wouldn't 

sacrifices, they dare to offer to 

a human governor the things they were 

God for sacrifice (1:8,7); (2) 

offering 

Their prayers, weren't being answered 

for this very reason (2 :3) ; (3) Their at 

titude, the temple itself wasn't cared for 

as it should have been (1:10). This was 

their response to all God's love at the 

"touchpoint" 

of WORSHIP service 

where He longed for it most and where 

it should have been most in evidence. 

Some, today, 

to church because they 

work for God and come 

FEAR Him 

as a servant; fear what will happen to 

them if they don't. They're afraid not to. 

Some, today, 

work for God and come 

to church because they honor God as a 

child does 

get out of it. They 

and creation 

But God looks 

a parent, because he can't 

respect God's power 

He's bigger than they are. 

.beyond these for a 

service born of love and without it, these 

others will begin to forget their tithes, 

they'll sleep through the worship (1:13), 

forget to sing and pray, and become easi 

ly distracted. They will, in effect, show 

God less courtesy and reverence than 

they 

would give a human governor in 

an interview. Their prayers will be un 

answered, their church will fail to grow 

in usefulness, they will be spurning God's 

love. 

On the other hand, with that Love, 

anyone can grow beyond a service of 

servile fear and limited honor to that 

point from which he can see that his 

actions and attitudes in God's services. 

are caused by the fact that "He first 

loved them." 

Young people may begin 

their "service" to God because of fear 

or a desire to honor God's power but 

everyone should grow through these to 

a motive of love. 

Not selfish fear, not 

just a filial sense of responsibility, but 

love should be the motive that connects 

us and all our services to God. Dionysius 

said; "As we are said to sanctify God, 

when we minister to Him in holiness and 

righteousness, and so, as far as in us lies, 

show that He is holy; so we are said to 

pollute Hirn, when we conduct ourselves 

irreverently and viciously before Him, 

especially in His worship, and thereby, 

as far as in us lies, shew that He is not 

dishonored." 

holy and is to be 

REASON NO. 1 

God not only 

FOR THE SPURNED 

LOVE 

put His finger on what 

was to him the most hateful indication of 

their lack of responding love, He went to 

the source of the problem when He said 

who was most at fault. He was also hold- 


. . When 

meat" 

continent," 

ing out every hope of remedy when He 

charged the preachers with being first of 

fenders. He does not excuse the people 

(1:14) but He openly criticizes the 

priests (1:6, 7 & 2:1). He holds them 

responsible for the purity 

of the table 

whereat they had communion with God. 

Those priests didn't set out to "des 

pise" 

God's name or to "offer polluted 

bread" 

Lord is 

and 

or to say 

"The table of the 

contemptible," 

or to "profane 

pollute" 

it (1:12); in fact, they even 

denied these charges because they had 

never spoken those exact words 

but God 

is saying, it's your actions that speak so 

loudly I cannot hear what you say. 

Times were hard in that period of re 

construction and when people brought 

a faulty sacrifice, and were criticized or 

turned away, they stopped coming, the 

congregation dwindled, the priests were 

criticized and didn't eat well. So, they 

lowered the bars and winked at a lame 

or blind sheep (Lev. 22:22). They ate 

'better for a while and became popular 

with a certain class of people because 

they allowed them to bring whatever 

they happened to have on hand, but "fi 

nally it got so bad that they complained 

about the "contemptible (1:12) 

and the long hours of visitation, sermon 

preparation, and terms of communion 

that brought no results. They allowed 

their own opinions and desires to lead 

them to pretend to be more merciful and 

wise than God and God speaks directly 

to the people for they 

should never have 

accepted such unauthorized leniency at 

the hands of the priests (1:14). But again 

in Chapter 2 God condemns the ministers 

bitterly and warns that if they refuse re 

form, they'll .be swept from the temple 

along with other filth (2:3). The minis 

ters, by their actions, had brought down 

shame 

and contempt upon themselves. 

There was no longer any absolute author 

ity, they themselves had forsaken God's 

authority and therefore had none of their 

own. They had forsaken their reason for 

forsook the 

being respected when they 

authority of the law that had ordained 

them. "Blind is the sacrifice of the soul, 

which is not illumined by the light of 

Christ. Lame is his sacrifice of prayer, 

who comes with a double mind to en 

treat the Lord ... we pollute the bread, 

that is, the Body of Christ, when we ap 

proach the Altar unworthily, and, being 

defiled, drink that pure blood . . . the 

deeds of sinners pour contempt on the 

Table of God . 

the sacraments 

are violated, Himself, whose sacraments 

they are, is 

violated." 

Jerome. 

God spoke to these ministers with 

brutal frankness, it was the only hope of 

the church He was preparing for the 

coming of His Son! They had altered the 

terms of their covenant because of per 

sonal desires and opinions without 


proper authority (I Cor. 14:40) from 

Him, and doing so, had proven better 

than anything else God could think of, 

their lack of love for Him, and their own 

unworthiness of the respect of their fel 

low men. Because of that, they could ful 

fill neither their duty to God nor their 

duty to their fellow man and, refusing 

reform, would produce the fruit of 2:8 

and retire to 2:9. 

It was God's great love that prompted 

Him to hold out every hope of reform 

by sending Malachi to give us a "stan 

dard" 

whereby every pastor might mea 

sure himself (2:5-7). He reminded them 

again of their "first love" and life pur 

pose 

when they had kept their cove 

nant with a spirit of reverence (2:5), in 

truth of doctrine, in righteousness of 

judgment, in godliness of life, and as a 

direct result, "did turn many from in 

iquity." 

(2:6) Malachi applies his own 

name to such a pastor, identifying him as 

"the messenger of the Lord of Hosts."' 

(2:7) 

Discussion: 

1. Discuss the relationship 

of 

"worship" 

service to "Daily Christian" service and 

the influence of love. Distinguish between 

love of Peter and that of John in John 

21. 

2. What difference do you see between 

a servant of God and a son of God 

(John 8:35; 15:15; Matt. 25:21, 23) 

3. The problem involved in having 

everyone make up his own terms of com 

munion. Review briefly the only terms 

whereby pastors of our church are au 

thorized to administer communion. (Test 

pp. 190, 4; 316, 10; 333-336). See I Cor. 

5 for Paul's advice about how to avoid 

polluting the Lord's Table. 

ice. 

For Prayer 

The Sabbath Morning Worship Serv 

The Seminary where our "priests" are 

trained. 

Every 

pastor of the church 

those most 

responsible to God for administering an 

impartial Word (2:9). 

For a purified and revived church 

with a service born of love. 

MISSIONARY CONVENTION .... 

(Continued from page 57) 

picted different areas of the world and 

various branches of service. These ex 

hibits were prepared by students of 

selected chapters of IVCF, FMF and 

NCF in all parts of the country. During 

the week 12 films on foreign work were 

shown. Free literature from 77 

boards 

was on display. The bookroom did a 

smashing business of 120 sales an hour 

between sessions. 

Who can forget the Rev. Mr. Redpath's 

clear presentation of the claims 

of the Lord in Matthew 28:18-20 

"There is enough key personnel here to 

change evangelical life on this 

he said. 

Speaking again on Thursday 

night, Redpath outlined the fullness of 

the Spirit, not as an optional experience 

but essential. 

The international and interracial char 

acter of the conference was revealed in 

a number of ways. Mr. William Nagenda 

widely known African church leader 

from Uganda, British East Africa, ad 

dressed the Wednesday night audience, 

as well as several daily discussion 

groups. With disarming simplicity he 

spoke on the conditions of discipleship 

from Matthew 6:33. Foreign students 

and Christian leaders appeared on the 

platform throughout the week and assist 

ed in the services. A highlight of the 

five days was a 

foreign students tea 

on 

Wednesday afternoon attended by 

140 from 40 different countries, some 

from every continent. Besides members 

of many different Protestant groups and 

a Coptic priest, there were Hindus, Mos 

lems and Buddhists. Purpose of the 

tea was 

to get acquainted and share 

impressions. Following a brief presenta 

tion of Christianity by Mr. David H. 

Adeney and Mr. William Nagenda, mem 

bers of the group participated in a time 

of testimonies and discussion. 

Typical comments from delegates 

were, "The Lord is really working here"; 

"I think I had all the wind knocked out 

of me"; "I came here hardly knowing 

what missions were all about. Now I am 

willing 

to go as a 

missionary." 

One co 

ed, saved only two months before con 

vention, had hesitated coming because 

she feared she would be lonely without 

the usual parties and social times of 

Christmas vacation. 

After the second 

day she said, "Somehow I don't seem 

to miss them." Even during the con 

vention some 

students entered into a 

real experience of Christ as Lord and 

Saviour. One missionary was asked for 

advice regarding what book he should 

buy, 

"As," said the students, "I have 

only been a Christian for two days." 

The five-day meet closed on a tri 

umphant note as hundreds stood indi 

cating that they were purposing to go as 

missionaries as the Lord leads. The final 

hours of the old year were spent in a 

united service. The session was address 

ed by IVCF general secretary, Mr. C. 

Stacey Woods, who warned 

that the 

world is a spiritually dark place and we 

must not let our lights go out. The 

sight of 2,000 persons from many dif 

ferent states and countries, all one in 

Christ, partaking of Communion togeth 

er was a fitting 

climax to the theme. 

Paul H. Sheetz 

61

observant" 

Dr. Ida M. Scott, former missionary in 

China, passed to her reward on Monday, 

January 17, from the Aged People's 

Home. 

COLLEGE HILL 

The Christmas entertainment, under 

the leadership of Mrs. Stewart Lee, 

Superintendent and her assistants was 

a pleasant and profitable affair. The 

younger classes repeated Bible verses 

and gave recitations and the Intermediate 

Class, Miss Aphrodite Thrombattas, the 

teacher, gave a playlet entitled "While 

the Shepherds Watched." The Primary 

Class, Mrs. Alice Sterrett, teacher, pre 

sented an interesting exercise, "The 

Best Gift." All sang carols. Six members 

of the School had a perfect attendance 

during the year. 

Two interesting features on the pro 

gram were the presentation of a lamp 

to Mrs. Stewart Lee for her very efficient 

leadership as Superintendent of the 

Sabbath School and Leader of our choir, 

and a portrait of Ulysses S. Grant on 

a $50.00 bill from the congregation to our 

Pastor, Dr. F. H. Lathom. 

The White Gift which is taken at this 

time amounted to $137.62 and was ap 

portioned to The Salvation Army, Am 

erican Bible Society, American Sabbath 

School Union, Church World Service, 

the W.C.T.U., Christian Amendment 

Movement and the Welfare Fund. 

Miss Rose Munell addressed our 

Thank Offering meeting in November on 

the work in Cyprus, showing interesting 

pictures. 

W.M.S. $134.20, 

The Thank Offering was 

W. R. Redpath Mis 

sionary Society $96.00 and the Highland 

ers $45.50, total $275.70. 

AN APPRECIATION 

We wish to bear testimony to the 

sterling Christian character of Dr. Paul 

Coleman and to his leadership as a 

pastor. When we were considering mak 

ing out a call for him, no objections 

were raised other than one member 

remarking, "Do you think his physical 

strength will be equal to it" We are 

very grateful that God not only gave 

him the strength to stand it for over 

30 years, but also to give us a leader 

ship that no one but a consecrated fol 

lower of Jesus Christ could give, and 

one that will continue to bear fruit 

in the years to come. 

Dr. Coleman is a man of strong faith, 

a true and zealous interpreter of God's 

Word and a firm believer in the effi- 

62 

cacy of prayer. His interest in the chil 

dren and young people was manifested in 

the vitality and zest he put forth in 

their mental, physical and social as well 

as their spiritual lives. He was always 

willing to lend a helping hand. 

Dr. Coleman was a welcome visitor in 

our homes and a friend in need or 

joy. 

His quarterly letters to our out of town 

members, showing 

an interest in them 

and informing them of our congregation 

al work, brought many responses, sev 

eral stating that they would have been 

lost to our denomination had it not 

been for them. 

Our prayer is that God will give him 

physical relief and enable him to still 

take a part in our Denominational work 

for which he is so eminently fitted. 

Kansas City Session. 

MORNING SUN, IA. 

After the January W.M.S. meeting with 

Mrs. Robert Dickson, Mrs. J. E. McElroy 

was pleasantly surprised with a New 

Year's Gift pound party. 

James Dunn and family 

and presented the Morning 

have made 

Sun church 

with an outdoor bulletin board in mem 

ory of his mother Mrs. Knox (Tillie 

Dodds) Dunn. She will be remembered 

as the hostess to all the visiting minis 

ters as long as services were held at 

Wyman, 

and when Wyman congregation 

was disorganized she brought her family 

to the Morning Sun congregation where 

she was a 

faithful member of church 

services and the Women's Missionary 

society, serving as hostess to misionary 

meetings and contributing generously to 

all missions. When her death occured a 

few years ago, she had a large sum 

waiting to be used in her W.M.S. Thank 

Offering envelope. 

To carry on the Dodds and Dunn 

reputation for leadership 

in religious 

work, at the Older Boys and Girls con 

ference held in Morning Sun two of 

Knox Dunn's grandchildren were elected 

to offices. Virginia Dunn, son of William 

Dunn as Vice-President, and Jimmy 

Dunn, son of James Dunn, elected as 

Secretary-Treasurer. Rev. McElroy con 

ducted one of the discussion groups at 

this conference. There was a good atten 

dance in spite of the blizzard which also 

came that day. 

Members of the CYPU each asked a 

guest to supper social held at the Clyde 

MeElhinney country home. About 20 at 

tended with Rev. and Mrs. McElroy as 

sponsors. 

Our sympathy goes to Mrs. Patter 

son's brother Robert Dickson, 

who is our 

faithful janitor, and to her husband 

Rev. H. G. Patterson who was our pastor 

for thirty-five years. 

For many years 

before her marriage she was loved just 

because she was lovely as her name indi 

cates, and then as pastor's wife she filled 

it graciously, as WMS President, and 

Presbyterial President and taught our 

children in the Sabbath School, as well 

as serving as Junior S. S. Sup't. many 

years. She also was leader of the Junior 

Society several years, and was especial 

ly proficient in the use of the flannel 

graph. She continued in this service 

even after her husband retired as pastor. 

Word has come that Rev. Patterson's 

of southern Illinois died 

sister Mary 

after a brief illness, she had been visit 

ing at Cameron Patterson's in Florida at 

the same time her brother was there. 

Morning 

Sun annual church dinner 

was held at the library, with the usual 

delicious meal, followed by a program, 

One game which everyone enjoyed was 

"Are you 

prepared by Mrs. 

Robert Dickson. Questions were asked 

like these 

the picture on the church 

bulletin of last Sabbath, the number of 

pews, the number of lights in the church. 

Make up your own list, and try it at 

your socials. 

Music was furnished by 

Winnifred Wilson on the accordion 

Gwen Wilson on the piano, and Jimmy 

McElroy on the tonette accompanied by 

Gwen Wilson. Latha McElhinney gave 

a 

humorous reading. 

New S. S. officers for the year are 

Supt. Hoyt Cummings, Asst. Supt. Mrs. 

Fred Johnson; Secretary, Mrs. Ella Mc 

Murtry; Treasurer, Walter Hutcheson; 

Temperance Superintendent, Mrs. Emma 

Schofield, Junior Superintendent, Mrs. 

Walter Hutcheson, Cradle Superintendent 

Mrs. Frances Pogemiller. 

Mr. and Mrs. Dave Cummings have 

gone to Orlando Florida for the winter. 

She will be missed as one of the S. S. 

teachers. 

Mrs. Mary Hetherington who suffered 

a broken leg is in the Burlington hospi 

tal. While there she found what good 

nurses were her granddaughters Martha 

Stodgell, and Elizabeth Brenner who are 

daughters of the late Mrs. Lee (Ellen 

Hetherington) Stodgell. 

Mrs. Anna Wilson is ill at her son 

Ralph's home. 

Mrs. Cora Kimble has been in the 

Davenport, Iowa hospital under the care 

of her nephew Dale Wilson. Her present 

address is Morning Star Convalescent 

Home R. 3, Harrison Street Road, 

Davenport, Iowa. Before going to the 

hospital she was cared for by her sis 

ter Nellie Kilpatrick. 

Mrs. Lois Honeyman entertained at a 

dinner party for her son John who is 

COVENANTER WITNESS

captain of Arnold V. Walker towboat on 

the Mississippi River. 

Week of Prayer services were observed 

the first week of January. 

Mrs. Edith Ifft of Butler, Penna., Dr. 

and Mrs. Robert Patterson and family 

of Ault, Colo., and Dr. and Mrs. Milton 

Patterson and family of Mediapolis, 

Iowa, were here to attend Mrs. Patter 

son's funeral. Mrs. Edith Ifft remained 

with her father for a few days. 

The 

Overlength 

FRESNO NEWS 

Editor 

Pacific Coast Summer Confer 

ence will be held at Long Meadow, Hume 

Lake, California August 6-13. Plan your 

vacations to be present and receive 

spiritual blessings. 

Good attendance has been reported 

at the Week of Prayer meetings. Mr. 

J. R. McCloy was in charge of the 

Monday meeting, and Rev. R. W. Mc 

Millan led the Wednesday meeting. Mr. 

Phillips had several men from the Rescue 

Mission gave their testimonies. 

Mr. John Walkinshaw led the Friday 

meeting. 

UNITING OF BLANCHARD 

AND CLARINDA 

On January 2, 1955 a special Commis 

sion of the Midwest Presbytery 

Clarinda, Iowa and united the Blanch 

met in 

ard and Clarinda congregations. An As 

semblies of God group has bought the 

Blanchard church building. An offer has 

been received for the parsonage. The 

united congregation will still be called 

the Clarinda congregation. 

SOUTHFIELD, BIRMINGHAM, MICH. 

Southfield's Fall Communion was a 

fine season with Dr. M. K. Carson bring 

ing 

us messages at this time. We sign 

ed the Covenant in connection with the 

Communion service. It was noted that 

the names of four generations were 

signed to our covenant. Mrs. Elizabeth 

McDonald, W. Malcolm McDonald, Wil 

bur McDonald, Shirley McDonald. Mrs. 

Elizabeth McDonald who will be 100 

years old on Valentines day also signed 

the Covenant of 1871. "But the mercy 

of the Lord is from everlasting to ever 

lasting upon them that fear him, and 

his righteousness unto children's child 

ren; to such as keep his covenant, and 

to those that remember his command 

ments to do them." 

At the present time all the Services 

in Southfield are being held in the base 

ment recreation room of the parsonage 

while our church is being moved back 

on the lot and a new basement being 

constructed. Southfield has needed more 

Sabbath School room and a new heat 

ing system for a long 

time. We are glad 

that it is possible to add these improve- 

ments. It will mean a much more attract 

ive and useful "House of God." 

We are always glad for visitors in 

Southfield. Some of the recent ones have 

been Glenn McFarland from the Semi 

nary; Jessie McFarland from Geneva 

College, Leslie Abbott from Michigan 

State College; Dr. and Mrs. Ira Smith 

of Ann Arbor and daughter of London, 

England; Mr. and Mrs. Mel Rutherford 

of Belle Center Ohio. Miss Mildred El 

sey of Cincinatti, and Mr. and Mrs. 

Hugh Martin of Denver, Colorado. 

Our annual Thank Offering Service 

was held on Sabbath Morning, November 

21. Miss Orlena Lynn told of her work 

in Japan. Then in the evening she 

showed slides and told more of the life 

and work there. We surely appreciated 

her visit and stay among us. 

Miss Ameera Hanna united with the 

Southfield Congregation this fall. She 

came from Latakia, Syria in the early 

summer. We enjoy her company and are 

glad she is at home with Miss Edna 

Elsey. Ameera 

plans to enter Geneva 

College to continue her education as 

soon as possible. 

TOPEKA 

A Forest Park Booster Banquet was 

held Wednesday evening December 29 

here in Topeka with approximately 120 

in attendance. 

The 

annual New Year's dinner was 

held January 1. The following S. S. of 

ficers were elected at the business meet 

ing: Superintendent, Paul G;.beson; As 

sistant Superintendent, Bob Maine; Sec 

retary, Carl Blackwood; Assistant Sec 

retary, Jimmie Oelke; Treasurer, Mar 

tin Chestnut ; Precentor, Elizabeth Maine ; 

Assistant Precentor, Virginia Davies; 

Junior Superintendent, Betty Martin; As 

sistant Superintendent, Mary Ella Stark. 

The first week of January was observed 

as the week of prayer with Rev. Sam 

Boyle preaching Monday evening; 

prayrmeetings Tuesday, Wednesday and 

Friday 

day evening. 

evenings and W.M.S. Thurs 

WALTON 

The girls of the Young People's Group 

have redecorated a basement room in our 

church as a game room. Two small gas 

heaters have been installed. The room is 

very attractive and will fill a real need. 

The girls are to be commended for their 

work. 

John Russell, Wayne Spear and Wen 

dell Spear, students at Geneva College, 

were home for the holidays. Scott Boyle, 

high school student in Sterling, Kansas, 

was also in Walton visiting the Boyle 

family. 

The Women's Missionary Society and 

the Missionary Guild were entertained at 

the home of Mrs. Howard Gilchrist for 

their December meeting. Mrs. Grace 

Boyle was the honor guest. Gifts were 

presented to her by the group. 

On December 26, at our morning wor 

ship service, the sacrament of baptism 

was administered to William Samuel 

Boyle, infant son of the Rev. and Mrs. 

Samuel Boyle. 

The Sabbath School held its Holiday 

program on 

Wednesday evening, Decem 

ber 29. A short prayer meeting was held 

and the program followed. Each class 

contributed a part of the program. 

Both the audience and the entertainers 

enjoyed themselves. The room was beau 

tifully decorated for the occasion. A tree 

and treats added to the enjoyment of the 

evening. 

The churches of Walton united in the 

week of Prayer services. Seven services 

were held on different evenings in the 

various churches. 

Every speaker had a 

very helpful message. The last Sabbath 

evening 

service was held in our church. 

Since we recently studied the book of 

Ephesians in our prayer meeting hour, 

our pastor is preaching a series of ser 

mons during Bible Mastery Month on the 

First Epistle of John. 

STUDENT-PREACHING 

SCHEDULES 

Inquiry has been made as to whether 

there is a clearing-house for information 

about scheduling Seminary students for 

preaching engagements, either 

during the 

school year or 

during the summer 

months. 

Congregational correspondents or Clerks 

of Sessions may send requests to Dr. S. 

Bruce Willson 7418 Penn Avenue, Pitts 

burgh 8, Pa. It would be helpful if spe 

cific dates are requested, and if there is 

request for a 

specific student. This is 

not intended to supercede direct corres 

pondence, if that is desired. Any suggest 

ed arrangements will be submitted to 

Presbytery's Committee on Supplies for 

approval. 

Preaching schedules 

months are 

being 

time. 

for the summer 

made at the present 

Sincerely, 

S. Bruce Willson 


Rev. R. S. McElhinney has been con 

fined to his home because of illness. We 

pray that his recovery will be rapid and 

that he will soon be able to worship with 

us again. 

On January 10, the young people en 

joyed a wiener roast at the "Red-bud" 

Shelter House at McCormick's Creek 

State Park. A roaring fire was built in 

one of the buildings while the young 

people played various active games in 

the other. At the close of the evening, a 

short devotional period was held using 

as references Psalm 119: verses 9 and 11. 


6a

other" 

erf 8 qSjcnqsima 

THE RISING TIDE&W^ 

A Layman Writes 

"I want to voice my approval and commendation to the Covenanter Church for having at 

long last hit upon one of the most important things in giving weight to its testimony for 

Christ. I refer to the tithing resolution signed by eighty-eight prominent members of the 

church at large." 

Another One Says 

"What a great step has been taken in our Covenanter Church! Would it not be fitting to 

. . 'God's Kingdom will come. Do you accept the offered privilege of a part in the 

say 

. 

work by giving as He directed' Why not insist on preaching a whole Gospel, all graces 

supplementing each 

One Minister's Facts to His Congregation 

. 12,000 

BUDGET RAISED LAST YEAR $103,000 

ASKED FOR THIS YEAR 110,000 

ADDITIONAL FOR JAPAN 5,000 

INCREASE ASKED OVER LAST YEAR 

TOTAL GIVEN LAST YEAR 408,000 

THREE PER CENT INCREASE 

OVER THAT WILL 

DOIT 

Straws in the Wind 

A MINISTER DOUBLES HIS LAST YEAR'S TITHE 

A PASTOR ASKS HIS PEOPLE TO MEET THEIR SHARE OF THE INCREASE 

ONE CONGREGATION HAS PLEDGED $1000 ABOVE REGULAR GIVING 

We Are on the Way 

IF EVERY COVENATER WILL ADD HIS WEIGHT 

COVENANTER WITNESS.

expressions" 



VOLUME LIV WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1955 NUMBER 5 

The 

"Why" 

of Evangelical Missions 

JAMES DeFOREST MURCH, D.D. 

In United Evangelical Action, used by Permission. 

EVANGELICALS are by nature missionary. The 

largest per capita giving in Protestantism for 

foreign missions is in strictly evangelical denomin 

ations. For some years now the largest number of 

new foreign missionaries have been sent by evan 

gelical boards. In fact, if it were not for the new 

ly-developing strength of these boards there would 

be a tragic loss of zeal and accomplishment in the 

total picture of Protestant Christian missions. 

It is unfortunate that the once-universal Prot 

estant fellowship in the task of evangelization has 

been broken. There was a time when the missionary 

of the world was united in its belief that 

leadership 

Jesus Christ, God and Saviour, is the only hope of 

a world lost in sin and shame. Today humanistic 

activism and an intellectual and religious syncretism 

have been projected into world missions to the de 

struction of its unity and evangelicals have been 

forced to build again the foundations. 

The only authentic Christianity that ever was or 

ever will be is the Christianity that is both Jesus, 

the historic Son of Man and Son of God, and the 

Eternal Christ, the risen and everlasting Master 

and Lord. This Christianity is not a search of man 

for God. It is God's offer of Himself to men in 

Christ, who was not a "fellow seeker with us after 

bodily." 

God," 

but "the fullness of the Godhead 

This Christianity does not admit that mankind is 

capable in itself of constant progress and improve 

ment and of advancing toward perfection, but holds 

that motive and power are in Christ to those who 

are born again through the Gospel. 

Evangelicals are, therefore, 

convinced that the 

preaching 

of the Gospel is the essential task of 

missions and must always remain so. We do not 

object to programs for the solution of agricultural, 

social, political and industrial problems but we be 

lieve that each country, race and generation must 

solve its own problems in the light of God's Word 

through the native churches. Our chief aim is the 

personal conversion of men to a new life in 

Christ, to complete surrender to God's will as re 

vealed in His Word and to new relations of love 

to their fellowman. 

Evangelicals refuse to identify Christianity with 

non-Chrstian religions. Christianity is not a re 

ligion in the sense that it is a search for God. We 

refuse to compromise with heathenism. We believe 

Christianity should perceive and hold fast the truth 

of its own uniqueness. It should be proclaimed in a 

simple message by words and deeds transfused with 

love. It should anticipate the absolute triumph of 

Christ as acknowledged Lord and Saviour. To this 

end evangelicals shall not be satisfied until all men 

everywhere have heard the Gospel and have had an 

opportunity to accept it. 

So much for the basic principles of evangelical 

missions. We shall seek always to build construc 

tively 

upon these foundations. 

But we are also realistically face to face with 

"liberalism" 

in foreign missions. Liberalism came 

into the missionary picture as a parasite, living on 

the boards, institutions, and missions built up by 

evangelicals, and undermining the fundamental be 

liefs and practices that have made Christian mis 

sions a vital force in the world. Liberals deny that 

men are lost without Christ, in the full New Testa 

ment sense. They look upon the authentic historical 

facts of the New Testament as "symbolic imagina 

nontive 

of Christianity. They consider 

Christians as brothers in the common quest for 




Bingo in the Churches 

In the current issue of Christian Herald there is an ar 

ticle entitled, "Bingo 

Shame of the Churches," in which 

the writer affirms that though the Protestant churches 

have pronounced bingo a vicious form of gambling, yet the 

authorities of the Roman Catholic Church have given the 

game their official blessing and also their enthusiastic spon 

sorship. The manufacturers of gambling paraphernalia have 

repeatedly shown that Catholic churches are among the 

country's biggest buyers 'of bingo equipment. And crime 

commissions investigating the enormous profits derived by 

gambling syndicates, have long recognized church bingo 

as the financial bulwark of the Catholic church's parochial 

school system. Bingo is said to have more devotes than all 

other games of chance. The "nickles and dimes," which the 

Catholic clergy dismiss as inconsequential, annually roll up 

into hundreds of millions of dollars to produce one of the 

nation's largest gambling enterprises 

either in or out of 

the church. Even when church games are run as the Catho 

lics say, 

"honestly," 

the gambling 

odds are as high as 70 

to 30 against a player being given a fair chance for his 

money. The "bingo 

addict" 

is a type of player in whom greed 

and avarice are stimulated to a similar kind of enslavement 

as that of the hopeless alcoholic. 

Cleanup of Comics 

In the city of Des Moines, Iowa, forty-five druggists 

have pledged to clear their drugstore racks of all objection 

able comic books. They are asking 

drive. 

No Lynchings 

others to join in the 

No lynchings have been reported in 1954. There were 

none reported in 1952 and 1953, and so this year there was 

no report along this line by 

Tuskegee Institute which has 

reported the lynchings for many years in the past. It is 

to be hoped that lynchings are a thing of the past. In the 

years past such countries as India and some in Africa have 

made unfavorable propaganda of the lynchings in the U.S.A. 

The Quakers, at a cost of $4,000, in order to counteract such 

propaganda, sent a white housewife accompanied by a Negro 

young woman who works in a Philadelphia settlement house 

on a "journey of friendship" around the world. They spent 

periods as guests in eleven different countries as a part of 

such a mission. How many instances of friction due to race 

prejudice might be eliminated if men would remember that 

God has created all nations of one blood to dwell on all the 

face of the earth. 

Selling Pork in Israel 

A case against the selling 

of Pork in Israeli was car 

ried to the Supreme Court which ruled that municipal au 

thorities may not ban the sale of pork by ordinance so long 

as there is no national law against its sale. It is expected 

that the question of the sale of pork will be raised in the 

Israeli Parliament. 

The Fourth Health Problem 

Alcoholism has been authoritatively declared to be the 

No. 4 heaith problem in the United States. This comes from 

66 

the Keeley Institute, of Dwight, II]., which has made an ef 

fort to cure alcoholics for the last 75 years. Reports given 

out by United States Health inform us that alcohol addiction 

is 10 per cent more prevalent than tuberculosis, 50 per cent 

more prevalent than cancer, and 225 per cent more prevalent 

than poliomyelitis. 

Released Time Education 

The Board of Education of New York City reported that 

2,285 more public school pupils attended released-time re 

ligious education classes in December than in the same 

month last year. 

Mission Airplane 

Some Baptist churches in the Carolinas, and one in 

Texas, have presented a light airplane to the Southern Bap 

tist Foreign Mission Board. The plane which cost approxi 

mately $5,000 will be placed at the disposal of Mr. John S. 

Oliver, missionary to the State of Piaui, Brazil. This will 

make five planes which the Board now has to cover long 

and difficult distances of travel in the interior of Brazil. 

U. S. Men in Spain 

There were many of us who protested against the U. S. 

granting large sums to aid Spain in the form of establishing 

military bases there so long as Spain is under a dictator and 

radical Catholic control. Before long, if plans are carried out, 

there will be a large number of U. S. citizens employed by 

the U. S. military authorities in Spain and there will be mil 

itary 

and air units assigned to that country. But listen! A 

report from Madrid states that United States and Spanish 

military leaders have granted the Roman Catholic Church 

the right to sanction or forbid marriages between United 

States citizens of mixed religions in Spain. It means that 

if a Protestant from the U. S. desires to marry 

a girl in 

Spain he will have to become a Catholic or submit to the 

Catholic rules of marriage with a Protestant, namely, that 

all the children must be brought up in the Catholic faith. It 

is feared that many young men will live in concubinage ra 

ther than accept the Catholic rules. This violates the 

American view of the separation of church and state and 

interferes with the liberty 

of service personnel who are 

helping in Spain. Very recently a friend was telling this 

writer that a chaplain of his denomination had helped to 

enlighten 75 young women in Italy in the Protestant faith 

after servicemen had married girls of Italy. This would 

be prohibited in Spain. Christians should write to their con 

gressmen protesting against the Spanish ruling. 

N. A. E. Headquarters 

The headquarters office of the National Association of 

Evangelicals has been moved from Chicago to Wheaton, Illi 

nois. The Midwest Regional office of the NAE will remain in 

Chicago in order to serve the greater Chicago area. 

Revision of Scofield Bible 

A committee of scholars has begun work on a revised 

edition of the Scofield reference Bible. The chairman of th s 

committee is Dr. E. Schuyler English who said after the 

(Contonued on page 74) 

COVENANTER WITNESS

welfare" 



TAKING A STAND 

Crucial decisions are now being made on our involve 

ment in the defense of the Nationalist government of China. 

The Communist campaign against the Nationalist-held is 

lands off the coast has been stepped up sharply, and the 

northernmost island has already been captured. The Tachen 

group is under immediate threat of invasion. These islands 

have been heavily bombarded and U. S. observers have been 

withdrawn, but the Nationalists refuse to surrender. Presi 

dent Eisenhower has replied to the Communist campaign by 

asking Congress for authority to defend Formosa and its 

nearby islands. He has also bolstered the Seventh Fleet 

which patrols the waters between Formosa and the main 

land. U. S. warships may be used to evacuate civilians from 

the Tachen islands. If our ships should also undertake the 

transportation of Nationalist troops, the Communists would 

be likely to open fire, and another war might be started. We 

hope the outlook will be more encouraging later. 

CEASE FIRE 

President Eisenhower and Secretary of State Dulles 

have stated that they will not make any concessions to Red 

China, but they would be willing for the U. N. Security 

Council to arrange a settlement. Anthony Eden of Great 

Britain has also been trying for a cease-fire, perhaps based 

on the idea that the Nationalists would give up the Tachen 

islands in return for recognition of their right to Formosa 

and the Pescadores. However, Peiping 

claims that all this 

territory is rightfully hers, and objects to any U. N. action 

as interference with her "domestic" affairs. The Tachens 

are hardly essential to the defense of Formosa, as the Reds 

already have mainland bases closer to the Nationalist head 

quarters. The Communist conquest must be stopped some 

where, though, and the question is whether we can keep 

them out of the Tachen islands without a major war. Red 

China's policy seems just like a man trying to see how far he 

can lean over a cliff without falling. 

BILLIONS TO SPEND 

The budget President Eisenhower has submitted to Con 

gress calls for an outlay of $62.4 billion in the next fiscal 

year. With revenues expected to reach $60 billion, there will 

be a deficit of $2.4 billion. This will be the smallest deficit 

in several years, but the Administration will again have to 

ask Congress to raise the debt ceiling from its present level 

of $275 billion. Our progress toward a balanced budget is 

certainly slow. One hopeful sign is that in recent years the 

national debt has not increased as fast as the population or 

the national wealth. For example, in 1945 the national debt 

was over one and a quarter times the gross national product, 

but in 1954 it was only about three-quarters as great as our 

total production. 

$34 billion, or over half of the new budget, is earmarked 

for defense. The Air Force leads with $15.6 billion, represent 

ing an increase, while the Navy and Army 

Foreign aid is scheduled for $4.7 billion if Congress ap 

are cut somewhat. 

proves, and atomic energy for $2 billion. The total for na 

tional security will thus reach about 65 per cent of the bud 

get. Other fixed charges such as benefits veterans' 

and in 

terest on the debt amount to another 24 per cent. This leaves 

a rather small margin for the "general 


services 

which have been the usual target of those who advocate 

retrenchment. 

BUSINESS BACKS THE COLLEGES 

About half the private colleges and universities of this 

country run at a deficit, and nearly all are falling behind 

in plant construction. But their acute financial problems 

have led to an impressive movement of support from big 

business. President Harlow H. Curtice of General Motors 

recently announced a very broad and generous program.. 

His company already spends about $2.5 million a year on 

various forms of educational aid, but is now adding $2 

million more. Much of this will consist of four-year scholar 

ships. Each scholarship will carry an additional grant of 

$500 to $800 to the institution, in recognition of the fact that 

tuition does not meet the full costs of education. There will 

also be gifts to regional foundations representing small 

colleges. A total of 306 campuses will benefit from the Gen 

eral Motors plan. 

President Curtice called the program a practical ven 

ture, since industry benefits by the improved training of its 

workers. Several other large companies, such as Ford, Du 

Pont, General Electric, U. S. Steel, and Standard Oil, also 

give very large amounts to educational institutions every 

year. They prefer to support higher education themselves 

rather than see it fall entirely into the hands of the govern 

ment 

in which case they would still support it, by taxation. 

The business grants tend to favor scientific studies, but 

they free institutional resources for other fields, so that 

with wise direction a balanced program can still be main 

tained. 

POLIO FUND 

The annual March of Dimes again calls attention to 

the cost of care and research in infantile paralysis. The 

National Foundation is spending $7.5 million on an ex 

haustive evaluation of the Salk polio vaccine given last year. 

Twenty-seven laboratories are now performing delicate tests 

on blood samples from 40,000 children to determine the 

vaccine's effects. The health records of a million and a half 

children must also be compared to determine whether those 

receiving the vaccine had a significantly lower polio rate. 

The evaluation will not be complete until late spring, but the 

National Foundation has taken the chance of ordering $9, 

million worth of the vaccine for use next season. 

PRISON BREAK 

Most Americans prefer not to worry about the treat 

ment given the men in our prisons; but the issue is raised 

again by four desperate convicts who withstood a 

three-day 

siege before surrendering at the Massachusetts State Prison 

at Charlestown. A seven-man committee chosen by the 

prisoners finally persuaded them to surrender. They thus 

faced the certainty of heavy additional sentences in order to 

call attention to their plight. The prison is 150 years old and 

fantastically over-crowded. The long sentences given in 

Massachusetts also made their situation more hopeless. 

Americans need to do some serious 

thinking about the pur 

pose of our penal institutions. Prison terms should not be 

based on a desire for vengeance, and the prisoners should 

be guaranteed some human rights. Most states do not 


67

Japan 

contribute." 

' 

Editorial Notes 


Embracing a Lie. A young Chinese, 21, reared 

and educated in a Christian Mission, wrote to a 

former teacher as follows: 

"Now I am no longer the former man you knew. 

Apart from my body which is the same, my whole 

mind and thought have changed. I have become a 

new man in the classless revolution pioneer corps, 

a loyal believer of Marx-Leninism. I shall never 

live for myself alone but for the masses. What satis 

fies my aspirations now is the progress of a happy 

socialism to a communist state. In this teaching I 

have found unimagined blessing and happiness. I am 

very sorry that I must inform you that I do no 

longer believe in God nor worship Him. I can no 

longer address you as a religious brother, but I 

send you my revolutionary love." 

Commenting on the above a pastor said: "Con 

fronted as we are by a fanatical communist faith in 

which ardent young 

men embrace a lie as though 

it were truth, we cannot long stand embracing 

Truth as though it were a pleasant fiction." 

Reformation Translation Fellowship. This organi 

zation seems to be a growing and expanding one. 

In addition to a Board of Directors in this country 

it now has a British Committee with its members 

Down- 

located in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Portrush, 

caster, and London, England. It has five members 

on its Chinese Staff located in Kobe, Hong Kong, 

New York City, Grand Rapids, Michigan, and 

Monterey, California. The Fellowship issues a 

Chinese journal called The Reformed Faith and 

Life, as well as books, booklets and short tracts. 

The following books have been translated into 

Chinese and published by the Fellowship: 

Christianity and Liberalism, by J. Gresham 

Machen ; The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination, 

by Loraine Boettner; The Inspiration of the Scrip 

tures, by Loraine Boettner; Vicarious Atonement 

Through Christ, by Louis Berkhof. 

Dr. Vos writes: "Miss Viola Cameron's book, 

God's Plan and Man's Destiny, has come from the 

press in Chinese translation, and has been circulat 

ed among our Chinese readers in many countries. 

Other translation and publication projects are going 

forward. The Chinese magazine, Reformed Faith 

and Life, has been regularly 

issued." 

Board Meetings. As already reported the Board 

at its meeting December 14 received a conditional 

offer of $1,000 for the sending out of another 

minister-missionary to in September. We 

. 

have reason to believe that the full amount of the 

$5,000 necessary to send out this missionary will 

be pledged as soon as people know that they still 

have the right to designate their contributions, and 

that such contributions must be used for the desig 

nated projects. The meeting called for January 18 

apparently was to discuss the policy of the Board 

with regard to our schools in Syria and Cyprus. 

From what we can learn this is a revival of the issue 

that was bitterly debated in the Synods of 1932 and 

1933, and which ended with an almost unanimous 

vote in favor of the schools. 

Sailings. The Weirs were scheduled to sail for 

Cyprus January 10. They had remained some four 

months beyond the end of their furlough period, 

68 

without salary, that Mr. Weir might continue his 

campaign to raise funds for the school building. 

He writes: 

'The total cost of the basement and ground 

floor, of the proposed new building, now completed 

and being used is $70,000.00. A total of $60,000 

has been raised, including $21,000 raised in the pres 

ent campaign, and the remaining $10,000 has been 

borrowed and remains unpaid. The next step of 

course is to pay this debt, then get on the auditorium 

which is to cost about $28,000. 

"A number of charitable Foundations and busi 

ness concerns have been asked to contribute. The 

response has not been entirely negative, one Foun 

dation having responded generously, and there is 

hope that others will 

The raising of $21,000 during their furlough 

period, the larger part of this amount outside of 

our church, represented a vast amount of hard 

work, perseverence in making new contacts, and 

seeking of the Lord's blessing upon each step tak 

en. They deserve and will have the prayer support 

of the Church. 

Miss Lynn was scheduled to sail for Japan from 

San Francisco February 5. Her return to her field 

of labor is eagerly awaited. Her visit home has 

done much to create new interest in the band of 

faithful believers that have been added to the 

Church since our missionaries first arrived in Kobe. 

The Covenanter Book Room, now so generally 

known and widely used, is in large measure due to 

her determination and persistence in response to 

the Spirit's prompting guidance. But that will still 

leave only one single woman missionary as Miss 

Huston is scheduled to return home in the spring 

which will not be long after Miss Lynn's arrival in 

Kobe. Mr. Hansen indicates how great is the need 

for women missionaries as Bible class teachers. We 

are commanded, not to pray the Lord of the harvest 

to raise up tithers, but to send forth laborers into 

His harvest. 

CURRENT EVENTS . 

. continued from page 67. 

spend nearly enough money to provide proper buildings and 

staff. Yet this may be shortsighted economy, for it eliminates 

any possibility of reformation. 





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Kan^np 

COVENANTER WITNESS

ones." 

commentaries." 

Excerpts From A Circular Letter 

By David Hansen 

We have just finished another communion sea 

son and two young ladies, having confessed their 

faith in Christ, were baptized, and entered the 

church. Another young lady has transferred her 

membership by letter from a Kyodan church. The 

Kyodan is the group of Christian churches which 

submitted to the pressure of the government dur 

ing the war and found themselves united without 

regard for denominations or beliefs. Now they have 

no distinctive principles and virtually no Chris 

tianity in the Bible sense of the word. This young 

woman, by her own testimony has "found" her 

Christian life again in this congregation where 

Christ is Lord indeed. The membership of the 

Ichinotani congregation now stands at 33 commu 

nicant members and 20 baptized members, with a 

dozen to 15 non-members attending Sabbath serv 

ices. Of course we reach a hundred or so others in 

smaller Bible study groups during the week but 

these groups are always varying with people coming 

and going. As long as the congregation is growing 

steadily we know that our witness is bearing fruit. 

The U. N. service men in Korea are allowed to 

come to Japan on R.&R. leave (that's Rest and 

Recuperation) and many show up here in Kobe. 

The Chaplain out at the base together with some 

of the missionaries in Kobe have a program for 

them a couple of times a week. It gives them some 

thing to do and helps to keep them out of reach 

of those leeches who drag them into bars and 

nouses of prostitution. At the meetings there's 

singing, a gospel message, and then the rest of the 

evening is given over to refreshments and games. 

The other night there was a special treat when 

two men spoke to the soldiers. One was DeShazer, 

the man who came here first as a member of Doolittle's 

bombing raid at the beginning of the war. 

He was taken prisoner when the plane ran out of 

gas and while in the Japanese prison he became a 

Christian. Six years or so ago he came back here 

as a missionary. He works near here and we have 

the opportunity to meet and talk with him now 

and then. The other man who spoke has the name 

Fuchida. He was the pilot who commanded the flight 

of Japanese airplanes which bombed Pearl Harbor 

and destroyed so much of our Pacific fleet at the 

start of the war. He related his experiences and 

told how he had come to know Christ as his Sav 

iour. His English is rather difficult to understand 

but he has a real testimony to give about God's 

saving grace. It was a pleasure to hear those two 

speak and somehow or other it gave me an added 

pleasure of confidence in the ultimate victory of 

the cause of Christ when I saw both DeShazer and 

Fuchida who had been members of opposing forces 

just a few years ago and now united in their work 

for the glory of God. 

But we see that same thing taking place in the 

lives of the people around us and we thank God 

for an opportunity to have a part in it. Please con 

tinue to remember the work here in your prayers, 

for it is only in God's strength and by His grace 

that anything at all is accomplished. 

Also please continue to bear in mind that we 

need more help 

out here. When Miss Adams went 


home the work that she did had to be dropped for 

lack of a person who could take it over. A single 

lady missionary is very badly needed one who 

can spend practically all her time conducting Bible 

classes. And when Miss Huston goes home we will 

need to replace her also, which makes two that are 

needed. These Bible classes are essential for the 

work here because practically 

all the Christians 

in the congregation made their first contact through 

a Bible class. When you see the joy 

of Christ shin 

ing in the eyes of the one who has found Him as 

Saviour you will know that it is worth all that it 

costs. Pray that the Lord of the harvest will send 

forth more laborers into this part of His Harvest 

field. 

Covenanter Book Room News Letter 

By Rose A. Huston 

Like the Preacher of old, we have "sought to 

find out acceptable words, and that which was writ 

ten uprightly, even words of truth;" and we are 

thankful for the saints of God who have searched 

the riches of His word and explained them for the 

edification of the Church. Here are a few samples 

of words of appreciation we often hear, 

"It is wonderful to come in here and choose a 

good book without having to search through piles 

of worthless 

"This Book Room is becoming known 

known and is much appreciated by Japanese pas 

tors." 

and well 

"We cannot afford to buy many books, and we 

know we can get the best books here." 

"In our Seminary we had no such good books as 

these; now I cannot preach without Calvin, and I 

hope some day to be able to buy a complete set of 

his 

"We students are so thankful for the Cove 

nanter Book Room." 

These and similar words encourage and inspire 

us, every book goes out with a prayer that it may 

become a foundation stone in a strong Christian 

Church in Japan. 

We are now able to stock a greater variety of 

good books in Japanese. A translation of Machen's 

"Christian Faith in a Modern World" recently came 

off the press. "What is Faith" by Machen, "What 

is Roman Catholic Teaching" by Hodge, "Intro 

duction to the New Testament" by Thiessen, and 

many others have been published during the past 

"Christianity" 

six months. 

by Rev. Mr. Okada of 

the Reformed Church Seminary, and others by the 

Reformed Church Seminary Staff are being pub 

lished from time to time. Other publishers have 

put out many new books which we are glad to keep 

in stock. 

The Rev. Mr. Ogawa and Mrs. Ogawa have 

made a good beginning on the translation of "The 

Child's Bible Story" by Mrs. C. Vos, and we have 

secured permission from the publishers, to print 

it in his monthly magazine of Bible studies. If it 

proves acceptable, it may be published in book form 

later. For some months, Mr. Ogawa has been buy 

ing Commentaries on the Psalms, and current is 

sues carry comments on the Psalms for daily read- 

69

ings. Just now we are looking for a second hand 

set of Spurgeon's Commentary on Psalms. If any 

one can spare a set, please consult Miss Lynn be 

fore mailing. 

Mr. Mita is already looking forward to the be 

ginning of another Seminary year in April, and is 

making out lists of books that will be needed. We 

sometimes have to delay orders until funds come in, 

because some books are sold only in sets, 

while our 

customers are able to buy only in installments, thus 

tying up some funds temporarily. 

During the past eight months the number of 

our sales slips is almost equal to the number for 

the entire year just preceding, so we praise God for 

the enlargement of His work, and the widening in 

fluence of the books we sell. 

Mr. Mita and Miss Edamatsu have proved to be 

efficient and earnest workers, serving the Lord 

with gladness. Mr. Mita is a true Bookman as well 

as a good business man; he has done remarkably 

well in learning the names, authors, 

publishers and 

general contents of the scores of different books 

that pass through our hands. In addition to the 

afternoon's work in the Book Room, Miss Edamatsu 

went to High School in the mornings and helped 

in her father's restaurant in the evenings. However 

she felt she was needed at home, so Miss Kizumi 

came to take her place. Miss Kizumi is one of those 

whom Miss Adams taught while a patient in a Hos 

pital, and is now a baptized member of the church. 

She has had some experience in clerical work, and 

a knowledge of English which will be a great help. 

Two Bible classes for adults are held at the Book 

Room each week, one in Japanese and one in English, 

besides the S.S. for Japanese children which Mr. 

Maeda teaches. 

Thanks to Mrs. Hansen's help 

with the ac 

counts, playing Grandma Moses taking up a new 

work in old age, has been a valuable and 

happy ex 

perience, and we praise God for His grace in giving 

strength and guidance day by day to the whole 

staff. Soon we shall welcome Miss Lynn as she re 

turns from furlough to take over the work again. 

We earnestly plead your continued interest and 

prayers that the Word of God may have free course 

and 'be glorified through the Covenanter Book Room. 

Japan: Population 

Religions 

Church Challenge 

Tractate 

The four main islands of Japan are Kyushi, 

Shikoku, Honshu and Hokkaido. Aside from these, 

however, there are many other smaller islands which 

are inhabited. Japan's total land area is a little less 

than 150 thousand square miles, but only about 20 

thousand square miles of her land is suitable for 

farming. More than half the arable land is used for 

growing rice which is the chief food of the country. 

Population 87 Million 

If the Japanese people were spread out evenly 

over their nation, there would be approximately 590 

persons per square mile. Unfortunately, however, 

most of the people are crowded into the coastal cities 

70 

about ten 

and a few congested areas. There are only 

Christian missionaries to every 700 thousand Japan 

ese. 

Religion 

Shintoism ("The Way of the gods") was the 

State Religion of Japan until the end of World War 

II. At that time it was abolished as the state religion 

so that the people are no longer required to believe in 

or to practice it. But, now that Japan has received 

her full freedom, Shintoism is working to regain its 

former power. 

Buddhism is also strong in Japan. It came to the 

islands at about 522 A.D. by way of China and Korea. 

Buddhism too is pressing hard for the soul of Japan 

at this time. 

Communism is making its bid for supremacy in 

every part of the Free World today and Japan is no 

exception. The Disciples of Communism are especial 

ly active in the over crowded rural and the industrial 

areas. 

Literacy 

Japan has the highest percentage of literates of 

even higher than the 

any country in the world 

United States. One of the greatest needs in Japan 

today is good Christian literature in the modern lan 

guage. In Japan the time is right for the spreading 

of the full Gospel Message through the printed page. 

The Church in Japan 

The number of Christians in Japan has been es 

timated at about 200 thousand. Many 

of these pro 

fessed Christians, however, still hold to their old re 

ligions they are Buddhists, Shintoists, and Chris 

tians all at the same time. This condition stems from 

the fact that much of the pre-war theological teach 

ing was liberal. Then during the war a number of 

Japanese pastors, plus many other leaders, compro 

mised their testimony when they were called upon to 

pay homage at the state Shinto shrines. Japan needs 

the preaching of the "Reformed Faith" 

a Chris 

tianity of no compromise with the world. 

Our Challenge 

When the Communists overran China our mis 

sionaries along with all other foreigners were forced 

to leave. Although reluctant to leave the people 

whom they had grown to love in Christ, they felt the 

call of the Holy Spirit to go over into Japan. It 

seemed to be the field in the Far East which was ripe 

unto the harvest. Immediately they saw the needs: 

The Good news of Salvation was preached to the 

heathen. The "Reformed Faith" as it was preached 

by the Apostle Paul, by Augustine by John Calvin, 

and by John Knox was presented to those who knew 

a Compromise-Christianity. The need for Christian 

literature is being met by a Christian book store in 

Robe. From this store thousands of good books go 

out every year Halley's Bible Handbook, Pilgrim's 

Progress, and In His Steps, plus many theological 

books by Calvin, Kuyper, Hodge, and others of the 

Reformed Faith. Many of these books are bought by 

students from modernistic schools. The need for 

Christian literature in the Japanese is also being 

by translation met 

work. The Japanese people will read 

the Truth if we give it to them to read! 

COVENANTER WITNESS

evangelists." 

Who Are We 

We are the Reformed Presbyterians of North 

America, spiritual descendants of the Covenanters of 

Scotland; and of John Knox whose prayers shook 

the throne of papacy in Medieval Europe and brought 

to Scotland public education rooted in the Bible. 

What Do We Believe 

We believe the Scriptures of the Old and New 

Testaments to be the inspired Word of God, the only 

infallible rule of faith and life. 

We believe in the one living and true God 

Father, Son and Holy Spirit as revealed in the 

Scriptures. 

We believe in the Reformed Faith which empha 

sizes the Sovereignty of Christ, the Presbyterian 

form of church government, and the exclusive use of 

the Psalms in worship, sung a cappella, as set forth 

in the New Testament. 

Spiritual Renewal Amid Changes 

By 

Mrs. T. M. Hutcheson 

New Year's greetings to you all from your rep 

resentatives in the Mediterranean! May you each 

one individually, as congregations, and as a church 

enjoy the fullness of our Lord's blessing the coming 

year ! We would like to take the opportunity to send 

the thanks from all of us here for your kind re 

membrances throughout the past year and especial 

ly for your Christmas greetings and messages at 

this season, so many of which assured us of your 

continued interest and prayers on our behalf. We 

assure you that without these our efforts here would 

fall far short and although we do know you are 

praying for us, it strengthens us anew when we 

receive renewed assurance to that end. 

Our Christmas vacation is drawing to a close. 

And as usual it has been full of various activities 

and at church. But it has been 

at home, at school, 

very enjoyable as well as spiritually profitable, 

as I hope to be able to point out to you. 

On December 19, which was Rev. Sagherian's 

last Sabbath with us before he and his family left 

us for Lebanon where he will take up his duties 

as Youth Secretary for the Armenian Evangelical 

Churches in Lebanon and Syria, we observed Com 

munion. The congregation had requested that we 

have it at this time before the Sagherians left. There 

was one accession to the church, Rupen Berberian. 

On the following Sabbath one of our new babies 

Victoria Ann Chopourian. 

was baptised, 

Both the Larnaca and Nicosia congregation had 

evenings of fellowship honoring the Sagherians and 

bidding them farewell. Mr. Sagherian said in his 

remarks that he wanted us to understand that he 

was not leaving the Lord's work, he was simply 

moving to another part of His vineyard where he 

felt the Lord wished him to be. It would not be 

easy, he said, as it would require him to be away 

from home and family about half of the time. I am 

sure that the young people whom he will be serv 

ing will be greatly blessed for he excels in this 

type of service. We will miss them very much 

but we wish them God's speed. We hope that it 

will not be long 

until the Lord's choice of someone 

to replace him will be found though as yet no one 


is definitely chosen. We have invited one candi 

date from Egypt to hold Evangelistic services here 

in February. 

Our annual Sabbath School Christmas program 

was held on the night of December 31. There were 

about 120 who fellowshipped together that even 

ing. After devotionals there was a program put 

on by the various classes of the Sabbath School. 

This was followed by games for the children, re 

freshment and a visit from Santa with a treat for 

each of the children. The Armenians observe Christ 

mas by the old calendar on January 6, so in the 

next few days there will be calls to make, which is 

a very enjoyable part of their Christmas. 

Noon today, January 4, brought the end of our 

winter Youth Conference. The winter conferences 

were revived last year after some years lapse and 

have proved to be a truly spiritual feast time for 

those who could attend. I'm sure everyone has left 

the conference with renewed spirit and the reso 

lution to be sanctified for the Lord's work. The 

conference theme was "Sanctified Meet for the 

Master's Use." The three evening meetings were 

divided into two parts. The first hour was a mes 

sage. These were given by Rev. Hutcheson, Rev. 

Moissides, who is one of our teachers and Mr. Cross 

who is a Christian business man in the Island. 

The first two speakers dealt with the subject of 

our theme while Mr. Cross challenged us with a 

talk on "The Christian in Businesss." The second 

hour was an informal period of praise and prayer 

and of sharing testimonies as we sat around the 

fireplace in the teacher's lounge of the new build 

ing. All the meetings were held here and the en 

vironment added greatly to the enjoyment. Each 

evening we also had a short time of social fellow 

ship before breaking up and enjoying a cup of cocoa 

and a cookie together. 

Three periods of Bible study were led by Rev. 

Copeland on First Thessalonians and were very 

helpful. Other periods were discussion groups for 

both younger and older people, a Psalm sing, and 

a panel discussion which had before it some vital 

questions which were handed in by those in at 

tendance. Some of these question were: 1 "What 

is God's purpose for the whole world Is His plan 

to save as many as possible or those that He has 

elected Are those excluded responsible for their 

fate 2 "I believe in Jesus as the Son of God. I 

have accepted Him as my Saviour but I cannot 

witness all the time as so many here (at the con 

ference) say I must do. How can I learn to witnes 

Must everyone witness in words Or am I 

mistaken about my Salvation The Bible says only 

some are 

3 "Are there contradictions 

in the Bible If there are and they are brought up, 

how should a Christian tackle them" Those and 

other questions proved so thought-provoking that 

it was difficult to confine the answering to the 

panel the audience wanted a share in it, too ! The 

panel had as members a school teacher, a social 

worker, a minister, a Christian business man, and 

a student. Mr. Copeland had charge of the closing 

consecration service and his text was Isaiah 50: 

4,5. 

Christmas for the missionaries was here in Lar 

naca this year. At noon the Larnaca Academy facul 

ty and their families, together with the missionaries 

71

much." 

pass." 

from Nicosia, 

enjoyed dinner at the school. Then in 

the evening we met as a Mission group here in our 

home for a buffet tea and Christmas tree. The day 

was rainy but our spirits were not dampened. 

Speaking of rain, in the last three months we 

have had almost thirteen inches in the Larnaca 

district while for the same period last year we had 

only a little more than five inches. We have really 

not had any very cold weather yet, while last year 

we had a longer cold season than is usual. 

The high light of this month will be the re 

turn of the Weirs to which we are all looking for 

ward. Their coming will give us and the work here 

a big boost. We are thankful to them for the way 

they have labored during their furlough year in 

raising money for the Building Fund and we hope 

they feel rewarded. Through their efforts quite a 

sum has been raised though we are not yet in the 

clear. 

The new building for the Nicosia school is 

steadily going up and it seems quite possible that 

they will be using it by next September. 

There are probably questions in your minds re 

garding the recent disturbances here. Things were 

a bit unsettled for a few days and in Nicosia and 

Limassol they got slightly out of hand. As a mis 

sion we were not molested with the exception that 

Mr. Copeland got caught in a mob quite uninten 

tionally. He and Rev. Christou, our evangelist, and 

Mr. Barnabas, the Bible colporter, had gone to 

Limassol for the funeral of one of our members there 

and on getting back to Nicosia he was taking Mr. 

Christou to his home. In a square on the way he had 

to stop the car because the one in front of him 

stopped and it happened near a mob of fifty or so 

boys gathered there. Recognizing him as an Am 

erican they let the stones fly breaking 'both the 

windshield and the rear window and some of the 

side windows. No one was hurt inside the car ex 

cept for a few scratches from flying glass. For this 

we give thanks. The body of the car had many 

dents all over it. Things have quieted down now 

but the issue is still alive. We are hoping, however, 

that there will be no further demonstrations. We are 

also thankful that our students were calm and not 

involved in any way. All the Greek secondary schools 

have been warned that they are liable to have their 

schools closed if they permit their students to 

demonstrate. 

We are feeling keenly the loss of Mr. Scott from 

our boarding department. We have no consecrated 

Christian living in the boarding house to do personal 

work with the students. All our boarding masters 

are fine teachers and dependable in carrying out 

their duties but they are not able to do personal 

work with the boys. We ask you to join your pray 

ers with ours that God will send us a consecrated 

young Covenanter to work with these boys before 

the beginning of another school year. "The effect 

ual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and 

He shall bring it to 

National godliness is the true balance between 

liberty and law; national godlessness is anarchy. 

72 

United Brethren 

Life In and Out of School 

By Eunice L. McClurkin 

After a day of making and receiving New Year's 

calls and attending the first prayer meeting of this 

week of prayer, on the eve of school's re-opening 

after the Christmas holidays, we pause to let you 

know some of the events in Latakia during the last 

month of 1954. 

Attendance at Intermediates' meetings Sabbath 

mornings has been around 45 to 50. As many of you 

know, these meetings are conducted in English at 

eleven o'clock, following the worship service in 

Arabic in the church. For the second year the In 

termediates are meeting in the first floor central 

hall of the Girls' School. Muallim Fuad Tomeh 

(Boys' 

School Boarding Dept. teacher), Rev. Bas 

sam Madany, Rev. Herbert Hays, and I were leaders 

during December. The group's second party of the 

schoolyear was Friday evening, the 17th. After 

games and refreshments, we sang some Christmas 

carols, before closing with the last verse of the 

fourth psalm. You might be interested to know 

that each one coming to the party pays about seven 

cents for refreshments. For that amount this time 

the refreshment committee provided a frosted 

gateau from a local bakery, a small banana, and a 

tangerine. The Word of life the young people receive 

at their Sabbath meetings is without money and 

without price. Pray that the Holy Spirit may make it 

effectual in their lives. 

Early 

in the month we had an unwanted vaca 

tion week for the schools due to the country-wide 

strikes fomented by a small but vocal and violent 

minority. We were in no danger, but there might 

have been damage to buildings and danger to per 

sonnel if we hadn't dismissed as the other schools 

in town did. The first quarter of our schoolyear 

had ended just before the week of strikes, so we 

used the time to good advantage on school records 

and report cards. The following two weeks of school 

before Christmas vacation were quiet and uninter 

rupted except for one period. We were unable to 

have our usual chapel service one Friday morning 

because of demonsrations in town. This was a local 

protest because the Member of Parliament from 

this district, elected the day I arrived back here 

in September has had his election disputed on 

grounds of bribery. 

Had you climbed to the third floor over the 

Girls' 

School on the Wednesday afternoon before 

Christmas, you would have seen the two kinder 

garten and two first-grade teachers and Helen 

Fattal and me "filling the bags" for the traditional 

treat to the schoolchildren. Each paper bag contained 

a large handful of roasted peanuts-in-the-shell (a 

local crop), a cupful of chick peas, half of them 

sugar-coated, and a nice big orange. At the Girls' 

School the bags were distributed after Christmas 

parties held for groups of classes. For the parties, 

the kindergarten room was decorated with hand 

work and with a Christmas scene in the sandbox; 

the first floor hall and our third floor hall each 

had a potted living Christmas tree, trimmed with 

lights and ornaments. That day we had rain at 

recess-time, and as the youngsters milled around 

in the big central hall, they seemed not to tire of 

looking at the lighted tree, puny and poorly trim- 

COVENANTER WITNESS

nant" 

war" 

earth" 

quest." 

med as it was to our American eyes. Some of the 

new students among the older girls, from non- 

Christian homes, expressed their appreciation and 

said they'd never seen a Christmas tree before. 

Many of them had never heard the story of Christ's 

coming into the world, as it was well told by Muallimy 

Labeebeh Khashoo at their party. 

Though Christmas Eve was rainy, a group of 

young people, including Philip and Norma Hays 

went caroling, visiting several homes in our quarter 

of the city. On Christmas Day we of the mission 

group were together in the Hays home for bounti 

ful meals, opening of presents from under the tree, 

and playing of games. When it poured outside, we 

said it was our "white" Christmas. On that very day 

a stack of Christmas cards, with many heart-warm 

ing notes enclosed, arrived from the States. Many 

had come earlier, and have come since, and we 

thank you folks at home for your remembrance of 

us and your prayers for Christ's work here. 

Following a week with many hard rainstorms, 

sometimes with hail, December 30 dawned clear. 

But the rains had their effect, and during the night 

a part of the newly rebuilt wall west of the former 

hospital building collapsed, this time with no dam 

age to life. The new wall had been founded on rock 

and reinforced with iron and concrete, and the job 

engineered by a competent architect. The founda 

tion stands, but some of the reinforcement broke 

like wood. Have you any idea what responsibilities 

for the care of property rest on your men on the 

mission field We're glad that the Fareeda Ibra 

heem Fund has been designated by the Board for 

the rebuilding of the Sabbath School Building, but 

short-staffed as we are there has not yet been 

opportunity to go ahead with the project. We're 

behind with necessary repairs to buildings in use. 

Those of you who heard of the need for a new 

edition of the metrical psalter in Arabic will be 

interested to know that a complete psalter as pub 

lished by the evangelical church of Eigypt (with 

out the additional section of hymns used by that 

church) had been ordered during my furlough year 

for the church and mission here. We have just re 

ceived word that the shipment of psalters arrived 

in Latakia during December. Pray that we may be 

directed in training the friends here in the use of 

all of the psalms of the Bible in worship of God. 

A correction is due: Bassam and Shirley 

Madany's 

son has been named Roland after the Cana 

dian grandfather, not Michael, as I mistakenly re 

ported. 

Two young men of our congregation have placed 

high in competitive examinations given by the 

Latakia port company and will be sent to England 

for two years of study for future work with the 

company. They are Labeeb Kashoo, who joined the 

church at the last Communion, and Elias Mishtaway. 

Remember these and other Latakia students 

far from home, that they may always recall what 

they have learned in home and school and church 

of the Way of life, and pray that they may walk 

worthy 

of their vocation. 

Just arrived in Latakia are materials for a 

Blue Banner donated and prepared as far as pos 

sible without the Arabic lettering by the A. D. 

Robbs of Topeka. 'Tor Christ's Crown and Cove 

in Arabic will sound something like "Leajl 

Taj al Maseeh wa Aahdehe." Some of the girls 


skilled in needlework will be busy now getting the 

banner ready to hang in the church. Pray that the 

hearts of the members of the congregation may be 

prepared to renew their covenant vows. 

Yours in the King's service. 

THE WHY OF EVANGELICAL MISSIONS 


ultimate truth. They link the name of Jesus with 

Buddha and Mohammed as one of the great found 

ers and teachers of religion. Rejecting the deity of 

Christ, the doctrine of redemption through His shed 

blood, the justification of the sinner by faith, the 

work of the Holy Spirit in conversion, and the 

eternal punishment of the wicked, liberal mission 

aries are not interested in converting the world to 

Christ. They preach a social gospel and seek rather 

to build a "Kingdom of God on with their 

non-Christian "brothers in the common 

This liberal doctrine infiltrated many education 

al institutions and missionary boards and eventual 

ly found expression on the mission fields. In 1930- 

32 it made a well-calculated assault on the denomi 

national missionary programs through the Lay 

men's Foreign Missionary Inquiry. It was financed 

by John D. Rockefeller, Jr., and headed by Dr. W. 

E. Hocking of Harvard. Its theological findings orig 

inated in the minds of highly-placed liberals in 

mission boards who, daring not to make known their 

revolutionary views to their own denominations, 

took advantage of lay anonymity to spread their 

poison. But the Protestant world was not ready for 

this atomic explosion. Such great missionary lead 

ers as Dr. Robert E. Speer of the Presbyterian 

Board of Foreign Missions took the field against 

the Inquiry's report. Dr. Speer stumped the nation 

for the preservation of evangelical Christian mis 

sions, appearing in practically every city where Dr. 

Hocking went. The liberals "lost the battle," but 

they are now "winning the through the Di 

vision of Foreign Missions of the National Council 

of Churches. 

It may be well to look for a moment at the 

wreckage of the American Christian missionary 

enterprise, caused by the infiltration of liberalism. 

The Northern Baptists (American Baptist Con 

vention) were rent by the issue as far back as 1923. 

After a succession of cases in which liberal mis 

sionaries were upheld by the Foreign Mission So 

ciety, the Conservative Baptist Foreign Mission 

Society was established in 1943. The ABFMS has 

steadily lost in number of missionaries on the field 

and in percentage of missionary income. The CB 

FMS has grown until it now has over 200 mission 

aries and an annual income of around one million 

dollars. 

The Disciples of Christ have experienced the 

same debacle. The United Christian Missionary 

Society has lost the support of thousands of church 

es. Conservatives began sending out "direct-sup 

missionaries" 

and today have 300 missionaries 

port 

on the field with an annual income exceeding a 

million dollars. 

The Northern Presbyterian Church saw the 

rise of the Independent Presbyterian Foreign Mis 

sion Board. Because of the ecclesiastical authority 

conservatives found them 

of the General Assembly, 

selves under disciplinary action. The Independent 

73

sermon." 

mayor's." 

if 

out" 

also." 

easy" 

storehouse." 

more." 

Board was ordered dissolved, its officials and mis 

sionaries were unfrocked and churches which sup 

ported the Board were ordered to cease and desist. 

Many churches were split. Thousands of members 

left the churches. Other thousands continue to sup 

port non-denominational evangelical missions by 

their personal gifts. 

There has been a veritable tidal wave of new 

missionary organizations, 

"faith," 

"independent" 

and "direct-support" missions, created to take the 

place of older societies. Many, such as The Evan 

gelical Alliance Mission and The China Inland Mis 

sion, have annual incomes in excess of a million. 

Numerous denominational boards representing the 

Holiness and Pentecostal movements have exten 

sive foreign mission operations in mission fields 

around the world. These denominational groups rep 

resent a constituency pretty largely drawn from 

Methodism on account of its swing to liberal theo 

logical leadership. 

We evangelicals cannot and will not compromise 

our missionary convictions in order to preserve a 

semblence of unity on the foreign field. To com 

promise would be to weaken and eventually de 

stroy the distinct Gospel testimony which alone can 

win souls to Christ. Therefore we settle ourselves 

anew on the Rock, Jesus Christ, the one and only 

basis and foundation, never to be altered, the true 

missionary motive and message and aim, and to 

gether we advance with great faith into a future 

as rich as the promises of God. 

Man's Desire to Be Wanted 

By Rev. H. H. Smith, Sr. 

One of the well-known religious columnists has 

said that, above everything else, man yearns to be 

wanted to feel that he has a place in the world; 

that, however humble his employment, someone needs 

his services. Perhaps that thought was uppermost 

in my mind one day when I chanced to see the gar 

bage-collectors in the back yard making their cus 

tomary weekly rounds. One was white, the other 

a Negro. Acting upon the impulse of the moment, I 

said to them, "You know, I'm a preacher. Now let 

me preach a little At once their faces light 

ed up with an expression of appreciation that I had 

taken notice of them. They stood, buckets in hand, 

listening intently while I said, "I want you to realize 

that you have an important job; that in collecting 

garbage you are helping to keep our town clean and 

tidy, thus preventing the spread of disease. Your 

work contributes to the well-being of the citizens 

of this city. In fact, your job may be as important, 

in its own way, as that of the 

They both showed that they were greatly pleas 

ed; and the colored man took off his hat, smiled 

broadly, showing his pearly teeth, bowed, and thank 

ed me. 

Perhaps this incident should teach us to be alert 

to say a word of encouragement to those who may 

need it in their daily tasks or in tests or trials 

through which they may be passing. 

A suggestion : See that those in your church who 

have only meager gifts or talents are not overlooked 

but are given due recognition and encouraged in 

their Christian lives by being given such work as 

they may be able to perform in the Master's cause. 

The Free Methodist 

74 

>V"^"*vlvyy^*i'w'W^'-''^vi^^v>'oi ' ' 


A COMMAND WITH A PROMISE 

By Rev. Waldo Mitchel 

I believe the tithe principle and endeavor to 

practice it because (1) God claims the tithe as His, 

and therefore what is His I am obligated to pay. 

"Bring ye all the tithes into the 

If I 

owe my neighbor ten dollars, it is my obligation to 

pay him that amount at the time it is due. That 

' 

neighbor until 

amount in my 

pocket belongs to my 

the debt is paid. So the Lord's portion, the tithe, be 

longs to Him, and we fall below the standard of com 

mon honesty if we do not pay the Lord what is His. 

I also believe that (2) God gives special bless 

ings to those who pay His tithe. He not only com 

mands: "Bring ye all the tithes," but He indicates 

that He will bless those who do. "Prove me now here 

with ... I will not open you the windows of heav 

en, and pour you out a blessing : . In this way, as 

in others, the Lord shows Himself a good Master 

whose "yoke is and whose "burden is light." 

Once a representative of the American S. S. 

Union was presenting the great need of organizing 

Bible schools among people in neglected areas. He 

appealed for financial support. Afterward a lady 

offered a contribution, but asked, "If I give this part 

of my tithe to your work, will you pray with me that 

I will be able to raise enough to pay a certain debt 

that I owe " The man agreed, and the lady gave her 

contribution. The next time the representative came 

through that town he called the lady on the telephone 

to ask if the Lord had answered their prayer. "Oh," 

she exclaimed, "the Lord is wonderful ! He has sup 

plied enough to pay the debt and 

Another lady, a widow, recently testified that it 

has been her experience that when a person goes 

"all for the Lord in giving, He always does His 

part, and far more, by bestowing blessings in return. 

GLIMPSES Cont'd from page 66 

first meeting 

of the committee in October: "We shall re 

tain the King James Version, of course, with its familiar 

phraseology, beauty, and cadence. There are in it, however, 

words that are archaic and expressions that are not wholly 

transparent in modern speech. These need clarification. Fur 

thermore, certain notes in the present edition of the Sco 

field Bible are capable of simplification, and there are some 

statements that require revision. New helps for the reader 

will be added 

The basic theological position will be re 

tained. The committee expects to hold periodic meetings 

during the next few years. Other names on this committee 

which are familiar to our readers are Dr. Wilbur M. Smith 

and Dr. Frank E. Gaebelein. 

Some people live in almost constant dread of 

death. That is abnormal for a Christian and silly for 

a non-Christian. Both would be better to direct their 

thoughts to life the non-Christian to identification 

with Him who lives forever and makes of death for 

all His own naught but a shadow, and the Christian 

to letting Christ pilot his ship into the haven of rest 

and cease trying to do it himself. 

COVENANTER WITNESS

misery" 

us." 

able" 



for February 20, 1955 


CHRIST IN THE PSALMS 

Psalms 8, 30, 

and 103 

So much has been said and done on 

this topic that I am bold indeed to say 

here that no one has made more than 

a start. But I am right as well as bold. 

Jehovah (usually "Lord" in the King 

James version) 

was doubtless under 

stood by Old Testament Psalm-singers 

as a name for the promised Messiah, and 

we know that apostolic and early Chris 

tians sang Psalms in praise and descrip 

tion of the Lord Jesus. As we sing them 

today our hearts still rejoice in the 

Saviour King. 

THE LIFE OF CHRIST IN THE 

PSALMS by Dr. and Mrs. John Cole 

man, twice presented at Grinnell, would 

make an excellent outline for singing 

the Psalms of Christ, but you leaders 

might be embarrassed at the chore of 

cutting this arrangement down to the 

size of a normal young people's meeting. 

I would be. 

A look under "Christ" in the topical 

index of the Psalter, prepared largely 

by our singing Psalm-lover J. K. Robb 

for the 1929 edition, opens up several 

other splendid outlines for an evening's 

praise. A historical sequence could be 

followed by selecting appropriate verses 

on the pages suggested under "Birth 

and Manhood", "Sorrow of", "Betrayal 

of", "Resurrection of", "Coronation of", 

and "Second Coming." 

Or a descriptive sequence of Psalms 

for singing might be drawn from the 

topics, "Beauty of", "Fullness of", 

"Grace of", "Power of", "Preciousness 

of", and 'Righteousness of". 

For those who like the Shorter Cate 

chism as well as I do, or better, here is 

another program I want to suggest. 

With a little forethought you leaders 

might assign to each member of your 

group the answer to one of the ques 

tions beginning with, "Did God leave all 

mankind to perish in the estate of sin 

and 

through "Wherein doth 

Christ's exaltation consist" 

I will sug 

gest a Psalm selection or two that we 

might sing after each question and an 

swer. I will always, of course, be just 

as happy to sing your selection, which 

I am sure is just as appropriate. 

78. 

Question 20 

Psalm 33:7, 9, 10: page 

Q. 21 Psalm 146:1-7: page 353. 

Q. 22 Psalm 68:18, 19: page 164. 

Q. 23Psalm 18:1, 2, 4: Page 36. 

Q. 24Psalm 40:8-12: page 103. 

Q. 25Psalm 116:1-6: page 282. 


Q. 26 Psalm 45:1, 5, 6: page 116. 

Q. 27 Psalm 69 : 7-9 : page 166. 

Q. 28 Psalm 50:3-6: page 127 or 98: 

1-3, 7: page 235. 

While you rest your voices, 

some one 

who has a chance to prepare a bit might 

read the incidents or teachings of Christ 

suggested by various verses of Psalm 8. 

Or can anyone besides me hear different 

people speaking in the prose version 

of Psalm 30 A soldier perhaps One 

in good health after long sickness A 

wealthy 

merchant And 

all seem to 

speak together the words of verses 

4, 8, 10, and last part of 12. 

As a part of a Psalm festival at Win 

chester a few weeks ago we introduced 

each part of Psalm 103 (pages 246-248) 

by a scripture passage. I think we used 

Luke 5:18-25; Deuteronomy 7:6-9; Isa 

iah 40:6-11; and Isaiah 44:21-23. Many 

others are equally appropriate and per 

haps even more to the point of the 

topic. 

If you had a voice which entitled you 

to a special invitation to sing Christ's 

praises in the Psalms before a receptive 

and appreciative audience, wouldn't you 

pray about it Wouldn't you ask God to 

help you make your voice as full and 

true as the heart behind it Every 

Psalm announced in worship service is 

such an invitation to any voice, 

needs such a prayer. 

JUNIOR TOPIC 



LORD, I BELIEVE 


and 

Memory Verse: "And straightway the 

father of the child cried out, and said 

with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou 

mine 

Psalms 

unbelief." 

Mark 9:24 

February Memory Psalm 25: 3-6, 

page 57 

Psalm 30:1, 4, 5, page 69 

Psalm 61:1, 2, page 151 

Psalm 131:1-3, page 327 

The time was coming when the Lord 

Jesus Christ was to die on the Cross. 

He had chosen twelve disciples to train 

as leaders of the Christian church. 

Three of these disciples 

and John 

Peter, James 

were closer to Jesus than the 

rest of the disciples. One day Jesus took 

these three up into a high mountain. As 

they were there together a very strange 

thing happened. Jesus' 

appearance was 

changed. His clothes became pure 

white and shining. Two men suddenly 

appeared, Moses and Elijah. They had 

been in heaven for a long time. Moses 

was a representative of the Law and 

Elijah represented the Old Testament 

Prophets. These men talked with Jesus 

about His death on the Cross. 

Peter was like some boys. He always 

had something to say and here he had 

a bright idea. Why not make tents for 

these three 

Jesus, Moses and Elias or 

Elijah He didn't think what he was 

saying. Then a cloud covered the dis 

ciples and Jesus, Moses and Elias. How 

frightened the disciples were! Then 

there came a voice which said, "This is 

my beloved Son: hear him." They looked 

around to see who had spoken. All of a 

sudden the cloud was gone and so were 

Moses and Elijah. 

Then Jesus and His three close dis 

ciples went down the mountainside. As 

they came to the foot of the mountain 

they saw a crowd of people. A man had 

brought his sick son to Jesus' disciples 

hoping that they could heal him, but 

they could not. So the father asked Je 

sus to help him. His son had an evil 

spirit in him which made the son wild 

and hurt him many times. Just as he 

was talking with Jesus the evil spirit 

made the boy fall on the ground and he 

foamed at the mouth. The father begged 

Jesus to help him. "If thou canst do 

any thing, have compassion on us, and 

help 

Jesus was able to heal the boy in 

stantly but first the father had a lesson 

to learn which you and I need to learn. 

Jesus told the father, "The question is 

not whether I am able. The question is, 

Do you believe that I am The 

father was very anxious to have his son 

healed, but he saw the mistake and 

cried out with tears, "Lord, I believe; 

help thou mine 

unbelief." 

Then Je 

sus commanded the evil spirit to 

come out of the boy. The evil spirit 

made the boy thrash around this way 

and that until it seemed like the boy 

would be torn apart. Then all was quiet. 

The boy lay very still 

so still that it 

was just as if he were dead. Jesus took 

him by the hand and lifted him up. He 

was well! 

Jesus is able to do 

all things but 

many times we do not receive the an 

swers to our prayers which we would 

like because we do not believe that He 

is able. 

Questions : 

1. What section of the Old Testament 

did Moses write 

2. Where was Moses buried 

3. What happened to Elijah at the 

end of his life 

4. Whom did Elijah represent 

5. What did Jesus, Moses and Elijah 

talk about 

75

in 

cup." 

6. What was the commotion at the 

foot of the mountain where Jesus was 

transfigured 

7. What mistakes did the boy's father 

make in his request to Jesus 

8. What lesson in prayer should we 

learn from this story 


The following illustration represents 

our story. The heart of man is like the 

electric light bulb. Faith is like the con 

nection between man's heart and God's 

power. The bulb will not light until 

there is a connection with the dynamo. 

On your page draw an electric light 

bulb labeled "MAN'S HEART." From 

the bulb draw an electric wire (labeled 

"FAITH") 

across the page to a box 

representing the dynamo labeled 

"GOD'S POWER." 






Christian Teaching, copyrighted by the Inter. 


THE CHURCH AND ITS 

SACRAMENTS 

Matt. 3:13-17; 26:26-28; 28:19, 20; Acts 

2:38-41; 10:34-48; I Cor. 11:23-29 

Printed Text, Matt. 3:13-17; Acts 2:38- 

41; I Cor. 11:23-27 

Memory verse, Matt. 28:19, 20 

The best commentary on the nature 

and methods of the Sacraments is found 

in the Westminster Catechism, ques 

tions 91 to 97. Or for a fuller explana 

tion, the Larger Catechism questions 

161 to 177. To quote these in full, would 

require more space than is alloted to 

this study. It is not necessary to quote 

them, since copies are in all of our 

homes, if not in our memories. 

If the controversies concerning the 

administration of the sacraments have 

not brought perfect agreement as to 

methods, 

study 

they have secured a broad 

of the Old and New Testaments 

and of the customs of Christ's day, that 

throws light on the whole matter. 

In Baptism, it is certain that several 

methods of applying the water were 

used. We have accepted sprinkling as 

the manner most suitable for general 

use, yet we accept the other methods 

as valid when received in faith. If a 

person insists that only one of these 

methods is valid, it is plain that he 

does not understand the meaning of 

the sacrament, and is therefore not pre 

pared to receive it. The use of water in 

baptism is not to cleanse, but is a sign 

of cleansing. 

The Lord's Supper was instituted at 

the close of a meal, and since there is 

no word to the contrary, it is to be in 

ferred that the elements and vessels 

76 

used at the Passover Supper were used 

in instituting the Lord's Supper. The 

Bread and Wine were sensible signs 

with no emphasis placed on their physi 

cal quality. There is no mention of the 

vessels that were used. The Broken 

Bread may have been passed from hand 

to hand, or passed in a basket. The way 

that would seem most natural at a meal, 

would be preferred. There is no mention 

of a "common 

Indeed there is no 

mention of any vessel in connection with 

the wine. The cup that is mentioned, is 

one that we are to drink. We do not 

drink a vessel. We cannot be certain 

of the number of vessels that were used 

in serving the wine. It should be handled 

decently and in order. Not the vessel, 

but the wine is the sign and seal. 

Jesus was baptized in the Jordan, 

probably near Bethabara or Jericho. The 

place is neither known nor significant. 

The Pentecost Baptisms in Jerusalem 

were just as well. Pilgrims have trav 

eled far to be baptized in the same wa 

ters in which Christ was baptized. Jor 

dan water has been carried all over the 

world for baptismal purposes. Yet the 

water that is in the Jordan today may 

have been in the Mississippi or the Gan 

ges two thousand years ago. That makes 

no difference. The matter of great im 

portance is to receive the approval of 

God. 

Christ's baptism was unique. He was 

the only 

man ever baptized who was 

without sin. John did not doubt Jesus 

when he hestitated about baptizing Him. 

It was his own worthiness that he 

doubted. John knew that he was not 

worthy even to loose the sandals from 

Jesus' 

feet. The signs that followed dem 

onstrated the truth, that the sacraments 

do not become effectual ... 

by any vir 

tue ... him that doth administer 

them, and in this case there was full 

evidence of the blessing. 

In the Great Commission, Christ said 

to baptize in the Name of the Father, 

Son, and Holy Spirit. Yet the story of 

Pentecost and other incidents record 

baptism in the name of Jesus Christ. 

This may be an abbreviation in the rec 

ord, or an abbreviation in the Name. 

There is a business firm whose name in 

cludes three persons, but you may ad 

dress your letter and make your check 

payable to "Sears," and it will deliver 

your goods promptly. Much business is 

done in the name of "Sears." 

Christ is the Executive member of the 

Godhead. When we deal with Him, we 

are dealing 

with God. And we cannot 

come to God except through Him. When 

we honor and obey Christ, we honor 

and obey God. 

When John acted on 

Christ's request, he was sure of Divine 

approval. 

The believer must profess his faith 

both to God, and before the 

world. The 

sacraments provide one way of profess 

ing before the world. The sacrament is 

received in public, and is a matter of 

public record. 

1 Cor. 11:23 

Christ instituted the Lord's Supper 

at the close of the Passover Supper, 

using such things as were on the table. 

The Corinthians, and some other early 

Christian Churches, tried to combine 

the Passover and the Lord's Supper. 

This practice in Corinth, led to excess 

es. It is even possible that some joined 

the company because of this feast. It 

was not the combining of the Old and 

the New that led to the abuse. But it 

did give opportunity to indulge in ban 

queting, which in all ages has led to 

excesses in eating and drinking. Some 

think that the separation of the Lord's 

supper from the Passover in the early 

Christian Churches came gradually, and 

that the combination was not always 

abused. The Dunkards still observe the 

Passover before the Lord's Supper. I 

once witnessed their Love Feast. It was 

very reverently conducted throughout. 

There was a full bountiful meal, the 

washing of feet, the kiss, and then the 

bread and wine were served in much 

the same manner, 

and with almost the 

same words that we use. It was al 

together a very 

impressive service. It 

does not appear to have been the com 

bining of the Passover and the Lord's 

Supper for which Paul rebuked the 

Corinthian Church. It was rather the 

gluttonous abuses that they had prac 

ticed and tolerated in connection with 

the observance. 

Christ's institution of the Lord's Sup 

per was surrounded by other things 

that did not belong to this new Sacra 

ment. It is not strange that confusion 

arose. Paul received of the Lord the 

true pattern by which the Lord's Sup 

per was to be administered. So instead 

of trying to follow what is recorded in 

the Gospels, we follow the instructions 

given by Paul. 

The Bread and the Wine are com 

mon articles. But when set apart for a 

Sacramental use, they become the sign 

and seal of our receiving Christ. That 

is a very impressive thought. 

Since 

there is no virtue in these elements, 

we should attach no superstitious 

thought to them. Yet because of their 

sacred meaning, we should handle them 

with reverence. The cloth and colors of 

our flag 

are common. But when they 

are blended into the emblem of patriot 

ic loyalty, no loyal citizen will 

dis 

honor it, and there are civil penalties 

prescribed for those who do. Christ pro 

nounced a very severe penalty on those 

,vho go through the form of observing 

the Lord's Supper without Spiritual 


. This 

cometh," 

roof." 

preparation. But there is a rich bless 

ing 

for those who receive the Sacra 

ment in a worthy manner, in Christ 

Jesus. 



THE RECOGNITION OF GREAT 

Psalms : 

FAITH 

Matthew 8:10. 


125:1-5, page 320 

118:1-6, 

119:1-4, page 293 

54:1-5, page 137 

References: 

page 284 

Matt. 17:20; Heb. 11:1-3,5; Luke 18: 

41-43; James 2:17-18; Matt. 9:22; 21:21; 

Mark 11:22. 

Faith is a term which is used rather 

loosely by many people. Even those who 

have a secular philosophy of life de 

clare that a person must have faith. 

We 

commonly hear it said that one 

must have faith in himself, and it is 

indeed a necessary virtue. All great and 

famous men have had at least a meas 

ure of faith in self. With some it may 

even have been to the point of bragga 

docio. Babe Ruth would step into the 

batter's box, point his bat at the stands 

behind second base and proceed to 

knock the baseball into those stands. 

He couldn't have done it if he had not 

had faith in his ability as a baseball 

player. 

Another application of the term faith, 

is the faith which we must have in 

others. When we board a railway train 

we have faith that the engineer is a 

competent man, 

and is capable of hand 

ling the train. When we are sick we 

employ a doctor and we need to have 

faith that he is a skilled physician, and 

we must also have faith in the medi 

cine which he prescribes. It is also 

necessary to have faith in democracy, 

in our country and in our banks. 

The faith of which Jesus spoke is an 

entirely different kind of faith than 

that given in the examples above. He 

spoke of 

that faith which applies to 

the realm of the spirit which bears 

upon our relationship to God. Faith is 

the conviction that there is a spirit 

ual power which operates in our lives; 

it is a looking unto God for help; it 

is the hand which reaches out and takes 

God's gifts and provisions. Faith re 

cognizes the providence of God and 

trusts that whatever may transpire in 

our lives is for our perfecting and for 

God's glory. It is the spirit which Job 

had in the midst of his suffering and 

loss that he could say, "Though he 

slay me, yet will I trust Him." 

In the passage before us we find 

an example of great faith on the part 


of the centurion who came to Jesus, 

seeking help for his afflicted servant. 

It was so remarkable a faith that Je 

sus in commenting on it, prefaces it 

with "verily" 

(amen). 

AN UNEXPECTED FAITH 

centurion was not a Jew, but a 

Roman. He was an officer and a man 

with authority. Usually 

we think of 

army men as being rather rough char 

acters, and lacking in spiritual discern 

ment. (Happily, there are many excep 

tions, and this Roman was one of them). 

In spite of all the temptations which 

were about him, this man had main 

tained a fine perception of 

spiritual 

things. It is all the more noteworthy 

that he had probably been an idolater, 

but in his dealings with the Jews had 

learned that there was a true revelation 

from God. He must have been a novice 

in spiritual things, but that did not 

detract from his measure of faith. Per 

haps it was a case of those things which 

have been "hidden from the wise and 

prudent and revealed unto babes." 

There was in this man a human kind 

ness and humility which the military 

life had not been able to sour or de 

stroy. He was tenderly anxions about 

his servant, who, 

according to Luke, 

was dear to him. His humility is seen 

in his attitude toward Christ for he 

said, "I am not worthy that Thou 

shouldest come under my 

Thus, 

he lays his case before Christ with 

faith that the Master will not turn a 

deaf ear to, 

his humble petition. 

A CHRIST CENTERED FAITH 

The centurion knew that he him 

self could do nothing for the servant. 

Although he could say to one " go and 

he goeth, and to another come and he 

he could not command the 

power of healing in his own strength. 

But having heard of the miracles which 

Jesus had performed, he came to Jesus, 

doubting nothing, expecting the com 

plete restoration of his beloved serv 

ant. 

Moreover, he perceived that no mater 

ial means was necessary for Christ 

to perform the miracle. He said to 

Jesus, "Speak the word only, and my 

servant shall be healed. Sometimes 

Jesus did use material means, 

as in 

the case of the blind man whose eyes 

He anointed with clay. 

But the cen 

turion had progressed in faith to the 

point that he knew that if only a word 

was spoken the miracle would 

take 

place. He was trusting in the unseen 

power of the Spirit. 

Last summer while on a fishing trip 

in Quebec, I saw a huge log boom (about 

30,000 logs) which was being 

moved down a river to a paper mill. The 

boom was being drawn by 

a boat which 

seemed 

but little larger than a goodsized 

row boat. How could so tiny a 

boat move so many logs The answer 

was given us by a native with whom we 

talked. About a mile down the river 

there was a rock. A long cable was 

attached to the rock 

and the other 

end was fastened to a winch on the 

boat. As the winch wound in the cable, 

the boat had the power to move the 

logs. The cable was under water where 

we could not see it, but it was the con 

necting link which gave the boat its 

power. In like manner faith is the 

invisable line which links us with God, 

and enables us to perform the apparent 

ly impossible. When we are bound to 

omnipotence we become co-laborers 

with God. Here is the explanation of the 

power exercised by the heroes of the 

faith. F. B. Meyer said, "We never 

test the resources of God until we at 

tempt the impossible." 

A 

FAITH THAT WAS PRAISED 

BY CHRIST 

What rejoicing came to the heart of 

Christ as he saw the centurion's dyna 

mic faith. We are told that He marvel 

ed at it. This is not the only time 

Jesus praised people for their faith, 

for we read also of the woman who was 

a sinner who came and anointed His 

feet. Moved by her act of faith and de 

votion, Jesus said, "Thy faith hath sav 

ed thee." (Luke 7:50). On another oc 

casion He used the same words in ad 

dressing one of the blind men whom 

He had healed. (Luke 18:42). 

Jesus praised the centurion's faith 

because he had not had the opportuni 

ties that had been given to the Jews. 

"I have not seen so great faith in 

Israel." 

The Jews should have believed, 

but because of the hardness of their 

hearts they rejected Christ, declaring 

that He was an imposter. Perhaps that 

same condition may exist in some hearts 

today. There are people who have been 

born in the church and who have been 

faithful attenders, but they have failed 

to exercise the measure of faith which 

should be theirs in view of their oppor 

tunities. So often the demonstrations of 

great faith are on the part of those 

who have recently been converted and 

have taken God at His word. God has 

honored their faith and given to them 

the victory the victory which every 

true believer should be able to claim. 

As Jesus rejoiced in the demonstra 

tion of faith by the centurion, so He 

also rejoices today when people exer 

cise their faith. "Fear not little flock, 

for it is your Father's good pleasure to 

give you the kingdom." The kingdom 

comes by faith and the Lord is waiting 

to give it to His people. We honor Him 

when we come to Him in faith. 


77

COVENANTER NURSES: Teaching 

positions open in orthopedic or surgical 

nursing to any 

qualified registered 

nurse. If interested, write at once to 

Rev. Norman Carson, 6613 S. Normal 

Blvd., Chicago 21, Illinois. 

CHICAGO 

Chicago congregation observed the 

Week of Prayer with a series of cottage 

prayer meetings held throughout the 

week. The attendance grew as the week 

progressed. We are praying that this 

will be the beginning 

life in each of us. 

of a deeper prayer 

A small group from the congregation 

gathered at the Union Station on Satur 

day, January 15, to send off Miss Orlena 

Lynn. She sails from California for Ja 

pan February 4. 

her on her long journey. 

Our prayers go with 

Miss Esther Latimer has undergone 

surgery this past month and is making 

a speedy 

recovery. We miss her good 

work in our Sabbath School, but thank 

the Lord that she will be with us again 

soon. 

WHITE LAKE 

Mr. and Mrs. Renwick F. Tacey are 

the proud parents of a daughter, Pa 

tricia Ann, born December 12, 1954. 

Jimmy and David are very glad to have 

a little sister. 

NEW YORK CITY 

Dr. and Mrs. W. W. Weir sailed for 

Cyprus, January 10. It has been a real 

pleasure having them worship with us 

while on furlough. Sabbath, January 9, 

both spoke at the closing exercises of 

the Bible School and gave the school 

up-to-date information on Kresos Mickaletis, 

the boy in the American Acad 

emy whose scholarship the school spon 

sors. 

The new address of Miss Lola Weir, 

City Missionary of New York City Con 

gregation is 2112 Walton Ave., New 

York 53, N. Y. 

CINCINNATI 

The Thank Offering program was held 

during Thanksgiving 

season. Miss Grace 

Wagner gave a good program with the 

audience participating. A number of toys 

were collected for Selma, Alabama. Re 

freshments were served by the social 

committee headed by Mrs. Howard Miles. 

On Thursday, December 23, the Christ 

mas program was held at the church. The 

birth of Christ was illustrated through 

puppets with the boys and girls of 

78 

the Intermediate Classes working the 

puppets. Also, they did "The Night Be 

fore Christmas." The younger boys and 

girls contributed to the program with Bi 

ble Verses. A visit from Santa Claus was 

enjoyed by the children, 

Carols were sung. 

after Christmas 

We are glad to have Mr. John Jackson 

from Bloomington, Indiana, worship with 

us whenever his work allows. 

Bible School teachers and officers held 

a waffle supper before their regular meet 

ing on Thursday, January 13. 

LOS ANGELES 

We enjoyed the preaching of Licentiate 

Raymond Joseph during the last two 

Sabbaths of December. His sermons were 

an inspiration to all of us. Also visiting 

us at this time was his brother, Tom 

Joseph, from Hopkinton, Iowa. 

Our annual Sabbath School Christmas 

program was held on Friday, December 

17. A fine program, enjoyed by many, 

was put on under the supervision of Mrs. 

Donald Walker and the Sabath School 

teachers. 

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Gault became 

the proud parents of a fine baby boy, 

Jeffrey Elliott, on November 27. 

Couples Club held a New Year's Eve 

party, hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Arthur 

Russell at their home. After a ham din 

ner, games were played. At 11:30 Dr. 

Russell conducted a devotional program 

to welcome in the New Year. 

Recent visitors have been Mr. and 

Mrs. Lloyd Ewing of Quinter, Kansas; 

Mr. and Mrs. James L. Marshall Qf 

Waterman, Illinois; Mrs. Henry Black 

wood of Topeka, Kansas; Dick and 

Donald Dill of Erick, Oklahoma; Ken 

neth McBurney of Quinter, Kansas and 

Mr. and Mrs. George Killough of Engle 

wood, Colorado. 

GREELEY 

Each of the organizations of the con 

gregation held Christmas parties during 

the holiday season. The party for the 

Couple's Club was the first meeting of 

this organization; the second meeting 

was in January at the home of the Nee 

land Siebrings. 

Mr. Ralph Willcox, our Sabbath 

School Superintendent, and Miss Barbara 

Prazma were united in marriage at the 

Church on 

Friday, December 24, at 4:30 

P.M. in the presence of their immediate 

families. The Rev. Bruce C. Stewart per 

formed the ceremony. The new couple 

will be at home in Longview, Texas, 

where Ralph will attend the Letourneau 

Technical Institute. A bridal shower was 

given at the church in their honor on 

January 17. 

Miss Renee Willcox was born on De 

cember 26. She is the daughter of Mr. 

and Mrs. Ray Willcox. Congratulations 

to these proud parents. Ray is still in the 

Service at Fort Eustice, Va., but expects 

to be discharged within two months. 

Our offering for Synod's Budget the 

last week of 1954 was about $650.00. In 

addition, the CYPU has set a goal of 

$50.00 for the Budget to be raised 

by 

March 31st. 

The Rev. and Mrs. John Edgar and 

Louise were welcome visitors in Greeley 

during the holidays. Rev. Edgar preached 

for us the morning of December 26. 

Week of Prayer Meetings were held 

Monday through Friday, each organiza 

tion of the Church sponsoring one meet 

ing. 

Miss Elizabeth McElroy was the 

speaker at our Thank Offering Meeting, 

January 12; she also spoke on Sabbath 

morning, January 9. The Thank Offering 

amounted to over $300.00. 

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Dunn are 

happy 

to announce the birth of Ronnie Lee, 

born January 14. Congratulations! Bob 

and June are living at present in Sedro 

Woolley, Washington. 

SYRACUSE 

A farewell reception was held at the 

church for Dr. and Mrs. G. M. Robb, on 

Thursday evening, January 13. The 

chapel was prettily decorated with pink 

candles and the tables had the candles 

and pink carnations. We played a game, 

each one to name the different ways 

by which Dr. and Mrs. Robb might go 

to Kansas City, their new home. Elmer 

Shaw won. A clever skit was put on by 

Mrs. Raymond Park and Mrs. Edwin 

Carson, Jr., so they took the parts of 

Dr. and Mrs. Robb, piling boxes and 

suitcases into their car, and starting 

off on their trip, with clever take-offs 

on some of the members of the congre 

gation. After refreshments were served, 

Mr. David C. Park expressed the regrets 

of the congregation that Dr. and Mrs. 

Robb were leaving, that they would be 

greatly missed in all the work of the 

congregation but what is our loss is 

Kansas City's gain. Mr. Park handed 

Mrs. Robb an envelope with money from 

the congregation wishing them God's 

blessing in their new field of labor. 

The congregation sent a letter of 

commendation to President Eisenhower, 

commending him for his interest in re 

ligious matters, his attendence at 

church, his trying to interest those in 

government positions in religious mat 

ters. It was signed by members of the 

Congregation. 

Rev. Remo Robb is expected to preach 

COVENANTER WITNESS

again." 

on Sabbath, January 23, to declare the 

pulpit vacant. 

A LINCOLN DAY GIFT FOR YOU 

LINCOLN'S BIRTHDAY IS COM 

ING. Believing that every church, high 

school, college, and public library ought 

to have one or more books on President 

Lincoln and his faith in God, the author 

of "THE FAITH OF ABRAHAM LIN 

COLN" 

is hereby offering free copies to 

your church, school and public library 

as long as the supply lasts. This book 

was recommended as a MUST by The 

Sunday School Times, and by many oth 

er Religious and secular periodicals. The 

introduction is by Dr. Charles M. Shel 

don of "In His Steps" fame. 

"I shall pass this way but once. Any 

good that I can do, let me do it now. 

Let me not withhold or defer it, for I 

shall not pass this way 

D. Raymond Taggart 

BARNETT 

On December 5 the Sacrament of the 

Lord's Supper was observed together 

with the signing 

of the Covenant. We 

were highly privileged on this occasion 

in having with us the Rev. Samuel E. 

Boyle whose messages were most timely 

and challenging. On Monday evening 

Mr. 

Boyle showed motion pictures of 

his work in Japan. 

The Sabbath School recently sent 

$30.00 to the Cyprus Building Fund. 

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. El 

mer Faris on the arrival of a fine baby 

boy, Douglas Charles on November 18. 

At the October meeting members of 

the Women's Missionary Society packed 

a large box of clothing for the Southern 

Mission. 

In December Christmas cor 

sages were made for the ladies in the 

Aged People's Home and gifts for the 

children at the Indian Mission. 

Through voluntary contributions a 

goodly sum of money was sent to the 

Kentucky Mission for the purchase of 

Bibles. The fund was sponsored by the 

Women's Missionary Society. 

KANSAS CITY 

Rev. Sam Boyle was with us, January 

16, just for the day; it was indeed a very 

busy one for him, we think. He preached 

stirring sermons morning and evening. 

The evening sermon on Communism was 

very informative, coming from one so 

closely in touch with it in China and 

Japan. He gave a chalk-talk to the 

Juniors in the evening; immediately af 

ter, he came into the Discussion Group 

meeting, showed beautiful and instruc 

tive slides of Japan; then the evening 

sermon. In the afternoon a pastoral call 

was made into the home of a mission 

scholar, a little girl who was seriously 

ill. From the pulpit, he asked that we 

pray, not only for the child but also for 


the mother and grandmother for an im 

proved spiritual life, in them. God took 

the little girl late that evening. Rev. 

Boyle was called back Tuesday from 

Topeka to conduct the funeral service. 

A touching part of our Christmas pro 

gram was when a Junior, Jackis Burke, 

appeared on the platform, calling for 

Mrs. Coleman. He gave her, with an 

endearing little speech, a very fine pock 

etbook. Mrs. Coleman has been Junior 

Superintendent twenty-nine years : 

Mrs. Robt. More, Sr., assistant for six 

teen years, Herbert Hunter presented a 

gift. These were from the Juniors and 

Intermediates to their retiring superin 

tendents. Mrs. Coleman, can see the 

fruit of some of her work in youngsters 

who have now grown up 

to 

and are now 

serving the church as she did, so faith 

fully. Mrs. Wylie Hunter and Miss Mar 

garet Hall have taken over the Junior 

work. 

Mrs. Betty Coleman Weimer sponsors 

the new Intermediate class. They had a 

contest from 

studies in the Gos 

pel of John. Wilbur More and Jim 

Wright tied for first place and Nancy 

Wright captured second place. This 

group is now completing a study in the 

NAVIGATORS Introductory Bible Stu 

dy Book. 

The Discussion Group take special 

studies from Dr. Vos' BLUE BANNER 

FAITH AND LIFE. We are proud of 

the various groups led by 

younger mem 

bers, especially in their selections for 

study. 

Mr. and Mrs. Harold Ward and their 

three fine boys are worshiping with us. 

Mrs. Ward helps in the Bible School, as 

substitute teacher. She is the daughter 

of Rev. M. S. McMillan. We are happy to 

have them. 

Robt. More Jr. spent the holidays at 

home. We miss him but glad to have 

him in Geneva. 

Our Parsonage Committee rendered 

good service. We now have a nice new 

parsonage for Dr. and Mrs. Robb and 

are looking forward to their coming. 

Dr. G. M. Robb preached his first ser 

mon as our pastor, January 23, a cold 

bright sunshiny morning 

without and 

much warmth within; his text, Romans 

15:16. 

The new address of Rev. G. M. Robb 

4418 West 55th Street 

Kansas City, Kansas 

Two baby 

STERLING NEWS 

boys have arrived to 

gladden hearts in Sterling: William 

Joseph, born to Joe and Roberta (Dill) 

McFarland of Turon on December 7; 

and Stuart Victor, son of 

Barbara (McNeil) 

tina on January 16. 

Pablo and 

Navahas of Argen 

The W.M.S. has extended several 

courtesies lately. Among them: a 

luncheon for Miss Blanche McCrea of 

Cyprus; a reception for their members 

over eighty 

years: Mrs. Jennie Ander 

son, Mrs. Lucy MacClement, and Miss 

Alice Humphreys; a shower for Mrs. 

Nancy (Young) Marshall; and flowers 

and an occasional chair were sent to the 

Jack Foleys December 24 for their 

35th wedding anniversary. 

Dr. and Mrs. A. J. McFarland, Ar 

mour and Robert, were the Sterling 

representatives at the Forest Park 

Booster banquet in Topeka during the 

holiday season. About 110 were in at 

tendance. 

Mr. and Mrs. Ross Latimer of Em 

poria, who were called to Sterling by 

the funeral of her Aunt, Mrs. Calvin 

L. Young, on January 8, worshipped 

with us on January 9. 

Dr. and Mrs. Clarence E. Wilson and 

Virginia of Stafford worshiped with us 

January 16. 

The Rev. S. E. Boyle, whose son is 

living in 

Sterling and attending high 

school as a senior, occupied the Ster 

ling pulpit January 9 in the absence of 

the pastor, who preached at Oakdale, 

111. 

Mrs. Flora Cunningham, widow of 

the late E. P. Cunningham, passed away 

December 28, at the home of her 

daughter, Mrs. Wayne Milligan, in 

Belleville. 

The New Year's dinner was highlight 

ed by a program consisting 

of songs 

by the juniors, a pantomine by the 

intermediates, a pep band by the young 

people, songs by the McFarland Male 

Quartett, and a skit, "Ladies of the 

Mopping Line" by four of the young 

married ladies. Mr. Lou Wilkey des 

cribed the production of "Unshackled" 

as he had seen it enacted at WGN in 

Chicago. Mrs. Gail Wilkey 

man of the evening. 

was chair 

The Rev. L. E. Kilpatrick was called 

to Morning Sun, December 19, upon the 

death of his father. John Kilpatrick 

attended the funeral returning with his 

father. 

The names of Sam Wilkey and Diane 

Oline appear on the last six weeks high 

school honor roll. (Long) 

YOUNG 

MARSHALL 

New Year's Eve found the êrling 

Church beautifully decorated for the 

wedding of Miss Nancy Carolyn Young, 

daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Young 

to Allen Marshall, son of Mrs. Ger 

trude Marshall of Sylvia, at 4:30 p.m. 

Dr. A. J. McFarland, uncle of the bride, 

assisted by Mr. Otis Webb of Sylvia, 

and the Rev. L. E. Kilpatrick, officiated 

at the double ring ceremony. The bride 

was given in marriage by her father. 

79

Joe, Armour and Robert MacFarland, 

cousins of the bride, sang "I Love you 

Truly," 

90th Psalm. 

"Bless This Hou.se," 

and the 

Members of the bridal party were 

Mrs. Howard Mann of Wichita, sister 

of the bride, Matron of Honor; Miss 

Maralee Towse, Hutchinson, brides 

maid; and Miss Melody McFarland, 

junior bridesmaid. Messers Dick Miller, 

Robert Brook and Gene Saxton attend 

ed the groom. Ervin Young, and John 

McFarland and Robert McFarland, 

served as ushers. Taper lighters were 

Masters David Young, and Marlin Mc 

Farland. 

At the reception in the church base 

ment Mrs. A. J. McFarland, Mrs. Er 

vin Young 

and Miss Ruth McFarland 

of Wichita presided at the serving table. 

Following a wedding trip to New 

Orleans, the Marshalls are now at home 

in Sylvia, where Allen is a mechanic. 

Nancy, who is a graduate nurse, com 

mutes thirty miles each day to Hutch 

inson Grace Hospital where she works 

in surgery. 

FRESNO 

The Pacific Conference Dates 

are changed now to July 16 to 

23. We hope and pray that many of 

our people will plan their vacation to 

coincide with these dates. 

Our pastor went to a good bit of work 

in preparing the 1955 calendar for every 

home of the congregation. All import 

ant meetings for the year are to be 

found on the page of each month's cal 

endar. 

We are enjoying the Book of Ephes 

ians this month, reading it every day, 

and hearing it expounded from the pul 

pit on the Lord's Day morning. 

Mrs. Martha Margaret McNeil 

The Los Angeles Congregation has suf 

fered the loss of one of its members in 

the passing of Mrs. Martha Margaret 

Chambers McNeil, who died on Novem 

ber 26, 1954, in the Hamilton Sanatarium, 

Los Angeles. Her husband, 

James Renwick McNeil, preceded her in 

death in February, 1936. Mrs. McNeil 

was born at 

Morning Sun, Iowa, and at 

an early age united with the Reformed 

Presbyterian church and remained a 

faithful and devoted member until her 

death. After her marriage Mrs. McNeil 

husband lived near Morning 

Sun, later moved to Hopkinton, Iowa, 

then to Regina, Canada, and in 1924 

and her 

moved to Los Angeles, California. Left 

to morn her loss are three sisters, Mrs. 

S. F. McElhinney, Burlington, Iowa; 

Mrs. F. B. Tibbitts, Hopkinton; Mrs. 

C. T Death, Vancouver, Canada; two 

br^.itre, Jonn S. Chambers, of Van 

couver, Washington, and T. George 

Chambers, Glendale, California, and 

80 

many nieces, nephews and friends. Mrs. 

McNeil was always faithful and devoted 

to her Lord, her church, her family and 

friends; she loved her Bible and was 

faithful in her attendance at the church 

services whenever health permitted. 

Dr. E. G. Russell was in charge of 

the services and interment was in Val 

Hall cemetery, 

Burbank. 

MISS MARY JANE PATTERSON, a 

member of the OLD BETHEL congrega 

tion for 78 years, answered the heavenly 

call on Sabbath evening, January 9, 

1955, at the age of 92. Miss Patterson 

was active in all work of the church and 

was a faithful Sabbath school teacher 

until her death. She was greatly inter 

ested in temperance work and served 

as local and county president of the 

W.C.T.U. for a long period of time. For 

six years she worked in the Jewish 

Mission in Cincinnati, Ohio. She will be 

missed by her relatives and a host of 

friends. Two brothers survive, 

Edwin 

Patterson of the Old Bethel congrega 

tion and Dr. Harvey G. 

Morning Sun, Iowa. 

Patterson of 

FOR YOUR ROMAN CATHOLIC 

FRIEND 

To aid Christians who wish to win-their 

Roman Catholic friends to a saving 

faith in Christ, The American Council 

of Christian Churches offers five book 

lets, entitled, "FUNDAMENTAL PROT 

ESTANT DOCTRINES." The author is 

Dr. R. Laird Harris of Faith Theological 

Seminary, Philadelphia. Unlike some un 

necessarily offensive tracts, these book 

lets, without any compromise with Bible 

truth, will not blast your friendship but 

should strengthen it with any Roman 

Catholic neighbor or friend to whom you 

lend one or more of these booklets. Evan 

gelical Christians will be strengthened in 

their faith through the reading 

booklet. The following 

of each 

are the titles: 

No. 1 "Our Bible and How We Got It" 

No. 2 "First Century Christianity" 

Church" 

No. 3 "The Holy Catholic 

Life" 

No. 4 "Liberty and 

No. 5 "Heaven for the Asking" 

Single copies, ten cents each; fifty cents 

for the complete set. Be a good witness 

for Christ to those about you in Roman 

ist superstition and spiritual darkness. 

Send your order 

today to: 

AMERICAN COUNCIL OF 

CHRISTIAN CHURCHES 

15 Park Row, New York 38, New York 

Should we feel at times disheartened 

and discouraged, a confiding thought, 

a simple movement of heart towards 

God will renew our powers. Whatever 

He may demand of us, He will give us 

at the 

moment the strength and the 

courage that we need. 

Fenelon. 

Discussion: 


1. How may we increase our faith 

2. What causes men to lose the faith 

which they 

once had 

3. Is faith an exercise on man's part, 

or is it a gift from God 

For Prayer: 

That we may 

faith. 

all grow in the life of 

That as a church we may have faith 

to believe in the success of the Christ 

ian Amendment; in the temperance 

cause; 

and in missions. 

'course 

that /has 

ive/wrum, I 

SOLID BIBLE CONTENT Based squarely on 

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MEANINGFUL HANDWORK Each handwork 

project is carefully worked out to tie in with 

the lessons. Materials of plaster, felt, etc., 

give projects lasting appeal to pupils. 

COMPLETE TEACHING HELPS Teachers' books 

give comprehensive treatment of each lesson. 

All the helps you need are there. No hunt 

ing around or looking up extras to fill in. 

SCRIPTURE PRESS 

434 S. Wabash, Dept. 000-00 

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- 

FREE "Marching On" booklet on how 

to run a VBS. This helpful book crammed 

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NAME. 

COVENANTER WITNESS

clearly." 

apart" 


THE FIELD S THE WORLD, 

TH 5/r&0 (S THE WORD OP GOD 


The Biggest Hindrance to Spiritual Vision 

In Matthew 7:5 we read, "Then thou shalt see 

The church today, as in every age, 

needs 

men and women of spiritual vision men and women 

who see God's will, work, and way, and then go into 

action. A clear vision is needed to help others. 

The biggest hindrance to spiritual vision is 

found in Matthew 7:1-5, and it is censoriousness. 

We criticize others when there are imperfections in 

our own lives, and the imperfection mentioned here 

is the spirit of judging others. Fault finding and 

"picking others is not a Christian way to act. 

No man will ever be perfect in the eyes of his fellow 

men, but God looks on the heart. God is the judge, 

not we. 

Just what is involved in this censorious atti 

tude Those who have this attitude go around con 

stantly condemning others. No one is just quite as 

good as they are ; no one can please them. 

The defeating blow that is often wielded is that 

of criticism when a person has done his best. Our 

task on earth is to serve God and help people to 

heaven. If we do this our task is difficult enough 

without trying to run the lives of others. We are to 

look for the merits in everyone. This does not mean 

that we do not recognize the difference between the 

Christian and the non-Christian ; it does mean, how 

ever, that we treat the unsaved as Jesus would. 

There are some good traits in the unsaved, even 

though they will not save them. When dealing with 

such a person start with these good traits and 

commend him for these, but show him also that 

the greatest sin is the rejection of the Saviour, 

Jesus Christ. A censorious attitude is a dangerous 

thing. It will cause your spiritual vision to be dim 

med and will never help a soul to God. 

There is a grave personal danger in having a 

censorious attitude. If we judge others, others will 

judge us. Others will be harder on us than we are on 

them because they know that censoriousness is a 

part of our very disposition. This unwholesome spirit 

will rob us of soul joy. It displeases God, makes 

enemies, and keeps us from seeing God clearly. 

Some people are always seeing the faults in 

others but never in themselves. Others need help. 

The unsaved need to be saved, the discouraged en 

couraged, and the sorrowing comforted ; but we shall 

never be able to help if the "beam" of censoriousness 

is in our own eyes. When the personal "beam" is cast 

out of the eye "then shalt thou see clearly to cast 

eye." 

out the mote out of thy brother's 

The reason then that some of us are not able to 

help others is because we lack spiritual vision. A 

lack of spiritual vision is caused by having a censori 

ous spirit. Therefore the thing to do is to let God 

completely cleanse our souls of all that is unlike Him 

by the purging presence of the Holy Spirit. H.E.S. 

in United Brethren

. 

o"l" 

services." 

enemies.' 

o' 



Anniversary of Salvation Army 

The Salvation Army is nearly 75 years old in the United 

States and is to celebrate its 75th anniversary before long. 

It is much older than this in England where Wm. Booth 

founded the Christian Mission in 1865. Thirteen years later 

he began to call it the Salvation Army. It has now spread 

until it reaches 85 countries and distributes a total of 126 

periodicals regularly. The large brims of the early bonnet 

designed by Catherine Booth, William's wife, in 1880 were 

to provide protection against objects hurled by hostile 

crowds. In place of being despised today, the uniform of the 

Salvation Army is respected even in the slums of London. 

An officer of the Salvation Army 

who showed me through 

some of the slums of London pointed out a modest house 

where two of the "lassies" lived right in the midst of the 

slum district and informed me that these ladies were never 

insulted when in uniform even by men who were drunk. 

They often went out at night to aid people who had been 

injured in a brawl and they were not afraid. This is a 

remarkable testimony to the Gospel in action. 

Politics in the Gutter 

The current issue of Church and State, the organ of the 

POAU, declares : 

"The late President Franklin D. Roose 

velt in 1939 toyed with the idea of exerting 'indirect' pres 

sure on the Vatican to secure the appointment of a new 

archbishop for the Chicago archdiocese who would be friend 

ly to the New Deal, an excerpt from the diary of the late 

Secretary of the Interior Harold L. Ickes has revealed . 

The President told me that he is considering seriously send 

ing a representative to the Vatican, although not with full 

diplomatic standing. He also said that he would not do th'- 

if Sheil were not appointed Archbishop 

. 

of Chicago 

. He 

said that he could not make a direct suggestion to the 

Vatican but he intended to do so indirectly." 

"Brainwashed" 

Children 

The above papor tells of the Catholic pressure and 

underhanded methods used in favor of Senator McCarthy. 

"Lectures 'on the virtues of Senator McCarthy' had been 

given to parochial school children during the controversy 

which preceded Senate censure of McCarthy on December 

2, an irate Romrn Catholic parent charged in a letter to 

Fnncis Cardinal Spellman, archbishop of New York. Robert 

L. McCaffery of Tuckahoe, three of whose children attend 

Roman Catholic schools, said that teaching nuns at th" 

Immaculate Conception School in Tuckahoe had not 

'lectured' 

in favor of McCarthy but also had circu1"+ed th" 

pro-McCarthy petitions of the Ten Million for Senator Mc 

Carthy organization. This brain-washing being given my 

children is a disgrace, and I cannot understand how Church 

authorities can condone it. My daughter in St. Gabriel's 

High School 

(New Rochelle) is also subjected to almost 

daily praise of the Senator. Yesterday, (Nov. 25), a new low 

level was reached. Each of my children was requested by 

the Nun to sign one of the petitions being circulated to 

obtain the ten million signatures. In other words the pro 

ponents of Senator McCarthy are using Catholic schools to 

obtain what amounts to forgery, if we consider that these 

petitions should be signed only by people capable of judging 

82 

the merits of the 

matter." 

Mr. McCaffery added that many 

Catholic friends had boasted that they had signed their 

names and other names several times to the petition. 

Prof. John Ramsey, B.A., LL.B. 

The Rev. A. Loughridge, B.A., has written an obituary 

of the Rev. Professor John Ramsey, B.A., L.L.B., which ap 

pears in the January issue of the Reformed Presbyterian 

Witness of Scotland. Prof. Ramsey was 94 years old at the 

time of his death, Nov. 26, 1954. He was pastor of the 

Ballymoney congregation in Ireland for over 53 years, and 

a teacher of Hebrew, Greek and Biblical Criticism in the 

R. P. Seminary in Belfast for 23 years. He was also co-editor 

of The Covenanter for 45 years. He exerted a large influence 

on the Covenanter church of Ireland, on his congrega*ion in 

Ballymoney 

and in a much wider circle for over h->]f a 

century. He was a very modest man, but a "scholar, pastor, 

gentleman," 

teacher, and Christian 

as his biographer states 

We have shared the genial and kindly hospitality hi 

home. He was physically as well as scholt stically ani 

spiritually strong. "A visit to Canada in 1892 brought him 

fame that was unexpected and unsought. At the risk of 

this own life he rescued a woman who had fallen from the 

suspension bridge at Niagra Falls. For this feat of dariiT 

and courage he was made the recipient of the Royal Can~dian 

Humane Society's Gold Medal." Many in this coun+rwill 

wish to join with this writer in extending sympptiv fn 

his two sons and five daughters in Ireland, England -n 1 

the U.S.A. 

Fellowship in Christ 

The following is a striking example of how the true 

Christian spirit causes men to love their enemies. W~ q-'ofc 

from The Banner: "Recently, servicemen at th^ Kobe Rest 

3nd Recuperation Center in 

example of Christ's teaching, 'Love your 

Jappn saw a 20th century 

Jacob 

DeShazer, former Doolittle bombardier, now Free Methodist 

missionary in Japan, and Rev. Mitsuo Fuchida, the Japanese 

who led the attack on Pearl Harbor, and now actively en 

gaged in Christian work, spoke from the sme platform in 

Kobe. Seven servicemen are reported to have been con 

verted as a result of these impressive 

Protestant Advertising 

A program is being prepared by the National Associa 

tion of Evangelicals to counteract the Roman Catholic dvertising 

under the Knights of Columbus. There are to be 

a series of 30 advertisements which set forth the hifto'ic 

beliefs of orthodox Protestants. In these advertisements 

th" 

readers ere asked to send for a pamphlet which explains 

the truth about the Gospel and about the Church ps the 

Body of Christ. These advertisements are available in mat 

form to groups who will take the responsibility of piac'nT 

them in local papers. Inquiries end contributions may be 

sent the National Association of Evangelicals 1405 G Street. 

N. W., Washington 5, D. C. 

Tobacco Companies Warned 

The Federal Trade Commission has warned tobacco com 

panies concerning their false advertising of cigarets that 


COVENANTER WITNESS



PRESIDENT ON XV 

Dwight Eisenhower has become the first American 

President to put a press conference on television. The 

first experiment was so successful that it will probably 

become a regular practice. It does not seem likely to end 

the spontaneity of the press conference. The public will not 

see a direct broadcast, but a film version edited by the 

Presidential press secretary before release. The idea in 

volves some risk for the President, because the conference 

is unrehearsed and the questions are sometimes embarrass 

ing. The Democrats will be quick to point out any partisan 

motive for deletions in the film. But the television press 

conference will certainly bring government closer to the 

people, and will probably prove a political advantage for 

President Eisenhower. In his two years in the White House 

he has attained considerable skill in handling the press, 

and nearly always makes a good impression on television. 

ATOMIC PROGRESS 

The Atomic Energy Commission's semiannual report 

states that the weapons which were proved in last Spring's 

Pacific tests are now being stockpiled, and hints at the de 

velopment of even more powerful bombs. Val Peterson, 

Civil Defense Administrator, has indicated that we may 

soon have bombs three times as powerful as the biggest yet 

tested. No hydrogen bomb tests are scheduled for this 

year. In Nevada this month some small-scale atomic weap 

ons are being tested, along with various defense measures. 

There have been many new discoveries of uranium in 

recent months, and the ore is coming out faster than it 

can be processed. Besides the weapons program, the Com 

mission is proceeding with peaceful uses of atomic energy. 

Next year will see the beginning 

of the commercial produc 

tion of electrical power from atomic reactors. The atomic 

submarine Nautilus has passed its first sea tests and will 

soon enter regular service. Experiments are going on for 

the use of atomic power in an airplane. On the international 

scene, the first world conference on peacetime uses of 

atomic energy is now scheduled to meet on August 8 at 

Geneva, Switzerland. 

INVITATION DECLINED 

Our State Department has announced that it will not 

issue passports allowing Americans to visit their relatives 

who are prisoners of Communist China. Peiping's invitation 

next two decades the U.S. should continue to widen its 

lead over the Soviet Union. From 1938 to 1953, our gross 

national product increased almost twice as fast as that 

of the Russians. However, our rate of gain has slowed down 

since 1948. 

The Soviet satellites have made very slow 

progress, as many of their resources have been drained off 

for the benefit of Russia. Per capita personal consumption 

in the U.S. has risen 40 per cent since 1938. In the Soviet 

Union and Poland it is only slightly above prewar levels, 

and in other satellite states it is still lower than prewar. 

The report notes, however, that the Soviet bloc is better 

mobilized economically for immediate war. Russia's econom 

ic directors seem to be shifting their emphasis from con 

sumer goods back to heavy industry. 

BRITAIN PROSPERS 

Last year was the best Britain has ever had in foreign 

trade, says the country's Board of Trade. British exports 

reached an all-time high of $7.5 billion in 1954. With the 

help of shipping, insurance, and foreign tourists, Britain 

now has a favorable cash balance. Textiles and coal, which 

used to be the leading exports, have been replaced by 

metal goods, chemicals, and other manufactured products. 

Last year the British produced more than a million motor 

vehicles for the first time in their history, and a large per 

centage of these were sold abroad. Britain exports twice 

as many cars as the U. S., and more than all the rest of 

Europe combined. She is also the world's largest supplier 

of radioactive isotopes, and leads in many other technical 

specialties. 

MIXED SCHOOLS 

In spite of local setbacks, school desegregation is mak 

ing quiet progress in the South. The Atomic Energy Com 

mission is abolishing racial distinctions in the high schools 

at Oak Ridge, Tennessee. This will be the first completely 

nonsegregated system in that state. The high schools of 

St. Louis have also just abandoned segregation. Little dif 

ficulty is expected, thanks to a supporting campaign con 

ducted over the past few months. This was directed mainly 

at securing the cooperation of parents, who are usually the 

troublemakers rather than children. The St. Louis teach 

er's colleges were combined into one desegregated school 

last September, with no trouble. The elementary schools 

will not be intergrated until next fall. 

for the relatives to visit the prisoners was obviously not 

based entirely on humanitarian motives, but on propaganda 

considerations as well. Acceptance would have amounted 

almost to an admission that the imprisonment was legal; 

yet the natural inclination of the relatives would be to go 

if possible. The State Department solved their difficult 

problem by refusing its permission. Parents of the eleven 

imprisoned airmen have met in Jacksonville, Florida, and 

expressed their approval of the ban. 

ECONOMIC MIGHT 

The Western nations still have considerably greater 

economic capacity than the Communist states, according to 

the report of a joint Congressional committee. For the 


FOR THE BLIND 

Helen Keller, blind and deaf since early childhood, has 

long been an inspiring example of triumph over handicaps 

which seemed hopeless. Now, at the age of 74, she is be 

ginning a world tour which will cover 400,000 miles in 

four months. She will visit Europe and the Near East, but 

her main concern is with South Asia, the Philippines, and 

Japan. There are ten million blind persons in these coun 

tries. Helen Keller will try to increase the interest of their 

people and governments in the prevention of blindness, and 

in the training and education of the blind. Her trip is 

being sponsored by the American Foundation for the Over 

seas Blind. 

83

ed" 

price." 

not," 


Heritages At Bargain Prices 

We are frequently reminded by the press that 

the whole of Manhattan Island comprising much of 

the land on which Greater New York is situated 

(about 22 square miles, more or less as the sur 

veyors say) was sold to Peter Minuit, Dutch Gover 

nor 

General, for $24.00 in goods reckoned at retail 

prices, of course. But that was back in 1626 before in 

flation began, and the same real estate, exclusive of 

the improvements, is now worth $10,000,000,000.00, 

more or less. That is what inflation has done to us. 

However, it is probable that both the seller and the 

purchaser was quite satisfied at the time that they 

each and serverally had gotten the best of the bar 

gain. But it is also reasonable to suppose that the 

descendents of the party of the first part, namely, 

the Indians, if any survive, feel that their progenitors 

did them a great injustice in disposing of their right 

ful heritage at such a ridiculous price, approximately 

$1.00 per square mile. 

We mention the above deal because it is usually 

cited as the I-deal, the greatest bargain ever put 

over by shall we say a proverbial New Yorker 

on an unsophisticated fellow human being. Maybe 

so, maybe so not. The land of Palestine and its ad 

jacent surroundings, the Cross Roads of the World, 

has had a number of changes of 

ownership, usually 

at great cost of blood but not always. At one time 

this land flowing with milk and honey, of gold and 

brass and iron, of cities walled to heaven, of grapes 

and oranges, olives and pomegranates, extending 

from sea to sea, and from the rivers to the ends 

of the earth, changed hands in a single day, and the 

price would you believe it One large bowl of pot 

tage "that 

. 

(stuff) The price of a bowl of chili 

at any hamburger stand. "Thus Esau despised his 

birthright." 

And it was not just a vast section of 

fertile land that he esteemed so lightly, but it was 

all those precious promises made to Abraham and 

to his father Isaac. Esau said, "Behold I am at the 

point to die: and what profit shall this birthright 

do to me '' Was Satan thinking of him when he said 

to God, "All that a man hath will he give for his 

life" 

The counterbalance of this story occurred some 

centuries later, and concerned a mere fraction of 

that land so lightly esteemed by Esau, perhaps forty 

acres, or possibly eighty, or a quarter section, but 

not likely a whole section of land. As a family herit 

age it had passed from father to son since the time 

of Joshua. It is possible that Joshua's own signa 

ture was on the abstract. But it had increased in 

value with every generation. This family specialized 

in grape culture. I suppose they sent to Eschol for 

some of those mammoth varieties so famous in the 

days of Caleb. By selection and cross fertilization 

both the size and the quality had been improved. 

They had built up the soil with fertilizers and 

mulches, and by pruning and cultivation and spray 

ing they had made those vines to bring forth more 

fruit until that vineyard was the envy of all the 

neighbors. But unhappily King Ahab was the nearest 

84 

neighbor and he coveted it. That weedless plot of 

ground would raise vegetables fit for a king. And the 

king must have it. 

The king condescends to make a proposition. "I 

will give you a better vineyard for it, or I will pay 

you cash on the barrelhead. Name your 

"It is not for sale at any price. It does not 

really belong to me; it belongs to the coming gen 

erations. In fact, it belongs to God, and we are only 

the tenants in trust. God has forbidden us to sell. 

That is the tradition in our family." The man was 

adamant, the argument was sound. He would even 

defy the King to take it by force. Ahab was used to 

getting whatever he asked for. He was King, but that 

didn't seem to make any difference with Naboth; 

this was a matter of principle. You know the rest of 

the story, but read it again in I Kings 21. Naboth 

died a martyr to principle, but his death was precious 

in the sight of the Lord, and was avenged in full. 

These two men are an allegory. The Lord has 

given to all mankind an heritage of truth. To those 

that maintain the truth there is made plain the 

Way, the Truth and the Life. But to those who sell 

their heritage of 

truth, turning it into a lie, the 

wrath of God is eventually revealed against all their 

unrighteousness. "Buy the truth and sell it 

is God's counsel to us. To some the mess of pottage 

makes a tremendous appeal. Others are willing to 

go to their death rather than surrender this most 

precious possession. The Naboths of our day are 

still the insignificant minority numerically. The 

great majority have sold their birthrights, or are 

in the process of doing so. The pressure, as in the 

days of Esau, is tremendous, sometimes a question 

of life or death ; at least so it seems. 

Pressure Groups Are the Schools, The Press, Etc. 

The following clipping from TIME magazine of 

Jan. 24 is an example of what I mean : 






through its editorial office at 1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka Kansai 





Contributing Editor 





Subscription 

10 cents. 

The Rev. R. 




rates 

Departmental Editors. 




$2.50 per year; Overseas, $3.00; Single Copies 

Lyons. B.A., Limavady. N. Ireland, Agent for the 

Entered as second class matter at the Post Office in Newtnn Kbnam 

"ewton, Kansas 



COVENANTER WITNESS

. . 

parents" 

centuries," 

performance" 

. . 

Is 

. . We 

preaching." 

church," 

once.' 

Not for years have Britons boiled and bubbled in a 

religious 

controversy as they did last week over the affair 

of Mrs. Knight. 

Margaret Knight, fortyish, wife of a psychology pro 

fessor at Aberdeen University and herself a part-time lec 

turer on the subject, had asked the BBC if she might broad 

cast her views on what she called "scientific humanism." 

The BBC duly scheduled her for three talks on its Home 

Religion." 

Service. Her subject: "Morals Without 

Mrs. 

Knight's first broadcast drew some criticism. Her second 

lifted the roof of Broadcasting House. 

Margaret Knight, who has no children of her own, 

undertook to advise "humanist what to tell their 

offspring about God. "We can tell them, that everyone be 

lieved at one time, and some people believe now, that there 

are two great powers in the world: a good power called 

God, who made the world and who loves human beings . 

and a bad power called the Devil, who is opposed to God and 

who wants people to be unhappy and bad. We can tell them 

that some people still believe this, but that most people now 

think there's not really a Devil . 

"And we can tell them that some people now don't 

think there's really a God any more than there's really a 

Santa Claus, though we often like to talk as though there 

was. 

"What about Christ I don't think that it would be de 

sirable for children to grow up in ignorance of the New 

Testament. We don't want a generation who don't know 

what Christmas and Easter mean, who have never heard 

of the star of Bethlehem or the angel at the door of the 

tomb ... All I urge is that [the child] should hear them 

treated frankly as legends . . . There 

was a real Trojan War 

and Hector and Achilles may well have been real people, 

but we don't now believe Achilles was the son of sea nymphs. 

Similarly, there was a real Jesus Christ who . . . was cruci 

fied. But we don't now believe that he was the son of God 

and a virgin or that he rose from the dead." 

Although some of Britain's most eminent newspaper 

editorialists started swinging at Mrs. Knight, philosophers, 

including Bertrand Russell, have been saying the same 

things for years. Clergymen and letter-to-the-editor writers 

soon joined in. The issue: Should the government-owned 

BBC have given Humanist Knight the air 

The conservative Daily Telegraph snorted at the idea 

that a question of free speech was involved. Atheistic views, 

it held, are no more entitled to broadcast time than a de 

fense of polygamy, homosexuality, or Communism. The con 

servative Daily Mail did not agree. "Christianity is not so 

weak a faith that its adherents should run screaming from 

those who attack it," proclaimed the Mail on its front page. 

"Mrs. Knight has perhaps shocked a number of people into 

thinking for themselves." The liberal Star came out against 

the BBC; the conservative Standard and News both defended 

public airing of Mrs. Knight's views. The "panic" over Mrs. 

Knight, said the Laborite Daily Herald, is "an insult to 

public intelligence." 

The Church of England's Archbishop of York dismissed 

Mrs. Knight's views as "the stock in trade of atheists and 

agnostics for at least two 

and the Bishop of 

Coventry rounded on both BBC ("irresponsible") and Mrs. 

Knight (a "pernicious 

by a "brusque, socompetent, 

bossy female"). The Rev. Dr. Donald Soper, fireeating 

Methodist leader, went to her defense. "The alterna 

tive to such discussion is to mollycoddle religion ... As 

Christians we should welcome the opportunity for examina 

tion of the fundamentals of our faith . 

When the Trumpet Gives an Uncertain Sound 

A very casual reading 


. 

of the above shows how 

weak is the call to the battle of the Lord's official 

trumpeter, the Church, blowing hot and cold, driven 

and tossed by every wind of doctrine (if you will 

pardon mixed metaphors). In confirmation of this, 

permit another quotation from TIME. 

Is Adultery Forgivable 

Should one infidelity disrupt a marriage No, says the 

Archbishop of Canterbury, and last week British newspapers 

were making shocker headlines out of it. 

The papers first picked up the Archbishop's answer in 

an Anglican pamphlet called The Church and Marriage. 

"It is the law which has made a single act of adultery a 

ground for divorce, not the 

he said. "The church 

would wholly approve if the law was no longer content to 

accept a single act of adultery as a sufficient 

ground." 

Other 

British prelates have gone on record in the same vein 

lately. Unfaithfulness, said the Archbishop of York, "should 

never be treated as the one unforgivable 

sin," 

and Bishop 

J.W.C. Wand of London said in a sermon : "It is a pernicious 

idea that if one partner has been unfaithful, then the home 

must be destroyed." 

Methodist leaders chimed in agreement, but the British 

press seemed to think otherwise. The idea was "startling" 

to the Daily Mail, which editorialized on its front page: "As 

Dr. Wand reminds us, forgiveness is a Christian virtue. 

But so is chastity 

. 

are told, in the Seventh Com 

mandment, 'Thou shalt not commit adultery.' 

It does not 

say, 'Thou shalt not commit adultery more than Or 

more than twice ... a single act of infidelity to be ap 

plied only to one sudden fall from grace, or also to an in 

fatuation that may 

ever . . 

go on for weeks and then end for 

The sensational Daily Mirror polled some of its 4,432,700 

readers and found that three out of four husbands and 

three out of five wives thought a husband's single act of 

adultery was ground for divorce. When the adultery was 

committed by a wife, three-fourths of the husbands again 

voted thumbs down on the marriage, though only a little 

more than half the wives agreed. 

Certainly every sin is forgivable where there is 

repentance unto life. But the Church must hold to 

the standard, "Be ye holy, for I am holy." "Thou hast 

given a banner to them that fear thee that it may be 

displayed (unsmirched and at full mast) because 

of the truth." Ps. 60 :4 paranthesis mine. 

I write these things because so many people are 

saying, "We are leaving the Covenanter Church for 

a larger group. It doesn't make much difference 

where you belong. All churches are good, and they 

have good 

I have a letter on my desk 

from a family that moved out to the suburbs of one 

of our large cities, and the distance and the traffic 

were so inconvenient, that they selected one of the 

most conservative Presbyterian churches for their 

church home. But it wasn't home, and now they are 

back home in a Covenanter church and they say it's 

worth going twice the distance to be back. 

Yes it does make a difference to you and to your 

children, and your children's children when you sell 

the heritage of your fathers. We are printing on a 

later page an article "A Wonderful and Horrible 

Thing," 

for though nothing is more distasteful to 

us than throwing stones at other churches, there are 

times when most unpleasant duties must be done. 

Would you entrust a blind child of yours to be led 

by a blind guide 85

ministers' 

more." 

Covenant Keeping 

Dr. Paul Coleman 

Sabbath Morning Address before the Covenant Signing at Grinnell July 18, 195 U 

It was Sabbath morning of communion for the 

Covenanters in southeast Scotland, and the people 

from a distance who had found lodging in the neigh 

boring towns over night were up and out early to 

meet at an appointed spot, and then march together 

about a mile to the place of preaching for the day. 

It was a long, long procession and behind them rode 

the horsemen as a rearguard. For though it was in 

1668 during an interlude of persecution which men 

afterwards called "The Blink," none knew when it 

might end. Along the stream they traveled to a place 

where they saw the tent, and the long 

communion tables had been arranged by the side of 

the stream ; while the hills circling round were a 

natural grassy amphitheater where thousands might 

sit down. Ministers Dickson and John Blackader were 

the speakers for the service, and all through the 

morning, the people listened. Then after intermis 

sion came the sacrament, and though two hundred 

at one time might be served at the tables, there were 

sixteen tables that day. Again and again 

they heard 

the words, "This cup is the new testament in my 

blood ; 

. . drink ye all of it." At some time during the 

service there was the singing of the 103rd Psalm, 

and none who heard it that day would ever forget 

the glory of it. For generations that was the Psalm of 

communion service among the Covenanters in Scot 

land and northern Ireland. 

Along with other Covenanters from Scotland, Ire 

land and America, I shared in Greyfriars Church in 

the closing service of the 1938 convention commem 

orating the 300th anniversary of the signing of the 

National Covenant of Scotland. I might try to de 

scribe the place and the history in the hope that they 

might bring an inspiration to covenant keeping now. 

Instead, I believe the Lord has led me in planning 

to build an association today between this covenant 

of 1954 and the 103rd Psalm, the communion Psalm 

of covenant renewal, already known and loved by you 

all. Will you help me to do that 

According to this covenant of 1954, we say, "We 

accept Jesus Christ as our Saviour from sin and own 

Him as our Lord." Under Covenant Obligations, we 

say, "Accepting the Covenant of Grace we do under 

take the following obligations of this our Covenant. 

We do covenant with God that we will seek to con 

form our lives to the teaching and example of our 

Lord Jesus Christ." That is the foundation of it all. 

Like the Covenanters of old, we would dwell deep in 

the fellowship of God. This was the unfailing source 

of their strength ; the chief subject of their preach 

ing. It brought to their meetings some like Marion 

Harvey who on the scaffold just before her execu 

tion for holding to the covenants gave her testi 

mony; "I am about twenty years of age; at fourteen 

or fifteen, I was a hearer of the curates and the 

indulged (ministers) and while I was a hearer of 

these, I was a blasphemer and Sabbath breaker, and 

a chapter of the Bible was a burden to me ; but since 

I heard the persecuted gospel, I durst not blaspheme 

nor break the Sabbath and the Bible has become my 

86 

delight." 

May we not hope that this portion of our 

covenant of 1954 may become to many here today an 

expression of assured fact ; that from this time they 

may have a fresh hope in Christ. And FOR ALL OF 

US, there must foe a new earnestness in keeping those 

regulations of the covenant which make us belong to 

Christ, children of God, now and forever, with all the 

unfolding riches of Christian blessing and experience. 

"0 my soul bless thou Jehovah; all within me bless 

His name; bless Jehovah, and forget not all His 

proclaim." 

mercies to 

Every reason for making this covenant with God, 

is a reason for keeping this covenant with God. For 

since it is a Biblical covenant in its profession of 

faith and obligations to Christian duties, it is GOD'S 

PROPOSAL TO US as a church and as individuals; 

and as always with God's covenants with men, its 

advantages far outweigh its obligations. 

By 1668 and the communion at the Nesbit con 

venticle, the National Covenant was thirty years 

past, and the Solemn League and Covenant between 

the Protestants of England and the Covenanters of 

Scotland was 25 years past, but their loyalty to them 

was still a test question. When Charles I. tried to 

bring an army from England to subdue the Scotch 

to his absolute will, he was met by a Scotch army 

under command of General Leslie and flying the Blue 

Banner "For Christ's Crown and Covenant." He dar 

ed not fight then. He lost his throne and his life. 

But in 1660 his son Charles II. promised to support 

the covenants if he could come home from exile and 

be king. The Covenanters trusted him ; he swore the 

covenants; then denounced them; and loyalty to 

them became a legal crime. Scotch ministers who 

would not yield to him had to leave their churches 

and parsonages; and hundreds of them did. Little 

by little, he won most of them back by apparent com 

promises. He forced bishops whom he could control 

on the Presbyterians of Scotland whom otherwise he 

could not control. Men were required to attend 

churches approved by the government; conventicles 

were forbidden, and attendance on them punished by 

fine, or death, or prison or banishment. 

The Reformed faith was in peril in Scotland, as on 

the continent. Would all Scotchmen surrender The 

stricter Covenanters included loyalty to the cove 

nants as part of their terms of communion. And 

when they sang in Psalm 103, "He made known 

race," 

His ways to Moses, and His acts to Israel's 

they believed also that God had made His ways 

known through the leaders to the Reformation to 

Scotchmen truth in trust, God's truth in trust, 

God's precious truth founded in the Scriptures ; and 

their love of the Lord had to take precedence of any 

command of the king, whatever the cost. 

As the Killing Times came on, it seemed to some 

that the price of loyalty to the covenants was too 

heavy for some. An old acquaintance of Donald Cargill's 

once said of him, "What needs all this ado 

We will get heaven and they will get 

When no 

the protest was repeated to Cargill, he replied, 

COVENANTER WITNESS

will," 

covenants." 

you" 

you" 

in his noble way, "Yes, we will get more ; we will get 

God glorified on heaven." 

earth, which is more than 

The Covenanter ministers were excellent evangel 

ists and men of rich Christian experience. Had they 

given up the struggle against the king's invasion of 

the rights of Jesus Christ, they 

could have retired 

to the common rank of ministers, have enjoyed 

peace, security 

after a fashion and large congre 

gations, instead of wandering, hunger, weariness 

and death. 

Covenanters of today, I do not need to tell you 

that you will pay the price for loyalty to high stand 

ards, if you are faithful. Living in small, and often 

scattered congregations, meeting discouragement in 

choosing difficult goals like a Scriptural worship, a 

Christian amendment, truly Christian patriotism, 

you will meet much misunderstanding. It would be 

easy for you, perhaps, if your conscience would al 

low it for you to slip back into common standards 

of Christian practice and give up the Psalms. But 

the 103rd Psalm protests against any such capitu 

lation, and reminds us that truth is given to be 

honored, to be expressed, to be obeyed. 

It is an inspiration to those of us who are older 

to join them and you in taking a covenant written 

largely by comparatively young leaders in the church. 

The father of Dr. Bruce Willson, chairman of the 

committee, was in the seminary when I was there. 

It is a rich hope for the future that coming leaders 

of the church have been so prominent in arranging 

for this service. Dr. Boyd Tweed, like many others 

who looked forward to this day, and in whose place 

I speak, have gone to be with the Lord. "But as 

the 103rd Psalm reminds us, Jehovah's lovingkind 

ness unto them that fear His name, from eternity 

abideth to eternity the same ; 

and his righteousness 

remaineth to His people and their seed who His cove 

nant remember and His precepts hear and heed." 

The leader of the Covenanters came to feel that 

endurance was not enough; that persecution must 

have a penalty for the persecutors; that tyranny 

must be challenged. Richard Cameron at Sanquhar 

in June 1, 1680 posted a proclamation that the king 

had by his tyranny forfeited his right to the throne, 

and declared revolution against him. In a few months 

Cameron had died in battle, as he expected. But the 

Covenanters had seized the initiative. Donald Car 

gill at Torwood, excommunicated the king and six of 

his councilors. Shortly he was captured and executed. 

Before I go further, let me say that besides de 

veloping our own Christian experience, and seek 

ing to win others to Christ ; besides holding our testi 

mony to the truth God has given us, and doing our 

utmost to see that our children shall also keep this 

covenant with God, we must aim to hold the initia 

tive in some portion of our work everywhere as far 

as we may. It is a builder of morale, it is a witness 

to our faith that victory lies ahead. 

At the execution of Cargill, one of the spectators 

was an earnest Christian young man named James 

Renwick. As he watched and listened he felt God's 

call to be Cargill's successor. The Covenanters sent 

Renwick to Holland for his theological training. 

When the time of his ordination came, he was ask 

ed, "James Renwick, will you be a faithful minister of 

the gospel of Christ, a faithful witness to His truth 

as God has given it to you " "I he promised. 

They ordained him and he eagerly 

returned to Scot- 


land to keep his promise. For nearly five years he 

was the leading minister, often the only minister 

of the Covenanters. Sometimes, like his predeces 

sors he preached the message of salvation through 

the Saviour he loved, in sermons that are still part 

ly on record. Often he took a text as, "He must 

reign till he hath put all his enemies under his feet." 

Sometimes he preached courage to the persecuted. 

The authorities heard of him and tried to lay hands 

on him. When he went to Sanquhar, five years after 

Cameron's proclamation of revolution, and repeated 

the proclamation, the government was furious. The 

price on his head was increased. Anyone was for 

bidden to feed or fail to inform against him. But for 

nearly three more years he traveled from place to 

place, preaching, baptizing 600 babies in one year 

writing, resting a little, preaching, preaching, pro 

claiming revolution in the name of Christ the King. 

After three years he was captured, and condemned 

to die. 

Often through the years there had come to his 

memory the question, "James Renwick, will you be 

a faithful witness to His truth as God has given it 

you" 

to 

That day he took his place on the scaffold, and fac 

ed that vast throng that had come to see, to hear, 

this young man who had so alarmed a kingdom. He 

began to speak. But the commander ordered the 

drummers to drown out his words ; they feared what 

he might say, and revolution was in the air. So Ren 

wick lifted up his voice to sing, that magnificent 

voice trained by months of speaking in the open air. 

The drums were quiet now, and the people caught 

the words of the communion Psalm, the Psalm of 

covenant renewal. The very singing of it was like the 

lifting of the Blue Banner of the Covenant before 

that throng. He sang of the riches of God's mercy, 

and eyes filled with tears. He sang of God's faith 

fulness through the generations to those who kept 

covenant. Was he thinking of the six hundred young 

couples whose children he had baptized "Whose 

would be the 

Would this cause ever die 

When the Psalm was finished he turned quickly to 

the 19th chapter of Revelation and read of the 

rider on the white horse . . . "and the armies which 

were in heaven followed him upon white horses . . . 

and he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name 

written, King of kings and Lord of Lords." He was 

ready to go now. "James Renwick were you a faith 

ful minister of the truth God gave to Cove 

nanters of America, the Lord says today, "Will 

What shall we answer when He says, "Did you " 

GLIMPSES Cont'd from page 82 

they, 

1) should not claim directly or by implication that 

cigaret smoking is beneficial to health in any respect; 2) 

should not claim directly or indirectly that cigaret smokng 

in general or the use of any particular brand is "not harm 

3) should not claim that any brand 

ful" 

or 

"non-irritating" 

; 

of cigaret contains less nicotine, tar, resins, or other harm 

ful substances unless it can be proved conclusively; 4) should 

not refer to throat, larnyx, lungs, nose, or any 

other part of 

the body or to digestion, energy, nerves, or doctors; 5) should 

not in any way imply medical approval; 6) should be limited 

to subjects of quality, taste, flavor, enjoyment, and other 

similar matters of opinion; 7) should only contain genuine 

testimonials. 

87

people." 

worship" 

works.' 

slavery" 

story," 

seen" 

ground" 

events" 

"A Wonderful and Horrible Thing 

By Rev. A. Franklin Faucette 

From Christian Beacon, used by Permission 

Even a cursory survey of the teaching materials 

of the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A., in the New Cur 

riculum for the Sunday school reveals a tragic story 

of apostasy and shameless unbelief. One example 

among many concerns a text written by Hulda Nie 

buhr, The One Story, intended for teenagers, and 

purporting to cover the whole Bible in rapid review ; 

only the tale is shot through with the most subtle 

and destructive criticism of the Bible, and with 

propaganda slanted to promote the socialistic aims 

of the National and World Councils of Churches. 

The Prologue advises that "through the many 

pages of the Bible runs one great a story 

made up of many stories, "history, biography, para 

ble, legend, even a fable or two." On page 47, the 

legends are ascribed to the stories about Elijah : "In 

the later years many legends were told about Elijah, 

and the people always expected that he would come 

again to hold them to their course as the Lord's own 

Since the Lord Jesus Christ Himself de 

clared that Elijah would indeed return (Matt. 17 :11), 

He, too, bears the stigma of the perpetrator of fic 

ticious tales. 

Reading a little further we come upon the ac 

count of Abraham, here represented as following the 

pagan customs of the heathen in the offering of 

Isaac: "In the land where Abraham lived it was 

the custom of the people to offer their first-born 

child as a sacrifice to their gods. When he thought 

of this custom, Abraham was deeply troubled. Was 

not the Lord God he worshiped as worthy of great 

gifts as the gods of his Canaanite neighbors All 

that he had was given to him by God ; could he hold 

back even the greatly loved and long-promised son 

So it came about that Abraham believed that God's 

voice said to him, 'Take your son, your only son, 

and offer him at the sacred place in the land of 

Moriah' 

... 

They came to the sacred place on the 

mountain, and there Abraham and Isaac built an 

altar. When all was prepared for the sacrifice, and 

Abraham was ready to offer his son, the true word 

of the Lord came to him. It came to him so clearly 

and surely that he believed God had sent a messenger 

to stay his hand, saying, 'Lay not your hand upon 

the lad !' . . . Now he knew that God had taught him 

a better way to (pp. 14,15). One has only 

to read the Bible account in Genesis 22 :1 to see what 

despite has been done to the plain sense of the Word 

of God. 

The Mosaic account of the Exodus fares no 

better; "This is a story full of 'signs and wonders 

and mighty Exactly what happened is not 

always entirely clear from the ancient records, but 

the fact is clear that God used His power to deliver 

His chosen people from (p. 23). The records 

are cloudy but the facts are clear what kind of 

reasoning is this According to this reasoning the 

miracles become merely phenomena of nature; the 

Passover, the great redemptive act of God, worthy 

of no notice at all ; and the pillar of cloud and of fire 

88 

omitted, completely ignored. On the crossing of the 

Red Sea, we read: "A strong wind drove back the 

waters and the Israelites found a marshy place where 

they could cross on foot" (p. 23). 

Moses' 

rod becomes an object of superstition: 

"The people had seen that staff in Moses' hand as 

he led them through the hardships of their journey 

and he used it to open springs of water in the rocks. 

Therefore they had come to believe that God worked 

through it in a special way. Perhaps Moses thought 

so too, for he held it high as he stood on the hill 

overlooking the battle (p. 26). 

Even Moses' death furnishes a basis for folk 

lore: "When the people had watched for him for 

a long time in vain, they knew he had died there (on 

Mount Nebo). They taught their children that the 

Lord Himself showed Moses the Promised Land, 

from the north to the south and from the eastern 

desert to the sea, and that when Moses died, the 

Lord himself laid his body to rest in a grave no man 

had ever (p. 30). 

Of the Book of Joshua we are told : "The story 

of the conquest of the Promised Land, as we have it 

in the Bible, has been woven together by the Bible 

writers out of two stories from different sets of in 

herited memories. One story says that Joshua and 

his troops conquered the country quickly, after the 

miraculous fall of the walls of Jericho. The other 

story tells how the country was conquered 'by little 

and little," and how in the process the people learned 

to distinguish their God from the gods of the 

heathen. The first expresses above all the wonder 

of the people at God's guidance and help ; the second 

gives a clearer picture of the historical (p. 

31). In other words, fact and fiction combine to give 

us the Book of Joshua. Both combine to produce the 

story 

of the fall of Jericho: "When the ruins of 

ancient Jericho were dug out in our 

time, the walls 

were found toppled over as if an earthquake had 

occurred. The wonder was that by God's providence 

it happened when Israel was entering the Promised 

Land. The ancient story says, 'They shouted with a 

great 

fell" 

the city 

shout,' 

and as the people shouted, the walls of 

(.32). 

Socialistic propaganda is put in the mouth of 

Joshua where he is represented as answering a 

hypothetical question posed by the people, "How is 

it that so many Canaanite cities are not as strong 

as their walls made you think" Joshua could an 

swer : "It is as I told you long ago when I spied out 

the country for Moses ; there is no spirit in the peo 

ple. No man trusts any other; they are not united. 

Many of them, you can see, are slaves of the few 

wealthy ones who own chariots and big houses. 

Slaves do not care who owns the land. And they all 

power!" 

worship gods who have no (p. 33.) 

The same theme is repeated in describing condi 

tions in the time of Christ: "It was not only the 

double tax and unjust increases often demanded by 

dishonest collectors of the Roman tax that caused 

COVENANTER WITNESS

us'" 

plenty" 

gods.' 

sign," 

called" 

men" 

awaiting!'" 

animals" 

poverty; there was also the unfair competition of 

slave labor. Small landowners and businessmen were 

unable to purchase slaves to assist in vineyard or 

farm or garden or shop, so they were driven out of 

business because they could not sell products at the 

same prices as the rich owners of slaves. Then those 

whom they had employed lost their jobs and had 

to stand all day long in the market place hoping, 

often in vain, that someone might hire them. They 

had no reserves for times of drought or sickness or 

unemployment; for many of these people salvation 

meant a time of prosperity and (pp. 107, 

108). 

When the author gets around to Isaiah, the 

sign of the virgin's Son, Isaiah 7:14, is passed over, 

though the challenge of Isaiah, "Ask a is 

quoted. The omission of the sign itself is unexcusable. 

But when one observes that all references (which 

are printed in a special section in the back of the 

book) are from the translation of Moffatt and from 

the Revised Standard Version, it is understandable. 

Perhaps the most serious indictment of The 

One Story lies in the radical late dating of the books 

of the Bible. The purpose behind this attempt of the 

higher critics is to obliterate the element of pre 

dictive prophecy, and to obscure the evidences of 

the supernatural in the Bible. Witness the ascription 

of the books of Moses to unknown and spurious 

writers, who forged documents and palmed them off 

as the authentic works of Moses : "Some of the faith 

ful sat down to write another 

book, about something 

they believed to be a matter of life and death for 

their countrymen to know. Through the history of 

their people and the word of the prophets they had 

learned that a nation disobeys God's commands 

destroys itself. So they wrote a book in which they 

told the secret of life and death which they had dis 

covered: 'Obey God and live; disobey and the result 

is destruction.' It was a book of laws interpeting the 

law of God, and when it was finished they hid it in 

the Temple for safekeeping. There it stayed through 

the wicked reign of Manasseh and the reign of his 

son. More than eighty years later, when good king 

Josiah ruled the land of Judah and had the Temple 

cleaned and repaired, the book was found. When it 

was read to the king, he tore his robe in sorrow and 

called his counselors to hear the reading. 'Listen to 

this from the book," he said. 'The book of the laws 

says, "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one God," 

but our people are ... 

worshiping many To Hil 

kiah the priest and to Shaphan the scribe the king 

gave the command, 'Go, inquire if this book is truly 

the word of the Lord,' and they asked the prophetess 

Huldah. She answered, 'It is truly the word of the 

Lord, and the anger of the Lord is great against 

(pp. 66, 67). 

When these things were pointed out to a teacher 

who uses this Curriculum in a Presbyterian Sabbath 

school, and also in the public school of which she 

is religious director, she stated that she did not 

care whether the Bible is true or not, for she is only 

concerned with ethics. This is apparently the attitude 

of the Board of Christian Education of the Presby 

terian Church, U.S.A., under whose auspices the 

New Curriculum is produced. One need not stop to 

ponder the ethics of using the product of deceit 

and fraud to inculcate morality in the mind of youth ! 

Suffice it to say that even Jeremiah is made a party 


to the fraud : "The first task that came to Jeremiah 

was to proclaim in the towns of Judah and in the 

streets of Jerusalem the laws the people had agreed 

to accept in the reform instituted by King Josiah. 

'Listen to the terms of the law and obey them," he 

(p. 69). 

The Book of Leviticus is reserved for separate 

treatment by another ghost writer and forger: 

"Then one of their leaders, who had been taught 

by Ezekiel, compiled and edited a book of laws. Over 

and over again it says to the reader, 'You shall be 

holy : for I the Lord your God am holy.' These laws 

gave many directions about keeping the Sabbath and 

the feasts. They told about food that might be eaten 

and about the slaughtering of 

(p. 80). 

Again: "Some of them began to rewrite the 

story in the light of their new understanding of 

God's ways with them" (p. 81) 

. 

Again : 

"There arose at this time a new prophet, 

one whose name we do not know, a man who had 

great compassion for his people. We do not know 

whether he lived in Babylon or Palestine. . . . Years 

later his writings were put in the same book with 

those of the prophet Isaiah." Why cannot the critics 

period." 

simply say, "We do not know 

In the four hundred years between the Old and 

New Testaments other unknowns are introduced. 

One of "the thoughtful wrote a propaganda 

piece to promote the idea, "We are meant to share 

our knowledge of God" (p. . 

96) So he wrote the story 

of Jonah. "Some of those who read the book became 

very thoughtful. They said, 'We are as bad and sel 

fish as Jonah! Perhaps our laws are not all the 

Lord's will ! Perhaps at one time it was his will that 

we should bar non-Jews from companionship with 

us, but not any more! He wants us to love mercy 

and have compassion and to share our knowledge 

of God." 

In reaction to this sentiment some one else 

wrote another piece of propaganda about Ruth, 

a Moabitess. To authenticate his story, he tells from 

his viewpoint an outright lie: "The writer knew 

that many would say, 'But that was long ago, before 

we had our law!' So he told them in the story, "She 

was the ancestress of our greatest king, David, whose 

successor we are always 

(pp. 97, 98). 

The Book of Job, too, is named as a product 

of this period, written as a book of comfort and 

circulated on the sly in the days of Antiochus Epiphanes. 

It told of Daniel, "a hero persecuted for his 

faith during the days of the nation's captivity. Daniel 

had not been hurt even in a den of lions, and his 

friends came unharmed out of a fiery furnace of 

tribulation, heated seven times hotter than ever be 

fore. 'God is with us in all our trials,' it meant to 

care' " 

say, 'We are never out of his (p. 100). The 

story leaves the realm of fact and becomes an alle 

gory, and the furnace a figure of speech. 

Such expedients employed as a means of de 

stroying the supernatural reduce the Old Testament 

to a class of literature dishonest, derelict, and dis 

credited. In answer, we cite the findings of one of 

the world's greatest Hebrew scholars, Dr. Robert 

Dick Wilson, who maintained that the foreign words 

and phrases imbedded in the text of the Hebrew are 

fully consistent with the early date of the Bible 

books, as well as the endorsement of Jesus Christ 

89

you!' 

sight." 

you!" 

want" 

aries." 

me." 

monkey." 

sins" 

Himself to the utter confusion and refutation of the 

critics. 

The New Testament also suffers at the hands of 

the Barthian revamper. The temptation of Jesus 

Christ comes out as a subjective experience: "When 

thoughts came to him in the desert of bringing sal 

vation to his people by any of the ways they were 

expecting, he knew it was Satan and not God who 

was putting the ideas before him" (p. 111). Jesus 

is set against Moses and the Old Testament: 

"Against what was written in our sacred books in 

olden times Jesus sets his own word: 'But I say 

unto "They found no fault with this attitude 

of Jesus. They felt in him a deep self-assurance that 

had no hint of arrogance. They knew he was helping 

them to understand better what God's will had really 

been from the beginning" (p. 115). 

For the rest, by insinuation, intimidation and 

innuendo the Bible record is distorted, dishonored, 

and destroyed. John is represented as disillusioning 

the people waiting for Christ's return: "To the 

people waiting for Jesus' return, John's gospel said : 

'He does not need to return to be with us. He has 

come to us through the Spirit of God whom he has 

us.'" 

sent to dwell in The Book of Revelation becomes 

an allegory symbolic of the conflict of good and evil 

in the world (pp. 184, 185) 

. 

The One Story is "a wonderful and horrible 

thing." 

It is the calculated blueprint for wrecking 

the faith of unsuspecting boys and girls in the Scrip 

practice." 

tures, "the only infallible rule of faith and 

^^^^^^^^^ *^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^*&'^^^^^^^^^ 


MAKING $9 GO FARTHER THAN $10 

The late Henry Clay Trumbull, founder of The 

Sunday School Times, once said: "If a Christian 

man has an income large enough to supply all his 

needs without difficulty, there is neither shadow of 

excuse nor show of decency in his failure to pay 

one-tenth of it to the Lord. But when one feels the 

pinch of poverty every day of his life, then it is im 

portant that he should bear in mind that 9 cents 

will go farther than 10 cents would go, and that 

$9.00 will go farther than $10.00 would go, in pro 

viding for himself and his loved ones, when that 

other cent or that other dollar has been paid to the 

Lord, who claims it as His own. 

"There is no mistake about this to him who has 

faith. Every child of God who has rested on this 

truth has found it to be a source of unfailing de 

pendence. Only those disbelieve it who have never 

trusted God enough to try it even as an experiment. 

It is with individuals as it is with churches in this 

matter. Neither their troubles nor their doubts ever 

come from their giving too freely of their substance 

to the Lord." 

Quoted in "God's Principle of Giving," a tract 

published by Stewardship Department, Moody Bible 

Institute. 

Lake Reno 


JUNIOR TOPIC 



A LESSON IN PRAYER 


Memory Verse: "And Jesus answered 

and said unto him, What wilt thou that 

I should do unto thee The blind man 

said unto him, Lord, that I might re 

ceive my 

Psalms: 

Mark 10:51 

February Memory Psalm 25 :3-6, page 

57 

Psalm 143 :4, 5, page 347 

Psalm 119:1, 2, 6, part 22, page 312 

Psalm 5:1, 2, page 7 

Not long before His last week before 

He was crucified, Jesus and His disciples 

were at Jericho. One day Jesus was 

walking along the road with His disci 

ples and a great crowd followed Him. A 

blind man named Bartimaeus sat by the 

side of the road. He held a little cup or 

container and people would drop in a 

few pennies as they passed by. With this 

money he would get a little food to eat. 

It was a lonely time that he had but he 

would listen to people talking as they 

went by. One day he heard about Some- 

90 

one who was able to open the eyes of a 

blind man. Bartimaeus perked up his 

ears and listened for any more news of 

this Healer. How excited he was when 

he heard that the reason for such a 

crowd was that this Healer was passing 

by. So Bartimaeus called out, "Jesus, 

thou Son of David, have mercy on 

People tried to quiet him and to tell him 

that Jesus didn't want anything to do 

with such a poor man as he. But he 

would not be comforted. What joy was 

his when someone said, "Jesus has sent 

for Quickly he dropped his beg 

gar's garment and came to Jesus. Jesus 

said, "How do you want me to have 

mercy 

on you What is it that you 

The blind man said, "Lord, that 

I might receive my 

stored his sight. 

sight." 

And Jesus re 

We have called this story "A Lesson 

in Prayer." Jesus was teaching Barti 

maeus and us to be definite in our 

prayers. Jesus knows what we have need 

of before we ask Him, but He wants us 

to recognize our needs. Let us stop to 

think a little about our prayers. We 

pray for our missionaries. We say, 

"Bless all the foreign and home mission 

How can we make this prayer 

mean more to us We can find out from 

our missionaries about some boy or girl 

who needs something particular. Per 

haps this child loves the Lord but his 

father doesn't. We need to pray for 

this child (by name) and ask God to 

make his father accept Christ. Ask your 

missionary to let you know when your 

prayer is answered. I am reminded of a 

little boy's prayer a grandnephew, I 

think, of Dr. Ida Scudder. "Aunt Ida" 

wanted one million dollars to build a 

hospital in India. The little fellow heard 

about this and that evening in his 

prayers he prayed, "O God, please give 

Aunt Ida one million dollars for her 

hospital and bless my sick 

He knew what he wanted and was defi 

nite in his requests. 

Do we pray, "Bless Daddy and Mother 

and sister and brother and But 

me" 

how do we want God to bless them 

Think of definite ways in which you 

want the Lord to bless them. 

Do we pray, "Forgive us all our 

It's good to use that word "all" so that 

none of our sins is left out, but it's also 

good for us to examine our hearts 

through the day and ask God to forgive 

us for the time we talked back to Dad 

dy, or to forgive us for forgetting to 

make our bed that Mother asked us to 

make in the morning. Let us be more 

definite in our prayers. If possible keep 

COVENANTER WITNESS

awhile." 

you." 

about," 

a "prayerbook." Have a place for the 

date you began to pray for something 

definite, a column to write what you are 

praying for, and a place to put the date 

your prayer is answered. Remember that 

God does not always answer, 

Sometimes He says, 

times "Wait 

"Yes." 

"No," 

and some 

Don't forget to 

thank our Father in heaven for an 

swered prayers. 

For Your Notebook: Start a page as 

.suggested 

above. 





Lessons ; the International Bible Lessons for 

Christian Teaching, copyrighted by International 

Council of Religious Education.) 

THE CHURCH PROCLAIMS THE 

GOSPEL 

15; I Cor. 1:18-25; Col. 1:24-29 

PRINTED TEXT, Acts 2:14, 22-24, 

41; Rom. 10:8-15; I Cor. 2:1-5 

Mark 16:15; Acts 2:14-41; Rom. 10:8- 

37- 

Memory, Rom. 1:16 "For I am not 

ashamed of the gospel: for it is the pow 

er of God unto salvation to every one 

that believeth; to the Jew first, and also 

to the Greek." 

Acts 2 :14 "Be this known to 

Seven weeks had passed since Peter had 

denied his own knowledge of Christ be 

fore the Jews. His denial was the truth. 

Peter did not at that time know Christ. 

He had formed his own picture of Christ, 

but it was not the picture of the Man 

who stood before Pilate. Christ's sub 

mission to the soldiers and to Pilate, be 

wildered him. This was not the Christ 

he had seen on the mountain side and 

in the mountain top, and in the storm 

at sea. Peter has seen a Christ to whom 

great crowds gathered and were fed. 

"Walk;" 

Who said to the lame, to the 

clean;" 

leper, "Be to the dead, "Come 

forth." 

What a disappointment to all Peter's 

hopes, when he saw Christ walk meekly 

with the soldiers, and stand dumb before 

blasphemous judges in a mock trial. 

Peter did not know that Christ. Why do 

we condemn him so bitterly for his de 

nial when he was telling the truth 

Did the other disciples denounce him 

Did Christ rebuke Peter, even in that 

look turned on him as he went out to 

weep bitterly 

"That look of Christ's might seem to 

say, 

'Thou, Peter, art thou but a common 

stone 

Which I at last, must break My heart 

upon 

For all God's charge to his high angels 

To guard me better 


Do thy kisses like the rest betray 

Go, manifest a right contrition, but no 

beetless fear; 

For when thy last needs dreariest, thou 

shalt not be bereft, 

As I am here, 

My 

voice to God and angels shall de 

clare, 

Because I know this man, let him be 

clear.' " 

Peter had never known The Christ that 

he saw standing before Pilate. Did not 

all the others forsake Him and flee 

Seven wonderful weeks of preparation 

and waiting, and again Peter stands at 

the trial of Jesus before men. Peter 

was not now a weeping 

spectator. He 

was the chief advocate, and instead of 

pleading with men for Christ, he boldly 

puts the Children of Promise on trial be 

fore the throne of Christ, and convicted 

them of cruel murder, 

even the murder 

of their own King and Saviour. The one 

thing that the Jews feared after they 

had crucified Jesus was that He would 

rise from the dead. They tried to pre 

vent it. They bribed the soldiers to deny 

it. And they murdered those who told 

the truth about it. 

Peter reconstructed the story of their 

crime, showing that rebellion against 

Christ had been over-ruled in advance 

by the determinate counsel and fore 

knowledge of God. Call the effect of 

Peter's address on the listeners, mass 

psychology or what you like, 3,000 souls 

were moved. The phrase, "In that day," 

may refer to a series of days in which 

Peter and the others continued to speak 

to the multitudes that kept coming as 

the fame of the gospel spread abroad. 

Those convicted of sin asked the great 

question, and received the great answer. 

Rom. 10:8-15 

In this passage Paul shows some of 

the difficulties, 

and some of the methods 

of Mission work, as he found it in Rome. 

Among the obstacles, he mentions, 

Ignorance (Rom. 10:3). "Being ignor 

ant of God's 

righteousness." 

Sin does 

not appear in its true color, until it is 

seen in the light of God's Righteousness. 

Legalism. "Going 

their own 

about to establish 

righteousness." "Establish," 

find some place on which it would stand. 

"Going 

suggests a continual, be 

wildered and unsuccessful search. 

Stubbornness. 

"Have not submitted 

themselves." 

Nearly all traffic accidents 

are caused by violation of traffic laws. 

This is typical of man's sin. Violation of 

traffic laws is sin, and like all other sins, 

the result is serious, even if there were 

no judgment. Civil judgment is becom 

ing 

more and more severe. Judges are 

saying, "These things must 

says, 

"Woe." 

Every 

stop." 

God 

animal with horse 

sense knows what that means, and stops. 

This is really one of Paul's missionary 

addresses. But his theme is the building 

of the missionary spirit at home, rather 

than rebuking sin abroad. "Those awful 

communists!" 

certainly. But if we blind 

ourselves to all abuses at home, the 

'commies' 

will get us, sure. 

Paul's most prominent word in this 

letter is, 

"believe." 

Without Faith, we 

can do nothing. We cannot even confess, 

if we do not believe. We confess our 

sins, after we profess our faith. Or can 

we always separate the two They are 

closely related. Confession of sin would 

have no value, if there was not faith. 

And faith would be in vain, if it did not 

lead us to acknowledge our sins. Paul 

preaches the Gospel of the Equal Chance 

for all. I do not know if any other 

country has as crucial a test as we have 

here, in the North, as well as in the 

South. The test is much deeper than the 

Supreme Court's decision. 

There are three Greek words trans 

lated "To 

preach." 

Literally, they are, 

to pronounce, to announce, and to evan 

gelize, that is, to tell good tidings. The 

world must have preachers, and preach 

ers must be sent. Sent by whom Christ 

said, "Pray ye the Lord of the harvest, 

that He will send forth laborers." This 

prayer is a pledge that we will do our 

part in supporting the work for which 

we pray. 

1 Cor. 2:1 

Paul had earned as many scholastic 

titles as any man of modern times, 

but he did not use his great learning to 

impress, dazzle, or bewilder folks. He 

had but one message, "Jesus Christ, and 

Him 

crucified." 

He wanted us to stand, 

not in the wisdom of men, but in the 

power of God. 

A Methodist pastor told me that he 

had been sent to a congregation where 

the former pastor had by his eloquence 

and pleasing manner won many to pro 

fess their faith and unite with the 

church. Then this pastor had proven 

morally false, and many of his converts 

had been offended and left the church, 

perhaps left their faith. My 

friend was 

calling on one of his most faithful mem 

bers, a woman well advanced in years. 

She told him of her late conversion, and 

it was under the preaching of the false 

pastor. My friend said, "And how does it 

come that you remained when his other 

converts 

left" 

She replied, "I did not 

join the pastor, I joined Jesus Christ." 

Paul did not want converts to join 

Paul, or Apollos. They might be for 

gotten if they led to a vision of Jesus 

Christ. 

We were hanging to the straps in a 

crowded street car, returning from a 

entertainment 

Rogers-Grilley in the Old 

91

ever" 

non-member." 

riches" 

pray" 

so" 

Opera House. The feature of the en 

tertainment was Griiley's portrayal of 

"The Rivals." In the crowded car, 1 

overheard John Taggart say to George 

Walker, both elders in Geneva, that he 

thought Grilley did not move during that 

whole story. The other said that he 

thought that Grilley must have been all 

over the stage. I tried to remember. I 

could recall no vision of Grilley 

after he 

had introduced the story. I could recall 

then as I do now, only the action-packed 

drama, not on the stage, but out 

among the hills, 

of two armies and two 

soldiers. Grilley could show us the 

drama, because he saw it and forgot all 

else. John the Baptist was willing to de 

crease that Christ might increase. Moses 

was ready to die for his people. Paul was 

ready to be forgotten, 

win some to Christ. 

Psalms: 

that he might 


March 2, 1955 

DOERS of the WORD 

James 1:26-27 


1:1-3, page 2 

15:1-3, page 26 

112:1, 5, page 277 

119:1-3, (part 1) page 287. 

References: Colossians 3:16; II Tim. 

3:16, 17; Matt. 7:24-27; Acts 17:11; I 

Peter 1:22, 23; II Peter 1:19-21; II 

Tim. 2:15; Hebrews 4:12; Eph. 4:30- 

32; Romans 2:13. 

"We believe the Scriptures of the Old 

and New Testaments to be the inspired 

Word of God, the only infallible rule of 

faith and life." This means that we must 

be doers of the Word. Some make a loud 

profession of believing the Bible from 

cover to cover, yet in a practical way, 

they deny the Inspiration of the Scrip 

tures, because they are not doers of the 

Word. Do we not all fail in a measure 

at least 

These two aspects of Christ's life were 

in perfect agreement. Jesus never had 

to say, "Do as I say, not as I do." No 

one could point the finger of scorn at 

Him for His hypocrisy. He practiced 

what He preached and taught. Without 

any fear He could say, "Which of you 

convinceth me of sin" 

John 8:46. 

Doer of the Word is saved. 

The engrafted or the implanted Word, 

that is the Divinely given Word in Con 

trast with something acquired by study, 

is able to save our souls. But we must 

be doers of the Word. In the parable of 

Jesus, Matthew 7:21-27, the wise build 

er makes the foundation of his house a 

matter of serious consideration. And in 

the day of storm, his house fell not for it 

92 

was founded upon a rock. But the fool 

ish builder acted as if a foundation were 

of no consequence and in the day of 

storm, his house fell and great was the 

fall of it. Jesus said whosoever heareth 

these sayings of mine and doeth them 

is a wise builder and in the day of 

storm the wise builder was safe. Peter 

speaks of being born again, not of cor 

ruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by 

the Word of God, which liveth and abid 

eth for 

(I Peter 1:23). 

Doer of the Word looketh and 

continueth therein. 

The forgetful hearer might seem to be 

religious, but his religion is vain. He de 

ceives himself. One writer expresed this 

regret. "When we consider how little 

it costs to be counted among the church 

members in our country, we are trou 

bled. The average church member is not 

conspicuously different from the average 

.Evidently 

this writer 

feels that too many church members are 

forgetful hearers. 

We need to continue in our looking. 

The Bereans were more noble than those 

in Thessalonica, in that they received 

the Word with all readiness of mind, and 

searched the Scriptures daily whether 

those things were 

(Acts 17:11). 

Suppose you were assured that a certain 

rich man had left a will and in that will 

you were named as one of his heirs. But 

no one knew where the man had put the 

will. It seemed very likely that the will 

had been put in some book in his large 

library. How long would you continue to 

look for that will And after finding 

that will would you take merely a pass 

ing glance at it and straightway forget 

all about it You would not forget 

about it if you were an heir. How much 

interest will I have in the Word of God 

which speaks about His "unsearchable 

if I am an heir 

Doer of the Word is blessed. 

How can we believe in the supreme 

value of the Word 

the Gospel of Christ, 

if we do not practice it, spread it, and 

sacrifice time and money to make this 

Word known One may listen with great 

respect to the Word as it is being 

even recite it from 

preached and may 

memory and yet not manifest any of the 

fruits of it. 

Jesus not only 

commanded His dis 

ciples to pray, but He set before them 

the perfect example of prayer. "He con 

tinued all night in prayer to God" (Luke 

6:12). This prayer life of Jesus made a 

deep impression upon, the disciples, so 

much so that they said, "Lord teach us 

to 

(Luke 11:1). We have heard 

much about prayer. Are we receiving the 

blessing which comes to those who pray 

Do we pray 

Jesus emphasized the need of for 

giveness. It is one of the petitions in the 

Lord's prayer. Jesus, the perfect Doer, 

knew the blessedness of forgiveness for 

he prayed, "Father forgive them for 

they know not what they do." Do we 

practice forgiveness too 

Jesus had much to say 

about love. It 

is the new commandment. "A new com 

mandment I give unto you that ye love 

one another as I have loved 

you" 

(John 

13:34-35). Are we doers of the Word in 

this respect 

What is revealed in Psalms 1, 32, 119, 

(first part) and others about blessed 

ness Who is the blessed man 

The doer of 

the Word is helpful 

Evidently the doer of the Word is the 

man who has a pure religion and undefiled 

before God and the Father. And 

this kind of religion is 

defined as a 

helpful service to those in need the 

fatherless and widows. It is being a good 

neighbor (Luke 10:25). "All Scripture 

is given by inspiration of God, and is 

profitable .... that the man of God may 

be perfect (artist) throughly furnished 

unto all good 

works" 

(II Tim. 3:16-17). 

In showing forth this salvation of Christ 

are we artists Jesus went about doing 

good (Acts 10:38). After the Holy Spirit 

came upon the believers at Pentecost 

they prayed, suffered, forgave, loved 

and served. They learned to do what 

Jesus had commanded them to do. What 

a contrast there was between Jesus and 

His 

disciples and the Pharisees. The 

Pharisees made a loud profession of their 

religion, sounding the trumpet when 

they gave alms; standing in the public 

place to pray and even disfiguring their 

faces as if they were fasting (Matt. 6:1- 

18). But the Pharisees fell short in the 

practice of real religion. They were elab 

orate in ceremonial and ritual but lax in 

ethics. Be ye doers of the Word and not 

hearers only. Do we have this mark of 

true wisdom Hearing is useless unless 

it leads to a practical outcome in holy 

living. 

We are not saved by good works but 

saved unto good works (Eph. 2:8-10). 

According to this Epistle, our good 

works are the evidences of a living faith. 

Questions 

1. What are good works Confession 

of Faith, Chap. 16. 

2. How are we enabled to do good 

works 

3. What is the purpose of good works 

Prayer 

1. For the raising of our Church bud 

get. 


3. For growth in our home congre 

gations. 


Church News 

staff of two lady teachers. At the mo 

ment, the probabilities are that they 

would live in the house owned by the 

Church in Wrigley, and carry on the 

Sabbath Schools on Sabbath day with 

THE HOME MISSION BOARD 

January, 1955 

The Home Mission Board met first in 

1955 on Monday, January 10, at the 

Community 

House in Pittsburg. There 

was a good attendance with less than a 

handful of absentees. A great many 

problems of importance concerning the 

fields and the congregations were 

brought before the Board, many of them 

of particular interest to the Church. 

The Southern Mission 

At Selma, Alabama, the School Board, 

which bought the Knox Academy prop 

erty a number of years ago has now de 

cided to sell it again. The money re 

ceived by the Board from that original 

sale has been held through the years in 

Synod's Fund Functioning 

as Endow 

ment, for it has always been the hope 

of the Board that when the Knox prop 

erty was offered for sale, our Board 

would have first opportunity to repur 

chase it, although nothing in writing re 

quires that such be the case. The tract 

is now needed as a play ground for the 

mission and its extensive youth program. 

After hearing the matter explained, the 

Board instructed its Pittsburg officers 

to proceed in securing the property for 

our church use. A recent letter from Dr. 

Brown indicates that the prospects are 

quite hopeful. 

The Indian Mission 

At the Indian Mission, Rev. and Mrs. 

Ward carry on their usually constant 

program. They long for a return to the 

School Bible program of a few years 

ago, when besides Sabbath day services 

they went every week to the Ft. Sill 

School and taught Bible lessons to their 

own group. In recent years, these classes 

have been reduced to Sabbath evening 

classes only and with no opportunity to 

speak to the entire school on stated oc 

casions as before. 

The Board heard happily of new con 

gregational responsibilities recently ac 

cepted by our Apache members. 

The Kentucky Mission 

A great deal of time was given to con 

sideration of the Kentucky Mission. 

In the beginning 

of the work more 

than twelve years ago, the emphasis was 

on Bible teaching in the public schools. 

This was most whole-heartedly wel 

comed by the school authorities in El 

liott county, Kentucky. Late in 1945 the 

opportunity came to buy a church and 

parsonage at Wrigley, Morgan Co., Ken- 


tucky. At the time this seemed to be a 

further opening and a chance to work 

toward the building of a congregation. 

The 1946 Minutes of Synod (pg. 56) 

states concerning Kentucky, "The not 

able event of the year is the appoint 

ment of a minister to the field." 

Over the years a number of matters 

have been brought to light, which could 

not have been well known at the time, 

such as the intense feelings of the moun 

tain folk for immediate baptism by im 

mersion after conversion, the political 

fervor, the wide-spread tobacco raising 

industry, and the constantly changing 

population with little understanding of 

church loyalty to any denomination. The 

Bible teaching 

work has continued with 

a good measure of success. Most teach 

ers are enthusiastic for it, and all the 

school authorities praise the work and 

hold high praise for our workers. 

But Wrigley is a small town of 75 peo 

ple. A group up to about 35 are regular 

attendants at our church and Sabbath 

School, but the community is not such 

that a strong or independent congrega 

tion would be likely to grow. Again and 

again, entire families that appeared to 

be probabilities for church membership 

have moved suddenly and completely 

out of the neighborhood. Mr. Hemphill 

has worked faithfully, loyally, and with 

out sparing himself in any way. But 

there has been little response from the 

people, and of those who have professed 

Christ in the nine years since he went to 

the field only one has united with the 

Covenanter Church, and that one in a 

Beaver Falls congregation. 

Right after Thanksgiving, 1954, a 

committee of Rev. D. 

Howard Elliott 

and Rev. Kermit S. Edgar went to 

Wrigley 

and conferred with the workers. 

After canvassing the entire situation 

with them, and considering a number of 

different proposals, the committee made 

its recommendations to the Board. The 

Board held a special meeting to hear the 

reports and recommendations. The mat 

ter was discussed carefully 

over earnestly. 

and prayed 

It was then decided not to attempt 

further (at least at present) to form a 

congregation at Wrigley, Kentucky. And 

that if Mr. Hemphill is called to another 

field or to a congregation and decided to 

accept the call, the Board will not ap 

point another minister to Kentucky. 

At the same time, it was decided to 

continue the work of Bible teaching in 

the public schools, and to maintain a 

Bible classes in the public schools 

through the week. 

There is no intention to abandon the 

Kentucky field, but only to aim more 

directly at laying a strong ground work 

in the community, of Bible knowledge 

and Bible understanding. This, quite ob 

viously, is more hopeful than that of de 

veloping a self-supporting congregation. 

Miss Ruth Calderwood, most unfor 

tunately, has been ill for some weeks, 

and her work has been carried forward 

by others of the mission staff. The 

Board joined in prayer for her speedy 

recovery and return to the teaching 

work. 

The New Fields 

Of the work in the congregations, the 

reports from the youngest San Diego 

congregation still continue to show the 

way for other groups. The new church, 

built a short time ago, has been out 

grown, and additions must be made if 

the large attendance is to be stabilized. 

A high point in S. S. attendance was 

reached on November 21 with 239 pres 

ent. The congregation has secured the 

additional services of Lie. Marshall 

Smith and his wife. 

New York presbytery is completing 

plans to purchase property and open its 

new field at East Bend Park near 

Poughkeepsie in the near future. A fulltime 

worker is still needed and 

being 

sought. In the meantime, the Newburgh 

congregation has most graciously agreed 

to continue for two years the salary of 

its pastor, the Rev. Charles Sterrett, as 

he plans to live in the new community 

and open work, while ministering also in 

the regular services to the Newburgh 

people. The congregation is to be com 

mended for its generous offer, and Mr. 

Sterrett is to be encouraged and prayed 

for in the larger effort he is undertak 

ing. The presbytery still seeks the serv 

ices of a full-time minister and his fam 

ily. 

A Welcome 

The Board rejoiced to hear of the re 

ception by New York presbytery of the 

Rev. Walter J. Magee as a new minis 

ter in the Covenanter Church. He comes 

to us from the Orthodox Presbyterians. 

We welcome him as a brother minister, 

and will welcome his family into our 

fellowship. His daughter is a student at 

Geneva College. He may be reached at 

Box 328, Goshen, N. Y. 

Other matters, too, were before the 

Board for decision 

some additional fi 

nancial help there, the call for a work 

er here, church and property improve- 

93

us." 

ments elsewhere. Your Board seeks 

earnestly to minister in its field to the 

best advantage with the means the 

Church provides. It prays that the de 

cisions reached may 

contribute to a 

more effective Home Mission Field. It 

can be most effective in its "labor" only 

when the Church seeks effectiveness in 

its "prayer to God for 

YOU HAVE PRAYED, NOW YOU 

CAN HELP 

By A. J. McFarland, D.D. 

Several weeks ago a letter was sent 

to the superintendents of the Sabbath 

Schools of our church urging coopera 

tion in publicizing the financial needs of 

the Christian Amendment Movement. 

The inspiration for that letter came 

from a young 

woman in one of our 

smaller congregations who urged her 

Sabbath School to give the Movement 

support so that she would have a good 

example to set before other Sabbath 

Schools in her city when she went to 

ask them to help out. We felt her in 

terest and enthusiasm were worth imi 

tating, thus we told the story and sug 

gested to other Sabbath Schools that 

they "go and do thou likewise." This 

small congregation of 25 members prom 

ised $10.00 per month. We said in our 

letter that if 200 Sabbath Schools could 

be found who would promise $5.00 per 

month the C.A.M. could get along nice 

ly. 

It was not our intention that these 

should be all Covenanter Sabbath 

Schools, nor even a fourth of them Cove 

nanter Sabbath Schools, but we did hope 

for a real drive in 

every community 

where we have a church, to get other 

churches in their community behind the 

Movement. A similar letter was sent to 

nearly 400 out-of-bound Covenanters 

urging them to approach the churches in 

their local communities. Preceding that, 

some 23,000 letters were sent to minis 

ters of all denominations all over the 

United States, enclosing a poster which 

listed 185 stations that are carrying 

"The Way Out," and asking for finan 

cial support. 

It is not our thought that any of this 

money that comes from the Sabbath 

Schools is to take money away from the 

budget. If any Sabbath School has sent 

money to the C.A.M. due to this appeal 

which was sent out, that you feel would 

have gone to the budget, please let me 

know the amount and I will send to the 

budget, out of my own funds, the 

amount you have sent in. 

I happen to know that this question 

was up in the Sabbath School that is 

sending in the $10.00 per month, and 

the reply 

was that this was not to in 

terfere with the budget. I have seen 

Covenanter Sabbath Schools give money 

94 

to the Gideons, the Greeks, the Anti- 

Saloon League and many other good 

causes. Why should not our Sabbath 

Schools give to another national organi 

zation such as the C.A.M., if it will serve 

as an example and inspiration to other 

Sabbath Schools in the community to do 

likewise. 

The need of the C.A.M. is critical. One 

person can do only so much. I have been 

asked by the Committee to try to keep 

the radio stations booked, up to near 

180; to try to take care of all matters 

in connection with the stations receiv 

ing tapes; to go to Washington to lobby 

for the Bill; to keep plugging away at 

trying to raise the money. It reminds me 

of an elderly 

man who used to work 

across the fence from us in Oklahoma. 

There were four or five of us boys and 

our father working on one side of the 

fence and this lone man on the other. 

He was quite a joker and as we met at 

the end of the field one day he said, 

"One time there was a lone negro hoeing 

cotton in a field, and right across the 

fence were ten negroes hoeing. He 

looked at the ten negroes and said, "Ten 

negroes ten rows, one negro one row. 

HOW I HATE ONE NEGRO." I am 

getting to the place where I feel almost 

like the lone negro. I simply cannot do 

everything in this work and do any of 

the tasks well. It looked as though we 

would be on 300 stations by the end of 

the year, April 1, but lack of money has 

prohibited that. 

To get this money is a job. Sending 

letters to complete strangers, or one 

man going into new communities and 

interviewing complete strangers will not 

do this job alone. Where are we going 

to get these 200 Sabbath Schools who 

will promise $5.00 per month to this 

work Most of you laymen know mem 

bers of other churches in your commun 

ity quite intimately. Why not tell them 

of our need, show them the poster list 

ing the stations carrying "The Way 

Out," give them literature, and urge 

them to take this up 

with their own 

Sabbath School. We will furnish you 

with the ammunition if you will fire the 

gun. You pastors know neighboring min 

isters. Why not ask for an opportunity 

to speak in their church We have plac 

ards, flannelgraph sets, all kinds of 

literature to put in your hands. You 

could surely 

use the poster and tell of 

the 185 stations now carrying 

the pro 

gram, and urge financial support from 

these sister congregations. 

We have invested too much money in 

the C.A.M. 

to see it slow up 

at this 

point, when a little push by all of us 

would give it a new release and send it 

on to still greater heights than it has 

ever reached before. 

One church with only 

fifteen active 

members, 

and without a pastor, has sent 

$60.00 ($5.00 per mo. for a year) to this 

Movement within recent days, 

and I 

know this will not interfere with their 

giving to the budget. One of their lay 

men has a date to present this cause in 

one of the largest churches in their city, 

using the placards. A few congregations 

showing interest like that and we would 

be on the way again. 

I do not know what plans are made 

farther than this, but one of our mis 

sions has sent in its first $5.00, and my 

guess is the pastor is planning a definite 

campaign in his local community to 

get other churches to follow his exam 

ple. What is your church doing 

About eight or ten sets of placards 

are on hand, together with the lecture 

that goes with them. We will gladly 

send these to anyone who feels called 

to use them. There are some fifteen or 

twenty flannelgraph sets in 

pastor's homes, or here, 

different 

or in the Pitts 

burgh office. These can be made avail 

able. But everyone, layman as well as 

pastor, may have a worker's packet, a 

letter together with the poster and other 

enclosures which you can use in inter 

viewing laymen or ministers of other 

denominations and seeking their help 

for this worthy cause. 

This simply consists in taking an 

envelope, with a letter already written, 

and with other enclosures, to a neigh 

boring 

minister or Sabbath School Su 

perintendent, telling him that you come 

with an earnest plea for the help of 

his church for this interdenominational 

movement. The letter will explain what 

is wanted. Remind him of the great need 

for a spiritual awakening in America. 

Tell him of "The Way Out" and of the 

185 stations that are carrying the pro 

gram. Remind him that since he is an 

American, and this is a Movement to 

save America from destruction he and 

his church should get in behind it. Let 

him read the letter and ask him if he 

will take this up with his Sabbath 

School. Your pastor or S.S. Supt. should 

have one of these letters at his home 

right now. Ask him about it, so you will 

know what it is. 

This must be the united effort of 

everyone who reads this article. How 

many of these letters can you use They 

are ready and will be sent to you im 

mediately upon request. Send to me 

here at Sterling, Ks. We know that you 

are continuing to pray, for we see con 

tinual results. Letters were sent recent 

ly to 75 stations carrying "Unshackled," 

urging them to carry "The Way 

Out." 

From the replies received thus far, two 

new states have been added to our list 

of those carrying "The Way Out" pro 

gram, making forty in all. There have 

been some cancellations in recent 

COVENANTER WITNESS

months, but the total number of stations 

carrying the program remains near 180. 

A great number of encouraging letters 

continue to come in, but we do need 

help financially. We are counting on you 

doing 

your part in your local commun 

ity. 

KANSAS CITY 

Rev. G. M. Robb has taken up the 

work in Kansas City. His address will 

be: 4418 West 55th Street, Kansas City 

3, Kansas. His phone will be : SKyline 

0349. 

ESKRIDGE 

The Eskridge Sabbath School, at their 

New Year's annual meeting, voted to 

give $100 to the special fund for Japan. 

SEATTLE NEWS 

Our church basement has recently had 

its face lifting completed, thanks to 

nearly everyone who could hold one end 

of a paint brush. New curtains arc 

being supplied by 

the W.M.S. The Jr. 

High Class also renovated their own 

rooms with new draperies being sup 

plied for it by two of the 

girls' 

mothers. 

A recent and welcome visitor to our 

congregation was Kenneth McBurney 

from Quinter, Kansas. Ken is stationed 

near Seattle at Uncle 

Sam's request 

and is awaiting his orders to Japan. 

A surprise visit was paid to the home 

of Mr. and Mrs. Wilmer Hill, in the form 

of housewarming for their lovely new 

house. 

Games and refreshments occu 

pied the evening, as well as presenting 

them with a 

rockery 

rhododendron bush and 

plant for their yard. 

NEWBURGH, N. Y. 

During the month of November we 

were privileged to hear ve'-y informat'vo 

and inspirational news from our work 

ers in Japan, Miss Orlena Lynn and Rev. 

Sam Boyle. We wore happy to have the 

Coldenham members and friends join 

with us to hoar these messages. 

A Union Thanksgiving Service was 

held at the Coldenham church on 

Thanksgiving morning. Our pastor, Rev. 

Sterrett brought the message of the 

morning. 

The W.M.S. 

has held their regular 

monthly meetings on the first Tuesday 

of the month. In December, after the 

Devotional and Bus'ness meetings, a 

social time was held, which was our 

Christmas Party. Miss Elizabeth Hen 

derson and Mrs. Jchn White served as 

co-hostesses. 

The Newburgh Congregation are 

again thankful to Mrs. Jennie Neil and 

Mrs. Margaret Hayes for the gifts of 

money received at this time in memory 

of their mother, Mrs. Margaret Smith. 

The Sabbath School Christmas party 

and supper was held on Tuesday, De 

cember 28 with about 65 members and 


friends attending. A delicious baked 

ham supper was served, under the super 

vision of Mrs. John White and her com 

mittee. After this, a program was given 

with recitations by the little ones and 

messages from our Superintendent and 

Pastor. Awards were given for atten 

dance and memory work. 

put in his appearance. 

Santa also 

We were happy to see Mr. Jo. L. 

Klomp out to a couple of services recent 

ly after having been in the hospital be 

cause of an auto accident. Although Mr. 

Klomp is able to be out, he is suffering 

great pain and needs our prayers for a 

full recovery. Also on the sick list is 

Mrs. Adolph Singleman, one of our 

out-of-bounds members, living in Eliza 

beth, N. J. We were sorry to hear of her 

illness and pray that she will soon be up 

and out. 

On Sabbath morning, January 2, 

members of the congregation were giv 

en an opportun'ty to s'gn the Covenant. 

V/e were g'ad to have Mr. Jack White 

home worshiping with us during the 

Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays. 

Jack is attending Geneva College. 

Among the recent visitors to our serv 

ices were: Mr. Walter Price of Walton, 

N. Y., Isabella Henderson of New York 

City, Miss Alice Millen of White Lake, 

N. Y., Mrs. Margaret Smyth of Cam 

bridge, Mass., Lt. Col. George Simmons 

of Fort Monmouth, N. J., and 1st Lt. 

Kim Myong Kwan and Capt. You Young 

Rog of Seoul, Korea. Mr. Kwan and Mr. 

Rog are officers in the Republic of Ko 

rea who are assigned to Ft. Lee, Va., for 

courses in 

the Quartermaster School. 

They will return to Korea in March 

1955. Lt. Col. George M. Simmons (hus 

band of Elizabeth Hill Simmons) was 

graduated on December 22, 1954 from 

the Advanced Industrial Management 

Course at Fort Lee, Va. He has been as 

signed to Ft. Monmouth, N. J., as an 

instructor in logistics. The officers from 

Korea were guests in the home of Lt. 

Col. Simmons and his family 

holidays. 

PHOENIX 

over the 

We are happy to have Mr. and Mrs. 

J. C. Plumb, formerly 

of Waukesha. 

V/iseons'n, worsh.p with us. 

Mr. and Mrs. George Killough of Den 

ver visited with their daughter and fam 

ily, Mr. and Mrs. Kwiatkowski and at 

tended church services January 9. 

On January 16 we had the pr vilege of 

hearing Miss Blanche McCrea teil of the 

work in the American Academy in Nic 

osia, Cyprus. During the morn'ng serv 

ice we heard the testimonies of the stu 

dents by recording; and in the even 

saw pictures of the Is'and cf Cyprus and 

the work there. 

Srturdav evening Jan. 22, Miss Orlena 

Lynn was guest of honor at a covered 

dish dinner. Later in the evening she 

took us on a wonderful trip to the Is 

lands of Japan by 

colored slides. Sab 

bath morning and evening she gave us 

an interesting 

work in Japan. 

report of the mission 

Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Tweed from Den 

ver, Colo., visited with Mr. and Mrs. 

Elmer Graham, Billy and other friends. 

Mrs. Donald Crawford flew home for 

the funeral of her mother Mrs. Laura 

Steele. 

DR. IDA SCOTT 

One of our saints, Dr. Ida Scott, 

passed to her reward about six o'clock 

on Monday evening, January 17, after an 

illness of some duration. She has been 

practically confined to her bed since her 

exploratory operation of last summer. 

Dr. Scott, before her illness, was such a 

joy to have in the Home, and was such 

an appreciative, patient (although she 

endured much 

discomforture, and re 

cently pain) soul, that she endeared 

herself more to all those with whom 

she came in contact. We shall miss her 

quiet, sweet kindliness. 

The funeral services were held at the 

Home on Thursday afternoon, January 

20. The Reverend Mr. Kermit Edgar had 

charge cf the services. Dr. Remo I. 

Robb, a relative, read several passages 

of scripture after prayer by Reverend 

Edgar. Dr. J. B. Willson reviewed "Dr. 

Scott's Life in the Work of the Covenan 

ter Church." The closing prayer and 

benediction were made by the Reverend 

Dr. R. A. Blair, who went over with her 

to China on the same boat on their first 

trip. Very fine congregational singing 

was led by Mrs. John Allen, a member 

of the Board, using 

a portion of the 

73rd psalm, and the 23rd psalm. 

The body with her family and friends 

then were taken to the Stephen Hill 

Cemetery at Beaver Falls where her 

body was laid to rest. Reverend Edgar 

read a portion of 

scripture, and the 

benediction was offered by Dr. Robert 

Clark, a classmate from Geneva College. 

Everyone at the service had a feeling ol 

triumph, of joy for Dr. Scott for her 

prayer was answered in that her beloved 

Saviour had come for her, and she had 

now "entered into the joys of her Lord!" 

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the 

death of His saints. Psalm 116:15 

HOW WILL THEY KNOW WHAT 

Dear Friend: 

JESUS SAID! 


"The increasing t'de of Communism 

and juvenile delinquency 

which each 

lay becomes a more serious threat tr> 

youth of the nations of the world is vi 

tal testimony to the necessity for a re-

need." 

ciety." 

.. 

** 

sight." 

out." 

-;>:- 

PRA 

turn to religion in the home. 

Today, more than ever before, we 

need to bring young 

the Bible 

teaches. 

people closer to 

and the eternal lessons it 

The worship of God, as the Divine 

Creator and Helper, is an integral part 

of our history. The picture of the fam 

ily circle the father, mother and chil 

dren, sitting together reading the Bible 

is a scene of inspiring beauty. There 

the Word of God is at work molding 

character, lighting the path of good, in 

spiring deeds of service. Religion has a 

vital meaning, touching every 

life. 

Unfortunately, too many 

aspect of 

of the peo 

ples of the world have lost touch with 

religion. They 

have found numerous 

substitutes for the ageless truths of the 

Divine Word. The revival of a firm be 

lief in the magnificence of the Supreme 

Creator is a vital need. The Bible must 

be brought back into the family 

order to properly 

circle in 

encourage individuals 

to perpetuate the high moral and spirit 

ual foundation upon which a more har 

monious world can be based.' 

J. Edgar Hoover, Director 

Federal Bureau of Investigation 

Families everywhere must be called 

and recalled to the Bible. They must 

have Bibles in the languages they can 

read. This is the great program of the 

American Bible Society. It 

distributes over 15,000,000 Scriptures 

a year 

works in 48 nations and in 200 lan 

guages 

promotes Worldwide Bible Reading 

furnishes Bibles and New Testaments 

for the Armed Forces 

dren in Korea 

school chil 

new literates in many 

lands the blind refugees and many 

others. 

to new literates. It's the world's top in 

vestment in God's 

GENERAL JAMES A. VAN FLEET 

"I saw at first hand the wonderful 

work the American Bible Society did in 

supplying Scriptures in Korea. This im 

portant ministry to the minds and 

hearts of the Korean people must con 

tinue. I urge every American to give 

generously to the American Bible So 

DR. NORMAN VINCENT PEALE 

"The Bible teaches people to trust in 

God and not be afraid. In it a man finds 

personal peace and power. 

Many people have found courage 

through daily Bible reading. Some living 

in distant parts of the world have been 

freed from fear and evil spirits and 

other imaginary enemies when the Bible 

has come to them in their own language. 

The American Bible Society is doing a 

marvelous job in making it possible for 

everyone to have a Bible he can read. 

I know intimately through Mrs. Peale, 

who is a member of the Board of Man 

agers, 

of the great work this organiza 

tion is doing and I recommend it to you 

heartily." 

Since 1816 the American Bible Society 

has been the official agency of American 

churches in translating, publishing and 

distributing the Holy Scriptures. Repre 

sentatives of more than 50 denomina 

tions, reviewing the Society's budget last 

year, said : "We commend the Society 

for the efficiency and vision with which 

its work is carried 

i"*" riTiu^:.iyfc

more." 

LESSON HELPS FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 6. 1955 


The Power of the Living Christ 

By 

Dr. B. L. Olmstead 

On the evening before this is being- written we 

heard two programs presented by the International 

Union of Gospel Missions, one on the hillside and the 

other in the Billy Sunday Tabernacle, Winona Lake. 

The speakers were men connected with rescue mis 

sions who knew something first-hand about the 

power of Christ. Emphasis upon His power to trans 

form men through a new birth was clear and plain. 

These men knew through their own experiences and 

through their dealings with others who were "down 

and out" 

that mere attempts at reformation will 

never do. A skid-row character may be given a hair 

cut and bath and dressed with new clothes through 

out, but, unless there is a radical inner change, noth 

ing of permanence will be achieved. 

To listen to the stories of some of those men 

concerning what the living Christ had done for them 

was interesting indeed. More than one man told how 

at a critical hour he had heard a voice telling him 

perceived that 

what to do, and, upon looking around, 

it did not come from any human source. The chief 

and closing address by Clifford S. Hartzell, the newlyelected 

president of these mission men, was a most 

thrilling account of his own transformation at the 

age of twenty-two from a half -frozen, dirty, penni 

less "bum" into a child of God. He got out of a box 

car in the winter in a city in Iowa and walked the 

streets looking for a place where he could crawl in 

for shelter, for he was afraid of freezing to death. 

Finally he noticed a light in a window and a sign of 

beds available for five or ten cents each. He went 

inside and sat down, and went to sleep. Later he fol 

lowed other men into a room which proved to be a 

rescue mission. 

He stayed around for a good many days and 

attended the mission services because they would 

let him sleep somewhere in the basement. He always 

pretended to be looking for work, but he saw to it 

that he did not find any. For a time he shrugged off 

the messages, but later they began to get hold of 

him. Finally he became really in earnest, and one 

night he went to the altar and sought and found the 

Lord. He slept in the basement again that night. 

The next morning, being hungry, he began to 

think about going out as usual to "bum" his way for 

food. But as he was about to start he felt a firm 

hand on one shoulder, and a voice spoke (which he 

said he heard as clearly as we could hear his voice in 

the tabernacle), saying, "You are not to bum your 

way any He looked all around. There was no 

human being from whom that voice and that grip 

on his shoulder could have come. Three times he 

heard that voice, and three times he felt a grip 

on one or the other of his shoulders. He went up to 

the office. The telephone rang. The man at the desk 

was arranging for someone to shovel snow. Quickly 

he asked if he might have the next chance to work. 

The man was astonished but said that if he meant 

business he could. 

Soon young Mr. Hartzell was in a fine section 

of the city shoveling away. When through, to his 

amazement he was given a dollar. Then he went out 

and bought a breakfast for fifteen cents. (That was 

thirty years ago.) That day he earned three more 

dollars. At night he went to the mission, put down 

a dime, and with the air of a conqueror said, "Give 

me a ten-cent bed." He declared that from that day 

to this he never had to ask anyone for a dollar. At 

the present time, in addition to being superintendent 

of a rescue mission in Philadelphia, he has charge of 

the erection of a very large Sears Roebuck store. 

Free Methodist

made." 



Dancing in Schools 

The Board of Education of Jefferson County, Colo., has 

forbidden social dancing as a compulsory course in high 

schools. Some parents had protested the requirement, evi 

dently from religious scruples against dancing. The Board 

ordered some other form of recreation instruction substitut 

ed for dancing. This school system of Jefferson County is the 

second largest in Colorado covering nearly half of the Den 

ver suburban area. 

Similar Objections in California 

Two fathers of the Church of God recently objected to 

their daughters taking physical education classes in city 

schools because they had to wear "scanty" gym suits and 

attend dancing 

classes. The state law requires students to 

participate in physical education classes, so this protest 

came before the district attorney's office and arrangement 

was made that the daughters would continue in the classes 

if they remain properly clothed and do not have to take part 

in the dancing activities. These are examples of the ef 

fectiveness of honest, earnest protests. 

Religious Instruction in Oregon 

A ruling has been made by the Attorney 

General of 

Oregon that public schools in the state must excuse chil 

dren to attend outside religious instruction classes if they 

present a written request from a parent. He stated that 

this instruction must not be for more than two hours a week 

and must not interfere with general school activities. 

Religious Radio in Seattle 

The first full-time Christian Radio Station went on 

the air recently on the campus of King's Garden, an inter 

denominational center of evangelism. This is KDGN a 

100-watt station operating 

station. 

at 630 kc. and is a daytime 

A New Campus for Biola 

The Bible Institute of Los Angeles expects to move 

to a new fifty-acre campus near La Mirada, Calif. This 

Institute has outgrown its facilities at the Church of 

the Open Door, but its new buildings will accommodate 

1,000 students and these will be enlarged to provide for 

1,500 to 2,000 young people. The cost of the new campus 

is $2,500,000. This institution is composed of four schools: 

the Bible Institute, Bible College, Talbot Theological 

Seminary and the School of Missionary Medicine. The 

School of Medicine will remain in the down-town area 

because its students receive training in metropolitan hos 

pitals. 

Graham Crusade in New York 

Protestant leaders of New York City affirm that an 

evangelistic campaign conducted by Billy Graham in the 

fall of 1957 seems to be "virtually 

assured." 

The director 

of the Protestant Council, the Rev. D. M. Potter, said 

that two years of preparation will be needed for the 

crusade. 

New Restrictions in India 

A new policy went into effect in India during the 

last week of December 1954 which will be a greater hind 

rance to missions there. The government of 

38 

India has 

announced that visas will be required of British Common 

wealth nations who wish to enter that land. During the 

years since India has been 

granted independence from 

Britain, it has been possible for Canadian and British 

citizens to enter India freely on their passports, but now 

they will have to apply for visas to enter that country. 

Due to former restrictions some mission boards had em 

phasized the use of Canadian and British personnel in 

India. The Evil One is making a desperate effort to close 

the door to the enlargement of the Gospel in India. 

Presbyterian Merger Loses 

Southern Presbyterians have defeated the plan to 

unite with the Northern and U. P. denominations. Thirtyfour 

Presbyteries have voted against the merger, which 

is more than one fourth of the total number of presby 

teries (88) required to defeat the plan of union. The 

Northern Presbyteries have been generally voting in favor 

of the union. Many in the Southern church have felt that 

the Northern church was too "liberal" in its theology. 

Often such a union, which is supposed to make for greater 

harmony, 

causes more friction within the denomination 

or denominations than there was before the union was 

consummated. There were many in Canada who favored a 

United Church, who were disappointed after the union 

was formed. 

Sermon on Temperance 

During "The Hour of Decision" broadcast Billy Gra 

ham preached a very strong sermon showing the sin of 

drinking and the disastrous effects of beverage alcohol. 

It may be had by writing to Billy Graham, Minneapolis, 

Minn. 

Baptists Persecuted in Russia 

Gabriel Courier, in his news items, says that accord 

ing to a story in the London Observer, the Baptists, chief 

Protestant group in Russia, are for the first time in years 

feeling the heavy Kremlin hand. Baptists are few in num 

bers, compared with members of the Orthodox Church, and 

well scattered. But apparently Soviet leaders are deciding 

they are not as harmless as they look. Opined the story, "The 

Kremlin may now have found that scattered and stub 

born believers can offer a more dangerous opposition than 

all the panoply of the Orthodox hierarchy, centralized 

and highly organized, with whom a deal can more easily 

be 

Cigarettes Aiming 

at the Heart 

The Christian Herald (February) presents a striking 

up-to-date article entitled, "Cigarettes are Aiming at 

Your Heart." Reprints of the article may be had at 25c 

for 4 copies, or 4c each in lots of 100 or more. Address 

Roy Norr, 11 W. 42nd St., New York, N. Y. 

The article begins, "When press headlines shrilled 

last summer, "Cigarettes Speed Heart 

Deaths," 

Cigarette 

Smokers Die Sooner," "Smoking Tied to Heart Ills." the 

worst-kept 

"secret" 

in recent medical annals exp'oded 

to the public. Cigarettes at last were statistically, as well 

as clinically, linked to the racing death rates from heart 

disease, America's top death-dealer. It meant that this 


COVENANTER WITNESS



PREMIER NEEDED 

France is again without a leader. Pierre Mendes-France, 

the most dynamic premier France has had since World War 

II, fell after seven months in power. He thus went slightly 

beyond the average for postwar governments. The issue on 

which Parliament ousted Mendes-France was his policy in 

North Africa, where he made important concessions to 

native nationalism. But he had already lost some of his orig 

inal support because of his refusal to back EDC, his aban 

donment of northern Indochina, and his vigorous economic 

program. With the French National Assembly divided be 

tween six parties of nearly equal strength, it will be diffi 

cult to find a new premier who can command a majority. 

The political maneuvering may take weeks, and ratification 

of the Paris treaties in the upper house is likely to be de 

layed. If a new government proves powerless there will 

doubtless be strong pressure for the return of Mendes- 

France. 

DANGEROUS DAYS 

Tension in the Far East has not slackened as U. S. forc 

es begin the evacuation of the Tachen Islands. The U. N. Se 

curity Council met at the request of New Zealand to con 

sider the threat to world peace from the Formosa issue. Rus 

sia offered a resolution condemning U. S. 

"aggression" and 

calling for the withdrawal of all non-Communist forces from 

the Formosa area. The Council adopted instead, by a 9-1 

vote, a New Zealand resolution inviting Communist China 

to take part in U. N. discussions regarding 

Formosa. Two 

days later, Premier Chow En-lai sent a harsh refusal which 

seemed to end all hope of settlement through U. N. diplo 

matic action. The explosive character of the situation was 

emphasized when U. S. planes shot down two Communist 

Mig fighters, the most serious clash since the Korean War. 

U. S. policy still is not clear regarding the surrender of any 

more off-shore islands to the Reds. Peiping apparently will 

be satisfied with nothing less than the total destruction of 

the Nationalist government and a full place in the U. N. 

SOUTHEAST ASIA TREATY 

The U. S. Senate ratified the Southeast Asia collective 

defense treaty by the overwhelming vote of 82 to 1. There 

was little debate and the only dissenter was William Lang 

er, North Dakota Republican, a confirmed isolationist. The 

treaty was signed at Manila last September by the U. S., 

Philippines, Australia, France, Great Britain, New Zealand, 

Pakistan, and Thailand. It joins these nations together in 

mutual defense against any Communist attack. The treaty 

provides for consultation in case of internal Communist sub 

version in any country. The eight foreign ministers will meet 

in Bangkok, Thailand, on February 23 to consider this prob 

lem. 

GOVERNMENT AND HEALTH 

President Eisenhower has renewed the request he made 

to Congress last year for government reinsurance of private 

health programs, to help them offer broader benefits. He 

asked for an initial fund of $25 million to help private in 

surance plans, such as Blue Cross and Blue Shield, give 

greater protection against severe or prolonged illnesses. They 

Februarv 16, 1955 

would eventually reimburse the government by reinsurance 

premiums. Eisenhower also requested a separate fund of 

$20 million to match state and local medical expenditures for 

those on relief rolls. There is also a proposal of government 

insurance for mortgage loans on the construction of new 

hospitals and other health facilities. In addition the Presi 

dent asked for federal aid in various fields of medical re 

search, including the "smog" problem. Last year the Ad 

ministration-backed health bill did not pass, and the new 

one is already being attacked by Democrats as inadequate. 

Their basic criticism is that the reinsurance plan does noth 

ing for the neediest group the 40 per cent of the popula 

tion who have no private health insurance but are not poor 

enough to receive public aid. 

BUSINESS OR PLEASURE 

Professional boxing and the legitimate theater are sub 

ject to federal antitrust laws, according to two new Supreme 

Court decisions. The Court seems to have gone against an 

earlier ruling on professional baseball. In the baseball case, 

going back to 1922 and reaffirmed in 1953, the Court held 

that professional baseball was primarily a local exhibition, 

and that its interstate features were incidental. The Court 

now rules, however, that prize fighting and the theater are 

interstate commerce and therefore subject to federal antimonopoly 

controls. Two justices dissented in the boxing case, 

and it is certainly difficult to see the distinction between 

boxing and baseball. The decisions open the way for federal 

prosecution of the International Boxing Club, 

which controls 

all championship bouts, and of the Shubert theatrical com 

bine. It seems that new Congressional legislation is probably 

needed to clarify the status of professional sports. 

STEEL FOR INDIA 

Russia will build a steel plant of one million tons ca 

pacity for India under an agreement recently signed. The 

plant will be located in central India, about halfway between 

Bombay and Calcutta. The cost of the material and technical 

aid which Russia will supply is estimated at $91 million. The 

Indian government can still cancel the contract, however, if 

technical specifications are not satisfactory 

or if cost esti 

mates go too high. India's present steel production is one and 

a half million tons a year, but she wants to increase this to 

six million tons by 1961. A West German firm is already 

building one new steel plant, and the British are negotiating 

for the construction of another. 

HERO'S DEATH 

raising 

One of the six men in the famous picture of the flag 

on Iwo Jima was Marine Pfc. Ira Hayes. He and 

the two others in the picture who survived the battle were 

treated as heroes and saw the scene become immortal. But 

Hayes did not fare so well. An uneducated Pima Indian 

from southern Arizona, he became an alcoholic soon after the 

war. He was arrested fifty-one times for drunkenness, in 

spite of the best efforts of friends and welfare groups to 

help him. Last month, at the age of 32, he died of drunken 

ness and exposure. A sad ending for a national hero, but no 

worse than the fate of many 

path. 

others who follow the same 

99

strength." 

In Reliance Upon God's Grace 

Rev. H. A. Helming 

The Monday Morning 

Devotional Address of the Grinnell Conference, July 19, 1954. 

Isaiah 40:31 "They that wait upon the Lord 

shall renew their strength; they shall mount up 

with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be 

faint." 

weary; and they shall walk and not 

When we signed the covenant, we did so stating 

that we were relying upon the grace of God to enable 

us to keep it. What did we mean by that statement 

How much have we relied upon God 

If we are to think about our reliance in the right 

way, we must remember the word "humble." Humil 

ity is an attitude that is easy to talk about but is 

hard to practice. False humility crowds in so easily 

that true humility is crowded out. 

Humility is not a long face with pious talk. It 

may be, but humility can as easily be a glowing face 

filled with a trust in the power of God. We must feel 

our responsibility, but at the same time if we are go 

ing to think of it as a cross that we must carry, we 

are not going to receive the help and renewed vigor 

that we should look forward to receiving. It is not a 

cross to bear. It is not an extra burden upon our 

Christian lives. It is a renewal of our profession of 

faith in Christ. Humility should then shine from our 

lives with the glow of joy because we have realized 

anew our relationship with Jesus Christ, our Saviour. 

Our faces ought to shine with the glow of a bride's 

face. She is not proud but joyful over the relation 

ship with her husband. 

Humility is not a continuous talking about our 

own weaknesses. This is one of the faults of many 

Christians. They talk so much about their weakness 

es and failures that they fail to have time to talk 

about the power which they have through the Holy 

Spirit who dwells with them. We must be conscious 

of His presence with us to the extent that our weak 

ness is bound up in His strength. We might think of 

an engine or motor. Whether it is one which runs a 

small fan or one which pulls the largest loads on our 

railroads, each is useless without fuel or energy that 

makes it run. The motor on the fan needs electricity. 

The diesel engine on the railroad needs fuel to make 

it run. Shut off either and their usefulness is lost. So 

in our Christian lives, we are powerful in Christ 

when we humbly rely upon the energy that He gives 

to us through the Holy Spirit. Thus, we must talk 

about our strength in Christ if we are to trust more 

and more in the power of the Spirit. 

Humility is not rejecting responsibility but in 

carrying responsibility for Christ. Many times we 

find Christians who continually refuse to carry re 

sponsibility because they can think of others who 

could do the job better. They think that they are 

serving Christ better by refusing. They 

never seem 

to realize that they would not have been asked to 

perform the task if they had not been considered 

able to perform it. Such humility hinders the work of 

Christ more than it helps it. If any 

of us continue to 

do this, we are not keeping the covenant that we have 

made, nor are we relying upon God as we have stated 

that we would. 

100 

By this time we should be asking ourselves, 

"What is humility" It is an act of submission. It is 

for this reason that I am using the statement as it is 

found in the covenant. Reliance upon God without 

humility is not necessarily submission. A child may 

rely upon his parents for food, clothing, a home and 

many other things and still not be submissive. In fact 

he might be very proud and feel that he is the only 

important thing in the home. Still before others, he 

may talk about his parents with a long face, or admit 

that he depends upon them to supply his needs, or 

even state that he realizes that they can do a better 

job of caring for him than he can for himself. Is he 

humble In the same way we must be submissive to 

the will of God. Too many 

of us are "spoiled brats" 

as children of God. It is not because God has made us 

such but rather because we have come to think that 

He owes us everything since we have become His 

children. We sulk if our prayers are not answered. 

We complain if He permits trials and temptations to 

come into our lives. We gripe if He makes us do 

without some things that we think we cannot get 

along without. We may be tempted at this time to 

feel that since we have taken this covenant that He 

owes us more than He did before in physical help. 

We may feel that all of our problems should be solved 

as individuals and as a denomination. From the ex 

periences of covenanting in the past, we may feel 

that a great surge of power should come into out 

lives. I am not stating for one moment that it will 

not come but I am stating that it cannot come with 

out complete submission to the will of God, with joy 

flowing out of our hearts with a willingness to go for 

ward in service to Him. 

In order to do this we must have a vision of 

God's power. The writer of our scripture said, "They 

that wait upon the Lord shall renew their 

What did he mean He had a vision of the power of 





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COVENANTER WITNESS

me." 

God. He saw what would happen to their nation when 

the hand of God began to work for them. He saw a 

glorious future for his nation when they returned to 

God. He saw their strength renewed. 

He might have been thinking of history. Think 

of the low condition of the Israelites as they were in 

bondage down in the land of Egypt. Their task mas 

ters were hard on them. The king was killing their 

children. They cried to God for help. None seemed to 

come but it was coming. Out in the wilderness on a 

lonely mountain side was a flock of sheep. Their 

shepherd had forgotten about them for the time. He 

was watching the burning bush and listening to the 

voice of God. He was arguing with God about his 

weaknesses. God was showing to him His power and 

giving Moses a vision concerning his people. When he 

returned to his sheep, it was to take them home safe 

ly to his father-in-law and start with his family 

towards the land of Eigypt. You know the story of 

how this man, 80 years old, began a task that seemd 

impossible and emerges from the pages of history as 

not only the greatest leader of Israel, but as well, one 

of the meekest men that ever lived. How were these 

two qualities put together They were united 

through the vision Moses had of the power of God. 

During this journey we find a man by the name 

of Caleb who went with eleven others to spy out the 

land. He came back with the others. Ten of them said 

that they could not conquer the land. He and Joshua 

said they could. At forty years of age he said, "We 

us." 

can possess the land because God will fight for 

Forty years later this man led a small army into the 

mountains and hills that they had searched out and 

defeated the giants who had made the whole na 

tion of Israel faint. Why was he able to do this He 

had a vision of the power of God. He relied upon God 

and not man. . 

This same vision was stored in the life of a young 

man who unexpectedly brought victory to his nation 

while still too young for the army The story of David 

children but adults 

and Goliath has thrilled not only 

as well. It has thrilled us because we see the power of 

God working in this young man. Put yourself in his 

position. The trained army was scared to death of 

this giant. They fled from him. An untrained youth 

with his youthful zeal and handy slingshot walks out 

to meet the giant. Everyone holds his breath as he 

nears the giant. They see the motion of his arm. The 

giant falls. The young man springs forward. The 

camp is silent. The glitter of the sword flashes in the 

sunlight. The head of the giant is 

early morning 

raised in the hand of David. The earth is filled with 

shouts of joy from the Israelites and with shouts of 

fright from the Philistines. What was the difference 

between this young man and the rest of the army 

He had a vision of the power of God. He humbly re 

lied upon the power of God and saved his nation. 

The vision of the prophet was the same, as he 

wrote these words of prophecy. He saw that a re 

newed vision of the power of God would bring peace 

and prosperity to their nation. He had received his 

vision as he saw his unworthiness and sinfulness as 

he stood in the presence of God. God had cleansed 

him with the coal from off the altar and he had re 

sponded to the call of God. 

In the same way we claim that we have received 

a new vision of the power of God. We claim that we 

have seen our sinfulness and unworthiness. We claim 


that we responded to the call of God to go forward 

in His cause with renewed zeal. With such claims 

we ought to have a new vision of the power of God. 

Do we Do we feel the power of God surging through 

our veins Are we like the powerful engine sitting on 

the tracks and awaiting the touch of the engineer to 

go forward to the task that He has given to us We 

are relying upon the fuel that He has filled our tanks 

with, to go forward in the work of Christ at least 

we said we were. What vision do you have of the 

work that can be accomplished We must rely on 

God for our vision. 

There is a determination that should fill our 

thoughts. We are going to wait on the Lord for the 

strength we need. We know that it is not a foolish 

act because we have the promises of God. Still this 

wait must not be such that will cause us to be inac 

tive. It should be a determination that will cause us 

to do the tasks that God brings to us to do day by 

day trusting Him for the power to perform them. We 

must not permit the world to bring doubt to our 

minds but with the blind faith which is enlightened 

by the vision of God's Word we can go forward. 

In the picture of the verses, we have the deter 

mination of a runner or traveler. He has a goal 

toward which he is running or an aim toward which 

he is traveling. His thoughts are on one thing 

completing the task that lies before him. Added to 

this picture is the trust which such runners or trav 

elers have in the power of God to help them. Like 

Paul who said, "I can do all things through Christ 

which strengthened He relied upon the power 

of God. He had determination because he had a vision 

of what could be accomplished. 

We must remember that determination and hu 

mility go together. Determination is not pride but 

rather the zeal which sends us forward to do a task 

that needs to be done. It is like a swimmer who hears 

the cry for help. He swims out to save the drowning 

swimmer. He fights his way back to shore with the 

added load of the one being saved. His arms and legs 

become tired. It seems that shore is a long ways off. 

Will he make it His arms and legs seem to be mov 

ing mechanically. As he drops his burden on shore, he 

drops exhausted. Determination had kept him going. 

So it should send us forward in the work of Christ 

with zeal for His cause not only because we have 

covenanted together but rather 'because of the vision 

which we have of the cause of Christ. 

The act is past but the work is ahead. Tempta 

tions will be found coming into our path. We must 

not become weary of well doing. We must go forward 

with renewed zeal. We must fight as courageous sol 

diers of the cross of Christ. Christ's kingdom does 

not depend upon anyone of us individually or collec 

tively. We can fail and know that His kingdom will 

go forward but in humble reliance upon God's grace 

we will have the vision of the part He has given us 

to play in the work of His kingdom. With this vision 

we will have the determination to succeed no matter 

how rough the path might be. We will walk or run. 

We will speak or act. We do not know the future but 

we are determined to go forward. We will carry 

proudly the banner of our Lord and Saviour. We can 

speak with assurance because we are willing to put 

our hand in the hand of God and know that He will 

not fail us. Don't jerk your hand out of His and you 

need not worry about keeping your covenant with 

God. You are humbly relying on Him ! 

101

more." 

name." 

Ample 

Evidence 

John 5:36, 10:25, 14:10, 11 

Alvin W. Smith, D.D. 

It is still a very important question: Who Is 

Jesus Christ Billy Sunday preached a sermon on 

that question, toward the end of his ministry, in im 

agination calling upon the individuals whom Jesus 

healed, cleansed or raised from the dead to give 

answer, "Who is Jesus Christ" The same question 

was addressed to the enemies of Jesus, the Phari 

sees, Sadduccees and the high priest. Pilate and the 

soldiers were also included. 

Without exception the answer was "Jesus Christ 

is God." It was given gladly by His friends and reluc 

tantly by His enemies, but given, nevertheless. 

It is just as important today for people to have 

the right answer to Jesus' question, "Whom say ye 

that I am " as it was on that day when Jesus first 

asked the disciples in Caesarea Philippi. Is Jesus 

God, as He claimed to be, or just a good man 

Recently a bold advertisement appeared on the 

church page of our newspaper, an advertisement in 

serted by a local church in the community featuring 

the question, IS GOD SUPERNATURAL The ques 

tion was answered with an unqualified "NO." The 

advertisement went on to assert, "We believe that Je 

sus was a man, no It is sad to realize that 

many others evidently believe that, who are less bold 

and frank about it. 

It was also of more than passing interest to 

me, to read the review of a new book, in which the 

author makes the plea that all magic be taken out of 

Christianity 

and the church. One could agree with 

the author if he used the word MAGIC in the same 

sense in which the Bible uses it, as sorcery, necro 

mancy, 

conjuration or enchantment. 

Webster's Unabridged defines magic, as "the art 

or body of arts which pretends or is believed to pro 

duce effects by the assistance of supernatural beings 

or departed spirits, or by the mastery of secret forces 

nature." 

in 

We know that God in His Word forbade Israel 

from having anything to do with sorcery and witch 

craft. We are familiar with the account of the 

magicians of Egypt who undertook to duplicate the 

miracles performed by Moses at God's direction, 

with their enchantments. They soon confessed that 

any further pretence was beyond them, "This is 

the finger of God." 

Jesus was accused by His enemies of casting 

with Beelze 

out demons by collusion (as they said), 

bub, the prince of devils. Jesus promptly disclaimed 

any and all such collusion and declared that He was 

casting out demons by the Spirit of God. 

The author of this book to which I refer ap 

peared to be using the word magic in a loose sense, 

to mean everything SUPERNATURAL, including 

the miracles, as though that were a weakness and a 

stumbling block to faith. 

Brethren, this is no idle speculation. There is 

102 

today, in our country and throughout the world the 

age-old conflict between the natural and the super 

natural in application to religion. The battle lines are 

sharply drawn ; and the battle rages around the ques 

tion of the Deity, the Godhead of Jesus Christ. Is 

He only a man, or is He in fact and reality very God 

of very God 

In the scriptures we have before us we can see 

the use which the Lord Jesus Christ made of the 

evidence that pointed then and still points to His 

being just what He claimed to be, the Messiah, the 

One prophesied, one with the Father, sent by the 

Father and approved by Him. In chapter 5 of John's 

gospel is an array of four kinds of witness supporting 

Jesus' 

claim: 

1. The witness of John the Baptist, 5:32,33. 

2. That of the Heavenly Father, v. 37. 

3. That of the O.T. Scriptures, Moses . 

45, 46. 

. 

vs.39, 

4. The works which Jesus, Himself did. v. 36. 

Jesus carried the issue to its logical conclusion. On 

more than one occasion He spoke of it. See chap. 

10:25, 14:10-11. 

Any calling into question of the miracles of 

Jesus as an asset to faith in Him, runs directly 

against Jesus' own words. He laid great weight upon 

these works as evidence of His being genuine. Shall 

we fail to acquiesce 

pel, 

All of these things are found in the Fourth Gos 

which deals in particular with this kind of rea 

soning. Of the four gospels, that of John employs 

the miracles of Jesus, particularly, as evidence to 

faith. The very purpose of writing this gospel is 

stated in terms of the SIGNS, ch. 20 :30, 31, 

"And many other signs truly did Jesus in the 

presence of his disciples, which are not written in 

this book: but these are written, that ye might 

believe that Jesus is the Christ; and that believ 

ing, ye might have life through his 

In chapter 2:11, the author specifies the turning 

of the water into wine as the beginning of the signs : 

'This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of 

Galilee and manifested forth his glory; and his 

disciples believed on Him." 

Then follows the third miracle, the healing of the son 

of the nobleman. Then, in series, the healing of the 

impotent man, the feeding of the five thousand, the 

giving of sight to the man born blind and the raising 

of Lazarus. Later, there is the account of His own 

resurrection, predicted and 

fulfilled; finally, the 

draft of fishes in Galilee. 

It is your responsibility and mine, the responsi 

bility of all who read or hear this record, to decide 

in the heart, whether or not it is true. Jesus, knowing 

that He had come from God and had come down 

COVENANTER WITNESS

striving." 

church." 

necessary." 

revealed." 

from heaven, proceeded to demonstrate the truth of 

His claims by the display of His supernatural power. 

He did not hesitate to employ His works as evidence 

of the truth of His claims, then, nor does He hesitate 

to do it today, by His Holy Spirit, in a world which 

thinks itself to be wise and sophisticated. 

WE MUST DECIDE 

It is up to us, living as we are in an atmosphere 

of conflicting voices, to decide for or against Jesus 

Christ ; to cast in our lot with those who believe and 

accept Him, or with those who disbelieve and re 

ject, with all the consequences involved. 

This writer chooses to be a believer, to take 

the testimony of the Bible as it stands, a unity both 

in the Old Testament and in the New, teaching and 

proclaiming God the Supernatural, the One Living 

and True God, manifest in the Trinity, The Father, 

The Son and the Holy Ghost; who in pity and com 

passion made provision for us lost sinners, in the 

sending of Jesus Christ down from heaven to rescue 

and save, to make alive and to raise up unto ever 

lasting life. 

Jesus Christ is true, the same, yesterday and 

today and forever. His claims are valid. His works 

and wonders were in keeping with His person and 

power as the Son of God. 

HE IS THE ALL SUFFICIENT SAVIOUR FOR 

THIS DAY. 

Our church at large is studying Ephesians. Paul 

there writes that Christ is "the head over all things 

church." 

to the In I Cor. 12, different parts of the 

body are mentioned the foot, the hand, the ear the 

eye "But now are they many members, yet but one 

body." " 

these members of the body, which seem 

to be more feeble are 

"God hath temper 

ed the body together, having given more abundant 

honor to that part which lacked." 

A budget system of 

feeding has its merits. God 

provides the food for the body and we do the feed 

ing. The manner of distribution as God has arranged 

it insures that the little finger will be nourished as 

well as the strong right arm. We do not designate 

where each morsel of food shall go. 

Of course the human body is God's own creation. 

The visable church is not perfect and Christians 

may err in arranging and assemblying its parts. It 

must through prayer and study seek the wisdom 

that cometh down from above. 

We of course believe in the freedom of the in 

dividual in making his contributions. Each Christian 

should pray for guidance as to where his tithes and 

offerings should go. 

Is it not equally true that the Church through 

its collective study and intercession, in connection 

have its prayers 

with its constituted courts, may 

answered also 


THAT "MAN-MADE BUDGET" 

D. H. Elliott 

An unsigned article on the tithe came to us 

which has many statements of merit. As it is the 

policy of editors not to publish articles without know 

ing the authorship, it has not been forwarded for 

publication. The writer is enthusiastic for the tithe 

and says: 

"What a great forward step has been taken in 

our Covenanter Church when Synod makes a formal 

announcement of the truth of the statement even 

down to the small details of setting up our financial 

program." 

Then this statement follows : 

"How long have we been led by the delusion 

that a budget set up by man was the goal for which 

we were He is right if we have been pur 

suing a goal divorced from our tithes and offerings. 

The design of a budget is to indicate the relative 

needs of the various departments of the church in the 

hope that each may receive its due support from 

the offerings of the people. 

In an open letter in the Covenanter Witness, 

"An Interested Member" says that "one individual 

designating $100 to missions means absolutely 

nothing." 

Also, "Their only recourse is to give out 

side the The first statement is true if the 

$100 is given through the regular channel of the bud 

get. But if the giver would say: "$100 to foreign 

missions over and above the budget," according to 

our treasurer Mr. Fox, it will be added to the amount 

set apart by the budget to that cause. This would 

still be given inside the church. 


GLIMPSES from page 98 

lethal by-product of cigarette smoking 

lung 

surpassed tobacco's 

cancer indications in sheer volume hundreds of 

thousands more persons were affected. 

"According to actual predictions, of the 25 million 

persons in this country over 50 years of age, 15 million 

or 60 per cent 

will die of some involvement of the heart, 

kidneys, brain or arterial system. As against non-smokers, 

heavy smokers are almost twice as likely to be numbered 

among the dead. 

"The same vast statistical study that tied smoking to 

lung cancer confirmed the life-and-death heart story. The 

lung cancer link had become apparent. But only now is 

the sobering heart link ... 

being fully 

A report 

by Dr. Paul D. White, noted heart specialist, showed that 

the chances of dying from a coronary attack were increas 

ed 95 per cent by heavy cigarette smoking. 

Our readers should secure a quantity 

of these leaflets 

and distribute them among your friends, especially among 

young people. 

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gos 

pel .. . BY WHICH YE ARE SAVED ... For I de 

livered unto you first of all that which I received, 

how that Christ DIED FOR OUR SINS according to 

the scriptures ; And that he was buried, and that he 

arose again the third day according to the scriptures. 

1st Cor. 15:1-4. 

That if thou shalt confess with 

thy 

mouth the 

Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that 

God hath raised Him from the dead, Thou SHALT 

BE SAVED. 

For with the heart man believeth unto Right 

eousness; and with the mouth confession is made 

unto salvation. Rom. 10 :9-10. 

103

me" 

abode." 

means" 

speech." 

plea." 

stands." 

melody." 

many." 

prepare that thou mayest eat the passover" 

over" 

Lesson Helps for the Week of March 6, 1955 



WHAT THE PSALMS MEAN TO ME 

Psalms 25, 91, 139 


I guess I should be concerned about 

whether others understand the Psalms. 

I am. I ask one of the youngsters what 

Psalm we should sing, and he says, "The 

Lord builds up 

Jerusalem." 

We sing, 

and I wonder if he knows what it means. 

An elder is leading 

prayer meeting. 

He announces Psalm 91 and reads aloud 

the first line: "The man who once has 

found 

know what that 

A stranger comes 

I ask myself, "Does he 

into church. He 

doesn't reach for a book when the first 

Psalm is announced, so I note with satis 

faction, out of the corner of my eye, 

that some one near him finds the place 

and hands him a Psalter. We stand to 

sing, "Praise waits for Thee in Zion." 

I am a little anxious. Does he under 

stand 

Important questions these, perhaps. 

Yet none so important as that of to 

night's topic, "What do the Psalms mean 

to 

Singing is communicating. My voice is 

a musical instrument. Beauty and feel 

ing I can communicate through the 

movement, the harmony, the intensity of 

music. But singing is more than music. 

Singing is saying something: something 

worth the time, the practice, the concen 

tration necessary to put music and 

words together. Something important. 

If I do not understand the words of my 

song, I am not singing. 

Tonight I intend to become a better 

Psalm-singer by becoming a better com 

municator, by understanding more clear 

ly what God has for me to sing about. 

Three things I want to do. First, I 

want to explain what some of the pre 

cious Psalter verses mean to me. Second, 

I want to listen to each of you while 

you explain some of the verses. Third, 

While these meanings are fresh in my 

mind, I want to sing them into the words 

so I can never forget them. 

Here are some lines I want to know 

better. Each one means something im 

portant to me. Won't you explain how 

some of them have impresed you Are 

there others that have special meaning 

for you Many of my ideas have come 

from times when the lines were sung, 

from sermons or Psalm explanations, 

from reading about the experiences of 

the Psalmist, from a study 

of settings or 

similar lines. Yours may come from 

these or other sources. We will all be 

richer for sharing and singing together. 

104 

Psalm 16: "The lines are fallen unto 

me in pleasant places." 

God's limitations. 

I am happy with 

Psalm 18: "My High Tower." There 

is real safety in the perspective God 

gives. 

Psalm 19: "Day unto day uttereth 

God is ready to talk to me 

whenever I look up. 

Psalm 23: "He makes me down to. lie 

in pastures green." 

there is plenty left. 

Psalm 40: 

hast." 

I am satisfied, and 

"Mine ear Thou opened 

I am ear-marked for God. 

Psalm 51: "On Thy grace I rest my 

God is willing to give me what I 

do not deserve. 

Psalm 85: "Righteousness and peace 

have kissed each other." 

They 

are so 

affectionate we will never find one with 

out the other. 

Psalm 98: "Sing a new song to Je 

hovah." 

Every moment brings another 

experience worth singing about. 

Psalm 114: 

"Like rams the moun 

tains and like lambs the hills skipped to 

and fro." When God gets ready for His 

people to go places, things get out of the 

way in a hurry. 

Psalm 119, part 13: "More than my 

teachers or the old Thy servant under 

However godly they are, they 

know God through their own experien 

ces, not through mine. 

Psalm 144: "And on a ten-stringed 

instrument to Thee make Joy 

ful obedience to all the Ten Command 

ments makes the only perfect praise. 

What can help me see the meaning in 

the Psalms What can help others get 

from my singing the meaning which the 

Psalms hold for me What makes my 

praise acceptable to God 

When you have answered these ques 

tions, pray for these things. They are 

important. 

JUNIOR TOPIC 

March 6, 1955 


LAST FEAST AND FIRST SUPPER 


Memory Verse: "And he said unto 

them, This is my blood of the new testa 

ment, which is shed for 

14:24 

Psalms 

Mark 

Memory Psalm for March, Psalm 130 : 

1-5, page 325 

Psalm 116:8, 9, 11, 12, page 282 

Psalm 98:1-4, 

Psalm 3:1, 2, 5, page 5 

page 235 

As the time drew near when Jesus 

was to die on the cross for our sins, the 

religious leaders of the Jews were get 

ting more and more angry because when 

Jesus spoke to the people it seemed as if 

He always hit at their sins. None of us 

like to be told we are sinners. These 

leaders got together to discuss how they 

might quietly get Jesus out of the way. 

They were afraid to kill Him openly be 

cause many of the Jews were beginning 

to believe in Him. Jesus had twelve dis 

ciples but Satan had possession of the 

heart of one of these twelve 

Judas Is 

cariot. Just because Judas went around 

with Jesus did not make him a Chris 

tian. And it does not make you or me a 

Christian just to have our names on the 

church roll or on the list of the Juniors. 

Judas agreed that if the rulers of the 

Jews would give him thirty pieces of 

silver, he would show them where Je 

sus could be found 

lead them to Him! 

in fact, he would 

Jesus knew that the time was drawing 

near when He would be put on the cross. 

It was almost the time at which the 

Jews celebrated their deliverance from 

Egypt back in Moses' time when the an 

gel of death "passed 

those homes 

where blood was put on the top and 

two sides of the door. Those who were 

behind that blood were saved, but into 

those homes which did not have the 

blood on the door, the angel of death 

entered and killed all the firstborn. This 

was a picture of the blood of Jesus 

Christ which would save us from our 

sins. Every year the Jews were to cele 

brate the Passover as they looked for 

ward to the coming of Christ. 

Jesus, in fulfilling the law, prepared 

to eat the passover. His disciples asked 

Him, "Where wilt thou that we go and 

Jesus had no home of His own 

so He sent two of His disciples into the 

city and told them they would meet a 

man carrying 

a pitcher of water. (The 

women were the ones who carried wa 

ter so it would be easy to pick out the 

man whom Jesus meant.) He told them 

to follow him and wherever he went in, 

there the disciples were to ask the goodman 

of the house, "The Master saith, 

'Where is the guestchamber where I 

shall eat the passover with my disci 

ples' " 

Jesus said that this man would 

show them a large upper room all furn 

ished and prepared. There is where the 

disciples were to prepare the passover 

meal which was to be eaten at mid 

night. The disciples did as Jesus told 

them and found everything just as He 

had said. 

They prepared the passover 

supper. When everything was ready, Je 

sus and His twelve disciples went into 

the feast. The table was in the shape of 

COVENANTER WITNESS

quickly." 

other." 

profitable." 

miseries." 

a "U". Instead of chairs, people in 

those days almost lay down to eat. They 

used couches which were placed with 

the head at the table and the foot away 

from the table. John sat close to Jesus 

because Jesus leaned His head on John's 

breast. Judas did not sit far away be 

cause Jesus was able to give him a good 

bite to eat. Peter was sitting perhaps at 

the foot of the table where he could mo 

tion to John. 

Jesus' 

heart was heavy as He sat 

down to the meal. He said, "Verily I 

say unto you, One of you which eateth 

me." 

with me shall betray This shocked 

the disciples. Judas was shocked to think 

that Jesus 

knew anything about his 

agreement with the Jews. The other 

disciples were shocked because they 

knew nothing about what Jesus was 

talking about. And they began to say, 

"Is it I", "Is it I" Peter motioned to 

John to ask who it was. Jesus said, "It 

is one of the twelve, that dippeth with 

me in the dish." Judas was the one. 

Jesus said to Judas, "That thou doest, 

do Judas then went out. "And 

it was night." 

It was midnight outside 

but it was darker still in Judas' heart. 

This was the last passover supper be 

cause now Jesus' blood was to be shed. 

The Jews did not need the picture of the 

passover any more to represent Christ 

because now Christ was come and now 

we commemorate or remember Jesus' 

death in the sacred meal 

Supper. 

the Lord's 

The same night in which Jesus ate the 

last passover supper, He started or in 

stituted the first Lord's Supper. There 

are six acts in this memorial meal 

four on the part of Jesus and two on the 

part of the disciples. 

1) Jesus took the bread and the cup 

of wine which represent the fact that 

He came down from heaven and took 

the form of human flesh and blood so He 

could suffer for you and me. 

2) He blessed the bread and wine. At 

Jesus' 

baptism He was publicly set 

apart as our Saviour by His Father. 

3) He broke the bread. This was to 

represent His death on the Cross when 

His body was broken and His blood was 

shed for us. 

4) He gave the bread and wine to His 

disciples and urged them all to eat and 

drink. This represents Jesus' offer of 

His Salvation to you and to me. 

To the disciples Jesus said, 

5) Take, 

6) Eat. 

Jesus is offering His salvation to you 

and to me. Juniors, have you received 

Jesus into your hearts Do you feed 

upon Him every day This celebration 

of Jesus' death on the cross is the high 

est privilege of a child of God. Whenever 

you see the members of the congrega 

tion remembering Jesus' death on the 

cross in the Communion Service, is it 

your desire to be one of them someday 

This is something for you to think about 

very seriously. 

For your Notebook: Write down the six 

acts in the Lord's Supper. 


March 6, 1955 






FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN 

LOVE 

Acts 2:42-47; Cor. 13:1-7; Eph. 2:11-22; 

3:14-19; Col. 3:12-17; 1 Thes. 3:11-13; 

1 Jno. 4:7-11. Printed text, Acts 2:42- 

47; 1 Cor. 13:1-7; Col. 3:12-17; John 

4:7-11. 

Memory Verse, John 4:11. "Beloved, if 

God so loved us, we also ought to love 

one another." 

Acts 2:42-47. The experiences of Pen 

tecost added great numbers to the com 

pany of disciples. They had been dis 

couraged and disappointed at Calvary. 

Then a new understanding came with 

the resurrection, and the Power of the 

Holy Spirit came with Pentecost. The 

disciples were lifted up with a new spirit 

of power as they saw mighty works 

performed at their hands. 

We are not told of any command or 

authority by which the Christians 

launched their experiment in commun 

al life. The story in Acts tells of only 

the beginning. It seems to have been 

highly successful (Acts 4:34). The re 

port of Joses' joining the project, and 

Peter's words to Ananias (4:36 and 

5:4), imply that joining was voluntary. 

Though begun in the true spirit of 

brotherhood, it was doomed to failure, 

because it was not safeguarded against 

abuses. None of the other churches 

tried it. Evidently, the failure was not 

because of the principle involved, but 

because some took unfair advantage of 

the plan. The communal experiment 

was idealistic, and could succeed only 

in an idealistic community. Modern socalled 

communism is in no sense com 

munal. 

I Cor. 13:1-7 

In three centuries, we have changed 

the meaning of the word charity. It has 

lost its motive power, and has become 

the object. We give to charity. We raise 

money for charity. The Love of which 

Paul speaks is the power that moves to 

do things. Dr. James Orr begins a long 

description of love thus; "Love, general 

ly, 

is that principle which leads one 

moral being to desire and delight in an 

That principle as followed out 

in his long definition, permits of many 

gradations, and many objects, but does 

not admit such unmoral objects as pussy 

cats, and bon bons. And between moral 

beings, love is being so commonly used 

to describe infatuation that we are in 

danger of forgetting that there is a wide 

gulf between the two. The mistaking of 

infatuation for love is the cause of many 

divorces. 

"Paul has learned the true meaning of 

love, and tells us how it gives value to 

talents and conduct. Great intellectual 

gifts and the zeal to use them are of no 

value without love. An all-out charity 

and sacrifice that is not prompted by 

love, is not 

Then he tells us of some things that 

love will and will NOT do. Paul is using 

the word in its true sense. He has found 

love as the motive power that move men 

to a high plane of life. Paul's conception 

of love fits every relationship in life. It 

applies to Jesus' love for us, and our 

love for Him. It describes the love be 

tween father and son, between brother 

and sister, between husband and wife, 

yes, in a world sense, between man and 

man. A careful study 

of these verses 

would show the way for the healing of 

many sore spots in human relations. 

Pride and selfishness will keep sores 

open that love would heal almost in 

stantly. Sometimes we seem to prefer to 

let the sore fester. I met a man once 

who seemed to find great pleasure in 

telling how mean the boys in his neigh 

borhood were, and how he hated them. 

There were others in that neighborhood 

who found those same boys quite like 

able, and enjoyed their friendship. Our 

editor, who knows his town, greeted me 

one morning with, "Are you enjoying 

good health" I replied that I couldn't 

enjoy any other kind. He laughed heart 

ily. He said, "Do you know, there is a 

woman in this town who really enjoys 

poor health. She would be miserable if it 

was not for her miseries. The doctor 

says she could get well, if she didn't 

get so much pleasure out of telling folks 

about her 

The editor did not 

tell me who she was, but I knew, when 

I met her. 

We are to love all of God's people, 

and that of course includes ourselves. 

And we are not likely to fall below the 

full measure of love for ourselves. In 

fact, 

our love for self is used as a mea 

sure of the love we should bear to our 

neighbors. If we love our neighbors as 

we love ourselves, that is pretty cer 

tain to secure a proper balance. Love for 

God is of a different measure. Love for 

our fellowmen may illustrate, but can 

not measure a true love for God. The 

degree of our joy in life is determined 

largely by the objects that we choose 

for our love. If one considers a dog as his 

February 16, 1955 105

other." 

expected." 

grace" 

not" 

uprightly" 

still" 

best friend, he puts his friendship on a 

very low level. 

The pleasures of childhood have much 

to do with after life. I read a story 

about a boy named Benedict Arnold who 

got his biggest laughs by such amuse 

ments as pushing little girls down in the 

mud and nailing live frogs to a tree, and 

watching how long they would kick. And 

I read another story of a boy named 

Abraham Lincoln who seemed always 

to be near when anyone, especially a 

child, needed help, and even the dogs 

did not bark at him. These are two atti 

tudes of life. One caring only for his 

own amusement found no real satisfac 

tion in life. The other accepted God as 

his Father, his fellowmen as brothers, 

and doubled his own profits in life by 

sharing them with others. Our most 

valuable possessions are increased by 

sharing, and there is a selfishness that 

tendeth to poverty. Paul was not a Joy 

Killer. He had received the Spirit of 

love, and had found close together 

among the Fruits of the Spirit, Love, 

Joy, Peace. 

Paul is 

Col. 3:12 

speaking here of the same 

qualities of Love described in his letter 

to the Corinthians. He asks the Colos 

sians to put them on. Let them serve as 

a harness by which we can lift and car 

ry the burdens of life. If we accept this 

harness as belonging to Christ, wear it 

in His service, He will fit it to us, and 

choose the burdens we are able to carry. 

For His yoke is easy, 

(fitted to our 

shoulders) and His burden is light. 

WThat greater joy can we have in this 

life than to let the Peace of Christ rule 

in our hearts, and be thankful (verse 

15). To this end, Paul commends the 

Praise Service of the congregation, 

where we admonish one another in 

Songs of Praise, songs that are the 

Word of Christ, that have found a place 

in our hearts. 

I John 4:7 

John urges us to enjoy life. What 

gives us joy is what we like, the pos 

session of that which appeals to our af 

fection. Affection gives joy in the mea 

sure of its depth and the worthiness of 

its object. The joy is greater when the 

affection rises to the quality of love, and 

to its greatest height when it rises to the 

love of God. An affection dissipated on 

lower levels makes it impossible to ex 

press itself on the higher levels. If a 

man chews or smokes tobacco, his deli 

cate sense of taste is destroyed, 

so that 

he cannot enjoy the fine flavors of an 

apple or orange. One who indulges his 

evil nature by hating some of his neigh 

bors, destroys his ability to enjoy fully 

his love for anyone, even God. John 

106 

wanted his "beloved" to be happy. To 

this end he said, "Let us love one an 

If we do, we know that we are 

begotten of God. "He that loveth not 

knoweth not God; for God is Love." 

Psalms 


March 9, 1955 

"CONFIDENCE IN PRAYER" 

Heb. 4:14-16 

Paul D. McCracken, D.D. 

143:4-6, page 347 

140:1-3, page 343 

126:3-4, page 321 

119 :3-4, page 309 

116:3-6, 

page 282 

References: Ps. 37:4; John 15:7; Matt. 

7:7-10; James 5:14-16; 1:5-6; John 14: 

14; Mark 11:24; John 16:24; I John 3: 

22; James 5:17-18; Matt. 21:22. 

COMMENTS 

A story about prayer, 

which I heard 

more than once during my boyhood, was 

about the. old lady who had a hill just in 

front of her cottage, which not only ob 

structed her view but caused her much 

inconvenience. Having read in her Bible 

the striking statement of Matt. 17:20. 

one night she prayed very earnestly that 

the hill be removed. The next morning 

when she got up the hill was still there, 

and her only comment was, "Just as I 

Too much of our praying is like that. 

We lack confidence, our faith is weak or 

non-existent, and therefore our prayers 

are fruitless. James properly says of 

such praying (James 1:7) "For let not 

that man think that he shall receive 

Lord." 

anything of the 

But we have every reason to "come 

boldly to the throne of as our 

text suggests (Heb. 4:16). That doesn't 

mean carelessly or irreverently, but it 

does mean freely and with perfect con 

fidence. 

I. CONFIDENCE IN THE ONE TO 

WHOM WE PRAY GOD 

Think who He is. Recall the Shorter 

Catechism statement Q. 4. 

He is the only living and true God, the 

great I AM. 

He is the creator. He made the worlds. 

He spake, and it was done. 

He is the preserver and upholder of 

the universe, and all things therein. 

The gold and the silver are His; the 

cattle on a thousand hills. 

He is omniscient. "His understanding 

is infinite" (Ps. 147:5). 

He is Omnipotent. Nothing is too hard 

for Him (Jer. 32:17). 

"He is able to do exceeding abundant 

ly above all that we ask or think" (Eph. 

3:20). 

He is Omnipresent. Read Psalm 139. 

He is Our Father in Heaven, 

sus said in Matt. 6:8, 

and Je 

"Your Father 

knoweth what things ye have need of 

Think what He says. Some of these 

promises are found in the references 

given, and there are many 

more scat 

tered through the Bible. "Call unto me, 

and I will answer thee, and show thee 

great and mighty 

knowest 

things which thou 

(Jer. 33:3). "I am the 

Lord thy God which brought thee out of 

the Land of Egypt. Open thy mouth 

wide, and I will fill it" (Psalm 81:10). 

"For the Lord God is a sun and shield: 

the Lord will give grace and glory: no 

good thing will he withhold from them 

that walk 

(Ps. 84:11). "Ask, 

and ye shall receive: seek, 

and ye shall 

find: knock, and it shall be opened unto 

you" 

(Matt. 7:7). "But my God shall 

supply all your need according to His 

riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Phil. 

4:19). "If my people, which are called 

by my name, shall humble themselves, 

and pray, and seek my face, and turn 

from their wicked ways ; then will I hear 

from heaven, and will forgive their sin, 

and will heal their land" (II Chron. 7: 

14). If we believe God, as Paul did 

(Acts 27:25), then it would seem that 

we could pray 

dence. 

with the utmost confi 

Think what He has done. He supplied 

the nation of Israel with manna in the 

wilderness six days a week for forty 

years (Ex. 16:35). He sent fire from 

heaven down on Mt. Carmel to defeat 

the prophets of Baal. He withheld the 

rain for three and a half years, and then 

gave it in abundance, in response to the 

prayers of Elijah. The sun "stood 

in the heavens : 

hostile armies were de 

feated again and again, and victories 

won: a son was given to Hannah: blind 

eyes were opened: sick folk were made 

well : the dead (physically 

and spiritual 

ly) were raised to life. And He is still 

abundantly able, for He is "the same 

yesterday, today, and forever." 

So, "this is the confidence that we 

have in Him, that if we ask anything 

according to His will He heareth us; and 

if we know that He hear us, whatso 

ever we ask, we know that we have the 

petitions that we desired of Him" (I 

John 5:14-15). 

II. CONFIDENCE IN THE ONE 

THROUGH WHOM WE PR AY- 

JESUS CHRIST 

The Bible makes it very plain that 

the only bridge between a 

Holy God and 

sinful man is the Lord Jesus Christ. He 

is the one by whom we are reconciled to 

God (Col. 1:20-22) (II. Cor. 5:18-19). 

He is the one "in whom we have bold 

ness and access with confidence 

(Eph. 3:12). Paul reminds 

Timothy that 

"there is one Mediator between God and 

COVENANTER WITNESS 

"

me." 

country." 

you." 

prosper," 

covered." 

mercy." 

silence" 

promises." 

sin." 

gentleman." 

men, the man Christ 

Jesus" 

(I Tim. 

2:5). Jesus said in John 14:6, "No man 

cometh unto the Father but by 

me." 

But when we offer our prayer through 

Him, we can have confidence of "getting 

through." 

Dr. Eugene Myers Harrison, 

in one of his recent books tells again an 

interesting and illustrative story as 

follows: "A lad of twelve one day ap 

proached one of the uniformed guards 

at the gates of Buckingham Palace and 

said, "I want to see my king. People 

told me I wouldn't be able to get 

through the gates and into the palace, 

but I came anyway. I walked ten miles 

to get here. Please let me get through." 

But the guard roughly answered, "Do 

you think this is a museum The king is 

busy. Get away before I arrest 

Several times the boy 

pled to be per 

mitted to enter and each time he was 

rudely 

repulsed. As the lad stood near 

the gate crying, the Prince of Wales, 

also about twelve years old, came out of 

the palace, crossed the garden and began 

to converse with the guard. Noticeing the 

boy standing outside weeping, he said, 

"What is the matter with that boy out 

there" 

When the guard told him, the 

Prince ran to the sobbing boy and said, 

"I understand you want to see the king. 

He is my father. I am the prince. I'll 

get you through the gates. Come with 

The guard saluted and let the two 

boys enter. A few minutes later the 

king laid aside the important documents 

he was reading, talked kindly to the 

lad who had walked ten miles to see him, 

gave him a picture as a souvenir of his 

visit, and told him to go home and be a 

Christian citizen, serving God and his 

Jesus Christ is the Prince. He'll get us 

through to God. 

III. CONFIDENCE IN THE ONE BY 

WHOM WE PRAY THE HOLY 

SPIRIT 

Our space is limited so we'll just sug 

gest two passages for your study on this 

idea. In Rom. 8:26-27 we read, "Like 

wise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmi 

ties: for we know not what we should 

pray for as we ought: but the Spirit it 

self maketh intercession for us with 

groanings which cannot be uttered. And 

he that searcheth the hearts knoweth 

what is the mind of the Spirit, because 

he maketh intercession for the saints ac 

God." 

cording to the will of And in 

Ephesians 6 :18 Paul urges as a part of 

the warfare against Satan to be "pray 

ing always with all prayer and supplica 

tion in the Spirit. 

Again let me say we have every rea 

son to be confident and trustful as we 

pray. 

Suggestions: 

1. Discuss other bases for confidence 


in prayer such as 

(a) Your own past experiences. 

(b) The experiences of others. 

2. Tell of confidence in prayer by 

George Muller, Praying Hyde, and oth 

ers. 

3. Spend some time at home in careful 

re-reading 

all the great answers to 

prayer which you can find in the Bible. 

4. Take plenty of time to pray about 

and for specific things, named by your 

self, and those in your group. 


Mrs. Ross Latimer. Editor. 

Prayer Hour. 1:00 P.M. Monday 

WMS MEETING FOR MARCH 

"Choice of Paths" Proverbs 28:13 

Louise Murphy 

Doubtless, as we think of this topic, 

we will see before us a fork in the road, 

where there may or may not be sign 

posts. 

Since we are concerned about 

reaching our destination in the shortest 

possible time, we are anxious that we 

make no mistake in our choice. In this 

text Proverbs 28:13 we find signposts 

to direct us. One points to the way 

of attempting to cover our sins with the 

warning that who goes that way "shall 

not 

while the other points to 

confession and forsaking of sin with the 

promise, "He shall have 

1. A Contrast pictured, Psalm 32:1-5 

This is one of the seven penitential 

psalms and may refer to David's sin in 

regard to Bathsheba and Uriah. The 

psalmist shows his condition in the 3rd 

and 4th verses, when he "kept 

and tried to excuse himself to his con 

science, but this method only served to 

increase his misery. God's hand was 

heavy 

upon him so that his secret re 

morse not only preyed on his spirit, but 

impaired his health as though from old 

age. 

But when David admitted his guilt 

and confessed his iniquity to the Lord, 

what a change came into his heart and 

life! The relief, the joy which forgive 

ness gave him, were so great that he 

could sing, "Blessed is the man whose 

transgression is forgiven, whose sin is 

J. M. F. Brown, writing on the S. S. 

lesson for December 1953 gives this il 

lustration: "A certain man sought the 

help of a doctor, but treatments brought 

no results. Finally the M.D. said, 'We do 

not seem to be getting anywhere. Are 

you sure there is 

your 

not something on 

conscience' 

The man flew into a 

rage and said, T am coming to you for 

medical advice, not to have you probe 

into my 

life.' 

He went away angry, but 

returned later to say, T do have some 

thing on my mind. I was the executor of 

an estate and I cheated my brother out 

of part of his inheritance.' The doctor 

advised the man to tell his brother about 

this sin and to make restitution to him. 

The man did so and then said, 'Thank 

God, the burden is lifted. For the first 

time in years I can eat and sleep with 

out nervous disturbances.' The pangs of 

guilt can impell us to do things that will 

insure spiritual health. And physical 

health too!" 

2. The blessedness of sins confessed. 

Romans 4:7 

Words fail to express this blessedness 

except to those who have experienced 

forgiveness, who know what it means 

to have their sins covered by the blood 

of the Saviour who became sin for us. 

3. God's promise to those who confess 

their sins. 1 John 1:9 

John says in this verse, "Try Him out, 

confess your sins. He, who has promised 

to forgive, is faithful and just, 

so we can 

believe that He has 'blotted out, as a 

thick cloud, thy transgressions' and that 

'He has buried them in the depths of the 

sea.' " 

"Far as east from west is distant 

He hath put away our 

As some one has said, "We can trust 

Him, for it is the word of a 

"There hath not failed one word of His 

good 

A THOUGHT FOR YOU 

Keep that sense of humor! 

A friend said that years ago to me. 

Many times I have failed and too often 

because I forgot my sense of humor. 

The woman too serious to smile the 

home too strict for a hearty laugh 

the 

Christian too zealous to sparkle JOY, 

each lacks one essential for success! 

THANK YOU, MABEL LATIMER 

Aboard Cristoforo Columbo 

January 15 

My dear Mrs. Beatty: 

Please thank the ladies of the Synodi 

cal in our behalf for this lovely box of 

fruit they 

sent us through you. 

We had a nice little party on board be 

fore sailing fifteen I believe. It is fine 

to feel that Christian friends are behind 

us. The Bible reading and prayer gave 

us a feeling of oneness. We do want the 

women of the Synodical to know that we 

appreciate their gifts of 

prayer and 

fruit. We shall remember all of you 

before the Throne of Grace. 

Sincerely yours in His glad service, 

Wilbur and Elizabeth Weir 

107

end" 

children." 

stealing" 

room." 

. . You 

THE SECRET 

In the Christian Medical Society 

Journal, Dr. Vaughn Rees tells of his 

experiences in a Chinese Christian com 

munity during the early days of Com 

munism. The Communists had a public 

day nursery for sick children, and dur 

ing an epidemic of measles four-fifths 

of them died. In the Christian nursery 

only two out of sixty-seven died. 

This excited the curiosity of the Com 

munists, and they called a meeting to 

consider the reason for so great a dis 

crepancy. 

Several hundreds were ga 

thered. The Communist doctor, after 

asking some routine medical questions, 

turned to Pastor Ching (who was later 

martyred, Stephenlike, by stoning), and 

asked : 

"Our great trouble is that we cannot 

get nurses to love the children, really 

love them. What methods do you use 

to this 

Imagine the scene! All these young 

Communists with pencils poised. I could 

almost see the headings of their note 

books, "Rules for making nurses love 

their Pastor Ching arose and 

said, "If they have the Lord Jesus in 

their hearts, they must love, for He is 

love." 

The chairman was visibly vexed, but 

he went on, "Do your children swear 

Do they fight" and then, "Do your 

nurses steal the drugs" 

Mr. Ching gave a negative reply, and 

the chairman continued, "How then do 

you prevent this 

To which Mr. Ching answered, "Steal 

ing, lying, and fighting 

place until Jesus changes 

Gospel Herald 

will always take 

hearts." 

"THE WHITE CARNATIONS" 

I have read of a young Christian nurse 

in the city 

of St. Louis who became 

much concerned about her patient's lit 

tle daughter, Margaret. The child was 

winsome in her ways, but unwilling to 

submit to God's claim upon her life. She 

thought herself too young to be a Chris 

tian, and wanted "a good time" first. 

One day, when the invalid mother was 

better, a friend sent a bunch of beauti 

ful white carnations. "I think," said the 

nurse to Margaret, "we will not take 

these flowers to your mother just now 

they are so fresh and sweet let us keep 

them here for a few days, and then take 

them to her 

So saying, she 

fetched a vase and water. At first, Mar 

garet looked in silent wonder, then, be 

coming angry, "You shall do no such 

thing!" 

she exclaimed. "The beautiful 

flowers must be taken to my darling 

immediately!" 

mother 

Tenderly the 

nurse put her arm around the child. 

"Yes," 

she said, "I think, too, that 

Mother ought to have the flowers when 

108 

Church News 

Rev. and Mrs. Bergen Birdsall were 

struck by an automobile while crossing 

a street in Los Angeles, January 26. 

Both were seriously injured, and are in 

the French Hospital, Los Angeles. 

From Free Methodist 

LAKE RENO 

Gary Warren Blair, third son of Mr. 

and Mrs. Dale Blair, 

ber 23, 1954. 

was born Novem 

A prayer and preaching service was 

held at the church on Thursday of the 

Week of Prayer. 

The children of the Sabbath School 

presented a fine holiday program fol 

lowed by treats, gifts and social hour. 

The Mitchels especially want to thank 

the congregation for the fine pop-up 

toaster. When we think of the good 

things that came our way during the 

year: apples, eggs, chickens, fish, tur 

key, money to purchase paint for two 

parsonage rooms, and other tokens of 

thoughtfulness, we truly 

want to ex 

press our appreciation to the Lake Reno- 

Congregation. May the Lord give us 

grace to work and worship together ac 

ceptably in His sight during 1955. 

Miss Edna Elsey, Detroit, Michigan, 

and Mr. and Mrs. Paul McCrory, Deni 

son, Kansas, have been welcome guests 

at services recently. On other Sabbaths 

the following were present: the Ernest 

Ewing family, and Mr. Jack Ewing and 

daughter, all of Minneapolis. Jean Mit 

chel of Geneva College spent the holi 

days at home, and on her return trip 

stopped for a few hours in Chicago to 

visit Marjorie Mitchell. 

The young people had another enjoy 

able party together, December 30, under 

the leadership of Mr. and Mrs. Charles 

Peterman. They went bowling, then re 

turned to the parsonage for games, 

stunts, and plenty to eat. 

ESKRIDGE 

Our S. S. elected Mrs. James Mc 

Knight, superintendent, Eugene Steven 

son, assistant superintendent, Duane 

they 

are sweetest and freshest. But 

ought not God also to have your life at 

its best Yet, you are keeping it from 

Him, and waiting until you are older; 

then you think you will be willing to 

give Him some of the days when you 

are not your very best." Margaret saw 

what the nurse meant, and that very 

day she gave her life to the Lord Jesus. 

Prairie Overcomer 

Stevenson as secretary-treasurer. Con 

gregational officers are Chairman, Ross 

Latimer and Secretary, Doris Stevenson. 

Mrs. Jesse Weidner has been ill for 

some weeks. We hope and pray for her 

speedy recovery. 

It was decided by our W.M.S. to make 

Mrs. Sylvia Dill a life member. She has 

been our treasurer for many years. 

It is a joy to hear the voice of our 

baby Alice Mabel Caskey in church 

now. 

March 6 has been set for special of 

fering for Synod's budget at Eskridge. 

CAMBRIDGE, MASS. 

The Blue Banner Society enjoyed a 

very pleasant evening on Dec. 12 at the 

home of Mr. and Mrs. Watson Stewart 

in Natick. 

Mrs. Loretta Ervin has undergone 

several operations recently, and is now 

recovering at the home of her daughter. 

Mr. John Kipp, student at M.I.T. gave 

a very inspiring testimony Sabbath 

morning, December 12. 

"Prayer Meeting is the shot in the 

arm, the stimulant, the mid-week boost 

that gives us the needed strength to go 

through the week without slipping spir 

itually. It has blessed those who attend, 

prayers are answered, burdens are re 

moved, help has been granted. Come and 

share this rich experience." 

(from the church calendar). 

D. I. Robb 

"Dear friends in Christ, Last Wednes 

day evening December 22 there was an 

other "First" for us here at Cambridge. 

We were at the S. S. supper and enter 

tainment, and it was a rare treat along 

the entertainment line . have 

made this city, and your homes, and 

this church, a real home for us ... . 

As 

you have given in such a real way, both 

to our hearts and to our needs, we ask 

that you will give us one more thing. 

We desire your 

daily and fervent 

prayers for us, that the Lord may work 

well and to the glory of Christ here 

where our hearts are taking deeper root 

each day. Thank you. In His Bonds, Don 

and Betty Robb." 

calendar.) 

(From the church 

ORLANDO, FLA. 

Milton Harrington and Paul Mathews 

spent the 28th-31st of December in Flor 

ida visiting friends in the Orlando Con 

gregation. On Wednesday evening, De 

cember 29, following the mid-week 

prayer meeting, these guests were hon 

ored with an informal reception. 

Miss Barbara Smith entertained the 


alone." 

Young People of the Orlando Church 

and their friends on New Year's Eve. 

The evening consisted of various party 

games which were graciously followed 

by a delicious spaghetti dinner. It is well 

to be said that at the midnight hour a 

period of time was taken from the 

games for everyone to participate in a 

devotional time of quiet and meditation. 

The Fellowship Class of the Orlando 

Congregation held their monthly social 

at the home of Prof. W. R. and Dr. I. 

White. Dr. White is the teacher of this 

class. Their meeting of January 21 con 

sisted of a business meeting. Before the 

evening was brought to a close, the 

group was served with refreshments by 

the hostess. 

The Orlando Congregation was glad 

to welcome Mr. and Mrs. Larry Geisen 

and their son Robbie home from New 

Castle, Wyoming. Mrs. Geisen is the 

former Catherine Price. 

The Builders for Christ Class met at 

the home of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Dona 

hue on January 31 for a turkey dinner 

with all the trimmings. After all had had 

their fill, the officers for '55 conducted 

their first business meeting of the year. 

These officers are : President, Edward 

Forest; Vice President, Barbara Smith; 

Secretary-Treasurer, Alan Windham. 

The Business Women's Missionary So 

ciety held their January meeting at the 

home of Miss Nana Terry. Mrs. Mabel 

Dill led the devotions. 

The Women's Missionary Society held 

their January meeting at the home of 

Mrs. C. M. Patterson. 

Mr. and Mrs. Everett Miller from 

Burlington Junction, Missouri, are en 

joying Florida while visiting Mrs. Ever 

ett's uncle, Mr. J. C. McKnight. 

AGED PEOPLE'S HOME 

The Perrysville Avenue Women's 

Christian Temperance Union met at our 

Home on Saturday, January 29. At the 

meeting 

our Reverend Kermit Edgar 

gave a resume of the meeting of the Na 

tional Prohibition Council which met in 

Washington, and which Reverend Ed 

gar attended. All those who attend pro 

nounced it an outstanding meeting, and 

all went home with an awakened sense 

of how desperately 

our nation needs 

prayers. When other nations request our 

country to cease using their ports be 

cause of the depredations caused by our 

drunken sailors, it is surely time for the 

United States to get on her knees. Let 

us pray more earnestly for our country. 

Mr. Robert Fullerton preached on 

Sabbath, January 16, most acceptably 

at the Home. The members were so de 

lighted with the service. 

We are working on the plans for the 

addition to our Home a much needed 

addition. The Board of Managers, and 

the Building Committee 


request that 

you be much in prayer for this project. 

It is a tremendous undertaking and a 

necessary one, but we cannot "do it 

We request that each member 

pray at least once a day, and we hope 

many times a day, that the Board and 

the Committee will be given guidance, 

that our Lord will direct us all the way. 

What a blessed home we have for our 

ageing members and our returned mis 

sionaries! 

COLLEGE HILL 

Press Committee. 

Miss Martha Herr, Mr. David Pasarilla 

and Mr. Kenneth Engle, members 

of our congregation, have all been sur 

gery patients in the hospitals during the 

past month. All are released now and 

doing well, thanks to the Heavenly Fa 

ther's loving care. 

Dr. and Mrs. 

Lee recently spent a 

week in Washington, D. C, attending 

a meeting of College Executives. Presi 

dent Eisenhower was a speaker at one of 

the sessions and Mrs. Lee had the plea 

sure and honor of meeting the Presi 

dent's wife at one of the women's 

meetings. 

The passing of Dr. Ida M. Scott leaves 

many fond memories in the hearts of 

the College Hill congregation. For many 

years she was a member of this congre 

gation 

and whenever opssible helped 

with the work here. A number of our 

members attended the funeral at 

the Aged People's Home, others paid 

their last loving 

respects at the service 

at the grave. The burial was at Beaver 

Falls. 

Dr. Remo I. Robb gave us a most in 

teresting and instructive lecture on the 

book of Ephesians after the monthly 

Family Night dinner on the 19th of 

January. 

Our Pastor, Dr. F. H. Lathom has 

completed a most helpful series of ser 

mons on "Faith." 

Contributions to the Budget of 

Throughout the month of February 

our morning services will be broadcast 

over the local radio station. 

The Reformed Presbyterian Church 

of North America 

April 1, 1954 January 1, 1955 

LOOKING BACK 

It is almost a year now since we came 

to Philadelphia, and it surely is time, 

therefore, for some resume of what has 

happened. Frankly, we came here with 

Amount of Budget set by Synod $110, 015.00 

Amount raised to January 1, 1955 70, 377.46 

Amount raised to January 1, 1954 69. ,735.56 

Departments to Receive 

Foreign Missions $27,000.00 

Home Missions 9,000.00 

Southern Mission 

None 

Indian Mission 1,800.00 

Kentucky Mission 6,300.00 

Home Mission Sect. 3,625.00 

Young Peoples Sect. 225.00 

Women's Association 4,500.00 

Theological Seminary 9,000.00 

Students Aid 1,800.00 

Ministerial Relief 9,900.00 

Widows & Orphans 2,700.00 

Geneva College 14,400.00 

Covenanter Witness Pfc. CI 8,000.00 

Witness Committee 10,800.00 

Christian Education 450.00 

Miscellenanous Fund 425.00 

Nat. Association Of Evang. 90.00 

Received to 

Jan. 1, 1955 

$16,200.00 

5,400.00 

2,008.20 

1,080.00 

3,940.26 

2,175.00 

135.00 

2,700.00 

5,400.00 

1,080.00 

5,940.00 

1,620.00 

8,640.00 

7,000.00 

6,480.00 

270.00 

255.00 

54.00 

$110,015.00 $70,377.46 

$39,637.54 needed to raise the amount of Budget set by Synod, Plus 

$5,000.00 to send another missionary to Japan, or total needed by March 31, 

1955, $44,637.54. 

PRAY AND GIVE that the Lord's work might go forward. 

Chester R. Fox, Treas. 

109

fear and trembling. But we came be 

cause, so far as we could determine, it 

was God's call. The problems have been 

many, and still are, but under the Spir 

it's guidance it seems that they are be 

ing solved one by one. 

We arrived late in the evening in this 

big 

strange place, and after considerable 

manuevering finally found our way to 

36 W. Hillcrest, in Havertown, a west 

ern suburb of the city. Here was the 

splendid new home (our home) recently 

purchased as a parsonage by the con 

gregation. It looked all bright and 

cheery, 

and one of the faithfuls greeted 

us in the doorway. It was soon alive 

with people. Our furniture had already 

arrived and was being distributed 

through the house. Beds were set up. 

Shelves were well stocked with food. 

The welcome was most gracious and 

genuine. Our Installation and Reception 

which came later, was most heart-warm 

ing, and long to be remembered. 

The problems of getting acquainted, 

and trying to serve two congregations, 

recently united but widely scattered 

across the city and worshiping in two 

churches, have not been easy to solve. 

But, in general, the patient and coop 

erative spirit on the part of the people 

has been very evident, and is deeply ap 

preciated. 

In answer to prayer and under God's 

guidance, according 

to the agreement 

on uniting, both churches have now been 

sold, and at favorable figures. The First 

Church went to a colored Baptist con 

gregation who had lost their property in 

a new bridge development. The Second 

Church is being taken over the first of 

February by an Apostolic Church group, 

and will be quite centrally located for 

them. 

At a recent congregational meeting, a 

temporary place of worship was decided 

on. Our church home for the next six 

months or more will be a little church 

located at 7-9 Beverly in East Lans 

downe, just off Baltimore Pike. 

We are continually in prayer and ef 

fort to find God's choice for us for a 

permanent location. Already two votes 

have been taken on possible locations, 

but have resulted negatively. The big 

decision is yet to be made, and then 

there is much beyond that to challenge 

us. 

But, although there have been disap 

pointments, and some losses and revers 

es, yet, in general, we have found here a 

group of loyal, devoted, and generous 

people who love the Lord, and the 

Church to which He has entrusted such 

high standards of truth and conduct. 

The average attendance at morning 

services is around 65, and at the evening 

services around 30. We have three group 

meetings every Sabbath evening, and a 

110 

regular Wednesday evening Prayer 

Service. We are happy 

come in from time to time. 

when visitors 

The generosity of our people has been 

referred to. It is much in evidence. Our 

local budget is in good condition, and 

Synod's budget is receiving a much 

needed portion. Special offerings have 

met a ready response. To us, on various 

occasions such as Open House, Christ 

mas, etc., have come many generous and 

gracious gifts. At the aforementioned 

recent congregational meeting, a gener 

ous check for car-operating expenses 

was voted. 

For all these things for the loyalty 

and faithfulness to Christ and the 

Church on the part of so many; for their 

long-suffering and much patience in our 

short-comings; and especially for what 

we believe to be some evidence of a de 

veloping love for the Lord, and growth 

in spiritual things, we give in this public 

way 

our sincere note of gratitude. 

The McCrackens. 

Too long in storage, Editor. 

THANK YOIT, SYRACUSE 

As we leave the work in Syracuse we 

want to express our appreciation to a 

generous and willing 

people for their 

many kindnesses and for their spirit of 

co-operation during the nearly seven 

and a half years we were among them. 

We also want to say "Thank You" for 

the gift of money 

at the farewell gath 

ering; and for the many acts of thought 

fulness during those last days when we 

were in process of packing and depart 

ing. 

Our earnest prayer is that the Syra 

cuse congregation may continue to flour 

ish and increase as it holds forth the 

Word of Life in the community it has 

served so well for more than a century. 

G. M. and Ruth R. Robb 

A new typewriter has been added to 

the study in the SEATTLE parsonage; 

another and the latest in a succession of 

kindnesses to pastor and family by the 

congregation. In our three years here, 

we can point to numerous conveniences 

and improvements that have made us 

aware of, 

and truly 

grateful for the 

thoughtfulness of these friends. Not only 

are we thankful to them but also for 

them, because they are shedding abroad 

the love of God. 

Thank you Seattle. 

Melville and Marian Martin, 

BARR-McWHINNEY 

& daughters 

Miss Jean Barr and Mr. Wilbur Mc 

Whinney 

took place at the parsonage of the Alle 

gheny 

announce their marriage which 

Reformed Presbyterian Church 

on Thursday evening, February 3, at 

8:30 o'clock. The Reverend Mr. Kermit 

Edgar, pastor of the church where both 

attend, performed the ceremony. 

The bride is a graduate of Carnegie 

Institute of Technology, and of the Syra 

cuse School of nursing. She was a mis 

sionary to China under the Reformed 

Presbyterian Board for some years, and 

for the past three years has been Ma 

tron of the Reformed Presbyterian 

Home on Perrysville Avenue. Mr. Mc 

Whinney is an engineer. 

The bride looked very lovely in a navy 

blue suit with pink accessories and had 

a very beautiful corsage of orchids. Af 

ter the wedding the Reverend and Mrs. 

Edgar had a very beautifully decorated 

cake for the bride and groom to cut, 

and served ice cream, candies and coffee 

with it. The groom's daughter and her 

family were present, and Mr. and Mrs. 

R. Howard George and Mr. and Mrs. 

Wyman S. Robb. Mrs. George and Mrs. 

Robb are the two past presidents of the 

Board of Managers of the Home under 

whom Mrs. McWhinney has served. The 

bride and groom left for a short trip to 

Washington, D. C. They 

will be "at 

home" 

at 2344 Perrysville Avenue after 

February 15. 



Traverse Coates passed to his Eternal 

Home on January 12, 1955, after having 

suffered for some time with a heart 

condition. He became a member of the 

Almonte Congregation eleven years ago 

and took an active part in the activities 

of the church. The sympathy and 

prayers of the congregation are for his 

wife Eva, and the family, Geraldine, 

Donald, Sandra, Margaret and Linda. 

Mr. Norman Bowes underwent an 

emergency operation on 

January 28. We 

are thankful that he is now recovering 

satisfactorily. 

The monthly meeting of the W.M.S. 

was held January 27 with Mrs. Jane 

Waddell as hostess. 

QUINTER 

Rev. Sam Boyle spent a week in 

Quinter. He preached at four services. 

On Wednesday evening, January 26, he 

showed slides of Japan. Friday evening 

we had a covered dish dinner, after 

which he showed motion pictures. He 

also preached at both services Sabbath 

day. This should awaken our interest in 

the Lord's work in Japan. 

Miss Ruth McBurney left Saturday, 

January 29, to resume her nurses train 

ing at K. U. Medical center in Kansas 

City, Kansas. 

I moderated a call for the Hetherton 

congregation on 

Wednesday, February 

2, 1955, which resulted in the unani 

mous choice of Rev. E. Raymond Hemp 

hill to become pastor. Remo I. Robb 


GENEVA COLLEGE 

The Geneva College Alumni 

Lettermen's 

club will hold its second annual 

Alumni Lettermen's Day celebration, 

Saturday, February 19. 

Activities will include a coffee hour, 

and supper in the Brodhead hotel, Beav 

er Falls, an alumni basketball game, and 

the Geneva- Youngstown College varsity 

basketball game in the Beaver Falls 

High gymnasium at 8:30 p.m. 

The coffee hour will be from 4 until 

5 p.m., when the supper will begin. The 

alumni basketball game will include 

players from the 1945-1954 teams. 

JENNIE WALKINSHAW McKNIGHT 

ORLANDO, FLORIDA 

The Women's Missionary Society of 

the Orlando Congregation wishes to pay 

loving tribute to the memory of Mrs. 

Jennie McKnight who passed to her 

heavenly home August 26, 1954. 

She was faithful in her home duties, 

loyal to her church, missionary society 

and the W.C.T.U. 

To her family 

we extend our love and 

sympathy. Her memory will remain in 

our hearts for a long time to come. 

She was thoughtful of others day after 

day, 

Unselfish, helpful but that was her 

way, 

Her cheery smile and wholesome good 

humor, 

Are character traits we shall always 

remember. 

Committee. 

SANTA ANA 

Mrs. A. P. Donahue 

Mrs. Milford White 

January 5 a baby daughter Beverly 

Jean arrived to gladden the hearts of 

her parents Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Keys. 

We are thankful for the restoration 

of little David Vogt who recently spent 

some time in the hospital. 

Mrs. Mary 

Johnson received a mes 

sage of the sudden passing of her moth 

er, Mrs. McClure of Sharon. Mrs. John 

son has returned from her trip east. 

We sent 125 pounds of clothing to 

Selma, Alabama, in January. 

Friday evening, January 28 we had a 

church supper honoring Miss 

Blanche 

McCrea and Miss Orlena Lynn. Follow 

ing the supper Miss Lynn showed slides 

of Japan and Sabbath morning gave an 

interesting talk on the work there. Our 

S. S. collection that morning was $40.00 

for the Book Room in Kobe. Miss Mc 

Crea plans to be with us for some time, 

and we will hear of her work in Nicosia, 

Cyprus, later. These visits with our mis 

sionaries are a great blessing 

spiration for us. 

and in 

IN MEMORIAM 

MRS. BLANCHE M. CARMICHAEL 

There must have been joy in Heaven 

on November 15, 

as one of the bestloved 

members of the New York congre 

gation was welcomed into the Heavenly 

Home. In 1924 Mrs. Blanche McAllister 

Carmichael came from the Syracuse 

congregation to Second New York as 

the bride of Mr. Edward Carmichael. 

A joyous Christian, with a genius for 

friendship, she soon endeared herself to 

the latter congregation. 

When the Second and Third New York 

congregations united, in 1944, members 

of the former Third Church were quick 

ly added to Mrs. Carmichael's large cir 

cle of friends. The home in Rockville 

Centre, a suburb, shared by Mr. Car 

michael's two sisters, Miss Lavinia Car 

michael and Mrs. Anna C. Wray, was 

noted for its hosnitalitv from the begin 

ning. Members of the Women's M'ssionary 

Soo'ety have rrpny happy memories 

of the Rockville Centre meetings. 

Mr. Carmichael passed away in 1939. 

Though Mrs. 

Carmichael felt his loss 

keenly, she continued to be active in 

the congregation and particularly in the 

Women's Missionary Society. She was 

the efficient and faithful treasurer for 

a number of years, and still held that 

office at the time of her death. Frail in 

health in the last few years, she was 

tenderly cared for by Mrs. Wray during 

several serious illnesses. The past 

months were very hard, but she was 

brave and bright, grateful for loving 

care, and interested in all her friends, 

until, she lapsed into a coma, several 

days before she passed away. We shall 

miss this dear friend very much, but wo 

rejoice that for her sorrow and pain are 

no more, and she is safe in our Father's 

House. 

DR. ROBERT W. ROBB 

The Church has suffered another loss 

in the death of Dr. Robert W. Robb, who 

was born near Morning Sun, Iowa, Jan 

uary 10, 1878, the son of the late Dr. 

T. P. Robb, pastor of the Sharon Cove 

nanter Congregation near Morning Sun. 

Dr. Robb attended Geneva College in 

class of 1899 and graduated from the 

Iowa State University Medical School in 

1904. 

For eighteen years he praet;~ed med'- 

cine in B'anchard, Iowa: having taken 

special work in psychiatry he became 

the superintendent of the State Hospital 

in Osawatom'e, Kansas, 

for 18 

where he served 

years as head of the Nurses 

Training School and director of the 

Hospital and as assistant superinten 

dent. For 9 years he served the State 

Hospital at Independence, Iowa, as as 

sistant superintendent and later as su 

perintendent. From Independence, Iowa, 

he went to Philomath, Oregon, to prac 

tice with his son, Dr. Thomas Robb but 

after three weeks the son suddenly died 

and Dr. and Mrs. Robb returned to 

Lamed, Kansas, where he had a previous 

offer in the State Hospital and where 

he worked until January 1954. After an 

attack of virus pneumonia he received 

a leave of absence and spent four 

months in Orlando, Florida, then to 

Frederick, Maryland to be with their 

daughter, Mrs. Mary Wheeler. He passed 

away on January 30, 1955. His body was 

brought to Clarinda where the funeral 

was conducted by Rev. C. T. Carson, 

burial was at Blanchard, February 2, 

1955. 

August 29, 1927 he was married to 

Miss Monta Porter, of Albia, Iowa, to 

which union four children were born; 

Robert William, Thomas Plantz, Mrs. 

Mary Katherine Wheeler and Mrs. Nan 

cy Harrison Scott of Kansas City. Two 

sisters survive, Mrs. E. L. Dodds of Van 

Nuys, California and Mrs. W. O. Mor 

row, of Hemet, California. 

course 

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February 16, 

1955 111

LET US 

MARCH together during MARCH 

SABBATH, MARCH 6 

Information Sabbath 

A new publication on stewardship and the tithe is being prepared by synod's stewardship com 

mittee. Sufficient copies are to be forwarded for every member of every congregation. Congre 

gational representatives are asked to see that these are distributed on this Information Sabbath. 


Tither's Sabbath 

A tither's enrollment card is being 

printed and will be supplied to all communicant members 

and adherents in each congregation. This is to follow a sermon by the pastor on some phase of 

stewardship and the tithe. All members will be given an opportunity to enroll as tithers at that time. 

This is not for new tithers only but also for all who have been tithers in the past. The cards are to 

be collected at the same service, the results duly tabulated and reported to the clerk of session 

who shall report to the clerk of Presbytery for his report to synod. Non-resident members and 

members not present on tither's Sabbath should be reached during the week. 


Budget Sabbath 

This should be a day of thanksgiving to God for His help and to all who cooperated in this 

venture of faith. It will be a time when pastors may wish to explain the synodical budget and its 

needs and to inform the people, 

on how their budget dollar is divided. 

THE COVENANTER CHURCH 

UNANIMOUS ON THE TITHE 

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of 

God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. 

Ephesians 4:13 

Stewardship Committee 


all," 

off" 

crop," 

ECHOES NUMBER 

LESSON HELPS FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 13, 1955 

VOLUME LIV WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4G, 1955 

ts 

"Tourist 

Tragedy 

By Edwin Raymond Anderson 

V) 

NUMBER 8 

Two men traveled side by side one Spring morn 

ing to that low mound of earth a short distance with 

out the Jerusalem gates, which is known as "Gor 

don's Calvary," and reputed to be . . THE 

. 

. place. 

They stood upon that bleak bit of lifted ground, 

each occupied with his own thoughts. If this were 

actually the place where the dear Lord was crucified, 

"who died to save us it would be difficult to 

frame the thoughts into words. Several moments 

passed . . . then the first of the two reached into a 

pocket, drew forth note-book and pencil and scrawled 

the line, "Visited Calvary today," snapped both back 

into pocket and went back to the city. 

The other watched him go down and away. Then 

his eyes slowly turned back to that bleak spot. Sud 

denly tears spurted from his eyes, his frame began 

to tremble, and overcome with holy emotion, he fell 

upon his knees, lifted those misted eyes to the skies 

and hoarsely whispered, "My Lord and my God!" 

Two men . . . 

striking pictures of the many who 

profess to honor the Name which is above every 

Name and who pretend to enter somewhat into the 

wonder and the glory of Calvary ! The one is a tourist 

with a collection of facts on file. The other is a 

warming" 

worshiper with a "strange of heart which 

has lifted those filed facts, under the kindling of 

the Holy Spirit, into acts-on-fire, expressed in fer 

vent doxology. And as in such cases, the question is 

naturally formed out of the picture, "which man is 

representative of yourself, dear reader, in cold, actual 

truth" 

Are you a doctrinal tourist Are you a de 

voted worshiper There is "a great gulf fixed" be 

tween the two, measuring the actual state of the 

heart and life before the Lord who died for both on 

the bloody gibbet. 

A spiritual writer of another generation has 

marked the danger of, "trafficking in unfelt truth," 

and in this generation one must admit with deepest 

grief that the traffic is unbearably heavy. Somehow 

we find it all too easy to complain about the liberals 

in our midst who traffic in unknown truth, dealing 

with things they know nothing of where spiritual 

reality is concerned. But to whom much is given 

much shall be required, and where truth which is 

known in the head is tragically "unknown" in the 

heart and life, the disaster is all the greater, and 

severe. The woes which the Lord 

judgment intensely 

pronounced in the days of ministry in flesh upon 

earth, were directed to those who were custodians of 

the divine revelation, and who had betrayed their 

charge with that brand of spiritual sophistication 

which had drained all the practical life out of the 

vessels. A hum-drum holiness is far worse than a 

base heathenism in the sight of the Holy One who 

ever desires truth in the inward parts, not the up 

ward regions. 

We are fast becoming 

a people of "religious 

tourists," 

who know all the chapters-and-verses, who 

can "reel favorite verses at the drop of an invi 

tation, who attend all the "top-flight" meetings and 

hear the "cream of the who are found regu 

larly in the front seats of the outstanding rallies 

and conferences, and dwell in densest spiritual dark 

ness for all of that. Where are they to be found in 

the time of holy quietness where is the hunger of 

innermost heart after the deeper wellsprings of 

holiness where is the measure of their outreach 

after pure worship "in spirit and in truth" "Thou 

empty," 

shalt be missed for thy seat shall be will 

alas(!) be the verdict written against the many 

who pride themselves upon their doctrinal correct 

ness and splendid orthodoxy. 

Somehow I sense that far too many of us know 

too much, even where the Word is concerned. "If 

them" 

ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do 

saith the Lord, and all true doing begins with the 

doxology of praise and worship. What unhappy 

Christians we are, if knowledge has not deepened 

(Continued on Page 119)

gospel." 

us." 

night.'" 



Cowboy Game Fatal to Boy 

The above is a headline in a daily 

paper before me 

as I write. The boy had been playing cowboy in a barn at 

his home and the rope became tangled around his neck and 

he was strangled. Nearly all boys want to play cowboy 

these days, and much of the fun may be quite innocent. 

However, it is common for boys to play cowboy or bandit 

with toy revolvers and often they point it at some friend 

and pull the trigger. This is not a wholesome type of 

fun, but the danger is that one day the boy 

of a real revolver and pretend to play 

will get hold 

with it when he 

points it at some one and it may be loaded. Many acci 

dents occur in this way and some of them are fatal. Parents 

should guard very carefully the play of their children, the 

shows which they 

see and the television displays as well 

as the comic books. Comic books are to blame for many 

bad ideas in the minds of children, but let us not fool our 

selves into thinking that they only 

The Piney Woods School 

are to blame. 

The Piney Woods School was started in a small way 

by Laurence C. Jones, a modest Negro educator, who want 

ed to help his own people in a country 

section of Missis 

sippi, about 50 miles from Jackson. Dr. Jones has kept 

the school going by securing small gifts from people of 

modest means. Recently a popular television program, 

"This Is Your Life," without previous announcement, 

brought L. C. Jones to appear on its screen. At the close 

of the program Dr. Jones and his friends told the story 

of Piney Woods, and the master of ceremonies, Ralph 

Edwards, suggested that those who wanted to help this 

deserving cause could each send a dollar to the school. 

At the last report the gifts have already amounted to 

5625,000! The Piney Woods post office has had to hire 

extra help, and the Trust Company of Jackson where the 

dollar bills are accumulating to form an endowment for 

the school, hired 50 extra employees to work after bank 

ing hours just to count the money. What a powerful in 

fluence TV can be for good also what for evil! 

Gift for Cyprus 

We are pleased to read in a letter from Rev. Clark 

Copeland that Mr. Weir had received a check for $10,000 

from the Crowell Foundation for the Larnaca building. 

He also reports that the building in Nicosia is progress 

ing so that it looks like a building and is expected to be 

ready for the opening 

of school next September. Perhaps 

some day our missions or our CAM movement may have 

an opportunity over the air like that of the Piney Woods 

School. 

Mr. Copeland also states that in their work of evan 

gelism some children who came running to receive tracts 

tore them up, but there are others who receive them 

gratfully. Paul had preached in Cyprus before he wrote 

to the church at Philippi: "Some indeed preach Christ 

even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: the 

one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing 

to add affliction to my bonds: but the other of love, know 

ing that I am set for the defense of the 

114 

Encouragement in Syria 

One of the teachers, Michelene Aeesa, of our schools 

in Syria has written recently that The Fellowship among 

the students chose for this year's motto, Rom. 5:8, "But 

God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we 

were yet sinners, Christ died for 

The girls were di 

vided into two groups and so many have been attending 

that they hold their meetings in a room where there are 

the most benches. The writer says: 

"Last week there 

were 48 girls and 8 stood all the time for there was no 

room to sit. Today Miss Helen was the speaker and there 

were 53 girls beside the two student leaders; the Moslem 

girl 

brought 38 and the Christian 25." This is providing 

a wonderful opportunity to witness to all, Christian, nomi 

nal Christians and Moslems. We at home should uphold 

this work, as well as elsewhere with our prayers. 

Woman Judge and the Bible 

The Moody Monthly gives us the following item: 

"Honoring both her promise and her Bible, Judge Fannie 

E. Burch was sworn into office in Livingston, La., as the 

first woman to hold a major judgeship in Louisiana. Ful 

filling a pledge, Judge Burch opened court in Division 

A of the 21st Judicial District by reading a Scripture 

verse (Ps. 1:1,2). 

"The entire court was silent as she read: 'Blessed 

is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the un 

godly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in 

the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of 

the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and 

Keep the Old Church 

Dr. Oswald J. Smith explains why his church in 

Toronto, which is 100 years old and overcrowded will not 

be enlarged for at least another year, as he says: "We 

see to it that we give more to missions than we spend on 

ourselves at home." During 1953 his congregation, known 

as "The People's Church," spent $43,000 at home and about 

five times that amount $225,000, on 350 missionaries. 

Testimony of an Ex-Mason 

The Rev. M. L. Haney has been a minister in the 

M. E. church for over 50 years and an evangelist for 30 

years. He tells of his experience both in joining and leav 

ing the Masonic Lodge in the current issue of the Chris 

tian Cynosure. Two men urged him to join, one a preacher 

and the other a class leader. They stated that he could 

do a great deal of good to young men in their lodge. He 

joined. After he had a deep conviction of his sin and his 

duty to God, he wrote: "Next lodge night came around 

and I as new convert, was on hand; I put on my little 

apron and sat down to take in the excellencies of my new 

brotherhood. I had not been seated long when the Holy 

Spirit suggested that I look around and see my brethren. 

I slowly and thoughfully scanned the whole circle and to 

my surprise there were the most profane men in the city, 

drunkards and vile characters mixed up with a few good 

men. Having made the survey and considered the heart 

relations I was brought into with these characters, the 

Holy Spirit as by a pen of fire, wrote these words on my 

heart, 'Come out from among them, and be ye separate. 

saith the Lord.' I tarried not to confer with flesh and 

blood, but obeyed the heavenly vision, and at the opening 


COVENANTER WITNESS



KREMLIN SHAKEUP 

Georgi M. 

Malenkov's resignation as Premier of the 

Soviet Union was an unprecedented move for a Communist 

dictatorship. In an extraordinary 

message to the Supreme 

Soviet, he took responsibility for the failure of the farm pro 

gram and admitted other errors due to "inexperience." 

Malenkov had been premier since Stalin's death two years 

ago, but the Communist hierarchy seems never to have been 

securely reorganized. The first sign of dissension was the 

fall of Beria, security chief. Malenkov then developed a soft 

er line both on internal and foreign policy. But his influence 

began declining late last year, and by December there were 

definite signs of a shift in policy if not in leadership. 

Marshall Nikolai Bulganin, formerly Defense Minister, 

now succeeds Malenkov as premier. He is basically a politi 

cian rather than a soldier. However, his successor in the De 

fense Ministry is Marshal Zhukov, one of Russia's most popu 

lar professional soldiers. Zhukov was a hero of World War 

II but was in obscurity from 1945 until Stalin's death. His 

rise may indicate new power for the Soviet army. Most ob 

servers believe the real power behind the government now 

is Nikita S. Khrushchev, first secretary of the Communist 

party. There are no immediate signs of a sweeping purge, as 

Malenkov still holds a cabinet position. 

SOVIET POLICY 

The changes in Russia seem to point toward greater em 

phasis on heavy industry and agriculture, 

at the expense of 

household goods. Agriculture is one of the crucial failures of 

the Soviet system. The peasants have never given full coop 

eration and productivity has remained low. Half the people 

of Russia are engaged in farming to feed the other half, com 

pared with one-eighth living on farms in the U. S. 

In foreign affairs, the shift in power was accompanied by 

a very aggressive speech by Molotov. This may mean the end 

coexistence" 

of "peaceful 

talk, and stronger tactics to block 

German rearmament. However, Russia's admitted internal 

weaknesses seem to make it unlikely that she would risk 

a war. The recent change will lower Soviet prestige abroad, 

and perhaps lessen her influence with Red China. It should 

also end, for some time, the talk of a Big 

ONE BIG UNION 

Four conference. 

The long-planned merger of the AFL and CIO seem 

likely to be completed by the end of this year. A unity 

agreement settling all major problems has been signed by 

at Miami Beach. 

twenty leaders of the two groups, meeting 

The AFL has 111 unions with over 10 million members, and 

the CIO, which split off twenty years ago, has 34 unions 

holding nearly 5 million workers. Walter Reuther of the 

CIO stepped aside to allow George Meany, AFL president 

to head the new combined group, which is not yet named. 

Because of its larger membership the AFL will also domi 

nate the executive council, with 17 of the 27 vice-presidents. 

The constitution of the new organization will protect the 

identity of existing unions and set up machinery for settling 

jurisdictional disputes. The merger will become final when 

the national conventions of the AFL and CIO ratify the 

project this fall. 

CONTRACT TIME 

The new unity in organized labor may be part of an 


effort to increase its political power for 1956, in order to 

get a more favorable national administration. Labor also 

wants to strengthen its bargaining 

position in preparation 

for important new contract settlements this year and next. 

The first big struggle will be with the automakers. Union 

contracts with General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler all expire 

this spring or summer, but negotiations will begin in April. 

CIO President Walter Reuther is pushing for a guaranteed 

annual wage, but the auto companies insist that this is 

impossible because of the seasonal nature of the business. 

Both sides are preparing for a sharp battle. The car makers 

are producing at a record pace to accumulate a backlog, 

while the auto workers are building up a large strike fund. 

CLASSROOMS NEEDED 

President Eisenhower's Congressional message on the 

school problem emphasized the need for new construction. 

He estimated the present shortage at 300,000 classrooms, 

with 50,000 more new rooms needed each year to keep up 

with rising enrollments. He asked Congress to appropriate 

$750 million over the next three years, with which the fed 

eral government would buy 

school bonds of local districts 

which cannot otherwise sell them at a reasonable interest 

rate. This money would eventually 

come back when the 

bonds were redeemed. The President also requested $150 mil 

lion in federal aid, to be repaid later, to help 

state agencies 

finance $6 billion worth of schools for districts which are un 

der restrictive debt limits. The local districts would rent the 

buildings from the states until they had paid the full pur 

chase price. For districts which are too poor either to issue 

bonds or rent buildings, Eisenhower asked $200 million in 

outright grants, which the states would have to match. 

Democratic leaders called this program totally inadequate, 

and it certainly faces amendment in Congress. 

DEATH PENALTY 

The British House of Commons has rejected, by a vote 

of 245 to 214, a motion to suspend capital punishment for 

five years. The idea had support in both political parties, but 

the Churchill government opposed it. Britain's Home Secre 

tary supported the traditional view that the death penalty is 

a deterrent for criminals. A Royal Commission on Capital 

Punishment has been studying the problem for some time. 

Parliament almost passed a resolution against the death 

penalty in 1948, and the issue will be kept alive. About half 

the nations of the U. N. have abolished capital punishment. 

In this country it is left up to the states, with all but six 

using the death penalty. 

DISSENTING VOICES 

Lincoln's Birthday dinners brought many words of 

praise for President Eisenhower, but also sharp 

attacks from 

a rally of Old Guard Republicans in Chicago. This group 

claimed that the 1952 Republican platform had not been 

followed. They also denounced the President's highway 

and school programs, and his failure to balance the budget. 

Their real anger, however, was directed at liberal Republi 

cans and their influence with the Administration. The Chi 

cago meeting included prominent supporters of McCarthy, 

the Bricker Amendment, and high tariffs. This group may 

become more solidly organized, but we do not see what it 

can accomplish beyond a hopeless third-party movement. 

115

understand," 

private." 

Persecution in Colombia 

But It Still Goes On 

Man's inhumanity to man is a very old story, 

and there is no sign yet that it is coming to an end. 

It is a strange thing, this urge to hurt others, and it 

is strangest of all when it is done in the name of 

religion. There is a poem of Yeats, each verse of 

with the line "The world's more 

which ends up 

full of weeping than you can 

and in 

deed a thing of the sort takes some understanding. 

"Just the art of being kind, is all this sad world 

needs," 

says a minor poetess, but what she says is of 

first importance all the same. It is to be noted that 

at the recent canonisation of Pius X there was pres 

ent a special mission from Colombia, and it is to be 

hoped that at some auspicious moment, someone 

from one of the other missions, or someone even 

higher up who can speak for the Roman Catholic 

Church, has been able to convey to the Colombians 

that it is about time the persecution of Protestants 

still going 

on in their countrv were stopped. A word, 

an honest word, would do it; and it must be plain 

to many that this kind of thing is bound to do their 

Church a great deal of harm. 

Silence 

So far as I know, and I have been watching for 

it, there has been no answer to that appeal. Yet what 

a difference it would make if there were one ! If the 

Pope said that there must be no persecution of the 

Church in Poland, in Russia, or anywhere else, and 

therefore persecution must cease in Colombia, that 

change would redound to the glory of his Church, 

and would bring hope to a world where hope is not 

too plentiful. It would indicate a change of heart in 

a Church which has made persecution all too often 

a main instrument in its policy, and which has cer 

not repudiated that instrument. And even if 

tainly 

nothing came of the appeal, it would be a great thing 

that it should have been made. But something surely 

was bound to happen, for though it is the secular 

government which is doing this thing, the impelling 

power behind it all is that of certain elements in 

the Roman Catholic clergy. But if Rome spoke, the 

whole bad business would be finished. For surely 

even men who have grown hardened in persecution 

would pay heed to their master's voice 

This is How 

The Protestant Church has been at work in 

Colombia for nearly a century. It had its difficulties, 

but till some years ago no organized opposition. Then 

it started, and within six years fifty-three Prot 

estants have been martyred, forty-three churches 

and chapels destroyed, and one hundred and sixteen 

primary schools closed. All this has happened in spite 

of the fact that in 1948, at the ninth Conference of 

American States, which met in Bogota, Colombia, 

there was approved by the Conference an American 

Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man. This 

Declaration Colombia approved and signed, 

and this 

is what the third article affirms: "Every person has 

the right freely to profess a religious faith, and to 

manifest and practice it both in public and 

About the meaning of that there can be no doubt 

whatever. There can be no excuse, then, for starting 

a particularly cruel persecution in the very year 

when it is signed. Twice last year the new President 

has been urged to restore religious liberty, and a 

masterly silence has been all the answer. But there 

has been issued a new series of orders which have 

as their object to suppress Protestantism and to re 

strict religious liberty still further. 

Another Appeal 

Early in April of last year another appeal was 

issued, this time to the man whose word can be final 

and decisive for the Church. In other words, it was 

made to the Pope himself. Now Pope Pius XII is a 

great talker, and he has made many very moving 

speeches pointing 

out that there are lands where 

the Church of Rome is under oppression, and that 

this should not be. He asks for freedom for the 

Roman Church, and claims or asks that all sorts and 

conditions of men should co-operate in seeing that 

it gets it. That is his claim ; and the appeal asks him 

to use his influence to secure the same freedom for 

the persecuted Protestants of Colombia. 

Items 

When you read of a persecution, and are given 

a list of figures to show you the extent of it, it is 

sometimes difficult to take in what is happening. 

But when a concrete example is given, one begins 

to realize the pity and horror of it. Here is one from 

a missionary in Colombia. It concerns a "shoeshine 

boy" 

called Carlos Julio Tovar, of Cucuta in Colombia. 

"He was an orphan and a street urchin . . . 

cross-eyed, 

buck-toothed and filthy." He began to come to 

church, and sat in the front pew. The minister was 

embarrassed and apprehensive, for he did not know 

what it meant. But in a little the boy was giving 

tracts to those whose shoes he polished, and for 

that he was put in prison. The minister bailed him 

out, and on the 17th August 1950 he was baptized 

along with another shoeshine boy, who was his first 

convert. Both had taken baths and donned clean 






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116 

COVENANTER WITNESS

iver." 

clothes for the occasion. Then the minister left 

Cucuta, and lost track of the boy, who also moved 

away. 

The Outcome 

When next he heard of him it was in a bulletin 

of the Evangelical Confederation of Colombia. There 

he read how, on or about 12th February 1953, a 

young man, a Protestant, called Carlos Julio Tovar, 

"bought two Bibles and twelve New Testaments in 

the Protestant Church of Barrancabermeja. He plan 

ned to sell them on a trip down the river to Puerto 

Wilches. On the boat going down the river a govern 

ment detective heard him talking to a woman about 

the Gospel. The detective would have killed him on 

the spot, but the captain of the launch restrained him 

... On arriving at Puerto Wilches the detective took 

Sr. Tovar to the police station, where they confis 

cated the Bibles and New Testaments. They put him 

to work carrying wood to the local slaughter house, 

work which was too heavy for him. The night of 

17th February the police took the boy to the slaught 

er house, stabbed him twice with their bayonets, and 

threw him into the Magdalena. Somehow, by five 

o'clock the next morning he was able to get out of 

the river and appeared at the house of one of the 

believers at Puerto Wilches Somebody informed 

the police of Carlos' hideout. Officers came, sought 

him out, clubbed him to death, then disposed of the 

body in the 

The Bulwark 

Churches Can't Live on Air 

Yet People Spend Three Times as Much on Liquor as They Do on Religion 

Did you skip church one Sabbath recently be 

cause you'd been forewarned that there would be 

another of those "money sermons" Or, if you re 

frained from skipping, did you drowse through the 

part that would have told you how your church is 

run financially 

If you went on that particular Sabbath, you 

probably heard a restrained sermon to the effect 

that now, when fear grips mankind, Americans need 

spiritual guidance as never before and that, more 

over, the whole world needs the leadership of demo 

cratic churches. 

The preacher didn't say anything very directly 

about finances, though his text may have given 

the general idea that even things of the spirit cost 

money. 

But after the sermon the chairman of the 

board of deacons got up, and you began to think 

of the roast and an afternoon nap, as he mumbled 

through a reading of the church budget. 

It was bigger than last year, he said, but the 

money wasn't going to buy as much on account of 

the price of everything. He said something about the 

building debt and how, if it could only be paid off, 

the new Bible school annex could be built before 

materials got scarce. Only he guessed it wouldn't 

get paid again this year. 

(You wondered why in tarnation not. The build 

ing was 13 years old and it couldn't have cost so 

much to build back in 1938). 

The deacon's voice droned on about how the 

board was sorry that it couldn't raise the minister's 

pay this year. 

(With mild shock you considered the minister's 

salary and wondered how in the world he got by 

on it.) 

Meanwhile, the deacon was saying that the 

board was sorry, too, that it couldn't repaint the 

preacher's house. Or reroof the chapel. Or give more 

money to foreign missions, because those people 

were surely doing a wonderful job in places where 

a democratic church in action could set a valuable 

example. 

As a matter of fact, he said, instead of doing 

any of those things the board had decided to cut 

down on some benevolences and expenses. 


It's too bad, he said lamely toward the end of 

his speech, but that's how things were. Just not 

enough money to go around. 

Actually, you didn't listen very carefully to the 

deacon's speech, and some of his dire predictions 

you wrote off to his well-known pessimism. Any 

way, the total amount looked to you like plenty of 

money to run one small church. 

So you pondered only briefly about increasing 

your pledge this year and discarded the idea as you 

thought about taxes and the high cost of groceries. 

And that was that, as far as you were concerned, 

for another year. You could settle down to churchgoing 

without worrying that money sermons would 

disrupt your spiritual (or possibly just sleepy) medi 

tations. 

It's rather a shame that you didn't listen more 

carefully to what the deacon said. As a member of 

a church, you really 

are up against. 

ought to know what churches 

Take a Church 

There are churches and churches. City cathe 

drals that spend a couple of hundred thousand dol 

lars a year. Tiny country chapels that get by on five 

or six hundred dollars. But take a look at one that's 

fairly typical as churches go, and see how it runs. 

Back in 1924 a group of 43 residents of a suburb 

near a large southern city got together and organ 

ized this particular church. They bought a small 

frame building for $3,500 and hired a preacher at a 

salary of $900 a year. Most of the financing was done 

by the national organization of their denomination. 

Gradually the suburb grew, and people packed 

the pews of the little wooden chapel. A building fund 

was started, and by 1947 there was enough accumu 

lated to risk going into debt for a new church. It 

cost $85,000, of which $15,000 was a grant from the 

denomination's national fund. The rest was obtained 

through a bank loan at 3 J/2% interest. 

Now the debt stands at $30,000, and the princi 

pal is being paid off at a rate of $4,000 or $5,000 

a year. 

The church has a congregation of 513, and they 

have pledged enough to sustain an operating budget, 

exclusive of paying off the building debt, of $14,740 

this year. Of that, some $11,000 is needed for actual 

117

unning expenses, and the rest goes for local and 

national charities and home and foreign missions. 

Where the money goes 

Now take a look at the budget of the typical 

church that has been selected. 

Salaries The minister, who has been with the 

church more than 20 years, makes $4,450 a year (he 

got a $450 raise last year) 

. He is also given a home, 

for which the church finances major repairs. He 

has a $240 annual car expense allowance, and the 

church puts $356 a year into his retirement fund. 

The choir director and organist, both house 

wives and amateur musicians, are paid $500 a year 

each. Another housewife gets $600 as church sec 

retary and assistant treasurer. 

Other salary expenses are $100 for a relief 

preacher when the minister goes on vacation and 

$720 for a janitor. Total salaries : $7,466. 

Operating costs. The church is heated at a 

cost of $800 a year. 

Electricity costs $150, water $48, 

and the telephone $100. Repairs to the church and 

the minister's home and replacement of physical 

equipment and the like eat up $250 a year. Total 

upkeep: $1,348. 

Insurance and interest. 

Premiums on insurance 

policies on church property cost $200 a year, and 

interest on the building loan will run this year to 

$1,000. Church property, incidentally, is exempt from 

taxation. Total here: $1,200. 

Incidentals. Stationery and postage run $50 

annually, and $200 is paid out every year for a small 

weekly advertisement in the local paper. Church 

bulletins cost only $312 a year because they are 

run off on duplicating machines. 

Music for the choir and organist runs $100, and 

$250 is set aside for miscellaneous expenses, which 

might be new hymnals, Sabbath school pamphlets, 

Communion supplies or any of a hundred other neces 

sary items. Total incidentals : $912. 

Good Works. The $3,814 in the budget not 

earmarked for current expenses is divided up like 

this: 

A total of $267 (at 52 cents per member) for 

support of the national organization, $100 for a 

local religious education project, $2,800 for the na 

tional organization's benevolence budget, $225 for 

an home, $357 for the orphans' 

national building 

fund, and $65 for the local federation of churches. 

Gospel on a shoestring 

That's how one church operates. Reads like 

a pretty small business, doesn't it Actually, that 

church is above the norm. On a nation-wide scale, 

the average church spends only $9,181 a year to run 

itself and gives $2,492 to benevolences. 

And the average member gives only $30.58 a 

year to his church. For America's S2y2 million church 

members that's a total contribution of only 21/ 

billion dollars a third as much as we spend to sup 

port the liquor industry, half as much as we pay 

for cigarets. 

And with that relatively small amount, what 

does this business accomplish 

It manufactures articles like peace in your soul, 

homes for the aged and orphaned, sustenance for 

the poor, medicine for the sick, clothing for the 

naked and faith. 

118 

How is it that so little money can do so much 

Those who work with churches will tell you that 

every dollar given is trebled by donations of time 

and talents by willing hands. The Lord's business 

will get done, 

somehow or other. 

on you. 

How much of it gets done and how well depends 

Reprinted 

by request from CHANGING TIMES 

The Kiplinger Magazine, June 1951. 


ANOTHER COUNTRY HEARD FROM 

Our tithe reporters from across the U.S. boundry 

line have come up with an interesting bit of 

news on Christian giving. Covenanter ministers are 

not noted for their swollen bank accounts. Many of 

them, and we hope God." 

all, are "rich toward 

Among our people are many indeed who faith 

fully contribute their tithes and offerings. We cited 

an example of those who paid two tithes of their 

last year's salary. We are hearing of congregations 

which are making commendable efforts to do their 

share and more. We hadn't heard of anyone who 

has contracted the two tithe habit. Not that there 

may not be many such but we do not know, and it 

is not necessary that we know who they are. "The 

Lord knoweth them that are His" and what they 

are doing. 

But we do know of one pastor and his wife who 

are normally operating on the two tithe basis. Dur 

ing 1952, '53 and '54 their average giving was 20 

per cent of their income, and in 1955 so far, they are 

on their way toward the double tithe for the fourth 

consecutive year. 

This report comes from the Dominion of Canada. 

We are not stating who these "two tithers" are. But 

if there is anyone whose curiosity bump is giving 

him (or her) trouble, he (or she) may drop a line to 

the Rev. and Mrs. F. F. Reade, Almonte, Canada, who 

keep accounts for the folks we have in mind. 

D.H.E. 

BIBLE SONGS THE PSALMS IN METER 

By Rev. David T. Lauderdale 

The following incident concerning the old sweet 

song of the Bible, the one hundred and third Psalm, 

was told by that great servant of God, Dwight L. 

Moody. 

The Father's Pity. Like as a father pitieth his 

children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him 

(Psalm 103:3). A chaplain to seamen, at an Amer 

ican port, visited a sailor who appeared to be near 

death. He spoke kindly to the man upon the state 

of his soul, and directed him to cast himself on Jesus 

Christ. With an oath, the sick man bade him be 

gone. The chaplain then told him that he must be 

faithful to him, for if he died impenitent he would 

be lost forever. The man was sullen and silent and 

pretended to fall asleep. The visit was repeated 

more than once with similar ill success. At length 

the chaplain, suspecting that the sailor was a Scotsman, 

repeated a verse of the old version of the 

Psalms : 

COVENANTER WITNESS

generation." 

existed." 

since." 

I 

Such pity as a father hath 

Unto his children dear, 

Like pity shows the Lord to such 

As worship Him in fear. 

Tears started into the sailor's eyes as he lis 

tened to these words. The chaplain asked him if he 

had not had a pious mother. The man broke into 

tears. Yes, his mother had, in years gone by, taught 

him these words, and had also prayed to God for 

him. Since then he had been a wanderer by sea and 

land, but the memory of her faith and love moved 

his heart. The appeals made to him were blessed by 

the Spirit of God. His life was spared and proved 

the reality of his conversion. 

Associate Reformed Presbyterian 

COVENANTER MEMORIAL DEDICATED 

In the Grassmarket Square, Edinburgh, a circu 

lar raised pavement marks the place where stood the 

gallows whereon three hundred years ago, about one 

hundred people were hanged for their covenanted 

faith, and then interred in a common tomb in the 

Greyfriars churchyard. 

A handsome stone wall now surrounds the afore 

time comparatively obscure memorial pavement, so 

that it has become the centre-piece of a memorial 

garden. This quite costly operation was carried out 

by the Edinburgh Corporation at the suggestion of 

one of the councillors, who, in turn, was motivated 

by some American visitors. The latter desired to 

photograph the humble memorial pavement, but be 

fore doing so, had to secure a brush so as to make it 

presentable at least, so it has been reported. 

At a ceremony of dedication on October 24, at 

which the Lord Provost of Edinburgh and the mem 

bers of the Corporation, together with the High 

Constables and a guard of honour by the Cameroni 

ans (Scottish Rifles) were present, the Duke of 

Hamilton in his speech referred to the National 

Covenant of 1638, as embodying principles which 

shaped the pattern of Scottish religious life. It was 

a document which stood for liberty without the sacri 

fice of loyalty, and for tolerance wherever such was 

compatible with truth, said the Duke. He closed: 

"May this simple ceremony and fitting memorial to 

Scots who died for the Kirk, inspire us to renew our 

covenant with Him who is the Light and Truth for 

men of every 

Thereafter he unlocked 

the gate of the memorial garden and declared it open. 

No doubt this will be a focal point for Reformed 

Presbyterians when they visit Edinburgh in the 

future. We are all greatly indebted to the Edinburgh 

Corporation for this fine service to our cause, and 

may it stimulate us all to increasing devotion to the 

Saviourhood and Headship of Christ personally, and 

in Church and State. 

Tourist Tragedy 

continued from front page 

into spiritual wisdom! and with an unhappiness 

which echoes before the Throne to the grief of a 

wounded Lord. 

The tourist . . the worshiper . . which shall it be 

from this moment as the Spirit applies these truths 

to these hearts of ours Of course, we know what 

the answer ought to be . . but the actual answer be 

fore HIM is the crucial concern. But oh! to fully 

realize it! 


Book Review 

THE WORLD TO COME 

Isaac Watts 

This is the latest volume in the Wycliffe Series 

of Christian Classics which the Moody Press is re 

printing. 

Isaac Watts was 'born in the year 1674 in England, 

while the Killing Times were going on in Scotland. 

Religion was at a low ebb in England, and Isaac's 

father was several times imprisoned for his faith. 

While the greater part of the book is a series of 

sermons by Isaac Watts, the biography of Watts 

by S. Maxwell Coder contains some interesting ma 

terial for us as a denomination. This deals with his 

interesting work as a writer of hymns. Coder tells us 

that "A Baptist minister of London named Benjamin 

Keach was one of a number of men who sought to 

introduce an occasional hymn. He began by using one 

at the communion service, was able to add a hymn on 

thanksgiving day six years later. Fourteen more 

years had to elapse before he was allowed to use a 

hymn at the regular church service. It was neces 

sary to place this hymn at the close of the meet 

ing so that members who opposed the innovation 

might be able to leave the building before it began. 

Even so, a disgruntled minority withdrew from the 

congregation and began a new church where hymn 

singing was banned." People gave up the Psalms 

with reluctance. 

However, the great part of this book consists of 

a series of sermons on the life to come, with its re 

wards and punishments. Isaac Watts was a great 

preacher, judging him by his volume of sermons. 

They are a sample of preaching at its best by a man 

who knew the truth and preached it. It is no wonder 

that he had a great influence in England. 

These sermons are helpful reading because they 

are well written and true to the Bible. This volume 

is well worth reading. It is a book of 448 pages and 

sells for $4.00. The address of the Moody Press is 

820 N. La Salle St., Chicago 10, 111. 

R. C. F. 

GLIMPSES Continued on page 114 

let those dear souls know that I could not stay with them 

and go with God. I took off my little apron and have 

never seen it 

Mr. Haney adds: "I have known many good men who 

have gone with them (secret societies), but not one spirit 

ual man who has not sustained serious loss by remaining 

with them. I have known many ministers whose path was 

a shining light before they entered, but in no case have 

I failed to see that light grow dim in proportion as their 

interests in the lodge increased .... 

have demonstrated 

in thirty years of evangelism, that it is well nigh im 

possible to have a wide, deep, thorough revival in any com 

munity, town or city which has been honey-combed with 

the influences of the lodge. In my 79th year, and before 

I go back to God, I have felt that I must leave the above 

testimony. There are a few temperance organizations 

which have their signs and passwords. I have been in them 

but had to come out of them and question seriously 

whether the cause would not be further advanced, if they 

had not 

119

side," 

glory." 

sir!" 

seventy," 

scribed." 


ECU 

For Covenatf 

ECHOES 

February, 1955 

TO ILLUSTRATE THE C.Y.P.U. 

March 6 

- 

Verse Analysis 

TOPICS 

Methods of Bible Study; 

"All Scripture is given by inspiration 

of God" 

(2 Tim. 3:16). These closing 

verses from 2 Timothy 3 are positive 

refutation of the view that the Old 

Testament is not a part of the Christ 

ian Guidebook. Whenever the Scrip 

tures are referred to in the New Testa 

ment the reference is to the Old Testa 

ment. The New Testament had not yet 

been recognized as scripture. That did 

not take place until after the apostolic 

age, although the New Testament in 

struction was in effect from the very 

times of the apostles. The Bible, there 

fore, which Lois and Eunice taught to 

Timothy was the same as our Old Tes 

tament. 

Timothy's Bible, under Paul's in 

struction, was of course of greater sig 

nificance than it could have been until 

Paul conducted his evangelistic tour in 

Asia Minor and showed him that Jesus 

Christ is the focal point of the Old 

Testament. We are not, in using the 

Old Testament, to return to a less ad 

vanced stage of God's progressive reve 

lation. Rather we are now to view 

the whole scope of the revealed word. 

The Old Testament, Paul said, is made 

not obsolete, but more sure by the ap 

pearance of Christ. 

March 13 

Chapter Analysis 


Paul was diligent to admonish Timo 

thy to adhere to the scriptures. He 

was to bear in mind who taught him 

the Scriptures, and in contrast, the de 

ceptive seductive character of teachers 

that would arise. He was exhorted re 

garding the value of the Scriptures in 

accomplishing God's purpose in the man 

of God. Paul passes on a charge, for 

which Timothy will be responsible to 

God, to preach the Word and to exercise 

vigilant pastoral care over his flock. 

He is to keep this charge, the listless 

tendencies of his hearers notwithstand 

ing. 

March 20 Methods of Bible Study : 

Character Study. 

120 

There are individuals whose person 

alities ripen into pessimism and de 

spondency as the shadows of life leng 

then. There are others whose lives grow 

ripe like a golden harvest. 

"I am on the bright side of 

said a certain man of God. "The bright 

he said, "because nearer to ever 

lasting 

"Nature fails," said another, but I am 

happy." 

"My work is done," said the countess 

of Huntingdon at eighty-four. "I have 

nothing to do but go to my Father." 

"I fear you are going home," some 

one remarked to a humble Christian. 

"Fear it, 

he replied, "I know I 

am; but blessed be the Lord! I do not 

fear it, I hope it." 

In his latter years the Methodist 

evangelist, Joseph H. Smith, when at 

a certain public gathering, was called 

upon to speak, took a firm grip on his 

chair arms, literally pulling himself to 

a standing position, and declared with 

the dignity of a general, "I am stronger 

than I have ever been before." 

Youth may fail to understand these 

exuberating expressions of people whose 

physical powers seem so nearly extin 

guished. They grow wiser, however, as 

they 

learn that all strength has its 

source in God. 

March 27 

Topical Study 


The Bible came into being by a pro 

gressive process reaching over approxi 

mately fifteen hundred years of time. 

Patrick Fairbairn aptly describes this 

process by saying, 

"It appears some 

what like a river, small in its begin 

nings, and though still proceeding, yet 

often losing itself for ages underground, 

then bursting forth anew with increas 

ed volume, and at last rising into a 

swollen stream 

greatest by far when 

it has come within prospects of termina 

tion. 

John Locke, speaking 

of divine reve 

lation, said, "Whatsoever is divine rev 

elation ought to overrule all our opin 

ions, prejudices and interests, and 

hath a right to be received with full 

assent. Such a submission as this of our 

reason to faith takes not away the 

landmarks of knowledge; 

this shakes 

not the foundations of reason, but leaves 

us that use of our faculties for which 

they 

were given us. 

A CATALOGUE OF HELPS FOR YOU 

You 

may 

order these items at the 

prices indicated from Remo I. Robb, 

D.D., 1102 Ninth Ave., Beaver Falls, 

Penna. 

1. Books 

a. "Reformed Presbyterian Manual of 

Doctrine" 

A series of 22 studies 

on the Church and its beliefs, 

with Bible references. Suitable for 

Discussion Groups. 

b. "Reformed Presbyterian Catech 

ism" 

140 questions and answers 

about our Church. Best used along 

with the Manual. 

c. "What We Believe" 16 discussions 

by Dr. Walter McCarroll. 

d. "Bible Truths for Young Christ 

ians" 

7 lessons of questions and 

answers by Dr. J. G. Vos. 

All these books cost 20c each, or 3 

for 50c. 

2. 1955 C.Y.P.U. Yearbook 

It contains 

All the C.Y.P.U. Topics for 1955 

The name and address of 

your 

Conference Secretary in a Direct 

ory of Presbyterial Secretaries. 

The Plan of Work and related 

reports adopted at Grinnell. 

A copy of the C.Y.P.U. pledge. 

Other items of interest and help. 

If your society has not yet ordered 

a supply, order now, at 15c per copy. 

Or send for a personal copy. 

3. A Subscription to the Goal Post. 

An 8-page monthly magazine pro 

posed by the national convention and 

published by the C.Y.P.U. Staff. 

Contains meeting helps; news; pic 

tures; articles of interest; testimonies; 

devotional helps; book reviews. 

The national convention recommend 

ed "that each society be 100% sub 

Subscription price 

4. Soul Winner's Project Kit., 

Prepared by young people. 

$1.50 per year. 

Helps on 

Tracts, Gospel Teams, 

Prayer Groups, Special Speakers, 

Census Taking, Personal Contacts. 

Copies FREE. 

5. Bible Study and Soul Winning 

Course 

COVENANTER WITNESS

28 

29 

expected." 

press." 

DES 


SECRETARY 

ôung People 

Lessons 1 and 2 are ready. Others are 

coming 

already. 

soon. Over 200 copies sent out 

Cost 2c per copy. 3 copies for 5c. 

6. A Blue Banner Pin. Blue and gold 

enamel. Dainty. Just the thing for 

your dress or coat lapel. One lady 

had a set of ear rings made from two 

of them. Cost $1.10 

each. 

ALL ITEMS ARE PREPAID. 

SUMMER Y. P. CONFERENCE 

CALENDAR 

July 12-17 Colorado 

At Covenant Heights, Estes Park, 

Colo. 

President Miss Gwendolyn Elliott, 

1215 Tenth Ave., Greeley, Colo. 

Y. P. Secretary Dr. Jesse C. Mitchel, 

330 S. Corona St., Denver 9, Colo. 

July 16-23 Pacific Coast 

At Long Meadow Camp, Hume 

Lake, Calif. 

President Miss Tillie Buck, 

4145 Illinois, Fresno 2, Calif. 

Y. P. Secretary Rev. Robt. Mc 

Millan, 775 N. Barton, Fresno 2, 

Calif. 

August 15 22 Covamikoi 

At Lake Wawasee, Oakwood Park, 

Syracuse, Ind. 

President Miss Alice Templeton, 

McKee Hall, Geneva College, Beav 

er Falls, Penna. 

Y. P. Secretary Rev. Roy A. Black 

wood, 321 E. First St., Blooming 

ton, Ind. 

August 22 

- 

Forest Park 

At Topeka, Kansas 

President Robert McFarland, Me 

morial Dorm, Geneva College, Beav 

er Falls, Penna. 

Y. P. Secretary Rev. Paul Faris, 

Quinter, Kansas 

August 22 

- 

Pittsburgh 

At Camp Stambaugh, Youngs 

town, Ohio 

President David Patterson, 109 

Monitor Ave., Pittsburgh 2, Penna. 

Y. P. Secretary Rev. D. Howard 

Elliott, 207 Darlington Rd., Beaver 

Falls, Penna. 

August 12-22 

President 


White Lake 

Miss Margaret Weir 

105 Brevort Place, Bellmore, Long 

Island, N. Y. 

Y. P. Secretary Rev. Chas. S. Ster 

rett, Route 1, North Plank Rd. 

Newburgh, N. Y. 

JUNIOR CAMPS 

June 

Camp Fernwood 

Directed by the Central Pittsburgh 

congregation. For Information as to 

exact dates, rates, program, etc., 

write Rev. Kenneth G. Smith, 308 

Dunlap St., Pittsburgh 14, Penna. 

August Camp White Lake Junior 

Conference 

For information as to dates, rates, 

program, etc., write to Rev. Chas. S. 

Sterrett, North Plank Rd., Newburgh, 

N.Y. 

A LAMB IN THE LAKE 

The writer has a grandniece who when 

she was just three years of age lived 

near a lake about a mile above the Cove 

nanter Church in Montclair, New Jersey. 

One day in December 1942 she and a 

half dozen other children started off 

for a walk around the shore of the froz 

en lake. She noticed some ducks on the 

other side of the lake, left the other chil 

dren and started off alone across the ice 

to see the ducks. The other children 

went on without her. 

Some time later on two little girls 

from a Catholic School came down to 

play near the lake. Looking out over the 

lake they saw two little red mittens 

sticking up from the water. They went 

up to the school and told the Sisters in 

charge about the two red mittens and 

she sent two boys down to the lake to 

investigate. 

They took a row boat out and found 

the little girl floating unconscious. She 

wore a rubber snowsuit with a rubber 

hood tied tightly around the throat, 

wrists and ankles. This caused her body 

to float. 

The boys took her unconscious body 

ashore and she was taken to the hospital 

in Montclair where after an hour in an 

oxygen tent she revived. It is estimated 

that she was in the water 20 minutes. 

No doubt God caused the little girls to 

go down to the lake and see the red mit 

tens. 

That happened 13 years ago. The little 

girl graduated last year from Junior 

High School in Illinois with a mark of 

"High Scholastic Attainment." 

God's angels watch over children who 

are prayed for. 

John Huss 

EVANGELICALS PROTEST ACTION 

IN GREECE 

In a letter to the Greek Ambassador 

in Washington, Mr. George V. Melas, 

the National Association of Evangelicals 

today protested the sentencing of a 

Greek Evangelical to two months im 

prisonment for having written a letter to 

a Greek newspaper condemning the in 

tolerance of the Greek Orthodox Church. 

Dr. Clyde W. Taylor, speaking for the 

National Association of Evangelicals 

said that Mr. Charamambus Agapides 

had "written a letter to The Macedonia, 

a newspaper in Thessalonica, in which 

he had protested the intolerance of, and 

persecution by the Greek Orthodox 

Church and some of the political author 

ities against the Evangelical Church in 

Katerina, of which church Mr. Agapides 

is a deacon." 

Dr. Taylor said that the National As 

, 

sociation of Evangelicals, which repre 

sents over 20,000 churches in the United 

States is organizationally related to the 

Evangelical Church of Greece through 

their mutual membership in the World 

Evangelical Fellowship. 

Enlarging upon the situation which 

has been caused by this incident, Dr. 

Taylor said that "matters of this nature 

have been very disturbing to Protestants 

in the United States because they have 

felt that unnecessary hindrances to the 

free practice of religion in a free coun 

try like Greece are not to be 

"This particular case Dr. Taylor said, 

"involved not only the free practice of 

religion, but also the freedom of ex 

pression and freedom of the 

Mr. Agapides, a native Greek, ad 

dressed his letter to The Macedonia 

about eleven months ago. No official 

reaction was made for a number of 

months. He was ordered to go on trial 

on January 12, 1955. The trial lasted for 

only three and one-half hours, after 

which time Mr. Agapides was sentenc 

ed to two months imprisonment and was 

given a three years suspended sentence. 


121

sis." 

verses" 

words" 



March 6, 1955 

Paul Robb 

METHODS OF BIBLE STUDY 

VERSE ANALYSIS 

There is one great object in our lives 

and that is to bring honor to our God 

by doing His will. However, to DO what 

God requires, we must first determine 

what it is He wants of us, and how He 

would have us do it. This is the reason 

that you and I as children of God, anx 

ious to please Him, should be active 

and consistent in studying our Bibles. 

It is for this purpose that this series 

of topics are being written and we are 

confident that if you will incorporate 

some of the suggestions into your Bible 

study, that this purpose will be ful 

filled in you. 

God has not promised an easy path 

to walk in order to find Him in His 

Word. That is, knowing the truth about 

God and obeying that truth requires 

some effort on our part. This knowledge 

does not brush off onto our souls as 

easily as the dust from our Bibles clings 

to our fingers. In Proverbs the second 

chapter we find . . . "If thou seekest 

her as silver, and searchest for her as 

for hid treasures; then shalt thou un 

derstand the fear of the Lord, and find 

the knowledge of 

God." 

This series of topics on Bible study 

will present some suggestions for dif 

ferent methods of study and how to do 

them. The one we shall take-up first is 

called "Verse Study," or "Verse Analy 

There are several good reasons for 

this kind of study and there are also 

many rich rewards. Let's take a brief 

look at three. 

L 

Because certain passages in the Bible 

are familiar to many of us we often as 

sume the meaning of particular verses, 

or perhaps miss much of the significant 

truth in them. When we stop and ana 

lyze some of those key verses we dis 

cover amazing things that we have been 

passing by for years. 

n. 

Knowing certain "key and 

their meanings will bring to mind the 

entire passage in which the verse is 

set. For instance; if we were to analyze 

or study ACTS 27:25, we would likely 

remember the whole record of Paul's 

shipwreck on the way to Rome and the 

marvellous things God did through him 

on that voyage. 

122 

III. 

You will also be surprised how study 

ing and analyzing certain verses will 

facilitate your use of God's Word in 

answering the problems and questions 

of unbelievers, not to mention our own. 

In the type of verse study 

we are 

going to consider, there are seven steps, 

none of which are very difficult but 

which will help 

from different perspectives. 

us to see the verse 

1. Select the verse for study. Perhaps 

it will be one which has always seemed 

hard to you; or one of your favorites, 

or perhaps one which throws a lot of 

light on some great truth of the Bible. 

Write down this verse on a piece of 

paper you will use for the study. 

2. Study 

the context. Search for and 

write down the thoughts in the preced 

ing verses, and the verses immediately 

following. Try and discover what this 

particular verse adds to the thought 

of the whole passage. 

3. Pick out the important words. 

Which ones are "key 

Be sure 

to write down any words you do not 

understand and look up their meanings. 

4. Write the verse in your own words. 

Now that you have a good idea of the 

thought of the verse, try and express 

it in your OWN words without losing 

any of the thought of the verse. 

5. Write an application to yourself. 

See how this verse applies to you either 

in what you should believe or do as a 

Christian. Write down ways that you 

can make this verse part of your life. 

6. Write an application to others. 

What does the verse say about your 

family 

. 

. . your schoolmates . . . your 

church . . . the nation What can you 

do to help others see the message of 

this verse 

7. Memorise the verse. Write it on 

the tables of your heart! Lay it up 

in your memory where the Holy Spirit 

can bring it to your "re-memberance." 

It won't be hard to do if you have 

done the rest of the study faithfully. 

Don't forget to memorize the reference 

with it! 

If you put a verse through these dif 

ferent processes of study, it is probable 

that you will never lose the meaning 

of this verse for the rest of your life 

and it's impression upon your life will 

continue to grow and bring forth fruit. 

Remember that the real fruit of Bible 

study may not appear as we are do 

ing it, but when we have completed 

the mechanics of the study and look 

back on what we have done, then we 

often see the great value of having 

applied ourselves to seeking God's Word. 

The lasting joy is seeing the Word at 

work in our lives through the years, 

changing us into the likeness of Jesus 

Christ. 

(Suggestion for the leader:) 

1. Determine if all present have had 

opportunity to read the comments on 

this study. If they have not, give a 

brief summary of some of the reasons 

for this study, and what you think 

will be gained from it. 

2. See that all are provided with 

paper, pencil, and Bible. Choose a verse, 

let each one put it through these seven 

steps, then spend the rest of the time 

in discussion of what they have dis 

covered in the verse. 

3. Some possible verses which may be 

used to profit are listed below . . . how 

ever, feel free to choose others. 

1 Peter 5:10; Acts 4:12; John 15:16; 

Psalm 37:7. 


March 13, 1955 

Robert McCracken 


CHAPTER ANALYSIS 

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you 

. . 

richly Col. 3:16. 

Psalms 119 vs. 1,5,6, Page 300 

Psalms 19 vs. 5,6, Page 42 

Psalms 139 vs. 1-3, Page 341 

Tonight we are going to discuss and 

do another type of Bible Study. This 

week we expand from the Verse Analy 

sis to a Chapter Analysis, and although 

this method is a little tougher, it is 

again an effective means of partaking 

of the riches of the Word of Christ. 

There are many, many ways of doing 

a Chapter Analysis, but rather than 

trying to give a hint as to the nature 

of a number of different ways, I thought 

it would be more profitable for us to 

night to take one simple method and 

work it out right in the meeting. So, 

if everyone is equipped with pencil and 

paper, we're ready to start. 

The method we're going to try to 

night is called the A.B.C.D. Method, 

and the passage we will be studying is 

II Timothy I. 

A. A-Title 

The first step in our study of II Tim 

othy I will be to select a title which 

summarizes the contents of this first 

chapter. This can only be done after 

you read carefully and 

thoughfully what 

Paul says. A suggestion which has prov 

ed helpful to me in this step of the 

study is, 

as you read, jot down the 

COVENANTER WITNESS

me." 

weak." 

watch." 

cup" 

wilt." 

ideas which the author seems to be 

stressing. 

They may 

come from one 

verse or a group of verses. But as you 

get the ideas written before you, it 

will be easier to narrow down to the 

main point. If the same idea is' ex 

pressed two or three times, it's a pretty 

good hint as to what the title should 

be. This is the hardest part of the 

study and probably 

will require the 

most time and thought. However, if this 

step is done carefully 

on each chapter 

of the Book, you'll be surprised to see 

the purposes and contents of the whole 

Book lying right there in front of you. 

B. Best Verse 

The second step of our study is to 

choose out of the verses of the chapter, 

one verse which you consider to be the 

best verse. You may select one verse, 

and the next person may have an en 

tirely different verse. In such a case it 

is wise to have some good reasons for 

choosing the verse you did. Often times 

you'll find two or three verses that 

seem to be best verses, but for the 

sake of this study, eliminate all but. 

one. Then write that verse and list be 

low it two reasons why 

C. Covenant 

you chose it. 

The third step of this study is both 

practical and personal. Of the four, I 

believe this step can be of the greatest 

benefit in your Christian life, if it is 

carried out. In this C step, we are 

to find a verse which affects our lives, 

and then apply it to our own situation. 

You may want to use the Best Verse 

which you chose. The distinction how 

ever between B and C is that in C 

you answer the question, "What am I 

going to DO about it" Select a verse 

which deals with a sin in your life, 

something in you which you know isn't 

coming up to God's standard, then 

write your covenant. A suggested way 

to start your application would be in 

these words, "By the grace of God, dur 

ing this week I will . . . Let me give 

just one word of caution don't promise 

more than you plan to DO. 

D. Difficulties 

This last step needs very little ex 

planation, and probably will be the 

easiest of these to do. Under "difficul 

ties" 

you simply list the things in the 

chapter that you don't understand. The 

value of this is that at some later time 

you can bring up 

your problems in a 

discussion group and find your answers 

there; or, another possibility is to take 

your list of difficulties to your pastor 

who can probably dissolve them for you. 

A good way to> discover difficulties is 

to ask yourself the question, "Could 

I explain this to someone else" 

That's the end of this A.B.C.D. meth 

od of Bible Study. I hope you find it 

profitable and that you will not only 

keep this study that you've done for 

reference, but also go on through the 

other three chapters of II Timothy and 

finish the good work you have begun. 

Suggestions for the Leader: 

1. Be sure to have pencils and paper 

ready. 

2. Do the study yourself, before you 

come. 

3. Allow time during the meeting for 

each member to do the study and 

give assistance to those who need it. 

4. Pray the prayer of the Psalmist: 

"Open Thou mine eyes 

to behold 

wonderous things out of Thy law." 

(Psalms 199:18). 

JUNIOR TOPIC 


IN THE GARDEN 

March 13, 1955 

Scripture Text: Mark 14:32-42 

Memory Verse: "Watch ye and pray, 

lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit 

truly is ready, but the flesh is 

Mark 14:38 

Psalms 


1-5, page 325 

Psalm 41:5-8, page 105 

Psalm 69:1-4, page 166 

Psalm 18:12, 13, 16, page 37 

In our study last week we learned 

about how the sacrament of the Lord's 

Supper was started or instituted by 

Jesus Christ. Jesus told His disciples 

that this was the night when He would 

be taken from them to be crucified. He 

told them that all of them would for 

sake Him this night. Peter, the one who 

was always speaking, said that even 

if everyone else left Jesus, yet he 

(Peter) would not. Jesus said to Peter, 

"This day, even in this night, before the 

cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me 

thrice." 

But Peter insisted that he would 

even go so far as to die with Jesus. 

Peter was trusting in his own strength 

to keep from giving in to the tempta 

tion that would come to him that night. 

You and I can overcome temptation 

only by God's strength. Paul said, "I 

can do all things through Christ which 

strengtheneth 

Jesus took His eleven disciples with 

Him out to the Garden of Gethsemane. 

They were all sad because Jesus had 

told them that this night He was going 

to be taken from them. He told eight 

of His disciples to stay in a certain 

place and He took three disciples closest 

to Him Peter, James and John with 

Him farther into the Garden. Jesus was 

a man as well as God. And, being a man, 

He desired companionship, but at the 

same time He knew that no sinful hu 

man being could go through this awful 

trial with Him. So He told His three 

close disciples, "My soul is exceeding 

sorrowful unto death; tarry ye here, and 

He went a distance from the 

disciples and poured out His soul to His 

Father in prayer. "Abba, 

Father, all 

things are possible unto thee; take away 

this cup from me: nevertheless not 

what I will, but what thou 

"this 

By 

Jesus meant the awful suf 

ferings of His trial and crucifixion. 

Jesus returned to the three and found 

them asleep. They just couldn't stay 

awake. Wasn't Peter the one who had 

boasted that he would never leave Je 

sus Jesus said to Peter, "Simon, sleepest 

thou Couldn't you stay 

awake and 

pray with me just one hour" I'm sure 

Peter must have felt rebuked and re 

solved this time to stay 

awake. Jesus 

went away again and prayed just about 

as He had prayed before. He was sweat 

ing 

not just little beads of sweat, but 

great drops of blood. His heart was be 

ing broken for you and for me. 

He came back and found His disciples 

asleep again. A third time He prayed, 

"Father, if this cup may not pass from 

done." 

me except I drink it, Thy will be 

He came back to His disciples again and 

said, "Sleep on now and take your rest. 

Judas is here in the garden bringing a 

lot of soldiers to take me The 

prisoner." 

disciples wakened with a start, and, 

sure enough, there was Judas coming to 

give Jesus a kiss 

not a kiss of love, but 

a sign to these wicked men that this was 

Jesus! 

This is a very sad story. But, my 

young friends, why did Jesus go all 

through this awful suffering He had 

never done any sin. He was not born a 

sinner as you and I are. Why then, did 

He do it The answer is found in that 

old, yet ever new, verse, John 3 :16. "For 

God so loved the world, that He gave 

His only begotten Son, that whosoever 

believeth in him should not perish, but 

have everlasting 

life." 

This is not the 

end of the story of His suffering for sin. 

We shall continue in the next lesson. 

But let us begin to see how much we 

owe to our Saviour, Jesus Christ. We 

could never begin to pay Jesus for His 

suffering for us. But we can only start 

to show Him how thankful we are that 

He took the punishment for the sin of 

all who will receive Him into their 

hearts. Have you received Him into your 

heart 

ECHOES . . . Continued from page 121 

Dr. Taylor closed his letter by saying 

that the Evangelicals in America "hope 

that the Greek government will hence 

forth take a more active roll in gaining 

an atmosphere of friendliness toward 

Evangelicals in Greece." 

February 23, 1955 123

us." 

up" 

quest." 

aright." 

SABBATH 

SCHOOL LESSON 

March 13, 1955 






PRAYER IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE 

Matt. 6:5-15; 7:7-11; Mark 9:14-29; 

Luke 18:9-14; John 14:13-17; James 

5:13-18; I John 5:14, 15. 

PRINTED TEXT: Matt. 6:5-8; 7:7-11 

Luke 18:9-14; James 5:13-16 

MEMORY: I John 5 :14 "And this is the 

confidence we have in Him, that, if we 

ask anything according to His will, He 

heareth 

This lesson introduces many phases of 

a large subject. Volumes without num 

ber have been written about prayer. 

That is well, and it is well to read much 

on the subject. But prayer is like skat 

ing, in one way, it is learned by prac 

tice.- One of the most pleasing pianists 

I have known, who played the music 

of the masters fluently, never had a les 

son. Skill was developed by attentive 

listening and practice. With practice, 

one may learn how to pray, and what 

prayer will do. 

After an address on prayer, a woman 

asked me for my outline. She was the 

leader of a large Bible class of young 

women. They were making a special 

study 

of prayer. She said she had read 

every book on prayer that she could find, 

but had found nothing as fine as my out 

line. (With humility I confess that she 

did not mention my address. It was my 

outline that impressed her.) Knowing 

that she was a Presbyterian, I was sur 

prised, and said, "Why my outline was 

the answer from the Westminster 

Shorter Catechism." She explained that 

she had been raised a Methodist, and so 

did not know the Catechism. 

The first of the five points in the 

Question on Prayer is, 

"Prayer is an 

God." 

offering up of our desires unto 

Not asking, begging, demanding certain 

things, but "Offering our desires to 

God, handing them over, putting them 

in God's hand, that He may do with 

them what is best for us. 

Matt. 6:5 

Christ warned against making a pub 

lic show of prayer. Prayer is not to dis 

play 

our virtues before men. Our per 

sonal prayers are between us and God. 

We are not to boast when we face God 

alone. We are warned against vain 

(empty), repetitions. The people of In 

dia who turn their prayer wheels with a 

crank or the Roman Catholics who count 

the number of their repetitions on a 

string of beads are not the only offend 

ers. A small child remarked after a 

prayer meeting that God would know a 

lot about Himself and the world after 

what He was told that night. When we 

124 

pray we should keep in mind that God 

knows more, even about our own hearts, 

than we do. 

A desire is a prayer. If it reaches out 

to God through Jesus Christ, it is Chris 

tian Prayer. If a Christian plants a 

field of wheat, he desires favorable 

weather for its growth, and that desire 

is a prayer to God. The desire is con 

tinuous through harvest. In that, do we 

not pray 

without ceasing A continual 

desire offered up to God, a continual 

consciousness that we are in His hands 

A pagan plants wheat, his desire for 

good weather goes to one of his gods, 

probably the god of chance. Therefore 

his sowing is sin. When one draws or 

receives cards from a shuffled deck, he 

desires favorable cards. Does any Chris 

tian dare to tempt the Lord God, by 

directing that desire to Him If the 

prayer is not to God through Jesus 

Christ, it is to the pagan god, Chance. 

It is for the pagan to submit the issues 

of any work or game to the shuffled 

deck, or rolling bones, or spinning 

arrow. A Christian should have no 

trouble in occupying his time in work 

and games where he can desire God to 

give him skill. "To pray is to desire; but 

it is to desire what God would have us 

desire." 

(Fenelon) 

Matt. 7:7-11 

Christ is speaking of prayer, so the 

asking must be for things agreeable to 

God's will. Or when the desire is offered 

up to God, He will answer it according 

to His will. The hungry child sees a 

stone, and thinks it is bread. Some 

trickster might give him the stone and 

laugh at his attempt to bite it. But the 

child is asking his father, and of course, 

he is given bread. He sees a serpent, and 

thinks it is a fish, a scorpion and thinks 

it is an egg. It is well for the child that 

he asks his father for the things he 

wants. 

"O sad state 

Of human wretchedness, so weak is man, 

So ignorant and blind, that did not God 

Sometimes withhold in mercy, what we 

ask, 

We should be ruined at our own re 

Hannah Moore 

SEEK AND YE SHALL FIND. "They 

never sought in vain, that sought the 

Lord BURNS, Cotter's Saturday 

Night. The richest find is God. Job's 

problem in the book that bears his name 

is to find God. His Miserable Comforters 

were not seeking. They thought they 

could tell Job all about it. Step by step 

Job found God. His would-be instructors 

were sent to learn at the feet of him 

whom they had presumed to teach. How 

much the world would have lost if Job 

had given up his search, and accepted 

the false comfort of his friends! 

"Knock and it shall be 

opened." 

First, 

we find the door seeking. 

by Then we 

knock because we wish to be admitted. 

The door Perhaps we would enter into 

the fellowship 

Perhaps we desire to enter into the mys 

of Christ and His people. 

teries of the Kingdom. When Nico 

demus knocked, the door was opened, 

but he did not find what he expected. He 

expected to find some deep mystery that 

only 

one of great intellectual power 

could understand. He learned the deep 

mystery in words that a child could 

understand. He opened his heart to 

Christ, and Christ opened His heart to 

him. 

Queen Victoria, in a little jog through 

the hills incognita, 

was caught in a 

storm and received hospitality from a 

humble woman 

in a humble cottage. 

later, that woman dined with the queen 

in Buckingham. Christ stands at the 

door and knocks. The latch is on the in 

side. If we open the door to Christ, we 

will never knock in vain at His door. 

Luke 19:9-14 

In this parable, the Pharisee felt no 

personal need, so he asked for nothing, 

and received it. The Publican felt a 

great need, and asked for a great gift 

and it was given to him. There would 

have been no use in offering this price 

less gift to the Pharisee; he had no place 

to put it. 

James 5:13 

James tells us how to meet our sever 

al needs and moods. In suffering do not 

grumble, but pray. When merry, do not 

get drunk, or be otherwise a fool, but 

sing 

praise. I have noticed at conven 

tion bon-fires, more interest was taken 

in singing the Psalms than in the funny 

songs. Why not address our merry mo 

ments to God 

In our troubles, 

James tells us to pray. Pray 

physical and spiritual, 

with and 

for our fellows. If we have offended 

them, confess it. It is the prayer of a 

righteous man that availeth. In sickness, 

James would have us use the ordinary 

physical means that we use as servants 

of the Lord, and to pray for His blessing. 

A healing sect has arisen based on a 

superstitious interpretation of the word 

anointing. The answer is very simple. 

James did not use the usual word for 

anointing. What he said does not refer 

to anointing at all. His word is the verb 

al form of the noun oil. Literally, oiling 

with oil. That's what the Good Samari 

tan did. Christ used water, clay, physi 

cal exercise, manual help, in His mira 

cles. Why Not that He needed them. 

But as a sign that we should not aban 

don the ordinary physical means. 

James emphasizes the great truth 

that whatever we do,' we should recog 

nize that we are Christ's servants, and 

do all things in His name, and submit 

the issue to Him in prayer. 


sees," 


THE RESULTS OF SPURNING 

GOD'S LOVE 

March 16, 1955 

Mai. 2:10-16 


God's Messenger (Mai.) spoke first 

(1:1-5) of God's love, and he gave un 

deniable proof of that love when he 

pointed to the fact that God had chosen 

an undeserving Abraham, the father of 

these Israelites, and made a covenant 

with him. 

He spoke second (1:6-2:9) of the most 

serious RESULT, the most obvious and 

hateful example which proved that Is 

rael was spurning this great love 

in the 

insincere, thoughtless, and disobedient 

Service of the Temple. They were not 

fulfilling their Duty to God at its most 

sensitive, love-showing point 

the wor 

ship Service. They were insulting God's 

love. 

To prove that all Israel was spurning 

God's love, he points (2:10-16) 

to the 

fact that they were "dealing treacher 

ously" 

with each other. The principle he 

established is this; WHEN A MAN 

FAILS OR REFUSES TO FULFIL HIS 

DUTY TO GOD, AS A DIRECT RE 

SULT, HE WILL FAIL TO FULFILL 

HIS DUTY TO HIS FELLOW MAN. 

Their double-dealing 

with one another 

was making them miserable and God 

said, the reason for that misery (in case 

you're interested in avoiding it) is your 

lack of love and service to me. He illus 

trates the principle by pointing to their 

"treachery" with their wives. When you 

don't love me, you can't love your wife. 

and that will make any man miserable. 

If you spurn my love, you'll spurn your 

wife's love, and that will make everyone 

miserable. 

In v. 10, God suggests that if He could 

love them enough to choose them and 

covenant with them through Abraham; 

then they had no right to hate or dis 

card one another. 

There are three RESULTS of spurn 

ing God's love in v. 11: (1) By "marry 

ing the daughter of 

treacherously" 

they "dealt 

with 

a strange God," 

each 

other; (2) they threw God's love back 

into His face, as though to say, 'God's 

command 

(Deut. 7:3) can't hold me!, 

and a woman of His choice isn't good 

enough for 

me' 

(Is. 43:1, 7, 21; 44:2, 21, 

24). The Jews had a saying; "He that 

marrieth a heathen woman is as if he 

made himself son-in-law to an idol." (3) 

God separated them from the world in 

order to bring the Messiah through 

them (Ex. 19:6; Num. 25:1-4) and when 

they were disobeying His commands, 

they were hindering the coming of God's 

Love Made Flesh. Calvin said; "God 

proposed to keep them together as one 

people, lest the wife, by her flatteries, 


should draw the husband away from the 

pure and legitimate worship of God." 

God warns of (v. 12) two direct 

RESULTS of spurning His love: (1) He 

will punish both priests and people; and 

(2) He will refuse their insincere 

prayers (v. 13). If He had accepted their 

sacrifices, knowing their sins, it would 

have been like taking a bribe and for 

the same reason, God could not accept 

their prayers. When we spurn God's love 

and commands, and hate a fellow man, 

we cannot expect answers to our prayers 

and again the RESULT is a growing pile 

of misery, for ourselves and an inability 

to help our fellow man. To be unable to 

speak to God might be one definition 

of hell, and it would surely kill any zeal 

for religion. 

But again (v. 14) they reply to Mala 

chi with a sullen "Wherefore" "Prove 

it! Prove that we're miserable and un 

just as a result of spurning 

your 

love!" 

And Malachi patiently replies by point 

ing to the most obvious and hateful ex 

ample or RESULT of all their un 

faithfulness to their closest fellow-man, 

the wives of their youth. They were 

linked to their wives by two covenants : 

(1) the covenant of God with Abraham: 

and (2) the covenant of marriage to 

which God was the first witness. Spurn 

ing God's love resulted in breaking the 

first of these and the second was then 

easy to break. "Covenant breaking" be 

came a habit and they placed their own 

ability to choose on a par with God's. 

In fact, they rejected the women God 

had chosen and chose ones He had re 

jected. Apparently they had gone on to 

take many 

minds them (v. 15) 

strange wives for God re 

that He had "the 

residue of the Spirit" and could have 

made Adam half a dozen wives if He 

had wanted 

but He had set the exam 

ple by giving him ONE wife, "that he 

seed;" 

might seed a Godly a thing they 

apparently cared little about. God hates 

divorce (v. 16) but, if possible, He hates 

polygamy worse because it, as a sin, in 

volves more people. It was an easy step 

from divorce to polygamy and in the 

history of Israel, they were progressive 

steps RESULTS of spurning God's 

love. 

SUGGESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION: 

(Verse by verse) 

with God: 

v. 10, Principle of Duty 

What should be our attitude toward: 

(1) the prodigal son representing "pub 

sinners;" 

licans and and (2) the elder 

brother representing "scribes and Phari 

in Christ's parable of The Loving 

Father (Luke 15), Prove that attitude 

by citing a recent, specific example of 

it in your own life (Jn. 13:34, 35). 

v. 11, Principle of duty to man : Con 

trast instances of brutality of men with 

out love of God, with actions of men 

CAUSED by love of God. (ref. Christ's 

example of love Phil. 2:5-8; I John 4:21 ; 

5:2) 

(2) Principle of revolt against God. Con 

nection between love and obedience (Jn. 

14:21 and others). Apply this principle 

to "worship" service. What principles 

has God laid down for choice of a help 

meet How and where would you advise 

a young person to look for a mate 

(3) Principle of helping or hindering 

God's purposes. How does your marriage 

help the work of Christ How can it 

hinder the work of the church 

v. 12 Principle : If religion be "rea 

sonable intercourse between two ration 

al beings," could there be any greater 

punishment than unanswered prayers 

What are God's requirements for an 

swering prayer Ps. 66:15; Mk. 11:1-15; 

cf. Jas. 5:10. 

v. 14, Principle, love and loyalty : 

(I Jn. 2:3-6; 4:15-21; 5:3). Is there 

any lasting basis for loyalty 

love for Christ 

aside from 

in marriage, church 

membership, school business Would 

it be safe to marry a non-Christian 

What reasons would he have for being 

trustworthy 

v. 15,16, Principle, "seeding a godly 

seed.' 

A particular responsibility with 

our own children in the home and 

church. Every Christian, as one "mar 

ried to Christ" Rom. 7:14; 1 Cor. 3:9) 

has the definite responsibility of pro 

ducing spiritual seed from that union. 

(Jn. 15:5). Remember a recent example 

of this in your own life. 

Psalms : 

78:1-7,9 page 187 (Introduction) 

128: page 323 (Ideal home life) 

145 page 351 (Results of a love for 

God) 

26: page 61 (Searching our own 

hearts) 

Comparisons 

It is only when we come to mark 

significant anniversaries that we sense 

the comparative youth of our nation. 

Just 162 years ago (July 27, 1879) the 

oldest of our executive departments, 

the State Department, was established 

by Congress. The entire staff of Thomas 

Jefferson, first Secretary of State, con 

sisted of five clerks. His first estimate 

of the "probable expenses of the De 

partment" 

for one year totaled $7,961. 

This sum included not only all salaries, 

but such items as $110.00 for station 

ery, $60.00 for newspapers, and $50.00 

for firewood. Today, the Department of 

State has a personnel exceeding 4,000 

and an unusual budget of $16,000,000. 

In these turbulent times, it is diffi 

cult to suppress a nostalgic sigh for 

the quiet days when the Secretary of 

State could write to President Wash 

ington (then on a tour of the South) : 

"I write today indeed merely as the 

watchman cries, to prove himself 

a- 

wake, and that all is well, for the last 

week has scarcely furnished anything 

foreign or domestic worthy 

notice." 

Quote 

of your 

125

Church News 

The Uniform Programs for the 

Women's Missionary Society for 1955-56 

are off the press. Please send 

your 

order to Mrs. Harold Hanna, Blooming 

ton, Indiana, R.R. 10. The price of twelve 

cents will cover cost of printing and 

postage. 

The Congregational Chairman has ap 

pointed the following members to be the 

Construction Committee for drawing up 

plans and ideas for our new church. Dr. 

W. O. Martin, Ch., Herbert Davies, W. 

A. McElroy, Mildred Hall and Kathryn 

Piper. 

C. McKnight. For a time of fun it is 

hard to find better planners than Dr. 

and Mrs. McKnight! 

NEW YORK CITY 

Mrs. Robert Henning has returned 

from several weeks visit with her moth 

er in Pittsburgh. 

Mrs. Richard Weir is steadily improv 

ing and is able to go to Florida to 

visit Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Geddes 

in St. Petersburg. Mr. Geddes is an 

elder in New York City Congregation. 

Rev. David Carson was a welcome 

visitor on Sabbath, February 6. 

SHARON NEWS 

Mrs. Etta Jane McClure, 83, a member 

of the Sharon congregation, died at her 

home very suddenly, on January 10. She 

had been at church as usual the day be 

fore. In her youth she united with the 

Linn Grove congregation, and at the 

time of its dissolution placed her mem 

bership in Sharon. She was the mother 

of a large family. Her husband passed 

away in 1938. "Her children rise up and 

call her blessed." 

The annual congregational dinner of 

the Sharon congregation was held on 

December 31. Following the dinner the 

children presented a program of Christ 

mas songs and recitations, 

given a treat. 

and were 

Rev. and Mrs. John Edgar, and Louise, 

spent a week in Greeley at Christmas 

time, visiting Mr. Edgar's parents. In 

the absence of the pastor on December 

26, the services were conducted by Li 

centiate Donald McClurkin. 

Mrs. Mary Emma Johnston, a member 

of the Santa Ana congregation, came to 

Sharon to attend the funeral of her 

mother, Mrs. Jennie McClure, and 

visited in the community for about ten 

days. Also in attendance at the funeral 

were three other daughters, Miss Hyma 

McClure and Mrs. Margaret Dwyer of 

Omaha, and Mrs. Mildred Mahaffey of 

Des Moines. 

TOPEKA 

Miss Eleanor Woodburn has been able 

to return to her home after having spent 

some time in the hospital recovering 

from a heart attack. 

Mrs. Oelke fell and broke her kneecap 

but is able to be about despite the cast. 

Bruce Oelke has recovered sufficiently 

to be released from the hospital ship 

and return to his duties in Korea. 

On January 23 Rev. Roy Holloman, 

leader of the Kansas United Dry Forces, 

supplied our pulpit; on January 30 Rev. 

William M. Blair, a retired Presbyterian 

missionary having spent forty years in 

Korea, conducted our services; on Feb 

ruary 6 Rev. Sam Boyle brought us 

helpful messages. Rev. A. J. McFarland 

will be coming to us February 13. 

126 

WILKINSBURG 

Recently, the Juniors have had two 

treats. The first was a visit to Buhl 

Planetarium. Here, the attention of the 

Juniors and their parents was captured 

by modern scientific demonstrations and 

by the breath-taking "Sky Show," the 

latter woven skilfully into the story of 

the Star of Bethlehem. The Juniors had 

their second treat when they were enter 

tained at dinner and a party in the home 

of Mr. and Mrs. Merl Hodgkiss. 

The annual Sabbath School entertain 

ment was in charge of Mrs. Robert Mc 

Knight. A clever program of songs, 

readings, and skits, followed by a social 

hour, provided a pleasant evening for all 

who could attend. 

We are enjoying the fellowship of the 

Sandersons of Latakia. They are in 

Pittsburgh for several months, taking 

courses in both Pittsburgh-Xenia and 

our Seminary. 

Kenneth and Marjorie 

are at home among us, whether partici 

pating in the work, the social life, or the 

worship of the congregation. 

On January 28 our young people 

joined CYPU groups from neighboring 

congregations in Pittsburgh and Beaver 

Falls, the Geneva College CYPO, and 

the Seminary students in an ice-skating 

party at "The Gardens" arena in Pitts 

burgh. Later in the evening all came to 

the Seminary, where they 

enjoyed re 

freshments served by the students. 

Several members and friends of the 

congregation, along with students from 

the Seminary, responded to an S.O.S. 

call for help to prepare Christian 

Amendment literature for mailing. Be 

fore these items are published, another 

"work bee" will have been held for the 

addressing 

of CAM envelopes. 

The Blue Banner Club ushered in the 

month of February by enjoying a boun 

tiful dinner in the church dining-room. 

After dinner, Dr. McKnight led us in a 

devotional period. At the business meet 

ing which followed, Miss Rhoda Beatty 

was chosen president of the group to 

succeed Mr. Ray Stohner. During con 

secutive terms, Mr. and Mrs. Stohner 

have given faithful service in that capac 

ity. The games were in charge of Mrs. T. 

MORNING SUN, IA. 

Mrs. Howard Hensleigh was hostess 

to Women's Missionary Society in 

place of Mrs. Armstrong who is caring 

for her grandchildren while their moth 

er Mrs. Mary Ann Johnson is in Monti 

cello hospital. Mrs. Johnson is spending 

a few days at her mother's, recuperat 

ing. 

Mrs. Emma (Milligan) Schofield has 

been confined to her home for a few 

weeks, but is gaining strength. 

Noise and confusion reigns at the par 

sonage, as new floors are laid, a door 

in here and a wall removed there, and a 

bathroom installed upstairs. 

E. Raymond Wilson, Washington, D. 

C, visited his mother and worshiped 

with us in January when he responded 

to Rev. McElroy's invitation to bring 

the message of the morning. Raymond is 

a lobbyist for the Friends Committee 

on National Legislation. His messages 

are always interesting as He deals with 

issues that have not yet appeared in the 

newspapers. On Feb. 2, he testified be 

fore the House Armed Services Com 

mittee in opposition to the enactment of 

HR3005 providing for a four year ex 

tension of the peacetime draft. The bill 

together with HR2967 would provide for 

military control over the life of every 

young man for a period of from 8 to 10 

years if the military wish to exercise 

that option 

a system of military com 

pulsion alien to the American tradition 

and contrary to the American dream. 

Mrs. 

Cora Kimble has returned to 

Morning Sun and is at the home of her 

brother John Kilpatrick. 

Rev. H. G. Patterson, D.D. is spending 

several weeks at his son's Dr. H. M. 

Patterson, D.O., Mediapolis, 

recuperat 

ing from a cold. Mrs. Milford Todd is a 

surgical patient at 

Burlington, Iowa. 

CAMBRIDGE NEWS AND NOTES 

A daughter arrived to gladden Tom 

and Doris Smyth on 

January 10. Her 

name is Wendy, in honor of herself. 

She has been regular at church attend 

ance already since 

January 30. We 

thank the Lord of Grace for His care 

and love in bringing another little one 


We were glad to have Miss Belle 

. 

into the world, and especially into a 


Christian home. 

On January 30 the congregation held 

a "Family Day." The parents of the 

many "unchurched" children were invit 

ed to a service prepared especially to 

include the help of the students . . . 

Carson back in our midst for two Sab 

baths in January. She was home on 

vacation from her work in LaGrange. 

It is nice to see Miss Nannie Piper 

back in her usual place teaching her 

Sabbath school class. She suffered a 

and also with a children's sermon, which broken ankle some time ago and is 

the adults seemed to enjoy thoroughly. 

We were delighted that so many of the 

parents came and took part in wor 

shiping with their children. 

sufficiently recovered to attend church 

again. 

Mr. and Mrs. Paul Auld have been 

visiting with Paul's parents, Mr. and 

On January 28 the ladies of the Mrs. Ward Auld. While they were here, 

church held a surprise shower at the 

home of Miss Ann Carlin for Mrs. Betty 

Robb. The many necessities for an ad 

dition to the Robb family were taken 

Mr. and Mrs. Auld honored the young 

couple with a reception held in the 

church basement. They received many 

wedding gifts. Paul and Jean will 

care of in a great measure by the soon be leaving for Alaska. 

generosity of the friends in the con Betty Ruth Hood was hostess to the 

gregation. 

other Junior members at a Christ 

Sickness has taken a toll in our attendence 

at church. Several have missed 

mas party held at her home. 

Dr. Ferguson has been supplying the 

a Sabbath or two. because of virus pulpit, but was unable to do so for two 

and grippe. However, the Watson Stew Sabbaths because of ill health. We are 

art family has had a real siege of mea thankful he is better again and was 

turn about through all of the able to preach for us again last Sabbath. 

sles . . 

five children. 

Mrs. Abertha Torrens passed away 

Mrs. Esther Lerett has been hospit 

alized with an injury after being struck 

lightly by a car. A bone was cracked in 

her leg and she is now in the Symmes 

Hospital in Arlington. We thank the 

Lord that no greater damage was done. 

January 31. She suffered a stroke about 

18 months ago and had been bedfast 

since, spending most of that time here 

in the K. D. Luney home. Dr. Fergu 

son conducted the funeral service and 

Rev. John McMillan led in prayer. In 

The pastor, Rev. Robb, has spoken terment will be made in Glenwood, 

to the student body of Cambridge Chris 

tian High School about the Christian 

Minnesota. 

Amendment. They showed interest in 

BELLE CENTER 

this news which was entirely unheard of 

before. Both the students and the fac 

ulty were most appreciative and were 

in full support of such an effort for 

the Lord Jesus Christ. Rev. Robb was 

invited back again to speak to the stu 

dent body on some phase of living a 

fuller life for Christ. 

The annual Church dinner was held 

New Year's Eve. The bountiful basket 

dinner, election of Bible School officers 

and a film, "A Boy and His Bible," were 

features of the evening. 

Mr. and Mrs. J. Roy Templeton and 

Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Reed enjoyed a trip 

to the South during the holiday season. 

They visited friends in Texas, Oklahoma 

OAKDALE 

and Florida and also made a brief stop 

On December 19, we were priv in Selma, where they were much im 

ileged to have Licentiate Donald pressed by the work done in the congre 

McClurkin preach for us. Then on gation and the hospital by Rev. Claude 

January 2, Licentiate Glen McFarland 

ministered to us on his return trip to the 

Brown and Mr. William Anderson and 

their helpers. 

Seminary. We also had preaching in Mrs. Viola McLean passed away in her 

January by the Rev. Lester Kilpatrick 

of Sterling, Kansas. 

The annual church dinner was held 

in the church basement December 30. 

In the afternoon a film showing the 

sleep in the early morning of December 

20, at the age of 77 years. Though she 

had been in poor health for some time, 

her death was very unexpected. She and 

her husband, Mr. Daniel McLean, made 

work of the Pacific Garden Mission their home for years in Northwood 

was shown and the children recited their 

memory work for the year. Prizes were 

given the Sabbath School children and 

the treats distributed. 

The following evening, December 31, 

a watch night party was held in the 

Kenneth Frieman home for the young 

where they were members of the United 

Miami congregation. In later years, af 

ter the death of her husband, Mrs. Mc 

Lean made her home in Bellefontaine, 

and attended the Belle Center Church 

where she was a member, as often as 

possible. 

people and not-quite-so-young married James Templeton graduated from 

couples. Many games were enjoyed and 

after the refreshments, Dr. W. O. Fer 

guson led the devotional period. 

Ohio State University on December 17 

with the degree of B. S. in Agriculture. 

He has returned to the University for 

further study until such time as he will 

be called to military service. 

Mrs. J. M. Coleman and Mrs. M. K. 

Carson spent a few days in Beaver Falls, 

where Mrs. Coleman was honored on 

January 28 with an "Open House" in the 

Geneva Church in recognition of her 

ninetieth birthday. Severe cold and 

treacherous roads limited the atten 

dance, but the loving interest of friends 

was shown in many ways, and was much 

appreciated by the family. 

SOCIAL SECURITY FOR MINISTERS 

(The following article appeared in the 

"United Presbyterian" November 29, 

1954 and is reproduced with permission 

of the United Presbyterian Board of 

Publication. The article was written by 

Dr. C. L. Hussey, secretary of the U. P. 

Board of Pensions and Relief.) 

In the new Social Security law, which 

becomes effective January 1, 1955, there 

are some facts and figures with which 

all ministers ought to be acquainted. 

Here are some of them that should be 

filed for reference. 

SOME THINGS TO KNOW 

Ministers will have only two years 

after 1954, or after becoming a minister, 

to decide whether they wish coverage. 

If the decision is not to participate, the 

minister is thereafter excluded. If elec 

tion of coverage is once made, it cannot 

be withdrawn. 

Social Security does not provide any 

benefits during disability. It only freezes 

earnings at the time of 

disability so the 

average monthly salary will not be 

"watered down" 

in the final calcula 

tions of benefits. 

Social Security pays the widow noth 

ing until she reaches 65 years of age, un 

less there are minor children. 

The congregation or the church in 

stitution, itself does not in any way be 

come involved or obligated if the minis 

ter participates in Social Security. 

Ministers who are 65 years of age, or 

older, can receive benefits after they 

have been covered by Social Security 

from January 1, 1955, until June 30, 

1956, and during that time have paid the 

3% tax on a net income of at least $400 

a year. 

Ministers between 40 and 65 years of 

age will find benefits returning to them 

at a very high rate of income for money 

invested. Example: A man 40 years of 

age, with average salary of $3,000, will 

pay into the Social security fund ap 

proximately $3,400, by the time he 

reaches 65, calculated on the present tax 

rate increase. He will receive in benefits 

$88.50 a month, or $1,062 a year. Within 

three years he will receive back as 

much as he paid. If his wife is 65, they 

will receive much more each year. 

127

Ministers starting their ministry will 

find Social Security offering a very sat 

isfactory protection for the family. In 

the event of a minister's death, his 

widow and children have large benefits 

until the children are 18 years of age. It 

would require an unusually large sum of 

invested capital to assure such benefits. 

The minister, upon retirement at 65, 

will with the normal life expectancy, re 

ceive in benefits as much as he has paid 

into Social Security. In some cases, the 

return will be much more. 

SOME THINGS TO DO 

Every minister who desires to par 

ticipate in Social Security 

once secure from the local Social Se 

should at 

curity board an application blank (form 

SS5) for an account number. If you have 

had a Social Security number there is no 

need to secure another. If your Social 

Security 

number card has been lost 

make a request and your old number 

will be given you again. No one should 

have two numbers. 

Sometime near the end of this year, 

or soon after the first of January, there 

will be available certificates for all min 

isters to fill out and sign if they wish 

coverage. These certificates will have a 

number and will probably be called 

"certificates of intent or desire." Evi 

dently they 

will not be called certifi 

cates of waiver, as at first indicated. 

These certificates should be sent to the 

local Social Security board during 1955, 

or not after April 15, 1956, if coverage 

for the year is desired. 

The first payment of the 3r/r tax for 

Social Security purposes is due when in 

come tax return is filed on April 15, 

1956. The amount to be paid in one sum, 

unless during the quarterly payments in 

1955, overpayment has been made of 

regular income tax then the refund due 

can be used to help pay the Social Se 

curity tax. 

SOME THINGS TO REMEMBER 

All ministers who are 65 years of age, 

or older, should remember that if they 

desire to retire and receive benefits af 

ter six quarters of coverage (l1 years) 

and their income has been more than 

S400 a year, it would be better for them 

to work two years. The average month 

ly wage, upon which benefits are based. 

is calculated by dividing the gross in 

come for (I1 years) by 24 months in 

stead of 18 months. If, however, the min 

ister is only earning $400 a year for 112 

years or six quarters, he will receive the 

minimum benefit regardless of the 24 

months division factor. Example : 

if Mr. 

A is earning as a self employed minister 

(from salary or supply preaching) $1,000 

a year, and is 65 years of age or over, 

and wishes to retire within lx2 years 

128 

(six quarters), his gross income for six 

quarters would be $1,500. This would be 

divided by 24 months, instead of 18 

months, giving an average monthly wage 

for benefits, of $62.50. If he works two 

years, his gross salary would be $2,000 

divided by 24, giving a monthly wage of 

$83.33, thus assuring Mr. A and his wife 

of larger benefits. If Mr. A is only earn 

ing $400 a year, it is not necessary to 

participate beyond the 18 months period 

for minimum benefits. 

All ministers should remember that 

Social Security participation does not 

take the place of the Church's pension 

plan. There are benefits offered by the 

Church's plan which are not offered by 

Social Security. There is to be no change 

in the pension premiums, and of course 

no reduction of benefits. Ministers need 

both Social Security 

and the church 

pension for adequate income in retire 

ment 

Glen Sandfield, Ontario, 

January 18, 1955. 

To The Covenanter Witness: 

The paper, "Commemoration of the 

Birth of 

Christ," 

which was adopted 

by the Pittsburgh Presbytery and print 

ed in the December 15 issue of the 

Covenanter Witness is one that we all 

should ponder. It deals with 

a practice 

which is very common among Chris 

tian people, a practice which tends to 

lead us away from Christ rather than 

to confirm us in the faith. Study the 

paper and your own experiences in the 

light of the Bible and see if this state 

ment is not true. Do we glorify God 

when we glorify Santa Claus Care 

ful and prayerful meditation on 

this 

should make a difference next Decem 

ber. 

R. H. McKelvy 

EDWIN L. DODDS 

The Covenanter Church lost one of 

its strong laymen in the passing of Ed 

win L. Dodds of the Los Angeles Congre 

gation, who was called to his reward 

January 8, 1955. His was a rich heritage 

reaching back to the Dodds family of 

the Old Brookland Congregation in 

Pittsburgh Presbytery. Edwin was the 

son of Archie and Melissa Dodds who 

with the family were pioneers in setting 

up the La Junta congregation in Colo 

rado. Here Edwin and three brothers be 

came faithful members. Edwin's life was 

marked in this, that he took his Chris 

tianity with him wherever he went. His 

activities in the early days of the Chica 

go church were an inspiration to both 

Pastor and members. 

After his marriage to Ora Robb of the 

Sharon Manse they cast in their lot with 

the growing congregation of Los Ange 

les, California. Here another 

Family 

Altar was set up and around it the Chil 

dren grew into the riches of the Chris 

tian life. He lived to see his son Donald 

ordained as a member of Session and in 

humility and joy, welcomed him into 

the high office. The other children like 

wise are a real asset in the Master's 

service. As a member of session Mr. 

Dodds ever took a deep interest in all 

the work of the congregation. The Sab 

bath School and Midweek meeting were 

ever on his heart and the growth and 

spiritual development of every depart 

ment. 

As many readers will recall he was the 

able and enthusiastic precentor of the 

congregation for many years. He loved 

the Praise Service of the church and as 

a leader was an inspiration in this 

spiritual service. He kept a keen inter 

est in the missions and missionaries and 

was ready with a warm welcome as they 

returned to declare the doings of the 

Lord in their fields. 

At the farewell service different pas 

tors with whom he had worked paid 

glowing tribute to his Christian life in 

the home and the community; his loy 

alty as a presbyter and devotion to the 

work of the congregation. He loved to 

see the activities of the youth and most 

happy as they came forward to make 

their profession of faith before the ses 

sion. His departure takes away the last 

of this Godly family and again the Mas 

ter's welcome to the Eternal Home say 

ing, "Well done good and faithful ser 

vant, enter thou into the joy of thy 

Lord." 

The warm sympathy and 

Christian 

love of the whole congregation and a 

wide circle of friends, both within and 

without the church are given to Mrs. 

Dodds and the family, not sorrowing, 

February 24, 7:30 p.m. is the time set 

for the installation of Dr. G. M. Robb as 

pastor of the Kansas City congregation. 

The Commission will meet at 7:00 p.m. 

WMS Column 

A Thought for you : 

How Crown Up Are You 

Some months ago we had this chal 

lenge in our column from our 

rather rejoicing in the triumphant homegoing 

of a devoted husband and father. 

vicepres., 

Mrs. A. D. Robb. It is a helpful 

thought and in summing it up, she says, 

"Measuring not in years but in obedi 

ence to God's revealed will HOW 

GROWN UP ARE YOU" 

COVENANTER WITNESS



THE FIELD IS TH WORLD, 

THE 5/rtD IS THE WORD OP GOD 

" 

VOLUME LIV WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1955 NUMBER 9 

World Strategy 

DR. CLYDE W. TAYLOR 

for Christian Missions 

Executive Secretary, Evangelical Foreign Missions Association 


When something is genuine, there are without 

doubt various substitutes or imitations. True religion 

is no exception. People without the revelation of God 

through Jesus Christ have their pagan substitutes. 

King David wrote of them in the second Psalm, 

"Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine 

a vain thing" Satan fills the spiritual vacuum 

in the hearts of men with satanic inspired religions, 

each with its own satanic strategy. Whereas there 

seemed to be a steady decline in the influence of 

many of the "great" religions of the world twentyfive 

years ago, we were deceived. These same reli 

gions today are continuing to hold and dominate 

the overwhelming majority of the world. It should 

interest us and cause us to investigate their strategy 

in conquering the minds and souls of hundreds of 

millions. Let us look at some of these "man-invented" 

religions, the ragings and imaginations of men, ac 

cording to God. 

Hinduism 

About the time of Moses there began to appear 

in the East, in India, the Vedas. Written in Sanskirt, 

these mystical writings provided part of the teach 

ings of what we know today as Hinduism. This 

strange combination of pantheism (god in every 

thing), many varieties of idolatry, social customs, 

superstitions and demon worship today compose the 

religion that holds in its grasp two thirds of the peo 

ple of India. It is said there are over 200 million gods 

in India not counting the millions of monkeys, cows, 

snakes, 

peacocks and other animals that are wor 

Their belief in re-incarnation means that 

every living thing, insect, animal, bird and reptile 

was probably a man or woman in a previous exist 

ence. Their gods are generally hideous or vile. Some 

of the vilest, immoral objects are those most revered. 

Some temples are adorned with such vile sculptures 

that they almost exceed the wildest immoral imag 

ination. To see them is to have one's soul and mind 

contaminated. The temples are dirty, and women, 

ministering in the temples by day, are prostitutes by 

night. The caste system once completely dominated 

social and economic life, and still does to a large de 

gree. How can such a system dominate an intelligent 

race such as the Indian What is its strategy It 

dominates society and did long before Christianity 

arrived. The people are intensely religious. Society, 

their economic strata, and custom make a change of 

religion exceedingly difficult. 85% of the Indians live 

one knows everyone. Who 

in small villages. Every 

has the courage to leave the faith of his fathers It 

might mean complete ostracism, economic disaster, 

or death. The satanic 

strategy is fear, superstition 

and oppression. 

Independent India has religious liberty but the 

huge Hindu majority dominates the political life of 

the country and small but intensely zealous Hindu 

parties are fighting bitterly to stop the expansion of 

Christianity. Its worst enemy, however, is supersti 

tion, fear and ignorance of the masses. While visit 

ing one of the most famous temples in Calcutta in 

1950 we first entered the outer court and saw where 

the blood of goats used in sacrifice to a horrible god 

dess had mixed with the filth and water used in the 

temple. What a contrast to the spotless Buddhist 

temples! Leaving the temple I saw many mothers 


ut 



Boy of 12 Can Choose 

The highest court of New York State has upheld a de 

cision to the effect that a boy of 12 has a right to choose 

his own religion. The mother, who is a Christian Scientist, 

had made a premarital agreement to rear him in the Roman 

Catholic religion. 

India's Enforcement Problem 

India is troubled with the enforcement of the prohibition 

law just as the U. S. has been in the past. There is said to be 

much bootlegging and illicit distillation of liquor. The min 

istry in one state was forced to resign as a result of a 

no-confidence vote over the drink problem. 

A Student Revolt 

David lamented, "How are the mighty fallen!" and if 

he were here today he might weep over the fall of many 

colleges which were founded for the purpose of giving Chris 

tian instruction. William and Mary College has had a re 

cent "student 

revolt" 

which originated because of restrictions 

on fraternities which are housed in college-owned buildings 

on the campus. One of the chief complaints of the students 

was the prohibition of serving liquor to minors, even though 

this is in violation of the law of Virginia. The students 

burned the dean of the college in effigy. 

Bible in Schools 

A bill has been introduced in the State Legislature of 

California to permit moral instruction in the public schools 

including Bible reading. The measure would authorize the 

State Board of Education to prepare a syllabus of Bible and 

other moral books for classroom instruction. 

A Retreat in Belgium 

The Roman Catholic hierarchy has brought such strong 

pressure in favor of subsidies in mission schools in the Bel 

gian Congo that the government has retreated from its stand 

against them. The government now agrees to pay these sub 

sidies although they had decided that there should be less 

tax money spent on sectarian projects. 

To Curb Obscene Publications 

Bills have been introduced in both the Senate and the 

House to give the Postmaster General more power in sup 

pressing or impounding mail which contains obscene material 

which violates existing statutes. Last year such a bill passed 

the House but failed in the Senate 

Must Observe Holy Days 

There is a bylaw in Montreal, Canada, which provides 

fines for all stores which are not shuttered on 7 Roman 

Catholic holy days of obligation. This year police of that city 

issued more than 300 summonses to firms staying 

open on 

the Roman Catholic feast of the Epiphany in violation of the 

bylaw. Seven of the large city stores are contesting this or 

der. The Quebec Court of Appeals has upheld the bylaws, but 

it has been appealed to the Supreme Court of Canada. Those 

who are wilfully blind to the oppressive methods of the Ro 

man Catholic Church, where it has a strong majority, should 

take note of such actions and consider. 

130 

Southern Baptists 

The Southern Baptist Convention now has an all-time 

high in a membership of more than 8,000,000, and its giving 

to all causes was more than $300,000,000 during the past 

year. 

Convention of the NAE 

The 13th Annual Convention of the National Association 

of Evangelicals is to be held in the Sherman Hotel, Chicago, 

111., April 18-22, 1955. The main part of the Convention will 

begin on Tuesday evening, April 19, with Dr. Harold J. Ockenga 

as the main speaker. On the same evening a part of 

the service will be under the direction of Dr. Carl F. H. Hen 

ry and the Social Action Commission with Lt. Gen. Harrison 

as the speaker. On Wednesday morning in the Social Action 

group the subject will be on "Spiritual and Moral Values in 

Public Education." The main speakers on that subject are 

Dr. Glenn L. Archer, Dr. Mark Fakkema, Dr. Frank E. 

Gaebelein, and Dr. R. H. Martin. 

A Revival in Argentine 

Mr. Olav Eikland, writing in UEA says: "The religious 

atmosphere (of Argentine) had been preserved in calmness. 

For centuries Roman Catholicism had kept its people in 

circumspect formalism while the voice of Protestantism was 

hardly audible in the broad stream of the 

masses." 

When the 

evangelist T. Hicks arrived in Buenos Aires he secured an 

interview with President Peron who received him cordially 

and granted permission for- him to hold mass meetings with 

access to the press and the radio. The evangelical leaders of 

the city 

co-operated and meetings were crowded out from 

one meeting place to another with 100,000 people to hear the 

Gospel. Bibles were sold until the supply was exhausted. 

Forty thousand Bibles and Testaments were sold. Eighty 

thousand people signed cards and the established churches 

in Buenos Aires saw their congregations doubled, tripled or 

quadrupled at once. People began to testify in the stadium, 

on the streets, in the trains and busses. Some testified before 

priests when the priests denounced the meetings during 

mass. Mr. Hicks said: "There was a great deal of opposition 

from the main church of the land (Catholic) .... 

the 

greatest opposition was from the Communist elements. Their 

propaganda was terrific and fierce!" 

French Movement Against Alcohol 

There is an article by Ernest Gordon in United Evangeli 

cal Action (Feb. 15) entitled, "The French Movement against 

Alcohol." 

He writes: "France is showing us the way! Its 

experience of near-prohibition in wartime opened the eyes of 

the medical profession to the profound relations between 

drink and disease. They started scientific investigation in the 

fields of pathology, economics, demography. These confirmed 

their 

observations." 

There followed a National Committee 

for Defense Against Alcoholism which published and circu 

lated a great deal of literature and hundreds of thousands 

of tracts and posters were distributed. Careful investigations 

were made and the injurious effects of alcohol were shown 

in schools and to the people and officials of France. 

The writer closes his article thus: "Now Premier Men 

des-France is dramatizing the anti-alcohol movement by 


COVENANTER WITNESS

ans' 

service" 

coal." 



CALIFORNIA BOUND 

The 1965 Republican national convention will meet Au 

gust 20 in San Francisco. A "streamlined" four-day conven 

tion is planned, with one session a day from 2 to 7 P. M., 

Pacific time. This will put the proceedings into the evening 

hours for Eastern television audiences. The Democrats had 

already chosen Chicago for their convention, either in July 

or mid-August. This should help the renomination of Adlai 

Stevenson. Radio and television sponsors wanted the Repub 

licans to choose Chicago "also, to save the cost of two in 

stallations. But Republican leaders turned down Chicago's 

bid, probably because it is the center of too many anti- 

Eisenhower Republicans. , 

National chairman Leonard Hall 

admitted that his plans are based on the assumption that 

President Eisenhower will be renominated and that there 

will be no serious fight over the platform. San Francisco has 

good summer weather and a fine auditorium. Its only other 

national political convention was the Democratic meeting of 

1920. 

STEADY PRICES 

One of President Eisenhower's most important acts 

when he took office two years ago was to end price and 

wage controls. The last of these regulations, which had been 

held over from World War II, were removed on March 17, 

1953. Since then prices have been more stable than at any 

time since the 1920's. In January 1953 the wholesale price 

index was 109.9, and in January 1955 it stood at 110.2. The 

consumer price index or "cost of living" also rose just fourtenths 

of a point in the two-year period. The Treasury De 

partment, Bureau of the Budget, and Federal Reserve Board 

have all worked together to achieve this stability. If con 

tinued, the Republicans will doubtless boast of it in the 1956 

campaign. Democrats may point out, however, that some 

economic groups have actually lost ground while others 

have gained. 

POLITICS AND CAREER MEN 

The new Hoover Commission, reestablished by Congress 

in 1953, has made the civil service the subject of its first 

recommendations. It advocates a clearer distinction between 

policy-forming officials and the upper bracket of non-politi 

cal administrators. The need for this distinction has long 

been recognized, but it is very difficult to achieve. The Com 

mission recommended more political appointments for policy 

making positions. But it also suggested the creation of a 

"senior civil category for top administrators, with 

higher salaries than at present. There might be up to 3,000 

career men in this bracket. 

At lower levels, the Commission recommended the re 

moval of political influences in the hiring 

of rural mail car 

riers, U. S. marshals, and some other types of field em 

ployees. The group was rather timid in dealing 

with veter 

preference, which affects over half the federal employ 

ees and is probably the greatest single obstacle to efficiency 

in the civil service. The Commission also said nothing about 

the highly controversial security 

ployees. 

DEATH RIDES THE WIND 

program for federal em 

The Atomic Energy Commission 

ofhas 

given its first 

March 2, 1955 

ficial figures on the radioactive fallout from last year's 

hydrogen-bomb tests. The fallout consists of particles of 

earth or water which are made radioactive and blown high 

into the air by the explosion, then carried long distances by 

wind. In the Bikini test, the fallout reached a point 160 

miles down-wind from the explosion, 

hours. About 7,000 square miles 

the state of New Jersey 

and lasted for several 

an area almost equal to 

were so contaminated that sur 

vival would have been impossible without protective mea 

sures. Thus a great city could be showered with deadly dust 

from an explosion 150 miles away. Now people will have to 

be told whether to flee from the actual blast or to take shel 

ter from the radioactive fallout. Most Americans seemingly 

prefer not to think about it. The AEC maintains that there 

has been no danger to Americans from the tests carried out 

thus far. 

GAINING GROUND 

Viet Nam, the non-Communist southern half of Indo 

china, shows better prospects of survival than was predicted 

when the country 

was split at the Geneva conference last 

summer. The 800,000 refugees from the North create eco 

nomic problems, but they make up 

a bulwark of anti-Com 

munism. Premier Ngo Dinh Diem has made several tours of 

the country and is quite popular. He has called for the elec 

tion of a provisional popular assembly, which will lead even 

of a democratic constitution. The U. S. 

tually to the framing 

has undertaken the training of a Viet Namese army. Our of 

ficers will use the same methods which proved effective with 

the Republic of Korea, including anti-Communist political 

training. Meanwhile, to the north in Viet Minh, President Ho 

Chi Minh has made few public appearances and there are 

widespread reports of popular unrest due to Communist bru 

tality. 

BROWN COAL 

The states of South Dakota, North Dakota, and Mon 

tana are hoping for a new industrial development based on 

the use of lignite or "brown Lignite is very plentiful, 

with usable deposits of ten billion tons estimated for North 

Dakota alone. Due to its low heat value it cannot profitably 

be shipped long distances. But it is very cheap at the mines, 

and could be used as a fuel for large electric generating 

plants. Aluminum refining, which uses tremendous amounts 

of electric power, might be located near the lignite mines. 

Many other possible uses are being explored by business men 

of the upper Midwest. The region has good rail transporta 

tion and an ample labor supply, but has been too dependent 

on agriculture and is not holding its population. 

SYNTHETIC DIAMONDS 

Man has finally succeeded in making 

an artificial dia 

mond. All diamonds consist of carbon, a very common ele 

ment, but their unequalled hardness and unique crystalline 

structure make them a natural rarity. A General Electric 

laboratory has now made synthetic diamonds by subjecting 

graphite to a pressure of one and a half million pounds per 

square inch, at a temperature above 5000 F. The artificial 

stones are tiny, however, and too expensive to compete with 

natural diamonds either as gems or for industrial purposes. 

131

self" 

The Daily Rounds 

By Dr. Wilbur Weir 

Four days in Italy on our way 

home gives us 

a bit of time to reflect, after all the baggage prob 

lems invloved in crossing from Naples to Brindisi 

are solved. This was our fifth furlough, one and a 

half instead of one year, crowded full of interesting 

experiences. Time and space do not permit even the 

listing of them all; I shall confine myself to the 

people we met individuals and groups. 

1. College friends. After being out of the 

country for seven years it is always a rare treat to 

get back to Geneva College. At the Home Coming in 

October and at the Commencement in June there 

were class-mates and others to see; and just to sit 

down and chat with Dr. and Mrs. Robert Clarke 

was worth the trip. 

2. Families in Covenanter Homes. When I was 

a child and we had visiting preachers and mission 

aries in our home I enjoyed their presence, and es 

pecially the better food made available for the oc 

casion, but I never realized until later the spiritual 

values of such fellowship. Let me mention but one 

name, that of Samuel Edgar. What an influence 

for good he was on a growing lad! But my point 

here is a bit different : the lift it gives to the visitor 

to have that fellowship. You who entertain mission 

aries in your homes give us encouragement which 

you are not aware of. and often a spiritual fellow 

ship which bears fruit in a foreign land. You and 

we become co-workers. 

3. Student Groups. Five groups stand out: 

Geneva College chapel; two prayer groups of 500 

and 100 respectively and a class group at Bob Jones 

University; chapel at the Christian High School at 

Phoenix, Arizona; a class at the High School at 

Grossmont, California; two classes at New York 

University. These all were a challenge and a stimu 

lus. 

4. Rotary Clubs. Our club was formed in Larn 

aca in the spring of 1953. When I visited the head 

quarters in Chicago I suggested that our club must 

be the youngest. My guide replied that since July, 

1953, 293 clubs had been organized. That was in 

April, 1954. The Rotary motto "Service before 

plays right into the hand of Christian missions. A 

Rotarian at the luncheon in Orlando, Florida, told 

me he knew the Rotary leader in Cyprus; had met 

him at Rotary in Paris, France. A Rotarian at Tar 

pon Springs, Florida, had met the Cyprus leader 

in Mexico City. A small world; and it is becom 

ings smaller faster than we can adjust our attitudes. 

5. Other Churches. When I preached in the 

community church at Crystal Lake, Chicago, one of 

the announcements the pastor read impressed me: 

"The men will meet as usual for prayer at 6:00 a.m. 

next Lord's Day." At the Calvary Baptist Church, 

New York City, they listened attentively to the nar 

rative of the Christian movement in Cyprus since 

the time of St. Paul. At Forty Fort, Pa. I was warn 

ed that the congregation was not missionary minded ; 

but thev drank in all I could give them and asked 

for Sabbath School. 

for more. They got it by staying 

I believe that what one reads in Christian maga 

zines about there being a spiritual revival in Ameri 

ca is not exaggerated. 

132 

6. Conferences, and Grinnell. At the young 

people's camps we were privileged to attend, one 

came to feel hopeful. New spiritual life is express 

ing itself among our young people. Even the notices 

appearing in the Covenanter Witness calling the 

conferences are an improvement over those used not 

so long ago which seemed to be based on the assump 

tion that unless you appealed primarily to the ath 

letic instinct of youth you could not hope to collect 

them. At Grinnell the young people were at their 

best. Synod at Grinnell made me wonder whether 

it would foe possible to set aside at least two days 

of Synod week when pastors, missionaries, and other 

Christian workers could sit down together in a re 

laxed atmosphere for just two things : 1. Share with 

the audience some success the Lord has given you in 

Christian service. As one travels over the church 

one finds here and there a note of victory. A pas 

tor, a Sabbath School teacher, or some other worker, 

has moved forward. The secret was a change in his 

own heart, or it was due to a change in some method 

or technique. Others should hear him tell about 

it. 2. Share with the audience some failure you have 

had in Christian service, when Satan gained the 

victory. As one travels over the church one finds 

here and there a note of defeat. It should be help 

ful to hear from others how they found victory in 

similar circumstances. Prayer for one another 

through the year following such a meeting would 

be of infinite value. 

7. Foundations. Eighty Foundations were con 

tacted in an effort to add to our building fund. One 

responded with a gift of 10,000 dollars ; another res 

ponded in the form of aid for our Christian students 

to start Daily Vacation Bible Schools in Cyprus. 200 

dollars would be made available the first year to 

start the work. 

8. Business Men and Corporations. This was a 

most interesting and most difficult experience. 

Christian business men have long been awake to 

their responsibility to support Christian education 

in America. Secular-minded business men are as 

suming greater responsibility today, and corpora 

tions are moving in that direction, aided by the in 

come tax laws. But to listen to a person trying to 

"sell" 

a Christian school away yonder in the eastern 






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Kansas 

COVENANTER WITNESS

Mediterranean was a new experience for most of the 

men I interviewed. No help has come from a corpora 

tion yet. I should not fail to mention the fine spirit 

ual fellowship' it was possible to have the few times 

I attended the Friday luncheon of the Christian 

Business Men's Association in New York City. Each 

luncheon was followed by a period of Bible study. 

At a dinner one evening at their headquarters we 

had a challenging report from the Billy Graham 

Greater London Crusade. 

9. Homes of former students. Visits to these 

homes gave Mrs. Weir and me immense pleasure, as 

any teacher can testify who has given long years 

to one school, making a large crop of students a- 

vailable for growing friendships as the years pass. 

Some of these homes are worldly; ideals taught in 

the Academy have been exchanged for others no 

apologies offered. In other homes the ideals have 

been kept in mind, but practice has fallen far be 

low. Apologies were offered, and an effort was made 

to conform in our presence. In still other homes 

ideals planted in the Academy have borne fruit: 

grace at meals, family worship, sound child train 

ing. What a pleasure to see it, and what a challenge 

to us to carry on. We attended two weddings of 

Academy graduates. At one we substituted for the 

bride's parents. Her husband has employment which 

keeps him quite busy, but he takes time out week 

ends to give his testimony and a Gospel message on 

the street at Times Square, that bee-hive area of 

New York City. At the other wedding the groom 

was an Academy graduate. He is a student in Bib 

lical Seminary, New York. His bride is a fine Chris 

tian nurse, and they look forward to service in the 

Near East. 

10. Groups responsible for mission policies. It 

was our privilege to attend parts of two meetings of 

our Foreign Board, two meetings of the Internation 

al Missionary Council at 156 Fifth Ave., New York, 

and the Chain of Missions meeting at Orlando, Fla. 

in February, 1954. Our Board is wrestling with the 

problems of finance and of basic policies of mission 

work. These other organizations stressed the prac 

tical value of missions, the need of and the problems 

concerning the social application of the Gospel in 

foreign lands; there was little attention given to 

the redeeming power of Christ for the individual. 

Our Board should have stronger prayer support from 

the church as . 

they try faithfully to plan for work 

which they have never seen, details of which they 

have only from the meagre reports which the mis 

sionaries reluctantly take time to supply. 

11. Congregations and Sabbath Schools of the 

R. P. Church. This is a more familiar area, and 

would require much space for adequate treatment. 

As indicated above, the missionary receives a lift 

as he tries to share with the churches some of the 

facts concerning the work, and his own enthusiasm 

for it. He receives vocal assurance of prayer support 

which makes for more faithful work ahead. I shall 

claim space to mention only three congregations: 

Hot Springs, Phoenix, San Diego. Being more along 

mission lines, they attracted my sympathy, admira 

tion, and continued interest. Pray for them; go on 

vacation and give them a hand; go and live in the 

bounds of one of these stations when you want to 

make a change. Besides telling of the work in Cyp 

rus I assisted at Communion in several places. This 

March 2, 1955 

is a joy for the missionary licensed to preach, for it 

gives more time to get acquainted, and gives an op 

portunity to share Scripture truth as well as know 

ledge of missions. 

12. The home folks. Could one close such a list 

without mentioning the dear ones left behind on 

going to the field and the first to see and embrace 

on returning for furlough Sensing their spiritual 

and mental growth which has taken place during 

one's absence multiplies the joy of the new fellow 

ship. Then there is the old home site ; parents have 

passed on; but just to go and look about the place 

a bit memories, memories come flooding in. They 

start you all over again from childhood, and you 

set out with fresh vigor, this time to avoid some 

of the mistakes of the past, this time better ac 

quainted with the Source of Power. 

Dear Friends : 

Returning Home To Cyprus 

By Elizabeth E. Weir 

Brindisi, Italy 


Each time as we start back again to Cyprus 

we think of how dependent we are upon the good 

friends God has given us. The Statue of Liberty 

quickly fades from view but the glow of warmth in 

our hearts stays as we look back on America and 

remember the blessings of our furlough. God has 

been very good to us. North, south, and west from 

New York we have traveled, and wherever we have 

gone the Christian fellowship has been a joy and 

an inspiration. We want to take this opportunity to 

thank the missionary societies for the Christmas 

cards they sent, though we usually 

letter from the field. 

answer with a 

The last days before sailing were indeed busy 

but filled with expressions of hope and encourage 

ment and the help that only dear friends and loved 

ones can give. We sailed January 10 on a new Italian 

ship, the Christoforo Colombo. Tourist class was 

quite good. There we found a group waiting outside 

our cabin when we came on board. We all managed 

to squeeze into the tiny cabin where the 121st Psalm 

was read by Mr. Leo Serian, and prayer by the Rev. 

Luther McFarland commended us to the care of 

Him who loves and cares for us all. Sweets and 

other gifts made our leave-taking jolly. We want 

especially to thank all the members of the Wo 

men's Synodical for the fine box of fruit that came 

with us. We saved some of it until we reached Italy 

and used it on the train which had no diner. 

Winter seas are in general rougher than summer 

seas, so we cannot complain about the "Long At 

lantic Swell." We missed two meals, but the little 

pills helped to keep one member of our twosome go 

ing. On Sabbath we had a very small Protestant 

service in the tourist part of the ship. First and 

second class passengers were notified but no one 

came. Our first speaker was the zealous Italian 

preacher, the Rev. Russo from Puteoli, the place in 

Italy where Paul stopped after his shipwreck at 

Malta (Acts 28:13). Mr. Russo has suffered for 

his beliefs, for he was in prison for six years (1936- 

1943). His church (Baptist) suffered much as the 

133

Waldensians did in Italy. After his short sermon 

Mr. Weir spoke on Romans 1:16, which the Rev. 

Russo interpreted. 

Our only stop was a short one at Gibraltar. On 

Tuesday, January 18, we arrived at Naples, a dif 

ferent place from the carefree city of before the 

war. People on the streets and in the shops seldom 

smile; wages are low, food very high, and many 

buildings need to be rebuilt. After two days there, 

we crossed by train to Brindisi on the east coast. 

From here we expected to sail for Cyprus tomorrow. 

Telegraphic news tells us that our ship will be a 

clay late in arriving. We have lost radio and tele 

visual contact with the outside world, but it seems 

that there have been heavy rains at Trieste and at 

Venice hindering the loading of the ship. 

As we near Cyprus we get anxious really to get 

there, and especially to land all our baggage safely, 

which should mean some pleasure to several of your 

friends there. Some folks may think we are Mr. and 

Mrs. Santa Claus. 

We look forward to seeing our friends again 

and to getting started into the work. Examinations 

will likely be in progress when we arrive, with the 

new semester just around the corner. 

Covenant Blessings Recognized 

By Rev. E. Clark Copeland. 

Dear Covenanter Friends, 

After a few cloudy days and rain, we have a 

beautiful sunny Monday morning. The children are 

sleeping in as they have mid-semester vacation. 

Mrs. Copeland is finishing up the marking of her 

examination papers. I shall take the opportunity to 

get off to you a belated letter. 

First let me express our appreciation for the 

many cards and letters received at Christmas time. 

We especially enjoy the personal notes which give 

first-hand information of your activities, hopes, la 

bors in this great Covenant task God has commit 

ted to us. Paul was greatly 

encouraged in his minis 

try at Corinth by the news that the church at Thes 

salonica was growing up in Christ (Acts 18:5). 

So we are encouraged by you. We are grateful to 

God for His goodness to you all in this past Cove 

nant Year, and we join in prayer that together we 

shall faithfully carry out our obligations received 

from Him and enjoy our privileges in Him, our 

Covenant God. Will you accept this letter as ac 

knowledgement of your greetings 

We are grateful of the assurance given of your 

continual prayer for the Lord's work here. We know, 

of course, that you are praying, but to hear you say 

it is fresh encouragement. Labor at times seems so 

fruitless; the soil is hard, impervious. Then sud 

denly God gives some fruit, and we know that it has 

been wrought in prayer, the united prayer of the 

church, more than in our weak efforts. Let us not 

slack in our labor of prayer for there is where our 

vision of the will of God is enlarged. Paul told 

the Ephesian churches, "God is able to do exceed 

ingly abundantly above all we ask or think." Let 

not our prayers be limited by our finite conception 

of the plan and purpose of God. It is our Father's 

134 

good pleasure to give us the whole Kingdom. We 

need our eyes opened to that scope, so that we may 

be laborers together with Him to the fullest ex 

tent. 

As my work this year in the Larnaca Academy 

has been less administrative, I have had more op 

portunity to do personal work among students. In 

the Boys' Fellowship Group at the beginning of 

the year we spent some time studying and discuss 

ing the way of salvation. Out of this I got the op 

portunity to talk personally with two of the boys, 

and they both accepted Christ as their Saviour. It 

has been a special joy to see them growing up in the 

Lord; reading, studying, memorizing the Scriptures 

with delight and increasing understanding. We have 

a similar group for girls in Larnaca, and also in 

Nicosia. We are praying that these groups will be 

come lively cells, reproducing, bringing new life in 

to the school and communities from which they 

come. Will you join us in prayer for this. 

At the end of December, Rev. Hagop Sagherian, 

the Armenian pastor, left our churches to become 

the general secretary of Young People's work for the 

Armenian Evangelical Union of Syria and Lebanon. 

The elders are alert and active in leading the con 

gregations, keeping the prayer meetings going, visit 

ing, and taking their place in leading the Sabbath 

services. Yesterday I preached for both congrega 

tions and remained in Larnaca for the English serv 

ice in the evening. In the afternoon I spoke to the 

Intermediate group. Mr. Weir preached at the Greek 

service in Larnaca in the morning and at the English 

service in Nicosia in the evening. Rev. C. Christou 

was in Limassol and a layman led the Greek service 

in Nicosia. Miss Reade has a group of girls studying 

the catechism Sabbath afternoons. Of course there 

are the Sabbath schools in each congregation. That 

is a picture of our Sabbaths. 

Rev. T. M. Hutcheson is recovering from the 

jaundice. He expects to be out by the middle of the 

week. 

Rev. C. C. Christou has completed the metrical 

versification of the Psalms in Greek to provide one 

version of each Psalm complete to fit the tunes of the 

new edition of the Psalter in English. A committee is 

now checking the work and it is being mimeographed. 

After using it for a time and possibly revising it 

where it may prove necessary, we hope to have a 

good Greek Psalter. He has completed the first draft 

of the translation of the Westminster Confession of 

Faith, and is now revising his work. It will be ready 

for publication soon. This is a very important work, 

considerably belated, and we rejoice to see it done. 

We are grateful for your money gifts that have come 

in for this translation work. More is yet needed. A 

paper bound edition of the Confession of Faith simi 

lar to the English edition of "A Summary of Doc 

trine would cost about $200.00. 

A number of people have expressed a desire to 

see an evangelical book store in Cyprus. There is 

some demand for evangelical 

books, and some have 

secured them through individual orders for sale. 

There is a general feeling that such a store would 

meet a need, similar to the service rendered by the 

Covenanter Book Room in Kobe. It would, of course, 

require some support in the beginning as it did there'. 

The new school 

building in Nicosia is going up 

apace. It looks like the contractor is up to schedule 

and we should have the building ready for school in 

COVENANTER WITNESS

me'." 

September as planned. The other day the chief inspec 

tor of schools for the Department of Education said 

to me, "I am very glad to see you are getting your 

new building; for your teachers have had to cope 

with almost impossible physical conditions in that 

old building." "Except the Lord build the house, 

they labor in vain that build it." We have commit 

ted it to Him, and we pray for wisdom to use it for 

His glory and the realization of His Kingdom. 

"Union with Greece" campaigning goes on. The 

underworld is getting into activity as well as the 

Ethnarchy (central committee of the Greek Ortho 

dox Church presided over by the Archbishop). You 

may have heard in the news that an attempt to 

smuggle dynamite into the island was discovered 

not be 

by the police last week. This, however, may 

as serious as it may have sounded on the radio. We 

do not believe the leadership in the movement is in 

volved in such tactics. The sad thing about it all 

is that those who claim to be the representatives of 

Christ in this island are more concerned about this 

kind of activity than with the unity of their people 

with Christ. 

We are glad to welcome the Weirs back to Cyp 

rus on January 26. We thank God for what Mr. Weir 

was able to raise for the Larnaca Building Fund, a 

total of $25,000.00. We believe that God has a place 

for the schools in the mission work, and we seek 

His guidance in making them accomplish His pur 

pose. 

"Thus saith the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, 

and his Maker, 'Ask me of things to come concern 

ing my sons, and concerning the work of 

my hands 

command ye Isaiah 45:11. 

Report of Progress 

By Chester T. Hutcheson 

Dear Covenanter Readers in the U.S.A. 

By November our schools were pretty well 

started, although still short a couple of teachers. 

By the end of the month these were arranged for, 

in some instances satisfactorily, and in others not. 

But the worst difficulty was lack of textbooks. Even 

yet we do not have all textbooks ; neither our school 

nor the public schools. The Educational Department 

handles the books and gives them to us, at reason 

able prices, from their store, when available, on 

requisition. The top class, and that is what would 

be called about the top class of a Junior college, 

had an odd strike a few days ago about it. About 

80 students loafed in the halls of the local govern 

ment educational building during the daytime and 

slept there during the night. The result was only 

partially successful for the students. We do not 

have this class, so had no students participating. 

We are very glad to have Miss McClurkin and 

Mrs. Hutcheson back in the mission circle, and with 

their shoulders at the wheels in school work. We 

miss the Sandersons in this part; and the women's 

work is practically at a standstill, with Mrs. Mc 

Elroy in the U.S.A. Mrs. Hays has classes in the 

Girls school. 

We had two social events during the month; 

one an evening for the teachers, and the other a 

social evening for the High School age students who 

March 2, 1955 

know English. Both were well worth the effort, al 

though heavy rains kept some of the teachers at 

home. 

Our village evangelism seems to foe going along 

undisturbed. Mr. Hays had all his village workers 

in for a full day conference on personal evangelism 

during November. Pray especially for them, as 

people who are working in villages, mostly sur 

rounded with non-Christian people. 

Political conditions are unsettled as yet, and 

especially just now when I am writing the first 

week of December. We have had to close our schools 

for more than five days already this year. The same 

for all schools of the town. They seem to be used 

as a political football. 

Of our High School graduates last year; four 

have gone on to the American Junior college in 

Aleppo; one to the American University of Beirut; 

one to higher Arabic studies here in Syria; and 

one is a teacher in his home village, and intends 

to go to college next year, then to the seminary. 

The seminary requires one year of successful teach 

ing as a prerequisite to entrance. 

Perhaps you realize that two of our alumni are 

now students in Geneva college, U.S.A. Two more 

are expecting to be there the second semester. I 

think you will find these four very fine upright 

young people, and I hope you will be able to meet 

them. One, John Manoyan, who graduated from 

Geneva a few years ago, then did graduate study 

in Oklahoma University, is now working in the oil 

refining department of the Venezuelan govern 

ment. He made us a visit here last year, 

was on an assignment in Europe, visiting various 

while he 

oilfields and refineries of Europe; both in eastern 

and western Europe. 

We rejoice with Larnaca, Cyprus, in their be 

ing able to raise so much money for their new 

building projects. I was favorably impressed with 

their new buildings this summer. Also in Nicosia. 

From reports I get from U.S.A. some or maybe 

many think that our mission schools are costing too 

much. Well, as you know a school cannot stand still ; 

it must go forward or backwards. Are not all schools 

in your neighborhood increasing their budget from 

year to year So we must do also, or drop back 

wards. Even so, we have never been able to have 

music, athletics, drawing or manual training 

teachers in our schools. Perhaps you in U.S.A. 

would not send your child to a school that did not 

have these 

Here is a suggestion for your Christmas greet 

ing cards: box them up and send them to us to use 

as prizes for the smaller children. We are just about 

out of them. Some of our mission stations do not 

want them, I believe, but we can use hundreds of 

them to good advantage. Here is a human interest 

story about one child that shows its appreciation 

of a Christmas card given as a present for paying 

tuition on time. The next day the child brought the 

amount of her tuition, a second time, and said she 

brought it for another card. 

The mission staff have all been blessed with good 

health this year, and are busy 

with their respective 

duties. We were all able to enjoy a fine Thanks 

giving dinner at our house, at the time of this 

American festival. 

135

students' 

college." 

girls." 

world." 

ground." 

The following Sabbath day we had communion 

with around 200 communing. Eleven joined the 

church at this time, and three babies were bap 

tized on the previous Sabbath. It was a fine com 

munion season. 

Let us continue to pray for each other. 

Spiritual Fruits in the Lives of Students 

By Marjorie and Kenneth Sanderson 

As we have been going around over the church 

telling of the work in Syria we have been mention 

ing a number of the young people who were in our 

schools last year who came out quite definitely for 

Christ and asking prayer that they may be kept 

"strong in the faith." We thought perhaps some 

people might be interested in the following excerpts 

from letters we have received recently that tell in 

the 

tian life. 

own words of their continued Chris 

"I passed my summer vacation partly staying 

home helping father and of course studying some 

and doing my service to my Lord. Our lessons are 

quite complicated here much harder than last 

year's, but we know how to study hard, so we are 

doing so, which is the only means of success, of 

course not neglecting the help of God." (He is a 

freshman in Jr. College in Aleppo now.) "Here also 

I am giving a part of my time to God. Besides 

my daily devotions, I am a member of the Armenian 

Christian Endeavor. By the way, I have to confess 

that, as I believe is natural with many new born 

people, I had my own falls. I many times yielded to 

Satan, but in every case I asked the pardon of my 

Saviour and His help, so soon I regained my 

strength. Jesus is wonderful. I can feel that, and 

I have proved it in my 

own experience. Your humble 

student and brother because of Christ, Solomon 

Apellian." 

"We had a good time in the summer. We were 

having a Christian meeting every Thursday after 

noon. We were about fifteen boys and (This 

was in their village as this boy was a boarder last 

year.) "One of the members used to choose the sub 

ject of the week. Once when it was my turn I chose 

the subject, "What Must A Christian Do" I am 

very sorry to say that Christian life has almost 

no value by many in the (He was a senior 

in our school last year.) "Some of the boys even 

deny the existence of God. Some of them are very 

indifferent toward religion, and not concerned with 

it at all. But don't ever think that I have become one 

like them. No! Thank God for His grace, by which 

He kept me and is keeping me strong in my faith. 

Every day I read my Bible and pray. I attend 

Sabbath." 

Church every Misak Abdulian." 

This is from one of our teachers in the Boys' 

School : 

"Now we are in another school year. So far 

things are promising. I hope that many of our stu 

dents at both schools will take sides with the Lord's 

way. I pray that many of them will be cultivated and 

ready to grow the Lord's seeds. Kneel and pray for 

our work. Pray that we may be given the Lord's 

guidance. 

136 

"We had meetings this past summer with Bas 

sam Madany each Sabbath. I feel that life is going 

O.K. with me as a Christian. I found that there is 

nothing in the world more beautiful than to be a 

true follower of Christ. Christ first and then the 

Sadeek Yusuf, was in our high school 

until two years ago and now is in another in Lata 

kia studying for a higher degree. 

The following is a quotation from one of the 

teachers in our Girls' School. "My aunt Jaleeleh 

sick ten days ago and had a dangerous 

was very 

operation in Dar-EI-Zor and the doctors thought she 

would die. They sent us a telegram saying she was 

very sick and that there was poor hope of her heal 

ing. My grandmother and Aunt Wedad went to see 

her and to pray to God with all our hearts to heal 

her and God answered our prayers and today she 

left the hospital but she has to stay in bed for 

three months and have complete rest. She was given 

seven pints of blood during and after the operation. 

Really she was healed by a miracle from God." 

"I'll be glad to have new ideas from you for Sab 

bath School and the Girls' Fellowship Group." 

This boy was a non-C!hristian who came to know 

Christ while in our school and boarding department 

and is now a freshman in college. "Sir, we are do 

ing well and adjusting ourselves to the environment 

around here. I have received a letter from a girl 

in Orlando, Florida and I will be very happy to tell 

her how I was born again. I hope that God will 

work on those people and bring to Him as many 

of those as will believe in Him. I do read the Bible 

and pray constantly, but we are not having meet 

ings by ourselves and that, I am sure, is a great 

mistake of ours, but we will fix a time for a daily 

meeting. Best wishes for you. Pray for us and we 

will always pray for you. Sincerely yours, a warrior 

for Christ, A. R." 

These letters encouraged us very much and we 

hope that it will encourage the "Witness" readers 

too. Our hearts rejoiced last year to see so many 

of the boys and girls accepting Christ as their 

Saviour and going on to win others for Him, and 

again we are gladdened to see these young people 

continuing to live for Him. We are enjoying seeing 

so many old and new Covenanter friends and being 

in quite a few of our churches. May these young 

people foe as Samuel was described; "And Samuel 

grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none 

of his words fall to the (I Sam. 3:19.) 


drinking milk wherever he goes. He shamed Americans by 

his abstinence when he visited Washington recently. Possibly 

America may yet learn a lesson in temperance from France." 

All are now aware that Premier Mendes-France was 

given a no-confidence vote in the House of Deputies in 

France and has resigned. For consumption of the public it 

was stated that the Deputies were opposed to him because 

of his policy in North Africa, but it is this writer's guess 

and there were hints given to this effect 

that he was op 

posed and deposed because of his strong stand on behalf of 

temperance. Any one who has had a slight look on France, 

and especially on Paris, cannot but see that it is steeped in 

liquor and degraded by it, and it would require a most 

mighty upheval and reform to root it out. 

COVENANTER WITNESS

quickly." 

eat." 

water" 

sin," 

water" 

contaminated." 

"SALT" 


Mr. Joshua Tamada, a young man whose father is 

Interpreter for an Army Chaplain, interpreted for 

me a few times, as I taught Matthew in the adult 

Bible Class on Sabbath. He asked to keep the manu 

script, hoping sometime to use it in teaching some 

Bible in the school where he teaches English. At 

their first teachers' meeting before school started, he 

announced that he is a Christian, and learned that 

he is the only one in a large school. He passes these 

manuscripts to the other teachers who know English, 

and they are interested in reading them. One of them 

is interested enough to come to S. S. and church 

when he is free to come. 

Mr. Nozawa says that "with all his heart" he 

wants to come to church, but he must work seven 

days a week in order to keep his job. 

A patient in the Suma hospital recovered from 

T.B. and went home, interested in the Gospel, but 

when she found that two of her children were run 

ning fever, she said God must first heal them, then 

she would believe in Jesus. Mrs. Takihara told her 

that her husband first believed, then God healed 

him. 

The latest report from Mr. Takihara, January 10, 

proves the wonder working power of God. After the 

October operation, the doctor said he could probably 

operate on the other lung about March. To his sur 

prise, while the first lung is healing, the spot on 

the second one has almost disappeared also. The 

surgeon was incredulous. "It can't be true," he 

said, "Not one in a thousand heals like that and so 

He was astonished when he saw the Xray 

picture and said it was very remarkable. The oper 

ated lung is about ready for the second operation, 

and if he continues to improve as he has been doing, 

he may be able to leave the hospital in August. 

Mr. Masunaga is almost fully recovered, and hopes 

to do some work in the Seminary beginning in 

April. 

Miss Edamatsu gave up her work in the Book 

Room, as her mother needed her help in their res 

taurant. Her Christian life there is not without its 

difficulties; she is the only Christian, all the others 

being ardent Buddhists or very worldly. Her sister 

thinks only of her 'own beauty and pleasure and 

continually finds fault with her hard-working sis 

ter. "When I bow my head to pray before eating, 

she calls the attention of all in the restaurant with 

sneering remarks. The land on which our restaurant 

is built belongs to a Buddhist temple, so every 

month several Buddhist priests come to collect 

money, and to eat a feast. My parents command me 

to attend their worship service which lasts for an 

hour. But in this, I must disobey them. The only 

service I do for them is to pour hot water for them 

while they Mieko soon graduated from the St. 

Michael's School, and would like to take a course in 

a Bible School, but her mother says, "If you go to 

us." 

a Christian school you will not belong to 

Miss Kizumi is now helping in the Book Room. 

She too has burdens. Her father had reverses in 

business and had to sell his home, and begin a new 

smaller business. Her grandparents are eighty years 

old, one of them bedfast; her aunt who lives near 

here, is about seventy and almost blind, a widow 

with no children. Miss Kizumi is the only Christian, 

March 2, 1955 

but she is trying to help the family to know the 

way of life. 

Mr. Maeda, in whose home we have had a Bible 

Class for children, formerly claimed to be an agnos 

tic, and in earlier life was opposed to Christianity, 

has been doing some special work for me for a few 

weeks, now says he would like to join the Book 

Room Bible Class. 

Mr. Mita, when chided for working long after 

closing time in the Book Room, said: "Never mind. 

This work I like." 

A recent letter from Mr. David Leung, son of 

Rev. Leung Mau Hing, our first pastor in Tak Hing 

many years ago, says he has just graduated from 

the Canton Medical School, formely Ling Naam. He 

has a year of internship there, and hopes he may 

be allowed to work in Canton Hospital after that. 

His younger brother graduated possibly in engi 

neering a year earlier and is now with a National 

Construction Company in Honan province. He says, 

"I think it will give you great consolation that my 

sister has been baptized, and is now more close to 

the Lord than ever before. She is now in Peking 

as my brother-in-law was transferred there. I always 

have opportunity to see Sister Jeanette Li when I 

am in Canton. She is still living in the southern 

capital safely. Her physical condition has been quite 

good, and she is also serving the Lord with all her 

heart." 

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. And 

pray that His Word faithfully sown may bring forth 

abundant harvest. 

STRATEGY FOR CHRISTIAN MISSIONS . 

Continued from Front Page 

. . 

with babies going around behind the temple. I fol 

lowed them and to my horror saw those mothers, 

one by one, take their babies and hold their little 

faces under the flow of sewage that was draining out 

of the temple through a small pipe in the rear. It ran 

into mouth, eyes and nose. As I watched, a Hindu 

gentleman stepped up to me and explained in Oxford 

English that this was "holy and the mothers 

did this thinking it would bless their babies. He re 

luctantly admitted, however, that it was probable 

that many of the babies would die of infection be 

cause the "holy was "much 

However, he remarked that his poor people "were 

ignorant." 

How can Satan bind people in this way 

But he does. 

Christians are respected in India. There is an esti 

mated five million constituency of them. These all 

really won to Christ, filled by His Spirit and given a 

vision of the lost masses about them would make 

the best missionaries to 600,000 villages where 

Christ is not known. The India Church needs revival. 

Buddhism 

Five hundred years before Christ a Hindu 

prince, Siddhartha Gotama, was born in India near 

the city of Benares. Early in life he became more 

sorrow and death than the plea 

sures of an immoral high caste Hindu society. He 

turned to meditation, poverty, and doing penance to 

atone for his sins. To become "enlightened" or free 

he concluded that re-incarnation 

concerned over sin, 

from "worldly 

or the transmigration of one's soul might be neces 

sary through a series of lives on earth until one could 

finally live a sinless life and be permitted to enter the 

137

one" 

me." 

will" 

work" 

you." 

preach." 

alone." 

conquer." 

state of "nirvana" or non-existence. He taught that 

the three great sins are "self indulgence," "ill 

and "ignorance." He taught that there was no Crea 

tor, no God, no Heaven, only nirvana. Man must 

save himself. He opposed idolatry. Buddha, the "en 

lightened died. His teachings were received un 

til today over 200 million lost souls look to Buddha 

for salvation. Oddly enough Buddha is an idol and 

there are all kinds of Buddhas jade, copper, golden 

in beautiful, spotlessly clean temples, but Buddha 

is dead. The temples are filled with images of dead 

Buddhas Buddha meditating, Buddha teaching, 

Buddha fasting. In the beautiful Golden Temple in 

Bangkok I was looking down a long corridor lined 

with Buddhas. After passing a Buddha of skin and 

bones Buddha fasting I saw a Thai lady of consid 

erable avoirdupois stop and worship the skinny 

Buddha. Apparently, it was her favorite Buddha. It 

seemed very appropriate. 

Twenty-five years ago, some thought Buddhism 

was losing its hold on the masses. Today it is a 

strange mixture of mysticism and idolatry, both so 

acceptable to the oriental mind. This religion of kind 

ness, penance, high ethical teachings isn't too bad, 

we might say, but what does it do for the masses 

Yes, they know Buddha's teachings, yet they lie, 

steal, worship demons with their little demon houses 

on posts outside their houses. It hasn't been able to 

overcome the sin problem. Man cannot save himself. 

It has its satanic strategy. It attracts thousands of 

priests who train for life ministry. Many men enter 

as lay priests for short or long periods abandoning 

their families as they seek solace from a wicked 

world and end in disillusionment. Today in Japan, 

Buddhists are starting Sunday Schools, and singing 

Buddhists songs, such as "Buddha loves They 

are filling the religious vacuum we didn't fill with 

the Gospel. Buddhism still has the masses and public 

opinion. It is keyed to the oriental mind, and is a 

religion of works. There are approximately 17,000 

seminary students of Buddhism in Thailand right 

now. But everywhere Buddhists are seemingly more 

open to the Gospel. A revived Christianity with a 

living Christ is finding a new response in Buddhist 

lands. 

(Continued in Next Missionary Issue) 

A Plea to Raise Synod's Budget 

in Full Plus $5,000 

Do you know that shortage of funds makes it 

almost impossible for our Board of Foreign Missions 

to send out new recruits to each of our fields, of 

Syria, Cyprus, and Japan 

Do you know that a strong appeal from our 

Japan Mission, asking for a second new minister 

in Japan in 1955, was considered by last meeting of 

Synod at Grinnell 

Do you know that Synod voted to approve this 

appointment of a new minister for Japan IF the 

entire budget for the current year, $110,815, PLUS 

another $5,000, is raised by the end of March 1955 

Do you know that a total of $115,815 must be in 

Mr. Chester Fox's office by March 31st if the Board 

of Foreign Missions is to send another ordained 

minister to Japan 

Do you know that a young Covenanter minister 

has applied to be appointed to go to Japan with 

138 

his family Do you know that his appointment waits 

on the fulfilment of this obligation to raise Synod's 

budget in full, PLUS $5,000 

Charles S. Sterrett, Corresponding Secretary 

BOOK REVIEWS 

Dad Hall, Bishop of Wall Street. 

Sara C. Palmer 

This is the biography of one of our outstanding 

Christian leaders and workers. He took as his person 

al charge the command of Christ to the apostles, 

"And as ye go, He obeyed it to the letter 

and preached in many different places to all sorts 

of people. He was a minister in the Episcopalian 

church, but he did his greatest work in outdoor 

preaching, in prisons and in short messages over 

the telephone. He began his work in prisons by be 

ing invited to a service in a prison and then, without 

any warning, being called upon to speak. He began 

his telephone ministry by being called by mistake. 

He told the caller of his need of God and salvation. 

This man told some of his friends to call the same 

number. They did and so this telephone ministry 

began. Since then millions of people in different 

cities have called this group, for one man could not 

long continue to answer all the calls. It has been 

written up in several national magazines, including 

the American, Readers' Digest and Colliers. He be 

gan preaching out of doors in Wall Street, when 

the man who started it died. He carried it on for 

nine years until compelled to stop because of Com 

munists who came in and began to speak. In order 

to stop these Communists, all of this work was 

stopped. 

He was a man who encouraged many to do Christ 

ian work along with other work, and who led many to 

enter the ministry and mission work. 

It is an interesting book that is hard to put down. 

It is an encouraging book. This man did the Lord's 

work and saw many converts. It is a humbling book, 

and should make every reader ask, "Why am I not 

taking advantage of more opportunities to do the 

Lord's 

It is published by Moody Press and sells for $2.50. 

R. C. F. 

Not in Unbelief. 

pronounced type. He wrote: 

born." 

Not in Pleasure. 

WHERE IS HAPPINESS 

: 

Voltaire was an infidel of the most 

"I wish I had never been 

Lord Byron lived a life of pleasure 

if anyone did. He wrote: "The worm, the canker, and the 

grief are mine 

Not in Money. 

Jay Gould, the American millionaire, 

had plenty of that. When dying he said: "I suppose I am 

the most miserable man on earth." 

Not in Position and Fame. 

Lord Beaconsfield en 

joyed more than his share of both. He wrote: "Youth is 

a mistake; manhood a struggle; old age a secret." 

Not in Military Glory. Alexander the Great con 

quered the known world in his day. Having done so, he 

wept in his tent because, he said, "There are no more 

worlds to 

Where, Then, is Happiness Found The answer is 

simple: In Christ alone. He said, "I will see you again 

and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh 

from Selected. 

COVENANTEE WITNESS



March 20, 1955 


"Character Study" 

Rev. Kenneth Smith 

Here is a suggested plan for your 

Young People's Meeting this week. 

1. Pick three people from your group 

to select their favorite psalm. If you ask 

them just before the meeting, it will 

give them time to select the one they 

love the most. Begin the meeting then 

with a praise service, asking each one of 

these folks to tell why they like the 

psalm they have chosen. 

2. Following the praise service, take 

some time for prayer. Ask the group if 

there are any specific matters for which 

they 

would like prayer; and then call on 

about four or five to pray, remembering 

these requests. 

3. Since the meeting 

centers on the 

subject of Bible study, have one of the 

:97- 

group prepared to read Psalm 119 

104 giving special note to the benefits 

which God promises to those who study 

the Bible. 

4. Now tonight you are going to try a 

different type of Bible study. It is called 

a "Character Study." A character study 

is no more than just what the subject 

describes: it is an analysis of a person 

in scripture with the purpose of learning 

from his life. I Corinthians 10:11 says: 

"Now all these things happened unto 

them for ensamples; and they are writ 

ten for our admonition, upon whom the 

come." 

ends of the world are So it is evi 

dent that God intends us to do "charac 

ter" studies that we might learn from 

them how we can be more effective in 

living for the glory 

of Christ. 

In actually doing a character study, 

one should write down what he can find 

on the following items: 

a. His conversion. 

b. His call to service. 

c. His strong points, (faith, prayer, 

etc.) 

d. His weak points, (sins, failures, 

etc.) 

e. His accomplishments. 

f. His influence. 

g. What to follow in his life. 

h. What to avoid in his life. 

i. What God said about him. 

5. The person whose life we are going 

to analize is Cornelius as described in 

Acts 10. By following the above outline, 

we will try to discover the elements in 

Cornelius that made him the man he 

was; and by so doing, we will be able to 

tell if we measure up to his character. 

If we see something 

wonderful in his 

life, it will give us something to try to 

March 2, 1955 

develop in ourselves with God's help. 

a. See that each one of the group has 

a copy of this list of items for which to 

look. Perhaps a blackboard could have 

the list so that everyone could see them. 

b. Have each person go into another 

part of the room and actually work out 

the answers from his Bible. The leader 

should see that paper and pencils are 

supplied, and he should also remind each 

one to note also the verse or verses from 

which he took his answers. 

c. Set a time limit. After explaining 

what is to be done, the leader should al 

low about 20 or 25 minutes for work on 

the study. Some will probably not finish; 

but it will be enough time to let them 

discover "how" to do a character study. 

The leader should do the study prior to 

the time of the meeting in order to be 

able to help any who may have some 

questions. 

d. Give a two-minute warning before 

saying: 

"Time's up!"; and then have 

the group gather together again to dis 

cuss what they found. The leader may 

call upon different ones to answer the 

different items, and this will promote 

everyone's having a part in the meeting. 

There may be certain items which are 

not found described in Cornelius' life; 

but in studying other characters they 

may be found. No doubt there will be 

plenty of discussion; and though the 

group wants to keep on sharing their 

discoveries, the leader should by all 

means close the meeting on time. 

6. In closing the meeting, the leader 

might suggest that each one keep this 

list of items for doing a Character Study 

and occasionally give variety to his de 

votional life by choosing 

a person in 

scripture and analyzing him. (It would 

be well to note the directions for all 

the study-plans described during the 

meetings in March. These plans are in 

valuable in keeping your devotional time 

keen and refreshing.) In most cases, it 

will be impossible to find in one passage 

all that one would like to know about 

characters in scripture, like David, Ab 

raham, Mary, the mother of Jesus, and 

Peter. Thus, you will need a concordance 

to look up all the passages in which 

these persons are mentioned, record 

them, and then consider each passage 

systematically. Keeping your findings in 

a notebook would be of great help to 

you in the future when you wish to re 

call what you found. If these suggestions 

are stressed by the leader, then this 

meeting will have lasting 

results as 

another approach has been given to 

JUNIOR 

help unfold the riches of God's Word. 

TOPIC 

March 20, 1955 


DEATH OF JESUS CHRIST 


Memory Verse: "All we like sheep have 

gone astray; we have turned eveiy 

one to his own way; and the Lord hath 

all." 

laid on him the iniquity of us 

Isaiah 53:6 

Psalms: 


1-5, page 325 

Psalm 69:1-4, page 166 

Psalm 22, pages 46, 47 (use several 

verses from Psalm 22 for it is the 

psalm from which Jesus quoted 

while on the cross.) 

We are continuing our sad story from 

last week about the trials and death of 

Jesus Christ. We learned that in the 

middle of the night Judas pretended to 

be a friend of Jesus by giving Him a 

kiss, but this kiss was only a sign to a 

lot of soldiers that this was Jesus whom 

they were seeking to kill. Judas be 

trayed Jesus with a kiss. We cannot, in 

our short time, tell all that happened 

from the time Judas betrayed Jesus un 

til Jesus was nailed to the cross. 

The Jewish rulers were wanting Jesus 

put to death because He claimed to be 

God. So Jesus was taken to the high 

priest 

the highest ruler of the Jewish 

synagogue who should have rejoiced to 

see the Saviour. Peter followed the 

crowd and went in by the fire to keep 

warm. Before a man could be con 

demned to die there had to be the same 

charge brought against him by at least 

two witnesses. The people 

' 

inside could 

not agree about the reason why they 

had taken Jesus prisoner. Several people 

charged Him with things that were not 

so. Some people remembered things Je 

sus had said and twisted His words 

around to mean something entirely dif 

ferent from what Jesus meant. Through 

all this Jesus did not talk back. The 

high priest stood up 

He had nothing to say 

and asked Him if 

about the false 

charges. Still Jesus answered nothing. 

But when the high priest asked Jesus, 

"Art thou the Christ, the Son of the 

Blessed" 

then Jesus Spoke. In all His 

trials Jesus spoke only when there came 

up a question as to whether He is God 

or not. The Jews did not want to believe 

that Jesus is God so the high priest rent 

his clothes and said that because Jesus 

said He is the Saviour, therefore He 

must die. Then they began to hit Jesus 

139

eceive." 

prayer." 

us." 

sober." 

and spit in His face and make fun of 

Him. But Jesus was bound and couldn't 

defend Himself if He had wanted to. 

While these things were happening to 

Jesus, Peter was watching. Three times 

someone accused him of being a dis 

ciple of Jesus and each time Peter said 

he didn't even know- Him. The third 

time the rooster crowed and Jesus 

turned and looked on Peter. Peter saw 

that look. It was such a look as made 

Peter go out and weep bitterly. He was 

so sorry about how he had denied Jesus. 

The Jews couldn't kill anyone. The 

Romans were rulers over the Jews and 

had taken this authority away from 

them. So Jesus had to be taken before 

Pilate, the Roman ruler. Again the Jews 

accused Jesus of saying that He is God 

and Pilate marveled that Jesus an 

swered nothing. Pilate was not a Jew 

and didn't care anything 

about this re 

ligious trial. He thought he could get 

out of it by sending Him to another 

ruler, Herod. But Herod found no reason 

why Jesus should die and he sent Him 

back to Pilate. Pilate made several weak 

attempts to free Jesus. Finally he 

thought of a plan. Surely it would work. 

It was the custom for Pilate to release 

a Jewish prisoner at the time of the 

Passover. Pilate reminded the Jews of 

this and offered to release either Jesus 

or a very, very wicked man, Barabbas. 

Surely they would ask for Jesus to be 

freed because if Barabbas were released 

he would go about robbing and stealing 

and killing. But, No! The Jews asked for 

Barabbas to be released and wanted Je 

sus to be crucified. So Pilate command 

ed that Jesus be crucified. But first they 

beat Jesus on His bare back. Then they 

made fun of Him and dressed Him up to 

represent a king, but for a crown they 

used long, sharp thorns and pushed it 

down on His head until the blood ran 

down His face. Then, 

after such a hard 

night, and with His back and head 

bleeding, they compelled Jesus to carry 

a heavy cross. After nailing His hands 

and feet to the cross, they set the cross 

upright, dropping it into the hole they 

had dug. 

Seven times are recorded when Jesus 

spoke while on the cross. Read Luke 

23:34, 43; John 19:26 and 27, 28; Mark 

15:34; John 19:30 and Luke 23:46. One 

of these sayings was "It is finished." 

What was finished Jesus paid for the 

sins of all who will accept Jesus' death 

on the cross. Jesus worked out our sal 

vation by His life and by His death. 

"The wages of sin is death; but the gift 

of God is 

eternal life through Jesus 

Christ our Lord." He is offering this gift 

of salvation to us today. Have you re 

ceived this gift of 

for your sins 

Jesus' 

punishment 


March 20, 1955 

(Lessons based on International Sunday Schooi 





CHRISTIAN LIVING 

TEMPERANCE 

Acts 20:17-35; Rom. 6:12-14; Eph. 5:1- 

21; Col. 3:1-11; Thess. 4:1-8; Peter 1:13- 

16; I John 2:1-17. 

PRINTEDActs 20:17, 18, 24, 35-38; 

Col. 2:5-11; I Thess. 4:1-8; I John 2:1-6 

Memory: I Peter 1:15, 16 "But as He 

which hath called you is holy, so be ye 

holy in all manner of conversation; be 

cause it is written, Be ye holy; for I am 

holy." 

It is unusual to see the subject, 

Temperance, where there is no reference 

to alcohol. We talk so much about the 

wickedness of alcoholic 

intemperance 

(the sin of other folks,) that we over 

look the meaning of the word, which is 

self 

control. How about a temperance 

pledge requiring total abstinence from 

wrath, strife, and the other vices that 

rival alcohol as a disturber of peace, 

happiness and prosperity 

Acts 20:17 

Paul called the elders of Ephesus to 

come to Miletus for a conference. This 

was in some points like a meeting of 

Presbytery. He reminded them of what 

they had been taught, and urged them 

to be faithful. It was his last meeting 

with them, and his last recorded words 

of his address were words of 

Jesus, 

pointing them to a happier manner of 

life than was common among them. 

"It is more blessed to give 

than to 

After Paul had prayed with 

them, they bade him a sad farewell and 

helped him on his way. 

Col. 3:5 

Mortify, put to death, kill. What 

Your members that fulfill evil desires 

which belong to the earth, in opposition 

to the affections that are set on things 

that are above referred to in v. 2. The 

influences that drag down to a low 

plane, away from the high plane that 

is set for Christian living, should be 

destroyed. As the subject Temperance 

suggests, we must not let ourselves run 

wild, but should keep ourselves under 

control. An auto on the highway is a 

terrible thing if it is not under control. 

Most of our vices are perverted virtues. 

It makes every difference whether our 

talents are used for good or evil. Most 

sins are habit forming, keep leading 

to sin. Paul warns us to kill those 

members, motives, habits in us which 

drag our talents down to the low level 

of earthliness. 

Paul is speaking to those who have 

lived in the influence of Greek idolatry 

and sin. In verses 5,8,9, he gives a list 

of sins that were commonplace among 

the Greeks, and too common among 

Christians, and that bring "the wrath 

of God." We are to live as new creatures 

in Christ, 

and there is no respect of race 

or condition of birth. 

" 

please 

. . . . how 

God." 

I Thess. 4:1 

ye ought to walk to 

Eastern philosophy cen 

tered in pleasing self. The human body 

was not valued for any other purpose, 

but was looked on rather as an evil 

thing 

except as it ministered to one's 

pleasure. Paul emphasises the Christian 

motive, to please God. Paul pointed out 

the high dignity of Christian personality. 

The Lord told Ananias that Paul was a 

chosen vessel to bear His name before 

the gentiles and kings and the child 

ren of Israel (Acts 9:15). And Paul 

writing to the Corinthians (II Cor. 4:7), 

speaks of the priceless treasure God has 

entrusted to him to carry to them, even 

"the light of the knowledge of the Glory 

of God." He writes, "But we have this 

treasure in earthen vessels, 

that the 

excellency of the power may be of God, 

and not of Even fallen humanity 

can be cleansed to serve as a vessel to 

carry priceless treasures. A vessel 

though earthen, may be clean. Paul 

sees the Gospel as reaching far beyond 

the felicity of the Christian. The Chris 

tian's highest honor is to be trusted 

as a vessel to carry the precious treas 

ure, message, to others. So Paul urges 

personal cleanliness, "That each one of 

you may 

know how to possess himself 

of his own vessel in sanctification and 

honor." 

Though we 

are but earthen 

vessels we are to carry a treasure that 

is beyond price, (v. 8). 

I Peter 1:18 

This is assigned for reading, but is 

not printed. It has a companion word 

for temperance that is worthy of our 

notice. "Therefore, gird up the loins 

of your mind, be 

On this word 

sober, I quote from Donald MacKenzie; 

"On its positive side, it is the watchful, 

alert state of the soul which knows that 

the day of Christ has already dawned, 

the earnest expectation of the coming 

of the Master. The prayerful, hopeful, 

longing spirit of love for the coming 

of the full day of Christ. It is opposed 

on the one hand to the slumber of the 

drunkard, and on the other to the list 

less stupor that is characteristic of the 

half awakened .... The 

Christian 

soldier is armed against that by a life 

of sobriety, of righteousness, of long 

ing 

I John 2:1-16 

John tells us of the love and mercy 

of God, not that we may feel that it is 

possible to continue in sin and be for 

given, but that we sin not. Jesus Christ, 

our advocate with the Father, is right- 

140 


walked." 

me" 

rod." 

eous and secures our forgiveness in or 

der that we may 


go forward in His 

There might be an interesting dis 

cussion as to whether Christ is an ad 

vocate for all men, or only for 

the 

saved. Did He die and pay the penalty 

for the sins of those who deny Him, or 

only for the sins of those who through 

faith receive Him Some have found 

much interest in this discussion but, I 

fear, little profit. The important ques 

tion is, "Did He die for 

We know 

how we can be certain. Christ by His 

death, paid the penalty for the sins of 

all who believe on Him. Here is a prac 

tical verse; v. 3 "And hereby we know 

that we know Him, if we keep His com 

mandments." 

This does not mean an in 

tellectual, 

speculative knowledge of the 

existence or prerogatives of God, as they 

have been told to us by others, and as 

they appeal to our reason. A saving 

knowledge of God is spiritual, and comes 

to us through an experience of Christ 

in us, that enables us to say, "Our God, 

"Our 

Father," 

with consciousness 

personally possessing Him. Then we will 

obey Him, not because of the penalty of 

disobedience, nor from a sense of duty, 

but because of our love for Christ, we 

accept every work gladly that He com 

mands us to do and rejoice to do His 

will. 

of 

The commandments are all summed 

up in one word, love. A perfect love is 

the fulfillment of the law and the com 

mandments. There is one word that 

covers your duty to your auto; Take 

care of it. But unless you trust that 

to someone else, you will need to read 

a large book of instructions. But our 

life, 

we cannot hire it done for us. So 

we need a compendium of specific rules 

to tell us just how we can carry out our 

duties to God and Man. So we are given 

ten brief rules. Then for further study, 

we have a large Book giving precepts, 

examples and exercises that we should 

follow daily. In addition to these, we 

have a Comforter to walk beside us, and 

lead us into a true understanding of 

our duty as shown in our Guide Book. 

Though there are many rules given us. 

they all center in the Righteousness of 

Jesus Christ, imputed to us and re 

ceived by Faith. 

"He that saith he abideth in Him, 

ought himself also to walk even as He 

When one sells principle for populari 

ty, he is bankrupt. 

He who walks with God will never 

be late to his spiritual meals. 

A day of worry is more exhausting 

than a week of work. 

March 2, 1955 

Please Note: This Prayer Meeting Topic 

is a week ahead of time, substituting for 

the tardy one. 


March 30, 1955 

By Rev. C. E. Caskey 

GREAT QUESTIONS GOD ASKS: 

"What is that in thine hand" 

Psalms: 

Exodus 4:2 

89:8-11, Page 217 

105 :17, 18, 22, 23, Page 259 

78:1, 2, 9-12, Page 187 

40:9-12, Page 103 

References: Matthew 16:24-27; Exodus 

4:29-31; 7:9-13; 7:19, 20; 8:5, 6; 8:16- 

19; 10:13, 14; 14:15, 16; 17:5, 6; Num 

bers 20:8-11; Matthew 6:33; Isaiah 

6:8. 

This is the first of four topics on the 

subject: "Great Questions God Asks." 

They will be taken up on the fifth Wed 

nesdays of the year. 

We are familiar with the setting for 

the question, "What is that in thine 

hand" 

Moses, leading the flock of Jethro 

his father-in-law to the backside of 

the desert, had come to the mountain of 

God, Mount Horeb. There he saw the 

burning bush and came near so that 

God spoke to Him out of the bush and 

told him He was sending him to Pha 

raoh to bring the Israelites out of Egypt. 

Moses was hesitating, 

and felt that the 

people would not believe that the Lord 

had appeared to him. Then came the 

question, "What is that in thine hand" 

Moses said, "A Just the equipment 

of any shepherd which he used every day 

in his work. Perhaps it was a little bet 

ter than ordinary; as befitted a prince 

and the son-in-law of Jethro, but not 

much different. At God's command he 

threw it down and it became a serpent, 

a perfect, strong, active, terrifying, 

dangerous serpent. Moses suddenly 

made tracks to get out of its way! But 

the Lord said to reach out and take it 

by the tail. Would you have done this 

Slippery, slimy, slithering, repulsive 

reptile! But its repulsiveness was no 

thing compared to the danger of tak 

ing it by the tail. Serpents just aren't 

caught that way. The death-dealing 

fangs would surely sink into his flesh. 

But God said, "Put forth thine hand, 

and take it by the tail." Moses did, and 

it became a rod in his hand. Nothing 

slimy about it (they tell us snakes really 

aren't, they may be cold, but not 

slimy, and nothing dangerous about a 

rod. 

God's calls to obedience are often like 

that. We think the thing 

to do is disagreeable, but the only dan 

we are asked 

ger lies in disobedience or in partial o- 

bedience. Running loose the snake was 

a menace. Taken to the hand of Moses 

it became a harmless rod. 

We can't 

touch those people! But in obedience 

to God we do and find that our preju 

dices were all wrong and they 

are not 

what we thought they were. We think we 

can't do something for it would en 

danger our social standing, our job, our 

ease, or even our life and health. The 

truth is that the only danger is in dis 

obedience and not in the thing we fear. 

The Lord told Moses that the people 

would see this sign and the other signs 

and would believe. How will people be 

lieve our message When we take what 

we have in our hand, 

cast it from 

us in obedience to the Lord's command, 

follow up with complete obedience in 

spite of our dislike and fear, then the 

Lord blesses what we do. If we hold 

on to what we have it remains just what 

it is and never works any wonders. It 

never overcomes 

the rod of bondage 

which makes people crawl like despised 

serpents in the dust, dangerous to others 

and debasing themselves, but who can 

be set free by the rod in your hand 

through the power of God. 

Your rod 

will swallow up the rod of oppression 

from which you may flee as Moses did 

from the government of Egypt. It will 

become the rod that moves mountains, 

divides the sea, and brings water of 

life from the Living Rock. 

What is that in thine hand, O Cove 

nanter church A wonderful group of 

young people, not very different from 

the young people of other churches, en 

thusiastic, energetic, restless. Often 

they have more enthusiasm and even 

more loyalty than older folks, and they 

want to see things move. Yet in some 

ways our young people may be a little 

different. We strees education, 

some 

times to the detriment of churches lo 

cated where there isn't enough oppor 

tunity for their young people to use 

their education. Our young people are 

consecrated, as attendance at any of our 

camps or conferences will show. Many 

are talented as singers, and "players 

upon instruments" and readers and art 

ists. Furthermore they are dependable, 

and not all young people are these days, 

so that many of them have secured po 

sitions of responsibility. 

Parents, are you willing to cast these 

young people from you (for so it may 

seem to you) and let them lose them 

selves in the Lord's service Hold them 

and they are just what they 

were. Let 

the Lord have them and miracles are 

wrought. 

What is that in thine hand, O young 

man What is that in thine hand, O 

young woman A wonderful heritage of 

Christian homes where the Bible is loved 

and read and believed. The heritage of 

a history 

of martyrs, and of men and 

women who dared to stand for the right 

141

collection." 

cents.' 

Will 

Church News 

That Budget Project 

Amount of Budget raised to February 

18, 1955, $89,541.22. Still needed to raise 

Budget and send Missionary to Japan 

$25,473.78. We have eight weeks to 

raise it. Dead line April 15, 1955. 


ENCOURAGEMENT: During the seven 

weeks intervening between January 1 

and February 18, more than $19,000.00 

have been added to Mr. Fox's total re 

ceipts for the Budget. With eight weeks 

to go, and this the Home Stretch, we 

ought to raise that $25,000.00 and more 

also. But let no one coast in. "Not only 

is he idle who is doing 

is idle who is not 

doing 

nothing: he also 

THE IDES OF MARCH 

his 

best.'' 

Editor. 

Judging from the last page of the 

Covenanter Witness of February 16, the 

Stewardship Committee is evidently 

counting on us every one to do some 

thing "concerning the 

And 

that reminds us of a story that Mr. 

Aesop used to tell: 

A hen and a hog 

each started out for 

their morning stroll from opposite ends 

of the village Main Street. When they 

met, Mrs. Hen was looking intently into 

the window of the restaurant. 

Mrs. Hen : 

"Good morning, Mr. Hog. 

Did you know about this sign in the 

window 'Ham and eggs, 95 

seems they are counting 

tributions." 

It 

on us for con 

Mr. Hog: "Ah, I see. But it isn't fair. 

It isn't fair. All they are asking from 

you is the equivalent of two days' work. 

But I will have to dip into my life's sav 

ings. That's going to mean sacrifice. I'll 

have to give until it hurts 

to the very 

bone. The quota assignments are not 

fair." 

(Loud cackling.) 

regardless of the cost. The heritage 

of Christian habits, together with the 

special abilities and talents which the 

Lord has given, not too different from 

those of others until they are conse 

crated to Him. Then, like the five loaves 

and two fishes when they were given 

to the Lord, they bring blessing to 

thousands. Are you willing to cast what 

you have to the ground before the Lord 

that He may take it and make it fulfil 

His holy purpose 

PRAYER SUGGESTION: Pray that the 

Lord will send out workers where He 

wants them to go. Pray that we may 

be 

142 

obedient. 

All: "But we'll never let them down, 

will we They are counting on our con 

tributions." 

(More loud cackling and 

grunts of satisfaction.) 

ous giver." 

MORAL : 

"The Lord loveth the hilari 

you qualify 

Thank you, Mr. Aesop. 

NEW YORK PRESBYTERY NEWS 

Plans for the Presbytery Conference 

are almost complete. The conference 

will be held at White Lake from July 

25-30. Dr. Young, of the Westminster 

Seminary, will be one of the morning 

speakers. Plan your summer vacation 

now . . and 

White Lake. 

plan for a few days at 

ALLEGHENY CONGREGATION 

The Women's Missionary Society met 

at the home of Mrs. Walter Dodds for 

the January meeting. Mrs. E. C. Mitch 

ell had charge of devotions. Her topic 

was "Today or Tomorrow." The Misses 

Edith and Elizabeth McWilliams were 

co-hostesses and with Mrs. Dodds served 

delicious refreshments. 

Many 

members of the congregation 

attended the annual meeting of the 

Christian Laymen's Association in Janu 

ary. Dr. Samuel M. Shoemaker, Rector 

of Calvary Episcopal Church, spoke on 

"A New Life for a New Year" how 

God can get into the lives of other peo 

ple through us. 

The Week of Prayer was observed by 

prayer meetings held on Tuesday, Wed 

nesday and Thursday evenings and 

preaching on Friday evening by the pas 

tor. 

The Rev. Kermit S. Edgar was a dele 

gate to the National Temperance and 

Prohibition Council which met in Wash 

ington, D. C. the week of January 23. 

The Rev. J. Ren Patterson preached 

for the congregation on January 30 and 

an offering was taken for the National 

Reform Association. 

The World's Day of Prayer will be ob 

served in the Central-Pittsburgh Church, 

Wednesday, February 23, from 1:30 to 

2:30 P.M. We shall unite with them in 

this service. 

Friday evening at 8:00 P. M. the Blue 

Banner Club will hold a meeting at the 

church, to which all the congregation 

are invited. The Rev. Robert B. Tweed 

will be guest speaker, and will show pic 

tures of his experiences in Europe and 

the Near East. Everyone is invited. 

Friday evening, February 25, the Per 

rysville Ave. W.C.T.U. will hold its an 

nual Willard Tea in the 8th U.P. Church. 

Miss Helen Ewing will preside. Mrs. W. 

J. Harper McKnight will be guest speak 

er. 

At a lovely double ring ceremony Sa 

turday evening, February 12 at the 

home of the bride's parents, Miss Eliza 

beth Joan Heck was united in marriage 

to Mr. Wilson N. Ackerman of 

Boonton, 

N. J. Following his discharge from the 

Armed Service in the next few days, 

they will make their home at Boonton, 

N. J. We extend to them our congratu 

lations and Best Wishes. 

HOT SPRINGS NEWS 

The Holiday Greetings from the many 

W.M.S. and other organizations through 

out the church were very much appre 

ciated by the New Mexico "little flock" 

of Covenanters. We take this method of 

expressing our appreciation to the entire 

Church for every expression of interest 

in the work here. 

We sorrow over the loss of our 

dear, 

faithful friend, Dr. Ida M. Scott, who 

dictated a letter of interest and encour 

agement to us a few days before her de 

parture to the Heavenly Home. 

"Dr. 

Ida" was with us at the time of the 

dedication of our Chapel in October of 

1951. Her interest in the missionary 

labors of the Church never ceased. 

During January we were doubly 

blessed by the visits of representatives 

of two of our Foreign Mission fields: 

Miss Blanche McCrea of Nicosia, Cyp 

rus, and Miss Orlena Lynn of Kobe, Ja 

pan. Each brought stirring messages, 

and colored slide pictures of their fields 

of labor. By arrangement made at Synod 

time, Miss Lynn was our W.M.S. Thank 

Offering speaker. Full Chapel audiences 

greeted both missionaries. 

Another January program which was 

greatly appreciated was given by our 

former Chief of Police, Mr. Charles E. 

Thomison, who is now 

devoting full 

time to presenting "The Bible on the 

Table," 

and "That Boy 

Joe" sound film 

pictures, in the interests of Home Re 

ligion and Temperance. Mr. Thomison 

speaks from first hand information on 

the subject of Parent and Juvenile De 

linquency. He and his wife will be trav 

eling over many States during the year, 

and some of our congregations may have 

the opportunity of meeting them and of 

hearing their messages. 

With the help of more "laborers" the 

Rev. and Mrs. Philip Martin and their 

children 

we now have five S. S. classes 

where 

formerly we had but three; and 

there is growing interest also in the 

Sabbath evening Y.P. and Jr. Bible 

study meetings. Plans are under way 

for an addition to our little Chapel, 

which we hope may be ready for the 

summer D.V.B.S. Covenanter friends, 


cookin' 

preacher" 

continue to pray for the work at Hot 

Springs. 

FRESNO 

On January 19 there was a covered 

dish supper in the parsonage for the old 

was on the menu. 

er folk. Roast Turkey 

Our pastor's brother, Rev. John McMil 

lan, and cousin, Jim Gault, were visiting 

in the parsonage all week. So on Fri 

day night, the Intermediates and C.Y.P. 

U. were in for a pot-luck supper and 

games. 

The C.Y.P.U. elected officers for the 

new year: President Bill Walkinshaw; 

Vice-President, Don Chestnut; Secre 

tary, Phyllis Hunter; Treasurer, Bill 

Copeland; Prayer Meeting Committee, 

Alice Smith and Maxine Buck; Sun 

shine Committee Virginia Copeland and 

Marilda Buck; 

Chestnut. 

Social Committee Don 

It was voted at the congregational 

meeting on January 19 to authorize the 

Board of Deacons to make an offer of 

$2000 for the two lots back of the 

church, and to see if $500 or more in 

contributions and pledges can be raised 

within the congregation; and to ask the 

Board of Church Erection for a loan of 

$2000; and to buy a new rug 

parsonage. 

for the 

Our pastor is conducting a Communi 

cant Class for 10 weeks, and anyone over 

12 years old can enroll. 

Rev. J. D. Carson has accepted the in 

vitation from our session to come April 

10-17 for a week of revival-evangelistic 

meetings, climaxing in the observance of 

the Lord's Supper. Our pastor has di 

vided the members into 9 Committees : 

Personal work, Attendance, Rally, 

Prayer Committee, Music, Advertising, 

Entertainment, Special Features, Com 

munity Canvass, and Family Visitation. 

He is to serve as ex officio member of 

each Committee, so he will be a very 

busy man. 

Miss Orlena Lynn delighted everyone 

with her fine messages on February 6, 

both in the morning 

and evening. She 

spoke at the Y. P hour, and showed 

some of her slides. We all were struck 

when she told us that every single mem 

ber of their church in Kobe is actively 

witnessing. They read and study the 

Blue Banner Faith and Life too. 

COLLEGE HILL 

On February 8 Mr. and Mrs. J. Walk 

er Wilson of the College Hill congrega 

tion quietly passed their fifty-fifth wed 

ding anniversary. Congratulations from 

a host of friends, Mr. and Mrs. Wilson. 

A family dinner celebrated the event. 

A group of Geneva College students, 

under the leadership of Miss Georgia 

Wilson and Mr. Marion McFar 

land presented a fine rendition of 

"Christ in the Psalms" in the College 

Hill church to a large and appreciative 

audience on Sabbath evening, February 

13. This program was written by Dr. 

and Mrs. John Coleman and arranged by 

Charles McBurney. 

MORNING SUN 

Ted Robert Johnson, two month old 

grandson, spent an extra week visiting 

his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Arm 

strong, and has returned to his parents 

at Monticello, Iowa. 

Lloyd Baird, Iowa University student, 

recently visited his parents Mr. and Mrs. 

Ralph Baird between semesters. Mari 

lyn Todd, student at Cedar Falls, was 

home for the week end recently. 

Dr. H. G. Patterson has returned 

from a visit with his son Dr. Milton Pat 

terson, Mediapolis, Iowa. Mrs. Ella Mc 

Murtry is keeping house at his home. 

The Clyde McElhinney 

and Fred 

Johnson families attended the funeral of 

Finn McElhinney, their father and 

grandfather. It was at Sharon church, 

and burial at Burlington where he lived. 

E. Raymond Wilson visited two days 

in February with his mother at the 

home of Ralph Wilson, en route from 

Minneapolis, Minn., to Chicago on a 

speaking tour. He also spoke at Oska 

loosa and Des Moines, Iowa. March 6-12 

will take him to Florida for a lecture 

tour including Orlando. 

Communion services will be April 3 

with Rev. John Coleman, D.D. as assis 

tant. The Genevans will appear for a 

program on April 4. 

LOS ANGELES 

They did it again. They wondered if 

they could surprise us. They did. Not 

one of the children even let the secret 

out. It occurred at a congregational din 

ner on January 28, 

1955. The Thankoffering 

meeting was to follow with Miss 

Elizabeth McElroy to be the missionary 

speaker. It was the occasion of our 40th 

wedding anniversary but we were not 

suspicious that anything particular was 

on our behalf. However the 

"bride" 

wore a lovely 

orchid corsage 

home, and the "groom" was handed a 

generous purse of money, and about one 

hundred and twenty 

persons present 

shared in eating a huge delicious wed 

ding cake, beautifully decorated with 

wedding bells, love birds, etc, etc. Later 

the Thank-offering address was well re 

ceived, the Covenanter Daughters and 

the Covenettes added considerable sums 

of money to their treasuries and all 

went home happy. Thank you, folks, for 

the gifts and for all the various evidenc 

es of your affection towards us. 

You 

gave us a bright start into the oncoming 

years. 

Elmer G. and Blanche M. Russell 

A few day's visit with Mr. and Mrs. 

Herold Hanna of 

Bloomington, Indiana 

was greatly enjoyed by the Russells at 

Holiday time. They were guests New 

Year's Eve at Couple's Club dinner and 

attended the Tournament of Roses pa 

rade on New Year's Day 

at Pasadena. 

Those who know Rev. Bergin Birdsall, 

the brother of Don Birdsall of the Los 

Angeles congregation, will be interested 

to know that he and his wife are recov 

ering from a most serious accident. They 

were struck down by an automobile 

while crossing a street intersection in 

the city. Both received contusions, many 

broken bones, and multiple bruises. 

Many prayers have been offered for 

their recovery and God has graciously 

heard and is granting them a recovery 

that seems like a miracle. Rev. Birdsall 

has been working in the California Tem 

perance work and has published a book 

on the temperance cause to be used in 

the instruction of youth. 

THANK YOU 

Ever since the time, some months 

ago, when we came to the EASTVALE 

CONGREGATION, there has been no 

end to the nice things that have been 

done for us by 

our people. It is such 

a privilege and luxury to be the first 

occupants of the new Admiral parson 

age, built largely through the efforts 

of Eastvale members and friends. All 

along, there have been gifts to help 

us beautify the interior of the home, 

or to supplement the menu at meal 

time. At both the Annual Anniversary 

Dinner, and the Christmas Program, 

there were generous financial gifts. 

And now the latest event to leave a 

"green" 

preacher and his wife speech 

less was a "pounding 

of the 

held after Prayer Meeting the other 

evening. The food presented to us that 

evening prompted one little boy to sug 

gest that we put out a sign, and start 

a grocery store. All of these kindnesses 

are most surely appreciated, 

and we 

thank our Heavenly Father for such a 

thoughtful congregation, and for such 

generous gifts. Most of all, we appre 

ciate those Christians who have been 

faithful in 

their intercessory prayers 

for the minister and all the work of 

the congregation. 

Paul and Frances McCracken. 


Mr. and Mrs. Charles Anderson of 

Youngstown who are going as Missionar 

ies to Brazil under the direction of the 

Oriental Missionary Society, spoke at 

our church on February 9. 

Valentine Day was celebrated by a 

box supper in the church basement. The 

proceeds went to the Women's Mission 

March 2, 1955 

ary Society. 143

eceive" 

cash." 

The congregation extends their thanks 

to Clyde Marshall, John Tweed, 

and 

Glen George, for their efforts in making, 

painting, and putting up the book racks 

for the Psalters. 

A TRIBUTE TO THE MEMORY OF 

MRS. CAROLINE SLOAN 


the Central-Pittsburgh Reformed Pres 

byterian Church desire to pay a tribute 

of esteem to the memory of Mrs. Caro 

line A. Sloan who passed away on Sep 

tember 29, 1954 at the home of her 

daughter in California. 

At the age of 14 Mrs. Sloan united 

with the Pittsburgh congregation, and 

was later married there by her pastor, 

Dr. David McAllister. Mrs. Sloan was a 

member of the choir for a number of 

years and was faithful and regular in 

her attendance at Sabbath School and 

church services. 

The Women's Missionary Society ex 

tends to her family their deepest sym 

pathy and recommend to them Proverbs 

4:18, "The path of the just is as the 

shining light, which shineth more and 

more unto the perfect day," and Psalm 

16:11 "Thou wilt show me the path of 

life; in thy presence is fulness of joy; 

at thy right hand there are pleasures 

for ever more." 

(Signed) Mary S. M. Thompson 

SPECIAL NOTICE 

The promised tithe-packet has been 

mailed to every 

congregation of the 

Covenanter Church. If for any reason 

your congregation has not received 

theirs please notify me at once that an 

other supply may be sent. 

One package has been returned with 

the mailing address torn off. We have 

no way of knowing to whom it belongs. 

There may 

astray. 

be others that have gone 

Thank you. 

Dear Subscribers to the Witness : 

D. H. Elliott 

Mars, Pa. 

Your Editor has been looking over his 

expenses and liability for the year 1954- 

55 and our present assets and our bank 

statement, and the several weeks we 

have yet to run the paper in the present 

fiscal year. The encouraging feature 

about it is that there are some $1300 

still due us from many of you subscrib 

ers, and we trust that part of this money 

is now on the way or will have been re 

ceived before this is read by you, but 

we will need it every bit for the finish 

ing of the year in order to keep from 

swimming in red ink. I beseech you to 

owe no man anything (especially us) 

but to love one another and we mean 

US. 

144 

The Editor 

NEW ALEXANDRIA, FA. 

We report with regret the death of 

Mrs. Jas. W. (Laura McClure) Steel on 

January 20, 1955. In the West Penn Hos 

pital, Pittsburgh, Pa. Funeral services 

were conducted at her late home by Dr. 

R. C. Fullerton. Interment in the Steel 

private cemetery. 

Mrs: Steel is survived by one daugh 

ter, Mrs. Donald Crawford, Phoenix, 

Arizona, and four sons; Joseph W., Jr., 

Shreveport, La., John and William at 

home and James at Penn State Univer 

sity. Two grandchildren, five brothers 

and one sister also survive. Mrs. Steel 

was active in Church work, in the Sab 

bath School and Women's Missionary 

Society and will be greatly missed in our 

church. 

CHICAGO 

The Chicago C.Y.P.U. held its quarter 

ly business meeting at the home of the 

Carsons. At this meeting plans were 

formulated for raising money to go to 

Campi Covamikoi. Following the meet 

ing a party was held. Humorous prizes 

were awarded to the winner of each 

game. 

Mr. Peter MacRitchie, Sr. has recent 

ly undergone surgery at the Billings 

Hospital. He is presently at home and 

recovering nicely. 

Our last congregational dinner, Janu 

ary 22, was certainly a festive one. The 

young people were in charge of the af 

fair under the able chairmanship of Miss 

Ruby Sinclair. The basement was gaily 

decorated and a delicious ham dinner 

was served. Following the dinner, Miss 

Shirleyann Hoy supervised the enter 

tainment which consisted of a miniature 

track meet. Ending the evening Miss 

Hoy conducted devotions concerning the 

race the Christian must run. 

Recent visitors at our services have 

been Mr. and Mrs. Paul Faris and fam 

ily. Mr. Faris, formerly of Barnet, Vt., 

is a student at Moody Bible Institute. 

Accompanying them were Miss Shields 

of Barnet, now in nurses training at 

Lutheran Deaconess Hospital, Chicago, 

and Mr. James Faris, an elder in our 

Barnet congregation who was visiting 

his nephew. 

At a congregational supper Wednes 

day evening, February 17, the Sterling 

Congregation surprised the Pastor and 

family with what we thought a most ap 

propriate and generous gift of 

literally 

bushels of canned goods and kitchen 

supplies. But apparently the congrega 

tion was not satisfied with that, for 

when we reached home, Paul discovered 

a beautiful new Westinghouse refrig 

erator in the dining room, and many 

members of the congregation at hand 

just outside, to help us enjoy 

our first 

view of it. In the deep freeze compart 

ment there was even "cold 

We find it difficult to express ade 

quately our thanks and joy, for the con 

gregation had already responded to the 

need of the Church with a concerted and 

planned effort to make an additional 

contribution to Synod's Budget. May 

God give grace to be worthy of such a 

field of ministry. 

Lester, Betty, David, John and Paul 

Kilpatrick 

KANSAS W.M.S. CONVENTION 

The Kansas Presbyterial will meet 

May 3 and 4 in the Denison Church. 

Convention Theme: "Ask, and Ye shall 

John 16 :24. 

Convention Psalm: Psalm 5: page 8, 

1, 5. 

course 

Ve*VTHM6; I 




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but 


















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Policeman Lectures on Temperance 

Mr. C. E. Thomison, formerly chief of police in Truth 

or 

Consequences, New Mexico, is now 

devoting 

all of his 

time to religious and temperance work. He and his wife 

travel under the sponsorship of The National Voice. He 

speaks and shows sound motion pictures where he has the 

opportunity, especially in churches and schools. 

Weak Beer for Children 

One would think it would make the devil blush to be 

faced with the fact that a cereal beverage with an alcoholic 

content of V2 

dren." 

of 1 per cent is being sold as a "beer for chil 

It can be used as a television drink for children while 

older people drink real beer. The law cannot prohibit the 

beverage because it is not considered an intoxicating drink. 

Another sad fact is that many parents teach their children 

to drink beer in their own homes. A little boy with whom 

this writer is acqainted said recently that his father drinks 

beer and he gives him some at times. 

Drive Against Bootleg Liquor 

Law enforcement officers are making a vigorous drive 

in Virginia against moonshiners, bootleggers and the syn 

dicates with which they are affiliated. Bootlegging has in 

creased 

tremendously since the Federal tax rose to $10.50 

per gallon. Some time ago one of the prominent magazines 

showed that " more than 100,000 outlaw stills in the United 

States are pouring out illicit spirits at the rate of 60,000,- 

000 to 160,000,000 gallons per yearand cheating the United 

States government out of as much as $1,500,000 each year 

in taxes. We can well remember when men who promoted 

repeal declared that it would end all bootlegging. Now some 

legislators in the State of Iowa are promoting a bill to allow 

liquor by the drink and affirming that it would be a great 

blow to the sale of illegal liquor. They must think that 

the rest of the citizens of the state are morons to be taken 

in with that brazen misrepresentation. 

More of Mariolitry 

The president of St. John's University, John A. Flynn, 

at recent Roman Catholic Marian celebration predicted 

that the following three Marian dogmas will be announced 

before another century passes. He affirmed that it is likely 

that Mary may be "proclaimed . of the 

human race; that next, the dogma of Mediatrix of all graces 

may be promulgated; and that finally the definition of her 

Queenship as participating with her Son in the power of 

ruling the world proclaimed." "Father" 

may be 

Flynn may 

be right if God permits this system that is already drenched 

with the blood of the saints to last for another century. 

We rely on a "more 

prophecy to declare that in God's 

own time He will bring the Pope and his iniquitous hier 

archy to an end. 

Appeal of Churches in Noi'way 

The Free Churches of Norway have asked their Par 

liament to repeal the "Dissenter Law" and pass legislation 

granting "general religious freedom." The "Dissenter Law" 

regulates the activities of those who confess the Christian 

Church. The "Dissenters" object especially to the pro- 

146 

religion without being members of the State (Lutheran) 

vision of the law which prohibits them from teaching re 

ligion in the primary schools. 

The Martin Luther Film 

Those who have viewed the "Martin Luther" film have 

paid more than $2,000,000.00 to see it since its pemiere in 

May, 1953, so the National Lutheran Council reports. 

They 

estimate that ten million persons have seen the movie at 

some 3,000 theaters in the U.S. and Canada. The Lutheran 

Church Productions have cleared $700,000 from showing 

this film. 

Increase of Private Schools 

The enrollment in the private and parochial schools of 

our nation is increasing twice as rapidly 

as in the public 

schools, so the United States Census Bureau reports. 

To Train Ministers 

The chairman of the department of Christian Education 

at Princeton, Dr. E. G. Homrighausen, is to spend three 

months this spring in Formosa, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and 

Malaya, consulting with faculty 

theological seminaries to help them develop the most effec 

tive courses for training 

and board members of 

prospective ministers. 

Welcome Asian Students 

Protestant leaders in Australia have appealed to fami 

lies in their churches to open their homes to Asian students 

who are taking courses in universities there. So general has 

been the response that there are not enough Asian students 

to go around. 

Is This Our Congress 

The Washington Bureau of the Des Moines Registrar 

reports the following shameful condition among our senat 

ors and representatives "Girl reporters on Capitol Hill have 

their own protective association, chief features of which is, 

keeping up to date the list of senators and representatives 

with whom a young lady has to be on guard against while 

interviewing them in their offices. The classification of the 

dangerous ones range from 'All right if you keep a desk 

between 

you:' 

'Have somebody else come in five minutes 

after you get there' and 

finally 'Never interview him 

Names on the list cover a wide range of ages." 

Men talk 

of evolution, but how many degrees down the ladder are 

these congressmen from Joseph in Egypt 

Dr. Laubach in Pakistan 

A missionary of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian 

Church, Mrs. B. D. White of 

Pakistan, gives a report of the 

Laubach Conference in Montgomery December 28-January 

4. She says: "I think I have never seen a group 

of one 

hundred and fifty delegates go home from anything so en 

thusiastic. . 

Laubach gave, in every talk, the ex 

ample of Jesus as our motivation for teaching illiterates to 

read. As He went about doing good, healing the blind eyes 

and showing compassion to unfortunate people, so we should 

ask to have His mind towards them too. 

"Time was given each morning in training 


us in the 

COVENANTER WITNESS

countries' 


By Prof. William H. RusseU, Ph.D. 

BANKOK AGREEMENT 

The eight countries of the Manila pact have met at 

Bangkok, Thailand, to work out the details of their organi 

zation. No major disagreements appeared. Bangkok was 

chosen as permanent headquarters, perhaps to show that 

the organization would not be dominated by non-Asiatic 

"colonial" 

seven other 

powers. A secretariat was set up, consisting of the 

ambassadors to Thailand. Three com 

mittees were also organized, for military planning, economic 

planning, 

and anti-subversive measures. 

The U. S. did not make any specific military commit 

ments or favor the establishment of a unified command such 

as we have in NATO. All the members are pledged, however, 

to defend each other against aggression. The Bangkok agree 

ment is a major step forward in cooperation between large 

and small powers in Southeast Asia. In the long 

run its most 

controversial, and most important, work may be in the 

economic and social field. It is in this area that we may be 

able to win the cooperation of the Colombo powers, such as 

India, Burma, Ceylon, and Indonesia, who will not join any 

military agreement. Economic aid may also play a vital part 

in saving the free states of Indochina. 

FRENCH PREMIER 

France's nineteen-day cabinet crisis was ended with the 

approval of Edgar Faure as the new premier. Faure is a 

46-year-old lawyer who did not enter politics until 1946. 

Since 1949 he has served in several French cabinets, usually 

as finance minister, and once acted as premier for a few 

weeks. He is a Radical Socialist, like his predecessor Mendes- 

France, but the new cabinet is considered more conserva 

tive than the last one. It includes every major party except 

the Socialists and Communists. Though Faure won the en 

dorsement of the National Assembly by a vote of 369 to 210, 

he will have a constant struggle to maintain cabinet unity 

and parliamentary support. His policies do not seem to be 

greatly different from those of Mendes-France. 

IRAQ JOINS THE WEST 

The parliaments of Turkey and Iraq have now ratified 

their mutual security pact. Since Turkey is a member of 

NATO, this links Iraq to the western security 

system. The 

agreement represents the first important break in the neu 

trality of the Arab states, and a sharp defeat for Egypt, 

leader of the Arab League. Formed in 1945, the Arab League 

includes Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, 

Yemen, and Libya, but its ties are weak. Egypt called sev 

eral meetings of the League to try to block the pact be 

tween Turkey and Iraq, but without success. She may, how 

ever, have kept Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan from joining the 

new alliance. Egypt not only believes the Arab nations should 

remain neutral in the cold war, but wants to be their leader. 

She does not have enough military or economic strength to 

provide strong leadership, however, and her basic interests 

seem to lie with the Western democracies. 

HIGHWAY BUILDING 

The highway 

sented to Congress follows closely 

program President Eisenhower has pre 

the recommendations of 

his advisory 

committee. It calls for federal expenditures of 

March 9. 1955 

$3.1 billion annually for the next ten years, over three times 

the current rate. Most of this would go for improvement of 

the 40,000-mile interstate network which makes up only oneeightieth 

of our road mileage, but carries one-seventh of all 

traffic. In addition to $31 billion by the fodcr-1 govern 

bystate 

and local governments over the ten-year period. 

ment, the program anticipates the outlay of $70 billion 

This 

is to be financed through special bond issues, with interest 

paid from fuel taxes, or in some cases by road tolls. Demo 

crats generally agree on the need for the highway program' 

but differ on the method of financing it, tending to favor 

more direct subsidies from Washington. 

STATEHOOD PROSPECTS 

Senate hearings on a bill to admit Alaska and Hawaii to 

statehood have disclosed differences of viewpoint 

within' 

the administration. The State Department favors the admis 

sion of the two territories, to support the principle of selfgovernment 

and thus strengthen our position abroad. The 

Defense Department is agreeable to statehood for Hawaii, 

but wants Alaska kept as a territory because of its large 

size, sparce population, and special defense problems. One 

possibility is that the northern and western parts of Alaska 

may be set aside as a military reservation. President Eisen 

hower has endorsed immediate statehood for Hawaii but not 

for Alaska. The House Interior Committee has approved a 

bill to admit both territories. Party leaders, however, are not 

interested in bringing it to an early vote. Hawaii would 

have the best chance for admission if it were not that it is 

predominately Republican and the House leadership is Demo 

cratic. 

WINDY CITY POLITICS 

A vigorous campaign is beginning for the mayorship of 

Chicago, as Republicans try to break the long-standing grip 

of the Democratic machine. Cook County Clerk Richard J. 

Daley won the Democratic nomination over Martin H. Kennelly, 

who has been mayor for the past eight years. Daley. 







through its editorial office at 1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka. Kansac 



Opinions expressed in our columns are those of the individual writers ; 











Mrs. J. 0. Edgar 


Subscription rates: $2.50 per year: Oversea. $3.00: Sinr'V Cbpfe> 

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The Rev. R. B. Lyons, B.A.. Limavady. N. Ireland, Agent for the 


Entered as second class matter at the Post Office in Newto-. Kansas 



147

speaketh." 

ground," 

of." 

nor" 

satisfied." 

and" 


Brotherhood Week 

"Brotherhood Week Oh that's ancient history. 

Let's forget it." 

"Do you mean I lost my opportunity That the 

color lines that were obliterated last week are all be 

ing repainted That we cannot worship with Jews 

and Roman Catholics all in one service again for 

another year And if we really believe in the Father 

hood of God and the Brotherhood of man, why didn't 

we include the Mohammedans, the Hindus, the Bud 

dhists, the Nudists, the Mormons, the Atheists, the 

Communists and everybody Aren't we all brothers 

and sisters, and can't we meet on the basis or human 

ity Why can't we slap everybody on the back and 

forget our differences " 

Who invented this idea of Brotherhood, and 

when It must have been thought of before God 

asked Cain, "Where is Abel thy brother " And Cain 

answered non-chalantly, "I know not ; am I my broth 

er's keeper" "The voice of thy brother's blood is 

crying to me from the "He being dead yet 

But there were division lines even then 

and to overlook them was tragic. The sons of God 

(seed of Seth) looked upon the daughters of men 

(Cain's descendants) and saw that they were fair, 

and took them whatever wives they chose. There 

were divisions after the flood, Shem, Ham. and Japh 

eth. There were more divisions after Babel, and 

though God hath made of one (material) all races of 

men, he hath set the bounds of their habitation that 

they cannot pass. Brotherhood within limitations. I 

suppose that is why we have Brotherhood Week an 

nually. 

We have the story of Jesus' life for three or 

more years in considerable detail but no special men 

tion is made of Brotherhood Week. He observed it 

fifty-two weeks and an extra day every year from 

the manger to the cross, and the same number of 

Sisterhood Weeks. Were there any weeks of His 

life that stand out from the others, when He was 

especially kind or cosmopolitan Perhaps you will say 

that week when He went from Judea to Galilee and 

must needs go through Samaria stands out. The 

traveled road detoured around Samaria, crossing the 

Jordan river twice when they didn't need to cross it 

at all, for the Jews had no dealings with Samaritans. 

But Jesus "must needs go through," notwithstanding 

protests, silent or spoken, from some of the disciples, 

we suppose. Why "go through " Because a straight 

line is the shortest distance between two noints, and 

Jesus traveled in straight lines toward His object 

ives. The two points "From here to Eternity." No 

yielding to Pharisaic nonsense. He was obliterating 

the barriers to Brotherhood. 

When the disciples returned from the grocery 

store in Sycar they marveled to find their Master 

talking with "the" woman; strange (1) because she 

was merely a woman; (2) she was a Samaritan; 

(3) she was evidently a bad Samaritan woman. But, 

of course, it was Brotherhood Week. , 

She and Jesus were discussing fundamental 

questions such as worship, questions on which they 

must either agree or differ; where Jerusalem or 

148 

Gerizim She was saying "whether, or"; He was 

saying "neither, or "both, if you worship 

in spirit and in truth. What an opportunity for Jesus 

to propose that He and His disciples would go to Mt. 

Gerizim and join in a combined worship service with 

the Samaritans. They would observe Brotherhood 

Week together. But no, Jesus said, "You worship 

you know not what ; we know what we worship. Sal 

vation is of the Jews." There would be no compro 

mise. Worship would be strictly on God's terms. And 

they finally did worship together. Many of the Sa 

maritans believed, not for the testimony of the 

woman, but because they had seen Him for them 

selves. 

Yet for all this uncompromising attitude, He 

could not avoid being considered a philo-Samaritan. 

"Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan and hast 

a devil" (Jn. 8:48). Had He not violated their es 

tablished custom by setting foot on Samaritan soil 

He had even talked with a Samaritan woman and 

offered her a well of living water which she accepted 

and became a fountain of 

Living Water for her fel 

low-citizens to drink Then He had remained in their 

city two days. On another occasion he had told a 

story that high-lighted a Samaritan against a dark 

background of a certain priest and a Levite. Ten 

lepers had come to Him for healing and only one re 

turned to thank Him and He had turned the spot 

light on him in front of a crowd a Samaritan. And 

in the last days of His life when His face was set 

to go to Jerusalem He asked for lodging in a Samari 

tan village and was refused, and the disciples wanted 

Him to call down fire on the village like Elijah did, 

and He rebuked them, "Ye know not what manner of 

spirit ye are He was just too fair to the Samari 

tans too brotherly. 

The Syro-Phoenician woman He harshly brushed 

off, "I am not sent but to the lost sheep of Israel." 

But she persisted ; it was a desperate emergency. "It 

is not right to take the children's bread and cast it 

to the dogs." "That's true, Lord, but the dogs eat the 

children's crumbs under the table. Spare me a crumb 

and I will be I think Jesus laughed out 

loud when He said, "For this saying, go thy way. Thv 

whole." 

daughter is made That was another Brother 

hood Week. 

The time would fail to tell of the publicans and 

harlots, Zacheaus, Matthew, Mary Magdalene and all 

those who experienced full forgiveness and whose 

stripes were healed, because He was not ashamed to 

call them brethren and sisters, though the reproach 

es fell on Him, "This man receiveth sinners and eat 

eth with them." 

He came unto His own and His own received 

him not, but to as many as received Him, to them 

gave He power to become the children of God and 

joint heirs with Jesus Christ, even to them that be 

lieve on His Name. 

Every week, every day, every hour, every min 

ute, He was conscious of His brotherly relationship 

to all men, even when He was saying, "Woe unto you, 

scribes and pharisees, hypocrites," and while He upraided 

those cities that repented not. The door was 

(Continued on next page) 

COVENANTER WITNESS

grounds," 

pontifical." 

on." 

glory." 

Retrospect of Covenanting 


Saturday Evening Address before the Grinnell Conference 

History would say to us that covenanting is not 

a new idea; it's as old as Adam. Nor is it specula 

tion or theory. The privileges of coming "together 

with God in a written contract, of signing on the 

dotted line for the glory of Jesus Christ, have helped 

men in almost every generation and nation where 

God's Word was known, and men knew, or grew 

to know, the Lord. 

The Early Covenants 

The FIRST COVENANTS in history are per 

haps best known ; in the Garden of Eden, with Noah 

and Abraham, at Sinai, in the Promised Land one 

covenant after another for God's chosen peoples. 

They are specimens of the way God likes to deal with 

that form of life which was made in His own image. 

But these were merely a preparation for the 

ratification of that covenant which God had made 

with His Son. And with the birth, life, death, resur 

rection and reign of Jesus Christ, the world sees 

the greatest example of the principle of covenant 

ing. The New Testament Example. 

In the early church, in apostolic times, care 

ful provision was made for "covenant breakers" and 

the Macedonians insisted on "yielding themselves un 

to the Lord." before giving the help Paul wanted. 

Following the days of the apostles, we find re 

cords of covenanting in the writings of Irenaeus, 

of Justin Martyr, of Tertullian, and others of the 

early Christian Fathers. 

It was a moral privilege that was not forgotten 

or ignored by the Waldensian and Bohemian breth 

ren during the dark ages in Europe. But it is with 

the dawn of the Reformation on the continent that 

we find covenants and covenanters springing up all 

and Switz 

over France, Germany, the Netherlands, 

erland. Christianity seemed to flourish in a culture 

of covenants. 

Again and again it happened, that with the re 

discovery of the scriptures, the acknowledged start 

ing point of reformation, came the practice of Cove 

nanting. When men were given God's Word, and 

studied it when they came to know Him and sought 

to find other means of coming together with Him, 

then they began to sign covenants. 

Since the Reformation we have seen a little of 

the continuing use of Covenants in our own country. 

The Mayflower Compact was a covenant, the charters 

of many of the colonies more nearly resembled cove 

nants than anything else; covenants have been 

signed in Octorara and in Philadelphia by our own 

church, and now still going west we renew one 

here at Grinnell in 1954. 

still open while He hung upon the cross, dying for 

our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins 

of the whole world. 

But He must eventually close the door. "Depart 

from me, ye cursed, unto the everlasting punishment 

prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hun 

gry and ye gave me no meat, thirsty and ye gave me 

" 

no drink . . . . 

Brotherhood has its limitations, and 

true brotherhood must always be on God's terms. 

March 9, 1955 

Scotland 

the Land of Covenants 

But above all these, Scotland was the "proving 

chosen by God for the development and 

demonstration of the effective use of covenants. She 

has been called, "The land of the Covenants," and 

never since the time of Israel, was the privilege of 

making 

a covenant with God so appropriately and 

one of Scot 

successfully used. Professor Hugh Watt, 

land's greatest church historians, said, "No period 

of Scottish history has proved more pregnant with 

far reaching results than the age of the covenants. 

The English speaking world still bears the impress 

The setting in Scotland was nearly complete. 

Not one ray of light crept into that darkness born 

of Bible ignorance to argue compromise. Neither 

clergy nor crowd were interested in reform and the 

people lay in the iron grasp of a profligate and de 

signing priesthood. The records in Edinburgh yet 

today show scores, 

even hundreds, of bastard sons 

and daughters of priests, bishops and archbishops 

being legitimated. Nunneries were cesspools of cor 

ruption. "I thank God," said the Bishop of Dunkeld, 

"that I never knew what the Old and New Testament 

portuise 

was ! Therefore ... I will know nothing but my 

and 

The danger was magnified by the fact that 

Scotland was the "key" to the success of the Refor 

mation in Europe. If the French Catholics could con 

trol Scotland they could take England for the Pope 

and there would then be little hope for the continen 

tal countries between. There was every reason to 

believe that Scotland would "go to the Catholics." But 

then copies of Wycliff's and Tyndale's and Luther's 

Bibles began to filter through the Pope's iron cur 

tain. Hamilton and Wishart were burned alive. The 

people began to contrast the character of these men 

with that of the priests who did the burning and 

there were murmerings all over Scotland ; "the reek 

of their ashes infected all it fell 

John Knox was banished for preaching to the 

priests and spent his time studying in Calvin's school 

at Geneva. He called it "the most perfect school of 

Christ that ever was on the earth since the days of 

the Apostles," and one of those courses would prob 

ably have been, "How and when to Covenant." 

Knox slipped home to Scotland for a visit in 

1556 and after some straight from the shoulder 

preaching, wrote that some gentlemen in Mearns, 

"refuised all societie with idolitrie, and band 

themselfis 

to the uttermost of their poweris, to manteane 

the trew preaching of the Evangell of Jesus Christ 

. . . To "band themselfis" probably was not a public 

social covenant, only a private vow, but it was a be 

ginning and it promised great things for Christ's 

glory. 

The next year, Knox wrote home to Scotland 

from Geneva urging the leaders to "advise diligently, 

(and may) the mighty Spirit of the Lord Jesus rule, 

and guide your counsels to His eternal They 

responded by writing the first "common bond," 

promising to apply "our whole lives to maintain, set 

149

world," 

religion." 

out." 

energy." 

Those "Out-of-bounders" 

We Covenanters have an expression which the un 

initiated" 

may misunderstand. It is that of our "outof-bounds" 

men." 

cause," 

forward, and establish the most blessed word of 

God." 

Five covenants were written and signed by 

growing numbers always in the name and for the 

whole glory of Christ. They stirred up the Pope's 

men and he sought to "break 

asunder" 

these "bands" 

which bound man to God. But the people met his ef 

forts by coming together in a special national con 

tract soliciting God's help and promising them 

selves ! They banded together not just to save their 

own lives, but to overcome this threat to their souls, 

to save their Bibles for they had found Christ at 

the center of that Word and desired to live to know 

and to glorify Him more. 

That first nationwide covenant was signed in 

1581. McCrie, Scotland's greatest Reformation his 

torian said, "This solemn transaction had a powerful 

influence in rivetting the attachment of the nation 

to the Protestant 

The Roman Catholics were beaten soundly and 

the whole reformation was saved, by a nation united 

as she never had been before, miraculously united by 

means of a Covenant. It was a glorious victory for 

King Jesus, and strike one for Satan. 

But Satan would not rest in defeat. He came 

back next in the form of their trusted leader, the 

"king. It wasn't a question of which liturgy was better 

{the one the king ordered, or the one the church had 

made), but it was a question of who had the author 

ity to give it; "God and conscience of the Kirk," or 

"King by divine right" Who was right Jenny Ged 

des answered for them. When the Bishop rose to 

read the King a liturgy, she threw her three-legged 

stool at him, and like "the shot heard round the 

all Scotland rallied to write a new covenant. 

The NATIONAL COVENANT of 1638 included 

everything that was in the first covenant, denounc 

ing the pope and Catholicism, and it added a new sec 

tion, denouncing the king and proclaiming to the 

world, Christ's Headship over the Church ; that what 

He commanded they would do, what He did not com 

mand they would not do, in order to glorify Him. 

Neither Papal sceptre nor regal crown would rule the 

church, but Jesus Christ alone. When Archbishop 

Spittiswoodie, the king's henchman, first heard of 

the covenant, he exclaimed in dismay, 

"We have been 

making tub these fourty years, and now the bottom 

thereof is fallen The King's plans for the con 

trol of the country through the church had failed. 

An eye witness said, the spirit of that covenant 

"spread far and wide over the land ... it summoned 

un-exam- 

the sons of hill and dale . . . 

subduing with 

pled power, the hereditary feuds of hostile clans, and 

combining the nation into one mighty 

calculable 

phalanx of in 

Again the victory was complete. The King's 

armies retreated without a battle, he himself signed 

the covenant and presbyterianism was firmly es 

tablished in what has been called Scotland's "purest" 

times 1638 to 1642. It was a second remarkable 

victory for KING JESUS, and again Satan was 

routed by a Covenant. It was strike two for Satan. 

But Satan came again! The English and Irish 

were having trouble with the same high-handed, 

dictatorial king, and they asked the happy Scotsmen 

for help. Thev agreed, on one condition; help would 

be on the basis of a covenant. The SOLEMN 

LEAGUE AND COVENANT was signed in 1642. 

The honorable Robert Baillie described the scene; 

150 

"It was received with the greatest applause that ever 

I saw anything, with so hearty affections, expressed 

in tears of pity and joy by very many grave, wise, 

and old 

Hay Flemming, a very cautious 20th century 

historian said, ". . . it produced marvelous unanimity 

. . Another said, "The fervour and unanimity of 

those days of signing astonished even the most op 

timistic. Scotland was swept by a movement unparal 

leled in its force." 

The aid was given England and Ireland, a mili 

tary victory was won, but then, unfortunately, little 

if any interest was shown in Reform. Satan's third 

attempt had been to discredit the principle of cove 

nanting and while to the Scottish poet, Robert Burns, 

it "sealed freedom's noble John Milton, the 

English poet complained that it was used "to force 

our consciences that Christ set free." And to this day 

covenants are condemned because they "failed" in 

England and Ireland. Professor Watt solves the enig 

ma with a terse comment, "Even the BEST devised 

handled." 

instruments can be wrongly And it is true 

that the conscience not already owned by Christ will 

find itself unbearably pressed by a covenant. 

If those three major covenants marked the writ 

ing times, commemorating major victories by cove 

nant for Jesus Christ and strikes against Satan, then 

the years from 1643 to 1690 mark the proving times. 

(To be Continued) 


D. H. Elliott 

members. We occasionally do hear of 

folks who have gotten out of bounds. But no sinister 

meaning is attached to the phrase as we use it. What 

we mean is, members who are non-resident or too far 

away geographically to attend their own church. 

Wouldn't the term "non-resident" serve our purpose 

better 

The number of such members probably reaches 

into the hundreds. We hope that all of you non-residenters 

will join us in our tithing venture. We are 

counting on your home congregation to see that the 

tithing booklet and enrollment card reaches you 

without delay. Then we trust that you will respond 

by joining the roll of tithers in your home church. 

Here Is One Eloquent Example 

A recent bulletin of our Belle Center, Ohio, con 

gregation, which arrived by way of Kansas, con 

tained the following extract from a letter of a non 

resident member: 

"I hope we make it possible to send another 

worker to Japan. I sent $200 to Mr. Fox in Decem 

ber. That was above my tithe. I'll send more before 

the church year ends. If folks would just try giving 

generously they would find no lack. That has been 

my experience. In fact my salary seems to go farther 

than that of my fellow-workers who feel they cannot 

afford to pay to the church." 

P. S. Have you tithe-boosters sent "Ten Times 

Tew"and the enrollment card to all of your members 

away from home They will be looking for them. 

COVENANTER WITNESS

ow." 

series." 

row." 

Good News 

By William James Robinson, A.M., D.D. 

Every one counts happenings favorable to his 

pet ideas good news. I am sure I shall give some news 

that will rejoice many hearts. "Washington, D. G, 

December 21, 1953 "The Internal revenue service 

today released new figures on cigarette sales, reveal 

ing that the drop in sales which started last April 

continued through October. 

"Spokesmen for tobacco manufacturing report 

that more people are stopping smoking every day." 

Every right thinking person will rejoice at what 

each of these paragraphs say. This giving up smok 

ing is very likely due to the fact Dr. Alton Oschener 

and some other eminent physicians have announced 

that it is their conviction heavy cigarette smoking is 

very likely a potent cause of the rapid increase of 

lung cancer. Dr. Oschener is reputed to have said 

that a heavy smoker of cigarettes has 500 more 

chances of nonsmoker. 

This should be alarming to every 

contracting lung cancer than a 

cigarette 

smoker. Recent autopsies made in various parts of 

the country confirm their declaration. It has been 

noticed for a long time many heavy smokers had 

lung cancer. So it is not surprising that physicians 

have arrived at the conclusion that smoking cigar 

ettes is the major cause of the rapid increase of this 

malady. 

I have a letter in my hand in reply to one I 

wrote the Journal of the American Medical Associa 

tion asking if it was true that they had discontinued 

publishing advertisements of tobacco and alcoholic 

beverages. The editor replied: "It is correct, alcohol 

and tobacco advertising will no longer be carried in 

publications of The American Medical Association." 

This is an announcement that every opponent of 

these evils will read with delight. Perhaps a larger 

per cent of doctors smoke than of any other group 

of professional men. The statement that I have 

quoted clearly implies, regardless of whether they 

smoke or not, a majority of them disapprove of it. 

I have repeatedly asked in my articles for the name 

and address of any member of The American Medical 

Association or College of Surgeons who smoke, who 

will publicly advise others, especially young people, 

to smoke. I have not heard of one. Now I am sure 1 

will never be given the name and address of any one 

of these groups who will advise others to smoke. I 

have made the same challenge to educators who 

smoke. I have not heard of one who will do it. 

I am wondering what cigarette manufacturers 

who have been boasting about the number of dis 

tinguished doctors who prefer their brand of cigar 

ettes to all others will say now. I have noticed they 

never give the name of even one of their smoking 

doctors who commend their goods. Did they ever 

have them 

The thinking of leaders makes public sentiment 

and that is a tremendous factor in determining the 

conduct of people. Every person consciously or un 

consciously delights in having a leader that he or she 

can enjoy following. Thus a few men determine the 

character of large communities for weal or woe. 

Years ago the renowned neurologist, Dr. Charles 

B. Towns said: "Tobacco is an unfavorable factor 

which predisposes men to worse habits. A boy 

always starts smoking before he starts drinking. 

March 9, 1955 

If he is disposed to drink that disposition will be 

increased by smoking, because the action of tobacco 

makes it normal for him to feel the need of 

stimulation. He is likely to go to alcohol to soothe 

muscular unrest, to blunt the irritation he has 

received from tobacco. From alcohol he goes to 

morphine for the same reason. The nervous condition 

due to excessive drinking is allayed by morphine, just 

as the nervous condition due to excessive smoking is 

allayed by alcohol. Morphine is the legitimate conse 

quence of alcohol and alcohol is the legitimate con 

sequence of tobacco. Cigarettes, drink, opium is the 

logical and regular 

He also said, "I consider cigarette smoking is 

the greatest vice devastating humanity today be 

cause it is doing more than any other vice to de 

teriorate the race. 

Dr. Daniel H. Kress, a distinguished neurolo 

gist, said: "The two habits (drinking and smoking) 

are very intimately associated. The one leads to the 

other. They are Siamese twins inseparably joined 

together." 

When a youth is saved from cigarettes he is 

very likely saved from alcohol and other worse drugs, 

including opium and heroin and the possibility of 

being an alcoholic and acquiring residence on "skid 

It would be beyond belief if we did not know 

that many so called "finest families" and multitudes 

of their imitators encourage their children to smoke 

and drink, thus conditioning them for alcoholism and 

residence on "skid There seems to be no more 

deplorable end to which one could come. And yet 

many seemingly superior families encourage smok 

and drinking. 

ing 

Wise parents will abstain from narcotics and 

do all in their power to keep their children from be 

coming users of any narcotic of any kind. No parent 

can be sure his or her child is free from these evils 

until he has reached maturity free from the first 

taste of them. Total abstinence from all potent drinks 

and smoking is the only safe course to pursue. To 

accomplish this, keep children supplied with attrac 

tive literature that tells of the dangers in drinking 

and smoking. 


Laubach teaching method. This was done from charts and 

each one of us in turn had to go forward and 'teach' all 

the others who for the moment became illiterates. What 

we learned we had a chance to put into practice in the after 

noon work. Six teams went out in the mission cars each 

afternoon to near or far villages actually to teach. In none 

of them was there any dearth of illiterates to practice on. 

One village that had been visited each day for three days, 

said, 'You have set our village on fire.' Even the Muslims 

there are interested and have sent in to buy Laubach prim 

ers and the Christians are teaching them. Dr. and Mrs. 

Laubach themselves went with the groups that visited 

Ransonabad and Village 190, our largest Christian colonies. 

"We are spending our mornings in the school giving 

the children some special Bible training." They are also 

teaching them the Laubach method. "The Head Master 

today ordered a thousand Laubach primers which will be 

put in the hands of the students as soon as they have finish 

ed the training, with the hope they will go to their homes 

and teach their own illiterate parents and neighbors." 

151

gone." 

west." 

Intercession For Lost Souls 

J. A. Kenoyer 

There have been many intercessors. Those best 

known are those recorded in the Bible. 

Abraham stood yet before the Lord and said, 

"Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the 

wicked " Moses cried, "If thy presence go not with 

me, carry us not up hence." However, God speaks 

through the prophet, "I sought for a man among 

them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in 

the gap before me for the land, that I should not 

destroy it: but I found none. Therefore I have poured 

out mine indignation upon them." 

Paul names the gifts of the spirit, but I fear he 

missed the most important. He mentions prophecy 

as the greatest. He does not name intercessory pray 

er as one of them. Prophecy is important. Paul writes 

to the Corinthians, "It pleased God by the foolish 

ness of preaching to save them that believe." How 

ever, I would ask the question, Of what use is all 

this if Jesus had not prayed, "Neither pray I for 

these alone, but for them also which shall believe 

on me through their word (John 17 :20) 

. 

What use is it for me to try to preach of God 

and righteousness to some soul if some saintly moth 

er has not first cried to the Eternal, Oh, my son, 

my son. Or a Jeremiah, "Oh that my head were 

waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I 

might weep day and night for the slain of my 

people !" 

I believe there is a way of life in the salvation 

of a soul that does not appear on the surface of 

things (John 17) . Jesus interceded for those afar off. 

The Spirit itself makes intercession for us, and 

Paul exhorts to intercession in his letter to Timothy. 

If we obey, an angel mixes the prayer with incense 

and offers it before the throne (Rev. 8). Then God 

incites the word of the preacher, driving it into the 

sinful heart and a new life begins. 

The late J. T. Hoskins told me when I started 

into the ministry that he always asked God for a 

soul before he went into the pulpit and that God 

always supplied a repentant sinner. How wonderful ! 

Why cannot it happen to me 

God is not bound by time or circumstance. He 

is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He an 

swers prayer. He chooses the times and places. May 

be we meet Him in an alfalfa field, in a church, or 

behind a rock somewhere in the wilderness. The most 

important thing for us to do is to seek Him till we 

find Him and intercede there for that lost soul. 

This may mean a prayer like Jacob prayed. We 

may be a cripple afterward, but we can wait and then 

shout the victory and dance for joy with the multi 

tudes we have introduced to the eternal God and 

His dear Son Jesus. 

The late Bishop A. M. Johnson once told a dear 

friend about a great meeting where he was preach 

ing. Yes, a wonderful meeting, the Spirit was present, 

but the dear friend was out in the woods praying for 

the preacher. 

Oh, how we wish and pray for such contacts 

with God that souls would be saved. Only a broken 

and contrite heart interceding mightily at a throne 

of grace will ever bring the results we so earnestly 

desire. 

United Brethren 

152 

The Psalms of the Bible 

By Rev. D. T. Lauderdale 

In the Bible Songs a part of the lovely 

dred and third Psalm runs thus : 

As heaven is high above the earth, 

So great His mercy proves; 

As far from us as east from west 

He all our sin removes. 

The unspeakable sweetness and preciousness of 

these words to every child of God is illustrated in a 

recent edition of the Sunday School Times, an inci 

dent told by the great Presbyterian evangelist, Wil 

bur Chapman. 

Immeasurable 

one hun 

As far as the east is from the west, so far hath 

he removed our transgressions from us (Psalm 103 : 

12). Dr. J. Wilbur Chapman tells of a university 

professor of mathematics who had been ruined by 

sin but had found a new life by faith in Christ. This 

man was in a Bible class where Dr. Chapman was 

telling how God removes sins from us "as far as the 

east is from the Turning to the man, he said, 

"Professor, this is a mathematical statement. Can 

you tell us how far that is" Instinctively the man 

reached for his pencil and notebook as if about to 

make a calculation. Then suddenly he grasped the 

sweep of the statement, and putting away his pencil 

and book he said : "Men, you cannot measure it ; the 

distance is immeasurable. And, thank God," he added 

with great emotion, "that is where my sins have 

Said Mr. Chapman, speaking about it later, "I 

shall never forget how a kind of electric thrill went 

over that crowd of men as he sat down, sobbing as 

though his heart would break." That man had caught 

the truth that God had dealt with him in measure 

less forgiveness. From the Moody Monthly. 

Current Events .... Continued from page 147 

a veteran of city and state politics, proved that the backing 

of the local Democratic organization was more valuable 

than the support of newspapers and reformers. Daley's Re 

publican opponent will be Robert E. Merriam, a 36-year-old 

war veteran and son of a distinguished political scientist. 

Merriam has served eight years in the city council, leading 

a Democratic reform bloc, but broke with that party last 

year. Chicago has seldom had a clearer choice between ma 

chine politics and reform, but Daley is conceded the best 

chance to win the April 5 election. 

GROWING PAINS 

Last year there were four million babies born in the 

U. S., setting a new record. Our natural increase the excess 

of births over deaths 

reached the rate of two and a half 

million per year, or seven thousand per day. Our population 

has passed 164 million, and the Census Bureau predicts 

that by 1975 it may be 220 million, far beyond the figure 

which used to be considered our absolute maximum. This 

trend is a heartening 

sign of optimism in face of the un 

certainties of our time, and indicates great possibilities for 

the future of America. But it also involves great problems. 

In spite of a record rate of construction, our houses and 

school buildings are not able to keep up with the growth in 

population, much less make up for past deficiencies. Each 

year 750,000 more Americans are added to our total labor 

force, 

with the strange result that employment and unem 

ployment are both rising. Our growth also represents a ma 

jor challenge to the churches, especially in the areas where 

the increase has been most rapid. 

COVENANTER WITNESS

end" 



For March 27, 1955 

4th of series on Bible Study Methods 

Rev. Donald I. Robb 

Topical Study 

This fourth method of Bible Study I 

feel to be one of the most important to 

Christian growth. The reason for saying 

that is the fact that it is an excellent 

way to answer the questions that come 

up 

about particular problems. The an 

swers might not come up in our daily de 

votions and so this provides a good way 

to reach them quickly. For example you 

might be wondering, "How much sin can 

there be in my life without hurting me 

spiritually." 

Instead of waiting to come 

across the answer to this question in 

your regular study, you can go at it di 

rectly via the "Topical Study," calling it 

perhaps "Sin in the Christian." 

There are four steps in a Topical 

Study. And just for the sake of using a 

well known subject let's ask again, 

"What is man's chief 

The answer 

of course is that it is "to glorify God and 

to enjoy Him forever." If glorifying God 

then is the most important thing we are 

to do while we are living on earth . . . 

how does the Bible, God's Word, say 

that we can do it 

it 

The four steps in finding 

1. State your subject. 

out are : 

2. What do you want to find out about 

3. Check Bible passages on it. 

4. State your own answers, based on 

the passages which you have found. 

So let's follow these steps through as 

an example of how to do a Topical 

Study. 

Step one: (State subject) "Glorifying 

God" 

Step two: (What do I want to know 

about it) "Why should I glorify God 

Am I doing it now How can I do it bet 

ter Have I ever failed to do it fully" 

(You will think of your own questions 

about your own particular question.) 

Step three: (Check Bible passages on 

it.) For this step a good concordance is 

a great help. Many of you have one in 

the back of your Bible or even at home 

on the book shelf. If you want to go into 

this in a very thorough way you might 

Knowledge," 

find "Treasury of Scripture 

Revell Publishing Co., to be a wonderful 

ly fine help. One other one you might 

like for a very complete study would be 

"Nave's Topical 

Bible." 

But these are 

extras, the concordance will be a good 

basic help for study. 

Since we are to look up passages on 

the subject, we might look for the key 

March 9, 1955 

words of "glorify" or "glory." Some of 

the verses that you will find will be I 

Chron. 16:28; Psalm 50:15; I Cor. 10: 

31; Romans 4:20; Phil. 1:11; I Peter 4: 

14; Psalm 50:23; John 15:8. 

Now these are not all the places 

where God tells us about glorifying 

Him, but they are a good beginning. 

There are many more in your concor 

dance so don't be afraid to use it. All of 

these passages contain light you need for 

the answers to the question "How can I 

glorify God" 

Step four: (State your answers, based 

on the passages.) As you look up each 

verse you might write down the basic 

thought of it. This fourth step is to put 

all of your material together. Make a 

list of the things you have found about 

glorifying God. Some of them may be 

like this: "I can glorify God by praise, 

. . 

by fruit-bearing and others that 

you will find. 

So these are the four basic steps in a 

Topical Study. If you wish, you may 

add a fifth. That would be "How can I 

accomplish these things (stated in step 

four.)" 

This would give you a complete 

study then, from first question, to the 

Bible, to the answers, to the "How" of it. 

But this will all be just as mechanical 

as a school exam unless there is a real 

leaning on the Holy 

Spirit and much 

prayer about it all. It takes the leading 

of God to understand and live by the 

Word of God. 

The topic of "Glorifying God" is just 

an example. You may want to use some 

other topic that is important to your 

Y. P. group 

right now. Here are some 

other possible suggestions with a few 

references on each. But these are only a 

few, so remember that the more you 

find from God's Word, the more com 

plete a picture and the better under 

standing you will have of the Lord's de 

sires for you. 

Other suggested topics: 

"Sin in the Christian" Ps. 66:18; Isaiah 

59:2; Ps. 69:5; Romans 6:12, 13; I John 

2:1, 2 

"Accomplishing Things in 

Prayer" 

James 5:16; Prov. 15:29; Jer. 33:3; 

James 1:6; John 14:13, 14; Mark 11:24; 

Mark 1:35 

"Fighting Temptation" Luke 21:36; Ps. 

94:18; Matthew 4:4, 7, 10; Ephesians 

6:16-18 

To the Leader 

Provide everyone with paper and pen 

cils so you can do this study during the 

meeting. The best way to learn is by do 

ing. 

You 

might start the meeting with 

prayer and a psalm, and then look over 

the method of Bible 

study described 

here and decide what topic you will 

want to use for your group. 

Before you actually try it, have an 

other psalm and then ask the Lord to 

guide the study, and ask that it will 

really be a blessing to you all. 

When you have done the first two 

steps together, you might see how many 

different references you can get with 

everyone using his memory, concordance 

. . . 

any source at all. That way everyone 

will have the same sources for answers. 

You may 

precede a final discussion 

of your answers by singing again if you 

like. Then when you have found what 

God has to say about your topic, discuss 

it together. See how you personally can 

be changed to obey 

because of this type of study. 

Psalm 119 : page 299, v. 1, 2 

God's Word better 

Psalm 148: page 357, v. 1, 4, 5 

Psalm 55: page 140, v. 12, 13, 17 

Psalm 12 : page 21, v. 5, 6 

JUNIOR TOPIC 

March 27, 1955 

By Mrs. Philip W. Martin 

RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST 


Memory Verse: "And he saith unto 

them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus 

of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is 

risen; he is not here: behold the place 

where they laid him." Mark 16 :6 

Psalms: Memory Psalm for March, 

Psalm 130: 1-5, page 325 

Psalm 16 : 7-10, 

Psalm 30: 1, 2, 5, page 69 

page 27 

Psalm 36 : 5-8, 

Psalm 118, page 285 

Psalms of praise: 145-150 

page 90 

For our lesson today we have the hap 

of all the Bible. The disciples 

piest story 

were very sad because their Leader was 

Jesus' 

dead. Two of followers were 

walking home from Jerusalem and they 

said, "We trusted that it had been he 

which should have redeemed Israel." 

They 

thought their Saviour was dead 

and what good does a dead person do 

us 

The seventh day of the week was the 

Jewish Sabbath. The next (the first day 

of the week) was the third day after 

Jesus was crucified. Jesus had told His 

disciples that three days after He would 

be killed, He would rise again. But in 

their sorrow the disciples had forgotten 

this. 

Some women who had been at the foot 

of Jesus' cross went early in the morn- 

153

me" 

creature." 

would." 

good." 

it 

yourselves." 

nothing." 

men." 

nothing." 

wife." 

pillar." 

ing of the first day of the week to put 

sweet-smelling spices on the body of 

Jesus to preserve it. On their way to the 

grave they 

wondered who would roll 

away the stone from the mouth of the 

tomb or sepulchre. Instead of digging 

down and lowering the casket into a 

grave as we do, they 

had a cave-like 

place on the side of a hill where they 

laid Jesus' body 

and a huge stone cov 

ered the entrance. Who would roll away 

the stone But as they came near the 

place, they saw that the stone was rolled 

away already! And when they looked in 

they saw a young man who had on a 

long white garment. The women were so 

frightened that they could not speak. 

So the young 

man (an angel) said, 

"Don't be afraid. I know you have come 

to see the body of Jesus. Here is where 

He was laid, but He is not here. He is 

risen! Go to the disciples and tell them 

(and especially Peter) that I will meet 

them in Galilee just as I said I 

I wonder why Peter was named. 

Wasn't he one of the disciples Yes, 

Peter was one of the disciples. Peter 

was one who liked to brag about him 

self. I'm sure you have seen some boys 

and girls like that. Peter tried to brush 

it off when Jesus warned him that he 

would be tempted to deny Him. Surely 

he would never deny Jesus. Why, he 

was ready to die with Him. But Peter 

did deny Jesus and Jesus turned and 

looked on Peter. Peter went out and 

wept bitterly. He was broken-hearted. 

How could Jesus have anything more 

to do with one who had so denied Him! 

But this message especially to Peter was 

a message full of love and forgiveness. 

Then when Jesus did meet with His dis 

ciples He asked Peter three times, 

"Lovest thou 

as Peter had denied Jesus. 

just as many times 

Jesus appeared to several people and 

groups of people and then forty days 

after He had risen from the dead He 

was speaking to His disciples and said, 

"Go ye into all the world and preach 

the gospel to every 

Then Je 

sus was taken up, up, up. And a cloud 

received Him out of their sight. Jesus 

is alive and He is in heaven, sitting at 

the right hand of God the Father plead 

ing for you and for me. 

Jesus has paid the price for the sins of 

all who will receive His gift of salvation. 

As soon as we receive this precious gift 

we must do just what those women were 

told to do. "GO QUICKLY AND TELL'' 

(Matthew 28:7). 

Suppose you had borrowed $1,000 

from the bank. You intended to pay it 

back in a certain time. But you got hurt 

and couldn't earn your money so you 

could pay back the $1,000. As the time 

came when you should have paid the 

154 

bank, you went to the banker and told 

him your troubles. The banker tells you 

that you need not worry for some friend 

knew your condition and he paid the 

$1,000 for you. Well, you could hardly 

believe it but pretty soon your eyes fill 

with tears even though you have a smile. 

The lines of worry soon leave your face 

and before you know it you are telling 

your friends and neighbors about your 

friend. Jesus has paid the penalty for 

your sins. He has also obeyed God for 

you. Do you believe this Wouldn't you 

think the man in our story would have 

been silly if he had said to the banker, 

"No, I don't believe any of my friends 

put in $1,000 for me. I just must try to 

pay the $1,000 

somehow" 

But he is not 

as silly as the one who just won't be 

lieve that Jesus died on the cross for our 

sins. How thankful we should be and 

how anxious we should be to tell the 

good news of salvation to our friends! 

"For God so loved the world, that he 

gave his only begotten Son, that whoso 

ever believeth on him should not perish, 

but have everlasting 

life." 

SABBATH 

SCHOOL LESSON 

March 27, 1955 

THE CHRISTIAN AND THE SOCIAL 

ORDER 




Christian Teaching:, 

copyrighted by the Inter 


Matt. 5:13-16; Luke 10:29-37; Rom. 13; 

Eph. 4:17-32; I Peter 4:12-19 

PRINTED: Matt. 5:13-16; Luke 10:30- 

37; Rom. 13:8-10; I Peter 4:12-16 

MEMORY: Rom. 12:21: "Be not over 

come of evil, but overcome evil with 

Christ speaks several times of salt. 

Only once can His words be understood 

literally. That is when He said, "Salt is 

good." 

It makes food pleasant, and the 

Galilean Fishermen could not have 

marketed their fish in Jerusalem with 

out salt. 

Christ said, "Ye are the salt of the 

earth." 

As His redeemed people, we are 

to make the world more pleasant, and 

ward off social decay. James had much 

to say about the damage speech could 

do, flowing from an unbridled tongue. 

Paul said "Let your speech be seasoned 

with salt, 

and be at peace one with an 

other." 

We are not to carry 

around in a salt-cellar, 

our salt 

we might not 

have it with us at a needed moment. 

Christ said, "Have salt in It 

should be a quality in our personality. 

In connection with salt, Christ utters 

two terrible warnings; the first is 

against the loss of this saving quality in 

our personality. "But if the salt have 

lost its savor, ... 

is henceforth good 

for 

We never saw savorless 

salt. At least, I never did. There is no 

way in nature which salt looses its 

by 

savor. Salt cliffs 

centuries 

standing in 

the sun, are as salt as ever. Salt has 

been in solution in the ocean for thou 

sands of years, 

and is still salty. On the 

shore of Salt Lake, it has been desolved 

and dried countless times, and is still 

salt for our tables. 

Christ's listeners knew all about salt 

without savor. To this day, the Jews and 

Arabs that live near the Dead Sea or the 

Valley 

of Salt floor their bake-ovens 

with salt, because it absorbs much heat 

and gives it off slowly. After many fir 

ings, the salt looses its character, be 

comes insoluable in water, therefore 

has no taste: for salt is tasteless until 

dissolved. Then this savorless salt is cast 

out to be walked on in front of the oven, 

and new salt is put in the oven. Christ 

called this burnt out salt, "Good for 

nothing, but to be cast out and trodden 

under foot of 

And He was talking 

about folks who should be "the salt of 

the 

for 

earth." 

A terrible doom, to be "Good 

The other warning 

was against sins 

that Christ enumerates that preceded 

the flood and the destruction of Sodom. 

He did not mention gross sins, but 

rather the common pleasures and occu 

pations that were good in themselves, 

but were made the chief end of life, 

giving God a secondary place, if not 

crowding 

Him out entirely. Read this 

description of life (Luke 17:26-32) and 

compare it with what we see today. 

How easily these things can be put first 

and be made the chief end of our lives! 

Then passing 

the general disaster of 

the flood and fire, Christ gives the per 

sonal, individual warning, "Remember 

Lot's 

This has often been trans 

lated literally, without examining the 

text. Is the story 

of Gen. 19:26 to be 

understood materially, or figuratively as 

Christ spoke of salt Christ spoke of 

two kinds of salt; "good" and "good for 

nothing." 

Notice that we are not told of 

anything that was done to, or happened 

to Lot's wife. She did two things; she 

looked back, and she became. The second 

appears to have been the logical result 

of the first. Did she become good salt, or 

the burnt out, good for nothing kind 

Then she became "a 

The word 

pillar, appears a hundred times in the 

Old Testament. In every time save one, 

it refers to a person or object regarded 

for beauty 

or support. Now that one 

time it is from a different Hebrew word 

that is used eleven times, but only once 

translated "pillar." Nine times it is 

translated "garrison" and once "gover 

nor." 

These should support and be a 

strength in their community. All these 

COVENANTER WITNESS

world." 

nothing." 

city." 

. It 

required." 

garrisons and the governor failed in 

their task. They were defeated, broken, 

disgraced. And this is the word that 

Moses used to tell what Lot's wife be 

came when she looked back from fol 

lowing. She became burnt out salt, a 

broken down pillar, "good for 

Surely that was a worse doom than to 

be "metamorphosed into a metalic sub 

stance" 

(M. Henry). Are we following, 

or looking back 

"Ye are the light of the 

From 

the mount where Christ was speaking, 

they could look across the valley to the 

northwest to a city high up on the hill 

side, whose white buildings could be seen 

far off, and the lights at night were a 

guide to belated homecomers. Did you 

ever hear anyone say, "Its nobody's 

business what I do" We should not do 

what we need to conceal. What we do 

should be an inspiration to others, and 

lead them to glorify our Father who is 

in Heaven. We don't need to tell about 

a light. We may throw out a lifeline, 

but all we have to do with a light is to 

let it shine. 

Luke 10:30 

A lawyer, wishing to find fault with 

Christ in what he supposed was a for 

saking of Old Testament Law concern 

ing salvation, asked Him a leading ques 

tion; Christ replied by asking him what 

the Old Testament said about it. When 

the lawyer gave a fine statement of 

the law, Christ surprised him by saying 

that was sufficient. The lawyer had 

trapped himself, for he had said "Love 

your neighbor as yourself." 

I think the 

crowd laughed. But the lawyer was 

ready to argue the matter as to who was 

his neighbor that he was to love. Christ 

told the story 

of the Good Samaritan, 

who did not avoid a man because he was 

in need as the priest did, or because he 

did not know him, as some think the 

Pharisee did; 

but because he was in 

need, he took care of him. On his 

wounds he poured oil for healing, wine 

for cleansing. The alcohol which made 

this wine effective was a product of 

God's nature and where it was used, it 

was good. If it had been put inside the 

man, it would have done the devil's 

work. Then this good man took the help 

less man to an inn and became sponsor 

for his expenses. I wonder if it was the 

inn in Bethlehem where Christ was born, 

the House of Chimham, which was built 

centuries before by David's friend, on 

the inheritance of Ruth and Boaz for the 

entertainment of travelers. 

The lawyer seems to have been com 

pletely won over by 

the logic of the 

parable. Old Testament Law was vin 

dicated by Christ. 

March 9, 1955 

Rom. 13:8 

There is one task that we keep per 

forming but never complete as long as 

we live; that is breathing. There is one 

debt that we should pay immediately, 

yet it will always remain a debt; that 

is to love God and our fellow men. Paul 

would have us pay all our debts prompt 

ly, and keep our accounts squared, ex 

cept the debt of love, that can never be 

crossed off the book. It is as continual 

as breathing, and for a true Christian, 

is just as natural and necessary. 

I Peter 4:12-16 

I remember the two excellent flails 

that hung in our barn. I have seen them 

used skillfully in beating out rye on the 

barn floor. Their skillful swinging is 

very graceful. I have tried it with 

neither skill nor grace. When I learned 

that "tribulation" was literally flailing, 

as of the grain, it made me shudder. 

Peter says there is joy even in tribula 

tion, if it comes to us because of our 

loyalty to Christ. He said, "But inas 

much, (in the proportion in which), ye 

are partakers of Christ's suffering, re 

joice." 

The world fails in its effort to 

make the followers of Christ unhappy. 

Instead, it gives them cause for rejoic 

ing. It makes them blessed. 


March 23, 1955 


OPPORTUNITY BRINGS RESPON 

Psalms 

SIBILITY 

Matt. 10:15 

106:1-4, page 260 

51:7-12, page 131 

143:4-6, page 347 

103 : 12-15, page 244 

References: Matt. 13:17; 11:20-24; 21: 

28-32; 25:11-12; 25:40-45; Luke 12: 

48; Acts 18:6; Rom. 2:12 

While our Lord was upon earth He 

gave many warnings concerning the 

judgment. Matthew lists perhaps more 

of these warnings than any of the other 

writers. The particular group to whom 

Matthew was writing was his own peo 

ple, the Jews. They had received train 

ing in the Scriptures and God had spok 

en to them through the last of the 

prophets, John the Baptist. With great 

boldness he had called for repentance 

and had pointed to the Messiah who was 

soon to appear. Of all the people who 

heard the teachings of Jesus, none had 

greater opportunity than the Jews. 

Our theme centers around Matthew 

10:15. These words were spoken by Je 

sus at the time the twelve apostles were 

sent out to minister. He told them they 

were not to go to the Gentiles, but to 

the lost sheep 

of the house of Israel. 

After 

giving detailed instructions about 

the manner of their going Jesus told 

them that they would not always be re 

ceived in a hospitable manner. In those 

cases, they were to shake off the dust of 

their feet and leave the place. Then 

follows the most solemn warning: "Ver 

ily, (Amen) 

. 

shall be more toler 

able for Sodom and Gomorrha than for 

that 

The people of Sodom were responsible 

for their conduct. They had a law writ 

ten in their hearts and knew when they 

were doing wrong. Moreover, their op 

portunity to know the right was in 

creased when Lot took up his residence 

among them. Lot wasn't all that he 

should have been, but nevertheless he 

must have given some testimony against 

evil. Peter refers to him as 'just Lot.' 

Nevertheless, Sodom and Gomorrha 

were destroyed. How much greater the 

responsibility that fell upon the cities of 

Judea in the time of Christ for they had 

far greater opportunities to know the 

truth. 

Jesus stated an axiom of profound 

truth in Luke 12:48 when he said, "For 

unto whomsoever much is given, of him 

shall be much 

It applies pri 

marily in respect to individuals. Many 

young people have been raised in Chris 

tian homes, and within the church, but 

they have deliberately turned their back 

upon these privileges and have turned to 

sinful lives. Surely, they have a greater 

responsibility than the person who has 

never heard the gospel. 

The Word of God which men hear to 

day is the Word which shall judge them 

in the last day. If men hear the offer of 

salvation and reject it they 

will be pun 

ished eternally. Furthermore, there are 

those who have accepted Christ, but who 

do not live in accordance with all His 

laws. Surely, any slighting of opportun 

ity and privilege will detract from one's 

degree of glory. 

The Jews of the present day are still 

largely concerned with the Old Testa 

ment and with the Rabbinical traditions; 

still waiting for the Messiah. But on 

every hand they have the opportunity to 

hear the gospel. Their opportunity to 

know the truth is perhaps greater than 

it was in the days while Jesus was in 

the flesh. The Jew today has the full 

testimony of the Word of God. Not a 

day passes but what he might hear the 

gospel preached by the mere turning of 

the dial on the radio. But like the 

Pharisees and Scribes of Jesus' day, they 

pass by their opportunity. 

An important factor in the ultimate 

decisions of the judgment day will be the 

measure of light which men have re 

ceived. Many say, "What of the heathen 

who never had an opportunity to hear 

Are they to be cast into hell for not ac- 

155

old,' 

smoking." 

still" 

off,' 

serm 

cepting a gospel of which they have nev 

er heard" We can only 

answer that 

God will deal with every man according 

to the measure of light and opportunity 

which was given him. 

The first concern of Jesus in these 

words is for those who have had the op 

portunity but who have neglected it. I 

suppose there has never been a period 

of greater opportunity in the world's 

history, than there is today. Never be 

fore has there been such a wide circu 

lation of the printed Word. Never before 

could so many 

be reached through the 

medium of radio and television. But in 

the day of judgment there will be vast 

numbers who will say, "We listened to 

Billy Graham on the radio. We lived be 

side the church all our lives, we never 

missed communion and we attended all 

the church suppers. We were honest 

with our neighbors and didn't indulge in 

bad habits." But while those things may 

all be commendable, men will still be 

held responsible if they failed to make 

full use of the privileges and responsi 

bilities which were given. 

These words apply to nations as well 

as to individuals. Sodom was responsible 

as a corporate city. Sodom was de 

stroyed because the city was wicked. 

Abraham pled for the city, that if there 

were fifty 

righteous the Lord would 

not destroy it. Then he began setting 

the figure lower. Finally he asked if the 

city would be saved for ten righteous. 

But there were not even that many and 

so God's judgment was executed. Na 

tions are responsible before God. Surely 

the nations which have been so greatly 

blessed with material abundance and 

with the knowledge of Christ should 

give recognition to Christ the King, and 

endeavor to promote his kingdom. 

There will be many surprises on the 

judgment day. Many who enjoyed great 

prosperity 

and spiritual advantages on 

earth may be numbered with those ont he 

earth may be numbered with those on the 

many of other races and colors who did 

not have so great advantages, but who 

used the opportunities which were giv 

en, numbered with those on the right 

hand. 

For Discussion 

1. What blessing 

or advantages do we 

enjoy, which will place a greater respon 

sibility 

upon us 

2. Show how these words of Jesus 

have applied to nations and cities of the 

past. 

3. What are some of the responsibili 

ties which rest upon us as members of 

the church 

For Prayer 

156 

1. For the Vacation Bible Schools 

which will be held next summer. 

2. That as a church we may accept 

our responsibility to evangelize. 

3. For the young men graduating from 

the seminary on May 2. 

4. For the congregations that are 

without pastors. 


March 30, 1955 

By Rev. C. E. Caskey 

GREAT QUESTIONS GOD ASKS: 

"What is that in thine hand" 

Exodus 4:2 

For Comments see last week's 

Witness 


Mrs. Ross Latimer. 

.Editor, 


The Uniform Programs for the Wom 

en's Missionary Society 

are off the press 

and may be ordered from Mrs. Herald 

Hanna, Bloomington, Indiana, R.R. 10. 

The price is twelve cents each. 

Dear Mrs. McFarland: 

Kenneth and I would like to express 

our thanks to the Synodical for the 

money which we receive each month 

helping on our rent. It was a very 

pleasant surprise when we learned of the 

action taken by 

the Synodical in this 

respect. We are both growing in sales 

resistance, but we find opportunity for 

spending money 

so much greater here 

than in Syria. We are continually 

amazed how money seems to slip 

through our fingers. Not foolish spend 

ing, but there are clothes, household 

needs, etc., that must be replenished 

during the year, so we can usually find 

where the money went. Perhaps it would 

be nice if we were like the Israelites in 

the wilderness 'their clothes did not wax 

but then the same dress every day 

would be mighty monotonous. 

I should have written sooner to thank 

the synodical for the lovely orchid I 

received when we landed. It was a 

REAL THRILL to me for it was the 

first orchid I had ever had. 

again. 

A Thought for you : 

"Do the best we can 

With what we have, 

Wherever we are 

Thanks 

Sincerely yours, 

Marjorie Sanderson 

NOW!" 

Our president, Mrs. A. J. McFarland 

gave us those lines last summer at Grin 

nell. Quoting her again, "This is TRUE 

WISDOM." 

CIGARETTE FIRMS HATE THIS GUY 

SHERIDAN, 

Ind.,Ken Biddle's cam 

paigns to get his factory 

employes to 

quit smoking have worked so well that 

Monday he posted his offer for a third 

year $100 to anyone who swears off 

smoking 

through all of 1955. 

Out of nine who signed the pledge 

Jan. 1, Biddle paid off to eight at the 

Christmas party 

of Biddle Screw Prod 

ucts Co., employes. A year ago, only six 

stuck it out among 

ever 

19 who signed up. 

"It's the best business investment I 

made," 

said Biddle, 

who is 47 and 

quit smoking 20 years ago. "Their gen 

eral health is better, and they don't 

waste time 

There weren't many 

of the 103 em 

ployes who smoked at the Christmas 

party 

in the $40,000 community center 

which Biddle donated to this town. He 

still lets men smoke in the plant, but he 

won't hire women smokers nor men who 

chew tobacco. 

The $100 prize offer started when 

Biddle decided to help his brother, Van, 

one of the factory workers, swear off. 

When he paid Van his $100 at the 1952 

Christmas party, he made a new offer to 

all employes. 

WHEN MODERN METHODS FAIL 

Both the photographer and the mother 

had failed to make the restless little 

four-year-old sit still long enough to 

have her picture taken. Finally the 

photographer suggested that "the little 

darling" 

might be quiet if her mother 

would leave the room for a few minutes. 

During her absence the picture was suc 

cessfully taken. On the way home the 

mother asked: 

"What did the nice man say to make 

mother's little darling sit 

"He thed, 'You thit thtill, you little 

newthunth, or I'll knock your block 

tho I that thtill," she explained. 

A CLEAR INFERENCE 

A preacher was once asked what was 

the most painful moment of his career. 

He replied: "Once when I was preach 

ing, a woman in one of the front pews 

scrambled in her handbag and brought 

out a hearing aid. She put it in her ear. 

After ten minutes she took it out again, 

put it back in her handbag and sat per 

fectly still for the rest of the 

We must tramp upon 

when principle is at stake. 

our feelings 

S. J. Wilson. 

Don't worry; it may not happen. 


Church News 

IMPORTANT CORRECTION 

It seems that the Budget figures pub 

lished last week were in error. The cor 

rected figures reached us too late for 

publication. The date on the corrected 

figure is one week later and the amount 

still to be raised is considerably larger. 

So if the ax be dull and the wood thick 

er and tougher than we thought, we will 

have to lay to more strength to meet 

the greater challenge. Postpone that 

new car purchase and lay 

the treasure 

up where there is no depreciation, and 

we can still reach the goal. 

Amount of Budget raised to February 

25, 1955, $80,311.21; 

still needed to raise 

Budget in full, $29,703.79, plus $5,000.00 

to send Missionary to Japan, Total $34,- 

703.79. Seven weeks to raise it. Dead 

Line April 15, 1955. 


GREELEY 

The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper 

was observed January 23 with the Rev. 

Samuel E. Boyle of Japan assisting. Rev. 

Boyle challenged us with four messages 

from the Prophecy of Haggai during 

the Communion Season. He also showed 

slides of Japan the following Tuesday 

evening, and gave us an insight into the 

political picture in the Far East as well 

as the work of the Covenanter Mission. 

We were happy to welcome some of the 

folks from Denver both Sabbath and 

Tuesday evenings. 

New members joining the church at 

this time were Miss Agnes Mae Bailey 

and Mr. Curtis Laverne "Billy" Shupe, 

Jr., both by profession of faith. Billy 

was baptized on Sabbath morning. 

The Church Night Supper on Febru 

ary 9 featured a temperance film en 

titled "With His Help." This film stres 

ses the need, for the alcoholic to surren 

der his heart to Christ. 

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bodie and Doug 

las have returned to Greeley from Eng 

land. Having been discharged from the 

Army, Robert is taking up study at 

Colorado State here in Greeley. Mr. and 

Mrs. Bodie presented their son, Douglas 

Moffitt, for Baptism on Sabbath, Febru 

ary 13. 

Pvt. Ray Willcox has returned home 

and is awaiting his discharge from the 

Army. He plans to go back to work with 

Frontier Airlines in Pueblo, Colo. 

The Sabbath School has purchased a 

new RCA push-button tape-recorder 

March 9, 1955 

which has already proved helpful for 

shut-ins. 

LAKE RENO 

The Lake Reno Congregation has suf 

fered the loss of one of its members in 

the passing of Mrs. Albertha G. Torrens. 

She departed this world peacefully at 

the home of her nephew, Kenneth D. 

Luney in Oakdale, Illinois, Saturday, 

January 29, after a lingering illness of 

approximately 17 months brought on by 

a cerebral hemmorrhage suffered Sep 

tember 6, 1953. 

Albertha G. Luny was born in Pilot, 

Illinois, December 23, 1877. Her husband 

Albert R. Torrens preceded her in death 

in 1944. Those left to mourn her depart 

ure are two nephews and their wives, 

Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth D. Luney of Oak 

dale, Illinois, and Mr. and Mrs. Everett 

Luney and family of Portland, Oregon; 

four sisters-in-law, Mrs. Nannie B. Lu 

ney of Oakdale, Mrs. Grace Torrens and 

family of Glenwood, Minnesota, Mrs. 

Jane D. Carson and family of Oakdale, 

and Mrs. Bernice Torrens and family of 

Seattle, Washington. 

Funeral services were held on Wed 

nesday, February 2 at 1:00 P.M. at 

the Robert N. Smith Funeral Home in 

Nashville, prior to departure for Min 

nesota, where last rites were held on 

Friday at 2:00 P. M. in the Lake Reno 

Reformed Presbyterian Church of Glen 

wood, her pastor, Rev. Waldo Mitchel of 

ficiating. 

Mrs. Torrens was a devoted and faith 

ful member of her church. Also a mem 

ber of W.C.T.U. 

SEATTLE 

It was the privilege of the Seattle 

Congregation to hear Miss Orlena Lynn 

on February 11. Due to a delayed sail 

ing date she was able to make a trip up 

the coast. The evening was begun with 

a pot luck dinner and get together, af 

ter which Miss Lynn spoke and showed 

her colored slides. It was an evening 

well spent for all present including the 

children who were quite taken with the 

pictures. 

On February 8, 9, 10, and 11, our pas 

tor had a 15 minute message on the 

air over station KGDN, our New Chris 

tian radio station here in Seattle. On 

Sabbath morning, February 13, the radio 

station recorded part of the service and 

put it on the air at 2:30 p. m. These 

were all very good messages and Rev. 

Martin did an exceptional job of pre 

senting them. 

THIRD CHURCH OF THE 

COVENANTERS, PHILADELPHIA 

The inspiring witness and testimony of 

four ministers of the gospel climaxed 

the evangelistic services held in 

our 

Church in January. The services were 

well attended and the messages search 

ing and challenging, and it is our hope 

and prayer that He whom we seek to 

worship and serve may be glorified in 

the deepening of our spiritual lives, and 

the expansion of His Kingdom. We wel 

comed the large representation from our 

sister congregation in Philadelphia who 

joined us in the evening service. We are 

grateful for those of the United Church 

who also gave public witness to the 

power and goodness and mercy 

Lord and Saviour. 

of our 

Mrs. Herman Everett entertained the 

Women's Missionary Society 

in Febru 

ary when Mrs. Thomas Gill continued 

the review of "Queen of the Dark 

Chamber." 

A special congregational meeting was 

called for the election of two new dea 

cons and resulted in the selection of 

Frank Housemann and Miss Margaret 

McCandless whose father was an elder 

of this congregation for many years be 

fore his death. The candidates have sig 

nified their willingness to serve and 

their ordination and installation is 

scheduled for March 6. 

Recent visitors at Sabbath morning 

worship included Norman Hutcheson, 

stationed at Ft. Monmouth, N. J., Mrs. 

Thomas McClean with her son and two 

daughters; Elizabeth Evans from Mas 

sachusetts and her brother and nephew; 

Edward Miller, home on furlough; Oreta 

Everett, visiting her sister-in-law Mar 

garet, and Mrs. Catherine Piper of Cen 

tral Pittsburgh who was visiting her 

son-in-law and daughter, Rev. and Mrs. 

George W. Price. 

February was Birthday 

month for 

quite a number of Third Church folks. 

Elizabeth, wife of Elder Wm. John 

McClay, would have observed a birthday 

anniversary if February had 29 days this 

year! Jessie, wife of Elder George J. 

Fisher, celebrated her birthday anni 

versary on the birthday of Abraham 

Lincoln. Mr. Arthur Danenham also 

added another year to his age and Miss 

Matilda Wolfert too, celebrated her 

natal day in February, attaining the 

grand age of 85 years. 

Also reaching her fourscore and eight 

years on February 8 was Miss Annie 

Forsyth, long-time missionary in our 

mission of the Covenant (Jewish). Dur 

ing her 38 years of active service there, 

her heart was gladdened often when one 

of the Jewish faith found the Messiah 

and accepted Him as Saviour and Re 

deemer. Miss Annie (as she is lovingly 

known among her friends) has been ac- 

157

tive in many organizations during her 

busy life. She has been a director of the 

Needlework Guild for 35 years; joined 

the W.C.T.U. when she was 10 years old; 

served as Home Missionary of Third 

Church for many years; a member of 

the Gospel Illustrators League; served 

as Probation Officer, assisted with the 

Placement of Children, and Children's 

Aid Society. Although Miss Annie re 

tired five years ago she still frequently 

visits the Jewish folks to whom she gave 

the Gospel message. 

Another Third Church member, also 

still active in business and in the af-. 

fairs of His Lord and Master, celebrated 

his 90th birthday on February 5. He is 

Mr. Joseph Middleton Steele. His amaz 

ing energy and vitality, his radiant smile 

and hearty handshake, his genial per 

sonality and ever constant witness for 

Christ are an inspiration to us all. Or 

dained to the eldership of Third Church 

on February 23, 1896, he has only missed 

two communion services in all those 59 

years. His wide and varied activities in 

Kingdom work include many faithful 

and fruitful years as Treasurer of the 

Foreign Mission Board; Director of the 

American University of Cairo; Pocket 

Testament League; Synodical Treasurer 

of Jewish Mission Board; President of 

Pennsylvania Sabbath Association, Trus 

tee of Geneva College; Administrative 

office in Y.M.C.A. and association with 

Billy Sunday and Billy Graham in their 

great revivals in Philadelphia. Modestly, 

this wonderful Christian gentleman re 

fuses to let his left hand know what his 

right is doing, or we might have added 

much more about his activities in the 

Service of the King. Mr. Steele is the 

oldest of 86 living 

members of his moth 

er's family. He has 5 children, 18 grand 

children and 12 great grandchildren. 

The cold and stormy weather of Feb 

ruary has not affected the attendance 

at mid-week prayer services. Feb 

ruary 16 found 29 present and earnest 

petitions are being 

made for the spirit 

ual and numerical growth of our church. 

Miss Helen Schaal was sponsor for a 

Valentine's Day party for the teengroup 

which meets with Mr. Price each 

Thursday evening. 

The marriage of Mr. Walter McClay 

and Miss Margaret I. Carl was quietly 

solemnized at noon, February 19, at the 

home of Miss Helen Nyce, in Philadel 

phia. The double ring ceremony was per 

formed by the Rev. Bertram Wurkheiser, 

the bride's Pastor, assisted by 

the Rev. George W. Price, pastor of the 

groom. A reception followed at the 

Emlen Arms in Germantown. They will 

be at home after April 1 at 5138 Green 

Street, Germantown. Walter has served 

Third Philadelphia as a deacon for a 

158 

number of years, and we heartily wel 

come his wife into our fellowship. 

ESKRIDGE 

Services for the community for World 

Day of Prayer were held in our church 

Friday afternoon February 25. 

The past weeks Mrs. Eva Bole of La- 

Junta, Colo, has been worshiping with 

us. We enjoy her fellowship. 

Miss Merl Dill is recovering from a 

fall in which she suffered a broken an 

kle. 

SHARON 

Mr. S. F. McElhinney, a life long 

member of the Sharon congregation, 

passed away on February 9, at the age 

of 87. He was a farmer in the Sharon 

community until his retirement about 

fifteen years ago. Since that time Mr. 

and Mrs. McElhinney made their home 

in Burlington. Owing to poor health Mr. 

McElhinney had not been able to attend 

the services of God's house for about 

five years. "There remaineth therefore 

a rest to the people of God." Heb. 4:9 

On February 10 the following were 

elected to the office of deacon : 

Ernest 

McElhinney, James Robertson and 

Ralph McDonald. Ordination and in 

stallation services were held on Sabbath 

evening, February 27. 

Mr. and Mrs. Harold Rice became the 

parents of a son, Daniel Paul, on Decem 

ber 7; Mr. and Mrs. Maurice McDonald 

became the parents of a girl, Janet, on 

January 28; 

and Mr. and Mrs. Ralph 

Brown became the parents of a girl, 

Heidi Marie, on February 18. 

DR. ROBERT W. ROBB 

The Stafford Reformed Presbyterian 

congregation wish to express their sor 

row over the passing of Dr. R. W. Robb, 

January 28, 1955. While a member here 

only since October 1952, we have learned 

to appreciate and respect the Christian 

grace and kindliness of Dr. Robb. He 

and his wife, although living at Larned, 

Kansas, a distance of 40 miles, were sel 

dom absent from the services of the 

church and could be depended on to do 

what they were able to do. We commend 

the widow and two daughters and the 

grandchildren to the kind and loving 

Heavenly Father who alone can comfort 

and sustain. 

I moderated in a Call in the Santa 

Ana congregation resulting in the elec 

tion of Glen McFarland of the Seminary. 

The Call was made unanimous. 

S. Edgar. Moderator. 

GOLDEN WEDDING-MAURICE AND 

AGNES CROCKETT 

Recently, in Tustin, Calif., within the 

bounds of the Santa Ana Reformed Pres 

byterian church, a lovely 

event took 

place, which would revive happy memor 

ies in a host of Covenanters, particularly 

among the R. P. Seminary boys of half 

a century ago who had the good fortune 

to frequent the home of Mr. and Mrs. 

Samuel Orr of the Allegheny Congre 

gation and to be welcomed at their 

bountiful board. 

In those early days the family in 

cluded two sons, and an attractive young 

daughter Agnes with whom sunshine 

was an ever-present companion and has 

continued to be all through the years.. 

With all those fine budding young 

preachers, coming 

and going, it must 

have been somewhat of a chore for Ag 

nes to have kept up with their bantering, 

but her perpetual good humor and ready 

tongue, both of which are still in good 

evidence, 

saved the day. 

Then there appeared on the scene a 

quiet young man with a winning smile 

not a preacher at all. He left that for 

others to do while he, little by little, 

worked his way into the center of the 

group. So when Maurice J. Crockett 

from Syracuse, N. Y., 

(now an elder in 

the Santa Ana Congregation) said, 

"Come Agnes," she obeyed. With her 

hand in his, she has been following him 

for fifty years. 

And the Lord blessed their home with 

two sons and a daughter. 

As their Golden Wedding day arrived, 

these children with their families came 

back home to celebrate. There were: 

Robert S. Crocket with his wife Louise 

and four children; Robert O. with wife 

Joyce, and young Dennis : 

Arthur with 

wife Jeanne; Betty C. Gibson and hus 

band Jerry; also daughter Marilee; Da 

vid M. Crockett and wife Velma, with 

their two sons, David M. and wife 

Maude and daughter, Donna; James 

Donald and wife Gail. Finally the only 

daughter of Maurice and Agnes Louise 

Crockett Lindsey, with her husband, 

Ralph Lindsey and their two children, 

Paul and Dorothy. The Lindsay 

lives next door to Maurice and Agnes. 

What a wonderful time they 

all had 

together with delicious refreshments 

amid a home beautified with floral dec 

orations and abundance of gifts suitable 

for the occasion, and how happy to be 

together once more, and to read the 

heartfelt greetings from the absentee 

members of the family and from their 

many friends near and far! 

The day after the family Golden Wed 

ding, a few close friends of their youth 

who have been traveling the road by 

their side dropped in to wish them well 

as they start out together once more on 

the second fifty-year lap of their journey 

to reach the golden sunset of life togeth 

er. 


sons' 

make." 

market' 

market,' 

come." 

come." 

market' 

markets' 

REV. DR. R. M. C. WARD 

Dr. Ward died of a heart attack Feb 

ruary 17 at his home; Essex Ave., 

Bloomfield, N. J. Born in Pittsburgh 53 

years ago, he started his pastorate in 

1929 at the Reformed Presbyterian 

Church, Newburgh, N. Y. In 1947, he 

went to the Bloomfield church. 

Dr. Ward was a graduate of Geneva 

College, Beaver Falls, Pa., the Reformed 

Presbyterian Seminary, Pittsburgh, in 

1927 and did graduate study at the Uni 

versity of Pittsburgh. He received his 

master of theology degree from Prince 

ton Seminary in 1929 and his doctorate 

from the University of Edinburgh, Scot 

land, in 1939. 

He is survivedwby his wife, Mrs. Mary 

Slater Ward; o sons, Robert Jr., a 

junior at the college of Wooster (Ohio) 

and Thomas S. Ward, Bloomfield High 

School senior; a brother, Thomas J. 

Ward of Wilkinsburg, Pa., 

and two sis 

ters, Miss Eleanor Ward and Mrs. Edithbelle 

Johns of Bellevue, Pa. 

STORY TIME 

When you get up in the morning and 

brush your teeth, have, 

you ever brushed 

them with Colgate's tooth paste Even 

if you haven't you've heard of Colgate's 

tooth paste. I wonder if you have ever 

heard the story of Mr. William Colgate's 

life 

Many, many years before you were 

born, there was a shoe cobbler who had 

a very large family. One of his 

name was William. Way 

back then a 

shoe cobbler did not make very much 

money, and as more brothers and sisters 

began to come into the family, William's 

father found it harder and harder to 

make enough money to buy food and 

clothes for everyone. So one day he 

called William in for a talk. While they 

were talking he told William that he 

could not support the family and that 

William would have to get a job. 

So William Colgate packed the few 

things he owned, said goodby to those 

he loved and began to go down the small 

path that would take him to New York 

City. 

As he trudged along an old mule driv 

er asked him where he was going. Wil 

liam told him that he was going to New 

York to find work. The old man said, 

"William, remember two things first, 

that one-tenth of all you earn belongs to 

God and always give it to Him, and 

second, remember the Sabbath Day and 

use it as a day of 

worship." 

They talked 

awhile longer and then they knelt down 

in the old tow path and prayed. 

William went to New York, and he got 

work in a soap factory. He worked very 

hard and he did his work very well. On 

Saturday, when he was paid for the 

March 9, 1955 

week, he remembered what the old mule 

driver had told him, and he took out his 

tithe. Then on the Sabbath he would 

take his tithe to church, and there he 

would worship God and give his tenth to 

his Lord. 

William was very sincere in the things 

he did, and he was honest in every way, 

and the Lord blessed him. 

In time William was promoted. His 

pay check was larger then, and he con 

tinued to give the Lord His share. 

William was smart. He looked for 

new ideas and improvements that could 

be made in the soap business. Soon his 

work became very valuable to the com 

pany. His salary became even larger. He 

said to himself, "The Lord has blessed 

me. I will give Him two-tenths of all I 

Then Colgate became a member of the 

firm. He was very wise in the ways of 

the business world. The company began 

to depend on him more and more be 

cause they knew that he was sincere, 

and that the advice he gave was good. 

God blessed him abundantly, and Col 

gate was grateful to God for what he 

had done. To show God how much he 

appreciated the success He had given, 

Colgate promised God 

that he would 

give three-tenths of all he made. 

In time, Colgate was made president 

of the firm; the company grew and Col 

gate said, "Lord, for all You have done 

for me, I will give half of all I make 

to Thee." 

Soon the company was one of the 

largest in the country. Colgate was try 

ing to make the best soap possible, and 

the Lord continued to bless Him. Col 

gate became a very wealthy 

man. He 

had all the money that he could wish 

for and he said, "Lord, I have all I need. 

From now on, of what I make I will use 

only what I need to live on, and the rest 

I will give to Thee." 

When we remember God and are 

faithful to Him, He will bless us more 

than we can believe is possible. It may 

not be with money as He blessed Col 

gate, but it will certainly be with happi 

ness, which is something that quite often 

even "money 

can't 

buy." 

Whatever makes men good Christians, 

Daniel Web 

makes them good citizens. 

ster. 

AN OPEN DOOR 

By Rev. Hugh J. Blair, B.A. 

In Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, this 

summer, I saw a most interesting kind 

of door. It was the door of a large gro 

cery store, called a 'super 

where all kinds of food stuffs were dis 

played for sale. One day I went down 

to this 'super 

to buy something 

and went forward to the door. I 

stretched out my hand to open it, and 

immediately felt a bit foolish, for before 

my hand touched it, it swung open. At 

first I thought someone on the inside 

had opened it, but when I looked there 

was no one there. And then I realized 

that this was a kind of door that opened 

by itself. Apparently it works by a 

kind of invisible 'beam' across the door : 

when anyone passes through this 'beam,' 

electrical machinery is set in motion to 

open the door. Whatever may be the de 

tails of the working of this wonderful 

door, however, the obvious fact was that 

all that had to be done to make the 

door open was to enter. 

Sometime afterwards I heard about a 

dog which had learned about this kind 

of door. It was very hot weather at the 

time, but most of the 'super 

are nice and cool inside, since they are 

cooled by air-conditioning. Well, anytime 

this dog found that the weather was too 

hot outside, he didn't stay outside with 

his tongue hanging out and panting with 

the heat. He just went down to the won 

derful door of the 'super 

and 

when the door opened for him went in 

side and got cool again! 

As I stood and watched the door 

swinging back and forward as people 

went in and out, I remembered that 

Jesus said, "I am the 

door," 

and that all 

we have to do to enter His kingdom is 

to come. We find invitations like 'Come,' 

'Enter,' 

all through the Bible, as if God 

were telling us again and again, "All you 

have to do is to 

We may think 

there are barriers to keep us back from 

Him, and difficuties that would hinder 

us, but when we decide to come to 

Christ, Who is the Door, we find that 

the way into His Kingdom lies open 

before us. "And whosoever will may 

When we do trust Him and come to 

Him, we find that every other door in 

life will open when we come up to it. 

The door that opened by itself reminded 

me too of the story 

of Peter's escape 

from prison, told in the Book of the 

Acts. Herod had made as sure as he 

could that this prisoner would not es 

cape, for he remembered that he had 

got out of prison once before. Sixteen 

soldiers were commanded to guard him 

in relays of four, and to make doubly 

sure Peter was bound with two chains, 

and all the doors out of the prison were 

kept tightly locked. But an angel came 

by night and struck the chains from 

Peter's hands, and led him safely past 

all the guards until they 

came to the 

iron gate that led into the city; 

and 

as they came up to it, it swung open by 

itself and Peter was free! "They came 

unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the 

159

' 

. . hath 

courageous" 

city; which opened to them of its own 

accord." 

When you are reading this, you will 

be on the threshold of another year 

1955. The message that I would send to 

you for that year is the message , that 

Christ sent to the church of Philadel 

phia in Revelation long ago: "Behold, I 

have set before thee an open door, and 

no man can shut it." The door of 1955 

is opening up before you as you come up 

to it, and my 

wish and prayer for you 

all is that it may lead you into great 

happiness and willing service for Jesus 

Christ. There may be things hard to be 

borne in it, there may be things that 

look frightening to you as you see them 

before you. But if you are trusting Him 

you will find as you come up to these 

things that the way opens up before 

you, and the path is safe. Some of you 

will remember how John Bunyan tells 

that when Christian was nearing Palace 

Beautiful he was dismayed to find that 

the entrance was guarded by two lions 

whose roaring terrified him so that he 

started back and would have fled. But 

Watchful, the porter, bade him go bold 

ly forward, keeping to the middle of the 

path, 

and when he did so he found that 

the lions were chained and could not 

reach him. "I have set before thee an 

open door," says Christ, "And no man 

can shut it." May that be true for you in 

1955! 

Have you ever met this man 

CALEB: The Man Who "Wholly 

followed The Lord" 

Condensed from an editorial in 

"The Conqueror" 

Joshua llf 

What an amazing statement! Had you 

thought that only Jesus followed whol 

ly So many follow so far off that re 

mote ones are skeptical of the possibility 

of any one's having followed "wholly." 

Undoubtedly 

we mortals would be less 

critical of others if we were more inno 

cent ourselves. 

Did you ever know a young 

man or 

woman who had been dedicated before 

birth; had been surrounded with love 

and the language of the Scriptures; had 

confessed Jesus as personal Saviour at 

an early 

age and had not gone off into 

flagrant sins Have you been such a per 

son There are such, thank God! But 

unfortunately there has been such pub 

licity regarding the drunkard or wildlifer 

who has turned to Jesus and been 

forgiven that we fail to think of the 

greater miracle of that one who has 

been saved from all the needs of refor 

mation and needs but regeneration. And 

it even makes it hard for the one 

brought up in such a sweet atmosphere 

to realize that he really has been born- 

160 

again by accepting Christ Jesus as his 

Saviour and counting it true that the 

blood of Jesus is the only 

means of 

atonement. One's own good works never 

saved any one . . . even Caleb. Caleb's 

faith was in God. 

Illustrating what we have just been 

talking about, a few years ago in a 

great gathering a man stood to tell how 

God had reached down to the gutter to 

rescue him, and he told of how wonder 

ful a God we have and that he could 

stoop so low to save. One young man 

hearing it thought of how he had never 

had any devastating experience and so 

decided that he had better go out to 

commit some sin so he might appreciate 

God's power to save, and that he might 

accept Christ in a powerful way and 

ever afterward know it as that man 

from the gutter knew it. 

About that minute another man rose 

and said, "I can give a greater evidence 

of God's 

greatness than this brother 

here. I worship so great a God that He 

kept me from the gutter. This brother 

had no parents to pray for him. I did 

have. Mine prayed that I should be kept 

and God did a marvelous job. God has 

held me close to Him by some secret 

experiences which only God and I know, 

all." 

but we know that He has done it 

Speaking 

of this statement: Caleb 

wholly followed the Lord, a young man 

said, "Now really, do you think that Ca 

leb was telling the truth I mean did he 

think he was telling the truth" 

A companion suggested, "Perhaps he 

was childish, he was 85 then, and per 

haps he had forgotten the times he had 

not followed the Lord." 

We'll 

grant that the statement is 

amazing but let's see if God verifies it. 

Turn to chapter 14 of Numbers, verse 

24 and we find the Lord God saying, 

"But my servant Caleb . fol 

lowed me fully, him will I bring into the 

land whereinto he went; and his seed 

shall possess it." That's evidence that 

Caleb was not fabricating. As for his 

being too old to know what he was talk 

ing about, we find in Joshua 14:11 Caleb 

declares, "I am as strong this day as the 

day Moses sent me." 

What kind of a report would we be 

able to give In Romans 14:12 we are 

told, "So then every one of us shall give 

account of himself to God." Not an ac 

count," 

one changed to suit the occasion, 

nor doctored or altered in any way; not 

an account for the government or 

friends or relatives or the earthly "boss" 

to hear, but the accurate and unchanged 

account is given to God who knows all! 

This increases our amazement that Ca 

leb could say at eighty-five years of age 

what God had said of him when he was 

forty. Perhaps God is speaking of that 

special occasion when there were twelve 

spies sent forth to look over the land 

which God had promised to Israel. Caleb 

you remember, brought back the only 

good report the report of faith. 

Forty-five years after the good re 

port Caleb comes to Joshua to ask for 

his inheritance and Caleb reminds his 

friends that God had promised it. Joshua 

does not doubt the statement that Caleb 

had followed the Lord^holly, and we 

can prove right here ^ 

at Caleb had 

been a wonderful frienct and a humble 

and sincere man. How 7 

For forty-five 

years he had cooperated with Joshua in 

every way! 

Look at the facts : 

Caleb felt young! 

Caleb could not have felt young if he 

had been nursing a torn and rebellious 

heart, jealous of his companion of the 

spy days. And look at what Caleb asks 

for! He wants Hebron! What does he 

want Felloiuship! , 

Bless his dear sweet 

heart! But Hebron was still infested 

with giants! The man who had wholly 

followed the Lord "My God" as he called 

Him, was strong in the Lord his God! 

Caleb knew that God could give him 

that mountain! In forty-five years Ca 

leb's faith had not wavered! Exactly as 

Caleb had said they were well able to 

take the land, and they had said, "If 

the Lord delight in us, then he will bring 

us into the land . . so now at eightyfive 

years of age that brave man was 

being "very 

God! 

and believed 

And we may be sure that God can 

drive out any giant of fear or discour 

agement or anything that raises its un 

godly head against God, and grant us 

fellowship! We should know it better 

than Caleb because Christ Jesus has now 

defeated the giant Satan and death, and 

so now we are invited to come boldly 

unto the throne of Grace! 

Used by permission of The Conqueror, 

50 Avery Drive N. E., Atlanta, Ga. 

A DOUBTFUL COMPLIMENT 

The sudden illness of an incumbent 

necessitated' 

a telegram to the bishop. 

In the emergency, the bishop came and 

took the service himself. 

Afterwards, 

two very much overawed rural church 

wardens felt that they must express 

their thanks to the bishop. This they 

did in the following : "My lord, we great 

ly appreciate your great kindness in 

coming to us; a worse preacher would 

have done, but we could not find 

one." 

World Christian Digest. 

COVENANTER WITNESS

LESSON HELPS FOR THE WEEK OF APRIL 3, 1955 


ADULT DELINQUENCY 

Dwight C. Ritchie 

Fathers and mothers, listen to me ! 

Who is to blame for delinquency 

You or your untrained girl or boy 

Who turned to crime in search of joy 

Do you delight in obeying God 

And train your child with reproof and rod 

Or does he grow from a babe to youth, 

Devoid of the knowledge of Christian truth 

Do you take your children to Sabbath School 

To learn of God and the Golden Rule 

Or are they sent to a picture show 

Where most delinquent children go 

They learn of crime and of sinful lust, 

But not of Christ Whom they ought to trust. 

They learn to lie and to steal and kill, 

But not to love and to do God's will. 

Who is to blame you or the child, 

If he turns to crime and becomes defiled 

Who should go to the prison cell, 

The rope or the chair, and a burning hell 

God is your Judge in Heaven above. 

He bids you repent and in His grace and love 

To turn from your careless, wicked way, 

And start to study His word and pray. 

Forsake the world and the social whirl, 

And go to church with your boy 

and girl, 

0, parents, pause and listen to me, 

For YOU are the cause of delinquency ! 

THE BIBLE 

By O. Woods 

Generations follow generations 

Nations rise and fall 

IT LIVES 

yet it lives. 

yet it lives. 

Kings, dictators, rulers come and go yet it lives. 

Torn, condemned, burned yet it lives. 

Hated, despised, cursed yet it lives. 

Doubted, suspected, criticized yet it lives. 

Damned by atheists yet it lives. 

Scoffed at by scorners 

Exaggerated by fanatics 

Misconstrued and misstated 

Ranted and raved about 

Its inspiration denied 

Yet it lives 

Yet it lives 

Yet it lives 

Yet it lives 

Yet it lives 

Yet it lives 

Yet it lives 

Yet it lives 

Yet it lives 

Yet it lives 

Yet it lives 

Yet it lives 

Yet it lives 

yet it lives. 

yet it lives. 

yet it lives. 

yet it lives. 

yet it lives. 

as a lamp to our feet. 

as a light to our paths. 

as a gate to heaven. 

as a standard for childhood. 

as a guide for youth. 

as an inspiration for the mature. 

as a comfort for the aged. 

as food for the hungry. 

as water for the thirsty. 

as rest for the weary. 

as light for the nations. 

as salvation for the sinner. 

as grace for the believer. 

To know it is to love it. 

To love it is to accept it. 

To accept it means life eternal. 

The Mediator

. . 

convictions." 



Classic Liberalism 

A series of articles are running in The Banner under the 

title, "Classic Liberalism," or "major religious movements 

in America during our ecclesiastical history." 

A subtitle, 

among others is "Evolutionism," in which the writer, John 

H. Bratt, says: "Our theological students were advised by 

Prof. William Heyns to regard evolution as a 'theory of un 

belief striking at the heart of the biblical doctrine of crea 

tion. That criticism was directed not merely against atheistic 

and deistic evolution. Theistic evolution which he termed 

'. . . an attempt to harmonize Scripture with the assertions 

of the natural sciences in regard to the antiquity 

of the 

earth' 

was likewise open, he thought, to very serious ob 

jections. Heyns was quite convinced that the 'day' of Gen 

esis 1 was 24 hours in duration and claimed, 'It is not ad 

visable to change the old interpretation of that chapter with 

out good reasons, and such good reasons have not yet 

presented themselves.' 

"Prof. Louis Berkhof, whose molding influence rests so 

richly upon our present-day clergy, was equally strong in 

his repudiation of evolutionism in all forms and phases. 

While allowing for development within the various species of 

families, he regarded any such thing as unlimited develop 

ment through resident forces as untenable for the Chris 

tian. He termed theistic evolution 'a very dangerous hybrid' 

and concurred with Fairhurst who said that it 'destroys the 

Bible as the inspired book of authority as effectively as does 

atheistic evolution. Ministers of the denomination and pro 

fessors in our college (Calvin) uttered similar warnings from 

time to time." 

The Formosan Crisis 

Rev. E. J. Tannis, writing in the above paper says: 

"Some readers may think that Satan has nothing to do with 

the Formosan crisis, but a well-informed Christian knows 

better. He believes that there are legions of evil spirits di 

rected by a Supreme Commander, known in the Bible as 

Satan, the devil, Beelzebub, the Dragon, the old serpent (Rev. 

20), the Prince of this world (John 12:31), and other names. 

Jesus always dealt with him as a personal adversary, his 

greatest and most dangerous enemy. We are standing on 

biblical ground when we say that Satan has a hand in the 

crisis in the Far East. He sows the seed of dissention and 

hatred everywhere, also in the hearts of powerful leaders. 

Statesmen are no more immune to his attacks and intrigues 

than the humblest Christian. . 

"We should remember also that Satan not only uses god 

less Communistic leaders in Asia for his diabolical purposes, 

but he has access also to the hearts of our own leaders, and 

the more so if they do not reckon with the possibility of 

such an evil and dangerous influence. Satan can blind our 

own leadership to the best interest of the nation and of the 

world. Our present day Christianity is so extremely super 

ficial, even the orthodox type, that there is very little com 

prehension of the spiritual character of the world situation, 

which in the last analysis is a conflict between the kingdom 

of light and the kingdom of darkness." 

False Christs 

Jesus foretold the appearance of false Christs. One has 

>xisen in France by the name of Georges Roux, who claims 

U2 

to be the reincarnated Christ. He plans the conquest of the 

world. He claims to be able to heal, denies the existence of 

evil or Satan and maintains that salvation may be had by 

our own unaided effort. It is said that he has quite a follow 

ing from French Protestantism. What must be the condition 

of that type of protestantism 

Youth Protests UMT 

The United Christian Youth Movement sent a letter to 

all the members of the U. S. Senate and House, stating: 

"Universal military training is neither a democratic nor a 

Christian answer to the problems confronting our nation, and 

this conviction has been repeatedly reaffirmed by our Gen 

era] Council. Our young people want you to be aware of 

our 

Persecution in Greece 

Mr. Charamabus Agapides, of Katerini, Greece, was 

tried and sentenced to prison for two months in January 

because he had written a letter to a Thessalonikan news 

paper condemning 

the Orthodox Church authorities and 

some political officials for persecuting 

church in Katerini, 

the Evangelical 

of which he is a deacon. This is where 

the Rev. Argos Zodhiates is pastor. The NAE's secretary of 

affairs has protested against this action to the Greek am 

bassador to the U.S., as opposed to the free practice of re 

ligion and freedom of expression and of the press. 

Missionaries Salaries Raised 

The Presbyterian Board of National Missions (USA) has 

authorized the raising of the lower-level salaries of mission 

aries to be retroactive to the beginning of the year. To cover 

this the Board has increased its 1955 budget for salary ex 

penditures by $298,000. 

Moody's New Auditorium 

The new Torrey-Gray Auditorium of the Moody Bible 

Institute was dedicated at the recent Founder's Week. It was 

the 118th anniversary of the birth of Dwight L. Moody and 







through its editorial office at 1209 Boswell Avenue. Topeka. Kansai 



Opinions expressed in our columns are those of the individual writers: 









Departmental Editor. 




Subscription rates: $2.50 per year: 

Overseas. $3.00: Sin-He Conief 

10 cents. 

The Rev. R. B. Lyons. B.A.. Limavady. N. Ireland Agent for the 





COVENANTER WITNESS



WESTERN ALLIANCE MOVES AHEAD 

The Bundestag, lower house of the West German Parlia 

ment, has formally ratified the Paris treaties which will 

bring the Bonn government into the Atlantic alliance. The 

Germans also ratified the unpopular Saar agreement with 

France, a necessary condition for the other pacts. Social 

ist leaders claimed that the agreements would end all 

hope of the reunification of Germany. The bitter struggle 

seems to have weakened Chancellor Adenauer's cabinet and 

parliamentary coalition. Another problem is that West Ger 

many and France seem to have different interpretations 

of the Saar pact, especially as to whether it is temporary 

or permanent. It is hoped, however, that final French ap 

proval of the Paris pacts will now follow quickly. Debate 

in the French upper house is scheduled to begin March 

22, and Premier Faure has promised to press for immediate 

action. Our Senate has not yet begun to consider the Paris 

agreements, but will probably do so by the end of March. 

JEWS FIGHT ARABS 

Gaza, a Philistine stronghold in the days of the Judges, 

is back in the news as the scene of a sharp clash between 

troops of Egypt and Israel. Each country charges the other 

with starting the attack, but the Israelis took the of 

fensive and killed thirty-eight Arabs. There has never been 

real peace between Egypt and Israel since their full-scale 

war was ended by an armistice in 1949. Egypt has controll 

ed the 16-mile "Gaza 

west of Israel, 

strip" 

along the Mediterranean coast, 

since 1948. It is packed with a quarter of a 

million Arab refugees from Palestine, 

and there have been 

many truce violations along its border. Tension between 

Egypt and Israel has mounted in the last few months. On 

January 31, Egypt executed two Jews accused of spying 

for Israel. A week before the Gaza clash, David Ben-Gurion 

came out of retirement to take the post of Defense Minister 

for Israel. He is considered a leading advocate of a "gettough" 

policy toward the Arabs. The U. N. Security 

Council is investigating the Gaza incident but it is doubtful 

if it can accomplish much while both countries are so ag 

gressively hostile. 

JAPAN KEEPS HATOYAMA 

The Democratic party 

of Premier Ichiro Hatoyama 

won the recent elections for the Japanese Diet, gaining 185 

of the 467 seats in the lower house. The Liberals, who 

were formerly the largest group, dropped to second place 

with 112 seats. They promised, however, to support Hato 

yama as premier. Hatoyama's Democrats favor continued 

collaboration with the U. S., but also want to establish 

economic relations with Russia and Red' China. Japan's 

two Socialist parties gained enough places in the Diet to 

block constitutional amendments, which requires a twothirds 

majority. This will make difficulties in Japan's re 

armament. The Communists made a very poor showing, 

winning 

one more seat for a total of two. The election 

was orderly and the new government should be stable. Althought 

Hatoyama considers trade with Communist Asia 

an ecomonic necessity for his country, as a wealthy busi 

ness man he is strongly anti-Communist, and American 

officials are not seriously 

power. 

March 16, 1955 

alarmed at his continuance in 

COMMUNISTS LOSE IN INDIA 

Elections in the large Indian state of Andhra resulted 

in a huge majority for a coalition backed by Prime Min 

ister Nehru. Andhra is a tropical state in southeastern India. 

Most of its 21 million people are poor peasants, easily at 

tracted by Communist promises of land reform. Andhra has 

been considered one of India's main Communist centers, 

but in the recent elections for the state legislature the 

Congress party cooperated with other non-Communist 

groups and matched the Red campaign in intensity. Nehru 

himself toured the state. The result is considered one of 

the biggest setbacks for Communism in southeast Asia in 

recent years. The Communists are still the second largest 

party in the Indian Parliament, but their power is declining. 

SALARY BOOST 

After much maneuvering, Congress has passed a bill 

to raise its own pay. This is the first major legislation of 

the new session. The pay of Representatives and Senators: 

is increased 50 per cent, from $15,000 

(established nine 

years ago) to $22,500. Provisions for new expense allowallowances 

were dropped, however. There are also raises for 

the federal judiciary 

and some officers of the Justice De 

partment. Associate Justices of the Supreme Court are 

boosted from $25,000 to $35,000, 

with the Chief Justice 

getting $500 more. Lower levels of the federal judiciary are 

raised 50 per cent. Of course all these officials pay income 

tax on their salaries, so the raises are not clear gain. The 

total cost of the increases will be only about $5 million 

per year, but they will probably lead to strong demands for 

raises for other federal workers. 

RED CROSS DRIVE 

The annual fund-raising campaign for the Red Cross fs 

again under way, with a national goal of $85 million. The 

most dramatic work of the Red Cross is in disaster relief. 

Last year, for example, it spent over $3 million in helping 

hurricane victims. About 40 per cent of its budget, how 

ever, goes for aid to American servicemen and veterans, 

especially those who are hospitalized. The Red Cr"oss also. 

provides blood for civilian and defense use, totalling nearly 

three million pints last year. In addition, it gives first-aid. 

training and safety education to hundreds of thousands of 

Americans every year. All this is done on a very small' 

administrative budget, for the Red Cross depends mainly 

on its two million volunteer workers. 

COMMUNIST PRISONERS 

The U. S. has again asked Peiping to release 41 Ameri 

can civilians held in Red China. Of these, 26 are in jail, 

3 under house arrest, and 12 others are denied permission 

to leave the country. The latest move was made through 

the U. S. and Red Chinese consuls at Geneva, Switzerland. 

by a procedure set up at the Geneva conference last June. 

The consuls have held eleven meetings in Geneva on theprisoner 

question, paralleling the continued efforts of U. N. 

Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold to secure the release 

of fifteen U. S. airmen. Since last June the Reds have re 

leased eighteen Americans. However, two of those recently 

set free seem to have been thoroughly converted to Com 

munism. 

16a

you' 

power." 

up." 


ARE YOU WATCHING YOUR INSTRUMENT 

PANEL 

A letter to my beloved grandsons and to all other 

grand young people who read the Witness 

My calendar tells me that it is time that I 

should be saying 'thank for the very much ap 

preciated pictures you sent me at Christmastime. 

Of course, I would rather look at your real faces than 

at your pictures but at this distance I will have to be 

satisfied with the pictures. I like them because they 

show that you are being neat, keeping yourselves 

clean and that you are able to look people straight 

in the eye. If you hold to that standard all your lives 

you will have clean lives. 

Did you ever think that everybody's face is the 

instrument panel of that person I suppose you know 

what the instrument panel on your Daddy's car is 

and why there is such an array of instruments. There 

is a thermometer, a speedometer, an ammeter and an 

odometer, etc., all of which words end in meter. That 

is a word that means measure. The thermometer 

measures the heat, the speedometer measures the 

speed, and the ammeter measures the electricity. All 

of these are connected with different parts of the 

car to show the condition of the car and to tell the 

driver just how things are going under the hood. 

People's faces likewise are connected with dif 

ferent parts of their nervous and their emotional sys 

tems and whenever things are going wrong it regis 

ters in their face or if things are going very good, it 

likewise registers there. 

Let us look at some of those instruments and 

see if we have like instruments in our faces. First, 

think of the thermometer. When one starts his car on 

a cold morning there is no heat registered on the 

thermometer but after the car has run a little while 

the finger points about half way up. That means that 

the car, has now gotten warm enough that it will 

furnish heat to the car and will also soften up the oil 

and is at a good temperature for running on the road. 

If a fan belt breaks or the radiator runs dry, or the 

oil fails to circulate, then the thermometer goes up 

and indicates danger. 

People's faces likewise have thermometers. If 

one has a quarrel at home before starting out for 

school or a man for his office then it shows unpleas 

antness in his face. Perhaps his face is very red and 

that shows that something isn't quite right inside. 

As the thermometer warns the driver so our red 

faces may warn other people to be very careful how 

they handle us and to be very 

careful about what 

they say ; there may be trouble ahead. 

Now let us look at that ammeter. That is the in 

strument that tells whether electricity is being 

stored in your battery or whether your battery is 

giving off more electricity than is being stored ; and 

the battery ought always to have the reserve charge 

in it so that when electricity is needed for lights or 

starting and especially for starting on a cold morn- 

164 

ing, it will not run out of electricity before things 

get to going good. When you go to school and study 

your books or listen to your teacher or to other peo 

ple who have something worthwhile to say, you are 

storing up in your mind some force for future use. 

Someone has said "knowledge is 

The more 

you have in your mind the more you are able to win 

friends and influence people. So it's a good thing to 

keep reading and listening and observing and finding 

out all that you can so that you will have a good mind 

well stored with power. On the other hand, when you 

talk, especially if you talk without knowing what you 

are talking about, you are giving off either that re 

serve power or a lot of reserve nonsense. If there is 

nothing in your mind there will be nothing in the 

things you say. So boys, watch your ammeter ! Keep 

it busy storing. After awhile you will have a face 

that shows very much intelligence like the faces of 

people who are prominent, the men of distinction. 

Now for the speedometer. That word means 

measuring your speed. You often have heard the 

words, "Hurry Up, hurry up, hurry That means 

we haven't got enough speed on and sometimes peo 

ple tell us to slow down, be calm 

that means we are 

going too fast. A speedometer is put there to teach us 

moderation. Someone has said that there are two 

people that are a danger on a highway. There is the 

boy who is under twenty and is driving over sixty 

and there is the man who is over sixty and is driving 

under twenty. It's a good thing neither to be too 

slow nor to be too swift. But I am not telling you not 

to be fast enough to be efficient. One can get so fast 

that he ceases to be efficient and becomes a nuisance. 

A boy may hurry through his homework so fast that 

he doesn't know anything the next day. Watch your 

speedometer and try to keep out of other people's 

road and on the other hand, try not to be a danger or 

a menace to yourself. The life you save may be your 

own. If there are figures on your speedometer that 

register up to 120 miles per hour, don't consider that 

that was where the manufacturer meant for you to 

drive your car. There are some people who can run 

a mile in very close to four minutes but while they 

are running those four minute miles they may be 

cutting years off the end of their life. Your Grandpa 

knows. His heart tells him now to go slow ; he never 

did run the mile in four minutes, however. 

There is more on that speedometer than just the 

indicator of speed. There is a dial there which regis 

ters the amount of miles a car has run from the time 

it was sold until the present time, and perhaps your 

car, at least some cars, have a tripometer. That 

means the dial that measures the number of miles on 

or the number of miles you have gone in a 

day. You set it at zero in the morning or at the be 

ginning of a trip. This also is like the trip-ometer in 

your trip 

our face. If you have worked very hard some day you 

will be very tired at night and the tiredness will show 

in your face, in your eyes and in your muscles. When 

you feel that way it's a good time to take a rest. 

Don't overdrive your car in a single day nor drive 

yourself until you are dead tired. 

COVENANTER WITNESS

oil." 

me" 

spirit." 

spirit." 

Now about that odometer that measures all the 

miles that the car has run. Is there anything like 

that in your face Yes, I think so. You can tell by 

looking at people's faces, somewhat about their age. 

A person that is 80 or 90 years old usually looks that 

old ; when you look at the face it has registered his 

life mileage. If a car has been abused all its life, or 

a man has been abused all his life it doesn't only 

register in the face, it registers everywhere. A car 

that has been run through wrecks and the person 

who has wrecked his life by reckless living shows 

it all over his foody as well as his face. Business has 

sometimes taken me to the lower end of Main Street 

in Kansas City, and there you see the bums. These 

people have almost ceased to look like human beings. 

They do not have a sign of manhood or of intelli 

gence ; they get that way from self abuse. But on the 

car that is well taken care of, sometimes this odo 

meter shows as much as 100,000 miles or more, and 

he who takes proper care of his life is apt to live to 

a good old age and look well all the time. 

Now, there is one more guage on the instrument 

board that is very important, on the instrument 

board of a car, I mean. That is the oil measure. It 

tells how the circulation of oil is going, whether oil 

is getting to every part of the car. There is some 

thing like that in the human life. A life that is happy 

is the one that has the proper oil circulation and 

when I say happy, I mean really happy. There is a 

difference between the circulation of good oil and the 

circulation of bad oil. There is a difference between 

the circulation of good happiness and happiness that 

is not so good. A garage man once said to me, "If you 

put one quart of bad oil in four quarts of good oil you 

have five quarts of bad What do I mean by the 

good oil in a person's life Well, we have a formula 

that tells us about good oil. "Now abideth faith, hope, 

love. If you do not have faith in God and do not have 

faith in other people, then you lack one part neces 

sary to good oil. 

If you do not have hope, that is if you are not 

cheerful, if you are not optimistic, if you do not have 

a sense of humor, then you are likely to overheat and 

things will go wrong; but the Apostle Paul says the 

greatest element necessary to good oil is love. 

"Though I have all faith so that I could remove 

mountains, if I have all knowledge but have not love, 

though I give my body to be burned, if 1 give all 

my goods to feed the poor," that is we may do a lot 

of good things but do them without loving, then we 

have not the good oil in our lives. 

Now Boys, I have written this not only 

son for you, but I hope it will help you to look at 

other people's faces (and it's a good thing to look at 

as a les 

limits Are they wearing 

on in 

everybody's face) and see just what's going 

side. That's their indicator, that is their instrument 

panel. Is the temperature right Are they taking 

good care Are they keeping within the proper speed 

over- 

themselves out by 

worry Are they taking on things that will make 

them intelligent and giving them the right kind of 

storage in their minds Have they good oil in their 

lives All this will register in everyone's face and if 

you can train yourself to be a good reader of the in 

strument board you will never get fooled on a used 

car nor, will you get fooled on the people that you 

meet and associate with. Read the instrument panel 

and don't forget to look after your own. 

March 16, 1955 

ing 

THE PSALMS OF THE BIBLE 


"Jesus himself . . . said . . . the 

me." 

Luke 24:36,44. 

Psalms concern 

Of our Saviour's seven sayings on the cross 

three were not quotations from other parts of Scrip 

ture: "Today shalt thou be with me in paradise"; 

"Behold thy son mother" 

behold thy 

; and "Fa 

. . . 

ther forgive them ; for they know not what they do." 

The other four things our Lord spoke while dying 

for our sins were from other parts of Scripture. He 

chose all four from one book of the Bible, all from 

the book of the Psalms. 

"And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a 

loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani that 

is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken 

Matthew 27:46. 

"After this, Jesus knowing that all things were 

now accomplished, that the Scripture would be ful 

filled, saith, I thirst." John 19:28. "My throat is 

dried." 

Psalms 69:3. "My strength is dried like 

jaws." 

a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my 

Psalms 22:15. 

"And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he 

said, Father into thy hands I commend my 

Luke 23:46. "Into thine hands I commit my 

Psalms 31:5. 

"When Jesus therefore had received the vine 

gar, he said, It is finished." John 19:30. "He hath 

done this." Psalms 22:31. "He hath done this, or 

'It is finished.' These were the expiring words of 

our Lord Jesus, as they are the last words of this 

Psalm." 

Spurgeon. 

Precious to the believer is all the Word of God, 

from the opening verse of Genesis through the clos 

verse of Revelation. Precious are the Psalms. 

ing 

They were on our Saviour's mind, in His heart and 

on His lips through His last expiring breath. How 

we treasure the dying words of our father, our 

mother, our child, or other loved one. 

Look! On that middle cross One is hanging 

there. His hands and feet are all torn and gashed, 

His face all twisted with 

torture, His tongue swollen, 

cracked open, burning with fever. The spittle of 

vile men hangs from His face, the sharp thorns 

are buried deep in His scalp and forehead, His face, 

head, hands, shoulders, back, feet all gory with 

blood. The sweat of death stands on His brow and 

there is not one human hand to wipe it off; no one 

to wash the blood and spittle from His face ; no one 

to pour soothing oil on His torn hands and feet ; no 

one to give even one drop of cooling water to His 

burning tongue as He hangs there dying for you 

and me. Look, His lips are moving, our blessed Lord 

is speaking His last words, how inexpressibly pre 

cious those words the old sweet Psalms of the 

Bible. 

O thou my soul, bless God the Lord; 

And all that in me is, 

Be lifted up His holy Name 

To magnify and bless. 

Bless, O my soul, the Lord thy God, 

And not forgetful be 

Of all His gracious benefits 

He hath bestowed on thee. 

Psalms 103. 

165

ed" 

pledge." 

existed." 

cheek" 

soul" 

Retrospect of Covenanting 


Saturday Evening Address before the Grinnell Conference 

THE PROVING TIMES 

(Continued from last week) 

Satan returned in this next inning at the head 

of an army of blood-thirsty dragoons. The whole of 

Scotland became a hunting ground: 18,000 men, 

women and children, by an undenied 20th century 

estimate, were killed for 'owning the Covenants." 

The king was trying now to force his will over 

the consciences of the people and the great ques 

tion was; could they stand the sword The thumb 

screws were brought from Russia; the Guillotine 

from France and mercenaries from everywhere. 

The men of those PROVING TIMES are an import 

ant phase of the highlights of covenanting. 

Dr. Landell described, ". 

. .the men who form 

ed the torrent. . 

.the center and soul of the move 

ment . . . who gave it its vitality and strength. . .the 

liigh-souled men who loved their Bibles and believed 

in God. With them the signing of the covenant was 

no idle vaporing, no meaningless ceremony. . 

-was done in grim earnest in the sight of God. And 

when politicians trimmed and compromised and selfseeking 

men betrayed the Covenant. . .and the un 

thinking rabble changed sides, these men under all 

changes, continued faithful to their 

The Marquis of Argyle and James Guthrie died 

the same week in Edinburgh in 1611. A host of 

others followed: Brown of Priesthill, Paton the 

soldier, Cameron the Lion of the Covenant, Peden, 

the prophet; Margarets McLaughlin and Willson 

drowned in the Solway Tide; Isobel Allison bravest 

of women ; Cargill the strong ! 

Thousands of others, no less worthy James 

Renwick last of all. That land is yet today "flower 

with the graves of martyrs. Any traveler can 

see their tombstones in the open fields where they 

fell as he drives along the roads of Scotland. They 

"loved not their lives unto the death." 

They were not fanatics. Their zeal was in all 

things tempered with knowledge scriptural know 

ledge! They Believed on Christ and therefore testi 

fied, and for that testimony were often called on to 

suffer for His sake. 

They daily wrestled with God in secret in their 

own private closets and poured out their hearts to 

Him in prayer. They fed their souls with the meat 

of His Word. Family worship was regularly held 

with "the great 'ha Bible" read by father. Nothing 

could keep them from public worship; storm, miles, 

dragoons, business, nor expediency! 

The sacraments were always attended 

to-êven 

when it meant the risk of mingling their own 

blood with that of the Saviour's in the communion 

cup. The marks by 

which the dragoons were to 

know them were their having a Bible in their hands, 

being found at prayer, or going to a conventicle. 

Their principles were condemned, their methods 

questioned and public deeds criticized but none have 

dared to question their private lives not even their 

20th century persecutors. 

They did a magnificent work. They delivered 

their church from a debasing priesthood, and they 

166 

.it 

emancipated their country from the galling yoke 

of popish and episcopal domination even when it 

meant taking the sword to defend their souls and 

church and nation. 

Their sermons burn with a fervent and personal 

gospel appeal that almost every historian has ignor 

ed! Thousands were turned to Christ at those con 

venticles, and in spite of persecution they grew in 

numbers because of men "closing with Christ." They 

bore an abundant fruit in the midst of adversity. 

A recent critic admitted of Cargill that "He preach 

ed a fervent gospel to the individual and that 

often, "there was scarce a dry in his audi 

ence. That same critic said, "On the whole, save 

within the bounds of the Covenanting movement, 

religion in Scotland was practically dead, and among 

the Covenanters, a deep and fervent religious life 

They suffered mockery, torture, imprisonment, 

false trials, and through it all evinced the Spirit 

that comes only from trust in God, in Christ, and 

His promises. "God and our Country" was their 

motto; and if you'll place Cameron's Apologetical 

Declaration beside our Declaration of Independence, 

you'll find whole thoughts and words which are 

similar. Pro Christo et Patria is not a new motto 

in our church! 

These men knew that nothing could keep them 

"from the love of Christ Jesus their Lord." For 

them the scaffold was a step toward heaven, and 

the fire a beacon of victory. Hyslop pictured it 

rightly : 

When the righteous had fallen, and the combat 

had ended 

A Chariot of fire through the dark cloud descended 

And the souls that came forth out of great tribu 

lation, 

They mounted the chariots and steeds of salvation. 

Glide swiftly, bright spirits, the prize is before ye, 

A crown never fading, a kingdom of glory. 

But it's the cause and not the blood that makes 

the martyr. According to their first printed "Tes 

timony," 

these men believed: 

First : Salvation by the free sovereign grace of God, 

through faith in Jesus Christ. 

Second: The SOLE authority of the Bible in all mat 

ters of religion and right of all men to own Bibles. 

Third: Sole headship of Christ over the church. 

Fourth: The Headship of Christ over nations. 

Fifth: Right to resist civil rulers when their ac 

tions jeopardized men's souls. 

Sixth: These beliefs were welded together in one 

compact unit with the men who held them, the God 

who authorized them, the Christ they glorified, and 

the Spirit who directed them; by means of a cove 

nant. 

They saw in covenanting the God-appointed 

means of professing, advancing, and maintaining the 

cause of the reformation; and of comforting and 

fortifying the church in times of trial. 

These men of the covenant were not perfect. 

COVENANTER WITNESS

ment," 

age." 

quiet" 

oath." 

present." 

pleased." 

But they do deserve our respect, our commemora 

tion, and our imitation. That's the whole reason 

for thinking of the "History of Covenanting" now. 

They say to us, "Be ye followers of us as we also 

are of Christ." 

And once again, the covenants had helped win 

the battle with 

Satan, because no human sword 

could "cut" what God had bound together within 

that severed sacrifice. 

When Satan saw that he could not defeat such 

men as these by the sword, he turned to subtile 

temptation. First came the indulgences. The king 

promised relief for all who would take a modified 

oath or just "keep on certain issues. The 

ranks were split by indulgences. 

Second, the king offered a "Revolution Settle 

and the covenants were largely ignored be 

cause everyone was tired of fighting and afraid 

to mention the subject. The King then granted the 

church permission to exist. 

The "remnants" which refused to approve of 

this settlement were without a pastor for 16 years. 

Then the Rev. John McMillan joined the remnant 

in 1706 because he believed in the covenants. Our 

church was formed in 1743 and McMillan later wrote 

of the name, "REFORMED PRESBYTERY," it is 

"a title properly expressive of their principles and 

ground of constitution, namely, a presbytery, the 

first since the revolution, properly erected upon the 

footing of an approbation of, and an adherence to 

the whole of our covenanting reformation . . .a 

presbytery constituted in an immediate dependence 

upon the Lord Jesus Christ Our "Reformed 

Presbytery" 

Church was founded upon the principles 

of the Covenanted Reformation, in opposition to all 

the trials of these times of temptation. The Cove 

nants brought us our first pastor. 

THE TIMES OF RENEWAL 

For obvious reasons, the times of renewal must 

be remembered today. History 

points with pride 

and advice to her many valuable covenant renewals. 

Most of these came after the Revolution set 

tlement but one, the National Covenant was renew 

ed in 1596. Christianity had not been flourishing, 

churches were empty, people had heart trouble, 

ministers were lazy. The renewal of the covenant 

was requested, and approved, and an eyewitness has 

described the scene: 

"On this solemn occasion, Davidson preached 

so much to the conviction of his hearers, and in their 

name offered up a confession of their sins to heaven 

with such fervent emotions that the whole assem 

bled ministers melted into tears; and rising from 

their seats at his desire, and lifting up their right 

hands, they renewed their covenants with God. . . 

The scene continued three hours, was deeply af 

fected beyond anything that the oldest person pre 

sent had ever witnessed. The sacred action extended 

to congregations and the ordinance was obeyed 

with an alacrity and fervor which spread from 

parish to parish till all Scotland like Judah of old, 

"rejoiced at the Andrew Melville said after 

this experience, "(Renewal) is a highly spiritual 

symbol, and calculated to prove highly stimulating 

to a luke warm witness-bearer or a drooping church 

in any 

In 1745, the Secession Church renewed the 

March 16, 1955 

covenants beginning with a confession of sin which 

was made up on the spot, with personal and heartsearching 

contributions from every man. Again it 

was followed by a committment to duty and pass 

ed down to presbyteries and congregations. And 

again the whole of Scotland felt the impact of the 

revival. From that year onward, the Secession 

Church required all her seminary students to be 

personal covenanters from the first year of their 

study. 

Prof. Duncan, Scotland's outstanding Hebrew 

Scholar, said, "It secured a higher level in the per 

formance of ministerial duty than would have been 

possible without it." Professor Watt said: "It was 

their solemn dedication and the preparation for it, 

that seems to have been a land mark in many useful 

lives. Without a shadow of doubt this was one of 

piety." 

the main instruments in promoting Secession 

Even in the corrupt State Church of 1766, a 

few tried it and of this effort, a present day histor 

ian said: "It may therefore be concluded that it did 

serve its primary purpose of keeping alive the 

evangelical cause within the Church of Scotland." 

A professor at the University of Edinburgh 

spoke recently of meeting people in Scotland yet 

today who "assign a conspicuous place in their own 

spiritual development to ... a renewal of the cove 

nants. It involved a soul-stirring and life-renovating 

upturn in their actual 

But it is in the record of the covenant renewal 

in our own church, that we find a sharp warning. 

All the covenants were renewed by the faith 

ful remnant in 1689 just before the Revolution 

Settlement. They were renewed again in 1712 near 

Auchensaugh, and again in 1745 by the newly form 

ed "RE-FORMED PRESBYTERY," our church in 

Scotland. Professor Watt has termed this renewal, 

"something that can legitimately be called a 're 

newal of the Covenants'," to distinguish it from 

other bonds of adherence to a covenant. 

The Auchensaugh renewal was included in the 

terms of membership and communion but around 

1800 a few people began to complain. In 1818, ses 

sions were left free to read or to omit the clause 

concerning renewal, "as they 

In 1822 

(only 4 years later) the clause was deleted. 

From 1822 onward, frequent letters and dele 

gations from Ireland and America urged a joint 

covenant. The movement failed in Scotland while 

succeeding in other countries. Our Church in Scot 

land never again renewed the covenants. 

In 1872, under heavy pressure from a union 

committee, all reference to covenanting was remov 

ed from licensure and ordination formulas and in 

1873 another church magazine said with some irony: 

"It is not altogether unnoticeable here that the Re 

formed Presbyterian Synod's Committee on union, 

though representatives of those who so long claim 

ed to be Covenanters par excellence, has entirely 

ignored the Covenants and the doctrine of Cove 

nant Obligation, in the statement of principles given 

into the Joint Committee" on church union. 

It was only about twenty years from the time 

they refused to exercise the privilege of covenant 

approved its removal as a 

renewal till the majority 

term of communion. 

The Union of a majority of the members of our 

Scottish church took place three years later and 

167

new." 

new." 

reviving." 

repentance." 

since that union, that majority, without the cove 

nants, inside the Church of Scotland, have been 

faced with situations and problems similar to the 

days before the covenants. 

From the time they refused the practice of re 

newal, they began to lose the principle and the 

. . their 

cared naught else of God." 

Glory! It was their only purpose in life . 

privilege, and soon found themselves back in the 

very church which had precipitated their formation 

at the time of the Settlement. Only a remnant split 

assert the obligations and true interests and honor 

off to maintain the principle of covenanting in Scot of Jesus Christ, testify against ecclesiastical defec 

land today. 

tion and national sin, and, from the long suffering of 

God . . . call to 

With your Covenants 

THE IMPORTANCE OF COVENANTING in mind, bend all your energies and talents from 

Covenants were introduced by God to man in every corner of the kingdom to work in one finely 

Bible times. They have been used by countless concentrated effort for "The Crown Rights and 

thousands. In Scotland: 

Royal Prerogatives of King Jesus !" 

The writing times proved their immediate It was the martyred Guthrie who closed his life 

value. 

with the words which we would do well to heed: 

The proving times proved their ability to in "The Covenants, the Covenants, shall yet be (our) 

spire endurance. 

The tempting times demonstrated their most 

vulnerable points. 

The renewal times tell us of the importance of 

the practice, lest we too lose the privilege. 

To these covenanters of history, their church, 

their elders and young people, and even their unborn 

members were sworn away to Christ as God's ap 

pointed King. Their hearts, minds, bodies, souls be 

longed to Him. They for but His Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about 

with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside 

every weight, and the sin which doth so easily be 

set us, and let us run with patience the race that 

is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and 

finisher of our faith ; "who for the joy that was set 

before him endured the cross, despising the shame, 

and it is set down at the right hand of the throne 

only desire in death! 

That oath was to them no ordinary agreement ; 

it was a bond of scriptural and moral content not 

to be broken without incurring the sin of perjury. 

They could say, "with your Bibles in your hands, 

declare your ecclesiastical and political position, 

vindicate it from misrepresentation and aspersion, 

The Issue in The Church 

by the late J. Gresham Machen 

II Corinthians 5 :17 : "Wherefore if any man is in 

Christ, he is a new creature: the old things are 

passed away; behold, they are become 

The world of today is hoping for something new. 

Things that seemed to be new have proved to be old ; 

the newness of modern inventions has been found not 

to touch the depths of life. New situations, it has 

been discovered, do not make new men ; a man is not 

made over by ascending in an airplane to the sky. 

Novelty has been sought in every sphere, but it is not 

so easy to find ; rebellion against accepted forms does 

not produce a new style, but sometimes only reveals 

a pitiful lack of invention ; sensationalism has proved 

to be rather dull. 

In the Epistles of Paul one finds that joyous 

freshness which modern men are seeking in vain; 

the first Christians evidently were in possession of 

something really new. The conditions of men, it is 

true, were not greatly changed ; social institutions in 

the early Church were left very much as they were 

before; but beneath outward sameness there was a 

mighty inner change. The novelty of the early 

Church was very different from the novelty of 1923 ; 

today we have changing circumstances and humanity 

itself in a rut ; then there was outward sameness, but 

underneath it there were new men. "Wherefore if 

the old 

any man is in Christ, he is a new creature : 

things are passed away; behold they are become 

Many earnest men to-day are examining the fu 

ture with some dread. Is humanity 

condemned to a 

168 

hopeless dullness, or may there be even now a fresh 

start A fresh start is certainly not easy to achieve. 

It cannot be achieved simply by taking things as they 

come ; it cannot be achieved simply by tearing off the 

last leaf for 1923 and putting a nice fresh calendar on 

the wall. The new year may prove to be old before 

his time. How shall 1924 be made really different 

from 1923; how shall the new year be made really 

new 

We have a startling suggestion to make. How 

would it be if there should be a revival of the Chris 

tian religion At that point no doubt to use a figure 

of Mr. Sunday many of our hearers will begin to 

snap their watches at us ; if we have no more novel 

suggestion than that, we shall probably find our au 

diences dwindling away. But the suggestion is not 

really so hackneyed as it seems; amid the many 

elixirs that are on the market today, it is astonish 

ing how little attention is being given to the gospel 

of Christ. Many modern men are like a contemporary 

British author of whom it has been said that he has 

sympathy for every religious institution on earth ex 

cept one; he has the warmest sympathy for every 

pagan religion no matter how strange, but the Wed 

nesday night prayer 

meeting he simply cannot stand. 

It was once remarked about a great encyclopedia how 

strange it was that the principle of that work in ac 

cordance with which various types of religious belief 

were to be presented by their own adherents, was 

not applied to evangelical 

Christianity, at least in its 

consistent form. Other beliefs are presented in the 

COVENANTER WITNESS

the' 

yes,' 

eryone,' 

ago.' 

ago' 

question.' 

yes' 

yes,' 

great encyclopedia by their friends, evangelical 

Christianity alone (at least in the form of the Re 

formed Theology) is presented by its opponents. The 

same unfairness prevails in many circles today. Vari 

ous religious beliefs are given a hearing, but this 

tolerance is not allowed to extend to the Cross of 

Christ. The discrimination may perhaps be excused 

by incorrigibly insistent character of the gospel 

appeal, but it should not be excused on improper 

grounds. It should not be excused on the ground of 

breadth or tolerance. 

The prevailing attitude toward evangelical 

Christianity may be necessary in order to avoid trou 

ble ; it may be safe and prudent : but tolerant, at any 

rate, it certainly is not. 

The prejudice against Christianity may ulti 

mately become beneficial. It may be that when the 

Wednesday night prayer meeting becomes as strange 

as dervish dances it will be revived as a great new 

discovery to which the attention of men will turn. 

Already there is the most abysmal ignorance of the 

gospel; the Epistle to the Galatians, even among 

scholars, is almost as much a sealed book as it was 

just before Luther's day. Yet it is gloriously plain. 

When will it be rediscovered 

When it is rediscovered, there will be great re 

vival of the Christian religion. None can say how 

soon that will come, and certainly it will not be pro 

duced by human effort. It will come not by might and 

not by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord of Hosts. 

Yet although a revival of the Christian religion is 

not the product of human effort, there are certain 

favorable conditions which the Spirit may first pro 

duce and then use for the accomplishment of His 

beneficient work. 

Those favorable conditions fall into two classes. 

First, there are those conditions which may be ex 

pected to appeal to all men, whether Christians or 

not, provided only they are really seeking some spir 

itual advance; in the second place, there are those 

conditions which will be appreciated by Christians 

alone. 

The second of the general conditions favorable 

to any spiritual advance is honesty just plain oldfashioned 

honesty 

of speech. That condition in cer 

tain religious circles is largely absent today. Tradi 

tional terminology is constantly being used in a 

double sense. Plain people in the Church, for example, 

are being told that this preacher or that believes that 

Jesus is God. They go away much impressed: the 

preacher, they say, believes in the deity of Christ; 

what more could be desired What is not being told 

them is that the word 'God' pantheizing 

or Ritschlian sense, so that the assertion, 'Jesus 

is being use in a 

is God,' is not the most Christian, but the least Chris 

tian thing that the Modernist preacher says. The 

Modernist preacher affirms the deity of Jesus not 

because he thinks high of Jesus but because he 

thinks desperately low of God. 

Formerly when men had brought to their at 

tention perfectly plain documents like the Apostles' 

Creed or the Westminster Confession or the New 

either accepted them or else denied 

Testament, they 

them. Now they no longer deny, but merely 'inter 

pret.' 

Every generation, it is said, must interpret the 

Bible or the Creed in its own way. But I sometimes 

wonder just how far this business of interpretation 

will go. I am, let us say, in the company of modern 

March 16, 1955 

men. 

They begin to test my intelligence. And first 

they test me on the subject of mathematics. 'What 

does six times nine make ' I am asked. I breathe a 

sigh of relief; many questions might have placed 

me very low in the scale of intelligence, but that 

question I think I can answer. I raise my hand hope 

fully. I know that one, I say. 'Six nines are fiftyfour.' 

But my complacency is short-lived. My mod 

ern examiner puts on a grave look. 'Where have you 

been living' he says. '"Six nines are fifty-four" 

that is the old answer to the In my ignor 

ance I am somewhat surprised. 'Why' I say, 'every 

body knows that; that stands in the multiplication 

table; do you not accept the multiplication table' 

'Oh, says my modern friend, 'of course I ac 

cept the multiplication table. But then I do not take 

a static view of the multiplication table ; every gen 

eration must interpret the multiplication table in its 

own way. And so of course I accept the proposition 

that six nines are fifty-four, but I interpret that to 

mean that six nines are a hundred and twenty-eight.' 

And then the examination gets into the sphere of 

history. The examiner asks me where the Declaration 

of Independence was adopted. That one, I think I 

know. The Declaration of Independence,' I say, 'was 

adopted at Philadelphia.' But again I meet with a 

swift rebuke. 'That is the old answer to the question, 

I am told. 'But,' I say, 'everyone knows that the De 

claration of Independence was adopted at Philadel 

phia ; that stands in all the history foooks ; do you not 

accept what stands in the history book' 'Oh, 

says my modern friend, 'we accept everything that 

stands in the history books one hundred per cent 

Americans we are. But then, you see, we have to 

interpret the history books in our own way. And so 

of course we accept the proposition that the Declara 

tion of Independence was adopted at Philadelphia, 

but we interpret that to mean that it was adopted at 

San Francisco.' And then finally the examination 

turns (though still in the sphere of history) to the 

department of history that concerns the Christian re 

ligion. 'What do you think happened,' I am asked, 'af 

ter Jesus was laid in the tomb near Jerusalem about 

nineteen hundred years To that question also 

I have a very definite answer. T will tell you what 

I think happened,' I say, 'He was laid in the tomb, 

and then the third day He arose again from the dead.' 

At this point the surprise of my modern friend 

reaches its height. The idea of a professor in a 

theological seminary actually believing that the body 

of a dead man really emerged from the grave! 'Ev 

he tells me, 'has abandoned that answer to 

the question long I say, 'My friend, this is very 

serious ; that answer stands in the Apotles' Creed as 

well as at the heart of the New Testament,' 'Oh, 

says my modern friend, 'Of course I accept the Apos 

tle's Creed; do we not say it every Sabbath in 

Church or, if we do not say it, we sing it of 

course, I accept the Apostle's Creed. But then, do 

you not see, every generation has a right to interpret 

the Creed in its own way. And so now of course we 

accept the proposition that 'the third day He arose 

again from the dead," but we interpret that to mean, 

"The third day He did not rise again from the 

dead." ' 

In view of this modern art of 'interpretation,' 

one may almost wonder whether the lofty human gift 

of speech has not become entirely useless. If every 

thing that I say can be 'interpreted' to mean its 

169

exact opposite, what is the use of 

saying anything 

at all I do not know when the great revival of re 

ligion will come. But one thing is perfectly clear. 

When it does come, the whole elaborate art of 'in 

terpretation' 

will be brushed aside, and there will be 

a return, as there was at the Reformation of the six 

teenth century, to plain common sense and common 

honesty. 


D. H. Elliott 

How the Budget Dollar is Divided 

"Another Interested Member" writes: "Please 

clarify your statement in Covenanter Witness that 

money can be designated in such a way that it will 

be applied wholly for missions and not pro rated to 

all the other items of the budget." 

Without speaking for or against the plan itself, 

this is what we understand it to be. 

All contributions made through the budget will 

be divided according to the proportions named by 

Synod. One exception is that of the Covenanter Wit 

ness whose quota must be met in. full. 

There is no advantage in designating my gifts to 

any particular cause named in the budget. In the end 

all departments will receive their proportionate share 

of available funds according to their estimated needs. 

For example, last Synod appropriated $1,800 to 

the Indian Mission. Suppose, because of special in 

terest, I gave my check for the full $1,800 (or any 

part thereof) and designated it for the Indian Mis 

sion. It would be applied accordingly. 

Because of 

my contribution the needs of the In 

dian Mission are provided for. Your undesignated 

contributions therefore will foe used to level up the 

causes that are behind. Most contributors, it seems, 

prefer to have it that way. 

But this raises a difficulty in the minds of 

some. Every person has the God-given right to con 

tribute to any cause he desires. Furthermore, he 

must not be denied the right to give without his gift 

being neutralized by the giving of others. 

To safeguard this right, Synod has provided 

that those who wish to give to a favorite cause with 

out it being canceled by budget regulations could 

designate their contributions as "over and above the 

budget." 

The treasurers who handle such funds are 

obligated to apply them exactly 

as the donor re 

quests. 

The Minutes of Synod for 1921, page 78, contain 

the following provisions which remain unchanged : 

Section 3 That the following provisions for the bud 

get system shall be adopted : 

170 

1. Contributions shall be applied as follows : 

(a) All contributions designated to specific 

schemes shall be applied according to the 

wish of the donor. 

(b) Money designated to the budget shall be dis 

tributed among the schemes according to. 

Synod's appropriations, 

regardless of what 

has already been received by any fund, if 

such request is made by the donor. 

(c) Money designated to the Budget with no 

special request shall be used, as last year, to 

bring all appropriations to a common per 

centage. 

2. Special financial drives in the church shall not 

be permitted unless authorized by Synod. 

Section IV That pastors and sessions strongly urge 

their people not to designate their funds in any way. 

If you desire to know what causes are included 

in the $110,015 budget for the past year, see Min 

utes of Synod, 1954, page 36. 

As to the wording of the action concerning a new 

missionary to Japan, see page 80, recommendation 5, 

in the report of the Board of Foreign Missions. 

D. H. Elliott 

THEN ONLY SHALL I DARE 

TODAY I shall stretch forth my heart, 

And it shall feel 

The terrors of the unlearned ones 

Who live in constant fear of evil things. 

And I shall hear the sick 

Cry out as the witch of the illiterate 

Who long to read. 

I shall see children sold as slaves, 

and watch starved babies eating grass. 

Today I shall stretch forth my hands, 

And I shall share 

My bounty with the world's less fortunate ; 

I shall have a part in the teaching of the world, 

The feeding of its poor, 

The clothing of its naked, shivering ones. 

With my help shall its tortured flesh be healed; 

Then only then 

Can I endure my warmth and light and food, 

Then only shall I dare to kneel and pray. 

Margaret Chaplain Anderson. 

GLIMPSES . . . Continued from page 162 

the centennial of his conversion. It memorializes the late 

Drs. Reuben A. Torrey and James M. Gray, the institute's 

second and third presidents. The auditorium has 2,200 plush 

upholstered seats and was filled to capacity with an over 

flow audience of 1000 in the basement. 

Graham Meetings in Scotland 

It has been announced on the radio, a month before the 

evangelistic meetings led by Billy Graham are to begin, that 

there has never been such a large united effort in any city 

in preparation for the meetings as in Glasgow. There are 

already nearly 5,000 personal workers being trained for 

work in connection with the meetings, and there have nev 

er been more than 1,000 in preparation for any of the Gra 

ham-led meetings before. Though there is and has been much 

coldness and indifference in Scotland, there is evidence of 

the influence of the strong Presbyterian influence and the 

teaching 

of the Bible and the Catechism in the schools of 

that land. The plan is, and the indications are, that this 

campaign will reach to all parts of Britain by radio and tele 

vision and various forms of transportation such as has never 

occurred before. Would that the leaders would heed the re 

quest of our Covenanter church there that they would sing 

the Psalms without instrumental accompaniment. Then they 

might get back to the foundation principles of Reformation 

days. 

COVENANTER WITNESS

(He 

consist" 

offers." 

sacrifice" 

Lesson Helps for the Week of April 3, 1955 

CYPU TOPIC 

For AprU 3, 1955 

Comments by Rev. Robert W. McMillan 

"DOLLARS TO DOUGHNUTS" 

(Stewardship Topic) 

Col. 1:16, 17; Deut. 10:14; I John 3:16; 

Rom. 12:1 

PLACE: First Reformed Presbyterian 

church, Sleepytown, U.S.A. 

TIME: 6:42 o'clock, Sabbath evening 

(C.Y.P.U. should have begun at 6:30 

sharp. ) 

CHARACTERS : A STRANGER is seat 

ed in the room. The others are the fair 

ly-regular ten that come to young peo 

ple's meeting 

Marybelle, Polly, Martha, 

Esther, John, Bill, Bob, Jerry, Paul and 

his wife Kate. (All names used are fic 

titious; any resemblance to persons liv 

ing or dead is entirely coincidental.) 

All have come drifting in, one or two 

at a time except Jerry, who is supposed 

to lead. A few comments are made about 

the dent in Bill's fender, the weather 

(unusual for this time of year), then 

they lapse into silence. They all notice 

the stranger, but only to stare at him 

and wonder who he is. 

Finally, Jerry comes in, a little breath 

less as though he had run up the church 

steps. 

JERRY: Let us open the meeting by 

singing Psalm ... pauses to look 

in the Witness to see what Psalm they 

are going to sing.) . . . Psalm nine, 

verses one, four and five, on page fif 

teen. Let us rise to sing and remain 

standing for prayer. (They sing, but 

without enthusiasm, each one looking 

down into his book, as though he had 

never seen the Psalm before. Then Jerry 

recites his stock prayer.) 

Dear God, we thank thee for those 

present tonight. Bless the absent ones 

wherever they 

are. Bless the mission 

aries in foreign lands. Lead us ever on 

ward and upward, 

Amen. 

for Christ's sake. 

(Apologetically) Our Witness was lost 

and I didn't find it until just before I 

came. The topic tonight is Stewardship, 

and now, please take the references as 

I read them. Oh, there aren't any given 

in the Witness! Well, then, let's have 

some discussion. Marybelle, what is 

Stewardship 

MARYBELLE : Isn't it something about 

how much money you give to the 

church 

JERRY : Yes, I guess it is and we should 

all give to support the church, shouldn't 

we Is there any further discussion of 

the topic (Silence. The unprepared 

leader is scanning the comments hoping 

March 16, 1955 

to find something to promote a discus 

sion.) 

STRANGER: May I say something 

JERRY: (Surprised, but relieved that 

someone has broken the silence) Oh yes! 

Go right ahead! 

STRANGER: I happen to be visiting 

relatives in your communifty. Your 

church was pointed out to me, and I've 

dropped in. A few years ago I would 

have been as hard pressed to know what 

to say on the subject of Stewardship as 

your leader seems to be. (Stranger nods 

at Jerry who seems to have lost his 

usual poise) It's a long story, but I have 

discovered that it pays to "give all that 

God asks, and take all that God 

My trouble was not a lack of knowledge 

so much as a lack of the willingness to 

obey. And O! what I was missing in 

fellowship with the Lord! 

The important thing to remember 

about Stewardship is that God wants 

us more than anything that we have. 

Paul praised the Macedonian Christians, 

you remember, because they "first gave 

their own selves to the Lord" (2 Cor. 

8:5). Also, remember that Stewardship 

relates to every area of our lives, not 

just to our pocket-books (although that 

may be the acid-test). The Bible teaches 

that Jesus Christ is the creator and sustainer 

of everything! "By Him all things 

(Col. 1:17; John 1:3). When you 

consider how Jesus showed His love for 

us (I John 3:16) can you be contented 

with the kind of service you're giving 

to Him In the Old Testament the Is 

raelites were required to bring a perfect 

lamb, one without spot or blemish. The 

times have changed but God doesn't 

change. He still requires our best. But 

are you young men and women giving 

your best to God I doubt if your em 

ployer would put up 

with the kind of 

service you offer to God. You get to 

work on time, or else. But, if you'll par 

don my saying so, I observed that you 

come to church late, and think nothing 

of it. You are asked to lead a youth 

meeting, and you accept the task feeling 

that if it is inconvenient to prepare for 

the job that you can bluff your way 

through. You see You offer to God 

what no earthly employer would accept. 

If you're going to claim the name of 

Christian then you ought to accept the 

challenge of Romans 12:1 

"I beseech 

you therefore, brethren, by the mercies 

of God, that ye present your bodies a 

living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto 

God, which is your reasonable service." 

I'm sorry if you've been offended by my 

remarks, but I feel that it is the truth. 

I have to leave now, and since I don't 

live here it isn't likely that I'll have the 

opportunity to be back. God bless you 

all. 

(Stranger leaves. His presence, remarks 

and departure are such a change from 

the usual routine that the fairly-regulars 

are astonished 

and convicted.) 

JERRY: (Dazed) I wonder who he is 

There's no use pretending. What the 

man said hit me pretty hard. I spent all 

afternoon sleeping. I knew that I was 

supposed to lead the meeting, but, like 

he said, I thought I could bluff my way 

through. I'm really sorry. And I must 

also confess that my life hasn't been any 

"living at all. 

(Space has run out, but the writer 

thinks that the meeting ended with a 

more sincere prayer than the one with 

which it began.) 

JUNIOR TOPIC 

AprU 3, 1955 

Mrs. Luther McFarland 

Montclair, N. J. 

A BABY'S TEARS 

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-10, 33-25 

Memory Verse: "Children, obey your 

parents in all things : 

for this is well 

pleasing unto the Lord." Colossians 3 :20 

Psalms 

Sing from memory Psalm 103 :6-9, 

page 244 

Psalm 91:1-5, page 224 

Psalm 119:1-4, page 288 

Psalm 112:1, 4, page 277 

Not much to see, you say 

a crying 

baby, something one can see anywhere. 

But after all is anything so pathetic as 

a baby's tears. The birth of a baby in 

the home is always a joyous event, but 

in the case of Moses, his coming created 

a problem. 

The question would immediately arise, 

in the minds of Moses' father and moth 

er, what would happen to him Should 

they try to save him in spite of the 

edict of the wicked king Their faith in 

God was so strong that they 

were not 

afraid of Pharaoh. These Hebrew par 

ents were pious; they sought only to do 

right and so they looked to God for His 

blessing and protection. Through prayer 

they were able to trust the care of their 

child to God and to receive the assur 

ance that no harm would come to him. 

No doubt as the parents bent over their 

child, in that peasant's hut, and saw his 

exceeding goodliness, the assurance grew 

in their hearts that God had a special 

work for him to do. The Bible does not 

tell us, but some writers say that Moses' 

171

world." 

proph 

father had been told in a dream that 

Moses would be the deliverer of his peo 

ple. In Exodus 15:13-16, a deliverer had 

been promised. 

I think there was something very un 

usual in this baby's face, something 

which told his mother that he would be 

come a great man. At any rate their 

faith in God was so great that they con 

cealed their child in their home for three 

months. 

Juniors can you imagine how hard it 

would be for Moses' older brother and 

sister to keep 

such a secret Don't you 

think they were very obedient Why 

(Memory Verse). 

No mother can shelter her child in her 

home for ever; she can only build an ark 

for him, and ask God to take care of 

him. God doesn't do things for us that 

we can do for ourselves, but when we 

can do no more we can ask God and He 

will help us. So Moses' mother took 

great care in making a little basket of 

reeds or stiff grass for her baby. Then 

she plastered it with mud from the Nile 

and with pitch to keep 

out the water. 

With many tears, kisses, and prayers 

she put the three months old baby 

Moses in the basket, and carried it out 

to the river's edge and placed it among 

the tall grass. 

In those days it was a common thing 

for people to wash their clothes and 

bathe themselves in the river. As sister 

Miriam watches the precious basket, and 

the mother is at home praying, down 

from the palace comes the princess. It 

wasn't an accident that Pharaoh's 

daughter came down to the river at that 

time; she didn't know it but she was 

on an errand for God. She didn't know 

God, but God wanted the princess to find 

the baby Moses and save his life. 

Each day we go about our work and 

play without thinking about helping 

anyone, but if we will let Him, God will 

use our feet to run errands for Him. 

There is a story of a little lame girl, 

who after hearing a missionary tell of 

the mountain people who so needed the 

gospel of Jesus, wanted to help them. 

She had nothing to give but her crutch 

es, but she gave them to the usher tak 

ing the scanty offering. Others seeing 

what the little lame girl had done, gave 

more than they had intended to give. 

We are not told how long Miriam 

kept watch over the basket, but the im 

portant thing is that she did not wander 

off to play. When she saw that the prin 

cess had compassion on the beautiful 

baby, when he cried, how swiftly Mir 

iam sped on the errand that would bring 

the baby's own mother to the princess! 

How happy Moses' mother must have 

been now that she had her baby back! 

172 

Now she would not have to hide him 

now he was protected by the king who 

was the cause of all the persecution. 

How wisely God had planned it ! Moses 

was given back to his mother for the 

years when he would most need the 

training of a Godly mother. Later in the 

palace he received more education to fit 

him to free his people from the bondage 

of Egypt; however, in all those years in 

the palace he didn't forget that he was a 

Hebrew. 

I hope the Juniors will never forget 

that Jesus is the one who frees each one 

from bondage, the bondage of sin, and 

that they will always remember to 

thank Him. 

References : 

Exodus 1:22 

Acts 7:20 

Hebrews 11:23 

1 Peter 5:7 

Psalm 46:1, 2 

Psalm 27:1-3 

Questions : 

1. Why was the baby Moses hid in a 

basket near the river Give three rea 

sons. 

2. Would it be easy to hide a baby for 

three months 

3. Do you think Miriam was a good 

sister Why 

4. Why 

not afraid 

were the parents of Moses 

5. Name some things you should be 

afraid of and some you should not be 

afraid of. 

6. List some errands you could run for 

God 

For your notebook : 

Write the answers to the questions or 

list some things you have learned about 

Moses. 

SABBATH 

SCHOOL LESSON 

AprU 3, 1955 




Christian Teaching, copyrighted by the Interna 

tional Council of Religious Education.) 

THE CROSS AND CHRISTIAN 

DISCDPLESHD 

Matt. 21:1-11; Luke 9:23, 24; John 12: 

30-36; 3 Cor. 5:14-19; Gal. 2:20, 21; 

6:14-17. 

PRINTED. Matt. 21:1-11; John 12:20-22, 

24-26; 2 Cor. 5:14-19. 

MEMORY: Gal. 6:14; "But God forbid 

that I should glory, 

our Lord Jesus Christ, by 

save in the cross of 

whom the 

world is crucified unto me, and I unto 

the 

Zechariah described Christ's Triumph 

al Entry (9:9) in detail 500 years before 

it occured. Matt. 21 :4, "Now this is come 

to pass, that it might be fulfilled which 

was spoken through the 

Christ 

carried out the program that had been 

ordained for our salvation, as it had 

been related in prophecy. Not because of 

the prophecy, but because of the pro 

gram that had been ordained for our 

salvation and spoken through prophecy. 

How tender the message! "Tell the 

Daughter of Zion, Behold thy King com 

eth unto thee." And the multitude 

sang, 

"Hosana to the Son of David. Blessed is 

he that cometh in the name of the 

Lord." 

In His Triumphal Entry, they 

chanted from the Prophets and the 

Psalms, mostly from the 118th Psalm, 

proclaiming Christ as their promised 

Messiah But they had pictured Him ac 

cording to their own desires, and that 

was a false picture. The Jews are still 

looking for their Messiah, the one they 

have pictured. They are content to abide 

by the present division of the Land in 

Palestine, until He shall come. Then 

they expect Him to give them all the 

land. The Jews as a blood race, are 2,000 

years too late. 

Those we know today as Jews are the 

descendants of those who, by their own 

hands, brought about the destruction of 

Jerusalem in A.D. 72. Titus beseiged the 

city to put down rebellion. It was not Ti 

tus or his soldiers that destroyed the city 

and slaughtered the people. It was the 

Jews themselves within the walls. It is 

the descendants of those Jews that are 

called Jews today, and that claim the 

promise. Is it the rebellious Jews that 

are heirs to the promise What about 

the descendants of the Christian Jews 

that for His sake were scattered abroad 

Those who obeyed Christ's command 

and fled from Jerusalem before its de 

struction There were six million Chris 

tians buried in the catacombs in the 

first three centuries. Many of them were 

Jew's. What of their descendants The 

Jews who cried "Crucify Him" lost every 

claim they ever had to any special prom 

ise to them as Jews. They have now the 

same promises that are to those of other 

races, and no more. 

There are those who would find in the 

securing of the ass for the Triumphal 

Entry, a miracle of Christ's knowledge 

and power. The story as told seems to 

imply 

a previous arrangement with the 

owner of the ass. Of this we are sure; 

Christ would not take a 

property 

without his permission. The disciples 

did not really lead the ass away, until 

the owner allowed it. But it was at 

Christ's command that they were in the 

act of so doing when the owner spoke to 

them. In the case of an auto, modem 

"delinquents" 

would call it an attempt to 

"borrow." 

Christ could not borrow in 

that way. His power is unlimited except 

in one thing; He cannot sin. God cannot 


sting" 

conciliation." 

me." 

man," 

lie. Christ, because there is no darkness 

in Him, could not use for Himself, a lost 

coin. It belonged to the loser. Do not say, 

"But if the owner could not be found." 

Christ would know about the owner. 

Anyhow, a lost coin still belongs to the 

loser, 

whether known or not. Christ 

created all the silver in the world. He 

miraculously 

multiplied food. 

But He 

could not counterfeit a "piece of money" 

that He himself had described as 

"stater" 

which was a coin with a super 

scription. Neither could Christ take an 

ass without the owner's consent. The 

arrangement with the owner may have 

been made miraculously. We do not need 

to manufacture miracles in order to es 

tablish Christ's power. 

While the multitude sang "Hosana" 

and spread garments and palm branches 

on the way, Christ knew that He was on 

the road to the cross. Truly, "The way 

of the cross leads 

on." 

The cross seems 

to be an old symbol. Christ often spoke 

of it. It was the instrument of execution, 

yet the one to be executed must bear it. 

The sinner builds his own cross with his 

own sins. If he will take it up and bear 

it to Calvary, joining it with Christ's 

cross, and take his place on it with 

Christ, then with Christ, he will win the 

victory over sin and death, and he then 

can exclaim with Paul, "O grave, where 

is thy victory O death, where is thy 

(See next week's lesson.) 

John 12:20. 

I know not why the key verse 

(v. 13) is omitted. Greeks came 

to Philip, who had a Greek name, and 

was probably Greek, and asked him to 

help them see Jesus. Philip and Andrew 

tell Jesus. This was the sign of a World 

Harvest. Christ answered them, 

a 

"The 

hour is come that the Son of man should 

be 

glorified." 

For that end He must, like 

wheat, die, then the harvest, that is the 

way with all life. The seed must die and 

decay. We must die unto sin if we 

would live unto righteousness. Sooner or 

later, this body will become a burden. 

That we may have a new body, this one 

must die and become dust. Many try 

hard to prevent, or rather retard, the 

decay of the body after death. Many 

preserving devices are offered at great 

cost, and promoters take advantage of 

those who are in sorrow. We may keep 

up with the Joneses, but the Egyptians 

are away ahead. I have seen an Egyptian 

mummy. I would rather think of my 

body going quickly to dust or ashes, ac 

cording to God's plan. 

Life through death. Christ died for all 

of us. We should all live for Him who 

not only died for us, but rose again. 

Paul (v. 16) warns us against becoming 

attached to the flesh. When Mary found 

Jesus after He had risen from the dead, 

March 16, 1955 

she would have held Him by the feet, 

lest she lose Him. Jesus said, "Be not 

clinging to She should forget His 

human form, and learn to know Him as 

glorified. Even as Christ's followers 

could know Him in the flesh no more, 

so Paul says that in our knowledge of 

one another, we should go deeper than 

what appears in this life, for the old has 

passed away, and all things have become 

New. 

To those who are in Christ, all things 

are of God. We are reconciled to God 

through Christ. Freed from the bondage 

of sin, we should rejoice to enter the 

glorious life of bondmen to Jesus Christ, 

whose meanest service is better than the 

greatest riches that sin can offer. Moses 

by faith weighed the throne of Egypt 

against the affliction of a race of slaves 

in Egypt, and did not falter in his choice. 

Paul never gets away from the 

thought, that being saved, we have a 

duty, or rather a privilege, to carry the 

ministry to others. (Vs. 18 19) "And 

gave to us the ministry of reconciliation; 

To wit, that God was in Christ, recon 

ciling the world unto himself, not im 

puting their tresspasses unto them; and 

hath committed unto us the word of re 

The Protestant Churches have been 

criticised for allowing the Roman Catho 

lics to monopolize the symbol of the 

cross. The use of the cross among 

Protestant Churches is spreading rapid 

ly. This we should keep in mind; Chris 

tian faith is revealed, not in signs, but 

in life. 

Psalms 


18:1-4, page 30 

April 6, 1955 

THE ROYAL LAW 

James 2:1-13 


31:18, 22, 23, page 73 

26:1, 2, 6, page 61 

116:1, 4, 5, 6, page 282 

References; Matt. 22:37-40; John 13:34, 

35; Gal. 5:14; Lev. 19:18; Deut. 1:17; 

Mark 12:29-31; Romans 13:8-10; I Cor. 

13; Matt. 5:44. 

This law of the Kingdom is well 

named. It is truly a Royal law, the law 

of the King Himself and the king of all 

laws. It is not only the great command 

ment but it is the sum of the Ten Com 

mandments. It is both a Royal law in its 

origin and in its perfection, for it is the 

fulfilling 

of the law. 

This Royal Lavo is the True Bond of 

Brotherhood. 

"Don't ever attempt, my brothers, to 

combine snobbery with faith in our Lord 

Jesus Christ." Philipps. How vividly this 

point is illustrated, James 2:2, 3. The 

one who was both arrayed in spendid 

garments and was a "gold-ringed 

having "his hands conspicuously loaded 

with rings and jewels" 

was given a 

choice seat. Men who pay two hundred 

dollars a day for hotel accomodations 

are given more consideration than those 

who do not indulge in such sinful ex 

travagance. In this world where money 

talks this partiality is understood and 

expected, even though it is not in har 

mony with the law of the Kingdom. The 

poor man, being despised, was left for 

the most part to shift for himself. And 

this took place in the "synagogue"! The 

men in the illustration were judged by 

outward appearances. The rich man, 

greedy of money, power and position, 

was given special favors because he 

wore the costly 

clothes. And the poor 

man was rejected because he came in 

vile raiment. According to James, such 

invidious distinctions are wrong. The 

costliness of a man's dress is no criter 

ion for true judgment. If this rich man 

and poor man could have been judged on 

a "heart-basis," would this distinction 

have been made Evidently this poor 

man was "rich in faith" and an heir 

of the Kingdom, but despised by the as 

sembly. The gay clothing and the costly 

rings would be seen. They were pur 

chased and worn with that in mind. But 

the riches of the poor man were not so 

evident nor were they prized so highly, 

although they were infinitely more valu 

able. The poor man was rich in faith. 

This is essential. Not all those, however, 

who are poor in material things are rich 

in faith. And not all those who are rich 

in material things are lacking in faith. 

We thank God for many Christian men 

who are rich both in spiritual and ma 

terial things and who administer their 

wealth for the glory of God and the ad 

vancement of the Kingdom. This Royal 

law is the one bond that makes true 

brotherhood possible. No true brother 

hood can exist where men regulate their 

respect for each other by the measure of 

their outward and worldly standing. 

Based on such a criterion there is bound 

to be "respect of 

sin. 

persons" 

which is a 

This Royal Law is a Unity. 

But suppose they were guilty 

of this 

sin, the respect of persons. It was only 

one sin. Is the breaker of one law as 

guilty 

as the man who breaks two or 

more laws Evidently the Apostle an 

ticipated such an objection. His answer 

is, "For whosoever shall keep the whole 

law, and yet offend in one point, he is 

guilty of 

all" 

(2:10). The law then is a 

unity.. It is given by one Divine Author, 

the exponent of His Divine and Holy 

Will. It might be illustrated in this way. 

Your watch might have ten or more 

173

ners" 

selves" 

precepts" 

rejoi 

wheels in it. If you break every wheel, 

it is a broken watch and worthless. But 

even if only one wheel is broken, the 

watch is useless. It cannot fulfill its 

purpose. Or if you were hanging over 

a precipice by a chain of ten links, the 

results would be the same, whether 

every link in the chain were smashed 

or only 

one link. So the Royal law is 

a unity. All of us have sinned. And if 

we offend in one point we are guilty of 

all. So we are more than "little sin 

of one sin! How little do we 

realize the enormity 

of our sin! "But 

where sin abounded, grace did much 

more abound." 

This Royal Law Is a Law of Liberty 

(James 2:12) 

James has already spoken of the per 

fect law of liberty (1:25). This may 

have been one of his favorite expres 

sions and how very 

pression is 

suggestive this ex 

the law of liberty. In what 

respects is the Royal law a law of lib 

erty If we could keep this royal law 

perfectly 

then we would love the Lord 

our God with all our heart, and with 

all our soul and with all our mind and 

we would love our neighbor as our 

(Matt. 22:37-39). 

Christ said, "A new commandment I 

give unto you, That ye love one another; 

as I have loved you, that ye also love 

one 

another" 

(John 13:34-35). How 

much bondage is there in this kind of 

love So if we really loved we would not 

be bound by sin. And yet we are bound 

by the sin of selfishness, pride, envy, 

malice and every 

other sin. John says, 

"Whosoever hateth his brother is a mur 

derer" 

I John 3:15. Even though a mur 

derer is not apprehended, how much 

freedom does he have How wonder 

fully true it is that the law of love is 

the law of liberty. "I will walk at liber 

ty; for I seek thy 

45). 

Prayer. 

1. For our Spring communions. 

2. For growth in Christian love. 

3. For our missionaries. 

(Psalm 119: 


5. For the Christian Amendment 

movement. 




A Thought for you 

Put on the wnole armor of God. 

Eph. 6:11 

Trying to face life without this armor 

we get burned, blinded, bewildered, de 

feated. But what a difference when we 

put on the whole armor 

174 

Church News 

DENISON 

Our church was hostess to the com 

munity on the World Day of Prayer. 

Rev. Sam Boyle brought a message 

in the afternoon meeting on "Twilight or 

Sunrise in Missions in Asia." Mrs. Albert 

McCrory presented a Bible study from 

John 15. Different elements of prayer 

were emphasized by 

a large number of 

Bible verses. There was wide participa 

tion by women from all the churches. 

Lunch was served at noon in the new, 

nearly completed basement. 

Rev. Sam Boyle brought stirring mes 

sages on the Great Commission and 

Communism, February 27. His mother 

accompanied him from Topeka. 

City 

Mr. and Mrs. Harold Faris of Kansas 

and Miss Elva Mann of Hebron 

were welcome visitors also on this day. 

Miss Mary McCrory is gradually re 

covering after undergoing major surgery 

in the Stormont-Vail Hospital, Topeka 

on February 14. 

WINCHESTER, KANS. 

The Young People had a chili supper 

at the Huston home on January 24. At 

a business meeting later the following 

officers were elected: President, Dick 

Hensleigh; vice-president, Frances Hus 

ton; Secretary-Treasurer, Hazel White. 

The congregation was saddened by the 

death of R. Boyd Cathcart on January 

30. Although he had not been well for 

sometime, he had been at his duties as 

a member of the Kansas State College 

animal husbandry 

1) loins girt with truth 

2) having 

eousness 

staff until a short 

on the breastplate of right 

3) your feet shod with the preparation 

of Gospel of peace 

4) taking the shield of faith that ye 

shall be able 

5) take the helmet of salvation 

6) the sword of the spirit which is the 

word of God 

7) THAT SECRET WEAPON-praying 

always in the Spirit. 

Note: For many 

years this has been a 

much loved gem but only recently was 

my attention called to that last weapon 

(giving credit to Rev. Joe Caskey) whicn 

adds so much to the effectiveness of the 

Gospel armor. 

M.J.L. 

W.M.S. Uniform programs are ready. 

They may 

be ordered at 12 cents each 

address: Mrs. Herald Hanna, Rt. 10, 

Bloomington, Indiana. 

time before his passing. Funeral services 

were held at the First Methodist Church 

in Manhattan. Rev. Caskey assisted in 

this service and the trio sang. The 

church extends its sympathy to his par 

ents, Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Cathcart of 

Winchester, and to his wife, Ermine, and 

daughters, Marilyn, Ruth, Carol of 

the home. 

Rev. Caskey and the trio, Minnie Belle 

and Hazel White and Barbara Huston, 

conduct a short service at the Barton 

Nursing Home in Winchester every 

other Sabbath afternoon. 

THE COVENANTER HOME 

Mr. Paul Robb, a senior in our Sem 

inary, preached at the Home on Sab 

bath afternoon, February 20. Our Home 

folks appreciated the sermon so very 

much. It is always a joy to them to 

have Paul with them. Thank you, Paul. 

Prayer meeting was conducted at the 

Home on Wednesday evening, February 

23, by Donald McClurkin and Glenn Mc 

Farland. How much it means for these 

folks to hear our ministers-to-be! The 

prayer meeting was splendid. 

Once a month we have preaching serv 

ice at the Home on Sabbath afternoon, 

and prayer meeting on a Wednesday eve 

ning. These are for those who are not 

able to get to church the shut-ins and 

also all those who wish to come in. All 

who are able enjoy these services very 

much. On other Sabbaths they who are 

not able to get out to church must de 

pend upon their radios for sermons. 

The Troy Hill Girl Scout Troop under 

the direction of Mrs. 

Walleck enter 

tained the members of the Home with 

a musical program and readings on Val 

entine's Day, February 14. 

They had 

made red hearts and filled them with 

cookies, and candies and a little packet 

of sachet for each member. The folks 

thoroughly enjoyed the entertainment 

put on by these young girls. 

Everyone at the Home is in his or her 

usual health with the exception of Miss 

Janet Barclay who is in the hospital un 

der observation. 

Again, we ask the church to pray for 

the Home, its workers, members, and 

the Board. We ask especially for prayers 

for the Building Committee that they 

will be directed in their work, and that 

the church and friends will be moved by 

His Spirit "to give till they 

toward this necessary and worthy phase 

of His work. 


out" 

STERLING 

The Rev. S. E. Boyle and Scott were 

honored February 16 

by 

the Sterling 

W.M.S. at a dinner in the church par 

lors to which all of the congregation 

were invited. Following the dinner Rev. 

Boyle spoke and showed pictures of 

Japan. A love offering of $83 was pre 

sented to him. Immediately following the 

dinner the Kilpatricks were surprised 

with a "pound" shower, and upon re 

turning home found a new Westing 

house refrigerator already installed 

ready to receive these pounds of food. 

Mrs. Dean Fountain has been a pa 

tient in the Sterling Hospital but hopes 

soon to return to her school teaching du 

ties. 

Hugh Hays, who has completed his 

army service, is back to take his last 

semester as a senior in Sterling College. 

Hugh's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Hays 

of Hoisington visited Hugh and wor 

shiped with us February 19. 

Mr. and Mrs. James Humphreys, Mrs, 

R. M. Edgar, and Jean, and Mr. and 

Mrs. Joe McFarland and Bill visited in 

Minneola with the Reed Hindmans re 

cently. 

CLARINDA, IOWA 

For the past five years Miss Gertrude 

Lee has been teaching the evening adult 

Bible class in a very effective and inter 

esting way. To show their appreciation 

of her good work the class, at a recent 

meeting, presented her with a handsome 

reference Bible bearing her name in 

gold on the cover. 

This is our Centennial year and a 

number of interesting events are being 

planned. To lead off, the Juniors enter 

tained the congregation the evening of 

February 25 with a pageant depicting 

the contrasts between former days and 

the present. The old time costumes, the 

"lining 

of the Psalms, and the dis 

cussions in the congregational meeting 

made the past seem very real to us. The 

congregation thanks the Juniors and 

their sponsors, Mrs. Knox McCalla, Mrs. 

Leslie McCalla and Miss Mildred Blair 

who assisted them, for a very pleasant 

evening. 

Mr. and Mrs. Donald Cabeen recently 

welcomed a new son, James Larry, into 

their home. 

Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Dunn have re 

turned from a trip to the South and 

West going as far as the Grand Can 

yon. 

Lyle Cabeen has been spending several 

weeks with his brother, Richard, in 

Washington, Pa. Lyle has received his 

call to army service and will be leaving 

March 14. 

Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Stoops, of Blockton, 

Iowa, celebrated their Golden Wed 

ding March 1. Several of their children 

March 16, 1955 

and grandchildren were home to cele 

brate the occasion. The congregation 

remembered them with cards and flow 

ers. 

CAMBRIDGE 

"Suffer the little children to come un 

to me and forbid them not, for of such is 

the kingdom of heaven," was joyously 

illustrated to us in the recent baptism 

of Mark John, infant son of Warren and 

Winnefred Snow, and Wendy, infant 

daughter of Thomas and Doris Smyth. 

Mrs. Ethel Gibson, our capable Sab 

bath School Superintendent,, received the 

"surprise of her life" at a recent Fellow 

ship Meeting, when it blossomed forth 

into a grandiose birthday party. The 

many gifts received were but a token of 

appreciation for the wonderful work she 

has rendered to the church these past 

unmentionable number of years. 

In the process of attending the party 

for Mrs. Gibson, Mrs. S. P. Faris fell 

on the church steps and received a se 

vere laceration near her eye which re 

quired six stitches to close. We are 

pleased to report the eye is healing 

nicely and apparently no lasting ill ef 

fects were sustained. Mrs. Faris has had 

several mishaps during the past months 

but has weathered them all very nicely 

and we do not think it would be "catty" 

to say she has the proverbial nine lives. 

A special prayer meeting was held at 

the home of our pastor in observance 

of the World Day of Prayer. 

We are very happy that Harold 

Hutcheson now stationed in the Army 

at Fort Devens, Mass. can occasionally 

worship with us. 

Mrs. Mary Sterrett Pollock, 73, widow 

of Rev. Wm. A. Pollock, United Presby 

terian Minister for many years, died at 

the home of a daughter at Topeka, Kan 

sas, Saturday, February 26. 

Until her 

marriage she was a member of the Cedarville, 

Ohio, Church of the Covenan 

ters; also was a daughter of Mr. and 

Mrs. W. R. Sterrett of that place. She 

leaves two sisters and two brothers and 

three daughters, eight grandchildren 

and a number of nieces and nephews. 

She was buried March 1 at the College 

Springs, Iowa, Cemetery. 

Dr. J. Herbert Scott, 79, formerly a 

member of Millers Run Covenanter 

Church, passed away at the Deshler Hil 

ton Hotel, Columbus, Ohio, January 30. 

He was a practicing 

cian in that city for many 

osteopathic physi 

years. He 

married Katherine McLeod and she too 

practiced the same profession. He leaves 

his wife and a daughter, Jeanette, who 

lives at Princeton, New Jersey, and a 

niece and nephew. Dr. Scott was buried 

at Princeton, New Jersej'. 

ELDER GEOFGE H. ARNOTT, on 

Sabbath evening, January 30, after 89 

years in Coldenham, left his "earthly 

house" 

for "an house not made with 

hands eternal in the heavens." His firm 

stand and support of Coldenham congre 

gation was once, by God's grace, a chief 

factor in its continuance and present 

witness for Christ's crown and covenant 

in this community. The remaining elders 

have written in their records their trib 

ute to his memory. Having 

no descen 

dants in the flesh, he had willed the ma 

jor portion of his estate to his descen 

dants in the spirit. Thus "he, being dead, 

yet for speaketh" 

the honor of our Lord 

and Saviour, Jesus Christ. 

HOPKINTON 

W. C. M. 

Mr. Hugh McGlade and Mr. and Mrs. 

Walter Johnson have spent some time 

this winter vacationing in Florida. Mr. 

Johnson, who has not been well, has re 

mained to return later. 

Mr. Robert McNeill, who was quite ill 

for a time, is almost normal again, 

though his rheumatism still causes him 

considerable pain. 

Our young people, who until recently 

were a junior society, have now devel 

oped into a young 

people's society. 

Thomas Joseph was chosen president. 

Our released time Bible school is 

making 

use of the flannelgraph sets 

which are loaned by the Women's Synod 

ical and we are grateful for them. We 

also make use of film strips with a pro 

jector to visualize Bible lessons both to 

interest and instruct the pupils. 

COLLEGE HILL 

During the month of February our 

morning 

services were broadcast over 

the local station. The responses from 

our own shut-in members and many out 

siders were very gratifying indeed. Miss 

Aphrodite Thrombettas, a student from 

Africa whose help in the Sabbath School 

and in the choir is greatly appreciated, 

made a recording of one of the services 

to be sent to her parents and friends in 

Djibouti, French Somaliland. 

The Men's Club has a supper meeting 

once a month in the church. After a 

supper of their own cooking () a pro 

gram is given. Recently Dr. Edwin C. 

Clark was in charge of the program, 

asking each man present who had served 

in the last World War to tell what 

branch of the service he was in, where 

he was located and his religious experi 

ences. It was amazing the area of the 

earth's surface covered by the men pres 

ent, the variety of service rendered and 

the experiences they had. 

A unique program has recently been 

followed in the mid-week prayer-meet 

ing. The elders, deacons and three Mis- 

175

place" 

one." 

city." 

city." 

realize," 

men." 

sionary Societies have conducted the 

meetings. In a most interesting way the 

work of the organizations has been 

brought before the members, helping us 

to know and understand their work. 

Other groups are yet to make their con 

tribution to this type of program. The 

interest manifested is fine. 

Miss Ellen Jean Robb, daughter of 

Dr. and Mrs. Remo I. Robb, was one of 

forty-seven students in the University of 

Pittsburgh school of nursing to be 

capped in ceremonies in the Cathedral of 

Learning by Dean Ruth Perkins Kuehn, 

Friday, March 4. 

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. John 

Gache on the birth of a little son, 

March 4. His name is David Alan. 

Rev. C. 

OAKDALE 

E. Caskey preached for us 

morning and evening on February 13. 

Mrs. Elwyn Carson and Mr. and Mrs. 

William Richards and sons Gary and 

Mark have returned from a trip through 

the South. They worshiped with the 

Orlando congregation February 27. 

The Women's Missionary Society met 

Wednesday, March 2, at the home of 

Mrs. Ward Auld. The following officers 

were elected : President, Mrs. Harry Pat 

ton; Vice President, Miss Eva Murray; 

Recording Secretary, Mrs. Lawrence 

Hood; Treasurer, Mrs. W. G. Thompson. 

The Willing Hands Missionary So 

ciety met Saturday, March 5, at the 

home of Mrs. Elza McLean. These were 

the officers chosen for the coming year : 

President, Mrs. Lloyd Patton; Vice 

President, Mrs. W. K. Auld; Recording 

Secretary, Mrs. Jane T. Carson; Corres 

ponding Secretary, Miss Eleanor Thomp 

son; Treasurer, Mrs. Elza McLean. 

Sabbath, March 6, for our morning 

service two tape recordings made by a 

group of Seminary Students were heard. 

One was on "The Seminary and the 

Ministry" and the other on "Evangel 

ism." 

We are looking forward to having 

Rev. Sam Boyle with us March 16, and 

the Genevans are to be here March 30. 

DENVER 

The February 23, Covenanter Witness, 

page 121 lists J. C. Mitchel as Colorado 

Y. P. Secretary. Please note that Rev. 

Bruce C. Stewart is the present Cove 

nant Heights Y. P. Secretary. 

Also please note that it is important 

to add the word "South" to my address 

at 330 South Corona, Denver 9. In re 

cent months a lot of mail has been ar 

riving more than 2 months late due to 

this error, and some not arriving at all. 

Hugh H. Martin of Denver passed 

away February 27 after a short illness. 

He was a long-time and faithful member 

of the Board of Deacons. Until moving to 

176 

Denver in 1935 Mr. Martin farmed in 

the bounds of the Beulah, Nebraska, 

congregation. He is survived by his wife 

Lena A. Martin, Hugh H. Martin, Jr. of 

Syracuse, N. Y., Mrs. Elizabeth Currie of 

Atwater, Calif., Mrs. Bonnie Halliday, 

Roseville, Mich., Mrs. Alice Marie Iken 

berry of Colorado Springs, and James 

Martin of Denver. Mr. Martin had many 

of those Christian qualities which en 

deared him to home, church and friends, 

and make him sadly missed by all. 

"The path of the just is as the shining 

light, that shineth more and more unto 

the perfect day." 

SIX RULES FOR YOUNG 

CHRISTIANS 

The following rules will be helpful to 

any young Christians who care to be 

plainly reminded of their everyday du 

ties and ideals: 

1. Never neglect daily private prayer, 

and when you pray remember that God 

is present, and that He hears your 

prayers (Heb. 11:6). 

2. Never neglect daily 

private Bible 

reading; and when you read, remember 

that God is speaking to you, and that 

you are to believe and act upon what 

He says. Backsliding usually begins with 

the neglect of these two rules (John 

5:39). 

3. Never let a day pass without trying 

to do something for Jesus. Every night 

reflect on what Jesus has done for you, 

and then ask yourself : What am I doing 

for Him (Matt. 5:13-16). 

4. If ever you are in doubt as to a 

thing being right or wrong, go to your 

room and kneel down and ask God's 

blessing upon it. If you cannot do this, 

it is wrong (Rom. 14:23). 

5. Never take your Christianity from 

Christians, or argue that, because such 

people do so and so, therefore you may 

do the same (2 Cor. 10:12). You are 

to ask yourself: 

"How would Christ. 

act in my Then strive to follow 

Him (John 10:27). 

6. Never believe what you feel, if it 

contradicts God's Word. 

A THOUGHT 

Heart and Life 

Murmuring is short-sighted. Murmur 

ing and disputing is an indication of unfaith. 

It means that at this particular 

stage of affairs we cannot possibly see 

how God is going to bring anything good 

out of this or that specific circumstance 

about which we are presently exercised. 

True, God has blessed us in the past and 

all of His dealings have been good. And 

true, there is, as a matter of fact, still 

time in which even this circumstance 

might take a turn for the better. But at 

present we are too preoccupied with the 

current phase of matters. We do not 

have a compelling 

conviction that God 

is almighty, and that He has the situ 

ation in hand, and that He will accom 

plish a worthy purpose through this test. 

It is like the little mouse who runs 

along 

a plank in the studio of a great 

artist and looks up at an unfinished 

painting which is standing there. See 

ing the meaningless jumble of color upon 

color, of highlights and shades, the little 

mouse pronounces judgment and says, 

"Well, he certainly made a mess of that 

The insolent little creature is not 

fitted by his nature to comprehend ulti 

mate good in the realm of art, nor is he 

willing to allow the talented artist time 

in which to demonstrate his solution, 

the denouement of his purpose in this 

particular artistic situation. Our mur 

muring demonstrates a lack of faith in 

a mighty and purposeful God. Stephen 

W. Paine, in Toward the Mark. 

CHURCH AND SKYSCRAPER 

Said the Skyscraper to the Little 

Brick Church: "You're looking smaller 

every day." 

Replied the Little Brick Church: "I've 

tried to keep close to the feet of 

Continued the Skyscraper: "But think 

of the progress you could have made if 

you had grown up like me and kept pace 

with the immence growth of this teem 

ing 

Said the Little Brick Church: "I've 

hearts." 

tried to keep up with its broken 

"Yes," 

spoke further the Skyscraper, 

"but if you were up here you could see 

all over the 

"But here I can look into the worried 

faces that pass." 

"Yet you must 

voiced the 

Skyscraper, "that I represent the 

wealth, power and grandeur of modern 

civilization." 

The Little Brick Church softly re 

plied: "But I have created the faith that 

held things together; I've given purpose 

to the power, and beauty of spirit to 

the grandeur." 

Selected. 

THE FAMILY ALTAR 

Count me as a firm believer in the 

family altar. I am 

thoroughly convinced 

that a wide-spread return to the prac 

tice of regular worship in the home 

would work miracles in meeting the 

many problems of modern life. Let the 

family altar become the center around 

which life revolves, and we will regain 

the spiritual resources so badly needed. 

Luther W. Youngdahl 

COVENANTER WITNESS

man" 


nothing," 

LESSON HELPS FOR THE WEEK OP APRIL 10, 1955 

"THE FIELD tS THB WORLD, TH 5D IS THE WORD OF- GOD ' 

VOLUME LTV WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1955 NUMBER 12 

His name was Josef and he owned a fine flock 

of the best of the lambs in the land. And there was 

one special lamb which, thanks to his loving care, 

came to possess the finest of fleece. It became fa 

mous throughout the countryside, and many came 

to admire Josef's prize possession. 

As might be expected, this aroused the envy of 

wicked neighbors. Upon the dark of a particular eve 

ning, they banded together for the express purpose 

of stealing it away from Josef. Stealthily they made 

their way to his humble dwelling. Josef saw them 

however, and realized their purpose. Quickly he 

picked up his prize lamb, hurried within the house, 

barred the doors and took down the trusty old rifle, 

and began to shoot away at them. 

Seeking to confuse them, and throw them off 

balance, he would shoot at them from the west win 

dow, then hurry over to the east window, then back, 

back and forth, again and again. However, 

each time 

he thus hurried across, he would trip and fall over 

the now thoroughly frightened lamb. This could not 

go on! and in final disgust he reached down for it, 

dragged it across the floor to the front door, threw 

it open, kicked the poor beast outside, slammed the 

door behind and continued the firing "without fur 

ther interruption." 

That is just an old Armenian fable, but then per 

haps there was a "Josef" at one time, who gave rise 

to the account. But at any rate, it is one of that kind 

of fable which carries a finish more modern than to 

morrow's newspaper. We should not overly laugh at 

Josefs lack of proportion, for all too many in this 

world and time, follow his foolish footsteps, where 

things spiritual, marked of eternal consequence are 

concerned. One has only to read the tragic revelation 

of "a certain rich in Luke 12, and consider care 

fully the divine judgment upon such perilous pro 

portion "Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be re 

quired of thee . . (Luke 12:20). 

And the old Armenian fable might make many 

of the saints feel rather uncomfortable ! One should 

The Sense of Proportion 

by Edwin Raymond Anderson 

welcome that as the exercise of the Spirit in the 

heart. Not all the fools in this world are outside of 

the kingdom of God; there are tragically far too 

many who are sinners saved by grace who have 

slipped back into the sin of careless proportion where 

the commandments and exhortations of the Lord are 

concerned. It will be well for the many of us to re 

call that Word of our Lord "But seek ye first the 

kingdom of God and His 

(Matt. 6: 

33). This is not a "once-for-all" seeking to be cen 

tered wholly about the business of being born again, 

out of darkness into light. All of the impress of the 

Holy Spirit of God is directed to this solemn remind 

er this is to be the continual seeking for every day, 

for all things which enter into the scope and sweep 

of that day. "God First," in and through everything, 

and that not as a matter of accepted theology, but 

far deeper, the burning reality 

Where the Lord, through the directives of the 

Spirit is not first, in all the depths and ranges of that 

of activated doxology. 

term, then nothing is in right position, or proper 

proportion. He will continually confound and irritate 

that which we sinfully seek to give primacy unto, and 

we shall be humbled and broken "beneath the holy 

harrow." 

"Without Me ye can do is His 

first word to His disciples, if life is to be lived upon 

the highest planes of "for-me-to-live-is-Christ." Be 

loved, is it not time indeed (Rom. 13:11) to prove the 

power, the preciousness, the practicality 

of this for 

His praise, and for the blessing of our daily walk 

Some of us are living on "God's second best". . . 

or perhaps it might be the "third or fourth" best. 

We have missed far more than could ever be mea 

sured, even as we are humbled by the realization of 

the greatness of His grace that would suffer it to be 

thus. We have all failed somewhere along the life 

line, by the forgetting of His "firsts," as He has di 

rected attention to them. But need it continue thus 

Shall we not take with us words and return unto the 

Lord . . . and thus to "first things first" for favor 

and fruitfulness

weeks." 

. 

Jewish 

rank." 



"Creeping Prohibition" 

The members of the Wholesale Beer Dealers Associa 

tion of Ohio were told at a recent convention that there is 

prohibition" 

a "creeping 

brought on by "sleeper" legislation. 

One of the speakers declared that a proposed state law to 

prohibit the sale of beer within 500 feet of a church or 

school was "unfair." He said "No beer dealer in his right 

senses would choose a location next to a church full of 

prohibitionists as a site for doing business." The national 

sales of beer were down 4.5 per cent (about three million 

barrels) in 1954, it was reported, as compared with 1953. 

realistic" 

The retailers were told that they must be "more 

about prices if they hope to attract more customers. 

Restrictions on Catholics in Argentina 

The attack of the Peron government on the Roman 

Catholic Church in Argentina has been the subject of much 

discussion in and out of that country. Some priests seem to 

have been deported and others placed in jail. Government 

subsidies to Roman Catholic institutions have been stopped, 

the Catholic daily El Pueblo has been suppressed, and an 

end to the teaching 

has been ordered. Such teaching has been required for sev 

of the Catholic religion in the schools 

eral years. A law has been passed making divorce legal in 

Argentina. Divorce has been bitterly opposed by the Roman 

church for many years. Another law was passed legalizing 

prostitution. Some years ago the government of Peron had 

almost wiped out the red-light districts under pressure of 

the Roman church. It thus becomes evident that Romanism 

is not having its way in all of South America, but it is to be 

regretted that along 

evils other corruptions are permitted. 

with the elimination of some of the 

How Tobacco Effects Pupils 

The principal of a high school in Highland Park, 111., 

after a careful investigation, has reported his findings which 

we glean from The Free Methodist : "Not a single graduate 

of the school was an habitual smoker while in school. The 

forty-five quitters were all smokers in poor standing in their 

classes, their average grades being below the passing mark. 

The average of seventy-five non-smokers was eighty-four 

per cent, of twenty-four reformed smokers was.seventy-nine 

per cent, and of fifty-five smokers was seventy-six per cent. 

The grades of those who had recently learned to smoke had 

fallen from eighty-five to seventy-six per cent. One pupil 

who quit smoking increased his grade ten per cent in six 

Militarism and Morals 

The Watchman-Examiner (Baptist) under the above 

title says: "It is not going to be easy to preserve moral 

standards where militarism prevails. There is no place in the 

world where moral standards are high in military camps. 

Anyone who has traveled and observed armies knows this 

to be true. A Woman's Christian Temperance Union official 

has asked the House Armed Services Committee to investi 

gate a complaint that Air Force officers are forcing enlisted 

men to belong to clubs where liquor is served. Miss Elizabeth 

Smart, Washington secretary of the WCTU has presented a 

letter from a noncommissioned Air Force officer at Lock- 

178 

bourn Air Force Base, Columbus, Ohio, telling of pressure 

allegedly exerted on noncommissioned officers at the Base 

to support the local Non-com Club." The airman said that 

"noncommissioned officers were expected automatically to 

become dues-paying members of the club, the principal fea 

ture of which, he said, is a bar and a dance floor. He said 

he had tried to resign from the club because of disapproval 

of the drinking being done on the premises and had been 

threatened with a reduction in 

Rabbis Protest Bingo 

The board of Rabbis of New York City has asked the 

congregations of New York not to use bingo games 

to raise money. They affirmed that raising funds through 

bingo, even for worth-while purposes, was "not in consonance 

with the high standards of morality and dignity which the 

synagogue sets for the general community." 

Progress in New Guinea 

A missionary on leave from Netherlands New Guinea 

says that mission work on that island had little success in 

the early years. The 50th anniversary of work there was 

marked by more graves of slain Dutch missionaries than the 

number (50) of baptized Christians. It was the advent of 

World War II, bringing with it a vast influx of American 

and Australian troops and a tremendous improvement in 

communications on the island, that spurred the growth of 

Protestantism in New Guinea. Since 1940 the Protestants 

have increased there from 80,000 to 140,000, it has been re 

ported by the Missions Council of the Netherlands Reformed 

Church. 

Catholic Judges in Brookyln 

As an evidence of Catholic political pressure consider 

the percentage of judges of that faith in Brooklyn. Twentynine 

per cent of the population is Protestant, but only seven 

per cent of the judges are Protestant. Five of the seventycontinued 

on page 185) 

















Remo I. Robb, D.D. 





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nndefthJ 

R' B' 

Lyn8' B'A" Limavady- N- Inland. Agent for the 

AddresB communications to the Topeka office. 

" *' PSt fice in Newton' Kans" 

COVENANTER WITNESS

annihilation." 



VISITORS FROM RUSSIA 

The U. S. State Department is relaxing its rules against 

allowing Russians to enter this country. Eleven Soviet col 

lege students who are editors of school papers will be grant 

ed thirty-day visas to visit American campuses. President 

Eisenhower has endorsed the suggestion that a delegation 

of Russian farmers be allowed to visit Iowa to study the 

raising of corn and hogs. 

In the last few years there has been too much truth in 

the Communist claim that it is easier for an American to 

visit Russia than for a Russian to see the U. S. The McCarran 

Act bars alien Communists from this country, and few 

exceptions have been made. Last year about one hundred 

Americans, mostly students and journalists, visited Russia, 

while the U. S. admitted forty Russians under special waiv 

ers. Our country has nothing to fear from any comparison 

with the Soviet Union, and our institutions surely are not 

so weak that they can be endangered by a few Communist 

visitors. 

GOOD-WELL AMBASSADORS 

Vice-President Nixon and his wife have completed a 

highly 

successful tour of Central America and the Carib 

bean area. Probably Nixon's greatest accomplishment was 

to bring a temporary improvement in relations between 

Nicaragua and Costa Rica. He also urged a speedup in com 

pletion of the Pan American Highway, which still has large 

gaps in Costa Rica and Panama. The Nixons showed the 

same popular touch that made friends for them in their ear 

lier tour of South Asia. 

Princess Margaret of Great Britain has also made an 

effective tour of British possessions in the Caribbean. Her 

return home was followed by increasing 

rumors of her mar 

riage to R.A.F. Captain Peter Townsend, a divorced com 

moner. The situation is much like that of King Edward VTII. 

Opinion in the Church of England and among the upper 

classes is against the marriage. However, Margaret will be 

25 in August and can then marry without the Queen's con 

sent, if she renounces her rights to the throne. 

BOMBS AND POLITICS 

Winston Churchill recently made one of his greatest 

speeches of recent years on the subject of the H-bomb. He 

took the optimistic view that the bomb is a deterrent to 

warfare. Churchill predicted that the U. S. will have definite 

H-bomb superiority for three or four more years. Britain 

will build her own bombs, however, to strike at the tar 

gets which threaten her most. Eventually, Britain's Prime 

Minister believes, the world will reach a peaceful stalemate, 

since everyone will realize that global war would mean "mu 

tual 

Britain is scheduled to have Parliamentary 

elections not 

later than October, 1956, but there is increasing talk of call 

ing them this year. The economy is now good, but showing 

some danger signs. The Labor Party seems to be splitting 

wide open, which makes a favorable time for the Conserva 

tives to call new elections. The Labor Party 

regulars under 

Clement Atlee favor building the H-bomb, but Aneurin Bev 

an has openly challenged this and called for more negotia 

tions with Russia. Bevan and his followers, defeated at the 

party's last national conference, may now be expelled alto 

gether. 

March 23, 1955 

CHINESE DOPE 

Communist China is deliberately flooding the free world 

with narcotics, according to testimony of the U. S. Narcotics 

Commissioner before the Senate Internal Security Subcom 

mittee. The purpose of the Reds in this infamous traffic is 

to obtain foreign currency and promote "physical and moral 

destruction." 

Peiping's Finance Ministry controls the produc 

tion and sale of opium as a government monopoly. Chinese 

opium production is now estimated at six thousand tons a 

year, ten times the world need for medical purposes. Heroin 

addiction has become a serious problem among U. S. service 

men in some parts of the Far East. The habit also claims 

many 

victims in the poorer sections of some of our large 

northern cities. 

TOO MUCH TO EAT 

One group of Democrats in Congress has begun an ef 

fort to restore farm price supports to a rigid- 90 per cent of 

parity. This, like the attempt to cut taxes, may be intended 

mainly to win votes for next year. Recent figures show that 

at the end of 1954 the government held title to over $4 bil 

lion worth of farm products, and had $3 billion more out 

standing in farm loans. Storage costs alone amount to $700,- 

000 a day. Congress is likely to decide in favor of giving the 

flexible support plan adopted last year a fair trial. Even 

under present laws, the total government investment in 

farm surpluses is expected to reach $9 billion before it 

levels off. Despite strenuous efforts, the Administration has 

not been able to dispose of much of the surplus. Butter, can 

be made into "ghee" for sale in South Asia, but it has to be 

sold at a lower price than the American housewife pays. We 

cannot dump 

our surpluses on the world market without 

ruining some of our allies who also depend on farm exports. 

THE WHOLE TRUTH 

Harvey Matusow is making a name for himself as a 

professional liar. In 1950 he appeared as an ex-Communist 

informer and told a Congressional committee about the 

Communist connections of some 280 persons. Now he has 

repudiated this testimony and is also trying to discredit 

other informers. The Senate Internal Security Subcommittee 

is finding it difficult to decide which story is true. In order 

to convict Matusow of perjury under present laws, it will be 

necessary not only to show that he has contradicted himself 

which is obvious but to prove which statements are 

true and which are false. 

FASTER AND HIGHER 

An Air Force jet fighter plane has made a new cross 

country record of flying from Los Angeles to New York in 

3 hours 46 minutes, for an average speed of nearly 650 miles 

an hour. Two others almost equalled this time, all three be 

ing refueled in flight. If the same speed could be matched in 

an east-to-west flight, the pilot would arrive at nearly the 

same time, by the clock, as he left. Airlines now allow 

seven hours and a quarter for the transcontinental flight.. 

The Defense Department now has a small, lightweight 

rocket which can reach altitudes of 75 miles at one-tenth the 

cost of earlier models. All the space which is not taken up by 

fuel and driving mechanism is packed with electronic equip 

ment to radio back information. The low cost of the new 

model will mean a rapid expansion in research on the upper 

stratosphere. 

179

so," 

now" 

us." 

awhile." 

awhile." 

possibilities' 


GOD'S FOURTH ANSWER TO PRAYER 

We so often read that God has three answers 

to prayer: "Yes," "No" and "Wait One might 

almost think He has forms to send out for these vari 

ous answers. His variety is not so limited, but time 

cannot wither nor custom stale His infinite variety. 

I am thinking of another answer which may be 

substituted for the answer "No" or might rather be 

considered as an adjunct of each of the three men 

tioned above. 

You have all heard this story of the older sister 

who was watching the baby in an adjoining room 

when the baby set up a great howl. The mother in the 

kitchen said, "What's the matter with Johnny" Sis 

ter says, "He wants a bug." To which the mother 

says "Let him have it." Unfortunately, the bug 

which proved to be a bumble bee seems to have taken 

the mother literally and did let him have it with all 

his heart and soul and then the baby set up another 

howl larger than the first. Mother called in again 

"What's the matter The sister replies "He's 

got it." This may be a good illustration of the times 

when God answers No. 

I remember attending a church picnic Twenti 

eth-Century style in which potluck supplies were put 

on the table and the group invited to pass around and 

help themselves. Among the many dishes of maca 

roni, spaghetti, baked beans, meat loaf, meat balls, 

etc., two large plates of deviled eggs were prominent. 

One small boy concentrated on these and departed 

with a well filled plate. About that time his mother 

discovered what had happened and ran in pursuit and 

a large part of the spoils were restored to their orig 

inal places and a much wider menu selection was sub 

stituted. Now to the boy deviled eggs were eggs and 

they were nothing more, and eggs were good food, 

but that boy was asthmatic and deviled eggs were his 

allergy No. 1. To the mother they were not eggs but 

scorpions. She knew it meant not only a night of 

sickness but days of sickness and breathing would 

be a painful operation. He thought he was asking for 

eggs but she knew he was asking for scorpions. It 

was a case of "Mother knows best." 

So it is with our prayers. "God has provided 

some better thing for "Your heavenly Father 

knoweth what things ye have need of before you 

ask Him." "He is able to do exceeding abundantly 

above all that we ask or think." God whose store 

house is the unsearchable riches of Christ reserves 

the right to make substitutions on our daily 

orders 

and His substitutions are wiser and better. So in 

stead of God having but three answers, Yes, No and 

Wait awhile, He has such answers as "Yes, More al 

"No, but take this instead," "Wait "But 

what I do thou knowest not now but thou shalt know 

hereafter." 

A child gets into his mother's sewing bag where 

there are needles, pins, shears and all matter of 

lethal instruments and picks out the razor blades. 

But the wise onlooker, realizing how hard it will be 

to take anyone of them away from him, picks out the 

mending ball that has no cutting edges and tries to 

180 

concentrate his attention on it in preference to the 

other things. 

I am thinking of a home where a baby was born 

that was quite under weight. Anxiously and prayer 

fully his parents fed him with a medicine dropper, 

constantly anxious lest each day would be his last. 

After a year or more the baby began to grow but 

failed to grow normally. On the playground he was 

known as the runt or some equally obnoxious name 

and was the victim of all the bullies who couldn't 

match the boys of their own size. When he attained 

maturity he had difficulty in finding employment. 

So much so that he finally accepted the only job 

that seemed to be open to him, 

much against the re 

monstrance of his parents; and their daily prayers 

were that he might find something else. He became a 

publican or in other words a tax collector for the 

hated Roman Government. He was good in figures 

and was a success in that job if that job could ever 

be counted a success by his fellow countrymen. His 

inferiority complex found various ways for compen 

sating his consciousness of being looked down upon. 

One of these was the wealth he accumulated and he 

may not have felt too bad if part of it came from 

those who despised his image. But that very short 

ness of stature led to his ultimate triumph for he 

climbed a Sycamore tree that he might see the most 

distinguished guest Jericho ever had, who said, 

"Zachaeus, come down for today I must abide at thy 

house." 

Jericho had a "Who's Who" of unusual im 

portance for a city of its size and among the noted 

names, there was Rahab the Harlot, Hiel, the Bethelite 

who rebuilt the town after its destruction, Elijah 

and Elisha passed through there on the last day of 

Elijah's life, Blind Bartimaeus was on the list as was 

also his fellow blind man, the one who fell among 

thieves was one of its guests, and a good Samaritan. 

But most important of all was Jesus Himself, and 

who among all the list attained such honor as did 

Zachaeus Last in the alphabet, the first to grow 

from its shortest to its tallest citizen in a single day. 

Wherever his parents were on that day they must 

have, whether in Heaven or in earth, felt that now 

their prayers were answered. 

In the Greek city of Tarsus was born a child of 

unusual intelligence, his parents delighted in showing 

him off, he was such a prodigy; but that had its 

dangers, too, for he was apt to become spoiled. But 

seeing his 

they prayed that he might 

ever remain a Hebrew of the Hebrews, a Pharisee of 

the Pharisees ; they gave him all the advantages of a 

secular and religious education. They sent him to the 

feet of Gamaliel and he rose even as a young man to 

a seat in the Sanhedrin. His report cards came back 

to Tarsus with all A's and the green lights were 

showing down the street ahead. He was given the im 

portant post of being chosen as the head of the FBI 

and assigned the important duty of finding out all the 

Christians, not only in his own land but in such 

strange places as Damascus. Then suddenly this good 

home in Tarsus was shocked to learn that their son, 

Saul, had turned traitor to his cause. Comparable to 

Benedict Arnold or even worse than that, a Judas 


COVENANTER WITNESS

ever!" 

obedient." 

confess," 

The Challenge of Covenanting 

Rev. Willard McMillan 

(Saturday night address at the Grinnell Conference) 

In his farewell speech to the Israelites Moses 

reminded the people of the covenant which they 

had entered into with God at Mt. Sinai. He repeated 

again in their hearing the ten commandments which 

constituted their covenant obligations. He reminded 

them of their solemn promise, "All that the Lord 

hath spoken will we do, and be And then 

Moses said that after they had made that promise 

God had said to him, 

"I have heard the voice of the words of this 

people, which they have spoken unto thee ; they have 

well said all that they have spoken. Oh that there 

were such an heart in them, that they would fear 

Me, and keep all My commandments always, that it 

might be well with them, and with their children 

for 

God's desire for His people Israel, upon hearing 

their covenant promises, was that there were such 

an heart in them that they would keep the covenant 

and receive the blessings promised. That is God's 

desire for all His people. "O that there were such 

an heart in them!" 

In order for a covenant with God to be of any 

value those taking it must have a right attitude of 

heart. Therefore, the challenge which confronts us 

on this eve of covenant renewal is to prepare our 

hearts. 

The Challenge To Prepare Our Hearts 

Man looks on the outward appearance, but God 

looks on the heart. It is the heart of a man in which 

God is interested. For man's Creator knows that if 

a man's heart is right, the whole man is right. "Keep 

thy heart with all diligence," commands God, "for 

out of it are the issues of life." 

When Sir Walter Raleigh was asked by his 

executioner if his head were lying right on the block, 

Raleigh replied, "It matters little, my friend, how 

!" 

the head lies, provided the heart is right 

A Christian stranger coming into our midst, 

and reading our Brief Covenant would be impressed 

that we as a Church make a noble profession of 

faith, and bind ourselves to some very commendable 

obligations. But as God is in our midst, He does not 

simply read the words of the Covenant, He reads 

our hearts. 

What does God see in our hearts tonight The 

value of our covenant depends upon that. 

Ezra was one of the great leaders in the restora 

tion of Israel following her captivity. We are told 

that "the good hand of the Lord his God was upon 

him" 

and the reason why "For Ezra had perpared 

it." 

his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do 

In drawing up our covenant we have sought the law 

of the Lord. In taking the covenant we pledge our 

selves to do it. But before this we, like Ezra, must 

prepare our hearts. And if we do that we can be 

sure that "the good hand of his God" will be upon us. 

There is one element especially which is abso 

lutely essential in preparation for covenanting with 

God. That is REPENTANCE. 

On October 6, 1648, approximately five years 

March 23, 1955 

after the signing of the Solemn League and Covenant 

by the people of Scotland, the Commission of the 

Church of Scotland passed an Act which called upon 

the Church to renew the Covenant. To be used in 

that connection the Commission drew up a "Solemn 

Acknowledgment of Public Sins and Breaches of 

the Covenant," and specified that this confession of 

sin was to be read in the Churches on a day of 

solemn public humiliation and fasting before the 

covenant was renewed. Covenant renewal should al 

ways involve confession and repentance of sin. 

Samuel Rutherford was one of the famous Scot 

tish preachers of this covenanting period. One of 

Rutherford's heart-searching sermons which has 

been preserved to our day was on "The Deliverance 

of the Kirk (the Church) of God." It was based on 

that passage in Jeremiah which pictures the chil 

dren of Judah and Israel going together, weeping, 

to seek the Lord, and saying one to another, "Come, 

and let us join ourselves to the Lord in a perpetual 

covenant that shall not be forgotten." In that ser 

mon the great Scottish preacher points out, 

"They go weeping to seek the Lord . . . and truly 

a work of reformation it requires weeping And 

. . . 

it looks more like a judgment, that so few are drawn 

to repentance by this work of reformation, for the 

former breach of our covenant, and our turning away 

from the Lord." 

Rutherford brings that sermon to a close with 

the cry, "Oh, that we had hearts and eyes to seek 

!" 

Him, and to look after Him 

It was in a spirit of repentance that the Fathers 

of our Church in America drew up that Covenant 

by which we are bound the Covenant of 1871. One 

of the most eloquent and inclusive confessions of 

sin that I have read begins that Covenant. I have 

been impressed that every element of that confes 

sion is applicable to our Church of today. Four of 

its paragraphs begin with these expressions : 

"We do humbly and sincerely confess and lament .... 

We acknowledge with shame 

We mourn .... 

We humble ourselves 

And, as it draws to a close, we come to this heart 

rending cry of Daniel, "Righteousness belongeth un 

to God, and shame and confession of face unto us, 

as appears this day !" 

Realizing the need for repentance our Church 

has included in the Brief Covenant a "Confession of 

Sin." 

Notice what that confession says. 

"We humbly it begins. Our confes 

sion is made in a spirit of humility. How could it be 

anything else when we realize that our covenant is 

with the infinite, eternal, unchangeable God! It is 

when men come face to face with God that they 

realize the stuff of which they are made ; that they 

realize that they are sinful creatures, undeserving of 

which God bestows. 

the grace and mercy 

If we are not humbled in entering into this cove- 

181

covenants." 

words." 

word." 

We 

away." 

you." 

' 

nant renewal, it is indication that our eyes are blind 

ed to God, and our very act is hypocrisy. 

So in humility we make our confession. We con 

fess "that we have transgressed the Law of God." It 

has always been God's prerogative to command, be 

cause He is Lord, and man's duty to obey, because 

he is God's servant. Oscar Cullman, in his study of 

"The Earliest Christian Confessions" states that one 

of the very earliest statements of faith used among 

Christian people was this: "Jesus Christ is Lord." It 

was this very confession which brought the Chris 

tians under the persecution of the Romans. For the 

Roman State demanded of its Christian subjects the 

civic cpnfession : "Kurios Kaisar" 

"Caesar is Lord." 

But Christians young and old were willing rather 

to, be fired, as torches in the garden of Nero's palace 

or torn apart by wild beasts in the arena, than to 

deny that there is but one Lord, and that is Christ. 

Jesus Christ is Lord. That has been virtually the 

watchword of our Church. To our Nation we bear 

testimony to that truth. 

How inconsistent, then, that we should bear wit 

ness to the Kingship of Christ with our lips, and deny 

it with our lives. If Christ is Lord we owe Him noth 

ing less, in our personal walk day by day, 

than abso 

lute obedience. He Himself said, "If a man love Me, 

he will keep my And yet, which of His com 

mandments have we not broken 

We confess "that we have come short of per 

forming our duty." One aspect of our Christian duty 

is witnessing for Christ. That was Jesus' last great 

command to His followers before ascending into 

Heaven. "Ye shall be witnesses unto Me." It was with 

that command ringing in their ears that the early 

Christians set out to serve their Lord. Consequently, 

within one generation the Gospel had spread with 

amazing rapidity. 

Take the Thessalonians for example. In the first 

letter which Paul wrote back to them after being 

away for a comparatively short time he writes, "For 

from you sounded out the Word of the Lord not only 

in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place 

your faith to God-ward is spread abroad ; so that we 

need not to speak any thing." What a noble example 

to follow! But how short we have fallen from per 

forming our duty! 

Recently a fellow Covenanter pastor told me that 

one of his fairly new converts came to him after a 

congregational meeting, confused and troubled. He 

had been a growing Christian for almost a year. Wit 

nessing was a regular part of his life in Christ. He 

had joined the Covenanter Church. But after attend 

ing his first congregational meeting he came to his 

pastor bewildered. "We talked for three hours," he 

said, "about money. In the whole meeting there was 

not one word said about reaching men for Jesus 

Christ not one 

have come short of per 

forming our duty. 

We confess "that we have not measured up to 

our 

In our Covenant of 1871 we make 

some solemn promises to God. 

"Aiming to live for the glory of God as our chief 

end, we will, in reliance upon God's grace, and feeling 

our inability to perform any spiritual duty in our own 

strength, diligently 

attend to searching the Scrip- 

"Hi r*pQ 

Have you kept that covenant promise to God 

Many of us do not even read the Bible faithfully each 

day. Much less do we diligently 

attend to searching 

182\ 

the Scriptures. And yet God's promise is to the one 

who searches as for hid treasures. 

In that same paragraph of the Covenant we 

promise that we will diligently attend to religious 

conversation. But our conversation is not normally 

religious. Most of us are not living in obedience to 

God's command that we should talk of His Words 

when we sit in our houses, when we walk by the way, 

when we lie down and when we rise up. 

And is this not because we have lost intimate fel 

lowship with Christ Is it not because we do not 

meditate on His Word We are accustomed to talk 

about the things which are in our hearts, and about 

the people with whom we have intimate fellowship. 

If, then, we sincerely love Jesus Christ, if we fellow 

ship with Him, if we have Him in our hearts, his 

Name, and the things which pertain unto Him, will 

certainly be mentioned often in our conversation. But 

they are not. We have broken this promise. 

The Bible says, "When thou shalt vow a vow un 

to the Lord thy God thou shalt not slack to pay it; 

for the Lord thy God shall surely require it of thee, 

and it would be sin in thee." We confess that we have 

not measured up to our covenants. 

We confess "that too often our faith has been 

weak." 

Jesus said, "If ye have faith as a grain of 

mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Re 

move hence to yonder place ; and it shall remove ; and 

nothing shall be impossible unto Nothing shall 

be impossible Yes, those are the words of Jesus 

Christ. And we want to have an alive and growing 

church Yes, so we say. Then, can we not combine 

these two Nothing which would be for the glory of 

God as would an alive and growing church is impos 

sible to us IF we have faith. 

We confess "that our works have been ineffec 

tual." 

At one time in the history of Christianity the 

building of the Church of Christ rested on the shoul 

ders of a few hundred disciples. After the Holy Spirit 

had come upon them that same Spirit whom Christ 

has given to us they, in their generation, 

carried 

the Gospel to almost every part of the known world. 

And with tremendous results! They reproduced 

themselves hundreds of times ! .If the building of the 

Church of Christ rested upon the shoulders of the 

90 some ministers, several hundred elders and several 

thousand members of the Covenanter Church, what 

would become of the Christian Church 

Jesus told what happens when men are unfruit 

ful for Him. "Every branch in Me that beareth not 

fruit He (God) taketh And that is what is 

happening to our Church. Little by little, year by 

year, it is being taken away by God. BUT THIS CAN 

ALL BE CHANGED, IF WE WILL TRULY PRE 

PARE OUR HEARTS TO KEEP THE COVENANT 

WHICH WE ARE GOING TO RENEW. 

Our loyalty, we confess, has been wavering. 

Paul wrote to Timothy, "Endure hardness as a 

good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth 

entangleth himself with the affairs of this life ; that 

he may please him who hath chosen him to be a sol 

dier." 

But we poor soldiers that we are are con 

tinually entangling ourselves with the affairs of this 

life. We have been lacking in that singleness of heart, 

and steadfastness of spirit which would enable Christ 

to use us to accomplish great things for Him. Re 

cently my attention was called to a verse in the 

prophecy of Daniel which says, "And such as do wick 

edly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flat- 

COVENANTE2. WITNESS

earth." 

exploits." 

again.' 

much" 

words." 

rain" 

are;" 

teries: but the people that do know their God shall 

be strong, and do 

We confess our love to be too cold. In the words 

of the Confession of 1871 : "We have shown criminal 

apathy and unfaithfulness in that we have not cher 

ished love for all men, and especially for the faithful 

in Christ Jesus." God must be grieved with the in 

different attitude we display toward men about us. 

We act as though we simply do not care whether they 

know Jesus Christ or not. God is saying to us 

through his prophet Ezekiel, "When I say unto the 

wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him 

not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from 

his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked 

man shall die in his iniquity ; but his blood will I re 

quire at thine hand." 

It is a manifestation of Christian love to warn, 

with compassion, your ungodly neighbor, or relative, 

or fellow-workman, or associate in any relationship 

of life. There is blood on our hands, for complacently 

we have let them go their way to hell. 

And how much more ready should we be to love 

our brethren in Christ. "Hereby perceive we the love 

of God, because He laid down his life for us : and we 

ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." But 

how many of us, with utter self-denial, are living our 

lives entirely for others 

So it is that we must confess that knowing the 

right, we have too often done wrong. Except we re 

pent in humility and sincerity God will not be here 

to renew the covenant with us. 

It is utter folly for anyone of us to pray tonight, 

"God, I thank Thee that I am not as other men 

when our prayer should rather be, "God be merciful 

sinner!" 

to me a 

Prepare your heart this night to seek the Lord. 

Make sure that your heart is right with Him. God 

will make it right if you ask Him in a sincere prayer 

of confession and repentance. Turn to the God and 

Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, "in Whom is re 

demption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, 

grace." 

according to the riches of his 

In the midst of his great prayer of confession 

Daniel exclaimed, "To the Lord our God belong mer 

cies and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against 

Him." 

And it was after making that confession that 

an angel appeared to Daniel and said, "Fear not, 

Daniel; for from the first day that thou didst set 

thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself be 

fore thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come 

for thy Would that God might come for our 

words tomorrow. And He will, if we set our hearts to 

understand, and chasten ourselves before Him. 

God's Plan of Salvation 

NATURE AND POWER OF PRAYER EXEMPLIFIED IN ELIJAH'S LIFE 

By R. E. Robb 

Against the background of the miracle that 

came in answer to Elijah's prayers, R. E. Robb 

writes on the meaning and power of prayer. 

He describes the various phases of prayer and an 

swers the question, "Does prayer influence God " 

Faith is a necessary prerequisite to the type of pre 

vailing prayer he is describing, the Columbia trav 

eling man says. This is the 141st in a series of Bible 

studies presented in The State every Monday morn 

ing. The lessons are also given to a men's Bible class 

at the Lutheran Church of the Incarnation and now 

are being repeated on Sabbath evenings at a worship 

service in the sanctuary of Incarnation church. 

"Elijah was a man of like nature with ourselves 

and he prayed fervently that it might not rain and 

for three years and six months it did not rain on the 

(James 5:17). 

"And (Elijah cried to the Lord) '0 Lord my God, 

let this child's soul come into him And the 

Lord hearkened unto the voice of Elijah, and the 

soul of the child came into him again and he re 

vived." 

I Kings 17:21-22). 

'Answer Me, 0 Lord' 

"Elijah. . "O Lord God of Israel. . . Answer 

.said, 

me, 0 Lord, answer me. Then the fire of the Lord 

fell and consumed the burnt offering, and the wood, 

and the stones." (First Kings 18:36-38). 

"And Elijah went up to Carmel and he bowed 

himself down upon the earth and put his face be- 

March 23, 1955 

tween his knees. . 

.And in 

a little while the heavens 

grew black with clouds and wind and there was a 

great (Verses 42-45). 

Four times Elijah prayed and the immutable 

forces of nature were moved his prayers stopped 

and then started the seasonal rains, his prayer 

brought down a searing blast from the cloudless sky, 

his prayer restored a dead boy to life. 

What Is Prayer 

What is this thing called prayer, which Elijah 

used with such telling effect and which is available 

to all true followers of Christ, for He says, "The ef 

fectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth 

(The prayer of a righteous man has great 

power in its RSV) (James 5:16). Why 

effects" 

should we pray How shall we pray 

Perhaps the most understandable yet comprehen 

sive definition of prayer is found in the shorter cate 

chism, No. 98: "Prayer is an offering up of our de 

sires unto God, for things agreeable to His will, in 

the name of Christ, with confession of our sins and 

mercies." 

thankful acknowledgement of His 

The Black Sheep 

This world, among all the planets, is the black 

sheep, the prodigal. Perhaps on this planet only has 

sin found a foothold. Perhaps this is the only battle 

field where the forces of good and evil are engaged 

in a fight to the finish, where Satan is making his 

last stand although he knows that he is already 

de- 

183

spirit" 

again." 

feated. And on this field of combat God depends on 

the Christian to win the battle for Him. The battle is 

for the souls of men and God has decreed that man 

shall be a free agent, his soul cannot be coerced. But 

man is not expected, in fact is totally unable, to win 

the battle alone. Knocking at the door of his soul, 

waiting to be invited in, is the greatest power in the 

universe, God's Holy Spirit. A man or woman filled 

with that spirit and completely and fully controlled 

by that spirit, is irresistible. Nothing can stop him. 

Five Power Outlets 

There is just one source of power in our lives, 

God's Holy Spirit, but there are five power outlets by 

which He can work through us through our lives, 

what we are ; through our lips, what we say ; through 

our service, what we do; through our money, what 

we give; through our prayer, what we claim in 

Christ's name. Now the value of a life is limited to 

one spot at a time ; of 

words, to the life back of them ; 

of service, by time and distance; of money, by the 

motive for giving ; but prayer has no limits, the uni 

verse is its field of action. 

Prayer on the part of the Christian is essential 

to the working out of God's plan of salvation. God 

will do as the result of the praying of the humblest 

believer what otherwise He, the Omnipotent, could 

not do. Startling, but those are Christ's very words, 

"that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in My 

name He may do it." 

(John 15:16). God, although 

all-powerful, must have our co-operation in this fate 

ful combat, because He has willed that man shall 

fight the battle and win the world for Christ. Our 

prayer then is God's opportunity to get into the 

world that would shut Him out so that there He may, 

through us, contend with the forces of Satan. 

Radio Is a Clue 

The radio gives us a little clue as to the way 

prayer works. Each devout believer is both a re 

ceiving and a sending set. As a receiver he can, al 

ways through the action of the Holy Spirit, tune in 

on God's great sending station in heaven and receive 

all the energy he can or will accept. And then, in turn 

he can be a transmitting station, directing his power 

beam to any quarter of the globe. And where that 

beam hits, a telling blow has been struck against the 

concealed foe, the only kind of offense, repeated of 

ten enough and with enough power, inevitably puts 

him to rout. 

Or another illustration of prayer is the main 

switchboard of a city's electrical system. Into that 

center comes the power from the generating plant. 

can direct 

The operator, by merely flicking switches, 

that power wherever he chooses over the outgoing 

lines. And prayer, like electricity, is power, and 

prayer does get results. Again witness Elijah. But 

there are myriads of modern instances, things hap 

pening around us daily, for which prayer is the only 

possible explanation. 

Three Phases 

Prayer is intercourse with God and consists of 

three distinct phases. The first is communion, simply 

being tuned in, being on good and familiar terms with 

God through the blood of the cross shed for our sins. 

This communion is the basis of all prayer, it is the 

essential breath of the Christian's life. 

18 

The second phase is petition, asking for what 

we need. That includes everything, for all good things 

are from God. With our station tuned in on God, 

there is and should be a constant, almost uncon 

scious, stream of petitions going up all the time, 

and a return stream of answers and power coming 

back. "Praying always with all prayer and supplica 

tion in the (Ephesians 6:18). 

The third phase of prayer is intercession. True 

prayer never stops with oneself, it is constantly 

reaching out for others. Communion and petition 

charge the battery of our lives, intercession turns 

that power into useful work in the whole world about 

us. And those directional beams travel with the speed 

of thought. Like radar they can instantly be directed 

where we will to a sick bed in a a loved 

hospital^to 

one far away, to a struggling missionary in Liberia, 

or Japan, or China, or on the Bowery, to a President 

beset on every side to wherever the battle is the 

fiercest and the help most needed. 

Six Basic Facts 

There are six basic facts underlying prayer 

which should be noted. First The earth is the 

Lord's, His by creation and sovereign rule. Second 

God gave the dominion of the earth to man. Third 

Man, by his sin of disobedience to God and 

obedience to Satan, lost that dominion and 

automatically turned it over to the devil. Fourth 

The kingship or rulership of the earth, which was 

given to man, now belongs to Satan. Fifth Since 

man, in the person of Adam, the representative of all 

mankind, gave the earth away, God, to get it back, 

must have another representative man. And the only 

man capable of doing that, of waging successful war 

against the arch enemy, was the God-Man, Jesus 

Christ. Sixth For 33 years God's Man and the pre 

tender-prince fought a duel on and for the earth, the 

most terrific combat ever waged or witnessed. "The 

waster prince of subtilty and force" did his best and 

his worst, and finally triumphed when God's Man 

hung dead upon the Cross. But did he On the third 

day Jesus rose triumphant, victorious over Death and 

Hell, and Satan knew that he was vanquished. 

But Satan refuses to acknowledge his defeat, he 

refuses to surrender his dominion until he must, he 

has the consent of the vast majority of men to his 

control, and he still hopes to make his possession of 

the earth permanent. 

Strange Sequel 

And now comes the strange and glorious sequel 

to this battle. What does Christ the victor do "He 

has left the conflict open, left the defeated chief on 

the field so that He, Christ, may win the whole prodi 

gal race back to His Father's home circle But, 

before that is accomplished, a great pitched battle, 

the last, must be fought on the earth. Apparently 

Satan is trying hard to get a Jesus, a representative 

man who will stand for him as Jesus stood for God, 

and when he finds that man then the great final 

battle will be fought. 

"Now prayer is this : 

a man down here on this 

sin-cursed earth, his life in full touch with the Victor, 

and contending against the pretender, insistently 

claiming that Satan shall yield before Jesus' victory, 

step by step, life by life. Jesus is the victor. Satan 

knows it and fears Him. He must yield before this 

COVENANTER WITNESS

man." 

you" 

not" 

you" 

man who stands for Jesus on the earth. And he will 

yield. Reluctantly, angrily, as slowly as may be, stub 

bornly contesting every inch of ground, his clutches 

will loosen and he will go back before this Jesus 

Does Prayer Influence God 

So much for the effect of prayer on Satan and 

his deadly work in the world. Now, looking at the 

other side, 'Does prayer influence God " 

God's own words indicate that it does. "Call unto 

Me and I will answer thee and will show thee great 

and difficult things that thou knowest (Jer. 33: 

3). "Call upon Me in the day of trouble. I will deliver 

thee and thou shalt glorify Me" (Ps. 50:15). "Ask 

and it shall be given you, seek and you will find, 

knock and it shall be opened unto (Matt. 7:7). 

Does this mean that we mere humans can change 

the unchangeable decrees of God 

Answer is "Yes" and "No" 

The answer is both "No" and "Yes." God's pur 

poses are immutable but His actions can be changed 

by our petitions. "Our God has a great heart yearn 

ing after His poor prodigal world, and after 

each one on it. He longs to have the effects 

of sin removed, and the original image restored. 

(That is His purpose). Yet everything that is done 

for man must of necessity be done through man's 

will ; by his free will and So if consent." 

a man will 

call upon God, will turn his face toward God, he will 

have automatically turned away from the evil one, 

the pretender. And now, turned to and tuned in on 

God's infinite power station, the life-saving and lifegiving 

energy can flow from God through him and 

become a vital force in winning the long drawn-out 

battle here below. And God, infinitely wise and the 

very embodiment of love, wants His children to have 

blessings far "above all that we can ask or think." 

Thy Will Be Done 

But, before man can make an effective specific 

prayer, there is one prayer which must precede and 

underlie all others. That prayer is "Thy will be done." 

Let us analyse that short prayer a bit. 

Thy God, the "infinite, eternal and unchange 

able," 

the ultimate of strength, the personification 

of love, our God and Saviour. Will His all embracing 

love which planned the salvation of lost mankind eons 

before man was ever created. With infinite skill He is 

untangling the mess man has made of the earth. He 

can be trusted implicitly and completely. Be this 

little verb requires us to yield our free wills to Him 

completely, to lose self in Christ. "For me to live is 

Christ." 

(Phil. 1:21) Done Completed. "Thy will be 

freely accomplished in its whole sweep and in all its 

items." 

A Daring Prayer 

_ 

This is a daring prayer, razor sharp, an x-ray 

baring our inmost being. This prayer may completely 

change our lives. But unless this prayer is the basis 

of all of our petitions, they are worse than useless, 

mere empty, yes hypocritical, mouthings. 

With this as a necessary prerequisite, how do we 

go on to claim in prayer the wonderful promises Je 

sus gave to us. The scope of them staggers the imag- 

March 23, 1955 

ination. Note what He says. "And whatsoever ye 

shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father 

may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything 

in My name I will do it" (John 15:7) "Hitherto have 

ye asked nothing in my name ; ask and ye shall re 

ceive that your 

joy may be fulfilled" (w. 23-24) 

. 

Absolute Faith 

But, as a further prerequisite to fulfillment, Je 

sus had previously declared, that there must be abso 

lute faith. "Verily I say unto you, whosoever shall 

say unto this mountain, be thou taken up and cast 

into the sea, and shall not doubt in his heart, but 

shall believe that what he saith cometh to pass; he 

shall have it." (Mk. 11:22-24) 

It all seems beyond us. Such faith is impossible, 

such results inconceivable. It takes still another word 

from Christ to tie the whole together and bring it all 

into focus. "If you abide in Me, and My words abide 

in you, ask whatever you will and it shall be done for 

(John 15:7). 

Key to Success 

Abide is a strong word, a continuing word; it 

means moving in to stay. That is the key to a suc 

cessful life and to success in prayer, abiding with, 

dwelling in Christ ; letting His words sink deep into 

our hearts and bear fruit in our lives. 

Abide also means going along with. Jesus had 

said, "If any man would come after Me, let him deny 

himself and take up his cross and follow Me" (Matt. 

16:24). 

Are We Willing 

Are we willing to submerge our lives in Christ, 

to be completely obedient to His revealed will for us 

Can we say from the heart, "Thy will be done " Do 

we daily take up our cross, whatever it may be, and 

joyfully carry it in witness to Jesus Christ Is our 

basic fundamental desire in all the varied relation 

ships of life, to do that which will please our Sav 

iour 

If that is our goal, if we are truly and consist 

ently seeking first the kingdom of God, then our 

lives will become more and more in perfect harmony 

with Christ, and we may ask what we will and it will 

be done, because we will ask only what Christ wants. 

Then we can in faith claim the promises, and our 

prayers, which must always be in the name of Christ, 

will be answered and will become a vital force in 

bringing to fruition God's plan of salvation for lost 

mankind. For the purpose of prayer, always, is to get 

God's will done. (With grateful acknowledgement to 

Quiet Talks on Prayer by S. D. Gordon) 

GLIMPSES . . . from 

page 178 

five judges of the nine courts are Protestant, the rest are 

Roman Catholic or Jewish, and the great majority are Catho 

lic. 

American Tract Society 

The American Tract Society has distributed 13,000,000 

tracts during 1954, more than in any other year of its his 

tory. The Society has ministered to the needs of individuals, 

churches, missionaries, missions and service organizations 

for over 130 years. According to its charter the purpose of 

185

yesterday." 

words." 

ahead.' 

promoted." 

wise." 

men" 

the Society is, "To diffuse a knowledge of the Lord Jesus 

Christ as the Redeemer of sinners, and to promote the in 

terests of vital godliness and sound morality through re 

ligious tracts." 

FAMILY WIN FAMILY 

A standing order of EVANGELISM is not only 

to win the individual but also to win the FAMILY 

to Christ and the church. "He that winneth souls is 

Chicago Judge Out 

Judge Stanley Pulaski, the only Republican on the Muni 

cipal bench in Chicago, was forced out of office by a Demo 

cratic landslide on last election day. Since Labor Day, Judge 

Pulaski said, he has sentenced 1,152 men to the house of 

correction, "to dry out from the cheap wine they had been 

drinking. The cost of rehabilitating the alcoholic should be 

borne in full by the liquor, industry, which has shown no dis 

position to come to grips with the disgraceful social prob 

lems the public sale of their products has 

The 

Judge further stated that, "last year 614 men died on Skid 

Row and the record so far this year is 746." He hoped he 

had saved some lives by sending them to jail "before they 

could drink themselves to death. At least two men a day had 

convulsions in court. Some could not see they were so 

blinded by alcohol and had to feel their way to the bench. 

One fellow was a lawyer I went to school with. Another man 

earlier this week had six children. He said he wanted to 

go back to his family 

and I said 'go 



He was back 

Dwight L. Moody in one of his sermons tells of 

a Scotchman who lay desperately ill in our country. 

A minister of the Gospel called to see him and tried 

to explain to him the way of salvation, but all of 

no avail. Finally there came to the minister's mind 

a verse from God's Precious Word, Psalms 34 :32 in 

the metrical version, so dearly loved by the Scotch. 

The minister said, "There is a line in your old Scotch 

Psalter that contains the whole way of salvation. I 

don't remember the rest of the verse, but here are 

the five words, and the whole Gospel is in them 

'None perish that Him trust.' " 

The sick man's face lit up as he looked up from 

his pillow and repeated : 

"HI shall the wicked slay ; lay waste 

Shall be who hate the just. 

The Lord redeems His servant's soul ; 

None perish that Him trust." 

"That is it," said the preacher. "Believe on the 

Lord Jesus Christ. None perish that Him trust. 

Where did you learn those words " 

"My sweet mother sang them to me when I was 

a child, and they sang them in our old Church in 

Scotland. Every Scotchman knows and loves those 

"None perish that Him trust." These words 

from God's own Book awakened holy memories in 

the sick man, memories of mother and home and 

and brought him to the Saviour. 

Jesus, 

The last visit the minister made to him the 

sick man's soul was going down through the valley of 

the shadow of death. His loved ones gathered around 

him saw his lips move. His face lit up with joy 

un 

speakable and full of glory as they bent over him 

and caught his last words, "None perish that Him 

trust." 

186 


The church is in vital need of all age groups 

to carry forward her work. When the FAMILY is 

won to Christ and to the church, then we have adults 

and children, and the FAMILY working together as 

a unit for the Lord. 

Each family of the church has an opportunity 

in its community to invite and to bring another 

family to church. They befriend this family in a 

special way and in every way encourage them in the 

Christian life and worship. 

If every 

congregation would set as its goal to 

win ten new families for the church each year and 

work zealously to attain that goal, what a blessing 

it would be both to our church and our community! 

One has said the way to "discipline" your life in 

"disciplining" 

Evangelism is to be ever busy your 

life. Jesiis said, "Come ye after Me, and I will make 

you to become fishers of (Mark 1 :17). 

Will you pray that God by His Holy Spirit will 

lead you to do definite family 

evangelism Jesus 

said, "Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields ; for 

they are white already to harvest" (John 4:35). 

[Assignment of the Evangelistic Committee 

for the Covenanter Witness.] 

Frank L. Stewart 

EDITOR'S NOTES from page 180 

Iscariot. What had become of all those prayers of 

fered by his parents that he might be a good and 

even a great man Had God forsaken them The God 

who cannot lie No, He had just done far exceedingly 

abundantly above all that they asked or thought. He 

had chosen Saul as a special vessel for Himself. When 

the final books will be opened it is safe to say there 

will be few if any that will stand out as a maker of 

history, a builder of the Kingdom of God like the 

name of Paul of Tarsus. At first God had seemed to 

say "Yes" to all their prayers and then He suddenly 

"No," 

seemed to say and all the time he was saying 

awhile." 

"Wait 

Paul had a story, of his own concerning the 'No' 

answer. As he went on in the career that he had not 

chosen but had been chosen for him, he developed a 

malady that seemed to greatly hinder his usefulness. 

It was of such nature that it required the attendance 

of a physician though many a time he had been able 

to heal people by prayer for them but his own malady 

remained in spite of prayer. Three different times 

he had set apart periods, praying and fasting that he 

might be healed, and finally the answer came, "No, 

No, No. My grace shall be sufficient for thee and my 

wea 

strength shall be made perfect in your 

He became resigned to this condition; indeed he 

would not have surrendered that thorn in the flesh 

for any bodily comfort that could come, because it 

was the one thing that bound him close to God, and 

though it was a messenger from Satan to buffet him 

it drove him into the very arms of His Saviour. 

As we said at the beginning, God has an infin 

ite variety of ways of answering prayer and at no 

time is He limited to complying with the words we 

express. He is able to do far exceedingly abundantly 

above all that we ask or think. 

COVENANTER WITNESS

offenses," 

you," 

ry." 

me." 



AprU 10, 1955 

"The LIVING JESUS" 

John 6:51; 14:1-19 

Comments by Rev. Robert W. McMillan 

THE FACT HE AROSE FROM THE 

DEAD 

Standing in front of a shop window, 

a man was gazing 

upon a beautiful pic 

ture of the crucifixion. Beside him stood 

a ragged street urchin, also enrapt, stu 

dying the same picture. The man, won 

dering if the lad really understood the 

picture, asked; "Sonny, what does it 

mean" 

"Doncha know" he answered. 

"That there man is Jesus and them 

others is Roman soldiers, and the wom 

an what's cryin' 

is His mother, and 

they killed Him." After a bit the man 

walked away, but soon heard the sound 

of running feet behind him. 

Breath 

lessly the little street arab exclaimed, 

"Say, Mister, I forgot to tell you, but 

He rose again." 

"But He rose That's again." 

the point, 

young people ! He was "delivered for our 

but He was also "raised 

again for our justification" (Rom. 4:25). 

These comments are written to help 

you with your meeting on April 10 the 

day when the resurrection of Jesus 

Christ will be the central theme in 

churches everywhere. 

THE MEANING OF THE FACT 

YOU WILL. RISE TOO! 

How important is this fact that Jesus 

is not a dead martyr, but a living Sav 

iour who is even now "prepare (ing) a 

place for 

and One who will come 

again and receive you unto Himself. 

Tom Olson, writing in NOW, lists the 

staggering implications of a denial of the 

resurrection. 

"If Christ be not raised from the 

dead: 

1. Prophecy would have failed, for it 

was predicted that His body 

no corruption (Ps. 16 :10) . 

would see 

2. The apostles would have been false 

witnesses, for they said again and again 

that He arose from among the dead 

(Acts 2:32). 

3. Preaching would be so much van 

ity, for if there is no resurrection people 

may as well live as they list (I Cor. 15: 

19). 

4. Faith would be an empty thing, for 

faith in a corpse is valueless for the re 

mission of sins (I Cor. 15:17). 

5. Christian martyrs could be shown to 

have been silly characters, sacrificing 

their lives for believing something which 

never occurred (I Cor. 15:18). 

6. Death would be hopeless, for if 

March 23, 1955 

Christ did not rise certainly His follow 

ers will not (John 14:19). 

7. The hope of the Church would be 

blasted, for if Christ be not raised, how 

can He come again (I Cor. 15:23) 

8. Assurance of God's satisfaction with 

the atoning sacrifice of Christ would be 

an impossibility (Acts 17:31). 

'But now is 

Christ risen from the 

dead, and become the firstfruits of them 

that slept. For since by man came death, 

by man came also the resurrection of the 

dead' 15:20-21)." 

(I Cor. 

FOR UNBELD3VERS 

THE RESUR 

RECTION OF DAMNATION 

There is another resurrection, often 

overlooked, that the whole world should 

consider today, and every other day in 

the year. The Bible speaks not only 

about the resurrection of believers, but 

also of unbelievers. (John 5:28, 29 

"The 

hour is coming, in the which all that are 

in the graves shall come forth; they that 

have done good, unto the resurrection 

of life; and they that have done evil unto 

the resurrection of damnation.") 

The 

resurrection of damnation! T. Dewitt 

Talmadge, in his book, "The Empty 

Tomb," 

has this to say about that res 

urrection : 

"If, after the close of a night's de 

bauch, a man gets up and sits on the side 

of the bed, sick, exhausted, and horrified 

with the review of the past, or rouses up 

with delirium tremens, and sees ser 

pents crawling over him or devils danc 

ing about him 

what will be the feeling 

of a man who gets up out of his bed on 

the last morning of earth, and reviews 

an unpardoned past, and instead of im 

aginary evils crawling over him and flit 

ting before him, finds the real frights 

and pains and woes of the resurrection 

of damnation Between the styles of 

rising, choose you. I set before you, in 

God's name, two resurrected bodies. The 

one radiant, glorious, Christ-like; the 

other worn, blasted, infernal. I commend 

you to the Lord of the resurrection. Con 

fiding in Him, Death will be to you only 

the black servant that opens the door 

and the grave will be to you only the 

dressing room where you dress for glo 

JUNIOR TOPIC 

April 10, 1955 


THE VOICE IN THE FLAMES 

Scripture: Exodus Chapter 3 

Memory Verse: "Jesus saith unto him, 

I am the way, the truth, and the life : no 

man cometh unto the Father, but by 

John 14:6. 

Psalms 

Memory Psalm 103:9-12, page 244 


Psalm 95 :6-9, page 231 

Psalm 93:1-5, page 228 

If you read all of the second chapter 

of Exodus last week you learned that 

Moses was at the court of Pharaoh 

about 35 years. But because of his hasty 

action in killing the Egyptian task 

master, he fled to the wilderness, where 

he remained forty years, until the time 

of our lesson today. 

Here in the desert Moses found a 

home and became a shepherd like the 

people among whom he lived. For forty 

years God was his teacher. Moses had 

lessons to learn which neither his moth 

er nor the schools of Egypt could teach 

him. He was alone a great part of the 

time, and so had much time for quiet 

thought and meditation. We all need 

quiet times in our lives when we can 

listen to God's voice talking to us, and 

when we can talk to Him. Perhaps the 

greatest lesson that Moses learned, and 

that we need to learn, is that of self con 

trol. In the palace as the King's grand 

son he learned the lesson of the use of 

authority; in the desert with God and 

the works of God as his teacher, he 

learned the lesson of humility. 

There was yet another lesson Moses 

was to learn, it was a lesson of rev 

erence in the presence of God. On that 

day when God spoke to Moses, the sun 

rose as usual in all its brightness over 

the sandy desert and bare mountains. 

The sheep browsed as 

usual, or lay 

panting in the shadow of a great rock or 

shrub. These things were as they had 

been forty years ago; there was nothing 

to make Moses think that God was any 

nearer than in days past. Suddenly an 

ordinary bush began to shine; it seemed 

to be on fire. Moses turned aside from 

the path he was following, to better see 

a bush that was on fire but was not be 

ing consumed or destroyed by the flame. 

It was then that he heard God's voice 

calling to him, "Moses, Moses." 

Then it was that Moses learned a 

lesson in reverence to God, Exodus 3:5, 

a lesson that all of us should learn. God 

wants all His children to come into His 

presence in prayer, through His Son; 

but we are to come in humility and in 

reverence. Why When we come into 

God's house, His church, we are to be 

reverent; not loud and boisterous. Why 

Leviticus 19:30. With reverence we 

should listen to the Word of God, and 

try to hear His message. God, in the 

Bible, speaks to us through the prophets, 

187

eth." 

me." 

season." 

sight." 

manner." 

risen." 

the Psalmist, the apostles and especially 

through the words of Jesus His Son. 

Is God speaking to any of you Jun 

iors I am sure He is. Ps. 85:8. Who 

was the little boy in the Old Testament 

to whom God spoke I Sam. 3:8-10. God 

has promised to speak through His Word 

and He will keep His promise, Matt. 

14 :24. Are you reading the Word of God 

as though It was meant for you person 

ally As you hear the Bible read by oth 

ers listen to see what message there is in 

it for you. 

We can each one answer as Samuel 

did, "Speak Lord, for thy servant hear 

Moses answered God by saying, 

"Here am I," but when God told Moses 

that He planned to send him to Pharaoh, 

to demand the freedom of the Hebrew 

people, and that He had chosen him to 

lead the people out of Egypt, Moses hid 

his face. 

Just like we do, Moses made excuses 

to God, but each time God had an an 

swer. He said "certainly 

I will be with 

you." 

Moses alone could not do the great 

task God had for him, but God and 

Moses were to do it together. Don't we 

too often think of our own weakness 

rather than God's strength Moses could 

not do it alone, nor could God do it 

alone; He needed a man with whom, and 

through whom, He could work. 

When a great conqueror died, some 

who had heard of his great deeds asked 

to see the sword he had used. They were 

surprised when they 

saw how small it 

was and asked, "How could this sword 

win such victories" 

They were told, 

"You have not seen the arm that used 

it." 

Moses' 

next excuse for not answering 

God's call was, that he wouldn't know 

what to say if he were asked the name 

of God. He was told to say, "I AM 

THAT I AM." Tell the people, "I AM 

hath sent Today instead of saying 

"I AM THAT I AM," we say "Jehovah." 

The word Jehovah includes Jesus, the 

Saviour, as well as God, and it was a 

new name to the Hebrews. God told 

Moses that this was His name forever; 

His memorial to all who would come 

after. Exodus 3:15. 

Its full meaning is seen when we add 

other words to the, "I AM," and make 

it, "I AM the true Light." There are 

many others in the New Testament, and 

they all refer to Jesus our Saviour. Jun 

iors see how many you can find, and list 

them in your note book. 

References : 

Hebrews 12:9, 28; John 10:9-14; John 

6:35; John 11:25; John 8:12; John 4: 

25, 26; John 15:5. 

Questions : 

1-2. Answer the questions in the com 

ments. 

188 

3. How many 

years was Moses in 

training to become a leader 

4. Name a shepherd boy who became 

king. 1 Sam. 16 :12, 13. 

5. What excuses did Moses make to 

God What was God's promise each 

time Do you make excuses 

6. What lessons did Moses learn 

What have you learned from this lesson 


April 10, 1955 




Christian Teaching;, copyrighted by the Interna 


OUR ASSURANCE OF ETERNAL 

LD7E 

Mark 16:1-7; John 11:25-37; 14: 1-2; 

I Cor. 15 

PRINTED TEXT. Mark 16:1-7; I Cor. 

15:3-10; 53-56; 58. 

MEMORY. John 11:25, 26 "I am the 

resurrection and the life; he that be 

lieveth on me, though he were dead, 

yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth 

and believeth in me shall never die." 

Among all races and tribes of men 

there is a spiritual longing for the con 

tinuation of life beyond what is known 

on earth. Some form of after-life fills 

the imagination until it becomes a be 

lief. Then these believers picture the 

after life according to their present 

idea of pleasure or luxury, and often 

bury with the dead the implements they 

think will be needed for their pleasure 

in their future existence. The ancient 

Egyptians and the American Indians 

are a good example. At the basis of 

their hope, they have only their imagina 

tions. 

As Christians, our hope is assured by 

the promises of God's Word, and proven 

by the life after death of Jesus Christ. 

Our Heaven is not to be patterned after 

our present pleasures. A great change 

will come to us, our capacity for life 

will be on a much higher level. Our em 

ployment and pleasure will be of a much 

higher order than we can know now. 

David was sure there would be no dis 

appointment, for he said, "I shall be 

satisfied, when I awake in thy likeness." 

A small boy, delighted with the delicious 

flavor of a yellow-ripe banana, asked his 

father if there would be bananas in 

Heaven. His wise father told him that 

if he wanted bananas very much in 

Heaven, he thought they would be pro 

vided. 

Our capacity for joy in heaven will 

be influenced in measure by the joys we 

cultivate on earth. There is one joy 

that we may cultivate here that will 

help us in the higher enjoyment of 

the same exercise with saints and 

angels in Heaven; namely, fellowship 

with others in the praise of God. When 

we 

enter into the praise service in 

the church and prayer meeting, we are 

practicing for greater joy in the per 

fected praise in Heaven. 

Jesus demonstrated the resurrection 

before many 

witnesses. The witnesses 

were of all classes. He was seen ten 

times over a period of forty days. 

Thomas the investigator, was a good 

witness. He had examined Christ's 

death, and so was able to testify to His 

life. 

A student challenged his teacher by 

saying, "You can't prove that Jesus 

ever lived." The teacher said, "How do 

you know George Washington lived" 

The student replied, "Why, by the 

books and monuments that tell of his 

life." 

Then the teacher asked him if he 

had not overlooked the fact that there 

are a thousand books and monuments 

telling of Christ, for every one that tells 

of Washington. 

Mark 6:1 

Each of the four Gospel writers, gives 

a different account of Christ's appear 

do not 

ances after His death, but they 

conflict. In forty days he appeared ten 

times, then He ascended into Heaven, 

and the promise came that He would 

come again. Note the careful wording: 

Christ was taken up, "And a cloud re 

ceived Him out of their 

The 

word "sight" refers definitely to the 

physical sight by the physical eye. They 

did not see Him ascend by their physical 

eye. He will come "In like 

That is, He will not be seen by the 

physical eye. And then Christ appeared 

to Paul, as unto one "born out of due 

Perhaps it is significant that Christ 

appeared first to women after His 

resurrection, and that it was to these 

women that He gave the first commis 

sion to proclaim the Gospel of the risen 

Christ. The resurrection is the heart of 

the gospel. 

Paul said that if Christ 

did not rise from the dead, then preach 

ing and faith were empty, vain. 

The women who came early to the 

tomb expected to find the body of 

Christ there. Their disappointment at 

failing to find Him was turned into 

joy by the words, "He is The 

Christian faith is unique among religions 

in that is dares to point to an empty 

tomb as a ground of hope. No other re 

ligion dares do that. They may point to 

the graves of their founders, and in it 

are his bleaching bones. That is all the 

hope that he offers to his followers. But 

we may stoop 

down and look into an 

empty tomb, and then follow the risen 

Lord, who rose from the dead and be 

came the First Fruits of them 

slept. 

that 

One of Chapman's most popular ser 

mons was on the text; "And Peter." 

"Tell my disciples and Peter." Where 


place." 

sight." 

am." 

vinity" 

ye." 

was Peter after his denial 

count himself still a disciple 

Did he 

Christ 

would not have His attitude toward of 

fenders misunderstood. He said, "And 

Peter." 

Where the women found him, we 

do not know. But we find him again 

with the disciples, and we follow the 

story as he stood valiently for the truth 

as it is in Christ Jesus. Those two 

words, "And Peter," have brought hope 

to many sinner who thought they had 

sinned beyond hope. 

I Cor. 15:3 

Paul gives three stages in Christ's 

sacrifical work for us. He died for our 

sins; He was buried; He rose from the 

dead on the third day. All this was as 

it had been foretold in the scriptures. 

Life on the third day. Gen. 1:9; Land 

appeared above the water, and there 

was life "And it was the third day." 

Gen. 40:13; "Yet within three days shall 

Pharoah lift up thy head, and restore 

thee unto thy 

Gen. 42:18. "And 

Joseph said unto them the third day, 

This do and live." Hoshea 6:2; "And 

the third day he will raise us up, and 

we will live in his 

Jonah also 

found life after three days. That the 

resurrection on the third day 

was or 

dained for Christ could not have been 

more plainly foretold. 

Dr. Clarence McCartney sees a special 

significance in Christ's appearance to 

James and also to Peter, as recorded in 

Luke 24:34. "As between the Peter of 

the denial and the Peter of the Day of 

Pentecost, so between the James who 

did not believe in Jesus and the James 

who led the church in Jerusalem, and 

who in all probability commences the 

letter that bears his name by describ 

ing himself as 'James, the slave of the 

Lord Jesus Christ, there stands one 

great fact, the appearance unto him of 

the Lord." 

(From Peloubet's Notes.) 

Was Peter one of the two who journey 

ed to Emmaus There are many in each 

generation in the class with Peter and 

Paul who can say with Paul, "By the 

Grace of God, I am what I 

We are told so little and yet so much 

about our resurrection bodies. Two 

things are known by universal observa 

tion about our present bodies. First, they 

will die. Second, they will return to 

dust or ashes. We may delay, slightly, 

the natural death. We may retard the 

decay of the body. Still, we know that 

eventually our body will die and de 

cay. What a marvelous change, when 

these bodies have put on immortality, 

and incorruption! With Christ's resur 

rection, death lost the battle, and the 

grave has no sting. There is now no 

condemnation to them that are in Christ 

Jesus. Death has now no power to harm 

those who share in Christ's life, death, 

and resurrection. 

March 23, 1955 

I Cor. 15:27,28. 

In closing this marvelous chapter on 

the resurrection and what it means to 

us, Paul voices his thanks to God who 

gives us the victory through our Lord 

Jesus Christ; and encourages us to stand 

fast, and not allow ourselves to be 

moved from Christ, and to labor al 

ways abundantly in the Lord's work. 

And as a special encouragement he as 

sures us that our work will not be in 

vain in the Lord. 


AprU 13, 1955 

"OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN" 

Rom. 8:15-16 

Paul D. McCracken, D.D. 

Psalms 

119:1-4, page 308 

103:5-8, page 247 

68:1, 4-6, page 162 

103:11, 14, 15, page 244 

COMMENTS 

With this topic this evening we begin 

a series of nine studies on "PRAYER" 

which will follow, in general, the out 

line of the "Lord's Prayer" (Matt. 6:9- 

13), although other scripture texts will 

be used. 

Of all the material available which I 

have studied in this connection there are 

two authors which, in my judgment, are 

outstanding, and well worthwhile. The 

first is "the old reliable" Matthew Hen 

ry, and those of you (especially Prayer 

Meeting leaders) who have access to his 

commentaries, will find his material on 

the "Preface" to the Lord's Prayer very 

helpful. In my set it is Vol. V, page 42. 

The other author is the Rev. Thomas 

Watson. As a part of his "Body of Di 

he deals at length and in great 

detail, in a question and answer method, 

with the Lord's Prayer. Here are some 

of his interesting statements about the 

general introduction to the prayer, 

"After this manner therefore pray 

"Our Lord Jesus, in these words, pre 

scribed to His disciples and us a direc 

tory for prayer. The Ten Command 

ments are the rule of our life, the 

Creed is the sum of our faith, and the 

Lord's Prayer is 

prayer. Christ said not, 

the pattern of our 

'After these 

words, pray ye'; but 'After this man 

ner'; that is, let this be the rule and 

model according to which ye frame 

your prayers. As the Moral Law was 

written with the finger of God, so this 

prayer was dropped from the lips of the 

Son of God. Never was there prayer so 

admirably and curiously composed as 

this. As Solomon's Song, for its excel 

lency, is called the "Song of Songs" so 

may this well be called the 'Prayer of 

Prayers.' 

Let it be the model and pat 

tern of all our prayers." 

And now I am taking the liberty of 

passing on to you, in summary, and al 

most verbatim, his questions and an 

swers (in brief) on this subject "Our 

Father in Heaven." Look up and study 

the references. 

I. In what sense is God a Father 

1. By Creation Acts 17:28; Mai. 2:10 

(But God is also Father to devils by 

creation) 

2. By Election Eph. 1:4 

3. By Special Grace I John 3 :9 

FT. What is that which makes God our 

1. Faith Gal. 3:26 

Father 

(Any unbeliever may 

call God his 

creator and his judge, but not his 

Father) 

IDT. Wherein doth it appear that God is 

the Best Father 

1. He is the most ancient Dan. 7:9 

2. He is perfect Matt. 5:48; James 5:17 

3. In respect of Wisdom I Tim. 1:17; 

Rom. 8:28 

4. He is most loving I John 4:16; Zeph. 

3:17 

5. For riches Eph. 3 :8 

6. He can reform His children Peter, 

Mary Magdalene, Paul, etc. 

7. He never dies I Tim. 6:16; Rev. 1:8 

IV. Wherein lies the dignity of such as 

have God for their Father 

1. They have great honor and esteem 

Isa. 43:4; Mai. 3:17; Phil 4:3 

2. They have honorable titles Ps. 16:3; 

Isa. 46:13; Rev. 1:6; Rev. 6:11. 

3. They are heirs Rom. 8:16-17; Heb. 

1:14; John 14:2; Rev. 3:21 

4. They are equal in honor to the angels 

Luke 20:36 

V. How may we know God is our 

Father 

1. By having a filial disposition that 

(a) Hates sin 

(b) Shows sympathy Ps. 119:158 

(c) Loves and honors the Heavenly 

Father Mai. 1:6 

2. By resembling Him Judges 8:18; 

Col. 3:10; Ex. 15:11 

3. By having His Spirit in us Gal. 4:6; 

Acts 9:11 

VI. Wherein lies the happiness of hav 

ing God for our Father 

1. He will teach us Isa. 48:17; Ps. 17: 

17; Ps. 112:5 

2. He loves us II Cor. 1:3; Eph. 3:19; 

I Pet. 5:7 

3. He is full of sympathy Ps. 103:13 

4. He will correct us Jer. 30:11; I 

Cor. 10:13 

5. He will mingle mercy with afflic 

tion Gen. 9:13 

6. The evil one shall not prevail Rom. 

16:20 

7. No evil shall befall us Ps. 91:10; 

Luke 10:19 

189

price" 

spirit" 

glory" 

saved" 

church." 

' 

8. He will stand between us and danger 

Acts 

18:10; Ps. 27:5 

9. We shall not lack anything good for 

us Ps. 34:10; Ps. 23:1 

10. The promises of the Bible belong to 

usHeb. 6:17 

11. We are conquerors Rom. 8:37 

12. He provides a rich inheritance I 

Pet. 1:3, 4; Luke 12:32 

(There is much more which I have left 

out) 

VII. If God is our Father, then let us 

1. Believe and trust Him Luke 12:24; 

27,28 

2. Imitate Him Eph. 5:1; Eph. 4:32 

3. Submit to Him Heb. 12:9, 10 

4. Give Him reverence Mai. 1:6 

5. Walk obediently I Pet. 1:14 

6. Show cheerfulness II Sam. 13:4 

7. Live holy lives I Pet. 1:16 

8. Show brotherly love Ps. 133:1 

9. Be faithful to our calling Mark 8: 

38; Rev. 2:10 (last clause) 

THESE ARE SOME OF THE 

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND AS WE 

PRAY TO OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN. 




>^Mfcirh^ 

W. M. S. TOPIC 

For April 

THEME: NEH. 2:20 

Mrs. Roy Blackwood 

THE BUILDING: (I COR. 3:16-17) 

Herein lies great responsibility for us 

to care for what God has made, "for we 

are not our own but are bought with a 

(I Cor. 6:19-20), and are com 

manded to glorify God in our bodies and 

in our spirit. "Yield your members as 

instruments of righteousness unto God" 

(Romans 6:12, 13), and "If we live in 

the spirit, let us also walk in the 

(Gal. 5:25). 

1. OUR "LIVING LIFE" (ROM.8:l-2) 

Each person must be sure for himself 

that he is living in Christ (I Peter 1:23). 

He must not just think it, imagine or 

hope he has Christ, but he must abso 

lutely know (II Pet. 1 :10). Too, we must 

hold nothing back, but surrender all to 

Christ (Rom. 12:1). Luke 14:33 tells us 

that whoever does not forsake all he has, 

he cannot be Christ's disciple. Do not 

trifle with what is not ours as did Ana 

nias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-12). We are 

also commanded to grow, to go forward 

(Luke 9:62). This we will do if we obey 

God's commandments to feed upon His 

Word and pray daily. 

190 

2. OUR "EVERLASTING LIFE" 

(JOHN 1:12). 

God's great and precious promises of 

salvation are numerous and we are hum 

bled by so great a love as He has for 

us, unworthy as we are. Yet He brings 

us joy as we count our blessings, the 

greatest of which is the gift of His own 

Son. If we receive Jesus Christ, we shall 

not come into condemnation, but "pass 

from death unto life" (John 5:24). 

"When Christ who is our life shall ap 

pear, then shall ye also appear with Him 

in (Col. 3:4), and in Rev. 2:10 we 

are told to "be faithful unto death and 

I will give thee a crown of life." And 

"neither is there salvation in any other; 

for there is no other name under heaven 

given among men, whereby we must be 

(Acts 4:12). 

3. OUR "BEAUTIFUL LIFE" 

(I THESS. 4:1) 

The ideal Christian life pleases God 

who looks on man's heart. Outward 

beauty, though we are commanded to 

acquire neat and clean habits, is not a 

true indication of inward beauty (Matt. 

23:27). Christ is our example in this 

(Luke 2:52). Through repentance we are 

inwardly cleansed (Acts 3:19; Isa. 1:18). 

Look over the list of fruits one can have 

by having the Spirit of the Lord dwell in 

him richly (Gal. 5:22-23). Are these 

not the ingredients of a truly beautiful 

life 

4. OUR "USEFUL LIFE" 

(JAMES 1:22) (TITUS 3:8) 

What service do we render unto God 

Is it enough Have we yielded our All to 

Him Are we following God's rules for 

daily living God can heal our backslid 

ing (Hosea 14:4), but we should check 

our prayer life (Luke 21:36); our Bible 

Study (Acts 17:11); and our service 

(Acts 5:42; Mark 5:19, 20). Have we 

been building as we should "THERE 

FORE WE HIS SERVANTS WILL 

ARISE AND BUILD" (NEH. 2:20). 

A Meditation for you 

from the Psalms in A B C's. 

As for me I will call upon the Lord . . 

55:16 

Be glad in the Lord ... 32 :11 

Create in me a clean heart . . . 51 :10 

Delight thyself in the Lord ... 37 :4 

Every day will I bless thee . . . 145 :2 

Fret not thyself ... 37:1 

God is our refuge and our strength . . . 

46:1 

Hold thou me up and I shall be safe . . . 

119:117 

In thy name we will rejoice all the day 

... 89:16 

Justice and judgment are the habitation 

of Thy throne ... 89 :14 

Keep me as the apple of the eye ... 17 :8 

Let the words of my mouth be accept 

able... 19:14 

My meditation of Him shall be sweet . . . 

104:34 

Not unto us, but unto Thy Name give 

... 

glory 115 :1 

Order my steps in Thy Word . . . 119:133 

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the 

death of His saints . . . 116:15 

Quicken me after Thy lovingkindness 

... 119:88 

Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous . . . 

97:12 

Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth 

... 141:3 

The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant 

places ... 16 :6 

Unless the Lord had been my help 

. 

94:17 

. . 

Verily the Lord hath heard me ... 66:19 

Why art thou cast down, O my soul 

... 42:11 

Xcept the Lord build the house they 

labor in vain . . . 127:1 

Yea though I walk through the valley 

... I shall fear no evil . . . 23 :4 

Zion heard and was glad, and the daugh 

ters rejoiced ... 97 :8 

AN OPEN LETTER FROM ABROAD 

P. O. Box 167 

Nicosia, Cyprus. 

7th March, 1955 

Dear Editor, 

It may seem a bit late to reply to the 

anonymous open letter in the COVE 

NANTER WITNESS 'of 22nd December, 

1954; but our issues do not arrive either 

promptly or regularly, so I hope I may 

have the opportunity to say a word on a 

very important subject. 

I would like to second the remark on 

the value of "Tither's Corner." If it is 

good to preach from the pulpit on the 

tithe, it is better for one tither to share 

his joy with another. Paul speaks of 

what "every joint" supplies to the ma 

turity of the church (Eph. 4:15, 16). We 

would grow up in our Head more rapid 

ly, happily, enthusiastically if we heard 

more expressions of this kind from the 

pews. 

This letter raises the important ques 

tion of how much liberty the individual 

member or congregation in the Covenan 

ter church has in saying how his tithe 

will be spent. It states that since oppor 

tunity is not given within the Budget for 

individuals or congregations to give to 

certain items in which they may be 

specially interested, "their only recourse 

is to give outside the 

And then, 

"There are single congregations in our 

church that could easily support another 

missionary to Japan over and above 

their regular contributions if they were 

permitted to give direct to this purpose 

at once." 

That sounds like a bit of over-state 

ment, but would it were true! Why don't 

said congregations put in print their of 

fer to pay their share of the Budget and 

then pay the salary of a missionary on 


mentation" 

you." 

April 1 after the Budget has been paid 

in full It must not be forgotten, of 

course, that this means paying the mis 

sionary's salary annually, for the Bud 

get of the foreign Mission Board will 

have to include the salary and field ex 

penses of that missionary from then on, 

and that in addition to its present bud 

get. 

"Anonymous" 

recognizes the New 

Testament system of church government 

and planning when he says "The burden 

of responsibility should rest heavily on 

our church, especially in regard to those 

who have not heard." But then he calls 

budgeting, which is a practical plan to 

carry out accepted responsibility, "regi 

as though it were something 

quite unacceptable. Presbyterianism 

means unified faith and action in sub 

mission one to another and to the body 

in the Lord. If the church did not have a 

programme of specific activities, she 

would be guilty 

of a mere theoretical 

obedience to the Great Commission. If 

the church understands her task to in 

volve certain activities, she must ex 

pedite them. Obedience, like love, must 

be in deed and in truth, not in word 

and in tongue only 

(1 John 3:18). That 

cannot help but mean a certain amount 

of "regimentation". 

Another possibility 

is that the letter 

speaks for one or some who believe that 

the Covenanter Church should be spend 

ing a greater percentage of her annual 

Budget on missions. If so, possibly the 

right line of action would be fof these 

people to use their influence in Synod to 

increase the amount set aside for For 

eign Missions. 

However, the letter states that the 

salaries of several missionaries are be 

ing 

withheld from the channels of the 

church because those who might give it 

are not satisfied that the Budget rep 

resents the task God has given the Cove 

nanter Church. To be specific, it is not 

as "evangelistic" as it should be. This 

makes us ask what the Great Commis 

sion is. "Make disciples .... baptize 

teaching 

them to observe all things 

whatsoever I have 

commanded 

There is a prevalent idea today that 

"evangelism" 

is the activity of getting 

sinners to confess Christ, and nothing 

more. But the Great Commission is as 

wide as The Christian Amendment 

Movement and teaching young Chris 

tians not to collect 

"souvenir" 

towels 

from all the hotels and conference 

grounds they visit. Let us not be de 

ceived by the astounding budgets of 

certain "missionary" churches for for 

eign Missions. What are they doing 

about the rest of the Great Commission 

There is, however, a legitimate form 

of the question raised, it seems to me: 

"Is the Covenanter Church, in her Bud- 

March 23, 1955 

Church News 

We beg leave to advise some 300 sub 

scribers that their subscriptions have not 

yet reached our office for the current 

year. The fiscal year is closing this week. 

Your cooperation will be much appreci 

ated. Managing Editor. 

WANTED Teachers! 

With a fastgrowing 

school population, California 

is always in need of good teachers. If 

you'd like to teach in California, give 

San Diego your prayerful consideration. 

We have a growing 

congregation and 

need earnest Christian workers in our 

get, giving expression to what God has 

commanded her to do, or is she adapt 

ing 

her task to her assumed financial 

ability It has appeared that Budget 

making was the task of whittling down 

the estimates made by the various 

Boards to a figure that we could reason 

ably expect to raise. When God said to 

the church at Antioch, "Separate me 

Barnabas and Saul for the work . . . 

they did not ask if there was sufficient 

surplus in the treasury to warrant the 

venture. God never pdints out a task 

without providing the means for carry 

ing it out. And His tasks are always be 

yond the expected human capacity. The 

church whose task is not greater than 

expect to accomplish can hardly 

she may 

be said to have received it from God. I 

should like to make this suggestion to 

the Co-ordinating Committee and the 

Synod, that they approach the Budget 

from the question, "What is necessary to 

carry out the task God has commanded 

the Covenanter Church to do" When 

fasting and praying has made clear the 

task God wants of us, then declare it 

to the church with a statement of what 

is necessary to carry it out, and trust 

God to supply through the members of 

the church all that is necessary for that 

task. He has promised to make all grace 

abound toward us, that we having all 

sufficiency may 

abound to every good 

work (2 Cor. 9:8). It is conceiveable that 

this proceedure would produce a budget 

$20,000 greater than that set for the 

present fiscal year. And it is possible 

that the God who gives such an in 

creased task to His Covenanted Zion 

should reward such fidelity in Him by 

pouring 

out such a blessing upon us 

that there would not be room to receive 

it! "Without faith it is impossible to 

please Him." 


E. C. Copeland. 

group here. There are a number of fine 

public school systems in our metropoli 

tan area as well as colleges. For further 

information, write the pastor, J. D. Ed 

gar, 10140' Crestview Heights, La Mesa, 

California, giving your qualifications. 

SAN DH5GO, CALD7. 

Thirteen new members were received 

into the fellowship of our congregation 

last Sabbath: Mr. and Mrs. Howard 

Riggs, Charles Riggs, Evelyn Riggs, 

James Riggs, Peggy Cowell, Mr. and 

Mrs. Roy Bernhardt, Mr. and Mrs. 

James Riggin, Mr. James May, Sr., and 

Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Smith. This is a 

25 per cent increase in the member 

ship of our congregation and the second 

group to be received since we were or 

ganized less than a year ago. Others 

expect to join soon. 

In addition to the thirteen received 

into the full membership of the congre 

gation, four others were baptized Lin 

da Riggs, Leonard Riggs, Stanley Riggin, 

and Ricky Bernhardt. 

Letters have been received from vari 

ous parts of the church saying there 

hasn't been much news about San Diego 

in the Witness for sometime. Mission 

news can't very 

well be reported in 

news briefs, so we've just refrained 

from sending news to the Witness. But 

we have been in the news as those who 

read CHRISTIAN LIFE magazine 

know! 

Quite a number who noticed the news 

there that our Bible School won first 

place in the International S. S. Atten 

dance Contest have written to congratu 

late us. Participation in this contest was 

the high point in our fall activity. Our 

attendance increased from an average of 

95 the preceding year to an average of 

226 during the six weeks of the contest, 

with a high of 265 the last day of the 

contest. A tremendous amount of work 

went into the effort to bring this about 

6,300 invitations by mail, 3,100 per 

sonal invitations, and other advertising. 

We hope to keep 

our average atten 

dance around 200 even though this ex 

ceeds the capacity of our building and 

forces us to use garages and a tent to 

provide sufficient classrooms. We now 

have 17 classes a nursery class for 2 

and 3-year-olds, a 4-year-old class, 2 kin 

dergarten classes, 2 first grades, 2 sec 

ond grades, 2 thirds, 2 fourths, a com 

bined fifth and sixth, a seventh grade, a 

combined eighth and ninth, a Senior Hi, 

and an adult class. 

191

An attendance of 20 to 23 in the fifth 

and sixth grade class makes it necessary 

to divide this into two classes at the 

beginning 

Promotion Day, we'll also find it neces 

sary to divide 

of next quarter. With our next 

the eighth and ninth 

grade class, thus adding the necessity of 

finding 

even more classrooms, not to 

mention more teachers! 

Before our S. S. Contest was even 

over, the Lord had started a Building 

Fund to help provide the additional 

classrooms that we need to take care of 

our enlarged Bible School. It has grown 

bit by bit until we now have about 

$1,000 in this fund. It will require con 

siderably more to even buy the materials 

if we do all the work, but a Building 

Committee has been appointed to con 

sider our basic needs. 

Our pastor, Dr. J. D. Edgar, is now 

enjoying a much needed vacation, visit 

ing children, sisters, and brother in the 

Mid-west, South, and East. He expects 

to be gone six weeks. Licentiate Mar 

shall Smith has taken over his duties 

during his absence. 

HEBRON CONGREGATION 

We rejoice that we are once again 

having regular preaching services and 

thank God that he has sent Mr. Milton 

Harrington to be our pastor. He is now 

living in the parsonage at Idana. 

On February 4, the congregation en 

joyed a bountiful supper at the church 

to welcome Mr. Harrington and to hear 

Rev. Sam Boyle, who showed interesting 

pictures and gave an inspiring message. 

After the program Mr. Harrington was 

given a shower of things to help outfit 

his kitchen at the parsonage. 

Mr. and Mrs. John Greenlee have wel 

comed into their home a baby boy who 

will answer to the name of Roland Lynn. 

The W.M.S. and the Blue Banner So 

ciety 

sponsored a temperance program 

recently. Two interesting films were 

shown and a pantomime, "The Nail 

Family," 

was given by the Juniors. 

Mrs. Byron McMahan recently under 

went an operation and we are thankful 

that she is now improving 

each day. 

Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Bennett and 

family 

visited with Mrs. Bennett's par 

ents, Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Copeland, 

and worshiped at Hebron on February 

27. 

The Hebron W.M.S. met with Mrs. 

Dale McMahan on March 2, with Mrs. 

Jack Dunn as co-hostess for a noon 

luncheon. These officers for 1955 were 

elected Mrs. Raymond Milroy, presi 

dent; Mrs. Clyde Goodin, vice-president; 

Mrs. Harold Milligan, recording secre 

tary; Mrs. Clarence Milligan, corres 

ponding secretary; and Mrs. John 

Greenlee, treasurer. 

192 

SEATTLE 

The baptism of Shaun E. Collins, 2, 

and James Kevin Collins, 3 months, 

daughter and son of Mr. and Mrs. E. G. 

Collins was performed Sabbath morning, 

February 27. 

Washington's Birthday, February 22, 

saw a good representation of the Seattle 

Congregation journeying North to Burl 

ington, Washington, for a pot luck lunch 

at the home of Rev. and Mrs. Robert 

McConachie. The occasion was in honor 

of Ronald Lee Dunn, grandson of the 

McConachies and son of Mr. and Mrs. 

Robert Dunn (June McConachie). The 

parents were presented with a baby shoe 

bank with contributions enclosed. 

World's Day of Prayer, February 25, 

was observed with an afternoon meeting 

at the home of Mrs. Eleanor Jameson. 

An excellent meeting was led by Mrs. 

Verd Dunn. We are pleased to announce 

the new officers for the coming year 

for W.M.S. : President, Mrs. Betty Dunn; 

Vice President, Miss Jean Diel; Secre 

tary, Mrs. Pauline Crozier; Treasurer, 

Mrs. Eleanor Jameson; Corresponding 

Secretary, Mrs. Gladys Smith. 

SANTA ANA 

Our Thank offering Service was Fri 

day evening, February 11. Following a 

church supper, Miss McElroy showed 

slide pictures of the Syrian field. Our 

offering was $237.25. On Sabbath, at 

the beginning of Sabbath School, Miss 

McCrea spoke briefly of her work in 

Cyprus. At the worship 'service Miss 

McElroy, with the aid of maps, told of 

her work among the Aloweets. 

The 16th, Miss Mae Allen was our 

Prayer Meeting leader. 

The 25th, we observed the World Day 

of Prayer in our church 1:00 to 2:00 

p.m. A good meeting. 

During February while renovating 

the church, our worship services were 

held in the basement. Still work to do, 

but we are again using the auditorium 

and first floor rooms. 

March 5, church supper, farewell for 

the Rubb family who are moving to 

Tehachipe, where he has work. We will 

miss them. Miss McCrea showed slides, 

and on Sabbath A.M. gave a splendid re 

port of the work in Cyprus, and in the 

evening gave recordings. It has been a 

great blessing to have these faithful 

workers in the service of the Lord, with 

us. May God richly reward them. 

Our S. S. collection March 6 was to 

help send a new missionary to Japan. 

Collection $65.00, the W.M.S. gave 

$30.00, Berean Class $5.00, Total $100.00. 

MORNING SUN 

Mrs. Fred Johnson was hostess for 

W.M.S. in March, Mrs. Maurice Hutche 

son was leader, and Mrs. Ralph Todd 

was leader of Mission Study. Johnson's 

farm is the site where the first Covenan 

ters of Morning Sun vicinity held their 

church services in a large barn, belong 

ing to McElhinney's. Officers for the 

new year are: President, Mrs. Milford 

Todd; Vice President, Mrs. Zenas Mc 

Murtry; Recording Secretary, Mrs. 

Ralph Todd; Corresponding Secretary, 

Mrs. Walter Hutcheson; Treasurer, Mrs. 

Merritt McElhinney. 

Mrs. Curtis Royer, our precentor has 

been absent several Sabbaths due to 

sickness. 

Mr. Wilbur McElroy 

of Topeka visited 

with his father and brother's family en 

route home from Atlantic City, N. J., 

where he attended a School Principals 

convention. 

Rev. H. G. Patterson left this week 

to preach in Topeka. 

Those from Morning Sun and Sharon 

congregations interested in promoting a 

Daily Vacation Bible School will meet 

at the Sharon parsonage Tuesday eve 

ning. Four years ago no Bible School 

had been held for ten years in our com 

munity, but last year there were two 

other Bible Schools held. 

Another February birthday 

of im 

portance to TmRD PfflLADELPHIA 

Congregation was observed on February 

3 by the Rev. George W. Price, our 

minister. He and Mrs. Price also recent 

ly celebrated their third wedding anni 

versary. We wish these young folks 

many happy years, and pray 

richest blessings upon them and the 

our Lord's 

work they have undertaken for Him. 

A NOTE OF THANKS 

It was announced as a covered dish 

supper for the older adults at the Matt 

Chestnut home, but when the hostess 

suggested that we wait until later in the 

evening for dessert, things began to look 

a wee bit suspicious. Sure enough, at 

eight o'clock the pastor and wife were 

called to the door to be greeted by the 

younger members of the congregation. 

Pretty soon, like Daniel, we were cast 

into a 'den' but this was a den filled 

with delectable foodstuffs instead of 

lions. Many hands helped load the haul 

into the pastor's car, and we were sent 

home rejoicing. 

Thank you, Fresno congregation! 

Robert and Jadwiga McMillan 

COVENANTER WITNESS

ECHOES NUMBER 


THE FIELD IS THE WORLD, 

THE S:D IS THE WORD OP GOD 

* 


The Reverend Professor John Ramsey, LL.B.

The 

sober." 

new." 



Catholics Would Take Land 

The Legislature of Quebec has refused to allow the 

Benedictines of St. Benoit du Lac to expropriate land sur 

rounding their monastery for the second time. Most of this 

land is owned by Protestants and if they could get the land 

the people on it would be subject to the rules dictated by the 

abbey. Even the Province of Quebec, though dominated by 

Catholics, has not had the effrontery to approve such a 

project. If it were approved the Supreme Court of the Do 

minion would not sustain the act of the Province of Quebec. 

Money for New Churches 

During 1954 churches in the U.S. spent more than $588,- 

000,000 for new buildings, according to the department of 

Commerce and Labor. 

Parental Responsibilities 

A survey is to be undertaken on "The Responsible 

Christian Family" in preparation for May Fellowship Day, 

May 6. Church women over the country are to study their 

own and other families to find the answer to two main 

questions : 

1. How can Christian parents teach their chil 

dren to be good neighbors and good citizens 2. How many 

Christian parents are accepting their own responsibilities in 

church and community life They can easily find answers to 

these and other family problems in the Word of God. 

Honor to Mr. Graham 

The Freedoms Foundation in a ceremony at Valley 

Forge, Pa., gave a $1,000 special award and a George Wash 

ington honor medal to the Rev. Billy Graham. The Founda 

tion gave him this award for his "stirring works for the 

Godliness of people everywhere and for the faith which the 

atheist world conspires to destroy. In the ebb and flow of 

human life few men in recorded history have so captured the 

spiritual interest of multitudes as has Reverend Billy Gra 

ham." 

Bishop Opposes Bingo 

"The church has no business seeking a special privilege 

to promote gambling, 

and the State has no business, under 

our doctrine of separation of Church and State, offering to 

the church a special exemption from moral restrictions im 

posed on the citizens 

generally." 

Thus spoke the Protestant 

Episcopal Bishop H. W. B. Donegan of New York in a pro 

test to the New York State Legislature against efforts to 

legalize bingo for religious and charitable purposes. 

Opposition to Harlan 

The nomination of J. M. Harlan to the Supreme Court 

was sent to the Senate during last November. The Senate 

Judiciary Committee has opened hearings on his suitability. 

Some Southern senators have given fictitious reasons for 

opposing his appointment, but the real reason seems to be 

that they want to delay the effort to carry out the Supreme 

Court's decision against segregation in the public schools. 

The court cannot hold the hearings it has promised to hold 

until it has full roster of nine justices. Yet these senators 

have taken an oath to support the Constitution and to pro 

mote liberty. 

194 

Beer Intoxicating 

The sheriff of Scott County, Minn., suggested to the 

House Committee on law enforcement of the state that the 

legislature pass a law declaring 3.2 beer to be intoxicating. 

This would affect beer taverns and many drug and grocery 

stores. It has been said that many of the sheriff's woes stem 

from beer and its association with minors. Can any good 

reason be given why 3.2 beer should not be declared intoxi 

cating when, as a matter of fact, many thousands of men are 

intoxicated with beer A slogan like this has been published: 

"A pretty good rule for a feller to follow is never to take 

a drink while he is 

Campaign in Scotland 

Perhaps before this appears in print, on March 21, Billy 

Graham will have begun one of his largest evangelistic cam 

paigns in Glasgow, Scotland. The "Tell Scotland" movement, 

sponsors of the Graham campaign, has arranged for some of 

the Glasgow meetings to be heard in Edinburgh over a tele 

phone hookup. Arrangements are being made both to hear 

and see the evangelist in various parts of the British Isles. 

Was He Great 

Sir Arthur Keith was called a great anthropologist. His 

views have been quoted in many scientific books and maga 

zines, even in medical books. He died recently at the age of 

89, and we wonder where his spirit is now. He was an out 

standing advocate of the theory 

live without God and without hope in the world. He was 

of evolution and seemed to 

made president of the British Association for the Advance 

ment of Science in 1927, and at that time affirmed that the 

life of man was just like the light of a candle; when the light 

was put out that was the end. His view was that man had 

evolved from the lower animals by a natural and ascending 

process. This theory rules out the truth of the Bible of the 

direct creation of man by the power of God, the fact of the 

fall of man, the origin of sin, and by implication there would 

be no Saviour for there would be no need of one. To sum it 

up, his belief or unbelief is that of an atheist. Is an atheist 

great The Bible says, "The fool hath said in his heart, 

there is no God." The New Shorter Catechism 

The Church of Scotland, in the new revised draft of the 

Shorter Catechism- leaves out entirely the question, "What 

is God" The editor of The Evangelical Christian, after 

reading the new draft of the Catechism says : "There are few 

improvements that we can discern in the new over the old 

and many that are to be deplored. It seems to us that the 

new is a poor, weak thing of emasculated doctrine and tenu 

ous theology compared with the sinewy 

strength of the old 

Catechism in which we, with many others of our readers, were 

nourished. It was one of the great stalwarts of the Presby 

terian Church in Canada, the late Dr. R. P. MacKay, who 

once told the writer that he valued his knowledge of the 

Shorter Catechism above his university course, and that if 

he had to make a choice between the two he would choose 

the former .... new draft is to be submitted to the 

General Assembly of the Church of Scotland when it meets 

in Edinburg in May. Jt will be a sorry day for Scotland 

should this great little compendium of moral and spiritual 

theology be discarded in favor of the 

COVENANTER WITNESS


By Prof. William H. RusseU, Ph.D. 

EXPLOSIVE DOCUMENTS 

Our State Department's publication of the long-secret 

Yalta papers has touched off a political storm both at home 

and abroad. Democrats claim that there was no reason for 

releasing the documents at this time, except to try to dis 

credit Franklin Roosevelt and the Democratic party. They 

also charge that it will make other nations less free in 

their future negotiations with us. The Republicans will dig 

diligently for material which they can use in next year's 

campaign, but they do not seem likely to find much. We 

would respectfully suggest that whatever his faults, Frank 

lin D. Roosevelt died ten years ago and the Republicans may 

as well stop running against him. 

The British Foreign Office disapproves of the publica 

tion while Churchill and other participants are still living. 

Churchill himself was displeased, though the documents 

show that his judgment was often better than Roosevelt's. 

The British may publish their own version. Our State De 

partment also has papers of the Potsdam and Teheran con 

ferences, but is not likely to publish them until the present 

controversy dies down. 

REVISITING YALTA 

The Yalta papers reveal nothing new about the basic 

decisions made at the conference, but it is interesting to 

learn of the thinking and bargaining which determined some 

of those decisions. Neither Churchill nor Roosevelt wanted 

to hold the conference in Russia, but Stalin insisted. Stalin 

and Churchill were the main antagonists; Roosevelt showed 

little vigor and often acted as mediator between the two. 

Our disastrous concessions to Russia in the Far East were 

based on the belief that even with Russian aid and the 

atomic bomb, it would take eighteen months after the fall 

of Germany to conquer Japan. U. S. and British representa 

tives assumed that Russian help was essential and that the 

wartime coalition must be kept together to make peace. 

There was little controversy 

over the Far Eastern conces 

sions, but Roosevelt promised to secure the "concurrence" of 

Chiang Kai-shek. The newly-released papers show that Rus 

sia asked for quite a bit more than she got at Yalta, such as 

concessions in Turkey and Iran, and more reparations from 

Germany. 

The Yalta agreements would not have been so bad if 

carried out in good faith, but we obtained no guarantees 

from the Russians. They promised free elections in Poland, 

for example, but never held them. Another mistake of Eng 

land and America was the failure to coordinate their aims 

beforehand and maintain a unified policy during the nego 

tiations. The final step 

which turned Yalta into a disaster 

was the one-sided disarmament of the West after the war. 

Since 1947 our government has been in the process of cor 

recting these errors. 

DOLLARS FOR ASIA 

Harold Stassen, Foreign Operations Administrator, has 

spent the past year working out the Administration program 

of economic aid to Asia. This has involved many compromis 

es, for the Treasury Department wants to balance the 

budget while the State Department advocates a big economic 

buildup to strengthen our position in the Orient. The final 

recommendation, which President Eisenhower will present 

to Congress, is for an appropriation of $915 million in tech 

nical and economic aid for the countries of "free Asia." This 

is about $200 million more than was appropriated for this 

year, and the request will face rough going in Congress. 

DISARMAMENT CHIEF 

On June 30 the Foreign Operations Administration will 

expire, and the State Department will take over its work.. 

Harold Stassen will step into a new position as special assis 

tant to President Eisenhower on disarmament. This post 

will have cabinet rank, and other nations may 

now create 

similar officials to consult with Stassen. However, the pros 

pects in this field are not bright. In February a U. N. Dis 

armament Commission held meetings in London, but made 

no progress. The Russians insisted on the complete pro 

hibition of atomic weapons, which would leave them superior 

in conventional armaments. They also refused to permit any 

workable plan of inspection to enforce the atomic ban. 

SUPREME BENCH FILLED 

The Senate has confirmed the nomination of 

John 

Marshall Harlan as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, 

to fill the vacancy created last October by the death of Rob 

ert H. Jackson. Harlan's approval was held up for several 

weeks by a few bitter opponents in the Senate Judiciary 

Committee. They charged that Harlan was in favor of world 

government and might make decisions which would weaken 

American sovereignty. Harlan satisfied most of the Sena 

tors on this point, but quite properly refused to say how he 

might decide on future cases. Some Southerners helped 

delay his confirmation in order to put off the Supreme Court 

hearings on the means of implementing school desegregation. 

Nine Southern Democrats and two Republicans voted against 

Harlan. 

TAXES AND POLITICS 

One of the bitterest political fights in this session of 

Congress seems due to end in an Administration victory. 







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March, :;30,T9$5j 195

peace." 

months' 

years' 

man," 

Jerry-Building 

By tiie late Rev. John Ramsey, LL.B. 

WHERE IS THE DAUBING WHEREWITH YE HAVE 

DAUBED IT" Ezekiel 13:12. 

Our tender susceptibilities are sometimes 

shocked with the "rude" language of the prophets. 

We are more inclined to be shocked with the lan 

guage than with the sin it speaks of. We blush not 

for the action, but for the discovery of it, and for the 

words in which its uncleanness is set forth. If God 

only set forth our sins as 

they really are, could we 

stand the language appropriate The prophets spoke 

boldly and often baldly. The aristocratic and cultured 

Ezekiel was forced to use the street drab and the 

cow's droppings in a way, no doubt, to shock the 

dainty and fastidious sinners of his day. But it was 

to make them realize the filth of their unclean souls. 

The delicate and highly-refined and fashionablydressed 

sinners recoiled, no doubt, from the "rude" 

language of the prophet, little dreaming how God was 

recoiling from them. Ezekiel had done some strange 

things before the people. A common tile and an iron 

pan had let them see the fate of their glorious capi 

tal. The prophet, lying for a period of many days 

first on one side, and then on the other, pictured to 

them the weighty burden of their sins. Weighed 

bread and measured water told them of dearth and 

drought. The quality of the bread and the mode of its 

cooking were such as to suggest the most terrible 

privations that man could suffer. The work of the 

barber and of the furniture remover were alike 

pressed into the service as affording needed teaching. 

And anon it is the "jerry-builder" that pays tribute 

to the instruction of Israel. A wall has been built of 

ill-dressed, ill-fitting stones. The foundation is bad 

and the superstructure worthless. A push or a blast 

of wind would level it to the ground. But, to cover 

all defects and make a good show in the sight of the 

ignorant and uncritical, a coating of plaster has been 

laid on the insecure structure. And the plaster is as 

bad as the wall, for it is nothing but mud that cannot 

take bond, and when the rain and storm come it will 

run as mud to the road it was taken from, and the 

wall will become a heap of stones. Under this strik 

ingly suggestive and belittling figure Ezekiel exposes 

the teaching of the false prophets. They had been 

preaching and prophesying "peace"; but God said, 

"there is no They had frequently pointed to 

the prosperity of the times. The Jews were generally 

and in 

a wealthy and prosperous race. Then, as now, 

all ages, they could lay down uncounted gold as the 

price of their ransom from trouble. The times were 

joyous feasting and dancing, singing and flirting 

were the 

whiled away the gay and happy hours. They 

days of a "Merrie Monarch." He would be a miserable 

croaker who would break in on such a mirthful com 

munity with words of reproach and condemnation. 

If such a man as Nebuchadnezzar existed and such an 

empire as Babylon, what had these to do with pros 

perous and happy Judah "Let us eat and drink, for 

*Sermon preached at the opening of the Reformed Pres 

byterian Synod of Ireland, at Belfast, on Monday evening, 

21st June, 1915. 

196 

to-morrow we die." The result was a deluded people 

going on in ignorance and blindness, drifting to their 

doom, and that doom just upon them. Ezekiel comes 

to them with God's message a very different one 

from that of the false prophets. He tells them of fail 

ure and widespread ruin, of pestilence and famine, 

and of the worst of all national calamities war. Dav 

id read the balance correctly, when, saying, "Let us 

fall now into the hand of the Lord ; for His mercies 

are great : and let me not fall into the hand of 

he chose three days' pestilence in preference to three 

war or seven famine. It is not, we 

trust, in the spirit of the Pharisee nor in that of Cas 

sandra of the old Greek legends that we would look 

on these words now and send forth their message. 

The Jeremiad is God's and the message of to-day is to 

a sinful world and sinning 

people. We look with sor 

row and disappointment and dismay on many a 

tottering fence and bowing wall that we and others 

foolishly imagined to be strong and beautiful. And as 

we look God is saying to us, "Where is the daubing 

wherewith ye have daubed it " 

I. We Have Modern Instances of Prophetical Lies 

and Daubings with Untempered Mortar. 

(a) We have had the theory often propounded 

that there can never again be persecution for reli 

gious opinions. Intolerance was a dark thing of the 

Middle Ages. The world has advanced centuries in 

time and in improvement from the days of Sharp and 

Claverhouse, of Alva and Philip II. Every Church 

and every creed and every nation partakes of the 

general improvement. Men are more civilized and 

could not now look with anything but horror on the 

sufferings of their fellow-men. Far from wishing to 

inflict pain, man is now more anxious to relieve the 

troubles of those in distress. Education has come to 

open and broaden the mind of men and to lead them 

to recognize the good in one another and in one an 

other's religion. And there is good in every religion 

so much so that the differences are not anything to 

quarrel over. Even if an attempt was made in any 

one nation to persecute any particular religious com 

munity, there is enough kindliness and sense of fair 

ness in the other nations of the world to compel 

them to step in and say, "This shall not be ; every 

opinion 

man has the right to his own religious 

Thus it has been proved to a demonstration that per 

secution is for ever dead. We need no longer fear the 

Roman Antichrist or the Mohammedan false prophet, 

for these have become the gentlest of persuaders. 

(b) And it is equally plain that poverty and 

hard work are nearly ended, and that a solution of 

labor questions is rapidly being arrived at that will 

make the whole world prosperous, happy, and con 

tented. Wealth is increasing enormously. The world's 

output is rapidly enlarging, and still vaster expan 

sions are possible and about to develop. It is an age 

of grand things for labor and capital. There is enough 

in the world to make all 

happy if only there was a 

fair distribution of 

it, and it is the work of the vast 

army of toilers to see that they get a fair share. It 

is the work of the nations of the world to see that 

COVENANTER WITNESS

same." 

their citizens are all saved from penury and oppres 

sion, that their health and happiness are secured. 

What better work than providing Old-Age Pensions 

and Health Insurance What higher ideal could there 

be for the nation to keep before it than this that 

there should be no poor, no uncared-for sick or toil 

ers, no women or children loaded with burdens they 

cannot bear If the nation secures this, has it not 

accomplished its God-appointed task if God has any 

thing to do with nations Trade unionism has banded 

the workers, and they can enforce their will, and 

have little now to fear that man can do to them. The 

principles of Socialism have leavened the whole com 

munity, and if only these were universally accepted, 

then we had no more need for religion, nor for 

preachers, nor for the "figment" called God. And so 

the wall is built up, and the daubing laid on thick 

and fashioned as you please. Is it not a beautiful, im 

posing, and mighty structure 

(c) And as persecution is defunct and hard 

work and poverty almost at an end, the very idea of 

war, to the prophetic mind, is unthinkable. There 

cannot be war. The twentieth century says, "No! 

War is the outcome of a savage, primitive state, and 

of savage instincts. We have outgrown these. Moses 

and Joshua and David were but semi-savages, and 

so they shed blood, but the twentieth century man is 

an improvement on the earlier members of the race. 

The civilization of millenniums is behind him, and it 

all cries out against war. We have been educated, and 

have traveled, and have learned that men are breth 

ren, that the human race is one. How, then, could 

man slay his fellows Besides, in all civilized coun 

tries Socialistic principles are proclaimed and held, 

and bind the workers in all lands together. Here is a 

tie that cannot be broken. The German worker is not 

going to kill his British brother. The French artisan 

will not shoot the German. Trade unionism has shown 

men how to wage war relentlessly, heartlessly, but 

generally without blood-letting. Why should blood, 

then, be shed by the nations And logic has demon 

strated by the plainest mathematical and pecuniary 

reasoning that war is impossible, except among mad 

men, for war means incalculable loss, more even to 

the conqueror than to the conquered. Free-masonry is 

world-wide, and embraces all nations, 

all religions, 

and is a true brotherhood. No Mason would ever 

think of forgetting his fraternal vows so far as to 

kill a brother Mason. Peace societies and peace prizes, 

Arbitration Courts, Hague Conferences and Geneva 

Conventions, solemn treaties, and racial bonds all 

unite to make war impossible. And if anything more 

was needed, is not the great British-American-Ger 

manic pseudo-Protestant combination strong enough 

to guarantee peace to, and police the rest of, the 

world Yes! War is a thing impossible." And busy 

Antwerp and gay Brussels and licentious Ostend and 

beautiful, well-ordered and organized Berlin, and the 

huge agglomeration called London all went on in 

security and thoughtlessness. The nations were pros 

perous, science advanced by leaps and bounds, inven 

tions teemed, and there was no need to recognize the 

Lord and His Christ. Oh ! it was a glorious structure 

and beautifullv "daubed." 

II. But Alas! Experience Gives a Flat Contradiction 

to All This. 

Here in the twentieth century, in the midst of 

the world's highest civilization, where education is 

March 30, 1955 

most appreciated and perfected, we are face to face 

with the greatest war in all the history of the world. 

And we are made to shudder at the atrocities and 

savage barbarities committed by civilized and edu 

cated men on their fellows. Not in the lowest savage, 

not in the most degraded cannibal of the Southern 

Pacific did the beast that is in the heart of the nat 

ural man ever show itself as it has done in educated, 

civilized Germans. Three hundred and fifty years ago 

the Council of Blood lived up to its name under the 

Duke of Alva in the Netherlands. "Columns and 

stakes in every street, the doorposts of private 

houses, the fences in the fields were laden with hu 

man carcasses, strangled, burned, beheaded. The or 

a tree the hide 

chards in the country bore on many 

ous fruit of human bodies." Go to Belgium today and 

a similar spectacle is seen. The cry of the outraged, 

mutilated woman, the shriek of the little child being 

crucified rises to the ears of an angry and avenging 

God. Read of the bursting of the Spanish Fury on 

Antwerp in 1576, when St. Bartholemew was out 

done, of the whirlwind of the French Fury that Anjou 

let loose on the same city in 1583, when he cried 

to his troopers, "There is the city, my lads; go and 

take possession of it." Even more bestial and aggra 

vated and treacherous has been the German Fury of 

1914, in spite of civilization and education and culture 

and Socialism and Freemasonry and brotherhood and 

so-called religion. A German student of theology 

writing home from the front, says 

"It has taken me 

a long time to get reconciled to war. I never could 

have believed it possible that so-called civilized States 

would still have recourse to arms. I thought we had 

got beyond that. I thought the detestation of war was 

so widespread amongst the nations that no Govern 

ment would ever dare again to take upon itself the 

responsibility of letting loose war. And here it is, let 

loose all the One of the greatest crimes in all 

history has been perpetrated. The most senseless 

blunder ever committed by wise men has been accom 

plished. Can we say, in the presence of this, that 

persecution can never again take place, or that want 

and poverty are almost driven from the world 

"Where is the daubing 

wherewith ye have daubed 

it" 

III. And Who Is to Blame 

Doubtless an arrogant and self-worshiping Kai 

ser, who seems to feel himself the equal or superior 

of Almighty God. Behind him are his counsellors and 

his officers, who engineered and guided and dictated 

the policy of Austria towards Serbia and Russia. But 

we must get further back than this..The millions of 

the German nation must bear the responsibility of 

their own misguided and ignorant zeal. The nation 

that suffers a Kaiser and Kaiserism, the Prussian 

officer and his brutality, that listens to the doctrine 

that might is right, and that necessity knows no law, 

that nation must suffer the penalty of its crime. But 

is it only Germany that is to blame Has not civiliza 

tion failed, has not education proved its folly And 

many say, is not Christianity shown to be a fraud 

If this war is the product of Christianity, and if 

( 

the preaching of Christ is responsible for the war, 

then away with such a religion. But before doing so, 

let it be fairly tested. Read its constitution and its 

precepts, and ask, "Do they produce such an orgy as 

we now look upon " Listen to the Word of the Lord, 

197

saved" 

servant." 

and hear whether it incites to or encourages men to 

such actions as we have witnessed deeds that have 

shocked the world. "Thou shalt love the Lord thy 

God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with 

all thy strength and with all thy mind. And 

thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." These are 

the ethics of Christianity. Was it an effort to apply 

this to human life that produced the war Until it 

can be shown that it was, we cannot say Christianity 

is responsible. But we must separate between the 

principles announced and the men who profess them ; 

and it is when we come to the men that we meet 

with the responsible agents, and we see them setting 

themselves in direct opposition to the principles and 

the precepts of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Others 

say the Church is to blame. What has the Church 

that is, the professing Christian Churches of the 

world -done Has it not tried to soften men's rough 

er natures by beautiful forms of worship Has it not 

appealed to the finest and gentlest in man by raptur 

ous music and exalted poetry Has it not taught man 

how great he is, what infinite possibilities are before 

him if he only exercises his grand will-power and the 

force of his reason Has it not held out the beautiful 

in sculpture and painting and ecclesiastical structure, 

and encouraged men to make their atonement in 

stone and lime, or, perhaps, in more apparent selfsacrifice 

Has it not carried civilization and educa 

tion to the heathen Has it not even in some instan 

ces held out Christ as the one Saviour of the soul, 

and said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou 

shalt be The Church has done much some 

times not according to the Master's will but a great 

deal in line with it. The message it has borne to the 

world has changed the wilderness into a fruitful field, 

and made the desert to blossom as the rose. It has 

made this wonderful transformation not only in the 

face of nature, but in the heart and soul of the be 

liever. And as far as it has gone in accord with the 

Master, He is saying, "Well done, good and faithful 

But what message has the Church had for 

the nations of the world What Church, what preach 

er has dared to tell the Kaiser that there is another 

King, one Jesus What Church has testified that 

Christ is King of all kings, and Lord of all lords 

What Church has proclaimed at the polls and in the 

Parliaments of men that unless a nation is born into 

Zion it is not the Lord's Christian nation Yet if the 

Church has not given that message to the nation it 

has not given Christ's message. The Church as a 

whole is largely responsible for the awful war be 

cause it has failed to carry the Gospel to the nations. 

It has treated the nations as either having no need 

of Christ's help or as being above Christ's authority. 

It has treated the great ones of the earth as if in 

government and diplomacy they were responsible 

only to their fellows. Too often it has looked -for 

Court favors and Government honors and pecuniary 

help, and has been willing to pay for these by a bar 

tering of God's truth. The result is before us. Man 

apart from the Gospel is still a savage brute. And a 

nation failing to recognize the authority of God and 

His Son Jesus Christ may fall to the level of the 

Canaanites and Hittites in an incredibly 

short time. 

Germany has done so. England may do so. And the 

Church that has failed to give Christ's message must 

bear the blame. And we may well hear God's re 

proaching voice, "Where is the daubing wherewith 

ye have daubed it " 

198 

IV. So We Are Brought Face to Face with the 

Fearful Failure of Human Devices and Human Hopes. 

The benefits of education cannot be over-esti 

mated. Civilization can never be too highly developed. 

The idea of brotherhood can never be too closely ap 

plied to human relationships. Trade unionism has 

done much, and may do a great deal more, for the 

working man. International treaties are valuable and 

necessary for international relationships. But any 

and all of these is always valueless and generally de 

structive apart from the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And 

God has been teaching the world its need of Him 

a very much needed lesson. "We are 

engaged," 

says 

Dean Inge, "in a still undecided battle of right 

against wrong here below; but God is not fighting 

for His existence, nor is He striving to realize Him 

self for the first time in this little planet of ours. God 

is: He is the supreme and eternal fact." "From a 

thousand sources we have been learning of what can 

only be called the re-discovery of God by the men at 

the front." A newspaper writer speaks thus 

"The war will change many things in art and 

life, and among them, it is to be hoped, many 

own ideas as to what is, and what is not, 'intellec 

tual.' " 

"Thou Whose deep ways are in the sea, 

Whose footsteps are not known, 

To-night a world that turned from Thee 

Is waiting at Thy Throne. 

The towering Babels that we raised 

Where scoffing sophists brawl, 

The little Antichrists we praised 

The night is on them all. 

The fool hath said. . . The fool hath said . . 

And we, who deemed him wise, 

We who believed that Thou wast dead, 

How should we seek Thine eyes 

How should we seek to Thee for power 

Who scorned Thee yesterday 

How should we kneel, in this dread hour 

Lord, teach us how to pray! 

Grant us the single heart, once more, 

That mocks no sacred thing, 

The Sword of Truth our fathers wore 

When Thou wast Lord and King. 

Let darkness unto darkness tell 

Our deep, unspoken prayer, 

For, while our souls in darkness dwell, 

We know that Thou art there." 

of our 

Lord Bryce, speaking from his Ulster-Scotch 

Presbyterian origin, and with a faint echo of old 

Secession and Covenanter days, says, "What is to be 

done Is there any other influence from which so 

much can be hoped as from Christianity Is there in 

deed, any force other than Christianity that will 

bring back the world towards peace and goodwill If 

there is no such other force, can something be done 

to revive among ourselves the inspiring power which 

Christianity has shown in its best spirits at its 'best 

moments If we follow the course of history during 

the last two thousand years, has not the Gospel been 

by far the strongest of the moral forces, often and 

as men have neglected or perverted its 

grievously 

COVENANTER WITNESS

next." 

precepts It is the strongest because it begins from 

within. All improvement begins from the individual 

you.' 

soul. "The Kingdom of Heaven is within The na 

tion and the State are only so many individual men, 

and as the men are so will the State be. The problem 

has always been, and is today, how to apply Chris 

either of the 

tianity to the facts of daily life. Few, 

leaders or of the mass, have ever seriously tried to 

apply the principles of the Gospel so as to be in the 

world and yet not of the world. How difficult is the 

task has been proved by the failures, yet the effort 

must always be renewed, however great the difficul 

ties. The call is to each of us to begin with his own 

soul and his own life. We can try to think of what 

each can do to make the Gospel of love and self-forgetfulness 

fill his thoughts and guide his conduct. 

The circumstances attending this war, and the chal 

lenge to Christian principles which it makes, have 

stirred the depths of men's souls as nothing has done 

for the last three centuries. Must we not try, while 

this impulse is still fresh and strong upon us, to turn 

it to the fullest account Must we not make another 

effort to bring the individual life nearer to those 

Christian ideals in following which, as we believe, the 

best hopes for the peace and welfare of humanity 

are to be found" 

It is not often that public men are found speak 

ing thus, and it may be that God in His awful, but 

gracious, providence has permitted this war to teach 

men the folly of their rejection of His Word as the 

guide of national life. He is showing the devilishness 

of education and civilization and trades' unionism 

and even international treaties when no respect is 

paid to Jesus Christ the Lord. He is revealing the 

hollowness, in our own land, of that miserable traves 

ty called Socialism, that insists on one class 

being compelled while another must be free; 

that would make taxation compulsory (on some!) 

for the general good, but would insist on the liberty 

of the individual to shirk work and refuse military 

service for the common weal ; that insists on the na 

tion compulsorily organizing capital, but denounces 

the idea that the nation ought compulsorily to or 

ganize labor. He is proving to the complete satis 

faction of many who would not previously entertain 

the thought that government without Christ is sa 

tanic; that the world refusing allegiance to Jesus 

Christ will become an inferno. Many ask, "Is this the 

"Yes," 

some one has said, "till the 

war" 

last great 

And the next, or something equally appalling, 

will come just as surely as the nations persist in 

ignoring the sovereinty of God and of His Christ. But 

what can we do to bring this one to an end and pre 

vent another Such a result will not be achieved by 

shouting, "Delenda est Germania." Germany, and all 

the brute and immoral force that Germany stands 

for, must be ended. But if the nations will not cate 

gorically and constitutionally accept of Christ as 

their King, it is very easy for the devil to find anoth 

er Kaiser, to organize another Germany, to build 

another Essen, and equip another Krupps. It may be 

French, or British, or Russian, or American. Little it 

matters; but it will be devilish. And the end of it 

will be another cataclysm. The one way to end this 

war and prevent others is to apply the truth of Chris 

tianity, as Lord Bryce indicates, to our national and 

international relationships. As he says, there are 

difficulties and there have 'been failures. The diffi 

culties are man-made. The failures have been in 

man's will. It is still the same old rebuke, "Ye will 

not come to Me that ye might have life." 

What Can We Do 

Many things. Much. Chief among them, we can tell 

the world that Christ reigns. It is our duty, our priv 

ilege, an honor that, we regret to say, we can share 

with none, to preach the Gospel of the kingdom of 

our Lord Jesus Christ to the British Empire and to 

all the nations of the world. It is our special mission 

to tell the nations that they must recognize the sov 

ereignty of the Lord Jesus in their constitutions and 

in their legislation; to point them to the Bible as the 

revealed will of their King, and to show them the 

blessings following obedience, and the disasters en 

tailed by rebellion. If we do this faithfully, then we 

shall never hear the reproach, "Where is the daubing 

wherewith ye have daubed it" 

The Reverend Professor 

John Ramsey, B. A., LL.B. 

By Dr. R. J. G. McKnight 

It is fitting that more than passing notice 

should be given to the death of Professor John Ram 

sey who served the Covenanter Church in Ireland 

for more than sixty years. He was born in 1860, son 

of an elder in the Ballyclabber congregation. 

He received his higher education in Trinity Uni 

versity of Dublin, graduating with the degrees of 

B.A. and LL.B., with a Senior Moderatorship in 

Experimental Science. 

He was ordained as pastor of the Ballymoney 

Congregation in 1886. From that time he served the 

Irish Church with great devotion in every position to 

which he was called. 

In 1922 he was called to the chair of Biblical Lit 

erature in the Theological Seminary in Belfast and 

continued in that position until 1945. 

He was held in high esteem as a teacher. From 

1885 to 1917 he taught in the Ballymoney Interme 

diate School and later was a Governor of Dalriada 

School. Last year he was honored by the Community 

when an extension of the school building was named 

in his honor. 

He was twice moderator of the Irish Synod. 

(Note The names and dates here set down are 

taken from an obituary written by the Reverend R. 

B. Lyons in the COVEiNANTER in the issue of Janu 

ary 1955. R. J. G. M.) 

Positions held and honors received by Professor 

Ramsey give us a conception of the stature of the 

man. A personal acquaintance with him reveals more 

and better things. The Reverend R. B. Lyons writes : 

"The writer of this obituary knew Professor Ramsey 

in more relationships than most men and I thank 

God for my memories of him." None who understood 

him could speak otherwise. 

Professor Ramsey was an athlete. He excelled in 

all sports which required skill and strength. He was 

an outstanding cricket player. He would have been 

welcomed on any cricket team, amateur or profession 

al, in the world. 

Two generations have passed since he performed 

the deed which won for him the title of "The Hero of 


199 

March 30, 1955

penny." 

you." 

out" 

the' 

church." 


Covena 

ECHOES 

March, 1955 

TO ILLUSTRATE THE APRIL 

TOPICS 

April S 

Dollars to Doughnuts 

Helping On The Work Of God. 

A widow found pardon and pe.acg in 

her Saviour in her 69th year. Her grat 

itude and love overflowed and often 

refreshed the hearts of Christians of 

long experience. The house of God be 

came very dear to her, and she was 

often seen to drop a gift in the church 

door box though her income was only 

75c per week. A fall in her 72nd year 

prevented her ever coming out again. 

A little boy being seen to drop some 

thing into the box was asked what it 

was. He said "It is Mrs. W 's 

He was told to take it back to 

her, and to say that her good intention 

was priced, but that her friends could 

not let her reduce her small means, 

especially as she could not come out to 

worship. She replied, "Boy, why did 

you let them see you give it Take it 

again and put it in when no one sees 

Then weeping she said, "What! 

and I am not to be allowed to help in 

the work of God any more because I 

can't get 

April 10 

The Living Jesus. 

A Fact of History. 

Lord Lyttleton and Gilbert Best, two 

English scholars who rejected the Chris 

tian faith, agreed to do concentrated 

research on two themes, expecting to 

discredit Christianity once and for all 

by the publication of their results. One 

undertook to disprove the resurrection 

of Jesus Christ and the other under 

took to disprove the supernatural ex 

perience of Saul of Tarsus on the Dam 

ascus road. After a period of time, ac 

cording to their agreement, they met 

to report results. 

Both were honest men and had taken 

it for granted that their results would 

discredit Christianity, but as each made 

his report and submitted his conclusions, 

he rendered an affirmative statement. 

Proceeding to evaluate all evidence, they 

concluded (1) that Jesus actually arose 

from the grave, and (2) that Saul of 

Tarsus was truly converted. 

200 

AprU 17 Church Membership and Its 

Responsibilities 

"Any person capable of forming moral 

judgments and of -decisions 

making for 

himself, may be received into full mem 

bership in the Reformed Presbyterian 

Church when he accepts the TeVins.of 

Communion, wherein he professes his 

faith in Christ and purpose of obe 

dience to Him, acknowledges the Bible 

to be the Word of God, approves the 

standards of the church 

founded upon 

the Scriptures, and promises submis 

sion in the Lord to the courts of the 

church. 

"Candidates for church membership 

shall be examined by the session in 

constituted court. The examination shall 

seek to bring out 

'degreeof 

the 

candidate's knowledge of Divine truth, 

his personal sense of sin and need of 

salvation, his knowledge and willing ac 

ceptance of the distinctive principles 

of the church; his purpose to keep the 

Sabbath, to separate from all associa 

tions inconsistent with the Christian 

life, to abstain from the manufacture, 

sale or use of intoxicating liquor as a 

beverage, to make diligent use of the 

means of grace the reading and study 

of the Word, prayer, family worship, 

faithful attendance upon the public ex 

ercises of Divine worship 

and to con 

secrate a due proportion of his income 

to the Lord's work. The degree of know 

ledge necessary for admission depends 

to a considerable extent, upon the ca 

pacity of the candidate and the oppor 

tunities which he has enjoyed. Child 

ren should be asked to memorize the 

Shorter Catechism and urged to read 

and study the Testimony and Confession 

of Faith as they come to years of fuller 

understanding. No one should be ad 

mitted who is ignorant of the first prin 

ciples of the plan of salvation, or who 

gives no evidence of having been born 

again, or who assumes an attitude an 

tagonistic to the principles set forth in 

the standards of the 

Constitution of the Reformed Pesbyterian 

Church, page 229, 230. 

April tk Our C.Y.P.U. Pledge. 

What Do We Rely Upon 

I shall never forget what the late Dr. 

A. C. Dixon of Spurgeon's Tabernacle 

For 

once said when speaking upon the idea 

of prayer. I cannot quote him verbatim, 

but the substance was this. "When we 

rely upon organization, we get what 

organization can do. When we rely upon 

education, we get what education can 

do; when we rely upon eloquence, we get 

what eloquence can do; and so on. Nor 

am I disposed to undervalue any of these 

But," 

things in their proper place. he 

added impressively, "when we rely upon 

do." 

prayer, we get what God can 

Lord." 

"I'll pay my vows now to the 

CORRECTION 

In last month's Echoes Conference 

Calendar, I listed as Pacific Coast 

Young People's Secretary, the Rev. Rob 

ert McMillan of Fresno, Calif. I am in 

formed that that was a mistake, and 

that the "real" secretary is Dr. Dean 

Hinton, D.D.S., 1215 Oak Circle Drive, 

Glendale 8, Calif. Correspondence con 

cerning the Pacific Coast Conference 

should be directed to Dr. Hinton, or to 

Miss Tillie Buck, the president. 

THE MINISTER'S TASK 

"Just as the people get the kind of 

government they demand, so do we lay 

men get the kind of church we demand. 

One must admit that, over the years, 

we have been demanding from our min 

isters many services which are largely 

secular. "We have burdened them with 

endless odd jobs, instead of doing those 

jobs ourselves so they can concentrate 

on the work which they alone can do 

studying, meditating, praying, searching 

out ways to best meet the deep needs of 

man's inner life, teaching us by spoken 

and written word to understand the 

moral code which should govern our 

relationships with God and with our 

neighbors, and the techniques and disci 

plines for coming to know more of God. 

"The situation is described in a letter 

from a father to his son, in which he 

says : 

'What does a minister do, my son 

Well, his time is his own, which means 

that he is always on the job. The min 

ister teaches, though he must solicit his 

own classes. He heals, though without 

pills or knife. He is sometimes a lawyer, 

often a social worker, something of an 

editor, a bit of a philosopher and en 

tertainer; a salesman; a decorative piece 

for public functions, and he is supposed 

to be a scholar. He visits the sick, mar- 

COVENANTER WITNESS

go." 

good." 

DES 


SECRETARY 

oung People 

ries people, buries the dead, labors to 

console those who sorrow and to ad 

monish those who sin, and tries to stay 

sweet when chided for not doing his 

duty. He plans programs, appoints com 

mittees when he can get them; spends 

considerable time in keeping people out 

of each other's hair; between times he 

prepares a sermon and preaches it to 

those who don't happen to have any oth 

er engagement. Then on Monday he 

smiles when some jovial chap roars, 

"What a job one hour a week!" ' " 

From an address to The Committee 

on Religion in American Life, Inc., By 

Admiral Ben Moreell, chairman of the 

Board of Directors, Jones and Laughlin 

Steel Corporation. 

COMMUNIST EDITOR CHALLENGES 

CHRISTIANS 

It has taken a Communist to tell us 

how to defeat Communism. The follow 

ing is an article which appeared in a 

Chinese Communist newspaper and was 

brought out by Dr. John Hayes, Presby 

terian missionary, released in 1953 after 

ten months in a Chinese jail: 

"The Gospel is a much more powerful 

weapon for the renewal of society than 

is our Marxist philosophy, but all the 

same it is we who will finally beat you. 

We are only a handful and you Chris 

tians are numbered by the millions. 

"We Communists do not play with 

words. We are realists, and seeing that 

we are determined to achieve our ob 

ject, we know how to obtain the means. 

Of our salaries and wages, we keep only 

what is strictly necessary, and we give 

up the rest for propaganda purposes. To 

this propaganda we also 'consecrate' all 

our free time, and part of our holidays. 

"You, however, give only a little time 

and hardly any money for spreading of 

the Gospel of Christ. How can anyone 

believe in the supreme value of the Gos 

pel if you do not practice it, if you do 

not spread it and if you sacrifice neither 

time nor money for it 

"Believe me, it is we who will win, 

for we bejieve in our Communist mes 

sage and we are ready to sacrifice every 

thing, even our life, that social justice 

will triumph. But you people are afraid 

to soil your hands." 

From CHRISTIAN LIFE, March, 

1955, pgs. 66, 67. 

March 30, 1955 

THE BIBLE STUDIES with others . . . We plan to follow up 

couraging them to use them in working Selected. 

What people are saying: 

carefully any that we hand out, and 

A Pastor "It is a big project but 

are urging others to do the same. I am 

very glad to see that the opening studies 

what has been needed for a long time." 

A City Missionary "Will you please 

send five copies of Bible Studies 1 and 

2 I gave one to a Chinese girl the 

other day. She is a nurse, getting ready 

Bible. I also like the attractive, yet in 

expensive, form in which the studies are 

put up. The mimeographing is 

for semester exams just now. Just came 

from Hong Kong in December and is 

finding the work pretty hard. I made 

some copies on my typewriter of the 

INTERPRETATIONS OF LOVE 

Patience is love on the anvil, bearing 

blow after blow of suffering. 

first study and gave it to three folks. 

Zeal is love in the harvest field, never 

Hope to go and see them soon and see 

tiring of toil. 

if we can study and memorize." 

Meekness is love in company, when it 

An out of bounds member "I have 

vaunteth not itself. 

two boys, 6 and 3, whom I am doing my 

best to teach. They don't learn much 

at the S.S. where they 

Another pastor "I am pleased with 

the studies so far. At 

Joy is love making its own sunshine, 

present we are 

where others see nothing but gloom. 

not using them in any organized way. 

I have shown the first one to the session Power is love driving the soul's char 

and talked about the use we might 

iot wheels over all opposition. 

make of them, and have talked to some Gentleness is nothing but love in her 

individual members about them, en own sweet voice and charming manner. 

I 

THE BIBLE STUDIES 

are designed for us with non-Christians, 

who have little or no knowledge of the 

Perseverance is love on a journey, 

pressing on with unflagging step toward 

the end. 

The First Unit of the Bible Study Program is now complete. 

It consists of Four Studies 

The Gospel 

Belief 

Repentance 

Surrender 

The Second Unit is now in preparation. 

It consists of Six Studies in Christian Character Development, 

Personal Devotion 

Obedience 

Meeting Temptation 

Growth in Grace (two studies) 

Witnessing 

These Studies are prepared primarily for use in bringing others 

to Christ, but they may be used as subjects for Discussion Class 

es. Indeed, a Class may be good preparation for effective use 

elsewhere. 

They come 

in mimeographed form 

in different colors 

at 2c per copy 

from Remo I. Robb, 1102 Ninth Ave., 


201

. 

Continued 

morning'." 

Prof. John Ramsey 

. 

Niagara." 

. 

from page 199 

The story was spread on the front pages of 

newspapers from the Atlantic to the Pacific. It was 

in 1892. Professor Ramsey was a delegate to the Pan 

Presbyterian Conference held in Toronto, Canada. 

He visited Niagara Falls to attend the opening of the 

first suspension bridge, in company with his hostess, 

Mrs. Grimason and her two daughters. While cross 

ing the bridge on foot they stepped from the crowded 

footpath to the main thorofare. As Mrs. Grimason 

attempted to regain the footpath she stumbled and 

catching her toe on the curb was catapulted through 

the guard rail and under the bridge where her cloth 

ing became entangled in the girders. There she hung 

more than a hundred feet above the rocks and roar 

ing waters of the gorge below. 

Without a moment's hesitation he took off his 

coat, crossed the railing and made his way down 

sixty feet of struts and girders to the last angle 

where the woman lay. Within a short time a rope was 

let down from above. Clinging with one arm around 

the slippery beam he fastened the rope around the 

woman's body and she was drawn up to the rail and 

to safety. Then he himself made the difficult ascent 

to the bridge without assistance. Is it any wonder 

that he was called "The Hero of Niagara" ! One false 

move, one slip of the foot and he would have been 

dashed to pieces on the rocks far below. He did this 

for a friend. True, he received a medal from the Royal 

Humane Society of Canada and the plaudits of many 

countries. But there was no thought of such things in 

his mind when he went over the rail of the bridge to 

help a human being in distress. This incident in the 

life of Professor Ramsey is indicative of the qualities 

of soul which he possessed. 

When he was chosen to fill the Chair of Biblical 

Literature in the Irish Seminary in 1922 I had been 

for six years in the corresponding department of our 

own Seminary. He wrote me at that time about text 

books and courses in our Seminary. Thus began a 

correspondence that continued until a very short 

time before his death. His letters were a joy to me. I 

feel quite certain that his family will not criticize 

me if I record here a letter in answer to one I had 

written him upon receiving the news of the passing 

of Mrs. Ramsey. It is the last letter he wrote to me. 

I had the honor of being a guest in his home in 

Ballymoney in 1928. His was a good home with the 

finest yard and gardens. What impressed me most, 

however, was the spirit of love and Christian dignity 

that pervaded the home and motivated every act. 

Mrs. Ramsey was a gracious hostess. The memory 

of that day in such a home has never faded. The 

memory of that kind of home life has endured in the 

sons and daughters and makes them what they are 

today. 

Professor Ramsey's last letter to me was re 

ceived on April 8, 1954. 

Portstewart, 

Co. Derry. 

Professor R. J. G. McKnight, 

My dear trusted, kind Brother: 

You have come through deep waters and can 

sympathize with one who has followed. Your 

thoughts and words are refreshing to a heart but re 

warmest thanks. 

cently stricken. Please receive my 

My dear wife was not unwilling to die. She went 

202 

away into sleep after a period of weariness during 

which she often wished that we might go together. 

Among her later sayings were: 

" 'Life' 

! We have been long together; Through 

cloudy and through sunny weather. 'Tis hard 

to part when friends are dear. Perhaps 'twill 

cost a sigh, a tear. Then steal away: give little 

night' 

warning. Say not 'Good but in a better 

clime, bid me 'Good 

You, too, will be there to bid me and yours 

"Good Morning." 

At present I can write no more. Thank you 

again. 

Yours ever, 

J. Ramsey 

And thus it was. Eight months and three weeks 

morning" 

later they said "Good on that distant shore. 

What blessed memories remain in the hearts of 

those who knew and loved him most. An athlete, a 

scholar, a gentleman, a wise counselor, in the delib 

erations of Synod, a loving father, a constant hus 

band, a loyal soldier in the army of the Lord, and 

faithful even unto death. What a heritage he has left 

us! 

Aptly did the Moderator of Synod base his ad 

dress at Professor Ramsey's funeral on II Samuel 3 : 

38"Know ye not that there is a prince and a great 

man fallen this day in Israel" 

In the turbulent years during which he served 

the church of his choice, the storms of Destructive 

Criticism, Liberalism, and Humanism were sweeping 

across the Western World. Within the circle of his 

influence and with all his strength, he stood firmly 

against the deadly sand-storms of the so-called Lib 

eralism. He became for our Covenanter Cause as 

"the shadow of a great rock in a weary land." 

Against his shoulders the desiccating sands of the 

desert fell back to windward and to leeward the Rose 

of Sharon still blossoms. 

R. J. G. M. 

Current Events .... from page 195 

Democrats in the House passed an income-tax reduction of 

$20 per person, attached to the bill for extending excise and 

corporation taxes. They made no provision for making up 

the lost revenue. Republicans accused them of "financial ir 

responsibility," 

while the Democrats charged that the Re 

publicans favored the rich. The real motive for the cut was 

political 

the Democrats expect the Republicans to reduce 

taxes for next year's Presidential campaign, and decided to 

beat them to it. The Senate, however rejected all proposals 

for income-tax cuts and accepted the Administration pro 

gram for the continuation of present taxes. Five Southern 

Democratic Senators joined the Republicans on this issue. 

INDONESIA MAKES PLANS 

The Republic of Indonesia is working on a five-year 

plan for economic development, which it hopes to put into 

effect beginning next year. Indonesia, formerly the Dutch 

East Indies, has great natural resources which must be ex 

ploited to feed her people 

the island of Java is one of the 

most densely populated areas in the world. About 25 per 

cent of the budget will be designated for transportation and 

communication, 25 per cent for industry and mining, 

and an 

other fourth for irrigation. The remainder will be put into 

other improvements in agriculture, health, and education. 

One of the top priority projects is a multimillion dollar hy 

droelectric project to industrialize north central Sumatra, 

which is rich in minerals. 

COVENANTER WITNESS

say." 

rod." 


other evidence of interest page 232, 

sibility." 


March 30, 1955 for AprU 17, 1955 

"Church Membership and its Respon 

para. 11 

14. Should we be alarmed if we dis 

cover that all Reformed Presbyter 

CoL 1:18-29 

Rev. Robert W. McMillan 

Tonight, we suggest a Quiz program. 

Make it the boys against the girls, the 

ians do not think alike about every 

object of thought page 190, para. 4 

15. What testimony does the Reformed 

Presbyterian Church maintain in re 

Reds against the Blues, the Martins gard to intoxicants page 190, para. 6 

against the McCoys, or any division that 

seems fair. Ask a member of session 

who is well versed in church govern 

ment to ask the questions and be the 

judge. You will need to study this list 

16. Should anyone be received into mem 

bership who is antagonistic to the 

principles set forth in the standards 

of the church page 230, para. 3 

17. What is the one thing for which the 

of questions in advance, using your Church must censure a member 

Bible and the Constitution of the R. P. 

Church. 

(Unwillingness to repent when it is 

clear that we have sinned) 

l.What is the Church page 227, 18. How may the membership of our 

1* 

para. 

church be increased Acts 8:4; Col. 

2. Who is the Head of the Church Col. 

1:18; page 227, para. 2 

1:28,29; Matt. 28:19,20; I Cor. 13: 

1-13; John 15:7 (an uninhibited testi 

3. Where is Christ's will concerning the mony for Christ and the Gospel 

Church its form of government and wherever we are; a world-wide vis 

ordinances revealed page 227, para. ion; the whole Bible for the whole 

2 

world; backed by faithful and be 

4. Is it ever the duty of the church to lieving prayer) 

inflict physical pain and punishment 

on wicked people page 227, para. 3 

JUNIOR TOPIC 

5. What is the work (or mission) of the 

AprU 17, 1955 

Church Name three things. Five de 


finite things are mentioned on pp. 

227-8, para. 4 

6. What is the difference between the 

Church Visible and the Church In 

visible page 227, para. 1 

"What is that in Thine Hand" 

Exodus 4:1-23, 28-31 

Memory Verse: "Now therefore go, and 

I will be with thy mouth, and teach 

7. There are many, many branches, or thee what thou shalt Exodus 

denominations, within the Visible 4:12 

Church. Which one should you join 

page 228, para. 5 

8. Someone may ask you, "What is the 

PSALMS 


Psalm 46 :7-10, page 118 

Reformed Presbyterian Church of Psalm 27:4-8, page 62 

North America What would be a 

good answer page 228, para. 6 

9. Who may become a member of the 

Reformed Presbyterian Church page 

229, para. 1 

10. In examining a candidate for church 

membership, what things should be 

considered Name four things. Eight 

Psalm 31 :l-4, page 71 

Our lesson this week is a continua 

tion of our last lesson. You remember 

how God called to Moses out of the 

midst of the burning bush. Moses was 

one of the most important persons in 

the Old Testament. Who would you say 

is the most important person in the 

definite things are mentioned on pp. New Testament That's right Jesus 

229-30, para. 3 

11. Since one of the chief sources of the 

church's membership is her own chil 

dren, what should parents do to pre 

pare their children for communicant 

membership page 231, para. 8 

Christ. How do you think Moses reminds 

us of Jesus Because just like Moses He 

is a deliverer. Moses led the children of 

Israel from cruel bondage in the land 

of Egypt into the land God had promised 

them. So Jesus our Saviour saves His 

12. Does the Reformed Presbyterian children from the bondage of sin. If we 

Church of North America have any 

testimony against dancing, card-play 

ing, and the theater page 232, para. 

9 

13. What may the session do if a mem 

ber, for a period of one year, with 

out any known reason, fails to at 

tend, to contribute, or to give any 

confess our sins and say we are sorry 

for them, Jesus will forgive them. 

Moses answered God's call by saying, 

"Here am I." but he wasn't sure he 

could do the work God wanted him to. 

He made excuses. We talked about two 

of them last week. What were they 

How did God answer them 

Today 

we will talk about other ex 

cuses Moses made. Moses third excuse 

was that the people would not believe 

that God had sent him nor would they 

listen to him. But God took away his 

doubts by showing him miracles he was 

to do in Egypt. 

God asked Moses, "What is in thine 

hand" 

to which Moses said, "A 

It was only his shepherd's rod that he 

had used in the desert when he was 

tending sheep. In all the years to come 

Moses had only his shepherd's rod in 

his hand, but he did many miracles 

with it. The secret of power was not 

in the rod nor in the hand that held 

it. The secret was that God had promis 

ed Moses that He would be with him to 

help him. God commanded Moses to 

throw the rod on the ground. What hap 

pened God told him to take hold of 

it again. What happened this time The 

Egyptians worshiped serpents and 

when Moses saw the serpent, as it wig 

gled on the sand, it made him think 

of Egypt from which he had fled, so 

he fled from the serpent. But when at 

the command of God he reached forth 

and took hold of it, it became as harm 

less as his shepherd's staff. By this mir 

acle God was telling Moses that if he 

would obey Him, He would help to sub 

due Pharaoh and all his hosts. When 

Moses still hesitated, God performed an 

other miracle. He caused Moses' hand 

to become leprous, then "restored it as 

his other flesh." God was showing 

Moses how easily He could take away 

his sins. 

These signs were given to Moses so 

he could show them to the people as 

proof that God had sent him to bring 

them out of the bondage of Egypt. 

Juniors, perhaps God is asking you 

this same question, "What is that in 

thine hand" You boys, do you have 

a hoe a rake In the spring weeds 

need to be kept out of the garden so 

the vegetables can grow. In the summer 

the lawn needs to be mowed so your yard 

will look as nice as your neighbor's. 

In the fall there are leaves to be 

raked. 

You girls, "what do you have in your 

hand" 

A broom 

Sometime a plain 

white tea towel is very becoming in a 

girl's hand, especially 

when mother is 

tired or busy. During the school year 

what do you have in your hands A 

pencil A book These are very im 

portant because it is necessary that you 

go to school to prepare your minds and 

hearts for greater usefulness in God's 

kingdom. Whatever is in your hand you 

may be sure that if you use it to the 

203

go," 

best of your ability God will bless it. It 

isn't only the things we have in our 

hands, but we may use our feet, our 

eyes and even our tongues to help 

others. Your feet run errands, you may 

use your eyes to read to smaller broth 

er or sister. Your tongue can be used to 

invite others to your Junior meeting or 

to Sabbath School. God can do great 

things through us if we are willing to 

let Him help us. 

Moses had one last excuse to make, 

it is one that God's children, young and 

old, often make. Moses said that he was 

not eloquent, that "he was slow of 

speech and slow of tongue." How did 

God answer Moses' excuse this time 

Verse 11. God's command to Moses was 

brief. Verse 10. "Now therefore 

and 

He again promised Moses that He would 

help him. Can we not see the pouting 

expression on Moses' face when he final 

ly consented to go. We are told that 

God became a little angry with Moses 

and told him He would send Moses' 

brother Aaron with him. Because Moses 

did not willingly consent to obey God, 

his brother Aaron shared in the honor 

of bringing the Israelites out of Egypt. 

Moses almost missed filling his place 

in God's plan. God allowed Moses' slow, 

stammering speech to continue through 

out his life. If he had obeyed, God could 

have given him a free and easy speech. 

When God calls us to any task or duty, 

small or great, we 

should accept it 

without question or doubt. What ever 

we ought to do we can do. God has a 

plan for every one. He knows the things 

we can do, with His help. 

References: 

I Sam. 15:22; Acts 5:29; Phil. 4:13; 

Ps. 31:3; Jer. 7:23; Eph. 6:1; Heb. 13:5. 

Questions: 

1. Why did God show these signs to 

Moses 

2. What excuses did Moses make in our 

lesson today 

3. How do you know God has a plan 

for your life 

4. Each Junior tell how they can help 

others. 

5. Why is it so important to obey God 

Your parents 

For your notebook: 

Make a list of ways in which you can 

help others; ways in which you can 

help God. 

I have now disposed of all my prop 

erty to my family. There is one thing 

more I wish I could give them, and that 

is the Christian religion. If they had 

that and I had not given them one shil 

ling, they would have been rich, and if 

they had not that, and I had given them 

all the world, they would be poor. 

Patrick Henry 

204 

SABBATH 

SCHOOL LESSON 

April 17, 1955 


REHOBOAM, KING OF JUDAH 

II Chronicles 10:13; I Kings 12. 

PRINTED: II Chronicles 10:1-11. 

MEMORY: James 1:5. "If any of you 

lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that 

giveth to all men liberally, 

and 

upbraideth 

not; 

and it shall be given 

him." 

From outward appearance, Israel was 

in the days of her greatest strength and 

glory when Rehoboam came to the 

throne. Internally, there were the seeds 

of division. The Northern tribes were 

not in perfect harmony with the reign of 

David. The expensive court of Solomon, 

though it flattered the pride of the 

people for a time, became oppressive. 

So the Northern Tribes demanded of 

Rehoboam a promise of tax reform. He 

rejected the council of the old men, and 

followed the council of the young men, 

and lost the allegiance of the Northern 

Tribes. 

The Wisdom of Youth 

On the surface, this story would ap 

pear to show that superior wisdom 

comes with age. Ordinarily, wisdom 

should increase with years. If a young 

man at 40 is diligently seeking wis 

dom, it is reasonable to expect that 

he will continue to increase in wis 

dom as long as he retains his mind. 

The Youth Movement should be 

treated with caution. It was not the 

plan of Christ or the Apostles to appeal 

to the children and neglect their parents. 

Parents brought their children to Christ. 

Why invite only children to a Sabbath 

School where parents are not invited, 

perhaps not provided for. 

The Church and the Nation should en 

list the loyalty of all ages. When the 

leadership of any needed reform is in the 

hands of any age group, or a sex group, 

there is danger. It has been said that 

some men carry their religion in the 

name of their wives: some parents seem 

to carry theirs in the names of their 

children. 

Whatever may be the relative wisdom 

of Youth and Old Age, it is not sug 

gested in our lesson. The difference here 

has little to do with age. These young 

men were brought up with Rehoboam, 

the pet of the Palace, play-boys in the 

richest, most extravagant court in the 

world. Their luxuries came by the 

labor of the people. Rehoboam and 

his young men, though 40 years of age, 

had never had any fellowship with 

burdens, or those who bore them. These 

luxurious idlers had no experience of 

labor and no sympathy with the labor 

ers. These were the young 

grave 

advice. 

men who 

The Wisdom of Age 

The men of the older generation might 

be from three score years and upward. 

They would have lived in King David's 

reign. Some of them would have been 

shepherds, as David was. They had la 

bored and bore burdens. They had also 

lived in the court. They had experienced 

both sides of the problem. Knowing the 

people, they knew what they would and 

would not endure. Moreover they felt 

the justice of the people's demand. If Re 

hoboam had followed their counsel, he 

would have begun his reign with a unit 

ed kingdom. Instead, the kingdom was 

divided, and he prepared for such a war 

to force the submission of the Northern 

Tribes as would have been one of the 

most bloody in history. Chapter 11 tells 

of Rehoboam's preparing an army of 

180,000 men to undertake forcing the 

North into submission. The prophet 

Shimaiah brought him a warning, and 

he wisely gave up the campaign. 

Much of Rehoboam's fault must be 

laid at the feet of his father Solomon. 

Among Solomon's many wives, his fa 

vorite, the mother of Rehoboam was 

Naamah, an Ammonitess (I Kings 14: 

31) 

. She was not like Ruth, who left her 

tribal gods, and accepted fully the faith 

of Israel. Solomon met her half way by 

building an altar for her idol. We should 

not be too hard on Solomon. Of course, 

he did not accept the name Molech in 

its meaning, (Ruler), or believe the 

popular definitions of him. He did not 

want to offend his wife, and the little 

idol amused the children, including Re 

hoboam. Too bad to disappoint them. 

They might believe in Molech, so vividly 

portrayed, for a little, but they would 

loose faith in him after a while. (Would 

loose faith 

period.) 

Solomon showed his interest in his 

son by addressing five of the early chap 

ters of Ecclesiastes to him. His favorite 

son, the only one whose name we know, 

followed his father's example, rather 

than his advice. Rehoboam dealt wisely 

with his sons, by giving them offices to 

keep them busy, and scattering them 

widely through the kingdom. 

The Secret of Strength and Weakness 

"When the kingdom of Rehoboam was 

established and was strong, he forsook 

the law of Jehovah, and all Israel with 

him." 

So Shishak, king of Egypt, took 

advantage of 

the resulting 

weakness 

and put Judah under tribute. This was 

one of the bitter fruits of Solomon's 

playing around with idols. Of course he 

did not believe in them. One of the most 

classically profane men I ever heard, 

told me that he did not mean anything 

by his profanity. I believe he spoke the 

truth. Meaningless, empty, vain! Better 


nant." 

messenger" 

way" 

ples" 

comforter" 

old" 

righteouness" 

have nothing to do with little Billiken, 

and all his tribe. 

Trying to Serve Two Masters 

Rehoboam tried to please God and 

play with idols at the same time. As a 

result, he paid tribute to Shishak. Shi 

shak left his story of this victory carved 

in relief on the walls of Karnak. He 

claimed to have put under tribute one 

hundred and fifty-six cities and villages, 

many of their names are found in the 

Old Testament. Solomon's advice to his 

son, written as we believe in his old 

age, seems to carry an undertone of la 

ment. He could see too late that Reho 

boam was following the evil part of his 

father's life. He was gathering heathen 

wives and playing around with their 

idolatrous idols. And Solomon had 

named him Rehoboam, Liberator. The 

name for which he was not trained did 

not help him. After a reign of seventeen 

years of trying to serve two masters, he 

left to his son Abijah part of a divided 

kingdom, and that was under heavy trib 

ute to a foreign king. His story ends 

with this unflattering comment (12:14) : 

"He did evil, because he prepared not his 

heart to seek the Lord." 

After the opening chapter of Ecclesi 

astes, read 12 :1, "Remember now thy 

youth," 

Creator in the days of thy and 

then in the 11th chapter, "Rejoice, O 

youth," 

young man, in thy and see if you 

do not see in all of that book and in 

Proverbs, an undertone of regret for his 

failure in his own life and in his influ 

ence on the life of his son. 


for April 20, 1955 

THE PUNISHMENT FOR SPURNING 

Psalms : 

GOD'S LOVE 


(Mai. 2:17 through 3:6) 

19:1-5, page 40 Call to Study 

37:1-5, page 91 Prosperity of Wicked 

145 :9-13, page 351 Either return God's 

love or spurn it 

Thus far in the book of Malachi, "My 

Messenger" 

has proven three things: 

First, God's love for Israel ; second, Their 

failure to return that love by fulfilling 

their duty to God; and third, Their failure 

to return that love by fulfilling their 

duty to their fellow Israelites. When 

God's chosen people began neglecting 

their duty to God by refusing to follow 

His directions for His own Worship 

Service (the touch-point of religion and 

fountain of all service to God), it led 

them to neglect and refuse their duty to 

their fellow man 

even their wives 

and now their self-centered minds begin 

to see God as they 

evil. 

themselves are 

Their actions and thoughts cul 

March 30, 1955 

minate in words, blasphemous words, 

and Malachi said, they "weary" God 

(2:17a; cf. Is. 1:14; 43:24; Eph. 4:30). 

But again they deny God's charges with 

an insolent, "Wherein have we wearied 

Him" 

Prove it! And Malachi obligingly 

gives them three specific instances (2:7). 

(1) They had said that the man who 

does evil isn't too bad in God's sight; 

in fact (2) God likes such a man, prob 

ably because He "loves all mankind," 

and finally (3) they began to say God 

was only a God of love not a God of 

judgment. This last idea (3) developed 

into a bold question; "Where is the God 

of judgment", that pointed to the 

source of their problem. The Israelites, 

with God's particular revelation in their 

hearts had returned from bondage and 

sacrificed and saved and worked hard 

to rebuild their city. But instead of pros 

perity, came poverty; instead of peace, 

came war; because God was more in 

terested in 

rebuilding character than 

city. Then the Cadillacs and vacations 

and prosperity and ease of their Godless 

neighbors began getting into their eyes 

and filling their hearts, and finally com 

ing out in their mouths in the form of 

these three complaints against God; (1) 

God must like these wicked men or they 

wouldn't prosper. (2) He probably loves 

all men enough to tolerate sin. (3) There 

isn't any such thing as absolute justice, 

and never will be! 

As a lesson to us when we're tempt 

ed to think any of these things, God ac 

cepts their challenge. He was wearied of 

having His precious love 

kicked and 

abused and refused. He had given man 

one marvelous proof of His love after 

another: The wedding gift of Eden; the 

choice and "marriage" of Abraham; the 

away" 

"going gift as they left Egypt and 

their trousseau for the desert trip; a 

new home in "the promised land." He'd 

given them children and He sent them 

one special messenger after another to 

tell them verbally 

of His law and love 

and promise to send His Own Son to 

be a child of their race. Malachi stood 

before them at that moment. His whole 

message and his very name proved God's 

love "My 

surely no one 

could refuse him. But they were doing 

it, so God proceeds to speak plainly of 

the punishment for spurning His love. 

He promises that after sending a Mal 

achi to "prepare the 

(3:1), He'll 

come himself, and there's a note of irony 

in the promise that the Lord of judg 

ment whom they "questioned" (2:17 last 

question), would appear: first as the 

Lord of their Temple, and second as the 

long expected "messenger of their cove 

God promises a strict and dis 

criminating justice by using the words 

"refine," "purify," and 

"purge." 

("full 

ers soap" may have been borax v. 2). 

The preachers or "sons of Levi" as first 

to offend (1:6-2:9) would be dealt with 

first (3:3 cf. I Pet. 4:17) and the con 

gregation second (3:5). 

The PURPOSE of this punishment 

was God's purpose in sending Malachi 

to us 

repentance. He did not come to 

make us suffer, but to make us re 

pent. (Lu. 9:56) They had been wor 

shiping and serving God in other ways, 

because they had to, not because they 

wanted to return His love. It had led 

them to give God their worst instead of 

their best (1:13,18; cf. Lv. 1:6; Is. 

29:13). God didn't want any ritual of 

law performed without thought, He 

wanted "an offering in 

(3:3); a humble heart, willing hands, a 

hearty spirit that would make their of 

ferings "pleasant unto the Lord as in 

the days of 

(3:4). He was weary of 

their going to sleep mentally and phys 

ically the minute they sat down in the 

pew; He wanted an alert mind to reason 

with. 

In His conclusion (3:5,6) God again 

assures them that their bold request 

to see "the God of judgment" (2:17) 

would be answered by a "swift" (liter 

ally a sudden) witness who would also be 

a just judge. (Christ is both witness 

and juge!! Ps. 50:6,7). 

God puts His 

finger on the source of all their sins 

and stupidity, their insolence and ignor 

ance, their unwillingness to accomplish 

their duty to God or theii; duty to man, 

with the words; "They fear not me, 

saith the Lord of hosts" (3:5). 

John 16:7-11 could be used as the 

N. T. text for this O. T. sermon. All 

the law givers and prophets including 

Malachi and John Baptizer, revealed our 

sins to us (Rom. 3:20) and told us facts 

about God, but those were only "sam 

compared to what Christ told us 

about our sins and showed us about 

God. HE was the perfect example of life 

without sin and the perfect manifesta 

tion of God's love and righteousness; the 

perfect lawgiver and perfect prophet. 

But Christ, in turn, pointed to "the 

who would "bring all things 

remembrance" 

to (our) 

by convicting us 

(1) of sin, (2) of the righteousness of 

Christ, and (3) of judgment. 

If Moses was the great lawgiver, 

whose purpose was to tell us what was 

and was not sin in God's eyes; and the 

earlier prophets were the great describers 

of Christ's righteousness, then Malachi's 

work, the last in the O.T., more 

nearly resembles the work of the Com 

forter than does any other. He vividly 

and bluntly describes our sins as God 

sees them. He describes God's love 

of choice and of justice, ii the right 

eous actions and decisions of a Christ 

who is yet to come. He tells us plainly 

of the coming 

judgment when sin and 

205

ighteouness will be forced to kneel to 

gether before God's throne of absolute 

justice. In the three statements made 

by Israel against God (2:17), Malachi 

presents the three downward steps every 

man must take when he refuses God's 

three-step plan of redemption. Malachi 

promises that God will present the three 

ascending steps (antidote to three down 

ward steps) leading up to the judgment, 

when He appears on earth. Christ did 

present these three ascending steps to 

judgment in John 16:7-11. 

FOR DISCUSSION 

1. How have you been "bothered" re 

cently by the prosperity of wicked or 

unfaithful men Follow Malachi's ex 

ample by giving three specific 

stances. Show how the three actions 

of Comforter (John 6:7-11) can meet 

the three "statements" of Israel in 

(2:17): (1) by giving 

in 

us conviction 

of sin; (2) an appreciation of the 

great cost of Christ's life and death; 

and (3) a knowledge of judgment. A 

vivid knowledge of judgment can 

make sin and righteouness real. 

2. It would seem that Christ was pri 

marily interested in the church and 

her services as the fountain of good 

(or evil). Give other examples of His 

concern for it. (Rev. chapts. 1-3; John 

2:13-17; Eph. 5:25-27; 2 Cor. 11:2; 

and others). What does Christ see 

your congregation doing for the work 

of His kingdom, as He Keeps on ex 

amining it 

3. Is it true that Moses and the prophets 

including Malachi failed and therefore 

God had to send His Son, greatest of 

all His Messengers Was Christ, the 

Word, part of the O. T. prophets 

Compare this thought with Christ's 

own description of this problem. 

(Luke 20:1-9; Matt. 23:37). 

THE OLD FASHIONED WAY 

When I was chaplain of a penitentiary 

in Arkansas, out of seventeen hundred 

convicts I found only one who had been 

brought up in a home where they had 

had an old-fashioned family altar. I 

heard since that he was pardoned as he 

was found innocent of the crime with 

which he was charged. 

There was an atmosphere in the oldfashioned 

home, a kind of prophylaxis 

which made it impossible for skepticism 

or atheism to live there. May God give 

us back the old-fashioned Bible, and oldfashioned 

parents; and then the Holy 

Spirit will come down on your little 

home like the glory cloud came down 

and went in to the Tabernacle. 

206 

Chaplain Hogg. 

Church News 

If you find it necessary for health, or 

other reasons, to move away from your 

home congregation, we'd be most happy 

to tell you about our church in San Di 

ego and about job and business oppor 

tunities here. The climate doesn't need 

selling! Write the pastor, J. D. Edgar, 

10140 Crestview Heights, La Mesa, Cali 

fornia, for further information. 

MORNING SUN 

Mrs. Acheson, Washington, an outof-bounds 

member, sprained her ankle, 

and is at home at present. 

Lloyd McElhinney who has been at 

tending Miami University has returned 

home and is engaged in the fertilizer 

business with his father. 

Zelda Tackenburg 

Omaha, Neb., are visiting 

and children from 

with her par 

ents Clyde and Mrs. McElhinney until 

Mr. Tackenberg can find a house in 

Denver. He is a salesman for Swift. 

Mrs. Clyde McElhinney, Sharon, 

Lloyd, and Mrs. Fred Johnson and Tim 

my visited Mrs. Tackenburg, in Omaha, 

Neb. 

Mr. and Mrs. D. T. Armstrong visited 

their daughter at Monticello. 

BEULAH AND SUPERIOR 

Mr. and Mrs. George Killough of 

Denver came to the Beulah community 

to see about the sale of the household 

goods of Mrs. Killough's mother, Mrs. 

Wm. Martin. This leaves a nice house 

vacant just three miles from the Beulah 

Church. 

Thomas Robison Hutcheson, born near 

Clarinda, Iowa, in 1877, and for many 

years a resident of the Holmewood and 

Superior communities, died February 

16 in Omaha, Nebraska, and was buried 

in Superior February 19. He was one of 

the oldest active traveling salesmen in 

this area up to the time of his illness 

a few months ago. 

The Rev. S. E. Boyle spoke in both 

Beulah and Superior churches on Feb 

ruary 13. He also addressed the Superior 

High School on Monday the 14th, and 

showed his pictures in the church that 

evening. His work was well received 

and was very much appreciated. 

PORTLAND 

We were very happy to have Orlena 

Lynn with us the last two Sabbaths 

she was in the States. She was a real 

blessing to our hearts as she told of 

her work among the Japanese people. 

Following prayer meeting 

on March 

9, 

a congregational meeting was held. 

At this time plans were made to ex 

pand our facilities and thus make our 

work more effective in Portland. 

Mrs. Frazer handed in her resignation 

as precentor for our congregation. A 

standing vote of thanks was given her 

in appreciation for the many years of 

service she has given us. Miss Iris 

Hutcheson was 

vacancy. 

appointed to fill this 

BELLE CENTER 

Jim Templeton was called into the 

armed service on February 14, and is 

stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky, His 

address is, 

Pvt. Jim Templeton, U.S. 

52379872, Co. B. 29, A.I.B.; C.C.C., Third 

ARMD Division, Fort Knox, Kentucky. 

Before entering the service, Jim was 

presented by the congregation with a 

pocket-size Oxford Bible, a gift which 

he greatly appreciates. 

Notice from the Flannelgraph Librarian 

A new Gospelgraph," the Christian's 

Birth and Growth, the gift of Mrs. 

Robert D. Edgar, is now available in 

the Synodical flannelgraph library. This 

is a series of ten lessons for Juniors and 

Intermediates based on the Gospel of 

John and is suitable for D.V.B.S., Bible 

Clubs or any similar group. Ask for 

Library No. 123. 

STERLING 


Mrs. Ninnie McGee is visiting in Ola 

the with her lifetime friend Mrs. Ella 

McGee. 

The new officers in the Sabbath 

School are: 

Superintendent, Maurice 

Reed; Assistant Superintendent, Dean 

Fountain; Secretary, Pat Foley; Trea 

surer, Warnock Patton. 

Intermediate officers are: President, 

Harry Wilkey; Vice President, Vickie 

Wilkey; Secretary, Bonnie Morley; and 

Treasurer, Melody McFarland. The in 

termediates held a covered dish supper 

at the home of their sponsor, Mrs. A. J. 

McFarland, March 23. 

At the home of Mrs. Robert Dill, on 

March 17, Sterling's W.M.S. officers of 

the past year were unanimously re-elec 

ted. These officers are : Mrs. Mary Jane 

Wilkey, President; Mrs. Gail Wilkey, 

Vice President; Mrs. Clara Patton, Sec 

retary; Mrs. Christian McCrory, Corre 

sponding Secretary; and Miss Esther 

Dill, Treasurer. 

Delegates to Kansas Presbyterial are 

Mrs. Clara Martin, Mrs. Mary Humph 

reys, and Mrs. Mary Jane Wilkey. Mrs. 


way." 

Public Schools for earnest prayer. 

L. E. Kilpatrick, Presbyterial President, 

March 30, 1955: 

and Mrs. A. J. McFarland, Synodical Miss Fern Brown was united in mar 

President plan to attend. 

Rev. L. E. Kilpatrick preaches at the 

riage to Mr. W. H. Fletcher on Feb 

ruary 18 at Yuma, Arizona. They are 

County Jail each Sabbath afternoon. now at home at 675 East 12th St., 

The Rev. F. L. Stewart plans to as Pomona, California. We wish God's 

sist at our Communion April 10. 

Mrs. Max Tener is taking a course of 

treatments in Mississippi for her asthma. 

Miss Eugenia Price was in Sterling 

March 8 and spoke at both the college 

richest blessings on them in this new 

relationship. 

Every Monday evening during March 

there are being held two Cottage Pray 

er meetings in preparation for the Re 

and the high school, also on radio and vival Services and Communion, April 

TV in Hutchinson, and at Convention 10-17. 

Hall in the evening at Hutchinson. She On March 4 the older folk gathered 

was a guest in the A. J. McFarland at the Chestnut home for dinner and 

home during her brief stay. 

fellowship, and the other members of 

the congregation joined the group later 

NEW CASTLE CONGREGATION 

Mrs. Mildred McConahy has been wel 

in the evening to shower our pastor and 

wife for their 12th wedding anniversary. 

We wish them 

comed in the membership of this Con 

many more anniversaries. 

On Sabbath, the 13th of March, our 

gregation from Rose Point. 

guest speaker was Miss Blanche Mc 

Miss Martha E. Dodds underwent an 

operation for cataract in the Eye and 

Crea, who took us to the American Acad 

emy 

Ear Hospital on March 15. 

Girls, and we were so glad to 

hear the fine testimonies of those girls. 

Rev. Harold Harrington has concluded 

God bless them all is our earnest pray 

a series of evening sermons dealing with 

er. 

the various cults, and is now beginning 

Mrs. Mable Olds, of this church re 

a series on the Book of Revelation. 

The Sabbath School is having a cently wrote her convictions in a letter 

pre- 

to the Fresno Bee recommending that 

Easter contest, and it has increased 

the Bible be restored to its rightful place 

the attendance in both the Sabbath 

in the public schools, seeing the rise 

School and Church services. 

of child delinquency as a result of bar 

FRESNO NEWS 

ring the Bible. A reply appeared in last 

Friday's paper charging that the Bible 

Friday, February 25, the World Day was too evil to be read in the schools. 

of Prayer Service, conducted by the What foolishness! Mrs. Olds is right. 

Evangelical Women's Fellowship, was The Bible does not corrupt youth. It 

held at the Full Gospel Tabernacle teaches them how to walk "undefiled in 

from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. The Noon lunch the 

was called "POT 

Is not 

TRUST." 

that much better than Pot-luck for us 

Christians to use 

Our Pastor is preaching a series of 

sermons on the Book of Joshua. Here 

ORLANDO 

The Blue Banner Class had a very en 

tertaining party at the home of Mr. and 

Mrs. C. M. Patterson on the evening of 

are three of the sermon topics; "Jo February 1. Three people were honored 

shua's Call," Salvation for Rahab," and 

"Crossing the Jordan." We are learn 

ing much from these kinds of sermons. 

The Intermediates have organized and 

named themselves, "Christian Soldiers." 

The President is Edward Parnell; Vicepresident, 

Charlotte Gentry; Secretary, 

Pat Parnell; and Treasurer, Lloyd Presson. 

Their Sponsor is our pastor's ef 

ficient wife, Mrs. R. W. McMillan. 

On Tuesday, March 1, the Blue Ban 

ner Daughters met at the home of Mrs. 

Jeanne Gouge. Miss Matilda Buck was 

with appropriate words because of the 

closeness of their birthdays. 

During the month of February, every 

one has been engaged in the task of 

cleaning our church. At some of these 

sessions various classes had parties to 

go with the work. Some of those parties 

are : The Fellowship Class held a supper 

before starting work on February 18. 

The Builders for Christ Class had a 

luncheon on Saturday February 19. The 

Young People's Class had refreshments 

following their cleaning on the twelfth. 

the devotional leader. The new officers The B.W.M.S. held their February 

are as follows: President, Mrs. Annette 

Fischer; Vice-President, Miss Lois Cope 

land; Secretary, Miss Alice Smith; and 

Treasurer, Mrs. Evelyn Webster. 

The same evening the Men's Prayer 

Group had Dr. Frank Dyer and Rev. 

meeting on the fourth at the church. 

The Misses Betty Nance and Cordelia 

Price were hostesses. 

Mr. and Mrs. William Richards and 

their sons, Gary and Mark, were visitors 

at our services February 27. Mrs. Rich 

David Calderwood as guest speakers. 

ards' 

mother, Mrs. Elwyn Carson, was 

They presented the matter of Senate 

Bill 1152-Bible Reading in the California 

here also. 

Albert Donahue arrived home from 

Korea February 19. He was home for a 

couple of weeks, and then went to West 

Virginia to see about an offered job. 

As he travels, may he remember that 

the congregation's prayers follow him. 


The Genevans, 34-voice mixed chorus, 

will begin their annual spring tour 

March 28. They will sing at churches in 

six states including Ohio, Indiana, Illi 

nois, Kansas, Iowa, and Michigan. They 

will be directed on the tour by Daryl 

Wonderly, Butler, a senior at the col 

lege. Wonderly is a graduate of the 

Nyack Missionary Training Institute, 

Nyack, N. Y. He will graduate from 

Geneva in June with a bachelor of arts 

degree with a major in Bible and a 

minor in music. 

The group's program will be divided 

into five parts. Part one will feature 

sacred music such as "Break Forth," "I 

Waited for the Lord," and "Gloria Excelsis." 

Part two will be Negro spirituals 

including "Listen to the Lamb" and 

"Steal Away." The third part will be the 

Psalms consisting of Psalms 146, 31, 

22, and 55. Part four will feature solos, 

trios, and quartet selections, and a talk 

by Rev. David M. Carson, head of the 

Geneva political science department. 

The final section of the program will 

feature secular numbers including hits 

from "Brigadon," "Barefoot," Bat 

tle Hymn of the Republic," "Moon on 

the Campus" and the Geneva 

Mater." 

"Alma 

The Genevans wili make the 2600-mile 

trip by chartered bus. While on tour the 

members will stay in private homes of 

the church congregations. The group in 

cludes 19 women and 15 men. DeWayne 

Kanagy, senior from Wampum, will be 

the pianist. Rev. Carson and Mrs. J. G. 

Vos are the sponsors. The Genevans will 

sing at churches in College Corners, O., 

Bloomington, Ind., Oakdale, and Chica 

go, 111., Kansas City, Sterling, and To 

peka, Kan., Morning Sun, la., and Battle 

Creek, Mich. They will return to Beav 

er Falls April 7. 

Although the 1954-55 Geneva College 

basketball team didn't break any team 

scoring marks, Captain Stan Yukica, 

Midland, became the highest scoring in 

dividual in Geneva cage history. The 

6-5 junior center added 573 tallies to his 

freshman and sophomore total of 773, 

for a three-year mark of 1346. This bet 

tered the former record of 1193 Pete 

Kinkead, Monaca, made during his three 

seasons of varsity 

competition. With 

one year of eligibility remaining, Yukica 

has a possibility of reaching the coveted 

2000-point mark. 

Coach Cliff Aultman's squad estab 

lished a Pennsylvania standard as it won 

the state NAIA championship for the 

207

purses." 

one." 

you." 

you." 

third successive year. The Covies par 

ticipated in the NAIA playoffs for the 

fourth straight year, having lost to 

Clarion Teachers the first time. 

The Covies' final record of 19-8 was 

the third highest in Geneva history. 

Only the 22-5 mark of 1952-53, and last 

year's 21-8 record bettered this season's 

total. 

Coach Aultman's squad scored 2243 

points in 27 contests for the third high 

est total in the college's court history. 

Last year's club amassed 2428 tallies fpr 

a Geneva record. The 1952-53 quintet, 

sparked by Kinkead, scored 2251 points 

to better this year's point production by 

eight. 

The Covies, who averaged 83.1 points 

per game, finished with five players 

above the 200-point mark in scoring. Be 

sides Yukica and Woodeshick, Otto 

Pritchard and Frank Melchiorre, 

Monaca, 

and John Swogger, Wampum, made 

the select list. 

Pritchard, sophomore forward, ranked 

third with 271 tallies for a 10.4 per-game 

average. Melchiorre, freshman guard, 

got 241 points for a 9.3 average. Swog 

ger, sophomore guard, made 242 tallies 

for a 8.9 per-game average. 

Yukica, who was named to the Pitts 

burg Press All-district second team, had 

the Geneva one-game individual high for 

the season. He sank 15 field goals and 

five free throws against W&J for 35 

points. Yukica also gathered 34 points 

against both Indiana and Slippery Rock 

Teachers. 

The team high was 104 points against 

Youngstown. The Covies made only 29 

field goals against the Penguins, but 

sank 46 free throws. 

The Geneva College Alumni Asso 

ciation will commemorate its 75th anni 

versary the weekend of June 4-7. One 

of the highlights of the weekend will be 

a Jubilee dinner, to be held in the Hotel 

Brodhead, Saturday June 4, at 6 :30 p.m. 

An outstanding program has been 

planned for the dinner at which several 

alumni will be honored and at various 

activities throughout the weekend. Sat 

urday afternoon, alumni will be greeted 

at a special reception to be given by the 

Rev. and Mrs. Howard C. Emrick, 

Ellwood 

City, president of the association. 

The group also will hold its annual busi 

ness meeting that day. 

Sabbath June 5, alumni will partici 

pate in a special religious service at the 

College. The association plans a recep 

tion for the Class of '55 on Monday. 

Commencement exercises on Tuesday 

June 7 will conclude the celebration. 

THOMAS McCREARY PATTISON 

The Session and members of New Cas 

tle Congregation record with sorrow the 

death of T. M. Pattison, 

208 

an elder and a 

beloved member of the church. Mr. Pat 

tison died at the home of his son Paul 

M. Pattison of New Castle on Saturday, 

February 19, after two months illness. 

He was born in Lawrence County, Pa., 

on July 19, 1868, the son of Robert D. 

and Margaret McCreary Pattison and 

had lived his entire lifetime in this 

community. He was preceded in death by 

his wife in May 1936. He is survived by 

one son Paul M. Pattison, a brother R. 

H. Pattison and a sister Mrs. Nancy 

Shelenberger, all of New Castle. Funer 

al services were held on February 22 

in charge of his Pastor, Rev. Harold 

Harrington. 

Mr. 

Pattison, or just 

"Tommie" 

many of his friends, had retired from 

active work a number of years ago. He 

was a member of one of the pioneer 

families of Lawrence County and a life 

long member of the New Castle Congre 

gation. He was a member of the Men's 

Bible Class and served his church as an 

elder very faithfully for many years. He 

had always enjoyed the best of health 

and was active in the service of his Mas 

ter until his death. 

As members and elders we shall cher 

ish the memory of a kind friend, a faith 

ful witness for Christ, and of our asso 

ciation together during his long and use 

ful lifetime. His life is an illustration 

and a fulfillment of the promise of 

Isaiah 40:31: "They that wait upon the 

Lord shall renew their strength, they 

shall run and not be weary, they shall 

walk and not faint." "They that trust 

in the Lord shall be as Mount Zion which 

cannot be removed but abideth forever." 

We extend our sincere sympathy to 

the members of his family. 

Glenn Lemon 

For the Session of the 

New Castle Congregation 

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE 


Our Covenanter Church professes to 

believe that the Bible is the inspired 

Word of God and the only infallible rule 

of faith and conduct. 

It professes to believe that our Lord 

Jesus Christ is King of Kings and Lord 

of Lords and that supreme allegiance is 

due to Him. 

Does 

The King 

our Church believe this 

of kings (Matt. 10:5-15) 

commanded His twelve disciples, "Pro 

vide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass 

in your 

This order was modi 

fied in Luke 22:35, 36 to "and he that 

hath no sword let him sell HIS garment 

and buy 

The King of kings (Luke 10:7, 8) 

commanded the Seventy "and into what 

soever city ye enter, and they receive 

to 

you, eat such things as are set before 

"And in the same house remain 

eating and drinking such things as they 

GIVE." 

Our Synod has overruled the King of 

kings and has ordered that free training 

and sustenance be provided for prospec 

tive teaching elders, that teaching elders 

be provided with a manse, with a mini 

mum salary, with pensions, 

expenses, 

traveling 

etc. and has encouraged mer 

gers of congregations for pecuniary 

gain. 

Said the King of kings (John 2:16): 

"Make not my Father's House an house 

of MERCHANDISE." 

Said Elder Peter (2 Peter 2 :3) : 

"And 

through covetousness shall 

they with 

feigned words make MERCHANDISE 

of 

Scripture indicates that the growth 

of the early church was not due to subsi 

dized missionaries, but to those who had 

established a residence in various lo 

cations (Acts 2:5 Acts 11:19, 20). 

After a group had been formed, the 

home church provided a temporary 

teacher or pastor (Acts 11:22, 23). 

Our own church in America was 

founded by families who came to a newland 

to LIVE, (not for a pleasure trip 

or to prepare for a lecture tour), and 

who built homes and churches. 

A denomination whose name is ana 

thema to Covenanters builds hospitals, 

schools where the relation of the Crea 

tor to His creations is taught and have 

thousands of members who give up the 

joys of marital life, who pay for their 

own training and who serve in schools, 

hospitals, among the poor and in prayer 

WITHOUT REMUNERATION. 

Another denomination has five or six 

thousand missionaries who serve two 

years at their own expense to preach the 

Gospel at home and abroad. 

Can this be said of The Covenanter 

Church 

Said the King of kings (Matt. 7:15- 

20) : "Ye shall know them by their 

fruits." 

Is it time for The Covenanter Church 

to change its PROFESSION or to 

change its PRACTICE 

Robert J. Crawford, Sr. 

(Third Church, Phila.) 

March 1, 1955. 

Submitted to and passed by the Edi 

torial Committee. 

Editor 

COVENANTER WITNESS



"THE FIELD IS THE WORLD, 

TV. E SEED IS THE WORD Of GOD 

VOLUME LIV WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 1955 NUMBER 14 

WorldiStrategy 

DR. CLYDE W. TAYLOR 

for Christian Missions 

Executive Secretary, Evangelical Foreign Missions Association 


(Continued from last Missionary Number) 

Mohammedanism 

Mohammedanism is a religion that never should 

have existed. If the Church of Christ had obeyed 

His command, the Arabs would have been won from 

their superstitious idolatry to Jesus Christ. But 

the Church had gone decadent. Its missionary 

zeal 

had vanished and it was left to an illiterate Arab 

of the city of Mecca in the 7th century to rebel 

against the idolatry of his people. He had oppor 

tunity to observe the small Jewish community and 

the small Christian one. He had read to him the 

Scriptures that were available. He became convinced 

there was but one true God and ridiculed idolatry. 

He claimed the archangel Gabriel had appeared to 

him. He became the Prophet of Allah. We won't go 

into his flight from Mecca to Medina, his gradual 

ascent to power in Medina, his return, conquest of 

Mecca and eventual political control of Arabia. His 

religious war exterminated opposition. 

What is the secret of the power of this satanic 

the 

masterpiece, for missionaries know it to be the most 

difficult of religions. The sacred book, the Koran, 

was written by his followers recording his many 

discourses and visions. He drew heavily on his know 

ledge of Hebrew and Christian writings. It is a 

religion that demands works daily prayers at least 

five times, and many 

other things to do. The obed 

ience of the Mohammedan is startling. In modern 

civilization it is not unusual to see a Mohammendan 

stop his huge truck on the highway, take out his 

prayer rug and pray with his face toward Mecca at 

hour of prayer. He isn't ashamed of his religion. 

Conversions may be made by force if necessary. It 

becomes a state religion, more or less intolerant. In 

most Mohammedan lands it is actually illegal for a 

Mohammedan to change his religion. In many in 

stances, apart from the legal violation, converts have 

been put to death by their closest relatives for turn 

ing to Christ. 

This religion is divided into almost as many 

sects and divisions as Protestantism. Some are very 

missionary minded. It is estimated that in some 

years as many as 5,000 new Mohammedan lay mis 

sionaries have gone down into Africa to trade and 

make converts. Once they take over, the messenger 

of Christ finds the going very hard. This religion of 

one God Allah, with one prophet, Mohammed, with 

his materialistic idea of heaven, dominates over 

150 millions of souls. It does everything possible to 

completely close lands to the Gospel through political 

control. It dominates the lives of its followers and 

threatens deviation by death. Yet the picture isn't 

all dark. In some lands through education the young 

er generation learns the Gospel in schools. In some 

sections of Africa Mohammedans are accepting 

Christ as never before. Pakistan, the largest of Mo 

hammedan lands, still has religious liberty. We need 

to press forward with the claims of Christ but let 

the missionary to the Moslems be sure God has call 

ed him to that work. May he enter it with his life 

revived by the Holy Spirit. 


crowds." 



More about Mendes-France 

Readers of this page will remember that in the issue 

of March 2 we guessed that the opposition to Mendes-France 

was mainly because of his stand for temperance. That has 

been confirmed by an article by Dorothy Thompson in the 

Chicago Daily News in which she quotes from a French 

paper. One of the economic empires in France is the alcohol 

interest and M. Mendes-France fell afoul of it when he pro 

moted a milk campaign 

a glass for every school child. The 

liquor business in France brings in 53 billions in taxes, and 

even though it costs the state 152 billions to deal with it, 

the people think it is a great asset to their country. The 

writer in the French paper, M. Barrat, says, "Everything 

conspires to impel the Frenchmen to drink." There is a 

constant sales campaign that alcohol is a real food. Even the 

schools are circularized to this effect. The alcohol bloc in 

cludes 8,000,000 people who earn their living from the indus 

try, plus 3,500,000 dealers 

a mass of voters large enough 

to block effective laws to limit or control the use of alco 

hol. Brandy is put in the bottles of infants, school children 

take a half bottle of wine in their lunch boxes, 

and the real 

homes of the workers are the bistros where they sip, sip, sip. 

France is anually producing 22 quarts of alcohol per French 

man woman, and child 

er country in the world. 

more proportionately, than any oth 

A Mounting Curse 

The above article goes on to say that alcoholism is a 

steadily mounting curse. In 1951 and 1954, reports to the 

National Assembly revealed that one in every 25 French 

adults was an alcoholic, and 15 per cent of the population 

on their way to becoming so. One fourth of hospitalized men 

tal patients owe their condition to drink, and only 75 per 

cent of the known mental cases are hospitalized. Alcoholics 

or their children produce 70 to 80 per cent of the nation's 

criminals. Abnormal mortality among men under 50 exists 

in no other country as acutely. Miss Thompson closes her 

article by saying: "Apparently what France needs is a 

troop of Carrie Nations." What France needs more than 

that is a nation-wide regeneration followed by a genuine 

reformation. As an ally to the U.S.A. France is like Egypt 

was to Judah, a broken reed on which if a man lean it will 

pierce his hand. 

Gospel Recordings 

The missionary effort is now being aided by gospel re 

cordings in a thousand languages and dialects. Many of 

these records are being 

work has never before gone. 

taken to places where missionary 

Christian Radio City 

Christian Radio City, Manila, is broadcasting twenty 

hours each day over the Far East. This was begun at great 

self-sacrifice of those who originated it. It carries a Bible 

correspondence course training in Bible and personal work. 

Christ's Mission 

Christ's Mission is planning to open a home for con 

verted priests where they 

can be helped in getting a new 

start in life and becoming 

acquainted with the Bible and 

210 

the true religion. The Converted Catholic is to be issued at 

twice its present size which will give much more information 

about Romanism. 

Revival In Africa 

A report by the Christian and Missionary Alliance of the 

Kinkonzi Station: "We have been having wonderful mass 

meetings lately with two or three thousand people out for a 

long day of services. . We look for the day 

. . 

have ten thousand, and it may be very soon. Our loudspeak 

ers are almost inadequate now for the 

Pastor Receives Exemption 

when we will 

The UEA reports the case of a young minister who is 

serving as an assistant pastor engaged in extension work in 

several needy communities in South Dakota. In addition to 

his ministerial activities it has been necessary for the regis 

trant to carry part time employment in non-religious work. 

His local draft board took exception to this outside employ 

ment and classified him in 1A. This was upheld by the State 

Board. At this point in the case the NAE Office of Affairs 

took up the case and was successful in getting the case 

passed up to the National Board. A letter from Donald H. 

Gill, Assistant Secretary of Affairs of NAE, explained to the 

National Board the nature of the home mission work in 

which the registrant was engaged. On January 17, 1955, the 

National Board classified the man in Class 4D, thus grant 

ing the ministerial exemption from military service. 

To Probe Comics and TV 

The Senate has voted to conduct a new probe into the 

influence of comic books and TV programs on juvenile de 

linquency. Senator Kefauver has been named chairman of 

the inquiry group which will serve as a subcommittee of the 

Senate Judiciary Committee. A special committee that in 

vestigated juvenile delinquency last year, of which Sen. R. C. 

Hendrickson was chairman, monitored television programs 







through its editorial office at 1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka, Kansai 

















Subscription rates: $2.50 per year: Overseas, S3. 00 ; Single CopiM 

10 cents. 

The Rev. R. B. Lyons. B.A.. Limavady, N. Ireland, Agent for the 


Entered as second class matter at the Post Office in Newton, Kansae 



COVENANTER WITNESS

equal" 



VICTORY IN FRANCE 

The French Senate has ratified the Paris agreements, 

approving each provision by a large majority. This is 

France's most important political decision since World War 

II. Three of the agreements involve the restoration of West 

Germany to full sovereignty; her rearming within a West 

European Union and her admission into the North Atlantic 

Treaty Organization. There is also an agreement for inter 

national control of the Saar valley. 

France was the tenth nation to ratify the Paris pacts. Bel 

gium, Denmark, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, and the 

United States have not yet acted, but no difficulty is expect 

ed. We have deliberately waited until France completed her 

ratification, in order not to be left "out on a limb'' as we 

were when the French turned down EDC. Hearings before 

the Senate Foreign Relations Committee are now beginning 

and the final vote may come by the end of April. 

BIG FOUR TALKS 

President Eisenhower is willing to consider the advis 

ability of Big Four talks after the Paris agreements are 

ratified. The first conference would probably consist of ex 

ploratory discussions by the foreign ministers. Before the 

President would agree to a direct meeting of chiefs of 

state, he would expect the Russians to show some signs of 

good faith. For example, we would expect some real prog 

ress toward an Austrian peace treaty and German unifica 

tion. Eisenhower's views are close to those of Senator Wal 

ter George, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Com 

mittee, who first started the latest move for Big Power 

talks. Senator Knowland of California, however, fears that 

a conference would find the West divided and our position 

compromised by "appeasement-minded" allies. Soviet Pre 

mier Nikolai Bulganin seems receptive to the idea, but past 

experience makes us skeptical. 

ROADBLOCK 

President Eisenhower's original highway program, call 

ing for the spending of $101 billion over the next ten years, 

appears doomed to defeat in Congress. Objections were 

raised to the great increase in federal spending, and particu 

larly to its financing by special bonds. Congress is likely 

to approve less than half the amount originally requested. 

Most of the federal money will go into superhighways, with 

the secondary roads left to the states. Some Congressmen 

would like to pay the cost by an increase in the federal gaso 

line tax, which is now two cents a gallon. This would affect 

every American pocketbook so directly that the politicians 

are not likely to adopt it. 

NEGRO LEADER DEAD 

Walter White, our country's best-known champion of 

Negro rights, died of a heart attack at the age of 61. He 

had served since 1931 as executive secretary of the National 

Association for the Advancement of Colored People. White's 

career was especially unusual because he was not recogniz 

able as a Negro, having fair skin and light hair, with only 

a trace of Negro ancestry. He became a crusader for Negro 

rights after his father, an Atlanta postman, died following an 

injury received in a racial disturbance. He joined the staff 

of the NAACP in 1918, at the age of 25. White was a gradu 

ate of Atlanta University and did postgraduate work in so 

ciology and economics. His greatest achievement was last 

year's school segregation decision. Now a federal court at 

Richmond, Va. has ruled that the school decision invalidates 

the "separate but doctrine for public recreational 

facilities as well. This could mean the opening of all public 

beaches and parks to Negroes, which would certainly stir up 

bitter opposition in the South. 

OIL IN BRAZIL 

A gushing oil well has been brought in deep in the inter 

ior of Brazil, near the point where the Madeira River flows 

into the Amazon. Brazil's present oil wells, in the coastal 

state of Bahia, produce only one and a half million barrels a 

year, less than three per cent of the country's consumption. 

Oil has thus been one of Brazil's biggest imports, eating up 

the dollars earned by her coffee sales. Development has been 

hindered by strict laws against the use of foreign capital, 

and much of the interior has never been covered by geologi 

cal exploration. The recent strike was made by a Texas 

drilling firm hired by the national oil monopoly. Geologists 

believe that the deposit may be very large, and that if labor 

and transportation problems can be solved Brazil may be 

able to supply most of her own oil. 

HOPE FOR SURVIVAL 

Along 

with the increased power of atomic weapons 

comes the improvement of defensive equipment. The Air 

Force has announced a new guided missile, the Falcon, which 

is designed to be launched from a fighter plane against 

an enemy bomber. The Falcon can be released at distances 

up to five miles, and seeks out its target at supersonic speed 

under the guidance of an electronic brain. The Defense De 

partment has also revealed that it is working on atomic 

antiaircraft weapons. One indication of this is that the cur 

rent atomic tests in Nevada are to include a blast high in 

the Air. Such an explosion could wreck a whole formation of 

enemy planes; pinpoint accuracy would not be necessary as 

with traditional antiaircraft shells. If a guided missile such 

as the Falcon were equipped with an atomic warhead, it is 

difficult to see how enemy bombers could escape. Many 

believe that the airplane will soon become obsolete as a 

fighting weapon. 

JUNGLE HOLDOUTS 

Some of the strangest stories from World War II were 

of soldiers who hid for months or years to avoid capture by 

the enemy. Perhaps the last of these stories has not been 

completed. Four former Japanese soldiers have finally re 

turned home after hiding out in the jungles of New Guinea 

for nearly ten years. They were the only survivors of a force 

of 2500 which was cut off by an Allied drive in 1944. They 

went into the deepest part of the jungle, where they had a 

constant battle for survival against malaria and starvation. 

They did not know the war was over until they were found 

by the Dutch last fall. Meanwhile their families in Japan 

had long considered them dead. 211 

April 6, 1955

eligion." 

cyp rus 

The American Academy As a Missionary Project 

By Wilbur W. Weir 

(Excerpts from a paper read to the Board of Foreign Missions) 

Why will the parents of 500 students send their 

children to a Protestant school in the Bronx Let us 

look to Cyprus They will send them because they 

want for their children the results which they 

have seen in the lives of other students who have 

gone there. They see them efficient in English; 

they see them getting better jobs which pay larger 

salaries; they see them with ideas and character 

traits which are above the average they don't 

know how it happens, but there is just something 

at the Academy which makes a young person bet 

ter. So they bring their children and some of them 

say to their children: "Get all you can, but don't 

let them change your Others, not interest 

ed in any religion, bring their children with no 

strings attached. Still others come to the school of 

fice and say: "This child is now yours; consider 

him your son ; he is now entirely in your hands." 

All know before they come that Bible is one 

of the regular lessons; so all attend Bible classes 

as they do other classes. Each morning there is a 

chapel service at which a Psalm is sung, the Bible 

is read, and prayer is offered. On Sabbath there 

is Sabbath School at the church at 9:00 a.m. Stu 

dents are not obliged to attend, but 15 to 20 do 

attend. The Sabbath School enrolment is about 65 

to 70. The boarding students are free to attend 

their own church Sabbath morning, and some of 

them go at about 8:00. At 10:00 a.m. there is a 

service in Greek in the church, and this is attended 

by the smaller boarding students who are not re 

quired to attend the English worship service in 

the evening. As a rule there are about 25 persons 

at the Greek service. At 11:00 the Armenian serv 

ice is held. About 80 attend. At the same hour a 

meeting is held in the study-hall at the school for 

all the boarding 

students. Four or five Psalms are 

sung, scripture is read, prayer is offered, then one 

of the teachers talks to the group on some moral 

or spiritual topic. Sometimes it is turned to a ques 

tion period, or a panel discussion. At 3:00 p.m. 

the Young People's Society meets at the church. 

This is entirely voluntary and is sponsored by a 

missionary. Usually 15 to 20 attend, and the meet 

ing is conducted much as they are in the church in 

America. At 7:00 p.m. there is a worship service in 

students who know 

English at the church. Boarding 

English well are required to attend, and the aud 

ience usually numbers about 125. 

Thursday at 4:30 the Fellowship Clubs meet, 

one for boys and one for girls, 10 to 15 in each 

group. These young people are for the most part 

recent converts or persons who want to know more 

of the Bible, and have their questions answered. 

A missionary teacher meets with each group; 

there is a Bible study, prayer, praise. Here a num 

ber pray for the first time as a member of a group. 

There are other small groups as well, each spon 

sored by a teacher, endeavoring to strengthen their 

Christian life. One such group meets for prayer 

at least once a week. Another 

early in the morning 

group stresses Scripture memory work. 

212 

An outstanding week of the school year is 

one in May when evangelistic services are held 

each evening in the church, and students as well as 

others are invited. Usually about 100 attend these 

meetings at which the challenge to accept Christ 

as one's personal Saviour is given. Often the harvest 

of earlier sowing is reaped at these meetings. 

The Academy was founded in 1908. In 1909 

New York Presbytery sent its last candidate to 

the Seminary. Its congregations decreased from 

17 to 9. In Cyprus the congregations increased from 

0 to 3. Men have 'been put into Christian service. 

Argos Zodhiates while a student in the Academy 

became the president of the first C.Y.P.U. in Lar 

naca in 1931. When he left the Academy he went 

to Latakia, Syria, to take theological training un 

der the Rev. A. J. McFarland of our mission; then 

he completed his training in the United Presbyter 

ian Seminary in Assuit, Egypt. He became an or 

dained preacher in the Covenanter Church, work 

ed in Cyprus, toured the Church in America. He 

is no longer in our church; is pastor of the largest 

Greek Evangelical Church in the Near East, the one 

at Katarini, Macedonia. The Rev. C. Christou, who 

has been for some years clerk of Synod's Commis 

sion in Cyprus, after completing 

certain courses of 

study, was ordained to the Gospel ministry in 1953. 

Mr. Barnabas Constantinopolos, who came out from 

the Greek Orthodox Church and joined the R. P. 

Church, has been engaged as colporteur for the 

British and Foreign Bible Society since 1931. He 

preaches most acceptably in the Greek worship 

services. Mr. Hassan Memour, raised a Moslem, at 

tended the Academy for six years, came out for 

Christ, is in the European Bible Institute at Paris, 

France. He is a member of the R. P. Church, and 

plans to return to Cyprus in the summer of 1955 

to teach part time in the Academy and to engage 

in evangelistic work among both Mohammedans 

and Greek Orthodox. These men have served in the 

Covenanter Church in Cyprus. 

An Academy graduate, the Rev. Dioran Kountrouni, 

is pastor of an Armenian congregation in 

Beirut, Lebanon. Another graduate, the Rev. K. 

Sislian, is pastor of the Armenian Evangelical 

Church in Paris, France. Theodore Koyzis, who came 

to Christ when a student in the Academy, complet 

ed his studies in Moody Bible Institute last June, 

and is now in Wheaton College. He will enter fulltime 

Christian service. There is today an Academy 

graduate in each of the following Seminaries in 

America: Biblical Seminary, New York City, Zenia 

Seminary in Pittsburgh, Pa., Faith Seminary, Phila 

delphia. Two Academy students are in Bob Jones 

University preparing for Christian service. Five are 

in Geneva College ; one of them to graduate in 1955 

will begin teaching in the Nicosia Academy in Sep 

tember next. She is an out and out Christian, Miss 

Aphrodite Trombettas. In the November 1954 issues 

of the Bible Society Record, page 139, there is a 

photograph of a conference of leaders of the two 

Bible Societies serving in the Near East: the British 

COVENANTER WITNESS

suppose," 

would." 

water" 

water." 

water" 

you," 

gift." 

water." 

water" 

week." 

water." 

water." 

and Foreign Bible Society and the American Bible 

Society. The photograph shows Mr. V. M. Ekmekjian 

accountant of the British agency, speaking at the 

conference. Mr. Ekmekjian was led to Christ by 

the Rev. A. W. Smith, now pastor of our Orlando 

congregation, when Mr. Smith was serving as a 

short-term teacher at the Academy, 1919-22. Vahan 

Ekmekjian graduated in 1922, and since then he 

has been employed by the British and Foreign Bible 

Society operating in Egypt. Mr. Ekmekjian has a 

splendid Christian testimony which he gives fear 

lessly. 

Dear Friends, 

The Lord's Gracious Gift 

By Rev. E. Clark Copeland 

The following incident occured the other day 

wjien Rev. Christou and I were on an evangelistic 

tour of some villages. The village priest had just 

ordered us to leave his "flock" alone, and informed 

us that he had told his people to tear up our tracts, 

and pointed to some scraps of paper on the ground 

as evidence of their obedience. As we were leaving 

the village, we stopped at a water fountain at the 

edge of the village to get a drink and wash our 

hands. Two little girls had just filled their jugs. 

As we washed, I spoke to them. The elder was 12 

years old, blond with long braids. Her companion 

was about 7, shy, but pleasant. Both were Greeks. 

Rev. Christou frequently augmented my Greek ! 

"What would we do without I asked. 

"Die, I quickly replied the older. 

"Hasn't God been good to us in providing all 

we need for our life here" She shook her head in 

agreement, and I continued. "Do you know the story 

in the Gospel about the woman who came to the 

well to get water and found Jesus sitting 

there" 

drink" 

"Yes," 

she replied with a smile. 

"What did she say when Jesus asked her for a 

To our pleasant surprise she quoted verbatum 

"How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink 

of me, which am a woman of Samaria for the Jews 

have no dealings with the Samaritans." 

"And what did Jesus say to that " 

She started to quote again, but got mixed up 

and hesitated. I produced a Gospel of John, pointed 

to the verse and she read, "If thou knewest the gift 

of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to 

drink; thou wouldst have asked of him and he 

would have given thee living 

"What is living I asked, and pointed 

to verse 14. 

She read, "Whosoever drinketh of the water 

that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the 

water that I shall give him shall be in him a well 

of water springing up into everlasting 

life." 

"Would you like to have a drink of 'living 

water' " 

"Yes, I 

"Where would you look for it, and how do you 

think you would get it" 

"I think if I am good I might . . 

her.voice was 

a bit uncertain and she left the sentence unfinish 

ed. 

Pointing again to verse 10 I had her read, "... 

April 6, 1955 

the GIFT of God . . . GIVE me to drink ... He would 

have GIVEN thee living 

"Now," 

I asked, "how would you get it" 

Her eyes twinkled and her smile brightened as 

she said, "It's a 

"Who gives it" 

"Jesus." 

"So, if it is a gift, and Jesus gives it, how 

would you get it" 

She hesitated, so I started to quote, "Ask, and 

ye shall receive. . 

and she joined in. Again I asked, 

"How would you get living 

"I would ask for it," she answered confidently. 

Handing her the Gospel, I said, "Here, take 

this home and read the story to your mother, and 

then you ask Jesus to give you living 

"Thank she said heartily. They picked up 

their jugs of water and started home. 

"What are you going to do when you get 

home" 

I asked. 

"I'm going to ask Jesus to give me living 

Will you join us in prayer that she may indeed 

know the joy of having in her a "well of water 

life" 

springing up into everlasting even though fa 

natics may tear or burn her gospel 

Your co-laborer in Christ, 

Greetings From Cyprus 

By Rev. Thomas M. Hutcheson. 

"Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace 

that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou 

hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same 

commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to 

teach others also . . II Tim. 2:1,2,8. 

"For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus 

the Lord." II Cor. 4:5. 

Pray that we will be channels through which 

the Living Word may flow to those destitute of the 

Bread and Water of Life in Cyprus. 

The Word is still going out in Cyprus through 

the schools and churches. Will it bear fruit The 

Lord knows what the increase will be. Rev. Cope 

land in a letter which I received a few days ago 

said, "Rev. Christou and I had a very profitable 

time in village visitation this This is one 

field which has been somewhat neglected for a num 

ber of years, because of lack of sufficient workers. 

We give thanks to God that the school has been a 

means of opening many village doors to our evangel 

ists. Often our students give considerable support 

to our evangelists in the informal discussions of the 

Bible in the village Coffee Shops. 

According to a recent report we are able to 

state that 2% of those to whom we give the Word 

through the schools and churches have accepted 

Christ. This may seem like small dividends, but it 

compares very favorably with the results obtained 

in the much publicized Billy Graham meetings in 

London. I have read that only 2% of all those who 

attended those meetings in London accepted the 

Lord. 

We are not satisfied, however, to stop with 2% 

when the Lord said in one of his parables that some 

seed sown, "brought forth fruit, some an hundred 

fold, some sixtyfold and some thirtyfold." Pray for 

us that Pentecost will truly come to Cyprus that 

213

saved." 

cometh." 

medicine." 

out." 

there may be "added unto the church 

daily 

such as 

should be 

The return of the Dr. and Mrs. W. W. Weir 

to the island was one of the high points of this last 

month. The esteem in which they are held by the 

people of Cyprus was shown in the fact that their 

arrival was mentioned on the evening news report 

with a statement of the amount of money raised for 

the Academy Building Fund. 

Many people were looking forward to their re 

turn and they have been kept busy receiving guests 

and calling on others, as well as assuming their 

school and church duties. We are glad to welcome 

them back to Cyprus. 

Mr. Thomas Edgar, who has been Acting Di 

rector, this year, has consented to continue his work 

as Assistant Director of the school, with Dr. Weir 

as Director. This will leave Dr. Weir freer to con 

tinue his work on the Academy Building Fund. 

I was sorry not to be up and out of bed to greet 

the Weirs. I was put to bed on the Saturday before 

they arrived, with yellow jaundice, where I have re 

mained for two and a half weeks. Thanks to the 

Great Physician, I shall be able to be out again the 

last of this week. I could enjoy Dr. Taggart's edi 

torial telling of his sickness, as our experiences were 

somewhat alike, except I could sit up in bed most 

of the time after the first five days. I was thus able 

to grade all of my First Semester Examination 

papers. Thanks to the Weirs and Dr. Edgar and per 

haps some others, my classes are being attended to 

this week. Rev. Copeland, already bearing a heavy 

load, has taken some of my preaching schedule. 

We are expecting, Hussein Hassan Memour, 

our young Turkish boy, to return to Cyprus this 

summer. He has been three years in the European 

Bible Institute and will complete his work this 

spring. We ask your prayers for him that he will be 

used of God in a real way in Cyprus. 

Two welcome visitors in Cyprus during the past 

month were Dr. J. Elwyn Wright of the World As 

sociation of Evangelicals, and a Mr. Keck, a Chris 

tian farmer from Ohio. They were on a world tour 

in the interests of W.A.E. At a Christian Workers 

Fellowship meeting, Dr. Wright told us of their 

work and offered to send us a gift of Christian 

books which they have received as donations in 

America, for our Church and School Library. 

The Nicosia Girls' Academy new building is 

progressing nicely, according to reports. By the end 

of February the entire building should have the flat 

cement slab poured over the entire first story. It 

is hoped that they may be able to use it by Septem 

ber. 

Plans for the dedication of the Larnaca Aca 

demy's new building, on April 30 are being made. 

It is very fitting that Dr. and Mrs. Weir will be here 

for it. 

The urgency 

of the Lord's work for 1955 is 

upon us. One month is past. Let us pray and work, 

"For we know not the day nor the hour when the 

Son of Man 

Syri1a 

A New Year in the Near East 

By Mrs. H. A. Hays 

The low horns of the freighters and firework 

display from freighter-passenger ships ushered in 

the year 1955. Little did we realize that many young 

people were walking along the sea front at that time. 

New Year's eve was warm and moonlight, more like 

a midsummer night than New Year's eve. 

Newr 

Year's morning we attended church and af 

ter the service all the missionaries met in the home 

of Mr. and Mrs. C. T. Hutcheson to receive callers. 

We took an hour off for lunch and met again to 

finish the day. The children stayed at home waiting 

their yearly treat, that of being entertained by the 

monkey. The monkey and his master comes around 

every New Year's day to receive a few francs. The 

children look forward to this every year. 

We had to start calling early Monday morning. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hutcheson went one way 

and Miss 

McClurkin and we went in the opposite direction. We 

started visiting in groups a few years ago, as some 

of the homes, one room sparsley furnished, cannot 

accomodate us all at once. 

Schools opened on Tuesday, and on Thursday 

which was Armenian Christmas and the feast of Bap 

tism which is observed by the Greek Orthodox, we 

had another vacation. We visited Greek Orthodox, 

Protestants and Armenians on that day. 

In one home, that of Adell Yocoub for the 'bene 

fit of those who know her, they were busy making 

dinner, Kibbie Lebaniyeh. A plate was put in front of 

us, the three of us ate all but three Kubbies. The 

214 

mother and daughter wouldn't let us go until we fin 

ished it. I then ate one, Miss McClurkin followed up 

and of course Mr. Hays could do nothing else but fin 

ish it. The mother laughed and laughed and said, 

"How happy you made me on this day!" "A merry 

heart doeth good, like a 

We returned 

home after that for lunch, but all we could do was to 

sit at the table and pretend, you know! As we visit 

the homes from year to year we notice the improve 

ment in living conditions which is very encouraging. 

The same day we received word that an English 

lady died aboard the "Cyprian Prince," a boat in har 

bor, and had to be buried in the afternoon. Due to 

government regulations, making of the coffin and 

other arrangements, the funeral had to be postponed 

until the next day. They were to bring her ashore 

and had to have a place to put her until morning. 

The church was being used, as it was the week of 

prayer so we had them put the coffin in the south 

hall of the school, downstairs. Miss McClurkin seldom 

disturbs us with pounding over our heads, but that 

night she was pounding. The pounding came from the 

south end of the building and was low and rather 

muffled. Judy looked at me and said, "Maybe the 

lady isn't dead, and is trying to get It may 

sound foolish to you, but had you heard the stories 

we have heard about people being buried before the 

body gets cold and even sometimes stiff , 

her wonder 

and amazement was not out of place. We heard the 

pounding off and on, finally Mr. Hays went down- 

COVENANTER WITNESS

me." 

ness." 

us," 

saved." 

stairs to have a look, and put our minds at ease. Af 

ter it was all over we had a good laugh. The next 

morning the funeral was held. About ten friends and 

six sailors came ashore to pay their last tribute and 

to be with the deceased's husband. Two of the girls 

from the upper class laid wreaths, one at the head 

and one at the foot of the coffin. This alone was a 

token of our sympathy. Rev. Awad read a few words 

in Arabic and Rev. Hays held the service. The sailors 

carried the flag-draped coffin in true military fash 

ion. 

The husband received a shock in the graveyard, 

however, as the cloth on the coffin is cut before 

it is lowered into the ground. I explained to an Eng 

lish man standing beside me that this is an old cus 

tom. It is done to discourage anyone from opening 

the grave to steal the cloth off the coffin ; which was 

done years ago. After the funeral we all went to Miss 

MeClurkin's home and had coffee. Mr. Wightman, 

the husband, is from Edinburgh, Scotland. He was 

glad to find a strain of Scotch blood in the land of 

Syria. He thanked us all heartily and said. "You have 

made it quite bearable." His wish is to have a marker 

put on the grave and a picture of it sent to him. 

out." 

"His ways are past finding 

The church in Banias is growing. There is a 

class of young men which meets during the week 

for a prayer-meeting. The pastor Rev. Ibraheem 

Besna has a service before the Arabic service in 

Turkish, for Turkish speaking Armenians. The Sab 

bath School is held in the afternoon. 

Two of the young girls in Bmelkie are having a 

Sabbath School. This is the vision we long for. Serv 

ice without compulsion. We want it to be their own 

actual "bit," the overflow of superabounding devo 

tion to God. Pray that the people will catch a vision 

of service because of their love for Christ. We had 

word recently that one of these young girls was mar 

ried. She is living in the same village and we do hope 

and pray that she will continue to serve as before. 

All we are able to do is not because of our good 

ness or strength, but through Jesus Christ. "I can 

do all things through Christ which strengthened 

Jap an 

ON BOARD S. S. "PACIFIC BEAR" 

Homeward Bound to Kobe 

By Orlena Lynn 

Dear Friends: 

After several postponements of the sailing date 

we finally left San Francisco on the morning of Feb 

ruary 23. The first night out was quite rough. The lid 

had been left unscrewed on a bottle of ink on the 

desk, leaving me some "permanent blue" reminders 

of our first night at sea on my return trip to Japan. 

We did have some quite nice days following that. 

One of the passengers was wondering what it would 

be like to be in a storm at sea. During the last two 

days we have found out, and it has been the first 

experience in a real storm at sea for most of us. 

People were literally thrown out of their chairs and 

more than one went sprawling on the floor. No real 

damage done, though. We all had our sea legs by 

then, and the majestic waves of the ocean made 

quite a picture. The storm did slow us up so that 

now it will be March 14th before the ship 

reaches 

Kobe. 

Through the singing of the psalms together 

aboard ship, two missionaries on the ship have be 

come quite interested in the Psalter and each want 

to buy the complete Psalter to have for themselves. 

One is a Presbyterian and the other is a Methodist, 

both returning to Korea after furlough. Several of 

the passengers were interested in the Navigator 

verses. As I had some with me, two of them have 

already started on these aboard ship. The Korean 

lady in my cabin has asked me to pray for her. She 

is a professing Christian and church leader, but 

more because her grandfather was the first Chris 

tian in their part of Korea than because of a real 

conviction of our being sinners in the sight of a 

holy and righteous God before whom we can only 

come as we do so, clothed in the righteousness of 

Christ. A Korean man on board ship considers him 

self a Christian because his father was an elder in 

the church, but shows no evidence of the fruits of the 

Spirit in his life, and there is apparently no vital 

April 6, 1955 

personal faith in Christ as Lord and Saviour of his 

life. Pray for these among whom the seed has been 

sown that their spiritual eyes might be opened. 

What a wonderful promise we have that "If we con 

fess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us 

our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteous 

This furlough year has been a profitable one. 

It was good to see the family, relatives, and friends 

again. Also, I enjoyed the opportunities of meeting 

many of you and seeing your part of the work for 

the cause of Christ. My thanks to each of you who 

have written to me and who have shown me much 

kindness and warm hospitality during my time in 

the United States. The many steamer letters were 

greatly appreciated. 

The Japanese friends told me to gain weight 

while at home, but I doubt whether they expected 

me to add fifty pounds as I did. Hope they will rec 

ognize me. It will be good to get back to Japan and 

I am anxious to return to the Covenanter Book 

Room and to the work among the people of that 

land. Going forth with the Gospel message as am 

bassadors for Christ is truly a wonderful privilege, 

whether it be to those in America or to those in 

lands across the Ocean. Pray for me as I again 

take up the work in Japan that I might be used of 

God to His own glory. Also, pray for our Japanese 

Christians as they take to others in their land the 

message that "God commendeth His love toward us, 

in that, while we were yet sinners Christ died for 

and that "whosoever shall call upon the name 

of the Lord shall be Knowing our stubborn, 

selfish human nature, how thankful we are that even 

that faith to believe is a gift of God! 

Communism 

Is this a religion It is a religion and much 

more. It is a religion of atheism, of dialectical mater 

ialism. It is a religion of redemption of the human 

215

ight." 

me." 

The Lord's Gracious Gift 

By Rose Huston 

Bless Jehovah, O my soul, and forget not all His 

benefits : 

Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; 

Who healeth all thy diseases ; 

Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; 

Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender 

mercies ; 

Who satisfieth thy desire with good things 

So that thy youth is renewed like the eagle. 

Bless Jehovah, 0 my soul! 

Three thousand years ago this Psalm of praise 

came from the heart of one who had been forgiven, 

and healed, and redeemed, and crowned, and satis 

fied, and his youth renewed. Today, Mr. Takihara 

is rejoicing in the same gracious Lord who has be 

stowed the same benefits on him. 

Since he entered the Hospital less than a year 

ago, he has made such remarkable recovery as to 

amaze the doctor. On February 10, 1955, the second 

operation was performed on his tubercular lung. Af 

ter an hour's work, they found the condition much 

worse than the x-ray had shown. Another half hour, 

and three of the four surgeons present urged the 

chief surgeon not to complete the operation as it 

was too dangerous. He agreed. But Mr. Takihara 

under local anesthetic said, "Go ahead. God is taking 

care of my body. I'll be all So they continued. 

He was so weakened by loss of blood that a trans 

fusion was necessary; but they had none at the 

Hospital. A nurse volunteered to give her blood, and 

it was transferred directly into his veins, and the 

operation completed, taking a little over three hours. 

His condition was critical; another transfusion was 

necessary. His fever continued very high until Sab 

bath afternoon when it began to go down. That was 

just the time when we had a special season of pray 

er for him before our church service. 

His wife came home a few days later as he was 

out of danger. The doctor said, "That man has a 

remarkable body. It is different from any body I 

ever saw. His recovery astonishes 


of seven leading New York stations. They found an average 

of 6.2 acts of violence an hour on these telecasts. They also 

reported that children's television hours, 5-7 p.m., were 

"twice as saturated with violence as any other hours." They 

teacher" 

noted that television is frequently the "first of 

young children and stated: "What the effects of a child 

seeing five, six, and seven people killed each afternoon might 

be in terms of making callous his normal sensitivity to that 

kind of human destruction is an unknown 

quantity." 

All of 

the members of the subcommittee are active churchmen and 

several of them are Sabbath school teachers. 

Parochial Bus Bill 

Leaders in the Baptist Church in Missouri have begun 

an "all-out" fight against the passage of a bill by the legis 

lature which would permit parochial school children to ride 

on state-supported buses. Thousands of letters have been 

sent and more than 100 long distance calls were made ap 

pealing for immediate action opposing the bill. 

216 

WORLD STRATEGY . 

from front page 

race by science. It admits no God, aims at trans 

forming the world and tolerates no opposition. It has 

advanced much faster than any known religion. 

In one hundred years the Moslems crossed North 

Africa, into Spain and up into southern France be 

fore they were halted. Communism has advanced 

a- 

cross Europe and Asia so fast that for 11 years it 

advanced at the rate of 44 square miles a minute 

and today dominates the lives of 810 million people. 

behind iron and bamboo curtains. We know its strat 

egy and its method, so we'll pass it by. 

Romanism 

A religion that bears the name of Christ but 

which has turned out to be an ever increasing per 

version of the truth is Romanism. Each century sees 

additional dogmas added to "infallible faith." By de 

gree now, Roman Christianity is turning to Mariolatry. 

The mother of our Saviour has become the 

Mother of God. She has done everything but atone 

for the sins of a lost world. However, it isn't the 

doctrine of this religion that causes the most alarm 

today. It is the philosophy and functions of this 

Roman church. She believes that she alone has the 

truth, hence as far as possible she must protect 

all under her control from contamination. Rome has 

no concept of the right of the individual to choose 

life or death. The "church" is responsible, the 

"church" 

saves. 

The Roman Church believes and demands where 

possible that the state and church be united, with 

the church supreme, supported by the state. Other. 

religions will be tolerated only when totalitarian 

control by the church is not possible. Tolerance 

increases inversely to her size in a given country. 

These practices have invariably produced in lands 

which she dominates masses in poverty with a small, 

powerful, rich class. The masses remain illiterate. 

The Roman Church stays wealthy and politically 

dominant. The result today in most lands reveals a 

pagan people with as few as 5% of the population, as 

in France, attending church. According to a French 

premiere, from 65% to 80% of Frenchmen are agnos 

tics. A large per cent of French clergy is agnostic. In 

Latin America only an average of 

20% of the people 

are loyal to the church. The fields are ripe for Christ 

or Communism. As in Italy, Communism is winning 

the battle. 

What is Rome's strategy now Apart from the 

spiritual efforts made by some, as the American 

Mary Knoll Fathers, and a few orders of nuns, ef 

forts in Latin America are totally one of "Roman 

Catholic Action." Political infiltration to gain con 

trol of the government follows and then they impose 

a strict concordat. It is easy for them to work 

through a heartless dictator such as Franco in 

Spain to negotiate such a concordat. The Roman 

faith is declared the one uniting force. To leave the 

Roman church is equal to being a traitor to the 

country. Absolute intolerance becomes the logical 

sequence of these teachings of Thomas Aquinas. 

The result is continuing persecution with evangelical 

church sealed shut in Madrid last month and the 

expulsion of a missionary couple. The same teach 

ings produced the destruction of 43 evangelical 

the death of scores of Protestant Christians. 

churches in Colombia, the loss of 32 others and 

COVENANTER WITNESS

all." 

presbytery)" 

of' 

The desperation of Rome can be seen in all those 

Latin American countries where the Church can 

not dominate. Today the multitudes as never before 

are turning against Rome, seeking education, build 

ing a new middle class economy and turning as 

never before to the Gospel wherever it is being pro 

claimed. I have known Catholic Latin America for 

25 years, and have recently traveled over all of 

South America and the Iberian peninsula. Evangel 

ical churches are full. The response is challenging. 

With little wonder Rome, in desperation has turned 

to political action. In the Protestant countries, where 

complete religious freedom rules, the Roman church 

is growing. Recognizing that much is by immigra 

tion and large birthrates, nevertheless Rome pros 

pers. True, the Roman Catholics in Protestant 

lands are also tolerant and the Roman Church ab 

sorbs much of the Protestant concept and attitude. 

Yet behind the scenes, even here in America, Rome 

is busy infiltrating government, the public school 

system, and the whole political structure hoping 

for the day of domination and totalitarianism. 

Christ 

Not just a religion, but a PERSON, a Life. He 

became the "Way" and thus Christianity was first 

known. What is our strategy How are we to con 

quer the world The disciples of Christ did not use 

force. They did not try to establish a political system. 

they made no effort to intrigue the heathen by a 

religion of works or tickle their minds with a mystic 

al philosophy. The Christian Scriptural strategy is 

so simple we have failed to use it. The whole basis 

of Christianity is the relationship of the man to his 

Redeemer. God saves men one at a time. By faith 

men receive Christ. That regenerated man, made 

a new creation in Christ by the Holy Spirit, is to 

tell others what happened to him. He is to intro 

duce them to Christ and help them put their trust 

and faith in Him. Then they are to do the same 

thing. Believers are to assemble together. They are 

to live, love and serve their Lord and one another. 

Does it work 

Incredible but in one century the Gospel spread 

across Asia Minor, across southern Europe, to Eng 

land, down into Africa, and over into India. In three 

centuries it dominated the life of the Roman Em 

pire and, had it not been sabotaged by Constantine 

and made a state religion, the world would have 

been its goal. Today we press for the goal, every 

open land is hearing the gospel. The greatest 'band 

of true missionaries this world has ever seen is 

pushing back the veils of darkness but there is still 

much to do. At least a billion souls have never heard 

the Name of Jesus. May God grant revival to His 

Church around the globe, that His divine strategy 

may be put into effect transforming millions of 

born again believers into witnesses of Christ. Then 

we'll reach every corner of the world. Then we may 

look up for our Lord comes. 

Warning to Catholics 

The Point, Roman Catholic organ, has the fol 

lowing item, "Warning! Official diocesan figures 

show that one third of our American Catholic boys 

and girls now marry non-Catholics. Two out of three 

children born out of such marriages turn out non- 

Catholic. In 6 out of 10 mixed marriages, the Catho 

lic partner leaves the church. In the past 10 years, 

165,000 young Catholics who married Protestants 

RESOLUTION OF THANKS OCCASIONED BY 

THE RESIGNATION OF G. M. ROBB AS RECORD 

ING SECRETARY OF THE FOREIGN MISSION 

BOARD . . . 

"There are diversities of gifts, but the same 

Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, 

but the same Lord. And there are diversities of op 

erations, but it is the same God which worketh all 

in I Cor. 12:4-6. 

These principles are everywhere apparent in the 

Church of Jesus Christ, but frequently the eyes of 

our 

understanding are darkened that we do not ob 

serve them. Again, on occasion, a youthful servant 

must be admonished in the words of Paul to Tim 

othy, "Stir up the gift of God that is in thee by put 

ting on of (the) hands (of the (n Tim. 

1:6). In the case of G. M. Robb, the church has, 

through the years, recognized certain gifts and has 

called for their dedication. First, gifts in the art of 

preaching, then gifts as a public lecturer for the 

Christian Amendment Movement, and gifts, of know 

ledge and judgment have been called into service on 

committees of the Synod. 

Soon after his appointment to the Board of 

Foreign Missions by the Synod 1944, the Board 

recognized in Mr. Robb good judgment and the 

grace of Christian charity. When, early in 1947, the 

Board came into the need of a Recording Secretary 

due to the illness of the late Dr. S. E. Greer, it rec 

ognized in Mr. Robb one who might well serve in this 

capacity. The Board was not disappointed, for Mr. 

Robb not only possessed gifts given from the hand 

of God, but he himself dedicated these gifts to the 

Master's service. Not only have the minutes of the 

Board Meetings been accurately and clearly recorded, 

but the extra touch has been rendered which made 

for the smoother and more effective running of the 

Board; these in the form of notes and notices sent 

to those members of the Board who had special as 

signments to fulfill. 

So, for these reasons especially, the thanks of 

the Board of Foreign Missions are herewith extended 

to our brother, G. M. Robb, as he moves from our 

area after nearly 

eleven years as a member of our 

Board and almost eight years as our faithful Re 

cording Secretary. We wish him Godspeed as he 

goes to take up the Lord's work in another part of 

the vineyard. 

This resolution of thanks would not be complete 

should we fail to record here, as well, our thanks 

to our Covenant God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, 

the giver of every good and perfect gift, for placing 

at our disposal, for these years, His servant in the 

Kingdom. "To Him be glory and honor and praise 

throughout all ages, world without end. Amen!" 

Respectfully submitted for the Board, 

J. Paul Wilson. 

BOTH KNEES NEEDED . 

. . 

A lecturer recently declared in the introduction 

of his lecture that he had received his moral training 

at the knee of a devout mother, and across the knee 

of a determined father. Sunday School Digest. 

and Jews before their parish priests have abandoned 

their Catholic faith." 217 

April 6, 1955

months," 

shampoo," 

closet, the household, the fellowship- 

Also, the word "love" is used 

instead of "charity.") 

meeting." 

guaranteed." 

go." 

sin." 

me." 

woman 


"OUR C.Y.P.U. PLEDGE 


For April 24, 1955 

I Cor. 10:31 

Comments by Eev. Robert W. McMillan 

"Aiming to Live for the Glory of God 

as my Chief End, I will in Reliance upon 

God's Grace and feeling my inability to 

perform any spiritual duty in my own 

strength, diligently attend to Searching 

the Scriptures, Religious Conversation, 

Private Prayer, Family Worship, the 

Prayer Meeting, and the Sanctuary, and 

will seek in them to worship God in 

Spirit and in Truth. I do solemnly prom 

ise to depart from all iniquity, and to 

live Soberly, Righteously, and Godly in 

this World, Commending and Encourag 

ing by my Example, Temperance, Love 

and Godliness." 

One of the most common devices em 

ployed in modern merchandising is the 

giving of a guarantee, or a pledge, or a 

warranty, or a promise regarding the 

quality of a product and the willingness 

of the manufacturer to stand back of it. 

A serviceman was installing an Autolite 

battery in the car. "What's the guaran 

tee" 

we inquired. "Twenty-one 

he assured us. Later, the same 

day, the Raleigh salesman tapped a bottle 

of shampoo with his forefinger. "This 

he said impressively, "is un 

conditionally 

It may help you to understand the 

purpose of the C.Y.P.U. Pledge if you 

think of it as your personal pledge (call 

it a guarantee if you wish) to God in 

consideration of the infinite price which 

He paid when He purchased redemption 

for His children (I Peter 1:18, 19; I Cor. 

6:19, 20; 7:23). 

The C.Y.P.U. Pledge is taken from 

the Covenant of 1871, section one, para 

graph two, slightly modified. (The per 

sonal pronoun is used and modern term 

inology is employed instead of archaic 

expressions such as "the duties of the 

Caution: do not recite the pledge 

merely as a memory-feat, or as a beauti 

ful example of English prose. This is a 

solemn promise, and if we recite it 

"just for fun" or as something else to 

do to add variety to the meeting we may 

be guilty of profanity. 

The following seven topics may help 

you to discuss the meaning of the 

pledge : 

1. MY AIM: Aiming to live for the 

glory of God . 

218 

. . 

2. MY SOURCE OF STRENGTH: In 

reliance upon God's grace . . . 

3. MY ATTITUDE TOWARD SELF: 

Feeling my inability to perform any 

spiritual duty in my own strength . . . 

4. MY DEVOTIONAL HABITS : Dili 

gently attend to searching the Scrip 

tures, religious conversation, private 

prayer, family worship, the prayer meet 

ing, and the . . . 

sanctuary 

5. MY PURPOSE: (I) will seek in 

them to worship God in spirit and in 

truth . . . 

6. MY SOLEMN PROMISE: To de 

part from all iniquity, and to live sober 

ly, righteously, and godly in this world 

7. MY INFLUENCE AND EXAM 

PLE: Commending and encouraging 

temperance, love and godliness. 

Young person, this pledge is not for 

those who want to live a shallow, world 

ly, self-centered life. This is the ringing 

declaration of a good soldier of Jesus 

Christ (2 Tim. 2:3). The keeping of this 

pledge means that you will have a vic 

torious devotional life and an effective 

testimony for your Saviour. 

For discussion: 

1. Which phrases in our pledge are 

Bible expressions (See John 11:4; Luke 

2:40; John 5:39; John 4:23; 2 Tim. 2:19; 

Titus 2 :12) 

2. Tell of how you won a victory re 

garding any 

one of the spiritual duties 

mentioned in the C.Y.P.U. pledge. 

3. What should we do if we don't care 

to attend Prayer Meeting Recite the 

pledge anyway Recite all but that par 

ticular promise Begin attending Prayer 

Meeting, and PRAY (Will you) 

JUNIOR TOPIC 

April 24, 1955 

Miss Eleanor Boyd 

Montclair 

Topic: Bricks without Straw. Exodus 

5:1-19. 

Memory Verse: And Pharaoh said, 

"Who is the Lord, that I should obey 

his voice to let Israel go I know not 

the Lord, neither will I let Israel 

Exodus 5:2. 

Psalms 


Psalm 2:1, 2, 4, 7, page 4 

Psalm 25 :7-10, page 59 

Psalm 34:6-7, 

You remember how Pharaoh had 

page 82 

made slaves of the Israelites. They were 

slaves of the State and not of individual 

masters as the slaves in our country 

were before the Civil War. 

They had been in Egypt nearly four 

hundred years and the time was draw 

ing near when they would be liberated. 

Moses asked Pharaoh to allow the 

children of Israel to go for three days 

into the wilderness in order to offer 

sacrifices unto the Lord. Our memory 

verse tells us his reply. 

Pharaoh had no 

knowledge of the 

Lord nor did he want to know Him. 

The reason for his defiance and final 

ruin was that he closed his heart against 

God. In his haughtiness he said that the 

Israelites had too much time on their 

hands, therefore he would see that they 

were really kept busy. 

The very day of Moses' and Aaron's 

visit, a new order was issued by Phar 

aoh to the task masters of the Israel 

ites. Probably before night, word had 

passed from the taskmasters to the lead 

ers who were set over the people and 

were responsible for the daily delivery 

of a certain amount of bricks, that 

they must expect no more straw, al 

though they must make as many bricks 

as ever. 

There followed a time of great dis 

tress. The Hebrew leaders assigned 

some of the people to scatter themselves 

over the country 

They 

to collect stubble. 

urged the rest of the people to 

work faster. From early morning until 

night the whole nation worked beneath 

the scorching sun. Yet as the bricks 

were counted there were not enough. 

In vain did the taskmasters hurry them 

saying, "Fulfill your tasks as when 

there was straw." 

In vain were the 

leaders beaten, and such beating as 

they would get might mean death. 

What do you suppose sustained the 

Israelites under this cruel regime Yes, 

it was their faith in God and His prom 

ises. 

The dilemma of the Israelites reminds 

me of a story of a young Covenanter 

woman in Scotland during the struggle 

between the Covenanters and the Eng 

lish. The soldiers had killed her hus 

band and were taking her cow. As she 

stood in the doorway of her cottage, 

one of the soldiers felt sorry for her. 

He turned and said, 

"Poor 

"Dinna ye call me poor," she replied, 

"the Lord is my portion and ye canna 

take Him from 

Pharaoh could be cruel but he could 

not take away their faith. Do we need 

such faith today 

Throughout the Bible the slavery of 

Israel in Egypt is referred to as typical 

of the slavery under which the sinner 

is held. Our Lord himself says, "Who 

soever commiteth sin is the slave of 

(John 8:34). 

COVENANTER WITNESS

unrighteouness." 

you." 

you." 

you." 

mourn." 

Look at the drunkard! Doesn't 

his 

appetite enslave him It makes him 

barter all his possessions for liquor. Our 

hospitals and mental institutions would 

not be so full if it weren't for so many 

victims of their own evil habits. If 

you visit our prisons, you will see how 

selfishness, jealousy, lack of self-control 

and dishonesty have caused the downfall 

of the inmates. It is the same with 

every kind of sin. 

Lowell in his beautiful poem, "The 

Vision of Sir Launfal," says: 

Earth gets its price for what earth gives 

us; 

The beggar is taxed for a corner to 

die in, 

The priest has his fee who comes and 

shrives us, 

We bargain for the graves we lie in; 

At the devil's booth are all things sold, 

Each ounce of dross costs its ounce 

of gold: 

For a cap and bells our lives we pay, 

Bubbles we buy with a whole soul's 

tasking; 

'Tis heaven alone that is given away, 

'Tis only God may be had for the 

asking. 

You see, boys and girls, that the devil's 

wares are expensive while the riches of 

God may be had free. But slavery to 

sin need not bind us forever. Jesus 

Christ has said, 

truth and the truth will 

free.'' 

"Ye shall know the 

make you 

Go to Him then if you are en 

slaved by selfishness, jealousy, a weak 

will or a multitude of other sins. He 

alone can set you free. "If we confess 

our sins, he is faithful and just to for 

give us our sins and to cleanse us from 

all 

Questions 

How many Israelites went down into 

Egypt 

About how man ywere delivered by 

Moses 

Were the Israelites enslaved during 

the life of Joseph 

What sins do the Ten Commandments 

tell us not to commit 

How can we keep from enslaving 

ourselves to sin 

References Gen. 46:27; Ex. 1:7; 1: 

8-12; 20:1-17; John 8:32; First John 

1:19. 

To the leader, refer to lesson 6, "The 

Land of the Free" in the new book 

"Taught of the Lord." 


April 24, 1955 






ASA's RELIGIOUS REFORMS 

April 6, 1955 

2 Chron. 14-16. 

PRINTED: 2 Chron. 15:1-12. 

MEMORY: 2 Chron. 15:2 "The Lord is 

with you, while ye are with Him; and 

if ye seek Him, He will be found of 

Lt 

From the story of the kings of Judah, 

would appear that moral character 

is not so much a matter of inheritance 

as of teaching. Rehoboam was born 

about the time Solomon became king. 

Solomon, in the early years of his reign, 

was much engrossed with the affairs 

of government, in which he showed re 

markable wisdom, and in social life 

where he was famed for his luxurious 

extravagance. He had little time for his 

children, and Rehoboam seems to have 

been left to the influence of his mother. 

Then when Solomon was older and tried 

to impress his son with the need of 

godliness, (see early 

chapters of Eccle 

siastes) it was too late, Rehoboam had 

been too deeply influenced by the lux 

uries of life learned in his father's court. 

and the idolatries of his mother's court, 

to accept the wiser advice of this same 

father in his old age. 

Abijah followed his father Rehoboam 

in the kingdom and seemed to build 

a strong 

government. When threaten 

ed by a strong enemy, he appealed to 

God for help, and God gave him a re 

markable victory. His story 

(2 Chron. 

13) appears to show him as a righteous 

king. That, however, is the story of his 

administrative life. In 1 Kings we get 

a glimpse of his inner life and influence, 

that is, his, religious life, his heart; "he 

walked in all the sins of his father Re 

him." 

hoboam, which he had done before 

Then we find another problem when 

Asa comes to the throne. Why 

was he 

so much better than his father and 

grandfather For we read (14:2), "And 

Asa did that which was good in the 

eyes of the Lord his God." How did 

Asa escape the evil of his environment 

The Lord, through His Holy Spirit, op 

ened the eyes of Asa to see the right 

and wrong 

and turned his heart to ac 

cept the right and follow God's will. 

We do not know what human agencies 

God may have used. Even the sins of his 

parents may have served as a warning 

to him, and influenced him to seek the 

better way. 

A splendid Christian man told me that 

there were two influences that kept him 

from being a drunkard; first, his father 

who drank and sometimes got drunk, 

but sent him to Sabbath School. Then 

his brothers, 

who were drunkards. Sec 

ond, the work of the Holy Spirit in lead 

ing him to the better life. 

Perhaps the evils of Asa's surround 

ings were used by the Holy Spirit to 

strengthen his battle for the right. Then 

perhaps the pleading 

of the aged Solo- 

mon that failed to save his son and 

grandson, appealed to the heart of his 

great-grandson and helped him to see 

the way 

out of his sinful surroundings 

so that he could become good in the eyes 

of the Lord. 

GOD 

WILL GIVE NATIONS WHAT 

THEY ARE PREPARED TO RECEIVE 

The prophet Azariah encouraged Asa, 

"The Lord is with Promised, "If 

ye seek him, he will be found of you." 

And warned, "If ye forsake him, he will 

forsake 

These have been fulfilled 

through the centuries. Man is still on 

earth, God is still in Heaven. It is not 

needful that God should speak to nations 

now through prophets. The law and the 

prophets have been fulfilled in the ex 

perience of men and nations for six 

thousand years. We have more instruc 

tion than Asa had, a full statement of 

invitation, promise and warning,, and 

these illustrated by the experience of 

peoples and nations for many centuries. 

A NATION WITHOUT GOD 

For half a century, Israel, including 

Judah, was without God; that is, they 

did not serve Him. In desperate need, 

Judah turned to the God of Israel, and 

found Him. In every war, we have 

turned to God in some measure, (tem 

porarily). And each time He has given 

us victory, temporarily. We are on pro 

bation now. Faithlessness in public life 

is more devastating than the H bomb 

and is not confined to desert areas. 

Judah and the nations around, when 

without God, were broken in pieces. 

War abroad followed strife at home. 

"Man's inhumanity to man, makes 

countless thousands 

not begin on the battle field. 

Strife does 

WHAT D7 WE RECOGNIZE GOD'S 

LAW IN BUSINESS 

Ford planted an empire of rubber in 

Brazil, for the benefit of his company 

and the United States. He failed, because 

he could not control the natives working 

for him. Le Tourneau has started re 

claiming projects in Africa and Peru, 

and has his eye on Brazil. He is taking 

teachers to teach the natives modern 

methods of farming and industry, and 

no outside interests will be allowed to 

compete with the natives. His workers 

are all Christians, and Christian mis 

sionaries are taken everywhere they go. 

His ideas and practice in Christian Big 

Business is much worth watching. He 

looks on his business as a service for 

God and his fellow men. 

It is not hard to see that if all busi 

ness enterprises were in reality adminis 

tered as a service to God and man, not 

for a group of men, we would have both 

peace and plenty. We have labored too 

long 

under the delusion that God has 

219

pre-eminance!" 

verily." 

nothing to do with business and civil 

government. God will not use a flood to 

let the world start over again. It is not 

impossible that man with his 

bombs 

may destroy all modern industry, and all 

engaged therein, and leave just a few 

rural folks to start over again in the 

rudiments of civilization. 

GODLINESS, HARMONY, 

PROSPERITY 

Asa's reforms in putting away the 

idols and false gods brought the people 

closer together. Some of the people from 

other tribes joined them. A morally 

clean city attracts clean people. Saloons 

and gambling 

attract and breed an un 

clean population. Freed from the wor 

ship of idols, the people brought offer 

ings to God and entered into covenant 

with Him, with all their heart and all 

their soul. 

Why are church treasuries empty 

Partly, at least, because the worship of 

idols that are dedicated to pleasure re 

quires so much money, and that is paid 

first. We can attend church, and skimp 

the treasury. For our fun we pay cash 

in advance. 

In a lonesome valley in the Rockies, 

curiosity led me to follow what looked 

like a blind trail up the steep side of the 

mountain, 

where could it go At the 

end of the trail, there was an open cave 

that extended more than arm's length 

into the solid rock, with a flat smooth 

floor. In the middle of this floor sat 

Billiken, 

"The god of things as they 

ought to be." Scattered around him was 

money, much money, a good hand full. 

A few nickels, fewer pennies, mostly sil 

ver from half dollars down. Folks who 

would have stolen from a blind man 

were too superstitious to steal from 

Billiken. Many who would have fail 

ed to feed a hungry 

man were 

afraid to leave that lonesome "grove" 

without making a donation. How we are 

wed to our idols! 

In. 2 Chron. 16:13 we come to a sad 

disappointment. For 39 years Asa had 

led the nation in the fear of God. Then 

he suffered from a sore disease. "Yet in 

his disease he sought not to the Lord." 

It is possible to think much of personal 

religion, and forget the place of religion 

in society. It is also possible to become 

so absorbed in public affairs as to neg 

lect our own soul's interest. 

the 

"That in all things Christ may have 


April 27, 1955 


WRONG MOTIVES IN RELIGION 

John 6:26, 27 

Scripture Beading: John 6:50-58 

Additional references: John 6:66-69; I 

Cor. 11:28-30; Rom. 8:9; Eph. 3:17-19; 

I Sam. 4:3, 10, 11 

Psalms 

59:7, 8, 13, 14, page 147 

34:1-5, page 81 

103 : 11-15, page 244 

15:1-3, 

page 26 

Almost everyone knows the meaning 

of the term "rice Christians." 

It no 

doubt originated in Eastern countries 

where people embraced Christianity for 

the food which the missionaries would 

give them, rather than because they had 

entered into a personal relationship with 

Christ. Perhaps the first "rice Chris 

tians" 

were some of those who were fed 

at the time of the feeding 

of the fivethousand. 

On the day following the mir 

acle there was a group who sought Jesus 

and would have made him king. It was 

not because they comprehended him as 

the Messiah, but because they were in 

terested in material things. With such a 

miracle worker as king, it would mean 

victory against all political enemies. 

Moreover, such a person could easily 

solve the nation's food problem and 

labor for food could become something 

of the past. 

Jesus, perceiving that the people did 

not understand Him, and that they were 

interested only in the material aspects 

of the miracle, denounced them, saying, 

"Verily, verily, (Amen, amen) ye seek 

me not because ye saw the miracles, but 

because ye did eat of the loaves and 

were filled." Note how emphatic the de 

nunciation is, by the use of. the words 

"verily, 

THE SELFISH MOTIVES OF THOSE 

WHO FOLLOWED CHRIST 

Jesus states plainly that those who 

came to Capernaum seeking Him had no 

spiritual interest and that they were 

only interested in having 

their physical 

appetites gratified. In all ages the 

Church has been troubled by those who 

professed Christianity 

for selfish rea 

sons. Simon Magus, the sorcerer, em 

braced Christianity at the time of the 

if the gift of 

apostles, and offered money 

the Holy Spirit would be conferred upon 

him. With this power of the Apostles 

Simon could soon have become a weal 

thy man. Sometimes people will join a 

church because of the standing it will 

give them in the community. A mer 

chant might be active on various boards 

or committees of a church but his mo 

tive might be entirely mercenary and 

not because of his love for Christ. 

Again, there are some who may ac 

cept an office in the church because of 

the power, influence or prestige that 

may be connected with the office. Some 

people have an inflated ego when elected 

to a church office, but unless one ac 

cepts the office in humility, and with a 

true desire to serve Christ, his motives 

are vain. 

THE FAILURE TO DISCERN CHRIST 

Those who had sought only the satis 

faction of appetite did not discern 

Christ. Most of the sixth chapter of John 

is devoted to this theme. In the 53rd 

verse he says, "Verily, verily, (Amen, 

amen) except ye eat the flesh of the 

Son of Man and drink his blood ye have 

no life in 

you." 

These words were spoken 

long before the Lord's Supper had been 

instituted by Jesus, but He is here set 

ting forth the spiritual experience of the 

sacrament. The feeding of the multitude 

was more than feeding the hungry. It 

was in truth a sacrament. No doubt 

there were some, who while eating the 

loaves and fishes, realized that they 

were in truth feeding upon Christ in a 

spiritual way. It was an experience 

somewhat similar to communion. Prob 

ably there were only 

a few who were 

able to comprehend this deeper meaning 

of the miracle! 

Paul warns that we should discern 

the Lord's body 

and blood when we 

come to the Lord's table. The failure to 

do so is to eat and drink judgment to 

one's self. Too often men have sought 

the blessing of the Lord's Supper in its 

outward observance instead of its in 

ward significance. For example, we 

might consider the communion break 

fasts of the Catholic Liquor Dealers of 

New York, which are conducted by high 

officials in the church. In so far as we 

are able to judge, it would seem that 

those who have but little regard for the 

souls and bodies of men would not in 

a proper way be able to discern the body 

of the Lord. 

THE FALLING AWAY OF THOSE 

WITH WRONG MOTIVES 

Those who seek only the loaves and 

fishes, and who fail to discern Christ, 

will sooner or later fall by the wayside. 

In John 6:66 we read, "From that time 

many 

of his disciples went back and 

walked no more with him." Those who 

follow Christ and join the church for 

mercenary motives will almost inevit 

ably fall away. They 

are like the seed 

which falls in sandy ground and springs 

up quickly, but soon dies for lack of 

nourishment. 

For Discussion 

1. Give examples of people who have 

wrong motives in religion. 

2. Can one who is not born again dis 

cern Christ 

3. Discuss the motives of Saul in I 

Sam. 15:10-23. 

For Prayer 

1. For the congregations of our church 

that are without pastors. 

2. For our Sabbath Schools. 

3. For our Home Missions. 

220 THE COVENANTER WITNESS


Mrs. Ross Latimer, Editor, 


Church News 

W. M. S. COLUMN 

A THOUGHT FOR YOU 

Do you remember always that other 

beautitude: "BLESSED ARE THE 

PLEASANT TO LIVE WITH" If we 

remember, live, and enjoy, this princi 

ple, what great things can be wrought! 

Anon. 

In 1920 a woman who had known 

bitter days but whose heart was turned 

to prayer penned the poem "The Touch 

of the Master's Hand." In long-hand she 

sent it to a small religious publication in 

Elgin, Illinois. For fifteen years these 

lines cheered hearts around the world. 

This poem was among those "Best 

Loved Poems of the American People" 

with notation (author unknown). 

Once this author's son heard this poem 

given at a Y.M.C.A. convention in Ha 

waii. He was thrilled with the familiar 

lines but surprised by the words "author 

UNKNOWN 

unknown." 

to the world 

but not to him. In his mind's eye he 

could see his mother, he could hear her 

voice. Yes, he knew HER. 

Someone took the task of tracing the 

author 

Mrs. Myra Brooks Welch. She 

has published several books of poems in 

the past forty years of semi-invalidism. 

By her service to suffering humanity, 

she has lightened the loads of those who 

have beaten a path to her door. 

"Dear friend: Rise up from the ashes 

of your suffering. 

Certainly God has 

given you talents which He expects you 

to use. When you reach your limits GOD 

WILL NOT FAIL YOU then." Unknown 

MBS. ROBERT MARTIN 

The Clarinda congregation has again 

been called upon to give up 

one of its 

older members in the person of Mrs. 

Robert Martin who was called to her 

heavenly home on March 10. For several 

years she has been in failing health but 

was able to be about the home until a 

day or two before her death. 

Mrs. Martin leaves to mourn her death 

her husband, to whom she had been 

married fifty-seven years; her son, Har 

old and his wife Jean; and one brother 

John Young of Denison, Kansas. 

A life long member of the Covenanter 

church, Mrs. Martin loved the House of 

God and was active in church work un 

til failing health prevented. "Blessed are 

the dead who die in the Lord." 

April 6, 1955 

IN APPRECIATION 

As we take up the work in Kansas 

Cily we cannot fail to pay tribute to the 

more than thirty years of service ren 

dered by Dr. and Mrs. Paul Coleman. 

Nor can we forget the work of Dr. J. 

M. Wylie, Dr. E. G. Russell, and others 

who preceded them. We find ourselves 

taking over a work that has been built 

upon strong foundations. 

The Kansas City 

congregation has 

been hospitable and cooperative in every 

way. In the reception they extended a 

truly royal welcome; and the program 

and evening of fellowship 

were the re 

sult of much planning and hard work. 

This seems the time and the place 

to tell about the wonderful new manse, 

which was purchased after a great deal 

of house-hunting on 

the part of the 

Board of Deacons and the Manse Com 

mittee. It is a six-room ranch-type 

house, practically brand new. It has full 

basement, automatic heat, two fire 

places, wall-to-wall carpeting, attached 

double garage, drapes and curtains 

throughout, large ceiling fan, and 

screened porch. The kitchen has a gar 

bage disposal sink; and the congregation 

provided a fine new electric range and 

refrigerator. 

After we moved in, the people have 

continued to show many kindnesses. In 

the work of the congregation, they have 

shown very clearly that they have a 

mind to work. 

Therefore we want to take this oppor 

tunity to express our heart-felt thanks 

to the Kansas City congregation. 

POSTHUMOUS 

G. M. and Ruth R. Robb. 

DEGREE AWARDED 

TO KANSAN 

MANHATTAN The late Ralph Boyd 

Cathcart of the animal husbandry de 

partment staff at Kansas State College 

was awarded a posthumous Ph.D. degree 

in animal husbandry at the University of 

Minnesota's March 17 commencement 

exercises, it was learned here. 

Mr. Cathcart had completed all work 

for the Ph.D. degree, except an oral ex 

amination over his thesis, before his 

death here January 30. He had a bache 

lor's degree in animal husbandry from 

K-State in 1933 and a master's from 

Nebraska University in 1934. 

SOUTHFIELD CONGREGATION 

Bible Mastery Month was observed by 

a study in Ephesians each Sabbath 

morning. 

Work on the new church basement is 

going forward. We are now back wor 

shiping in the church. However con 

struction work is still going 

on and 

the basement will not be ready for some 

weeks yet. It promises to add much 

to the usefulness of our church. 

We are glad to report that many of 

our sick people are making improve 

ment. George Henning and Mrs. Buford 

Abbott have both been out at services 

again after several weeks illness. We 

hope soon to be able to say that others 

like Mrs. Miller and Mrs. Malcolm Mc 

Donald are out again. 

Several have made trips this winter. 

Mrs. Claire Jameson to Iowa for Mary 

Dixon Patterson's funeral, Miss Edna 

Elsey to Glenwood to visit her brother, 

Mrs. Tom Halliday to Denver for the 

funeral of her father, and Mrs. 

Ted 

Clark to Winchester to visit her parents. 

The Douglas Frasiers are in California. 

Those going to Florida have been Halsey 

Lucas, Joe McGaw and the Emer 

son Beardslees. 

Mrs. Elizabeth McDonald celebrated 

her 100th birthday on February 14. Her 

family held an open-house in her honor 

on Saturday and Monday. Many friends 

221

nant" 

either called or sent their greetings; 

among the cards received was one from 

President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Rath 

er than giving personal gifts the family 

requested that money be given in her 

honor to a fund to be given to our 

church. Quite a sizeable sum was given 

to be used to buy 

equipment for the 

new basement. This is a splendid way 

to remember a birthday for one who 

lived such a long Christian life. 

The Women's Missionary Society 

made Mrs. Elizabeth McDonald a life 

member of 

the Woman's Association 

at their January meeting. 

Ralph McFarland met with a very 

serious auto accident in February. He 

is still in the hospital and just recent 

ly underwent surgery on his badly in 

jured left knee. Other broken bones and 

injuries seem to be healing satisfactor 

ily. 

PORTLAND 

Teachers! The Oregon Education As 

sociation reports openings in all public 

school levels, particularly to those avail 

able for interview. Write immediately to 

Oregon Education Association, 1530 S. 

W. Taylor, Portland 5, Oregon; Portland 

Public Schools, 631 N. E. Clackamas, 

Portland 12, Oregon; or James D. Car 

son, 5758 N. Moore Ave., Portland 11, 

Oregon. In addition to these teaching op 

portunities, we would welcome you to 

our work in the congregation. 

ATTENTION NEW YOBK 

PRESBYTERIAL! 

The New York Presbyterial will 

meet in the Cambridge Church, Cam 

bridge, Mass., on May 3 and 4. A fine 

program has been planned with the Rev. 

Claude Brown as the speaker on Tues 

day evening, and the Rev. Samuel Boyle 

as the speaker on Wednesday evening. 

Plan now to attend! 

TOPEKA 

On February 20, Dr. A. J. McFarland 

supplied our pulpit. Mrs. Lloyd McElroy 

conducted the prayer meeting services 

on February 27. Dr. H. G. Patterson 

and 20 

ably filled our pulpit March 6, 13, 

and Dr. A. J. McFarland on March 27. 

Mr. Walter Johnston is making good 

recovery from a throat operation, also 

their daughter Nancy Jo Johntson is be 

ginning to show improvement after be 

ing confined at home all winter with 

respiratory trouble. 

Mr. and Mrs. E. P. Davies and daugh 

ter Ruth and son Harold have moved 

from our midst to a farm near Win 

chester. We wish them well in their new 

location. 

At the March meeting of the W.M.S., 

election of officers was held with the 

222 

following elected for the coming year: 

President, Mrs. Wilmer Piper; Vice 

President, Mrs. Robert Maine; Secre 

tary, Mrs. Alden Hall; Treasurer, Mrs. 

Vincent Rocereto. We want to publicly 

acknowledge the efficiency and faithful 

ness of Miss Emma McFarland who has 

held the office of Treasurer for many 

years in our society. 


Mr. Alexander Waddell, a member of 

the Almonte Congregation, was called to 

his Eternal Home on February 16. He 

had been at church on the Sabbath day 

and was a regular attendant even 

though he was in his eighty-eighth year. 

Rev. F. F. Reade officiated at the funer 

al services. Surviving Mr. Waddell are 

two sisters, Mrs. James Morton of Al 

monte, and a brother Robert of Delbourne, 

Alberta. 

The Young People held their quarterly 

business meeting on February 11. Plans 

for a Psalm Festival were discussed 

among other matters. After the meeting 

Rose Ellen Burns led the group in a 

number of lively 

esting quiz, 

day. 

games and an inter 

appropriate for Valentine 

On February 24, Mrs. Laura Morton 

was the hostess to the W.M.S. 

WALTON, NEW YORK 

John Russell was home for a few days 

during the mid-semester holidays. He 

gave an interesting talk at the evening 

service concerning "Religious Life on 

the Geneva Campus." 

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Rowley and Mr. 

Rowley's mother were present at one of 

our church services recently. They called 

on friends in Walton while here. 

Rev. Hill is conducting a very inter 

esting catechism class on Tuesday after 

noon of each week. His class is composed 

of those of Junior and Senior High 

School age. 

Miss Carol Jane McNaughton, daugh 

ter of Mrs. Esther McNaughton, became 

the bride of Mr. James Barton in the 

Esperance Methodist Church on Febru 

ary 22. 

Since graduating from Albany Busi 

ness College the bride has been em 

ployed as a stenographer in Albany. Mr. 

Barton is self-employed. Mr. and Mrs. 

Barton are enjoying a trip to Florida. 

They will make their home in Esperance. 

Dr. Walter Eells is able to worship 

with us again after having spent some 

time in Binghamton Hospital where he 

underwent surgery. He has resumed his 

medical practice. Several of our older 

members have been ill recently. Miss 

Elizabeth Arbuckle, Mr. Timothy San 

derson and Mr. David Alexander are at 

present in a weakened condition. We 

hope for their speedy recovery. 

OLATHE 

Olathe had her "Covenant 

Signing" 

Service the Sabbath after the "Week 

of Prayer." The two addresses to the 

congregation were given by Dr. Frank 

Stewart, using the topics, "The Spirit 

in which we should Covenant," 

and 

"Covenant 

Keeping," 

with prayer and 

the reading and the swearing 

of the 

Covenant between them. It was a very 

impressive service. 

We were very happy to have our three 

oldest members, who were unable to be 

present at the service, 

also sign the 

Covenant. Mrs. Ella McGee, who is 95 

years old said, "I want to sign the Cove 

nant. I also signed the other Cove 

referring to the Covenant of 

1871. Mrs. Ida Moore, before signing 

the Covenant said, "I have always been 

a Covenanter and I do not expect to be 

anything else but a Covenanter." Mrs. 

Anna Wilson said, "I would have liked 

to have been out to sign the Covenant 

but was not Then able." 

she said, "I am 

glad to sign it," as she affixed her name 

to the Covenant. May the blessing 

of our 

Covenant-God lead us onward in greater 

service and usefulness in Christ's great 

program. 

Mrs. Maggie Rogers entertained the 

W.M.S. in her home for the February 

meeting. A delicious luncheon was serv 

ed at noon. We were glad to have Mrs. 

Mary Rockwell as our guest. Mrs. Frank 

Stewart led the devotional period and 

Mrs. Frank Redpath gave the Mission 

Study. 

The February meeting of the Y.W. 

M.S. was held at the home of Mrs. Ruth 

Wallace. Mrs. Patty May reviewed a 

chapter from the Mission Study book 

and Mrs. Frank Stewart led the devo 

tional period. Tasty refreshments were 

served by the hostess. 

The "World Day of Prayer" was ob 

served, Friday, February 25, with a 

special Prayer Meeting at the church. 

The meeting was well attended and our 

faith in prayer was greatly strengthen 

ed. 

Rev. Samuel E. Boyle was the assis 

tant at our Spring Communion in 

Olathe, March 6. 

It was a privilege 

a joy and a delight to have him in our 

midst. His messages were stirring and 

heart-felt. We also greatly enjoyed his 

pictures on Japan and his Christian 

cartooning. We were happy to have 

George Vos, Catherine Vos, and W. 

Frank Redpath with us at our Com 

munion Season. A fine group from our 

Kansas City Congregation joined with 

us in the closing service of our Com 

munion Season to hear Rev. 

Boyle. 

Samuel 

The March meeting of the Y.W.M.S. 

was held in the home of Mrs. Patty 

May. Mrs. Ruth Wallace led the Devo- 


saints." 

report." 

tionals and Mrs. Maude Randall re 

viewed a chapter from the Mission 

Study book. The following officers were 

elected for the coming year: President, 

Mrs. Dorothy Brown; Vice-President, 

Mrs. Patty May; Secretary, Mrs. Mary 

J. Cochran; Treasurer, Mrs. Carrietta 

Brown. Party refreshments were serv 

ed by the hostess and a time of Chris 

tian fellowship was enjoyed by all. 

We greatly miss the George Brooks 

family in our midst. While living in 

Lawrence, Ks. they were frequent visi 

tors at our services, when they came to 

visit in the home Mr. and Mrs. George 

Milligan. They are now living in Boul 

der, Colorado, where Mr. Brooks has 

taken up his new work as District Ex 

ecutive of the Boy Scouts of America. 

We know that Mr. and Mrs. Brooks, 

Bryan, Janet, Roger and Marjorie will 

enjoy their new home in Colorado. 

The Blue Banner Society had a social 

and business meeting 

in March and had a most 

at the church 

enjoyable 

time. The Blue Banner Group decided 

to "tile" the basement room of the 

church in the 

near future. 

"Eats" 

brought to a close a very pleasant 

evening. 

The March meeting of the W.M.S. 

was held at the church with Mrs. Mary 

Everett as hostess. A lovely luncheon 

was served. In the meeting which fol 

lowed, Mrs. Harvey McGee led the De 

votional period and Miss Belle McGee 

gave the Mission Study. The following 

officers were elected for the coming 

year: President, Mrs. Harvey McGee; 

Vice-President, Mrs. Frank Stewart; 

Secretary, Mrs. Maggie Rogers; Treas 

urer, Mrs. Mary Everett. 

A Congregational Valentine Party 

was given on Friday night, February 

11, at the church, honoring Mr. and 

Mrs. Delmer Reynolds, Mr. and Mrs. 

James Arnold, Baby Joseph Patrick Egner 

and Baby 

Marcia Ann Brown. Af 

ter playing a number of interesting and 

appropriate games under the leader 

ship of Mrs. James Redpath. Dr. Stew 

art presented to each of the married 

couples a gift of sheets and pillow cases 

from the congregation and Mrs. Stewart 

presented to each of the babies a bank 

containing "kale" because babies don't 

like spinach. It was a very happy oc 

casion. 

(Oversize) 

Mrs. George O. Klingensmith 

The Hilltop Missionary Circle of First 

Beaver Falls desires to pay tribute to 

the Christian testimony of Louise Kling 

ensmith who entered her heavenly home 

on February 4, 1955 at the age of thirtynine. 

After an association of a year or 

more, Mrs. Klingensmith joined our con 

gregation upon confession of her faith 

April 6, 1955 

in Christ on April 20, 1951. During these 

years since, her "growth in grace and in 

the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour 

Jesus Christ" has been a witness for 

Christ to all who knew her. 

Although she was not in the best of 

health, Mrs. Klingensmith was active in 

all the work of the church. She served 

for one year as secretary of our mis 

sionary circle, was a counselor of girls 

at Camp Stambaugh for two summers, 

and a faithful teacher of the young peo 

ple's Sabbath School class. Her home 

was always open to the young people, 

and they felt free to discuss their prob 

lems with her. She ever pointed them 

to Christ. 

She is sadly missed by her friends and 

her husband, George, and daughters, 

Gloria and Linda. 

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is 

the death of His 

STERLING 


the Sterling Congregation wish to pay 

tribute to the memory of Mrs. Flora 

Cunningham, who passed away on De 

cember 28, 1954 at Bellville, Kansas. 

She had been making her home with her 

daughter, Mrs. Wayne Milligan of Bell 

ville. She was a very helpful member 

of the Missionary Society as long as 

her health permitted. She was especially 

helpful in 

the devotional and prayer 

life of the Society. She was sacrificial 

in her devotion to her Lord and to her 

family. We 

commend her loved ones 

to the One who said "Blessed are the 

dead which die in the Lord from hence 

forth: Yea saith the Spirit, that they 

may rest from their labors, and their 

works do follow them." Rev. 14:13. 

Mrs. D. B. Martin, 

Mrs. R. J. Dill 

MISSIONARY AVIATION 

FELLOWSHIP 

By Robert L. Constable, Vice-President 

Moody Bible Institute 

Dear Friend: 

Imagine the excitement around the 

mission station when the missionary's 

son, Bobby, who was helping his father, 

was severely cut by a power saw. Hos 

pitalization was needed at once, but by 

trail and canoe through the Ecuadorian 

jungle it was seven days away. 

Missionary 

plane and radio service 

was available at their station and the 

plane base was contacted at once. The 

pilot's wife took the message and re 

layed it to her husband on his next ten 

minute "position 

Since he was 

on his way home from another station 

he changed his course. Within a few 

minutes he had the little boy aboard, 

and in less than two hours from the 

time of the accident, Bobby was in the 

hospital. 

From a report of the Missionary Avia 

tion Fellowship we have this word: 

"George and I started our work here 

twenty-three years ago. In those days 

we had to ride four days on mule-back 

down the steep eastern slopes of the 

Andes Mountains to the jungle's edge. 

But it was still another four or five 

days on foot to our jungle station. 

"The trails in the jungle are always 

muddy. Many times we waded through 

mud up to our knees. Often we'd have 

to dismount and make our way along a 

narrow ledge. Looking down sheer cliffs 

at swirling water below surely did 

things to my heartbeat. 

"Fording those swift rivers was terri 

fying too. Sometimes there would be a 

bridge across a river. But what bridges! 

The wood was rotten and they had no 

guard rails. Most of them were only four 

feet wide! The recommended procedure 

was to send the pack animals across 

first. If they made it, then we would 

dismount and cross on 

foot. 

"Needless to say, we're glad we don't 

have to travel like that any more. 

"We've spent over 

twenty years learn 

ing a very difficult language and try 

ing to win the confidence of these raw, 

heathen Jivaros. Finally after all these 

we have just 

years of prayer and work, 

recently baptized our first converts. The 

harvest is just beginning and there are 

signs of ripening fruit all around. 

"Now, we're not what you'd call 

physical wrecks, but we're not as strong 

as we were twenty-three years ago, 

either. There was a question whether we 

could stand the rigors of the trail for 

another term. We need a younger couple 

to take over. At the same time, we 

know the struggle a new couple will 

have with the language, and in win 

ning the Jivaros' confidence. We want 

to be here to help them. 

"The inauguration of the airstrip will 

make this possible. Because a little 

yellow airplane provides a lifeline for 

us here in the Ecuardorian jungle, we 

will have our missionary service leng 

thened." 

These stories have been repeated 

many times over, with variations, on 

mission fields all over the world as 

missionary aviation and radio have come 

into their own. Scores of lives, as well 

as thousands of work hours, have been 

saved by these modern inventions. In 

many cases the effectiveness of just 

one missionary has been multiplied 

manyfold by their use. 

A WRITING INSTITUTE 

A special writing workshop for mis 

sionaries is being offered at Moody Bible 

Institute summer school this year. 

From July 11 to 29 missionaries home 

on furlough or missionary candidates 

223

years." 

pheme," 

sins," 

can make an intensive and practical 

study of writing, publishing and market 

ing. 

Every missionary 

who has had to do 

no more than write a prayer letter is 

aware of the growing importance of 

writing in mission work. Writing 

studied at Moody 

will be 

summer school from 

the angle of newspapers and the news 

story, feature articles, religious maga 

zines, tracts, rewriting, editing, and 

writing for new literates. 

Students will have plenty of oppor 

tunity to demonstrate the saying that 

the only way to learn writing is to write 

written assignments will be a vital 

part of the course. 

Publishing studies will include : se 

lection of material, writing 

nationals, editing and proof reading, lay 

program for 

out, printing, financing, copyrights. 

Studies of marketing will include : 

distribution, sales, tract and book clubs, 

bookstores, catalogs, bookmobiles, col 

porteurs, local libraries, growing market 

through literacy, promotion and adver 

tising. 

Students will be able to observe the 

various techniques in 

action as they 

make field trips to Chicago newspapers, 

magazines, print plants and others. 

This missionary 

"literature" course 

will be taught by members of the Moody 

Bible Institute faculty and by experts in 

the various branches of the field. 

Tuition is free. 

OPEN LETTER 

"LEST WE FORGET," NOTE: 

1. That the Covenanter Church of 

Scotland, in its 1866 Testimony reprint, 

Ch. 12, p. 229 on Worship states: "We 

testify against the celebration of Christ 

mas, or other festivals of the Papal or 

church." 

Episcopal 

2. That "Blue Banner Faith and Life," 

Ian.-Mar. 1953, pps. 8-11, condemns ob 

servance of Christmas, Easter, and all 

other holy days so-called, except God's 

own holy day, the Christian Sabbath. 

3. That Gal. 4:10 seems to forbid such 

man appointed days, but not from keep 

ing holy the Sabbath Day. "Ye observe 

days, and months, and times, and 

Mk. 2:27, 28; Rev. 1:10; Ex. 20:8; and 

others. 

4. That the word "Christmas" is made 

and 

"mass." 

"Christ" 

up of two parts 

IVhy the 's' was dropped, the writer does 

not know. 

5. That so-called holy days are largely 

commercialized for monetary gain. 

6. That the more the observance of 

special days are multiplied, the less em 

phasis there is on strict Sabbath keep 

ing. I have a Christian friend who at 

tended a Bible class which he said was 

over 2,000, so large that it had to meet 

in a theatre. But it had over 30 special 

days a year in honor of Lincoln, of 

Washington, Easter, etc., until finally 

the class dwindled down to several hun 

dred. 

7. That more drunkenness, excepting 

possibly New Year's Day, more liquor 

advertising, more lies, more loss to legit 

imate and necessary business ("10% to 

25% amounting to several billions in 

America alone"), and more crimes are 

occasioned by the celebration of Christ 

mas, than that of any other day in the 

year. David's sin gave "great occasion 

to the enemies of the Lord to blas 

2 Sam. 12 :14. 

8. That it is the duty of Christians and 

the Church to witness against the sins of 

the Lord's people and others and of the 

generation in which they live, regardless 

of the risk of being called "pessimists." 

"Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice 

like a trumpet, and show my people 

their transgression, and the house of 

Jacob their 

Isa. 58:1. 

R. G. Graham 

Dr. C. E. Caskey informs me 

that 

the item in the Witness of February 13 

regarding his preaching at Oakdale is 

misinformation. Although the news 

came to us officially there seems to 

have been a mix up in regard to initials, 

last names, or possibly a case of mistak 

en identity. We do not believe that it 

was an effort at impersonation or it 

would have been detected by the people 

present. We are told truth must even 

tually 

veiling 

prevail and we await the un 

of that truth. 

The Editor. 

All those who gave a special address 

at the Grinnell Conference of last year 

will please note that the addresses of 

that Convention have about all been 

printed and the rest will be soon. These 

have appeared in the Covenanter Wit 

ness and are to be put into book form. 

If you 

have changes that you wish 

made or if there are typographical er 

rors, 

would each writer look over your 

own as it appeared in the Witness and 

send in corrections to the Editor. 

The Christian Digest sent us notice 

that they will need 40,000 new subscrib 

ers if -they are to continue publication 

and in order to get those 40,000 sub 

scribers they are offering to send to new 

subscribers the magazine at one-half its 

regular price or $1.50 to you if you are 

new. This magazine is the same size in 

pages, but not in number of pages, as 

the Readers' Digest and contains quite a 

good deal of good material and is a 

monthly. I think if you will mention our 

name and send your subscription direct 

to Christian Digest Publishing Company, 

1420 Robinson Road, Lake Drive, Grand 

Rapids 6, Michigan, the subscription will 

be honored or if you prefer to send 

through us we will be glad to forward 

the subscription. We try to help this 

worthy magazine which received a spe 

cial award in the Evangelical Press As 

sociation Contest in 1954. The publishers 

are Zondervan & Co. 

LETTERS TO CONGBESS ABE 

VITAL 

Plans are under way for one or more 

representatives of the Christian Amend 

ment Movement to visit members of 

Congress relative to introducing the 

Christian Amendment bill in the 84th 

Congress. This task will be very much 

easier if friends of the Christian Amend 

ment will cooperate now in a letterwriting 

project. 

We earnestly urge you to write letters 

to the following: your two Senators and 

the Representative from your congres 

sional district. They can 

be reached 

at the Senate Office Building or the 

House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 

Write briefly, telling these men that 

you are interested in the proposed Chris 

tian Amendment to our national Consti 

tution and asking that they support it 

by introducing the bill if they are asked 

to do so and by working in its behalf in 

Committee or on the floor of Congress. 

If you receive favorable replies to 

your letters, 

to the office of the Christian Amend 

will you please send them 

ment Movement. They will be of great 

value to those who go to Washington 

in the interest of the bill. 

It is vital that thousands of letters 

be sent to members of Congress in the 

next two or three weeks, and it is our 

hope that all readers of "The Cove 

nanter Witness" will respond whole 

heartedly to this request. 

NEW YORK CITY 

Kenneth Sanderson, missionary from 

Latakia, Syria, now home on furlough, 

was the guest speaker Sabbath, March 

20, 1955 for the self-denial service spon 

sored by the Women's Synodical. Mr. 

Sanderson also spoke at the closing ex 

ercises of the Sabbath School. 

We welcome back Mr. and Mrs. Cum 

mings, former members. For some years 

they have lived in Chicago and attended 

the congregation there. Their address is 

1151 Clay Avenue, New York City. 

224 

COVENANTER WITNESS

strength" 

power." 

will" 

LESSON HELPS FOR THE WEEK OF MAY 1, 1955 

THE FIELD IS THE WORLD, TB SQ (S THE WORD 

OP GOD 

VOLUME LTV WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 1955 NUMBER 15 

Unlimited Power Available 

Most of us, in looking back over our Christian 

lives, realize that our greatest spiritual need is for 

more spiritual power. Christian people seem to be 

hungry for the kind of power that was so evident in 

days gone by. Indeed, some are wondering if they 

are serving the same God that Torrey, Moody, and 

Spurgeon served. Therefore, the startling question 

appropriate to this 

of Isaiah 40 :28 seems especially 

spiritually starved age, for it launches a marvelous 

four-point outline for spiritual power. 

The first fact which Isaiah brings to our re 

membrance is that the God we serve is an inexhaust 

ible supply of spiritual power. He fainteth not; 

neither is He weary. Consequently any power must 

come from Him. 

ultimately 

Our source of spiritual power is indeed the 

omnipotent Creator of Genesis 1. Certainly then no 

thinking individual would deny the availability of 

power for this present era. 

The only question that might arise would be 

the willingness of God to allow us to draw from His 

great resource of power. This question is promptly 

answered by the promise, "He giveth power to the 

faint ; and to them that have no might he increaseth 

(Isa. 40:29). Notice the promise is not 

to the strong or to those who esteem themselves 

strong, but it is to the faint. One who is faint pic 

tures an individual who has all but spent his own 

strength in activity and will surely go under unless 

revived and renewed by a source outside of himself. 

What a picture of the present-day Christian strug 

and the devil in 

gling against the world, the flesh, 

his own power! It is no wonder he is faint and all 

but defeated, but praise God, reinforcements are 

available and promised. 

By Curtis Mitchell 

Pastor, First Brethren Church Bellflower, Calif. 

The Brethren Missionary Herald (Used by permission.) 

One need not be ashamed to call for aid in this 

spiritual battle, for the writer goes on to tell us: 

"Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the 

young men shall utterly fall." Yes ; even at the epit 

ome of development, human strength is not ade 

quate to cope with the adversaries which a Chris 

tian in God's service is called upon to face. If, then, 

the best in human strength utterly fails in battle 

without God-given power, how much more readily 

we, if not continually renewed and reinforced from 

on high. 

We clearly see now that the source is adequate, 

the promise sure, and the need urgent. What now 

remains for us to know is the condition for receiving 

the much-needed power. We find the condition at the 

beginning of the next verse. The promise is made to 

those who "wait upon the Lord." The term, 

"wait upon the Lord," seems to depict a persistent 

holding on to God for the promise rather than glib 

request for it. It is interesting to note that the 

same was true on the Day of Pentecost. The instruc 

tion then, as now, was to wait for the promised 

power. One might question the wisdom of God in 

requiring this condition of waiting, but it would 

seem to reveal that God is desirous that we should 

have an intense desire for spiritual power. The 

fact that one is willing to wait for something will 

usually reveal an earnest desire for it. Correspond 

ingly, many are willing to ask for power, but only 

those really desirous of real spiritual power are wil 

ling to wait upon the Lord for it, and to those earnest 

few the promise is ever sure. Yea ; "they shall mount 

up with wings as eagles ; they shall run, and not be 

weary; they shall walk, and not faint" (Isa. 40:31). 

With this God-given power we can do what no hu 

man strength could ever do. 

Let us each say with the earnestness of the 

Samaritan woman at Jacob's well, "Lord, give me 

this It is available in unlimited supply; it 

is promised beyond question, the only stipulation be 

ing: Do we want it bad enough to wait upon the 

Lord for it

unity." 

supe 



The Dead Sea Scrolls 

Four of the seven "Dead Sea Scrolls," said to be the 

oldest known Bible manuscripts, have been purchased by 

Israel for a sum announced to be $250,000. from the Syrian 

Orthodox Monastery of St. Mark, Jerusalem. Of these four 

manuscripts, one is the Book of Isaiah, another a commen 

tary on the Book of Habbakuk, and the other two are nonbiblical. 

Would Limit Liquor Advertising 

The Senate of South Dakota passed a resolution asking 

Congress to outlaw liquor advertising in interstate com 

merce. Specific mention is made of radio, television, and pub 

lications having 

a national circulation. 

Missions in Formosa 

Some missionaries in Formosa report that their work 

is going on as usual regardless of the disturbances in the outer 

islands. They affirm that opportunities were never better 

for mission work on Formosa than at the present time. 

Arab Evangelical Conference 

The first Evangelical Conference of the Arab World will 

be held in Beirut, Lebanon, April 28-30. The language used 

will be Arabic. The theme of the Conference will be "Christ 

calls the churches of the Near East to mission and 

Those who have spoken of the Conference say that it will 

be "a historic expression of the progress of the indigenous 

Christian Churches in the Near East." 

A New Type of S. S. Cards 

The American Tract Society is distributing 

4 cards which are designed to interest children in the Sab 

a series of 

bath School and serve as rewards for attendance. They 

present photos of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans and Roy's 

horse Trigger on one side with religious messages on the 

other side. 

The Right of Dissent 

When Judge Learned Hand, retired chief judge of the 

United States Court of Appeals, celebrated his eighty-third 

birthday, he said that in these times of enforcement of con 

formity to some people's idea of "Americanism," it is well 

to be reminded of the right of dissent. He said in part : "All 

discussion, all debate, all dissidence tends to question, and in 

consequence to upset existing convictions : that is precisely 

its purpose and its justification. He is, indeed, a 'subversive' 

who disputes those precepts that I most treasure and seeks 

to persuade me to substitute his 

own." 

He further stated 

that a free society and free religion go hand in hand. 

Successor to Buchmanism 

The Moral Rearmament Movement is the successor to 

Buchmanism. Some leaders of the Church of England re 

gret its existence and say it is "Psychologically dangerous, 

gravely defective in its social thinking, and possibly a 

Christian heresy." Owes All to Bible Reading 

Mr. Renzo Sawada, quoted in the Bible Society Record, 

says: "I want to say that the fact I am here as the repre 

sentative of Japan to the United Nations is all on account 

of Bible-reading." He has had a distinguished career in the 

226 

diplomatic service of his country as Japanese Consul in New 

York, London and Paris, and later as his country's representa 

tive to the United Nations. Mr. Sawada and his wife, because 

of their Christian convictions have transformed their spacious 

residence in the suburbs of Tokyo into a home for 140 aban 

doned Eurasian babies. When R. Sawada was 13 years old 

his father sent him to an American missionary to learn to 

read English. The missionary began to teach him English 

from the Gospel by Matthew and from reading the Bible he 

became a Christian. 

Civilization's Crucial Hour 

The Premier of Alberta, the Hon. Ernest C. Manning, 

has written an article on the above subject which has been 

published by the American Tract Society. It begins as fol 

lows : 

"We have reached an hour in the history 

of civiliza 

tion which I believe is one of the most crucial mankind has 

ever been called upon to face. We are living in an age in 

which we see the accumulative consequences of the defects 

inherent in human nature coming to their climax. Today 

when you talk to men in the business world, the scientific 

world, the field of economics, politics, or whatever it may be, 

you find that most thinking, serious-minded people agree 

that present circumstances are such that they cannot con 

tinue very much longer without precipitating a crisis on the 

greatest scale humanity has ever known. I am convinced that 

the solution is to be found in the application of true Chris 

tianity to the lives of individuals and nations." 

Two Camps 

Mr. Manning continues: "The world today is divided 

into two great opposing camps. In one are the individuals 

and nations whose philosophy of life is wholly materialistic 

who not only reject spiritual and moral values but who have 

become openly aggressive in their repudiation of all things 

that in any way recognize the sovereignty of God, the Deity 

of Jesus Christ, and the true Christian way of life. 

"In the other camp are those who still retain at least a 

nominal recognition of spiritual and moral values. These are 

the remaining peoples and nations which today comprise our 

so-called Christian civilization. I use the word "so-called" 

purposely, for one of the great tragedies of this generation is 

the fact that so much of our so-called Christian civilization 

is entirely undeserving of the name. 

"What are we going to do about it It is clear that the 

solution lies in a return to the place where we make our pro 

fessed Christianity real . . . Let 

us get the Bible down from 

the shelf and give the counsel of God its rightful place of 

priority in our lives and homes, and in the councils of our 

land." 

Parental Supervision 

Some Illinois legislators have introduced a bill in the 

House that would punish "improper parental 

Improper parental supervision would include allowing chil 

dren under 18 to associate with known thieves, visit houses 

of ill fame, breach of the peace, commit lewd or lascivious 

acts, or violate curfew laws 

where such exist. The proposed 

law would assess a fine of $25 to $200 against a parent or 

guardian for the first offense, up to $200 and 6 months in 

jail for the second, and up to $500 and a year in jail for the 

third. 

COVENANTER WITNESS

mer" 

sans," 



OPENING THE DOOB 

Our State Department has announced that 

seventysix 

Chinese students who had been refused permission to 

leave this country may now return to Communist China. 

At the time the Chinese Reds overran the mainland, there 

were about five thousand Chinese students training in this 

country. Only 

a small fraction of these were forbidden to 

return, because they had acquired scientific or technical 

skills which would be of special value to the Communists. 

The ban originally affected 124 students, but not all of these 

wanted to return to Red China. 

In removing this restriction, our government hopes to 

aid in the release of the fifteen airmen and forty-one U. S. 

civilians who are now held in Communist China. At the 

Geneva conference last summer the Reds gave the matter 

of the Chinese students as one justification for their de 

tention of Americans. The U. S. denied any direct connec 

tion between the two issues, but allowing the students to 

return should strengthen our moral position, particularly 

in the eyes of'other Asiatic countries. 

STOCK SPECULATIONS 

Senator Fulbright's investigation of the stock market 

seems to have accomplished little except to demonstrate 

that the market is very sensitive. No one seems able to state 

with authority whether the market is too high or whether 

there is likely to be a serious collapse. Fulbright uncovered 

no major abuses and the study 

seemed to make little po 

litical capital for the Democrats. During the first two weeks 

of hearings, stock prices took their worst drop in fifteen 

years; but most of the loss was recovered in the next two 

weeks. 

Figures for the first three months of this year seem 

to justify 

economic optimism. Automobile production and 

sales set new records. Steel production was also at an alltime 

high, and other metals were in short supply. The federal 

Reserve Board's index of industrial production tied the 

record set in May, 1953, and wages and department-store 

sales reached new peaks. One of our unsolved economic 

problems however, is a continued lag in farm income. 

REENLISTMENT PAY 

Congress has carried out a request of President Eisen 

hower for raising the pay of men who reenlist in the armed 

services. This is designed to counteract the alarming drop 

in the reenlistment rate since the Korean War. In 1949, 

41 per cent of the Army personnel reenlisted at the end of 

their first term of service, but in 1954 the rate was down 

to 11.6 per cent. In some cases half the original enlistment 

period is taken up by expensive technical training, 

which is 

lost when the man drops out of the service. The new pay 

raise applies to enlisted men with at least two years service, 

and officers who have served three years. The greatest in 

creases are for the lower ranks of officers, where the drop 

out rate has been most serious. 

AID FOB LIBBAB1ES 

One modest but worthwhile bill now before Congress 

would give federal aid to the states for the improvement 

of public library service in rural areas. Libraries are ex 

pensive to maintain in sparsely-populated regions and it is 

April 13, 1955 

estimated that about 26 million Americans do not have 

access to any adequate public library. The bill calls for 

the appropriation of $7.5 million a year, for the next five 

years. To receive the aid, each state would have to submit 

a plan approved by the federad Commissioner of Education. 

The bill is backed by the American Library Association and 

would be an excellent investment of federal funds. 

BACK TO THE SOUTH POLE 

Next November Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd will 

lead his fifth expedition to the Antartic. Last winter ("sum 

in the Antartic) the icebreaker Atka conducted pre 

liminary explorations along the coast. Byrd will establish 

three observation stations, one directly at the South Pole. 

This will be by far our largest and costliest Antartic expedi 

tion. Admiral Byrd will use fourteen planes, including three 

of the biggest transports which will land supplies on the 

polar icecap. He will also have a large number of tracked 

vehicles for crossing the snow. The main purpose of the 

expedition will be to prepare the way for astronomical and 

geological observations during the International Geophysical 

Year of 1957-1958. Thirty-nine countries, including Soviet 

Russia, will participate in world-wide observations during 

that period. 

KREMLIN HEADACHES 

Recent reports from Russia indicate that the Soviets 

are seriously troubled with inflation. An article in Pravda, 

the Communist party newspaper, states that the money 

income of the Russian people rose 25 per cent from 1952 to 

1954. This was much more than the rise in the production 

of food and other consumer goods, and the natural result has 

been a boom in black markets. The Reds would like to raise 

the prices in state stores, but dare not do so for fear of 

the popular reaction. Last year's poor harvests have made 

the situation worse. One measure against inflation is com 

pulsory bond sales, which have almost doubled this year. 

Factory managers are also under pressure to reduce their 

labor force and increase production. Thousands of collectivefarm 

chairmen are being replaced. Russia has also cancelled 

over $12 million worth of orders for British textile and 

shoemaking machinery. 

TAXPAYEBS STEIKE 

One of the strangest forces in modern French politics 

is a group known as the Poujadists. They 

are named for 

their leader, Pierre Poujade, a small-town bookseller who 

heads a "Union for the Defense of Shopkeepers and Arti 

with about 800,000 members. They refuse to pay any 

taxes until the whole French tax system is reformed. In 

some districts tax inspectors and collectors have been forced 

to abandon their work. Poujade recently went to the Na 

tional assembly and threatened to overthrow Premier Faure 

unless the government removed all penalties for tax evasion. 

The government agreed only to stop tax inspection for the 

smalest businessmen. The Poujadists have some legitimate 

grievances, for France's personal income tax laws are not 

properly enforced, while businessmen have been strictly 

taxed by inspection of their books. The movement has 

alarming Fascist tendencies, however, and indicates a 

serious lack of confidence in the French government. 

227

not,' 

challenge." 

guilty" 

unawares." 

widow." 

me." 


I DARE YOU 

A stunning letter received two or three years 

ago said something like this : "Please cancel my sub 

scription. The paper carries no 

Sixteen 

pages weekly, going into thousands of homes, more 

than 800 pages in a year, and not a challenge in a 

carload if that charge can be sustained, the crime 

is unpardonable. "Guilty, or not 

"Your Honor, I confess that I am 

guilty to a de 

gree, for 'there is not a just man on the earth that 

doeth good and sinneth but I am not so guilty 

as the plaintiff affirms, as the defense will attempt 

to show, and the readers and the fail-to-read-ers 

are particeps criminis. Cross examine yourselves. 

EHIBIT A. Our front page. 

Name 

"The Cove 

nanter Witness." That is YOU. To the left is his 

picture, a man with a seed bag, going forth to sow. 

The field is the world see map. The seed is the 

Word of God, including the Gospel of Salvation, and 

all the truths for which our church stands 

to every 

creature. Is that challenge too small for your abili 

ties Dr. Paul McCracken took that name plate for 

the theme and preached a most challenging sermon 

on it. 

EXHIBIT B. The Guest Editorials on page 1. 

These have been most highly commended by those 

who have ears to hear. Some weeks ago there ap 

peared one "We Win by Surrendering." A challenging 

title! The Christian Digest asked for permission to 

reproduce it and did in their March number. Since 

then three other magazines (one of them a Rescue 

Mission publication) have asked our permission to 

print the article. Perhaps others are printing it also 

without asking; 

nators, just one of the relays. 

we hope so. We were not the origi 

EXHIBIT C. Two pages of news, 

never profane, by Drs. Allen and Russell. Very in 

formative. If you do not find in them a challenge to 

take courage, take up arms or tools, or pen to write 

legislators, to pray, or to pass on your paper, whose 

fault is it, theirs or yours 

religious but 

EXHIBIT D. The Editor's Page: No comment. 

This is it. Does it challenge 

EXHIBIT E. The next few pages are devoted 

to the milk and the strong meat of the Word. Do not 

skip them if they look too long for a restless mind. 

They were written with considerable effort and care 

for your edification, and they may be concerning the 

very matters for which you will have to give an 

account in the Day of Judgment. For this cause, 

many are weak and sickly among you. 

What of the church member that doesn't keep 

up on his mission news Maybe he doesn't even know 

of Japan, China, Syria, or Cyrus. The congregation 

that does not insist on a Covenanter Witness going 

into every home every week is inviting disaster in 

the not distant future. 

Now about those book reviews and the Tither's 

Corner, surely no one will chalsay 

that there is no 

228 

lenge in either of them, to read a book, and to give 

to the cause of the Lord that bought you. 

EXHIBIT F. The Lesson Helps. The very head 

ings are a challenge for every person from the Junior 

to the aged to find their place in the Church Pro 

gram, either as a teacher or a pupil and to grow 

in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and 

Saviour Jesus Christ. You are challenged to attend 

the mid-week prayer meeting, Sabbath School, etc. 

Over against the letter mentioned above I cite 

one from an out-of-bounds member, asking for sev 

eral Witnesses of a particular date, and the addresses 

of certain persons. She had found several items in 

that number that had challenged her. The C.Y.P.U. 

Topic had been "What I Find in My Psalm Book" 

and she had induced a choir leader of another church 

to train the choir to sing the Psalms, and other 

groups to do likewise. She wanted Bible readers for 

other groups, and I have forgotten other matters, but 

she was really putting her Witness and its chal 

lenges to work. 

EXHIBIT G. If the ladies will pardon, we will 

pass by their W.M.S. column, to mention the Church 

News. There are many challenges here if you will 

search for them. "Mr. and Mrs. A are visiting Mr. 

and Mrs. B, C, and D." Visiting and breaking bread 

from house to house is a real Christian service if 

properly performed. "I was sick and ye visited 

Visited Christ. "Pure and undefiled religion is 

this to visit the fatherless and "And be 

not forgetful to entertain strangers, for many there 

by have entertained angels 

The sick are 

to be prayed for, and the bereaved to be comforted. 

The retired minister who sends out all those cheer 

ful postcards is doing a magnificent service. And 

then there is that Sabbath School that increased 

their attendance from 65 to . 265 in a few months 

through advertising and visiting! Isn't that a chal 

lenge to us all 



REFORMED PEESBYTEBIAN CHURCH 



through its editorial office at 1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka. Kansm 








Contributing. Editors 









Subscription rates: $2.60 per year; Overseas, $3.00; Single Copie 

10 cents. 

The Rev. R. B. Lyons, B.A.. Limavady, NT. Ireland, Agent for th 


Entered as second class matter at the Post Office in Newton, Kansaf 



COVENANTER WITNESS

you." 

you" 

reap." 

The Counter Charge 

Mr. Judge, Your Honor, and Ladies and Gentle 

men of the Jury : While we have not claimed to have 

wholly established our 

innocency of the charge of 

failing to challenge our readers as we should have 

done, we do claim that we have challenged them in 

every issue, to some extent. If they have failed to 

find a challenge, perhaps the fault lies in them. When 

Ezekiel was mysteriously transported and set down 

in the Valley of Dry Bones, very many and very 

dry, he was asked, "Son of Man, can these bones 

live" 

and on his expressing doubt he was command 

ed to prophesy to them. Strange to say, there was a 

faint rattle becoming noise of ankle bones joining 

shin bones, shin bones to knee bones, knee bones to 

thigh bones, etc., and flesh came upon them, and the 

four winds were called to breathe upon these slain, 

and they stood up an exceeding great army. The sub 

stance of that message, must have been, "I dare 

But without that breathing of the Holy Spirit 

on those bones, they never would have stirred. I 

dare you to read the pages of the Covenanter Wit 

ness, sincerely praying for The Holy Spirit to chal 

lenge you, and not to feel a tremor. 

The Holy Bible is the most challenging Book 

ever written. Do you ever hear God saying to you, 

"I dare "I dare you to be a better servant 

or master, a better child of God." Is it not on every 

page "What is that in thine hand" The human 

hand itself is a mighty challenge, the most won 

derful of machines, a mass of levers and motors, 

made to grasp things, to hold one, two or five talents, 

with capability to increase them to ten or more. A 

little daughter was mending her father's vest and 

sewed a buttonhole too small. He couldn't button it. 

But it called his attention to the wondrous skill of 

that hand as he watched it making the attempt. 

Never before had he realized that the hand had a 

memory all its own. It never asked the brain for help 

on the thing it had done before. The brain was only 

called in emergencies 

a stand-by consultant. Is your 

hand skilled only in the use of a knife, fork and 

spoon, and complacently satisfied Your bones are 

very many and very dry. Your body, mind and spirit 

are constantly saying by their undeveloped possibili 

you." 

ties, "I dare 

Dare You Take a Dare 

Are you daring in the noble sense of the word 

Here is your chance to prove it : 

Dare No. 1. 1 dare you to write one, two or three 

passages from scripture that challenge us, on a postal 

card, and mail them to us, such as "Make straight 

paths for your feet" (Heb. 12:13). Initial them if 

you will. We ought to get a few thousand answers 

soon. When we have a page full, we will print it as 

your challenge to others. 

Dare No. 2. Send us quotations other than scrip 

ture that dare us to do worthwhile things, such as 

"Thoughts unused are soon diffused." "Count that 

day lost whose low descending sun views from thy 

done." 

hand no worthy action 

Dare No. 3. Have you a child in your home of 

pre-school age. Send us a picture (Kodak will do), 

write on back, name, age, parents, congregation. (We 

hope to print a few pages of these if results justify.) 

A small offering (strictly voluntary) will make this 

venture self-liquidating. 

We have a number of daring things to propose 

later, if you prove that you will take a dare. 

A Blessing 

and a Curse 

by Rev. Joseph A. Hill 

(A devotional address delivered before Synod and the Young People's Conference at Grinnell, Iowa 

on July 20, 195A). 

Deuteronomy 11:26-28 Behold, I set before 

you this day a "blessing and a curse ; a blessing, if ye 

obey the commandments of the Lord your God, 

which I command you this day: and a curse, if ye 

will not obey the commandments of the Lord your 

God, but turn aside out of the way which I command 

you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have 

not known." 

The "Covenant of 1954" is really the Crisis of 

1954. It places before the Covenanter Church both 

opportunity and danger. For the alternatives set 

before us in this covenant are clear cut: either o- 

bedience or disobedience. The outcome of the cove 

nant is also plain: either blessing or curse. 

God's covenant with man is as a sharp twoedged 

sword. It is both a blessing and a curse at 

the same time. Moses, in this chapter, reminded the 

children of Israel that through God's covenant his 

people were delivered at the Red Sea while the Egyp 

tians were destroyed. The same mighty act of God 

was both a blessing and a curse. 

A blessing and a curse are set before us in 

April 13, 1955 

this Covenant. Placing our names on a document is 

not the essence of our covenantal relation with God. 

Unless the relation is already established by God, 

we will not be blessed through this Covenant. If 

our signing the Covenant proves to be merely a 

formality, we may expect to see the Covenanter 

Church go downhill rapidly after Grinnell. The re 

ward of disobedience, as Moses warns, is a curse. 

On the other hand, if this Covenant draws us 

closer to our covenant-keeping God, so that we are 

enabled to keep the oath of obedience, we should see 

a real revival in the Covenanter Church. We may 

see a considerable increase in the growth of the 

Church. God will bless us if we obey Him. He will 

show His favor upon us in all the work which we 

undertake, 

at home and abroad. 

"Be not deceived, God is not mocked: whatso 

ever a man soweth, that shall he also And 

whatsoever a Church soweth, that shall it also reap. 

If we obey, we will reap God's blessing; if we dis 

obey, we must endure His displeasure and His wrath. 

"Behold, I set before you this day a blessing 

229

curse." 

sacrifice" 

sinful" 

us." 

and a 

Which is it going to be 

a blessing or 

or further decline 

There are four things necessary if this Cove 

a curse, new life and growth, 

nant is to be a blessing to our Church and not a 

curse . . . 

I. A Personal Experience of Redemption 

The children of Israel were encamped on the 

border of the promised land, and were at last pre 

paring to cross the Jordan and take possession of 

Canaan. To prepare them for entering the promised 

land of Canaan, Moses stood before them and re 

peated the Law which had formerly been given, 

straitly charging them to be obedient. 

The Book of Deuteronomy is, for the most part, 

a record of the discourses which Moses delivered 

before the congregation of Israel just before they 

entered Canaan. Many times in these addresses to 

the people, Moses recounted the work of divine re 

demption which had been wrought on their 'behalf. 

He began with God's covenant with Abraham and 

told the history of redemption down to that time. 

He told how God had delivered His people from the 

cursed land of Egypt, at the Red Sea, in the wildnerness, 

at Horeb, in Moab. He told how God had 

helped them conquer the Amorites and the Ammon 

ites and Og king of Bashan. Throughout their long 

history God had been redeeming them from the 

power of evil, heathen enemies. 

Because they had this background of redemp 

tion, they were God's people and were now standing 

on the border of the promised land and were about 

to enter upon its blessings. 

This redemption from the bondage of Egypt 

and from the power of heathen enemies is typical 

of God's redemption of His people from evil through 

his Son, Jesus Christ. That is, all the marvellous 

deliverances wrought by God in the history of Israel 

are a sample of the final work of salvation accomp 

lished by Jesus Christ. 

Before the Israelites could enter Canaan and 

possess its promised blessings, it was necessary for 

them to experience God's work of redemption. 

God' 

And before people today can receive 

covenant 'blessings, it is necessary that they have a 

personal experience of redemption. 

If you have not experienced the salvation of 

Christ, what good will it do to "seek to conform 

your life to the teaching and example of our Lord 

Jesus Christ" (Section 3 of The Brief Covenant). 

If you are not saved from the power of sin, how 

can you expect to "forsake all that is 

. 

(ibid) 

How can you expect to receive the blessings of Sab 

bath keeping if you have not been healed by the 

Lord of the Sabbath How can you expect to receive 

the blessing of giving your tithes if you have not 

given your life to God, through the Redeemer How 

can you expect to receive the blessing of the Lord's 

Supper if you have not been redeemed by the sacri 

ficial death represented by the Lord's Supper 

True covenanting is based upon redemption. 

God says, through the psalmist, "Gather my saints 

together unto me, who make a covenant with me 

upon the (Psalm 50:5, translation, J.H.). 

on the ground of the sacrifice of Christ can 

Only 

we enter into covenant with God. Those who are 

not really saved, not really converted to God, can 

not receive the blessings of this Covenant. If they 

signed it last Sabbath, that was a sin. It will in- 

230 

crease their judgment before God because it will be 

added to all their other sins. Instead of a blessing, 

the Covenant will be a curse. 

Covenant blessings are granted only on the basis 

of redemption already experienced. 

II. A Heart of Obedience. 

Moses spoke very frankly with Israel. He made 

very 

plain the condition upon which Israel would 

enjoy the good things of the land of promise. "A 

blessing, if ye obey the commandmenots of the 

Lord your God, which I command you this day." 

Moses also straitly warned the people of the peril of 

disobedience: "A curse, if ye will not obey the com 

mandments of the Lord your God." 

Obedience would result, stated Moses, in the 

blessings of rain and fertile land, bringing a 

plentiful harvest each year. It would bring them 

victory over evil nations and would make Israel 

a great nation, doing service for God. But disobedi 

ence would result in drought and famine. It would 

bring war upon them to destroy them and carry 

them away captive into a foreign land, as they had 

been in Egypt. These material blessings and curses 

would be concrete expressions of God's favor and of 

His wrath upon them, whichever the case might be. 

The same alternatives are set before us 

today. This Covenant will be either a blessing or 

a curse. If we mean what we say, and earnestly en 

deavor to fulfill our vows, our Church will begin to 

flourish and prosper as never before. We will be 

as "the vineyard which thy right hand hath planted, 

and the branch that thou madest strong for thyself" 

(Psalm 80:15). But if we have no intention of keep 

ing the Covenant which we have signed and sworn, 

we will wither and die as a Church. 

Someone said to me not long ago, "We can't 

keep the Covenant ; we're sinners, and the terms of 

this Covenant are too high above Yes, we are 

sinners. And the terms of the Covenant are indeed 

high above us. But the Covenant mentions some 

specific things that we can perform if we want to 

perform them. 

It mentions Sabbath keeping: Do we really in 

tend to keep the Sabbath holy, or will we continue 

to use God's holy day as our holiday. 

It mentions worship: Do we really intend to 

come to Church, morning and evening, or will we con 

tinue to obey the inclination of our fallen, 

sinful 

nature on a sunny Sabbath morning or a stormy, 

cold Sabbath evening 

It mentions Bible study: Do we really intend 

to study the Bible regularly, and in a systematic 

manner, or will we just read ten verses now and 

then, or pick out a few choice gems to commit to 

memory 

It mentions the New Testament pattern of wor 

ship: Do we intend to sing only the Psalms in wor 

ship, or will we continue to sing hymns in other 

churches, and advertise the fact we do not really 

believe our profession of faith 

It mentions the Reformed Faith: Do we really 

intend to study the Westminster Confession of Faith 

and the other confessional standards of our 

Church, or will we just let them collect more dust on 

the book shelf Do we really intend to be Calvinists, 

or will we continue to make some pious remark about 

being "Christians" 

These are things that we can do if we want to do 

COVENANTEE WITNESS

sinful," 

sinful." 

curse" 

wealth." 

them. There is not a single term in this covenant 

that we cannot fulfill. It is true that we cannot "con 

form our lives to the teaching and example of our 

Lord Jesus Christ." But our Covenant does not say 

that. It says, "we will seek to conform . . 

No, we 

cannot "forsake all that is in this life. But 

our Covenant does not say that. It says, "we will 

endeavor to forsake all that is That is some 

thing we can do, if we want to do it. 

There will, then, be no excuse for disobedience. 

The Covenanter Church cannot go on 

indefinitely 

breaking God's covenant, without incurring the 

wrath and judgment and curse of God. 

We should remember that covenant blessings 

are bestowed only through covenant keeping. Let 

us purpose in our hearts that this new Covenant 

will mean new obedience, in our lives and in our 

Church. 

III. A Reliance Upon God's Grace. 

In order to prepare the people of Israel for 

entering into Canaan, Moses told the people repeat 

edly that God was giving them this blessing, not 

because of any merit on their part, but merely be 

cause of His grace. 

They had grieved God many times during their 

sojourn in the wilderness. They had provoked Him 

to anger. Israel did not deserve God's blessing. They 

deserved God's wrath and curse. They were unfaith 

ful and disobedient; yet God brought them into 

Canaan. He gave them His blessing when they de 

served His curse. That is the meaning of grace. 

Moses says to them, "Not for thy righteousness, 

or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go 

to possess their land (the land of heathen nations) : 

but for the wickedness of these nations the Lord 

thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and 

that he may perform the word which he sware unto 

thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob." (Deut. 9: 

5). While the curse that came upon the heathen 

nations was deserved, the blessings that came to Is 

rael were undeserved. And the thing that made the 

difference was the faithfulness of God to His pur 

poses of grace. 

God had sworn by an oath in His covenant with 

Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, that through them and 

their children He would accomplish the redemption 

of the world. And there is no power in heaven or 

earth or hell that can frustrate God's plan of grace. 

Israel might disobey God, but they cannot annul His 

promise. They might prove unfaithful, but God on 

His part would remain faithful. Israel may revolt 

at Kadesh, but God has in reserve a Moses and a 

Joshua and a Caleb to rise up and fill the breach. And 

we can be unfaithful to God, but we cannot kill the 

truth. We can disobey God, but we cannot break 

His covenant. If we rebel against God and refuse 

to serve Him, He will raise up a people who will 

serve Him, that His purposes of grace may be ful 

filled. We may receive a blessing, or a curse but 

GOD'S COVENANT WILL STAND. 

We have been accustomed to thinking of a cov 

enant as a mutual agreement between God and man. 

We have always thought that God makes certain 

promises to us, and if we keep our side of the agree 

ment, we will receive the things promised. But that 

is not the nature of a covenant at all. God's cov 

which God has 

enant is a one-sided arrangement, 

April 13, 1955 

ordered and will maintain (see "Blue Banner Faith 

and Life," Jan.-March, 1954, p. 11). God's covenant 

is "a sovereign administration of grace, divinely in 

itiated, established, confirmed, fulfilled" (The Cov 

enant of Grace, by John Murray, The Tyndale Press, 

London, 1954, p. 22). The prominent element in God's 

covenant is sworn fidelity to an oath, and not mutual 

agreement between God and man. The covenant is 

God's unconditional guarantee of perpetual faithful 

ness to His purposes of redeeming grace. 

We have been regarding this "Brief 

Covenant" 

as our pledge of faithfulness to God. But this is not 

OUR covenant: this is GOD'S covenant. The basic 

element of the covenant-idea, according to the Scrip 

ture, is not MAN'S faithfulness, but GOD'S faith 

fulness. 

We may be unfaithful, but God's covenant will 

stand. The fulfilment of God's covenant does not 

depend upon man's obedience. Instead, man's obedi 

ence is itself a part of Man's fulfillment of His cov 

enant. Covenant faithfulness (obedience to God's 

commandments) is a part of the covenant blessing. 

I mean that if we keep this covenant it will be only 

because God has given us a heart of obedience. When 

God makes His covenant with man, God not only 

binds Himself in sworn fidelity to His purposes of 

grace, but God also binds man to Himself, that man 

might love Him and keep His commandments. Obedi 

ence is a blessing of divine grace. 

That is why Moses told Israel that when they 

entered Canaan and enjoyed its blessings, there 

never would be a time when they could look back and 

say : "We have obeyed the commandments ; we have 

kept the covenant of the Lord our God. That is why 

we are here." That is what Moses meant when he 

said, in Deuteronomy 8, "Beware that thou forget 

not the Lord thy God . . . lest when thou hast eaten 

and art full, 

and hast built goodly houses, and 

dwelt therein; and when thy herds and thy flocks 

multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, 

and all that thou hast is multiplied; then thine 

heart be lifted up, and thou forget the Lord thy 

God . . . and thou say in thine heart, My power and 

the might of mine hand hath gotten me this 

No, Moses says, these blessings come through the 

grace and power and faithfulness of God. 

And we must remember when God blesses us 

in future years as a Church, there never will be a 

time when we can look back and say, "We have 

kept the covenant of 1954; that is why we have 

grown and flourished." No, covenant blessings are 

undeserved blessings. We receive them, not because 

we are faithful, but BECAUSE GOD IS FAITHFUL. 

If we trust in our obedience and Christian serv 

ice and covenant keeping, we will receive a curse 

and not a blessing. For God's Word warns us that 

"as many as are under the works of the law are 

under the (Galatians 3:10). "By 

grace are 

ye saved through faith; and that (even faith is) 

not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of 

works, lest any man should boast" (Eph. 2:8,9). 

Covenant blessings are not earned. They come 

by grace : "They which be of faith are blessed with 

faithful Abraham" (Gal. 3:9). 

IV. A Desertion of all Other gods. 

Canaan was filled with heathen gods, but Israel 

must not allow them to be mixed with the worship 

of Jehovah. They must worship and serve only the 

231

still!' 

you' 

Lord of hosts. Moses warned them that serving 

other gods might well be their downfall. "Take heed 

to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and 

ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship 

them" 

(Deut. 11:16). 

As it turned out, Israel did worship other gods, 

and this brought a real curse upon Israel. Serving 

other gods was what ruined and destroyed them as a 

nation serving God. And serving other gods might 

ruin and destroy our Church, if we put them at the 

center of our lives instead of God the Lord. 

A false god is anything you love more than you 

love God. Anything you put ahead of God in your 

life is a false god. 

There are false gods all around us, and we must 

not let them get between ourselves and God. There 

are the false gods of humanistic religions. Some of 

these religions claim to be Christianity. They even 

use the terminology of the Christian religion. The 

heathen in Japan must be converted from Shintoism. 

The heathen in Syria and Turkey and Africa must 

be converted from the Moslem religion. The heathen 

in America must be converted from liberalism and 

moralism and the worship of the world. We must 

not allow these false gods to get into our worship. 

Sometimes sins are false gods. If we love cer 

tain sins, and refuse to give them up so that we may 

gods." 

serve the Lord, then those sins are "other 

We cannot serve God and at the same time keep on 

committing sins. We cannot obey God and still do 

as we please. If we are to receive God's blessing in 

this Covenant, we will have to clean out our lives 

and destroy our idols and make a firm decision to put 

God first in our lives. 

"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith 

without wavering; for he is faithful that promised" 

(Hebrews 10:23). There may be forty years of wan 

dering in the wilderness, but in due time God will 

bring us into Canaan, where we shall receive the 

goodly blessings of His covenant promise. 

A Champion Ploughman 

By Rev. HUGH J. BLAIR, B.A. 

Our sincere congratulations go to Mr. Hugh 

Barr, of Ballylaggan Reformed Presbyterian Church, 

for his recent success at the ploughing competition 

held at Killarney, where he was acclaimed as world 

champion ploughman. Mr. Barr is not only a good 

ploughman, but a fine singer as well, and the story 

of his achievement sent me back to a story in the 

Morning Watch of a precentor who did not get first 

prize in a ploughing championship 

reason. 

and for a good 

Here is the story as Rev. J. P. Struthers told 

it in 1893 in his little magazine for children: 

"John Jamieson and Andrew Todd were the best 

ploughmen in the county, and both so good that 

Todd, who was second best, would have been easily 

first anywhere else. Jamieson was our precentor. 

After raising the tune he always sang the tenor 

part I think I can hear him yet and our singing 

was famous far and near. Todd had once been very 

foolish, but had not touched drink for nearly two 

years. 

"The annual ploughing match in the January 

I am thinking of was looked forward to with unusual 

interest. The first prize was 6 and the silver 

medal and, of course, the Cup to which a newcomer 

to the county had added 12 lbs. of tea for the wife, 

mother or sweatheart of the successful ploughman. 

The second prize was 5 to which the member of 

Parliament for the county had added a guinea box of 

groceries, containing with other things two bottles 

of whisky. 

"One who has been a drunkard has often, for a 

time, a terrible longing for his old sin. When Todd 

heard of the contents of the box the two armies 

within him joined battle. His poor wife saw the 

struggle beginning, and fell to praying more earnest 

ly than ever. She told her fears to Jamieson, who 

had been her own and her husband's best friend. 

He tried unsuccessfully to get the bottles of whiskey 

omitted from the box, and then he made up his 

232 

mind that he would try for the second prize and let 

the cup go! 

"It was obvious that it was to be a neck-andneck 

race between the two men, but most agreed 

and in 

that Jamieson would have it by very little, 

deed he had never ploughed better. There were only 

a few furrows to go, and the cup was as good as his. 

How it happened, no one exactly noticed; yet some 

thing went wrong with that furrow and the next. 

Jura, the horse that walked on the land, saw it, 

though Rosie, the one that went in the furrow did 

n't. I was sorry for Jura, and when she turned she 

gave her master a look as if to say, 'Surely you 

won't disgrace us now after such a grand day's work 

as this ' But the last two furrows were as bad, and 

the judges, though sore again their wills, awarded 

Todd first prize! 

"Poor Mrs. Todd could do nothing but cry; a 

great temptation had been taken from her husband 

in a moment a temptation that was never to re 

turn. And Jamieson smashed the bottles of whisky 

as soon as he got home. Though he did not win 

the Cup, it was the best day's ploughing he ever 

did." 

I saw a photograph of some of Mr. Barr's fur 

rows in the newspaper, and there was no doubt what 

ever about their straightness. And I have been told 

that a skilled ploughman knows that to plough a 

straight furrow he must not look behind him, but 

keep looking ahead. Once a farmer lad who was 

learning ploughing was instructed by the farmer, 

his master, always to plough with his eyes fixed on 

some object in front of him. On returning and find 

ing the furrows anything but straight the farmer 

said angrily to the boy: T told you, didn't I to keep 

your eye fixed on an object in front of To 

which the boy replied : 

picked wouldn't stand 

'So I did, sir ; but the cow I 

That is a kind of parable. It is not possible 

for any of us to plough a straight furrow through 

COVENANTER WITNESS

man," 

ever." 

pledge." 

only." 

life unless we have our eyes fixed on an object in 

front of us. "No said Jesus, "having put his 

hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the 

kingdom of God." And the object to which we look 

cannot be something that is always changing. We 

must look at something or, better still, someone, who 

is steady and sure and unchanging. And Jesus 

Christ Himself, is the only one of whom we can 

say that, for He is 'Jesus Christ, the same yester 

day and to-day and for So for a straight fur 

row through life we must go forward, "looking unto 

faith." 

Jesus, the author and finisher of our 

The Reformed Presbyterian Witness. 

GOOD PEOPLE AND THE DANCE 

It is evident that it takes spiritual discernment 

for the average person to see the evil of the dance, 

because high minded people have exposed their sons 

and daughters to this injurious diversion who would 

not knowingly have sent their children into anything 

hurtful for the richest of bribes. We have heard of 

a few far-seeing wise men who made no pretense to 

religion who had an anti-dancing law in their homes 

as a safeguard to their children's character. We 

have wondered why pure reason could not lead one to 

see the danger, but with most persons only religion 

in the heart will open the eyes to the dangerous in 

toxications of Terpsichore. 

Will the reader suffer a few plain questions: 

Would not the attitude assumed by the sexes in a 

dance be regarded as a compromising attitude if as 

sumed when alone without music If you answer No, 

we now excuse you from the jury. If you answer 

Yes, we ask you another question : What is there in 

the music or the publicity of the exercise which 

renders honorable and wholesome an attitude which 

would otherwise be reprehensible and degrading 

Have you ever known an eminently, devout person 

who would dance If you were in a city and wanted 

to be absolutely sure of finding a dance any 

night in the year, what class of people would you go 

among You say you have known tolerably devout 

persons to dance; did you ever eat a tolerably good 

egg Did you ever hear an unconverted man say that 

he would like to have the kind of religion some toler 

ably devout person had If you were dying would 

you risk the destiny of your soul under the prayers 

of some tolerably devout person Among- what class 

of people does the art of dancing reach its highest 

development Selected. 

BOOK REVIEWS 

Best Sermon Pictures, 

Compiled by James Gilchrist Lawson. 

Jesus taught by parables. He illustrated the truths 

He taught by stories which were easily understood 

and remembered. This is a book of 2935 illustrations, 

covering almost every moral and religious subject. 

This was formerly published under the name Cyclo 

pedia of Religious Anecdotes. These illustrations 

are drawn from newspapers and magazines as well 

as from addresses and history and biography. 

I was particularly interested in two. On page 48 

is a part of an address by the late Dr. James S. Mar 

tin before a Committee of Congress. On page 456 

April 13, 1955 

there is the reprint of a short article from the Ster 

ling, Kansas, Bulletin on prohibition. There may be 

others that I would have known the author or the 

source, but these are the ones noticed. 

Illustrations are sometimes called "the windows 

sermon." 

of the They are needed and people listen 

to the illustrations and remember them. While the 

best illustrations for an individual are those that 

he himself has gathered, yet there is a definite place 

for such a work as this. Often a few facts can be 

found about a subject that will make one's address 

more definite and stories which illustrate the truth 

are easily remembered. This book contains a fine 

selection of splendid illustrations. 

This book of over 500 pages sells for $4.95. It is 

published by the Moody Press of 820 N. La Salle 

St., Chicago 10, 111. It can be ordered directly from 

them or from the Covenanter Witness. R.C.F. 


D. H. Elliott 

Conserving Results 

Stewardship efforts during March have ended. 

Many replies suggest that the plan has been general 

ly observed among the churches. We thank all of you 

who so willingly gave your cordial support. Especial 

ly we are grateful to those who took the trouble to 

tell us so. 

We trust the venture has not been a mere rus 

tling among the leaves or as a vapor which appeareth 

for a little time, then vanisheth away. Our 

prayer is that the moving in the top of the mulberry 

trees betokens something more substantial in the 

days and years to come. 

We are sorry if anyone has signed the resolve 

with a mental reservation of for "one year 

This should be a lifetime covenant with our Master 

'bread." 

who gives us day by day "our daily 

One enthusiastic tithe promoter writes : "I have 

wondered if there wasn't a benefit in persons keep 

ing some reminder for themselves when they make 

a promise or pledge. I wonder if a double card would 

be useful with the signer keeping one for himself to 

remind him of his 

A good suggestion ! To meet this would it serve 

the purpose if the congregation would make and pre 

serve a permanent record of all pledges turned in 

then return the original cards as a "remembrancer" 

to the signers themselves 

"Finally brethren, be strong in the Lord." Keep 

in mind that good starters are not all good finishers. 

Let us ponder the fact that if and when a new minis 

ter is sent to Japan we are obligating ourselves, not 

for one year only, but for every year after that. 

"These are they likewise which are sown on stony 

ground, who when they have heard the Word, im 

mediately 

receive it with gladness: And have no 

root in themselves, so endure but for a time." 

(Mark 4:16,17) 

P.S. The Stewardship Committee is grateful to the 

editor of the Covenanter Witness for his splendid 

sharing of the pages of the paper for this under 

taking. 

233

iver." 

me." 

good." 

Lesson Helps for the Week of May 1, 1955 

JUNIOR TOPIC 

May 1, 1955 

By Lillian L. Faris, Cambridge, Mass. 

The Beginning of the Miracles in 

Egypt 

Scripture Text: Exodus 7 

Memory Verse: "And Moses and Aaron 

did as the LORD commanded them, so 

did they." Exodus 7:6. 

Memory Psalm for May, Psalm 15: 1-3, 

page 26. 

Psalm 16: 1,7,8,10, page 27. 

Psalm 47:1-4, page 120. 

Pray that the Lord will help you to 

understand this chapter. Pray that the 

Lord will help you to love Him more, 

and follow Him better. 

The Lord sent Moses and Aaron to 

speak to Pharaoh "that he send the chil 

dren of Israel out of his land." The 

Lord intended to show both the Egyp 

tians and the Israelites what He could 

do. The Lord had promised Abraham, 

Isaac, and Jacob that their people would 

go back to the Promised Land. The 

bones of Joseph had been saved for hun 

dreds of years waiting for this very 

wonderful day. They were to carry them 

with them when they went out of E- 

gypt. Yet the people found it hard to be 

lieve. 

Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh 

as the Lord commanded. Aaron cast 

down his rod before Pharaoh and his 

servants, and it became a serpent. Phar 

aoh called for his wise men and magi 

cians and every one of them cast down 

their rods. Pharaoh paid no attention to 

the miracle. He would not listen to 

them. He would not let the people go. 

I hope our hearts will not be like 

Pharaoh's. When the Lord sends us a 

message, I hope we will listen. 

The Lord said to Moses, "Get thee 

unto Pharaoh in the morning; and say, 

The Lord God of the Hebrews hath sent 

me, saying, Let my people go, and thou 

wouldst not hear. In this thou shalt 

know that I am the Lord, I will smite 

with the rod that is in mine hand upon 

the waters which are in the river, and 

they shall be turned to blood. And the 

fish that is in the river shall die, and 

the river shall stink; 

and the Egyptians 

shall loathe to drink of the water of the 

After giving Pharaoh fair warning, 

Aaron stretched out his rod over all the 

waters of Egypt including their streams, 

rivers, ponds, pools, and in vessels of 

wood and stone, and all the waters 

234 

were turned to blood, 

Psalm 78: 

as it says in 

He turned their rivers into blood; 

Their streams no drink would yield. 

And also in Psalm 105: 

He turneth their waters into blood, 

And all their fish he killed. 

Pharaoh and his servants 

watched 

Moses and Aaron do this, then when 

his magicians did the same thing, his 

heart was hardened and he went into 

his house. 

Pharaoh was hard on his own Egyp 

tian people too. The children were wail 

ing, "Mother, 

we want a drink of water. 

Oh, give me a drink." The mothers and 

fathers were all out with shovels dig 

ging round about the river for water 

to drink. I don't think they found any, 

for it says all the waters were turned 

to blood. If their magicians were so 

wise, why did they not turn the blood 

back to water The Lord was away a- 

head of their wise men, but Pharaoh 

was too hard-hearted to realize this. All 

the fish died. The fishermen were out 

of work, the people were getting hun 

gry; but Pharaoh went into his house. 

The Lord was preparing to draw a 

nation away from Egypt to a life of 

faith. The people had to work hard 

where they were; but they liked the 

food, the onions and the garlic. Why 

should they pack up and leave, when, 

by the faith Moses was trying to give 

them they might not have so much 

We are asked to walk by faith in the 

Son of God, who said, "Come unto 

But count the cost, how much we might 

have to give up. First the tight-rope 

walker goes up the ladder. Let us go 

up. We put our foot out on the rope. 

See the crowd down below watching 

us to see if we are going to fall. Jude 

says the Lord is able to keep us from 

falling. Shall we stand right up straight, 

and walk along with assurance Shall 

we sit down, hold the rope in both 

hands, and inch our way along Shall 

we turn back To turn back is faith 

less. We who love the Lord will keep 

on with the life of faith till we reach 

the end of the rope, and the One who 

loves us takes our hand, and says, "Well 

done." 

The following Psalms are about to 

day's chapter. Would you like to read 

them, or copy them in your notebook 

Who can find them first 

Psalm 78: page 187, v. 10 

Psalm 80: page 196, v. 8. 

Psalm 81: page 199, v. 3,8. 

Psalm 89: page 217, v. 10. 

Psalm 99: page 236: v. 5. 

Psalm 103: page 247, v. 5. 

Psalm 106: page 261, v. 5,6. 

Psalm 114: page 280, v. 1. 

Psalm 118, page 284, v. 1,2. 

Psalm 133, page 330, v. 2. 

Psalm 135: page 332, v. 7. 

Psalm 136 : page 334, vs. 5-8. 

Will you find a Bible with a good 

map of Egypt, and trace it, and each 

week this month write on the map the 

places mentioned. 

If you like to study, try to get a 

copy of "Pocket Bible Handbook," by 

Henry Halley. This book has several 

pages of Archaeological discoveries in 

Egypt. Men went to Egypt with steam 

shovels, and dug deep down in the 

sand, and found of 

people of long 

ago, and big stones which they had a 

hard time reading. Everything they 

found agrees with the Bible. 


May 1, 1955 

Rev. J. W. McBurney 

JEHOSHAPHAT'S RIGHTEOUS 

LEADERSHIP 

2 Chronicles 17-20 

PRINTED, 2 Chron. 17:1-7,9; 19:4-7. 

MEMORY, 2 Chron. 19:11 "Deal cour 

ageously, and the Lord shall be with the 

The history of Israel and Judah as re 

corded in the Bible is remarkable be 

cause defeat and shame are as freely 

told as their victories. The sins and fail 

ures of their heroes are as freely re 

corded as their virtues and successes. 

In contrast, the inscriptions of other na 

tions, recorded only the victories and 

valors of their heroes. The Bible gives 

us a true picture of God's dealings with 

men and nations. 

2 Chron. 17:1-7 PROSPERITY 

THROUGH SEEKING GOD 

Jehoshaphat was the fourth king over 

Judah after the nation was divided, 

the sixth in the line of David. He did 

not follow evil examples, but walked in 

the first (best) ways of David. 

sought the Lord, and followed His com 

He 

mandments regardless of the idolatrous 

practices that were popular around him. 

He was not afraid to stand for a 

clean worship. He prospered in his reign 

because 

Jehovah was with him. 

The Temple had been looted by Shi 

shak, King of Egypt, in the reign of 

Rehoboam, and had not been repaired. 

While the people followed idols, the 

Lord's treasury was empty. When they 

quit spending their money on idols, they 

COVENANTER WITNESS

Salvation 

name." 

brought money in abundance to the 

Temple Treasury. Sometimes we speak 

of the increased generosity of the church 

now over what it was a half century 

ago. Compare the giving then and now 

with the incomes and standards of liv 

ing 

and the amount spent for amuse 

ments, and this generation has nothing 

to boast about. The tithe was never 

a measure of giving. It was, and is, a 

token of the recognition of God's own 

ership. It is just as important to pay it 

as to obey the Eighth Commandment. 

We should not speak of generosity un 

til after the tithe has been paid. 

v. 5 THE NATION'S STRENGTH IS 

BY GOD'S BLESSING 

As the idols were destroyed and the 

Temple worship prospered, God estab 

lished the kingdom in the land of Je 

hoshaphat. There is a definite relation 

ship between Christianity and patriot 

ism. Communism knows that it must 

destroy Christianity before it can win. 

When the Teacher's Oath was required 

in Indiana I got a verbal opinion from 

the president of the school board and 

the Superintendent of schools in Prince 

ton, and from the Secretary of Educa 

tion and the State Attorney of In 

diana. Each of these expressed the o- 

pinion that attaching the explanatory 

clause to the required oath, instead of 

indicating 

unfitness of the candidate 

was an evidence of special fitness. 

God does not establish 

a Kingdom 

without using means. One of His most 

powerful means is the God-fearing 

righteousness of the people. 

V. 6 GOD'S FAVOR ENCOURAGES 

IN GOOD WORKS 

"And his heart was lifted up (en 

couraged) in a good Herod's heart 

work." 

was lifted up with pride, and great was 

his fall. The way of the Lord may be 

through the slough of despond, the hill 

of difficulty, the valley of humiliation, 

doubting castle, but the Christian pre 

fers the interpreter's house and the de 

lectable mountains. Even if caught in 

Doubting Castle, there is always the 

Key of Promise. 

Jehoshaphat used the influence of his 

office to bring his people to a knowledge 

to God's law. He employed the best 

teachers he had, those trained in posi 

tions of honor and trust. They went to 

the cities of Judah and taught the 

people, and their text book was the 

Law of the Lord. That would include the 

first five books of the Old Testament, 

and perhaps Job, Ruth, most of the 

Psalms, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes. It 

should be noticed that these teachers 

were not priests, they did not repre 

sent the church. They were employed by 

the state. 

April 13, 1955 

Chap. 18 (Not Printed) THE 

DANGER OF AN UNWISE ALLIANCE 

Jehoshaphat surely purposed well in 

making alliances with Ahab, King of 

Israel, and later with his son Ahaziah. 

The alliance seemed to accomplish one 

good; it brought an end to the wars 

between Judah and Israel. Jehoshaphat 

showed some strength when he insisted 

that Ahab call the prophet Micaiah 

whom Ahab hated. 

But he was not 

strong enough to stand by the message 

of the prophet, though it rang with the 

voice of truth. Then good-naturedly he 

allowed Ahab, by a most cowardly plan, 

to put him in the place of danger, while 

trying to hide himself in safety. Ahab's 

plan failed, brought his own death, and 

Jehoshaphat's safety. Later to strength 

en still further the alliance, Jehosha 

phat's grandson married Ahab's daugh 

ter, who was the daughter of Jezebel. 

Nuf sed! National Leaders have made 

some alliances in the hope of peace, but 

have not stopped war.! 

Z 

Chron. 19:4-7 JEHOSAPHAT LEADS 

A SECOND REVIVAL 

His first revival was not set on a 

permanent basis and cooled off. This 

is a common aftermath of special re 

vivals today. A regular consistent teach 

ing and life should be the aim of the 

church and the nation. 

In the race 

between the turtle and the hare, the 

turtle won. We are inclined to think 

that in Jehoshaphat's revival the basis 

for continuity and permanence was neg 

lected. At any rate, there was a special 

need for a second campaign of in 

struction. This second effort seemed to 

be on a better, more permanent plan 

than the first. It added to the teach 

ing, the administration of the law. No 

tice how both of these were co-ordinated 

with God's law. The Judges were to 

judge not for man, but for God. God's 

law should be on the teacher's desk, 

and on the judge's bench, and in the 

hearts of both. 

2 Chron. 20 (Not Printed) 

MOABITES DEFEATED 

The King had learned his lesson. 

When the great army of the Moabites 

came against him, he did not ask help 

of Israel, did not depend on his own 

vast army. He prayed and pleaded with 

the Lord, putting his hope in God. 

The Word of the Lord came to one of 

the priests of the Temple, Jehaziel, and 

he took this message to the king, "Be 

not afraid or dismayed by reason of 

this great multitude; for the battle is 

not yours, but the Lord's." So Jeho 

shaphat led out his great army, not to 

fight, but to see the salvation of the 

Lord. "Believe in the Lord your God, 

so shall ye be established." 

Psalms 


May 4, 1955 

FAITH AND WORKS 

James 2:14-26 


1:1-3, page 2 

15:1-3, page 26 

119:1-3, page 287 

26:1-2, 8-9, page 61. 

References as found in the discussion. 

This section is the controversial part 

of the Epistle. One could hardly 

miss its 

theme, Faith and Works, for it is stated 

about ten times. This paragraph moved 

Martin Luther to call it the "straw epis 

tle." 

Even in other respects this Epistle 

seems to be lacking in Christian teach 

ing. No mention is made of the Gospel, 

Redemption, Incarnation or the Resur 

rection. The name of the Lord Jesus 

Christ is mentioned only twice, but the 

expressions, "Lord" and "God" are used. 

But even if James does not emphasize 

these specific Christian features as Paul 

yet we believe that a "Church which 

lived in sincere accordance with his les 

sons would in no respect dishonor the 

Christian 

That there may be no misunderstand 

ing, we repeat that the only ground of 

our justification is the righteousness of 

Jesus Christ. "For by grace are ye saved 

through faith; and that not of your 

selves; it is the gift of God" (Eph. 2:8- 

9) 

. is not of "faith and works." 

It is all of grace. "And if by grace, then 

it is no more of works; otherwise work 

is no more work" 

(Romans 11:6; Rom. 

4:4-5, Rom. 3:28, Acts 13:38-39, Gala 

tians 2:16). What then is the purpose of 

Works according to James 

Works Are a Necessary Evidence 

of Faith. 

Christ said, "Ye shall know them by 

their fruits" (Matt: 7:16). Faith is the 

root but works are the fruit. If we have 

a real faith, the necessary inference is 

that there shall be works. James evi 

dently was speaking 

out of an actual 

experience (2:15-16). The famine (Acts 

ll:28*-29) may have brought great suf 

fering to some of the Christians. How 

could any one say to his cold and hungry 

brothers, "I wish you well; keep your 

selves warm and well fed" (Weymouth), 

and yet never offer to supply their 

need Perhaps much of our sympathy is 

a cheap thing. We are offering that 

which costs us nothing. How much of 

life is made up of "saying" 

"doing" 

faith" 

but not 

"though a man say he hath 

(2:14). What value is it to have 

one's name on the roll of a Church, if 

one's actions prove that it is an empty 

form ."If a man say Certainly we 

. . 

can agree with James. 

235

works" 

not." 

works" 

works" 

Mrs. 

Paul said, "For we are his workman 

ship, created in Christ Jesus unto good 

sence of "good 

. . . ((Ephesians 2:10). The ab 

works" 

should cause us to 

search our own hearts. If Christ is in us 

should we not be able to say at least in 

a measure as Paul said, "For to me to 

live is Christ" (Phil. 1:21). And if we 

are living as Christ lived, then the fruit 

of the Spirit will be manifest in our 

lives. Of course God knows our hearts 

even apart from fruitage. But with men, 

it is not so much what we profess or 

what we say we believe as it is what we 

do that convinces men of our faith in 

the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the posi 

tion of James. And it is our position toe. 

We expect the professed follower of the 

Lord Jesus to show his faith by the 

study of God's Word, prayer, Christian 

fellowship, service, stewardship, etc. 

Eph. 4:30-32. 

The teaching of this Epistle is that a 

professed Christian faith is vain and 

worthless unless there is a correspond 

ing Christian life. There is always dan 

ger of the antinomian error, of trusting 

in a dead faith. This explains the vigor 

ous emphasis which James puts upon 

works. But in a real sense it is a vigor 

ous emphasis upon faith too. It is unfair 

to judge James as partial to works or as 

presenting 

works apart from faith as 

the means of salvation. It is faith which 

produces works. "What doth it profit, 

my brethren, if a man say he hath faith, 

but have not works, can that faith save 

him (R. V.) And the implied answer is, 

"Of course 

Abraham's Works Are Evidences of 

His Faith (Genesis 22:1-18). 

(Perhaps one of the juniors or inter 

mediates would tell this story which is 

so full of interest and appeal to both 

young 

and old.) 

Back of Abraham's 

readiness and willingness to offer his 

own beloved Isaac there was a strong 

faith. James is emphasizing works. But 

there could be no such evidence such as 

Abraham gave 

his own son 

the willingness to offer 

had he not possessed a 

vigorous and living faith. In emphasizing 

works, is not James emphasizing faith 

too 

not only the genuineness of it, but 

its strength 

Rahab's works are an evidence of her 

faith (Joshua 2:1-24; 6:25). What a dif 

ference there is between these two char 

acters, Abraham and Rahab ! 

Rahab, be 

cause of her faith in God (Joshua 2:10- 

11) refused to betray the two spies who 

were lodged in her home. For her pro 

tection and help to them, she and her 

family were spared when Jericho was 

destroyed. Jewish tradition has been 

kindly 

disposed toward Rahab and her 

name is mentioned in Hebrews 11:31 as 

an example of faith and by James as an 

236 

1 bushel oranges from Mrs. W. A. 

example of works. So two of the great 

Troy Hill Girl Scouts. avoid the drink that would end in a 

examples of faith are also mentioned as 

two great examples of works. And of 

course other examples might be given 

from this great Faith chapter. 

Abraham, (Gal. 3:6-9) father of many 

Russell 

Apples from Misses M. and J. Thomp 

son 

250 lb. powdered milk 

65 lb. butter 

nations, strong in faith, was saved by a 50 lb. rice U. S. Government 

living faith which manifested itself in 

works. Rahab, lowly and limited in op 

portunities and training was saved by 

Mrs. Wm. Esler, Donation ch. 

her faith as revealed by her actions. Or 

OPEN LETTER 

putting the emphasis upon works, both 

were saved by works works which Dear Mr. Taggart: 

proved that they possessed a strong and 

living faith. What do my works prove 

Questions: 

We are sending you the enclosed Re 

lease with the hope that you will run it 

in an early issue of your publication. 

The safety program with which it 

1. Can Paul's teaching concerning 

deals was developed a short time ago 

faith be harmonized with the statement 

Association, 

of James that faith without works is by the National Reform 

and, 

dead 

very little publicity has been 

given to it as yet, there has been a very 

2. Do we have any reason to be proud 

encouraging response. In order that 

of our "Good Works" 

more people may know about this safe 

See Confession of Faith, chapter 

ty 

program and the materials that have 

16, paragraph 5. 

been prepared, this Release is being sent 

3. Can we ever excuse ourselves from out. 

"Good on the plea that we are We realize that drinking and driving 

justified by faith 

is only one facet of the liquor problem 

4. What value is a faith that does not but this is one of the factors which 

change life 

leads to so many deaths on our high 

Prayer: 

ways. With wide use of the bumper 

That we might be able to do "Good sticker, with its warning slogan, and 

because we have great faith. 

also the general use sticker and calen 

That our prayer meetings may have 

dar cards, it is our belief that many 

power and effectiveness. 

people will be led to think and avoid 

That all our pastors and people may 

the drink that may end in a traffic 

be blessed in their witnessing. 

death. With this end in view we are 

That the Lord may bless the work on asking your cooperation in giving wide 

our Mission fields. 

publicity to this program by carrying 

the Release in an early issue of your 

publication. 


We would very much appreciate it if 

you would send us a copy of the issue 

in which this Release appears. 


Prayer Hour. 1 :00 P.M. Monday 

Yours very truly, 

J. Renwick Patterson, 

Executive Secretary. 

Note: We are including news and 

notes of our Women's Association. This 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

makes us very happy. This will continue Using the slogan "Arrive Alive! Don't 

until other plans develop. There is much Drink and Drive!" a safety program de 

potential material within our realms. signed to create an increased aware 

We welcome all that is sent for our ness in the public mind of the danger 

column and urge others to write. M.J.L. of drinking and driving has been launch 

ed. This program, originated by Dr. J. 

From our A. P. Home 

Renwick Patterson, Executive Secretary 

Donations acknowledged include: 

of the National Reform Association, is 

6 prs. pillow cases from Mrs. C. V. 

being promoted under his leadership. 

Walker. 

The slogan appears in eye-catching 

1 bushel oranges, Mr. and Mrs. R. M. 

red and black on a florescent bumper 

Young 

sticker, an envelope sticker and a wallet 

Cookies, Rev .and M .K. Carson. size calendar card. Many thousands of 

1 bushel apples, Eastvale W. M. S. 

these items are already being used. 

1 bushel oranges, Mr. and Mrs. K. M. All too frequently, innocent persons 

Young 

are the victims of alcohol-caused high 

Cash $10.00 for Valentine by Mont way tragedies. A bumper sticker with 

clair W. M. S. 

this slogan on your car may be the 

Cookies, Rev. and Mrs. M. K. Carson. means, of leading someone to think and 


you." 

Church News 

CLARINDA 

The kitchen at the parsonage has been 

given a renovating of late, making it 

much more convenient and attractive. 

To show their appreciation to the Dea 

PORTLAND 

We were very glad to have Miss 

Blanche McCrea speak to us on March 

16. She gave us a very interesting talk 

on her work with the girls in Nicosia 

and also showed slides of the Island of 

Cyprus. 

The W.M.S. meeting 

was held on 

March 18 and the following officers 

were elected for the new year: Presi 

dent, Mrs. J. D. Carson; Vice President, 

Mrs. Thomas Chambers; Secretary, Miss 

Iris Hutcheson; and Treasurer, Mrs. 

John Fonaas. 

After our W.M.S. meeting the ladies 

held a surprise baby 

Mary Chambers. 

STAFFORD 

shower on Mrs. 

Stafford congregation "greatly appre 

ciated the messages of Rev. Sam Boyle 

on February 20. We were glad to have 

his son Robert with him. 

Rev. A. J. McFarland has preached for 

us frequently this winter as his C.A.M. 

work has allowed. 

On May 1, Rev. Lester Kilpatrick is to 

conduct our communion services. We are 

very happily looking forward to having 

Mr. Donald Felker with us for the sum 

mer. 

Several ministers still graciously sup 

ply us with sermon records for the many 

days we have no preacher. Dr. C. E. Wil 

son has made a loud speaker which is 

a great help. 

The S. S. has given $60 to CAM to 

help keep it on the air. The congregation 

has increased its giving to Synod's bud 

get this year by 50% 

above the past 

year. This has meant $73 per wage earn 

er above our local budget. 

The congregation of NEW ALEXAN 

DRIA, dedicated the "Educational 

Room," a new addition to the church 

building, March 18. 

Dr. J. B. Willson, representative of the 

Reformed Presbyterian Seminary, Pitts 

burgh, and Dr. R. C. Fullerton, pastor 

of the New Alexandria church, were the 

speakers. 

J. E. Steele, chairman of the congretraffic 

death. An attractive four page 

folder in color, giving the sizes and 

prices of each item and offering numer 

ous suggestions for their use may be 

had free of cost by writing to The Na 

tional Reform Association, 209 Ninth 

Street, Pittsburgh 22, Pa. 

April 13, 1955 

gation, presided at the dedicatory serv 

ices. 

Introductions were made, including R. 

Lloyd Brown, chairman of the building 

committee; Clarence Clark, chairman 

of the board of trustees; Emil Dorko, 

building contractor who supervised the 

building of the new addition, and W. B. 

Evans, engineer. 

The Educational Room is a one-story 

structure 31 feet by 53 feet and is con 

structed of brick and steel. It is the first 

such addition to the church building 

since it was built 85 years ago. 

Following the dedication, 

was held in the Educational Room. 

whitelAke 

a social hour 

Our latest newcomer is George Allan, 

who arrived March 7 to make his home 

with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel 

H. Bosch. Mrs. Bosch is the former Ruth 

Winchell, who before her marriage was 

a member of the Coldenham, N. Y. con 

gregation. 

The W. M. S. held an all-day meet 

ing March 10 at the home of Mrs. Clara 

Donaldson. Election of officers for the 

ensuing year resulted in the following: 

President, Mrs. Daniel Bosch; Vice-Pres 

ident, Miss Dorothea Millen; Secretary, 

Mrs. Grace Weiss; Treasurer, Mrs. 

George Norris. That day happened to 

be the out-going president's birthday, 

and Mrs. Thomas Wilson was delight 

fully surprised with a beautiful birth 

day cake during the luncheon period. 

LOCHIEL NEWS 

The Lochiel congregation partook of 

the Lord's Supper on February 27. We 

were happy to have with us on this 

occasion Mr. and Mrs. Parke who re 

cently came from Toronto to make 

their home here near to their daugh 

ter, Mrs. W. A. F. Brodie. Ralph Mc 

Kelvy made a public profession of his 

faith in Christ at this time. Alice Mc 

Kelvy was home from Geneva College 

during the holidays. 

Mr. Andrew S. Brodie, of Red Deer, 

Alberta, passed to his reward on March 

17 in his eightieth year. Though a 

native of Lochiel, he lived many years 

in Alberta where he was an elder in 

the Delburne congregation until its dis 

organization. His widow, two sons and 

two daughters mourn his death, but not 

as those who have no hope. His last 

words to his wife were, "The Lord be 

with 

con Board for their thoughtfulness and 

hard work, the Carsons entertained the 

members and their wives at dinner. Six 

teen were seated at the tables which 

were decorated in honor of "St. 

Pat." 

The evening was spent in games and 

visiting, ending with family worship be 

fore we separated. The Pastor and his 

wife are very 

grateful for these im 

provements which lighten kitchen tasks 

appreciably. 

We were glad to welcome home for 

brief visits Wendell and Joyce Westenberg 

en route from Ft. Bliss, Texas, to 

Baltimore, Md., and Robert Morrow of 

Geneva College who spent a few days of 

the Spring 

parents. 

vacation at the home of his 

John Morrow is missed from the serv 

ices as he has secured employment near 

Storm Lake, Iowa. 

Congratulations to Norma Woods who 

has worked up to the state contest in 

oration. She will compete in the finals 

at Ottumwa, Iowa, April, 21-23. 

Mrs. Myrtle Tippin has returned from 

a stay in her grand daughter's home in 

Girard, Kansas. 

GREELEY 

March was stewardship month in 

Greeley. Two of our laymen, Msrs. Ed 

win Keys and Neeland Siebring, spoke 

on Stewardship on Sabbath, March 13. 

Our Pastor preached on "Stewardship 

in all Things!" on March 20. The Offer 

ing received on March 27 was almost 

$1,200.00, of which over $900.00 was 

designated for Synod's Budget. We 

praise God for faithful stewards. 

Mr. Donald Johnson joined the Church 

by profession of faith on Monday, March 

21. 

A Booster Program for the Covenant 

Heights Conference (July 12-17, 1955) 

was held at the Church, Friday eve 

ning, March 25. The Young People serv 

ed a Spaghetti Dinner to 68 prospective 

campers, and then presented "A Preview 

of Covenant Heights 1955." Despite the 

snow storm the night before, the crowd 

was good, 23 coming up from Denver. 

We were pleased that Dr. J. C. Mitchel 

and the Rev. Paul D. White could have 

a part in the program. 

A new Sabbath School Contest start 

ed April 4. Each of the eight classes is 

competing against the others to bring 

the most new members. The theme of 

the contest is "Fishers of Men!" 

MORNING SUN 

Mrs. Anna Wilson, Morning Sun, Iowa, 

died in her sleep March 11, at the 

237

sons' 

home of her son Ralph. Folks who at 

tended 1948 Grinnell will remember her 

as the one who came in the wheel 

chair. She was regular in her attend 

ance at church, missionary society, 

prayer meeting until she became bed 

fast in November. She was a member 

of W.C.T.U. and sponsored many local 

and county Silver and Gold contests. 

She wrote a letter nearly every day and 

had a great interest in people. Her hus 

band C. B. Wilson served two terms 

as Iowa State Representative. She 

leaves to mourn: her sister Mrs. Lois 

Honeyman, 

and two 

families, Mr. 

and Mrs. E. Raymond Wilson, Wash 

ington, D. C, and Lee and Kent of 

Harvard U., Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Wil 

son, and Winnifred and Gwen of Ames. 

She was a double LL Wilson before 

her marriage. Her husband, two daugh 

ters and one son preceded her in death. 

Raymond Wilson, Executive Secretary 

of the Friends Committee on National 

Legislation, 

was called home while on a 

speaking tour in Florida, because of his 

mother's death. He made the trip from 

St. Petersburg, Fla. by plane. 

Several from Morning Sun are at 

tending the Geneva banquet honoring 

Rev. and Mrs. John Coleman, March 

29. He is assisting both Sharon and 

Morning 

Sun at communion services. 

Anna Hutcheson, student at Parkville, 

Mo., and niece of Mrs. Ralph Wilson 

will appear with the college choir on 

its tour in Iowa. Mt. Pleasant and Des 

Moines and Farmington are some of the 

points on their itinerary. 

The Genevans sing at Morning Sun 

high school, 8:00 p.m. April 4. 

Rev. H. G. Patterson has returned 

home after preaching 

baths in Topeka. 

for three Sab 

The Memorial gift from the Mission 

ary Society in lieu of flowers for Mrs. 

Patterson was sent to the Southern 

Mission. 

Several of our women attended the 

County Institute of the WCTU which 

met in Morning Sun Library. Three 

state workers were here. Mrs. Honey 

man acted as hostess to two of them. 

KANSAS CITY 

Doctor G. M. Robb was installed pas 

tor of the Kansas City congregation 

February 24, at 7:30 p.m. The message 

of the evening was brought by Rev. R. 

W. Caskey of Winchester; the address 

to the pastor by Dr. F. L. Stewart of 

Olathe. The queries were put by Dr. 

Huston of Winchester and the message 

to the congregation by Elder Henry Faris 

of Dension. Thus, a new epoch begins 

in the history of the Kansas City con 

gregation. 

A reception was given for Dr. and 

Mrs. Robb, February 10, at the church. 

238 

Although it was a near zero windy night, 

hazardous driving, all went well. A 

portion of the 148th Psalm was sung 

then prayer after which sweet little 

Margie Weimer came with a speech: 

"She was only a litle girl but she wanted 

to welcome the Robbs." Dr. R. P. 

Wright, gave the congregational wel 

come. 

"Howdy" came from the Juniors: 

Pamela Burke, presented a corsage to 

Mrs. Robb and John Ward gave Dr. 

Robb, a boutonniere. Welcome to Mid- 

West Presbytery was given by Dr. F. 

L. Stewart. The Intermediate Choir sang 

Blue." 

"Banner Rev. J. Roy Smith, 

President of the Roanoke Ministers' As 

sociation, gave a warm welcome for 

that group. Cute little Lynna Hunter 

gave her little speech, "We Must 

Scratch," she stepped forward, to give 

Dr. Robb a little rake and with much 

emphasis 

told him to just make us, 

"Scratch, Scratch, Scratch." To all this 

Dr. and Mrs. Robb responded graciously. 

A reception line formed and members 

and friends of the congregation greeted 

Dr. and Mrs. Robb. The folding doors.to 

the adjoining 

room were thrown open 

and there was a beautifully bedecked 

table, glistening silver service and large 

silver trays laden with dainty sand 

wiches and tea cakes. Mrs. Paul Wright 

sat at one end and Mrs. Benton Duffett 

at the other end, ready to pour. All was 

done in serving with so much ease and 

precision that Mrs. Frank Stewart want 

ed to see who was behind the gun 

and there in an adjoining room was Mrs. 

J. T. Humphries and her committee. 

Mrs. Humphries brought so much from 

her home that her husband Jim just 

had to take the morning off to get her 

over to the church early that stormy 

day. 

We are happy to have Dr. Robb as 

our pastor and will do all we can to 

help him to go forward here in Kansas 

City in work for the Master. 

TOPEKA 

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Drennon an 

nounce the engagement of their daugh 

ter Doris to Al/c Ralph Enloe sta 

tioned 

at Forbes Air Base. 

Mr. Richard McAllister has been con 

fined to the hospital for the past two 

weeks but is now returned to his home. 

The ailment was an acute form of skin 

disease affecting his feet. This is a re 

turn engagement of previous years. 

Our congregation greatly enjoyed the 

concert of the Genevans given in our 

Church on Saturday evening, April 2, 

and stayed with us over the weekend 

and we enjoyed the gospel team in the 

forenoon of April 3 and a sermon by 

Rev. David Carson concerning the bene 

fits which flow from justification, adop 

tion and sanctification. 

The following teachers have been 

elected for the Sabbath School during 

the coming year: Mrs. Lyons Class, 

A. D. Robb; Men's Class, Henry 

Blackwood; Margaret Mitchell Class, 

Emma McFarland; Blue Banner Class, 

W. A. McElroy; High School Class, 

Harold McKinney; Junior High School 

Class, Dr. W. O. Martin. 

NEW ALEXANDRIA PA. 

We are sorry 

to report that several 

of our members have been absent be 

cause of illness. Mr. T. B. Monroe has 

been confined to his home. Mrs. Clar 

ence Clark in the Latrobe Hospital 

and Mr. John Steel in the Westmore 

land Hospital in Greensburg, Pa. 

LOS ANGELES 

Mr. and Mrs. Edward Chambers be 

came the proud parents of their third 

son, Paul Allen on February 5. 

On Sabbath March 6, Jeffrey Elliot, 

son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Gault, 

was baptized by his Grandfather Rev. 

John Gault. Also at this time Mr. and 

Mrs. Edward Chambers had their son 

Paul Allen baptized by Dr. E. G. Rus 

sell. 

We are happy to have Miss Jean Mc 

Elroy from Kansas, who is now residing 

in Los Angeles in our midst. 

The Covenanter daughters elected the 

following new officers for the year: 

President, Mrs. Virginia Honeyman; 

First Vice President, Miss Alice Robb; 

Second Vice President, Mrs. Maude 

Lowe; Recording Secretary, Mrs. Doro 

thy Heinitz; Treasurer, Mrs. Jean 

Aikin. 

The new officers of the Covenettes 

for the year are as follows: President, 

Mrs. Margaret Wilson; Vice President, 

Mrs. Dorothy Buck; Secretary, Mrs. 

Betty Walker; Treasurer, Mrs. Fern 

Yogoda. 

Missionaries who have visited us dur 

ing the recent months have been Miss 

Orlena Lynn, who 

during a Sabbath 

evening service told of the work in 

Japan; Miss Elizabeth McElroy who 

was guest speaker at the annual thank 

offering meeting of the Covenanter 

Daughters and Covenettes, and Miss 

Blanche McCrea who showed pictures 

after prayer meeting on February 25, 

the World Day of Prayer. The follow 

ing Sabbath morning Miss McCrea was 

guest speaker. 

"Drivers are safer when the roads are 

dry, but the roads are safer when the 

dry." 

driver is 

The Pathfinder 

The fellow who drinks and drives 

is putting the quart before the hearse. 

Americans are spending six times as 

much for liquor as for religion. This 

seems slightly out of proportion. 


powers" 

authorities" 

authorities" 

authorities" 

right," 

gangsters' 

state." 

PREFATORY NOTE 

The following 

Open Letters 

letter is published be 

cause of some thought provoking ideas 

presented. Attention should be called, 

however, to the suggested translations, 

"rightful 

and "election by 

show of hands," for "powers that be" 

and 

"ordained," 

respectively, as found in 

the King James Version of the Bible. It 

is by no means established that the 

KJV was wrong at these points, or that 

its translators so translated because 

they were subservient to the King of 

England, for in many instances of the 

use of these words the American Revised 

Version of 1901 and the Revised Stan 

dard Version of 1952 

which latter our 

Synod has warned against because of its 

"many imperfections" 

the KJV. 

both agree with 

The Greek word exousia which is 

translated by "power" in Romans 13 

cannot be limited to "rightful authori 

ty," 

because this word is frequently 

used in the New Testament in speaking 

of wicked, Satanic and demonic power 

or authority. For example, Eph. 2 :2 and 

6:12 speak of Satanic exousia; Jesus in 

Luke 22:53 speaks of the exousia of 

darkness; in Rev. 13:4, 5, 7, 12 we read 

of the exousia of the beast. Moreover, in 

Romans 13 Paul speaks of "the existing 

using the Greek present parti 

ciple, hai ousai exousiai, which cannot 

be limited to "rightful 

exist at some other time, but must in 

clude 

the authorities existing 

to 

at the 

time of the writing and first reading of 

the Epistle. 

This letter, incidentally, shows the 

danger of considering the KJV as the 

standard version. 

signed/The Editorial Committee 

RIGHTFUL AUTHORITY 

There is a worldly proverb to the ef 

fect that "might makes but one 

would not expect Christian scholars to 

operate on that principle, as the trans 

lators of the King James version seem 

to have done. Thus in the first chapter 

of John they have us given the power 

to become sons of God, whereas what 

the record says is the right to become 

children of God. Likewise in Romans 13, 

they talk about "the powers that be," 

whereas what Paul said was "the right 

ful 

world. 

all the difference in the 

Sensitive Christians have always been 

concerned about their relation to the 

pagan state, but they 

have not been 

helped by the King James version of 

Romans 13. Rather has it entangled 

them in their consciences to the point 

where often they have not known 

wheth- 

April 13, 1955 

er they were coming or going. 

How 

could they know when to obey God rath 

er than men 

Certainly the King James version was 

not intended to be an honest translation. 

The instructions the translators re 

ceived make it clear that they were to 

bolster the prejudices of the king, as is. 

apparent by the high-church emphasis on 

"ordination," 

where the original is mere 

ly "election by show of hands," the in 

sertion of "bishop" where "supervisor" 

or "superintendent" would have served, 

the arbitrary use of "Easter." One of 

the rules followed was not to render the 

Greek "ekklesia" by "congregation," 

which would have been a good transla 

tion, but by "church," which played into 

the hands of ecclesiasticism, inasmuch 

as anything 

not Church of England 

could be regarded not as a church but as 

a mere chapel. Some of the translators 

complained that they couldn't follow 

their own judgment but were hampered 

by "reasons of 

boot-lickers. 

They had to be 

In Romans 13, Paul is talking about 

"rightful 

authorities," 

and he gives their 

ear-mafks, characteristics quite for 

eign to the ordinary 

operations of the 

Roman imperial power, which was a 

racket. Proper exegesis 

the passage requires familiarity with 

the whole of scripture, notably the 

eighth chapter of First Samuel, where 

God is on record in favor of the com 

munal organization of society as against 

the political state, which history shows 

to have been always a device to enable 

a privileged class to exploit the popula 

tion. 

Our fathers did a disservice in saying 

that "the family, the church and the 

institutions." 

state are divine 

They 

should have said, "The family, the 

church, and the community (local, re 

gional, national, ecumenical) are divine 

institutions." 

of 

The political state can not 

be anything but pagan; any scholarly 

political scientist knows that. Hence the 

Christian always has to decide when to 

obey it and when to obey God, and the 

answer is to be determined on the basis 

of all that is known about Christian 

truth. 

Even if Paul cherished unwarranted 

personal hopes for the Christianization 

of the Roman Empire 

the sort of hopes 

that eventuated in the paganization of 

the church , and even if he tried to be 

lieve that Nero was God's minister, we 

can not let the personal limitations of 

the apostle cloud the eternal truth he 

was voicing. Very likely he "wrote bet 

ter than he knew," as was often the 

case with the prophets. We can't take 

the meaning of Paul's words as just 

what he, a mere man, saw in them; else 

where were inspiration We shall always 

have to determine by the ear-marks he 

suggested what are the "rightful author-. 

ities," and quite commonly that test 

will rule out the mandates of the pagan 

state, just as they did for the early 

Christians. 

This conclusion does not invalidate 

government. All institutions have gov 

ernments. But, if the Christian Amend 

ment were passed and made operative, 

we would be done with the political 

state. We would have, not a Christian 

state, which is a contradiction in terms, 

but a Christian society, such as Israel 

set aside in order to be like the nations. 

It would not be perfect, but it would be 

on a creative rather than a predatory 

principle. That is what the world is 

waiting for. 

Arthur W. Calhoun 

2950 West 14th Street, 

Los Angeles 6, Calif. 

March 31, 1955 

Dr. Raymond D. Taggart, 

Dear Friend, 

In the Issue of February 23, 1955, of 

The Covenanter Witness there was an 

item, on page 127, entitled "Some Things 

To Know." 

It related to the matter 

of 

"Social 

Security" 

with particular 

reference to Ministers. It noted some 

of its effects, regarding coverage, etc. 

Without going into detail, after study 

and knowledge of its defects, after 

twenty years of operation, it is time 

for a due appraisal of its merits and 

demerits. 

First of all, we should remember, 

that it was but and still it, a make-shift 

measure, substituted for the first and 

Plan" 

original "Retirement for aged 

citizens and those who have retired from 

an active participation in the nation's 

business and industrial world. 

It was offered, 

and enacted as a sub 

stitute for the well known, and 

thoroughly feasible, and truly consti 

tutional American Retirement Plan, in 

augurated by its founder Dr. Fftincis E. 

Townsend. 

This Plan, is as it has always been, 

a Universal Pension or Retirement Plan, 

variable, and on a pay-as-you-go basis. 

The present Social Security Plan or 

system, is a selective pension plan. It 

pays benefits to some Americans, bars 

others from benefits. In contrast, with 

the Townsend Plan, which is based upon 

the belief that pensions are a matter 

of right. If it were in operation, the 

government would not say to one citizen, 

you," 

"You have a pension coming to 

and to another, "Sorry, nothing for you. 

Apply at your local well-fare office." 

239

The Townsend Plan would pay bene 

fits to three classes of non-working citi 

zens, regardless of whether they were 

ministers or common laborers, provided 

that they are loyal American citizens 

60 years or over, totally disabled persons 

of 18 years, or widows with dependent 

children. 

All of these would receive the same 

amount of annuity. None would be 

favoured above another. Rich and poor 

alike, wife and husband would receive 

equal payments, as long as they fell 

into one of the three categories as 

named above, and were not earning a 

living. 

This is true 'Universal 

Coverage.' 

Some Administration officials have tried 

to picture the present existing system 

as "essentially universal. Such is not 

the case. Some professions and occupa 

tions are still excluded and, moreover, 

so are millions of elderly citizens, who 

merely were born too soon to take ad 

vantage of Old Age and Survivor's In 

surance, or who never happened to work 

in the favored occupations. 

It is well to note that the Townsend 

"Senior Citizen's Insurance Plan" per 

mits retirement at an earlier age than 

one on a pension. The more prosperous 

everybody is, the worse off he is. The 

post-war boom was nothing less than 

a "bust" for the retired people on fixed 

income. They are caught between rising 

prices and their income ceilings, and 

they have been mercilessly squeezed. 

Their troubles are a matter of com 

mon knowledge. There has long since 

ceased to be any excuse for failing to 

adopt the obvious solution of making 

pensions vary with the general economic 

level. And that is what the Townsend 

Plan proposes. 

In the United States, the Social Secur 

ity beneficiary must look to Congress 

for relief from 'inflation.' And while 

intentions are good, performances lag 

behind need. The "too-little and too late" 

story has become painfully familiar to 

the Nation's Senior Citizens. 

Under the Townsend Plan, Social 

Security taxes paid by the worker, 

while employed, would be used for the 

purpose intended, instead of being di 

verted to other channels and programs. 

When retirement time came, there would 

be sufficient currency to give him a 

living annuity instead of a pittance. If 

the Christian Church, would study this 

Retirement Insurance under the Townsend 

Plan, and after due consideration, 

give it its endorsement and support, 

it would not be long before the Activi 

ties of the Kingdom would have more 

than enough to carry on the work. There 

would be not only the tithe, but more 

than that, for the money would have to 

be spent every thirty days. Where there 

is prosperity and contentment, Commu 

nism cannot thrive, wars would cease, for 

the profit would be taken out of it. "To 

the law and to the Testimony. Knowing 

the truth of God's Economic Law, we 

can be made free." 

Sincerely, Robert J. Marshall 

those specified in the present system of 

Social Security, being 60 instead of 65. 

This is because it has long since be 

come obvious that the working life has 

been shortened. 

From middle-age on, the unemploy 

ed worker finds it increasingly difficult 

to get a new job. Any one who doubts. 

this is referred to Department of Labor 

where the problems of the aging jobseeker 

has received much sympathetic 

attention of late. 

The many 

members of Congress are 

aware of the situation, as it is shown 

by the large number of Bills already in 

troduced this year to lower the age 

of retirement under the Social Security 

program, to sixty years. This, obviously, 

is one special feature which has been 

the Townsend proposal from its incep 

tion, and has now won strong support 

in the recent years. 

In proposing pensions for totally dis 

abled persons, the Townsend organiza 

tion recognized this fact. Total and 

permanent disability is merely enforced 

retirement. It is as legitimate a reason 

for paying 

a pension as age is. 

The post-war years have demonstrated 

one flaw that Social Security and pri 

vate pension programs have in common, 

and it is a very serious one. It is a fact 

that payments are fixed at certain 

levels so that no matter what the gen 

eral economic conditions are, the pen 

sioner's income remains the same. What 

this does is to put the pensioner into a 

situation where good times for the 

working 

240 

man mean hard times for the 

He Lost Out 

THE DOCTOR stopped reading his medical journal ... HE 

LOST OUT. 

THE TEACHER stopped reading his works on 

pedagogy . 

HE LOST OUT. 

THE SABBATH SCHOOL TEACHER stopped reading his les 

son material ... HE 

LOST OUT. 

THE ELECTRICIAN stopped reading his journals on the 

science of . . 

electricity 

. HE LOST OUT. 

THE BANKER stopped reading the latest and most improved 

methods of banking 

. . . HE LOST OUT. 

THE FARMER stopped reading his agricultural journals . 

HE LOST OUT. 

THE CHURCH MEMBER stopped reading his church 

paper ... HE 

. . 

LOST OUT in his religious life, in his in 

terest in the Church, in his zeal for the spread of the 

Kingdom, and in his usefulness to his community in which 

he lives. 

Courtesy of The United Presbyterian 

Selected. 

. . 

COVENANTER WITNESS

now!" 

past." 

experiences," 

sacrifice," 



TX 5EO IS THE WORD Of GOD 

* 


"From till! 


Past" 

It had been a wonderful and overwhelming ex 

perience of the very 

presence of the blessed Lord 

Himself. Heaven seemed to pour itself out in blessed 

fragrance. There was the consciousness of that mov 

ing and moulding power of the Holy Spirit, draw 

ing him clear out from himself and into the very 

heart of the Almighty. 

A. wonderful experience of communion and fel 

. . . 

lowship and such as, had simply to be written 

down on paper, kept as a sacred souvenir of the 

session. Whenever one would visit, there would be 

while," 

the invitation to "come apart for a little 

and sit on the back-porch overlooking the bend of 

the creek, while the experience was read slowly, 

carefully, lovingly, word for word. It did not seem 

to matter that the experience itself had taken place 

over twenty years ago 

Then came the day when Jim called, and quick 

ly came the invitation to sit on that back porch. 

Jim settled in the chair waiting for the other to 

return with the paper and its heavenly tidings. A 

moment or so passed. Then there was the return 

with the holding high of the precious missive. Then 

it happened! 

As he started to seat himself beside Jim, a 

sharp gust of quick wind caught the paper clear 

out of his hand, whipped it across and over the 

porch railing and down upon the watery breast of 

the creek below! 

For a moment he sat, stiff with stunned sur 

prise. His face turned white, the lips began to trem 

ble. Then with voice nigh onto breaking he cried 

out, "There goes my blessed experience with the 

Lord! It's . . . it's ... all gone forever, 

Perhaps you smile at the story. Or perhaps the 

account leaves you rather uncomfortable. Perhaps 

days, 

this old man with his bit of paper relating the vision 

of the day long died away in the forever yester 

appears too sharply to be a picture of your 

self, of your own spiritual situation. There are too 

many saints who are living in the past, with a yearn 

ing for yesterdays which quickly become a paralysis 

for the present and. the harbinger of failure for the 

future. There is no present spiritual satisfaction 

in the experiences of days which have long died 

away. Every entreaty of the Word, every prompting 

of the Holy Spirit is towards the pivot of possess 

ing the fresh, renewed, "up-to-date," communion of 

present relationship of power, of fruitage, of bless 

ing with the ever living Lord. We are to be "filled 

with the Spirit," as the everlasting exercise of the 

soul for this present pilgrim passage. We are to, 

"present ourselves as the living 

in daily 

doxology, for the right meeting of today's tasks. 

Of course, the Blessed Lord Jesus is "the same 

yesterday, today and forever," but surely He would 

not have us trade the doings of today for the dreams 

of yesterday. Beloved, we surely need to keep in 

step with the Lord. Like Enoch of the early day, we 

" God," 

must ever learn to, walk with one step at 

a time, and in time. 

But there is another side to this problem of 

the past, and we are in danger of overlooking it. 

We are not to live IN the past . . . but on the other 

hand, we are to live FROM the past. The days and 

activities of yesteryear have living truths which 

are to be acted upon for today's testimonies. Recall 

that suggestive word from Deuteronomy "Ask now 

of the days that are (Deut. 4:32); that is 

a definite command from the Lord. We are to learn 

from their lines. But ... do ... we 

Have there been defeats yesterday Well, have 

we learned the root of that defeat so there will be 

victory and triumph for today What about the 

of the former times 

"mountain-top 


nals." 

. When 



Good News re the Calendar 

The United Press reports that the United States pro 

tested that the United Nations should be able to find bet 

ter things to do than tinker with the calendar. A terse 

note from the State Department said this government is 

opposed to any change in the present calendar. Religious 

groups complained that such a system would upset the 

present seven-day Sabbatical cycle and change the day of 

worship. The U. S. said it would be inappropriate for the 

U. N. to sponsor any calendar revision that would conflict 

with the principles of religious faiths. 

Like Paul and others we thank God and take courage. 

It is several years since we began to protest against this 

proposed World Calendar. Lately 

we have seen protests 

in some other church papers. The power of protest is still 

of great value. 

Women Ministers 

The Bureau of Census reports that there are now 6,777 

women ministers in the United States. About one tenth of 

these who are serving as pastors are in denominations af 

filiated with the National Council of Churches. Nearly twothirds 

of women ministers are affiliated with four deno 

minations : Church of God, International Church of the Four- 

Square Gospel, the Methodist Church, and Volunteers of 

America. Women make up 4.1 per cent of all ministers in 

the nation, as compared with 6.1 per cent of physicians and 

surgeons, and 3.5 per cent of lawyers. 

Busses in Missouri 

A bill which was intended to provide bus transportation 

for all Missouri school children, public and parochial, was 

sent back to the committee which is regarded as a defeat 

for it. 

News Not Good 

Both houses of the Iowa Legislature have voted by a 

large majority to repeal Iowa's 100-year-old so-called "blue 

laws," 

and it is stated that the governor will sign the bill. 

While these laws have not been enforced to any extent they 

have served to restrain some Sabbath breaking. The 

large majority which favored the repeal shows how little 

respect the present generation has for the Sabbath in com 

parison with that of our fathers. It is one of the sad signs 

of the times. 

i eads : 

What the Law Was 

The chapter of the code repealed by the above bill 

"If any person be found on the first day of the week, 

commonly called Sunday, engaged in carrying firearms, 

dancing, hunting, shooting, horse racing, or in any mannerdisturbing 

a worshiping assembly or private family, or in 

buying or selling property of any kind, or in any labor ex 

cept that of necessity or charity, he shall be fined not more 

than five nor less than one dollar, and be imprisoned in 

the county jail until the fine, with costs of prosecution, 

shall be paid; but nothing herein contained shall be con 

strued to extend to those who conscientiously 

observe the 

seventh day of the week as the Sabbath or to prevent per 

sons traveling or families emigrating from pursuing their 

journey, or keepers of toll bridges, toll gates, and ferrymen 

same." 

from attending the 

A Blow at Godliness 

State Representative John Duffy, who introduced the 

above bill is from Dubuque, a predominantly Roman Catho 

lic city. After both houses voted to repeal the law Mr. 

Dulfy 

called on tne governor whom he quoted as follows: 

"The governor said the bill is a great stride toward improv 

ed law 

enforcement." 

The fact is that it is a movement 

toward godlessness and lack of respect for divine or human 

law. Godly men know that there is little respect for the 

Sabbath today, even among the majority of church members. 

and that when the Sabbath goes there is little of true 

Christianity left. The breaking of the Sabbath was one of 

the chief sins for which God allowed Israel to be taken 

captive. 

Juvenile Misdeeds 

The Legislature of Pennsylvania has before it two bills 

which are intended to place the responsibility for juvenile 

misdeeds on the parents. One of these bills would classify 

hardened offenders seventeen years of age a's "adult crimi 

Jewish Distribution 

The World Jewish Congress calculates that there are 

11,672,000 Jews in the world. They are 

countries. The Jewish population in the 

estimated at 5,000,000; about 2,000,000 in the Soviet Union; 

1,450,000 in Israel, and 1,200,000 in China 

the history of the Old Testament and the foreign wives and 

concubines of rulers and people he wonders if there are 

any Jews of unmixed blood today. 

Students Serving us Pastors 

distributed in 97 

United States is 

one reads 

A Baptist source states that approximately 100 students 

of Oklahoma Baptist University are serving as pastors of 

Oklahoma churches while carrying full-time work at the 







through its editorial office at 1209 Boswell Avenue, "Topeka. Kansai 



Opinions expressed in our columns are those of the individual writer.' 


Coutriburiny Editor 






12(19 Boswell Avenue, Topeka Kansas 





Subscription rates: Sii.oO per year: Overseas. J.l.ou : 

10 cents. 

The Rev. R. 


B. Lyons, B.A.. Limavariy. N. Ireland, Ayem 

Entered as second class matter at the Post Office in Newton, 



Copies 

for thi 

Kansas- 

242 

COVENANTER WITNESS

statesman," 



STEPPING DOWN 

immigration put in so many restrictions that only 15,000 

Sir Winston Churchill's retirement as prime minister is 

being hailed as the end of a political era for Great Britain. 

He served for 52 years in the House of Commons, and was 

in the cabinet over half that time. Churchill's public career 

began in 1S99 with the Boer War, and reached its peak 

when he led England through World War II. He returned 

to power in 1951, for a total of nearly nine years as prime 

minister. Besides his political career, Churchill has distin 

guished himself as an orator, journalist, and historian. He 

applications have been processed. The Administration has 

promised to liberalize the program, but when Corsi began to 

do this the restrictionists rushed to the attack. They ac 

cused Corsi of membership in Communist-front organiza 

tions, which he denied. Dulles dismissed him, supposedly not 

on security grounds but because his appointment had only 

been temporary. Corsi was offered another job, but the 

whole affair puts the State Department in a bad light and 

helps to explain why top federal positions are hard to fill. 

gave his age, eighty, as his main reason for retiring. Queen 

Elizabeth offered him a dukedom, but he declined this honor 

so that he might continue in the House of Commons. He 

will have a unique position there as an "elder 

VOTING DEMOCRATIC 

Local elections this spring seem to have continued the 

Democratic trend set by the Congressional contests last fall. 

free from the burdens of office or ambition. 

Chicago Democrats won the municipal election to continue 

the grip on the city which they have held since 1931. How 

TAKING OVER 

ever, Robert E. Merriam, the young Republican candidate for 

Sir Anthony Eden succeeds Churchill as Britain's prime mayor, did well enough to give Chicago's Republicans hope 

minister. Eden is a statesman in his own right and will not for the future. Republicans were crushingly defeated in mu 

remain in Churchill's shadow, but no great change in policy 

nicipal elections in St. Louis. In voting for state offices in 

is expected. Eden, now 58, began his public service as an Michigan, the Democrats won five offices and the Republi 

army officer in World War I. He served as Foreign Minister cans three, though most of the races were close. Michigan's 

in the 1930's but resigned in 1938 in protest against the ap governor, G. Mennen Williams, has built up a strong Demo 

peasement policy. He has been very close to Churchill. Eden cratic organization and will soon become a figure in na 

is a skillful diplomat and has represented the British at most tional politics. 

recent international conferences, but he has also helped to 

broaden the social viewpoint of the Conservative party on 

IMPROVING ON JESSIE JAMES 

domestic issues. He is bringing some younger men into his The FBI is alarmed at a rapid increase in our rate of 

cabinet, with Harold Macmillan becoming Foreign Secretary 

bank robbery. Last year there were 307 bank robberies sub 

and Selwyn Lloyd Minister of Defense. Britain will probably 

ject to federal law, as compared with only 100 in 1950. Fed 

have Parliamentary elections by the end of May, to confirm 

eral law covers 90 per cent of our banks and savings and 

Eden's position. The Conservatives have an excellent chance loan associations. The FBI is holding many conferences with 

of increasing their majority in the House of Commons, as the local law-enforcement officials on this problem. Many of 

general economic situation is good and the Labor party is the bank holdups are committed by lone criminals. A wellorganized 

badly split. 

criminal gang, however, recently made the larg 

est cash bank robbery in our history, taking $305,000 from 

TROUBLE AT PEIPING 

a New York institution. This did not compare with Boston's 

Communist China has had its first big purge, disclosing 1950 Brinks robbery of $1.5 million, which is still unsolved. 

to the outside world something of the power struggle that Most of the bank robbers are caught before they can spend 

has gone on at Peiping. Two high government officials were the money. 

involved, according to the announcement of the Central Com 

mittee of the Chinese Communist party. One had been the 

HOMEWORK 

head of the State Planning Commission and the regional The do-it-yourself movement has become a major trend 

chief for Manchuria. He is said to have committed suicide in American home life. We have had a big increase in home 

following a "warning" by the Central Committee. The other ownership in the iast ten years, and also a shorter working 

was a member of the Central Committee, had been the or 

week with more leisure hours. Another contributing factor 

ganizational chief of the party, and was also a regional boss. is the high cost of professional labor in the building trades. 

Seven lesser officials were also purged. All were accused of Today amateurs apply 75 per cent of all the house paint 

supporting the theory that the army should dominate the and hang 60 per cent of the wallpaper. Sales of how-to-do-it 

party. Disagreements over economic policy, and deep per books are booming, and there are whole new industries turn 

sonal rivalries, seem also to have been involved. There may ing out tools to make the work easier. 

be a basic split between Premier Chou En-lai and some of Organized labor of course views this trend with disfavor. 

the older revolutionaries and army men. 

Some economists have also pointed out that it is contrary to 

the basic idea of economic specialization, which is respon 

SHORT TENURE 

sible for bur high standard of living. When everyone tries to 

Edward Corsi has become the center of Washington's do their own work there is a great waste of labor, materials, 

most recent dismissal controversy. Three months ago Sec and equipment. There has also been an increase in home ac 

retary of State Dulles appointed Corsi to manage the pro cidents. Falls from ladders are the most common type of 

gram of the Refugee Relief Act of 1953. This act was de accident, closely followed by mishaps from the improper use 

signed to admit 209,000 non-quota immigrants to the U. S. of power tools. Another unfortunate tendency is that much 

over a three-year period; but Congressional opponents of of the "do-it-yourself" work is being done on the Sabbath. 

243

cago" 

me." 

me." 

sacrifice." 

you." 

ground." 

water.'" 

wages." 

wages." 


I Dare You 

Chapter II. 

The writer did not attend the Evangelical Press 

Association Convention in Chicago in January. He did 

not dare. It was the first one he had missed since it 

was organized. But those "Beautiful Days in Chi 

were registering around zero, and even had 

they been much pleasanter my doctor would not have 

angels" 

consented. One has to discern between "dare 

and "dare-devils." The one beckons you to a more 

abundant life, the other entices you toward the 

snares of death. 

But from the echoes that come from that con 

vention I learn that Doctor Tozer challenged the 

editors to be the leaders of thought and action, not 

the followers of the popular trend of events. That is 

Paper" 

a very large order for a "Family where there 

is such diversity of localities, diversity of ages, diver 

sities of occupation, diversities of 

gifts, and diversi 

ties of aims. But the solution is not in regimentation, 

such as Moses used in leading to the Promised Land, 

but in diversification, as commended by the Apostles. 

"Having Gifts differing, according as God hath dealt 

to every man a measure of faith, present your bodies 

and your spirits a living But with all the 

diversity in those to be led, there can be unity of 

leadership and harmony of results if we all yield our 

selves to the leadership of the Holy Spirit. There are 

diversities of gifts, but there is One Spirit. So let 

him that teacheth and him that prophesieth, and 

him that exhorteth and him that giveth listen for His 

call, for He is saying to you, "I dare 

The very diversity of circumstances makes God's 

challenges personal and unique. Once upon a time 

there was a home, a father, a mother, a girl and a 

boy ; and an expected child, sex uncertain, but intensly 

important. For if it were a girl she would be 

permitted to live, but doomed to slavery. But if a 

man child should be born, his death warrerit was 

already signed he must be drownd. Then came the 

day ! It was a boy a goodly child. So perfect in form 

and features that every ounce of him seemed to say, 

"I dare you to drown So at the risk of incurring 

the wrath of the king they hid him for the night, and 

the next day, 

and the next, and the next, and the 

next ; but every cry must be stiff led, every 

stranger 

avoided. A month passed, then another, every day 

more anxious, prayer more intense, escape more 

hopeless, but the child more precious. But in the third 

month the clouds seemed to lift a little ; there was a 

vague hope, based on activity. A basket was taking 

form, and so were details of a plan. The script was 

completed, and Miriam was showing histrionic abil 

ity, though the leading part of one of the important 

members of the cast the bathing 

princess never 

appeared for rehearsal; but she did her part per 

fectly 

nevertheless. So did Moses. He cried at the 

proper moment when the lid was being lifted, such 

an appealing cry; but changing to a smile as the 

kindly face bent over him, he seemed to say, "I dare 

you to drown 

244 

"This is one of the Hebrews' chil- 

dren." 

(Enter Miriam) "Shall I go and call you a 

nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child 

you" "Go." 

for 

(Exit Miriam). A little later Jochebed 

enters. There was no written contract, just a 

Ladies' 

Agreement : "Take this child away and nurse 

him for me, and I will give you your "For 

me for Pharaoh's daughter" But God was saying, 

"Jochebed, what is that in thine hand A bundle of 

possibilities. A future leader, a commander, a law 

giver to all future generations. Nurse him for Me, 

and I will give you your 

"And the child grew, and she brought him to 

Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son, and she 

named him Moses, for she said, 'Because I drew him 

out of the Did he become her son "By 

faith, Moses, when he was grown, refused to be 

called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather 

to share ill-treatment with the people of God than 

to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered 

abuse suffered for the Christ greater wealth than the 

reward." 

treasures of Egypt, for he looked to the 

Mothers, I dare you to implant that seed in your 

offspring 

After forty years of growing in the fear of God, 

the foundation of all wisdom, then in all the learning 

of all the universities and libraries of Ebypt, this 

man of many degrees, undertakes singlehanded to 

start a revolution and free his kindred, but is soon 

in full flight into exile, glad to sink into oblivion, an 

unknown shepherd in the land of Midian. "Never 

again !" 

Those forty weary years had de-conceited Moses, 

now the meekest man. "Who am I that I should go 

unto Pharaoh " They had dehydrated his sympathy 

for the suffering sons of Jacob in Egypt. He had 

transferred his affections to the sheep, the bees, the 

flowers, and his small family. Conscious of, and sat 

isfied to be, slow of speech. That magnificent person 

ality had atrophied. When the Lord said, "What is 

that in thine hand " He answered lazily, "Don't you 

see it's just a rod, a stick I found." "Cast it on to 

the And it becomes a serpent, and Moses 

fled from it. The man who once could whip many 

times his weight in Egyptians, fleeing from his own 

rod ! And from his own possibilities ! His frightening 

responsibilities ! "Send by him whom thou wilt send !" 

He exhausted the Lord's patience that day. How re 

luctantly he must have taken that serpent by the 

tail ! and then courage began to come back. That was 

the rod that Moses used to change the rivers into 

blood, bring lice, frogs, flies, boils, etc. It was the rod 

used to open the Red Sea, to bring water out of the 

Rock, to cause the armies of Israel to drive back the 

Amalakites so long as Moses held up his hands, and 

like miracles. It was also the rod with which he smote 

the rock the second time, contrary to God's com 

mand, and thereby lost the privilege so much desired 

of entering into the Promised Land. Moses' despised 

rod and his despised abilities became irresistible 

powers so long as he dared to obey God. 

William H. Danforth was a 

boy from a marshy, 

COVENANTER WITNESS

sturdy." 

you." 

path." 

chill-infested, malarial country, but when he entered 

the city high school sallow cheeked and hollow chest 

ed, there was a teacher there who was reckoned as 

a crank on health. "One day he seemed to single me 

out personally. With flashing eye and in tones I will 

never forget he looked straight at me and said, 'I 

dare you to be the healthiest boy in the class .... 

I dare you to chase those chills and fevers out of 

your system. I dare you to fill your body with fresh 

air, pure water, wholesome food, and daily exercise 

until your cheeks are rosy, your chest full, and your 

limbs That was the beginning of a new life 

for Danforth. He finished the course one of the 

strongest boys in the class, but he was strong in 

other ways too, for he carried that dare into every 

sphere of his life. It became one of his aims to chal 

lenge others as his teacher George Warren Krall had 

challenged him. Successful in business, a leader in 

Christian youth work, a trustee of Berea College, in 

Y work in the First World War, he has lived his 

years challenging men and women to 'better their 

best.' 

One of his many books is titled, "I DARE 

YOU" 

"Privately printed for my 

and daring youth who may cross my 

personal friends 

All the 

profits from the sale of this book are given to the 

American Youth Foundation in Michigan. But thou 

sands of the books have been distributed free to the 

outstanding high school seniors who were recom 

" 

mended by their pastors. From his preface : T Dare 

You' 

is for the daring few who are headed some 

where. Those afraid to dare might as wellpass it 

up. It will weary the lazy because it calls for immedi 

and amuse 

ate action, it will bore the sophisticated, 

the skeptics. It will antagonize others ... But into 

the eyes of you, one of the priceless few, I trust will 

come the gleam of battle as you read on. You can 

be a bigger man than you are and I am going to 

you." 

prove it to 

But the clock is daring me to meet the dead line, 

so we leave the matter here for another time. 

God's Sovereignty Is Basic in Covenanting 

Rev. W. J. Sanderson 

This can be no meaningless or idle word to those 

who bear the ascription Covenanter with them daily 

through life. The Lord came in a special 

way to 

this sinful earth for one chief end, to bring salva 

tion to it. And God wants to make that salvation 

as real and secure a thing as it is possible for Him, 

dealing with free man, to have it. So he decreed 

covenanting the most meaningful, the highest and 

the strongest avowal that can be made in matters 

of salvation. It is the most impressive pledge 

by oath 

which one may ever give another. Covenanting is 

a Bible word and means more than an ordinary 

promise and engagement. It is the most significant, 

meaningful and impressive pledge which one party 

may ever give to another. Covenanting is a twosided 

affair ; comprising two parties, God and human. 

It is a compact by which if certain things are done on 

each side certain things are assured as real. Reli 

gion or saving Christianity is proffered to the world 

on the basis of covenanting. There is no salvation 

apart from covenanting. God is a covenanting God 

and the saved are a covenanting people. 

The Bible, God's revealed will, is a covenanting 

book. It has a double designation to this effect, 

the two Testaments or covenants as the word im 

plies. In the Bible Concordance I have, there are 

370 references relating to covenanting. Approxi 

mately two-thirds of them relating to men cove 

nanting with God and one third of them relating 

to God covenanting with men. It is not necessary nor 

befitting that God renew the covenant often. With 

Him it is everlasting. He once for all signed it with 

the blood of the everlasting covenant. But in Paul's 

day and even yet there are professors without un 

derstanding, covenant breakers. (Rom. 1:31). And 

if we would be saved from our enemies it might be 

April 20, 1955 

needful that we "remember His holy Covenant" 

(Luke 1:71). There is no need that God be reminded 

of His side of the Covenant of Salvation. 

From the earliest prophets and God's revelation 

for man's salvation covenanting is put down as a 

basic stone, that the surety of that salvation may 

ever be realized by any people. It is clearly manifest 

that some do not realize it. But it is most obvious 

down through all Bible history from Genesis to 

Revelation in home, church and state wherever the 

keeping of man's side of the Covenant "was mani 

festly present, there was blessing and good. Then 

it may be properly asked why is covenanting so re 

quisite and needed. 

1. God is the great originator of it and the pro 

vider of all its terms 

True it is that man had nothing to do with 

starting the way or the means of salvation. It takes 

two parties to consumate a covenant but as in this 

one 

only to formulate it. There has to be a pre 

scribed form of covenant before it is acted on. God 

says to all who would be saved "I will make an ever 

lasting covenant with God avowed that if 

Abraham were faithful and diligent that through 

him salvation would come to the world in a great 

Saviour, and because "he could swear by no greater 

he swore by himself." Nothing in heaven or earth 

could be surer ithan God fulfills His part of the cove 

nant. His own concern for the lost, His eternal viracity 

and great sacrifice confirm it. We can have no 

stronger avowal of God's purpose. 

II. A covenant is a two sided affair, God's side 

and man's side. 

And since God confirmed His side by an oath 

many, who regard themselves as in full earnest 

ness ought to do no less on their side. Hence the 

245

possession." 

Because 

salvation." 

please.' 

us." 

religion." 

term "Covenanters" and what they have for all the 

terms of the covenant is the two-fold Testament 

Book given by God Himself. God is the prescriber 

of this covenant and we are to be the receivers 

and enrollers of it in our faith and life. 

Some may dissent from this covenant because 

they had no part in formulating it. They would have 

living and salvation on different terms. Perhaps one 

of the most difficult labors of life is to get and keep 

peoples and nations in the way of salvation. But the 

way and requirements come from heaven and it is 

for man to receive and accord with them in life. Not 

too many respond approvingly with lasting fervor 

to their side of the compact. We ought to think of 

God, our salvation and the Kingdom as the prime 

things of our iiving here. The diversion of these 

things in the hope of another world or another dis 

pensation of grace that will be better than the pres 

ent time in which salvation and the Kingdom on 

earth may be realized without such strong cove 

nanting and postponing device. Christ is King now. 

nanting engagements is nothing short of a deter 

ring find postponing device. Christ is King now. The 

Kingdom is extant. Are men, homes and nations 

putting their full names to their compact with God 

They should be doing so : "Now is the accepted time 

and now is the day of 

People can be 

lost in spite of all that God has done to save. The 

God-i rescribed covenant for the world's salvation 

awaits reception by the people by means of their pro 

fession and life. God's choice affirmation is, "If 

ye obey and keep my covenant ye shall be my prized 

nary 

God's covenant is more than the ordi 

church promise. 

III. Why is covenanting by the people so fittingly 

requisite and needed 

1 . God our maker in His sovereign power 

and 

goodness, for the furthering of salvation in this 

world of sin and rebellion, ordered covenanting. For 

surety of salvation He gave all that could be asked 

by humans. What praise and distinction is due Him 

from them There are different kinds of covenants 

so called among men. A contract to teach school for 

a year, a pledge to pay a note, one nation making a 

treaty with another, or any other merely human and 

earthly arrangement is scarcely comparable in im 

portance and quality. to the covenant prescribed by 

God for salvation. All thanks and honor and pre 

eminence be to Him, in word, heart, and act, or 

oath of allegiance; mortal men cannot exalt the 

Lord God too much. A moralist once said, "I don't 

believe in God but if I did as Christians say they 

do, no affirmation of allegiance to Him could be 

me." 

made too strong for 

2. Men's tendency to lapse into sin and away from 

God is a good cause for covenanting. To make salva 

tion as sure and secured a thing as possible, God 

has gone to His limits. He has died and then pro 

vided an oath of allegiance as a band to bind to 

Himself. Salvation is no slight thing or else there 

would never have been a Calvary and covenant. And, 

even, after all God has done, people can be slightholders-on 

to God's provisions for redemption. Some 

even intend 

may give no indication at all that they 

to be for God or do His will. Others are loath to ac 

cord to God very much space in their lives. A pastor 

once said to the writer "I have in prospect one who 

246 

would have his name put on the church roll, but 

he does not want to be asked any Bible questions or 

make any promise. T want to be free to change 

my mind and think as I 

it will do you good and help 

Well, come in and 

A prominent clergyman in New York said a 

good man ought to be counted a Christian and a 

church member whether he designates himself as 

such or not. Over a million members slumped from 

church rolls last year. For salvation and the Kingdom 

security these must be continuers to the end. 

In this nation there are many grave and wick 

ed sins by which many fall or are kept from the 

devout Christian life and salvation. The debauch 

ing drink traffic, indecent practices touching sex 

and divorce, glaring disregard for the Lord's Holy 

Day, seductive gambling devices, public default 

ing in Bible instruction and morals, substituting 

church connection for saving religion. A great exist 

ing nation void of even the recognition of the Sov 

ereign covenanting Lord God, and the feeble, un 

steady attention that is given to the gospel God 

appointed to save the world, these and many other 

conditions including the hearts of men tend to 

receive the subdued saving faith in the gospel of 

God. 

There is a grave let down in Bible and common 

morality. Recently the report was that a lecture 

was given in London on "Morals without 

In America we lack "Morals with Religion." In 

making covenant with God on the basis of His 

prescribed terms circumspection is demanded. For 

For thesalvation offickle and inconstant humans 

their covenanting with God under solemn oath 

is the best security they can ever know. Use the 

best securities God provides. He knows many fall on 

the way. 

3. Covenanting with God is essential to the reali 

zation and appreciation of Kingdom conditions. There 

is much praying or reciting the Lord's Prayer, 

"Thy Kingdom Come." What means the petition 

do we pray the Lord will come visibly to earth 

again and give us a better relation, or does it mean 

the Lord should take us to some 

heavenly realm 

of tranquility and give us good When Christ was 

here on earth He went "through all the cities and 

towns of the land" preaching the gospel of the 

Kingdom. The Kingdom was for the very day He 

was preaching the gospel. The gospel says "the 

Kingdom is at hand." It was at hand 2000 years 

ago, preeminently 

so nowr. 

The word Kingdom bears in it the truth that 

people live in relationship and that there is a king. 

And so there is ; He reigns in Sovereign power and 

righteousness. More often men are disposed to 

listen about a rejected and subjected Christ on the 

cross than they are disposed to listen to His man 

dated issues for His Kingdom. Functioning as the 

Great High Priest, He gave himself to the cross. 

Just as really as He ever functioned as priest He 

functions as Prophet and King. He sovereignly 

speaks and rules. To ignore or belittle those func 

tions is a wrong to Christ and a detriment to the 

Kingdom. On the 11th of November last, 50,000 

persons from other parts of the world stood before 

rulers and judges of America and with uplifted 

COVENANTER WITNESS

cite" 

covenanting' 

me." 

hands and in solemn voice swore that hence forth 

they would be obedient and loyal citizens of this 

nation and give their lives to it for what it. stands. 

Would that this nation could be as definite in its 

stand and commitment to the Lord God. It would 

be the best promise for the nation's salvation and 

the future well being of its citizens. For civil power 

is of God, ordained by Him for His glory and the 

good of all that is Christian. This nation started 

with God, owned, submitted to; and in a large 

measure needed His voice. But departing from the 

source of its being, in its widespread influence and 

power it no longer touches savingly the home, the 

church or itself. Being so far reaching in its realm, 

it requires Sovereign wisdom for its guidance. A 

deep and real binding to the Lord God, with the 

"Book of the Covenant" in hand, God deems is man's 

side of the Covenant of salvation and only as he 

yields to it one way or another can there be hope 

on earth. This calls on the 

to be good 

and Christ 

Bible users, exemplary Sabbath keepers, 

exalters if they really desire "Thy Kingdom Come." 

In saving Christianity there is a high calling and 

the strongest of all bindings are provided. Loose 

church joining panders to lose living and a loose 

hold on Kingdom making here. As I go through 

life I have always felt we cannot exalt Christ too 

much in all His functionings as Priest and Prophet 

and Lord of all. I believe in tlie Christianity of 

Christ and "no affirmation of allegiance to Him 

could be made too strong for If I could think 

of any regret I might have on getting into Heaven 

it would.be this thought, I did so little for Christ's 

honor and kingdom when on earth. Many in earth re 

Thy Kingdom Come." Would that they prayed 

life" 

"Thy Kingdom come through my and there 

would be a sufficiency to have it now with all our 

enlightenment and religion. It doesn't take a big 

Christian crowd to make for betterment in this 

world. 

The Most Dangerous American 

By H. Bonner MeGill, Chairman of Synod's Standing 

Committee on Men's Work 

This person might be any kind of American. 

This person could be a person you know or do not 

know, or your best friend. He can be a member of 

any church. He can be a person of any nationality 

that is an American. This person can be a person of 

any other nationality and still be a dangerous person. 

Too many of these persons can keep it from 

raining properly. This person is a kind of a person 

that brings the curses of God in place of bringing 

the blessings of God (Psalms 67:5-6; Leviticus 25: 

. 

18-19) This kind of a person not only keeps it from 

raining properly, but will bring all kinds of curses 

down and if too many 

of these persons are around, 

it will be too bad for all of us. The Apostle Paul was 

one of these persons at one time. The writer expects 

you have guessed this person. He is a non-Christian. 

Why is the non-Christian a dangerous person 

Because he is out of tune and harmony, at enmity 

and rebellion against God. He was conceived in iniqui 

ty, born in sin with his face down and away from 

God, is of the world, flesh and devil. He is a natural 

April 20. 195i 

person. How did the devil get in the picture Man 

is a descendant of Adam and Adam obeyed the devil 

rather than God in eating the forbidden fruit. Being 

in this condition, he is under the wrath of God. To 

get this person out from under the wrath of God, it 

is necessary to have a spiritual birth through the 

Gospel. 

You might ask the question, What can I do 

about it You can do plenty. If you will work with 

God to change this person, you can help make a 

person that will bring down the blessings of God in 

stead of curses, an asset in place of a liability. If 

enough persons will work this way, he will be con 

verted or we will get rid of him like the one talent 

man, like Judas Iscariot and the rich man who was 

going to tear down his barns and build bigger barns. 

Proverbs 29:1 and Genesis 6:3. 

The wrath of God was set against Sodom and 

Gomorrah and they could have had this wrath re 

moved by turning to God and repenting. Nineveh was 

saved this way and so can our country and every oth 

er country. The Christians of Israel were carried into 

captivity, because they failed to do their duty. If 

there had been ten spiritually born persons in Sodom, 

God would have saved that city. This is how impor 

tant spiritually born persons are and what a great 

blessing they are. 

The people of this day and time cannot get by 

with a small number of Christians, like they did in 

Old Testament times for three reasons. 

The first reason is God winked at the people in 

the Old Testament times that is, God did not hold 

them down to a strict accountability (Acts 17:30). 

The second reason we cannot get by with so few 

Christians is that God has commanded all men every 

where to repent since Christ has come (Acts 17:30). 

The third reason we cannot get by with so few 

Christians is the greater opportunity and means of 

preaching the Gospel by the printing press, tele 

graph, telephone, television and radio. To whom 

much is given, of him much is required (Luke 12: 

48). An evangelist can preach the Gospel by radio 

around the world and in almost every country and 

some are calling for your prayers and money to do 

this. 

A non-Christian is a dangerous person anywhere 

in the world. That is why the communists are dan 

gerous persons. The only thing that can change 

these dangerous persons is the Gospel. That is why 

it is so important to preach the Gospel. 


"FROM THE PAST" . . . Cont'd from front page 

Have we learned the lessons of His blessings, so 

that He gets the glory and we are clothed in right 

humility How is it then, with you. Are you liv 

ing IN the past or are you living FROM the past 

There is the decisive difference between the two, 

and the temper of today's testimony is clearly told 

out therein. It is high time (Rom. 13:11) to en 

gage in that spiritual exercise of the soul which 

shall make us "modern," in the ever-present prac 

tice of the faith ; up-to-date, right in step, true in 

time . 

. . 

with the Lord! 

247

praying." 

envied." 

The Christian Home 

ARTICLE FOR NATIONAL FAMILY WEEK 

May 1-8 from: National Sunday School Assn., 542 S. Dearborn Street, Chicago, 111. 

Message by Rev. Alan Redpath, pastor of Moody Memorial Chapel, Chicago 

I want to take for the basis of our meditation 

Acts 12:12 "And when Peter had considered the 

thing, he came to the house of 

Mary the mother of 

John, whose surname was Mark; where many were 

praying." 

gathered together 

The Successful Church 

There are many different standards by which 

people try to measure the success of a Christian 

church. Some judge by the size of the congregation, 

but our Lord never accepted that standard. Others 

judge by the popularity of the minister, but that 

is certainly superficial. Some would judge by the 

purity of the church's doctrine, but that too is false, 

for we all know that a church may be pure in doc 

trine but still be dead. Others still would judge by 

the basis of a church's financial position and mis 

sionary giving. Your'e getting nearer the mark, my 

friend, when you judge on that basis, for very of 

ten the state of a church's finance is a very good 

barometer of its condition. 

But none of these really stand up to the New 

Testament measure of a successful Christian church. 

If we are really to assess correctly the success 

of the Christian church we must go further and look 

deeper. The test of a church is not merely in the 

ministry of the pulpit, but in that which is exer 

cised by the congregation. A New Testament church 

is not a building composed of bricks and mortar ; it is 

a fellowship of people who have been redeemed by 

the blood of Christ, who are indwelt by the Holy 

Ghost, and who share together one life the life of 

Jesus Christ our Lord. 

In northern Ireland, the size of the church is 

assessed in terms of the number of families. The 

most searching test of the quality of a church's 

life is to consider its homes the families that are 

linked with the church. I want to take my text 

as a window through which we may look into a New 

Testament home, "When Peter had considered the 

thing," 

says our text, "he came to the house of Mary 

the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; 

where many 

were gathered together 

It is interesting that this home is spoken of in 

terms of the woman, not the man. It may be that 

she was a widow, but nevertheless it is not without 

significance, for very often it is the mother who 

makes the home what it is. I want you to observe 

with me from this text three things which mark 

this New Testament home, and which, I believe, 

should be the outstanding qualities of every Chris 

tian home. 

An Attractive Home 

First of all, it was a home to which people in 

stinctively went when they were in need. "When 

Peter considered the thing," when he recovered 

his senses, when he discovered what God had done 

for him in the amazing, miraculous deliverance from 

248 

jail. When he stood there a free man and yet in des 

perate need of help, he came to the house of 

Mary, 

the mother of John. 

You will observe that it was not a church to 

which Peter went, but a home. One of our great 

weaknesses today is that we look upon the church 

building as the base of all our testimony and ac 

tivity for the Lord. What tremendous strength there 

would be in the fellowship of the church if every 

home was a base of operation instead of just one 

church. That is always the New Testament concep 

tion. 

Why did Peter go to Mary's home I suggest 

to you that her wealth of spiritual experience was 

widely known. He went there because he knew that 

she was the kind of woman who would be able to 

help him in the time of difficulty. Do you think it 

is possible that your lack of spiritual experience is 

the reason why so few people come to your home 

when they are in trouble Would they fail to come 

to you because they have no reason to think that 

you are the kind of person who could really help 

them 

They came to Mary's house, the neighbors 

went there and Christian people went there she 

didn't have to go chasing after them. How much 

of our Christian activity is spent chasing after un 

converted people who run to get away from us ! Oh, 

what a need there is in Christian lives today for at 

tractive Christian living not a greater knowledge 

of doctrine, but a winsomeness, a radiance, a sweet 

ness, a graciousness, a love, a gentleness that at 

tracts to Jesus Christ. 

"pleasing," 

The word, here is the word you get 

in the Beatitudes "blessed are they" and the real 

meaning of the word is : "a happiness to be 

I wonder how many of us are living like that, of how 

many people could it be said, "If only I had what she 

has!" 

Alas, let's admit it in the presence of God 

today we are often so keen, so orthodox, so con 

scientious, but we are desperately unattractive. 

They came to Mary when they were in trouble 

or in need, and wanted help, comfort, strength, wis 

dom and guidance. She was known, not only for the 

quality 

and the depth of her Christian walk and 

character, but I am sure she was known as a woman 

who knew the Lord Jesus Christ. 

I have often noticed in the New Testament 

how people came to the disciples and said to them, 

"Sirs, we would see Jesus." And the disciples came 

to see Jesus time and again and said, "Master, 

all men seek for Thee." It must have been very hu 

miliating for them to have to admit that they were 

not good enough, that people were seeking for Christ 

and these disciples did not have the thing that these 

people needed. The people of the world, we always 

say, are so indifferent to the things of God but they 

can always distinguish when there's real godliness 

in a Christian worker. They will bypass the man 

COVENANTER WITNESS

praying," 

off," 

you" 

off." 

again." 

you." 

who is so busy that his life has lost its radiance, and 

will seek for the man and woman who have truly 

walked with God. 

Doesn't this go right to the heart of the need 

of the church life Alas, the spiritual ignorance, the 

spiritual immaturity, the impatience, the quickness 

to take offense, the criticism, the unsympathetic 

words there is so much that is repellent about our 

Christian testimony that other people just won't 

come to us when they are in trouble. Something is 

wrong, not with our 

doctrine, not with our beliefs, 

but with our character. Oh, that our homes would be 

like Mary's home, where people instinctively would 

go in time of need. 

A Prayerful Home 

The second thing that emerges from this text 

is this: Mary's home was a home in which people 

knelt in prayer. "He came to the house of Mary 

the mother of John, where they were gathered to 

gether I am sure that it wasn't the first 

time that people had met for prayer in that home. 

I have a feeling that John Mark would often remem 

ber the sound of voices lifted up to God in prayer. 

I think of one home especially where I know a 

father or a mother could take me around every 

room of that home and tell me of answers to prayer 

that have taken place in that very room a home 

where burdens are shared, a home marked by seren 

ity and strength, an absence of strain and rush, 

where there is gentleness in conversation and sweet 

ness in spirit and graciousness in manner. Could 

that be your home 

I heard sometime ago of a busy housewife who 

was seeing her husband off in the morning to busi 

ness. Things had been a little more hectic than usual 

in that home for the last few days, and as he went 

out he said to her, "I think you need a day 

"Just like a man, could I even take a day she 

retorted angrily. She hadn't read her Bible late 

ly, there had been no quiet time in that home for 

awhile but that day she took her Bible and she read 

of the woman who was sick with the fever, and the 

Lord touched her and her fever left her. She said, 

"Lord Jesus give to me and my home that touch 

today. Touch my home, take away from it the cold 

ness, the formality and the deadness and once again, 

Lord Jesus, give us Thy love." When her husband 

came home that night he looked at her and he said, 

You 

"Oh, I see you took the day off, did 

see what I'm talking about don't you It is perfect 

ly simple but practical. 

They knelt in prayer in Mary's home and they 

took the burdens of other people upon their hearts. 

Everything didn't just center around their own little 

family circle with their troubles and their com 

plaints. There was always a concern for other people 

that's why other people went there. 

Do you think there's room in your home which, 

if the walls could speak, could tell of prayers offered 

and wonderful answers. Could you say to me, "Pas 

tor, you see that chair My neighbor next door was 

unhappy it wasn't a Christian home and there was 

trouble and gossip had started. I went last week and 

left her some flowers. Nobody had ever done that 

before and she cried. Then she came just a day or 

two ago and unburdened her heart to me. I opened 

the Word of God to her and told her about my Sav 

iour and she knelt down beside that chair, pastor, and 

April 20, 1955 

there she was born Do things like that ever 

happen in your home Is it a home in which people 

kneel for prayer 

A Dynamic Home 

There is one other thing that I want you to ob 

serve from this text. It was a home from which 

people w7ent out into the service of the Lord. In the 

25th verse of this chapter we read, "Barnabas and 

Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had ful 

filled their ministry, and took with them John whose 

surname was Mark." This wasn't a home simply 

where people came in and out to visit, but where 

people went in and out in for prayer and out to 

serve, a home that was a true center and a base of 

missionary operation. 

In that mother's heart, even though she might 

have been a widow, there was a great concern for her 

son, John. Many times she went to the Lord and said, 

"Lord, I have given this 'boy to you, I want to see 

him out in the field, I want to see him a missionary, 

a trail for How 

I want to see him blazing 

many parents make that your ambition 

Isn't it true that many of us are satisfied to see 

our children grow up and have a good job and per 

haps step right out of the will of God in doing it. 

Our greatest longing is to see them happily married 

and living not too far away so that we may continue 

to have, at least part of them. How many fathers and 

mothers really make the supreme longing of their 

heart that at least one member of their family will 

blaze a trail for God 

If I know anything about a mother heart I'm 

quite sure that the day when John Mark went to this 

mother and said goodbye as he set out for mission 

ary service for the first time, there was many a 

tear shed. But I'm sure that when he'd gone Mary 

knelt down and thanked the Lord for an answer 

to prayer. 

You see, the test of a church is not its crowd, 

not its money, not its preacher, but its homes ! Let's 

search our hearts about this thing. We've got our 

orthodoxy, we've got our doctrine, we've got our 

belief, we've got our finances God has blessed us 

in these things and we are thankful indeed to our 

Heavenly Father. But how rich are we in terms of 

Christian families and Christian homes like that 

Have we homes where people come when they are 

in trouble because the wealth of your spiritual ex 

perience draws them Have we homes where people 

meet around one common mercy seat and frequently 

kneel in prayer, and when people are burdened they 

know perfectly well that somebody in that home will 

understand Have we homes whose supreme passion 

and desire is that at least one of our children might 

blaze a trail for God on the mission field of the 

world Has God been looking through the window 

of your home today and put His finger upon some 

spot, and showed that you haven't the thing that 

people want today In spite of what you believe, 

in spite of your orthodox church attendance, in spite 

of your sacrificial giving, somehow in your heart and 

in your home is there a lack of the ring of sincerity 

and reality Are sympathy and graciousness and 

love and kindness and tenderness missing Would 

you look up into the face of the Lord Jesus today 

and say, "Lord Jesus Christ, it's you I need, come 

into my home and make it like Mary's home." 

"O God our Father, may Thy Holy Spirit be 

249

searching our hearts today and if there be in our 

homes that which is empty, that which is formal, 

that which is superficial, that which is a contradic 

tion of all that we believe, Lord Jesus Christ, have 

mercy upon us and come afresh in all the fulness 

of Thy Spirit into our hearts. Make them tender 

and loving and Christlike, and make our home, my 

home, a base of operation to which people may come 

when they are in need, where we often kneel in 

prayer and out from which home there shall go one 

precious jewel to serve the Lord. For Jesus sake! 

Amen." 


by Andrew Robb 

3, 5, AND 10 

No, this is not a new type of store. 

These three numbers should be written as the 

denominators of fractions with 1 as the numerator. 

They then represent the renumerative rates for use 

of another's product or resource, basically represent 

ed in land. 

In the Midwest the prevailing rental paid by 

shares is one-third of the resulting crop. In Egypt, 

after the seven years of famine, and production was 

again possible, the Egyptians proposed to their 

Pharaoh that he return the land to them for onefifth 

of the year's produce, with no time limit on this 

arrangement. When the Children of Israel came into 

the land "which thy God careth for, the land which 

drank water of the rain of heaven," their rate of pay 

ment for the land plus God's care and special provi 

dences was one-tenth of the increase. This was by 

far the lowest rate for use of land, and with all the 

added blessings it was little more than a token pay 

ment on the part of the Israelites. 

But we have far more than those who inherited 

the Promised Land, we have the complete Bible, if we 

will use it ; we have the Comforter, if we will let Him 

come into our hearts ; we have the Christ, if we will 

but believe Him. What is one-tenth of what you can't 

take with you, for ALL 

Topeka, Kansas 

BOOK REVIEWS 

Spiritual Home Training for the Child. 

Larry Lorensen 

This book is written w7ith the basic belief that 

the most important duty of parents is the spiritual 

training of their children. If parents disagree, they 

ought to read this book that they may better ap 

preciate the importance of this spiritual training. 

If they agree, this book has material to help them in 

performing this duty. 

It covers the period from infancy to junior age. 

It deals with lessons that children need to learn 

about prayer, the Bible, salvation, the church, giv 

ing and Christian living. Projects are suggested 

by which these truths and duties may be taught. 

There are three divisions of the book for each age 

period with lessons and projects for each. 

250 

There are too many children growing up in 

professed Christian homes without this religious 

training. These are growing up to lead evil lives 

because many parents have failed in their duty. Not 

all of these lessons will likely be used. But there 

is help in this book for parents who want to know 

and do their duty to their children. 

It is published by Moody Press and sells for 

$2.25. R-GF. 

Night of Weeping. Horatius Bonar. 

This books is a reprint of one of Bonar's books. 

He was an English minister who died in 1889. 

This book was written by a man who had learn 

ed, as Paul did, that some of God's richest blessings 

come in the sorrows He sends into the lives of His 

own. He sometimes sends these that His people may 

be able to comfort other sorrowing hearts with that 

same comfort wherewith they 

were comforted of 

God. This seems to have been Bonar's purpose, that 

he might bring to others some of the comfort he 

received from God. He does not offer any comfort 

to those who do not know the Lord, but he realized 

that God's purpose in all these sorrows is to bring 

His own closer to Him. He tells how these sorrows 

when rightly accepted, do bring His people closer 

to Him. 

Bonar was one of the leaders of England during 

his lifetime, and the republishing of this book will 

allow this generation to know something of his in 

fluence. 

It is published by the Moody Press and sells 

for $2.00. 

R.C.F. 

GLIMPSES . . . Cont'd from page 242 

University. The head of the organization of student preach 

ers points out that more than 182 additional ministerial 

students have assumed responsibilities in Baptist churches 

in the vicinity of Shawnee while studying and training 

for active ministry. Members of the Ministerial Alliance 

travel about 18,345 miles weekly, in their services. The 

members report their activities for each week at the regular 

Monday evening meeting. 

Revival in Guatemala 

We have heard much that is unfavorable concerning 

Guatemala in recent months. It is encouraging to learn some 

of the favorable news. On Sabbath afternoon, February 27, 

1955, the open-air theater, Olympic City, Guatemala, was 

crowded beyond capacity, with over 7,000 people seated and 

standing in the hot tropical sun, in the first service of the 

Hyman Appleman campaign. More than 500 responded to 

the invitation to receive Jesus Christ as their personal 

Saviour. During 

six nights a larger number responded. 

Permanent Results 

There is much that is said concerning the lack of perma 

nent results of large evangelistic campaigns which is true. 

On the other hand there is much that shows astonishing 

evidence of consecration on the part of those who profess 

conversion. One such example is that of a business man 

of Shreveport, La., 29 years old, who is to leave for Ger 

many soon for full-time Christian service as a result of his 

conversion at a Billy Graham crusade. He will be sponsored 

by 

the Shreveport chapter of Christian Business Men, Inc., 

and Broadmoor Baptist church. Mr. Hamm, who has sold 

his interest in a plumbing company, will take his wife and 

three children with him. 

COVENANTER WITNESS


JUNIOR TOPIC 

May 8, 1955 

THE HARDENED HEART 

By 

Mrs. Donald I. Robb 

Scripture Text: Exodus 10:16-29. 

Memory Verse: I Samuel 16:7b. 

For 

man looketh on the outward appearance, 

but the Lord looketh on the heart. 

Psalms 

Memory Psalm for May 15: 

Psalm 95: 1,2,3, page 231 

Psalm 78: 4,5,6,7, page 187 

Psalm 135: 14,15, page 333 

Psalm 26: 1,2,3, page 61. 

Pharaoh was angry! And no wonder! 

All of the water had been turned to 

blood. 

For a full week everyone had 

been without water, and it was all be 

cause of these Israelite slaves. 

Phar 

aoh didn't understand their God but 

he did understand that they had to 

keep these people as slaves. He had 

almost weakened and let them go when 

the water turned to blood, but as soon 

as it was all right again he hardened 

his heart. 

The next thing the Lord sent was 

the plague of frogs. They were every 

where, in the kitchen, in the baby's 

cradle, in the barns, in the beds and 

on the dining room tables, every place 

imaginable. As this went on Pharaoh 

thought perhaps these slaves should be 

freed. But as soon as the frogs were 

gone he changed his mind again, and 

told Moses and Aaron that the people 

were still slaves. 

Over and over again Moses and Aaron 

came to Pharaoh warning him of the 

plagues, the terrible things which would 

happen if he did not free them. And 

God did these terrible things, just as 

Moses and Aaron had warned. 

After the frogs God sent lice over 

the whole country. The dogs scratched, 

the cats scratched, and the people 

scratched, everyone was miserable. 

Then the flies came. They 

got into 

the food, in people's ears. No one could 

sleep for the buzzing. No one could 

take a step without stepping on dozens 

of them. Some people died from the 

diseases they brought. 

Then God made all of the animals 

sick, and most of them died; but still 

Pharaoh would not let them go. So 

the Lord kept on sending 

plagues un 

til Pharaoh would free the slaves. 

Next the people all became sick with 

boils. It hurt them to walk, it hurt 

them to lie down. It hurt them to stand, 

the children couldn't play, the mothers 

April 20, 1955 

couldn't cook, the fathers couldn't work. 

Everyone was too sick to move. 

When the people got better God sent 

a hail storm. It ruined the crops and 

destroyed the gardens. It broke the 

roofs of the houses. Still Pharaoh's heart 

was hard. So God sent locusts which 

ate anything that the storm hadn't 

destroyed. After the locusts there came 

a terrible darkness over all of Egypt. 

The people could see nothing; but where 

the Israelites were, it was light. None 

of the plagues came to the part of the 

country 

where the Israelites lived. In 

spite of all these plagues Pharaoh would 

not give in. 

God had sent all of these things for 

two reasons. First of all to show Phar 

aoh that He was the only real God and 

that He could do anything. Secondly, 

it was to show the Israelites that He 

was able to take care of them in every 

kind of trouble. 

This certainly shows that sometimes 

it takes a lot to make us give in to 

God. There are times we know what 

we should do but we don't do it. Other 

times we know we 

are doing things 

that are wrong but we go right on doing 

them. When these things happen God 

tells us in our hearts we are doing 

wrong. We should listen to God the first 

time He speaks. Pharaoh knew what 

God wanted for a long 

n't do it, 

time but would 

so God had to punish him. In 

studying about Pharaoh we have found 

out how really powerful God is, so we 

will want to do what He tells us in 

our hearts and in His Word, the Bible. 

Answer the following questions : 

ed 

1. Name the different plagues. 

2. Why 

was Pharaoh's heart harden 

3. Do you think Moses was discourag 

ed at times or did he really have faith 

in God 

4. What were the reasons God sent 

all of these plagues upon Egypt 


May 8, 1955 






JOASH REPATRS THE TEMPLE 


PRINTED: 2 Chronicles 24:4, 8-14. 

Memory: 2 Chron. 29:31 "Bring sacri 

fices and thank offerings into the house 

of the Lord." 

Between the reigns of Jehoshaphat and 

Joash there were two kings and one 

queen, all evil. Jehoram married the 

daughter of Ahab and Jezebel and fol 

lowed her idolatries. He reigned four 

years. His son Ahaziah reigned less than 

two years. He was severely wounded 

while helping Israel against the King of 

Syria. His mother Athaliah usurped the 

thrown. She was the only 

queen in Ju 

dah, and the only ruler that was not of 

the blood of David. She tried to make 

an end of the royal dynasty of David, 

by killing all who might have a claim 

to the throne, even her own grandchil 

dren. Her husband's sister Jehoshabeath, 

hid Joash, the youngest son of Ahaziah. 

When Joash was seven years old, Je 

hoiada, priest and husband of Jehosh 

abeath gathered the leaders of Judah and 

they placed the child Joash on the throne. 

During the youth of Joash we hear noth 

ing more of him. Jehoiada, acting for 

the young king, was busy cleaning up 

the corruption left by the three evil 

rulers. 

Notice the effect of leadership on 

three weak kings. Jehoshaphat was dom 

inated by his wife. Ahaziah was ruled 

by his mother, and Joash was led by 

Jehoiada. Two weak kings under the 

influence of a wicked woman. One weak 

king influenced by 

a good man and his 

godly wife. We see influences among the 

kings of Judah, both for good and evil, 

that are stronger than the influence of 

heredity. 

2 Chron. 24:4 THE FIRST RE 

CORDED ACT OF JOASH 

Jehoiada, acting for the young king, 

secured much toward the complete ab 

olition of false worship and idolatry. 

Finally Joash seems to take the initia 

tive in a popular and much needed proj 

ect. It evidently appealed to his desire 

to gain the notice of the people. The 

Bible narrative does not mention his 

age, but Josephus, the Jewish historian 

says that the repair of the Temple was 

in about the twentieth year of the reign 

of Joash. 

The Temple was a very expensive 

building. During the reign of three 

monarchs, indeed through four, it had 

been neglected, looted in war, and its 

equipment used for the worship of idols. 

It seems that in a certain half-hearted 

way, some form of the temple worship 

had been kept up. But there was great 

need for reform in every part of the 

worship, and to encourage worship there 

was need for the repair of the building. 

Perhaps we should not be severe in 

judging the motives of Joash. We do 

not read of anything that he took the 

251

secret." 

passed." 

sins" 

lead in until he was 27 years old. Even 

then Jehoiada is always mentioned prom 

inently in the work of temple repair 

ing. We wonder if Joash was not moved 

more by the desire to get into the lime 

light than with any deep interest in the 

spiritual affairs of the Kingdom. His 

failure to support his own work after 

the death of Jehoiada is an evidence 

that he had no deep interest in the 

temple worship. Joash should have 

learned to follow, not Jehoiada, but 

the leader that Jehoiada followed. We 

are safe under the leadership 

our Lord. 

of Christ 

2 Chron. 24:8 COLLECTING MONEY 

FOR THE TEMPLE 

Since the temple was of fine material 

and workmanship, it required a great 

deal of money to repair it. They pro 

ceeded according to the command of 

Moses. This seems to refer to the tithe. 

For a splendid presentation of the tithe, 

review the booklet "Ten Times Ten" 

that was distributed in your congrega 

tion some two months ago. 

The method of collecting was very 

simple; a box, Josephus says with a hole 

in the top, was placed in a convenient 

place. This method is frequently used 

today. It is not always effecient. When 

the proclamation for the repair of the 

temple was made, we read (v. 10), 

"And all the princes and all the people 

rejoiced, and brought in, and cast into 

the chest, until they had made an end." 

The prophet appealed to the people, and 

so they gave. 

Two pastors were comparing notes. 

One said, "Our congregations are about 

the same size and about the same fi 

nancial strength. Before we took up our 

offering for missions, I preached on 

liberality, brotherly kindness, the privi 

lege and duty of spreading the gospel, 

and urged the people to give generous 

ly. But our offering was just half what 

your congregation gave. 

The other replied, 

Tell me the 

"I never 

preach on generosity, or urge the people 

to give. When we approach the offering 

for missions, I tell of the field, the work 

ers, their success and difficulties, their 

encouragements and trials, their oppor 

tunities and plans for the future. Then 

the plate is 

vs. 11-14: ADMINISTERING THE 

LORD'S MONEY 

All money belongs to the Lord, popu 

larly recognized, but not commonly 

practiced. So many stories of grafting 

on public money. The big Teapot Dome 

is still attracting attention, and a thou 

sand little pots bubbling quietly. Every 

pocket, every treasury needs to be 

guarded. Even charitable treasuries 

have been raided. A few years ago I 

252 

saw this striking item. It said that the 

Salvation Army in New York City has 

an annual budget of five million dollars. 

And that there has never been a charge 

of irregularity in its administration. 

As the money for the temple came in 

it was given to the workers. The short 

story implies that the workers were 

faithful, and were properly paid. That 

materials were bought at a fair price 

and that there was no leakage through 

padded pay rolls or non-productive 

middle men. When the repair of the 

temple was finished, there was still 

enough money for vessels needed for 

service or beauty. With the temple made 

attractive, the regular worship of the 

Lord was observed continually, ALL 

the days of Jehoiada. 

Jehoiada died. 

The rest of the story of Joash could not 

be more disappointing. 

"Are there not among ourselves lead 

ers who keep us right, Jehoiadas but 

for whom our religious life would ex 

pire . . . Our 

abstinence from certain 

pernicious customs may be due to their 

influence. They are the stay of our 

house and the tenderest comfort of life. 

We do not know how much we owe to 

them." 

Joseph Parker, in Peluobet. 

'Tis well to follow a Christlike ex 

ample, if it leads to following the ex 

ample of Christ. Joash followed the ex 

ample of Jehoiada as long as Jehoi 

ada lived. Evidently, he had never found 

Jehovah. He forsook the Lord, and was 

forsaken by the Lord according to the 

warning and promise. We need Jehoi 

adas to lead Joash to Christ. 

"Nor knowest thou what argument 

Thy life to thy neighbor's creed has lent, 

All are needed by each one; 

Nothing is fair or good alone." 


May 11, 1955 

"THE EXCELLENT NAME" Psalm 8. 

Psalms 


145:1-3,13, page 350a. 

20:1-7, page 43. 

8:1-4,7, page 12 

148:2,5, page 357. 

COMMENTS 

Names identify people, but also es 

pecially in the Bible, are used to sig 

nify personality, 

and character or char 

acteristics. Abram's name was changed 

to Abraham for he was to be 

father of many 

"the 

nations." 

Jacob's name 

which means supplanter or deceiver, 

was changed to Israel which 

means 

"Prince with God." Abagail's husband's 

name was Nabal, and according to 

her he was well named, for he was 

that kind of a fellow. (I Sam. 25:25). 

Elijah's name signified the very thing 

he believed and stood for, especially on 

Mt. Carmel,"Jehovah is God." Mala 

chi was "God's Messenger." The human 

name of our Lord was divinely specified, 

"Thou shalt call his name, JESUS, 

for he shall save his people from their 

iour." 

(Matt. 1:21). Jesus means "sav 

There are three names for God that 

are quite prominent in the Bible, often 

being used alone, but frequently in com 

bination, Jehovah, Elohim, and Adonai. 

The latter two emphasize power and do 

minion and might and authority, but 

the first signifies the intimate covenant 

relationship between God and his people. 

There are many other significant names 

of God scattered through the Word 

which we should study carefully 

as we 

consider "The Excellent Name." "I AM" 

Ex. 3:14; "The Lord of Hosts" 

1:3 (used dozens of times); 

Zech. 

"Jealous" 

Ex. 34:14; "The God of Jacob" Ps. 

20:1; "Holy One" Isa. 40:25; "Refuge" 

Ps. 46:1. There are many more. Refer 

to and sing the group of ten titles of 

God in Ps. 18:1 on page 36. 

Tied in with these are the 169 or more 

names that specifically apply to Christ. 

As a sample, turn to Isa. 9:6. You can 

find these alphabetically listed in a 

Name" 

leaflet called "The Supreme 

written by Rev. D. B. 

years ago, 

Russel several 

but, better still, you can 

search them out yourself in the Bible 

from beginning to end. The names be 

gin with about every letter of the Eng 

lish Alphabet except X, and even that 

is often used in our modern life, al 

though improperly, to stand for Christ. 

A composite of all the above, and 

more, seems to be in the mind of the 

Psalmist as he refers to "The Excellent 

Name" 

in Ps. 8:1-9, and "Jehovah's 

Matchless Name" (M.V.) in Ps. 148:2. 

This is the Name that is to be hallow 

ed, and honored, and reverenced, even 

as Christ taught us in the Lord's Prayer. 

And now, in the space remaining, let 

me call attention to some interesting 

expressions that are used here and there 

throughout the Old Testament, that are 

really names for God, and describe what 

kind of God he is. You will notice, I am 

sure, how the ideas are paralleled in 

Psalm 23. 

I. Jehovah raah, Psalm 23:1. That 

means the Lord is my SHEPHERD, and 

it has special reference to God's care, 

and protection, and provision. When 

David penned these words he was draw 

ing 

material out of his own experience 

as a shepherd. As he had done for his 

sheep, so God would do, and was doing 

for His people. 

2. Jehovah shalom, Judges 

6:24., 

the Lord is my PEACE. 

Here Israel 


soul." 

sake." 

me" 

me" 

ever." 

was being harassed and persecuted by 

the Midianites. To deliver them God 

called and commissioned Gideon, and a 

miraculous sign was given. 

Being in 

great fear because of the heavenly vis 

ion, Gideon was assured that he would 

not die, so he built an altar and called 

it by the above name. The name of 

the altar described God. He is a God 

of peace. He brings peace to troubled 

hearts, to troubled souls, and to a 

troubled world, when they 

Him. 

submit to 

"The storm he changes to a calm 

By His command and will; 

And so the waves which raged before 

Now quiet are and still." 

Ps. 107:21. 

"He maketh me to lie down in green 

pastures. He leadeth me beside the still 

waters." 

Ps. 23:2 

3. 

Jehovahropheca 

Ex. 15:26 The 

Lord is my HEALTH. This has in it the 

idea of repairs. Israel, under God's care 

and guidance, had successfully crossed 

the Red Sea, and experienced great de 

liverance from their enemies. But as 

they journeyed on, although they final 

ly came to water at Marah, it was bit 

ter and unfit to drink. As usual, there 

was great complaining. But the waters 

were made palatable by the "sweeten 

ing tree," and then God said, "I am 

the Lord that healeth thee." That state 

ment, and characteristic of God, is re 

inforced in Ps. 23 :3, "He restoreth my 

4. Jehovahtsidkenu Jer. 33:15-16 

The Lord is my RIGHTEOUSNESS. 

Here Jeremiah is prophesying concern 

ing salvation for Judah and Jerusalem 

which will come through the BRANCH 

of Righteousness. Here is suggested our 

justification which comes through the 

imputed righteousness of the BRANCH, 

Jesus Christ. He has met every require 

ment in our place. "He leadeth me in 

the paths of righteousness for His 

name's 

(Ps. 23:3). 

5. Jehovah shammah Ezek 48:35 

The Lord is my COMPANION. This 

was Ezekiel's prophecy about Jerusalem, 

where Jehovah had been chosen to place 

His name. It was verified by the psalm 

ist in Ps. 46:4, 

"Yea, God is in the 

midst of her." This expression becomes 

a fitting title for God, for it tells what 

kind of a God we have, 

one who is 

ever-present. "I will fear no evil, for 

thou art with 

(Ps. 23:4). 

6. Jehovahjireh Gen. 22:14 The 

Lord is my PROVISION. Abraham, in 

obedience to God, was about to offer 

Isaac, his only son, as a sacrifice upon 

the altar. God stayed his hand, and pro- 

April 20, 1955 

vided the ram as a substitute. When 

we have reached the point of obedience 

and full surrender. God will see and 

provide. "Thou preparest a table before 

(Ps. 23:5). Here is provision both 

for body and soul. 

7. Jehovah nissi Ex. 17:15 The 

Lord is my BANNER (victory). This 

refers to the altar erected by Moses 

to commemorate the defeat of the Ama 

lekites. God is a God of help when we 

obey and pray and trust and fight. This 

name should ever be our watchword in 

the presence of our enemies. (Ps. 23:5). 

See Psalm 44:4-6, page 110. 

8. Jehovah shamar Ps. 121:5 

The. Lord is my KEEPER. Here is as 

sured us the ever watchful and preserv 

ing 

care and favor of Jehovah both for 

this life and for that which is to come. 

As we respond to Him we each can say, 

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow 

me all the days of my life, and I will 

dwell in 

the house of the Lord for 

(Ps. 23:6). 

These are but samples of THE EX 

CELLENT NAME, "the name which is 

above every 

name," 

which, 

when we 

honor will bring glory to God the 

Father (Phil. 2:9-11). "HALLOWED BE 

THY NAME." 


Mrs 

Ross Latimer. Editor. 

Praver Hour. 1 :00 P.M Mondav 

WMS MEETING FOR MAY 

"Choosing the Architect" Joshua 24:15 

Mrs. R. S. McElhinney 

When one has decided the type' 

of 

building he wants to construct, the 

next move, normally, is to select an ar 

chitect who has experience and the 

necessary qualifications for supervising 

the construction of a building of this 

type. Among these qualifications would 

be: honesty or integrity, experience in 

this particular field, a sincere interest 

in the needs and welfare of the build 

er, and the ability to visualize clear 

ly the completed structure, patterned, 

arranged, 

and blueprinted to meet most 

effectively the builder's needs. 

In the physical realm there are many 

architects and a man can choose which 

one he wants to plan and supervise the 

construction of a building. But in the 

spiritual realm in the planning and sup 

ervising 

of the construction of a spirit 

ual building, the only 

of the task is God Himself. 

architect capable 

We are told in II Corinthians 5:1 that 

when the Christian's earthly house is 

dissolved he "will have a building of 

God, a house not made with hands, eter 

nal in the heavens." Is it not logical 

to believe that if one is to be prepared 

and qualified to live in this heavenly 

home whose builder and maker is God, 

it would be most essential to choose 

this same God to be the architect of 

his life 

1. Chosing 

sonal obligation. 

our master-builder is a per 

No one, not even a parent, friend, or 

teacher, can choose our architect for us. 

The decision rests with the individual 

himself. When we realize that it is a 

spiritual building we desire, we shall 

realize also that we need a spirit as 

our architect. Only the Holy Spirit can 

make a spirit holy. We must personally 

call in the aid of the great Creator and 

pray, "Create in me a clean heart, O 

Lord, and renew a right spirit within 

me," 

and also ask Him: 

"Show me thy ways, O Lord, 

Thy paths, Oh teach thou me, 

And do thou lead me in thy truth; 

be." 

Therein my teacher 

2. The choice should be made today 

procrastination is dangerous. 

The longer we put off choosing God 

as our architect, the worse will be our 

condition and our situation. With our 

own plans and lack of wisdom, we very 

naturally make a failure or near fail 

ure of our spiritual lives. Try as we 

will we can never build a good life 

on plans that are crosswise with God's 

plans. Every day we delay in choos 

ing God as our architect means that 

more corrections and changes will have 

to be made. There is also another very 

important reason for not procrastinat 

ing: we do not know about tomorrow. 

Do you know "what another day may 

bring forth" 

3. Our responsibility of leading others 

to make a wise choice. 

Christ himself taught and demonstrat 

ed the principle of thinking of, living 

for, and dying for others. The follower 

of Christ should also consider the needs 

of those who are out of Christ. They 

may not know of the Master Architect 

or knowing about Him have not chosen 

Him to build their lives. By word and 

by example every Christian should seek 

to persuade others to give over to Christ 

the building 

of their spiritual lives. 

Lives built on sand can never stand. 

Lives built on the rock can stand the 

shock that comes from the forces of 

evil. When we persuade an individual 

to choose God as the architect of his 

life, we may "save a soul from death." 

253

this 

" 

Church News 

ing more about our missions as the 

various missionaries are home on fur 

lough. 

The Juniors met at the church Satur 

day afternoon, March 12 to work on 

their scrapbooks. Refreshments were 

FLASH: Synod's Budget of $110,062 has 

been paid in full, 

and more than $3,500 

of the extra $5,000 was announced on 

April 10, with six days left to make up 

the balance. We hope the goal 

reached. Praise the Lord! 

ALLEGHENY 

was 

We are glad to have Mrs. S. E. Greer 

of Philadelphia in our midst for several 

weeks while she was visiting 

with the 

pastor's family and giving temperance 

talks in schools and Sabbath Schools 

in this district. She spoke to our own 

Sabbath School the day of the Temp 

erance lesson. The main feature of 

the program of the March meeting of 

the Blue Banner Club consisted of a 

very informative film showing the re 

lation of smoking to lung cancer. 

Mrs. Wyman S. 

Robb is recovering 

nicely after a serious operation, and will 

soon be able to leave the hospital. 

Our congregation joined with Central- 

Pittsburgh, Wilkinsburg Parnassus and 

New Alexandria congregations in a un 

ion service at Wilkinsburg. Sabbath eve 

ning, March 27. A large number as 

sembled to hear the Reverend Samuel 

Boyle speak on 

Communism and the 

Church in the Far East. Mr. Boyle's 

address was 

tive, 

interesting 

and informa 

and challenged to greater evan 

gelistic effort at home and abroad, 

and to more agonizing in prayer for 

lost souls and for sinful nations. Christ 

is the only 

world. 

solution for the evils of the 


We are very glad to report that little 

Tommy, son of Mr. and Mrs. Russell 

Kennedy, who received severe grease 

burns about a month ago is recover 

ing nicely. 

The young people enjoyed an evening 

of skating at the Bedford Skating Rink 

in February. Later, the group 

was serv 

ed delicious refreshments at the home 

of David and Dickie Wampler. 

The Senior Adult Sabbath School 

Class has selected as their new teacher, 

Mr. John Minnick. Mr. Minnick was 

formerly 

Dean of the School of Edu 

cation of a Philadelphia College. He has 

now retired and is making his home in 

Bloomington. We are very 

glad to have 

both Mr. and Mrs. Minnick with us. 

A number of students from the Indi 

ana University campus have been meet 

ing at the parsonage after the Sabbath 

evening 


services for Bible study. The 

group continues to grow. Many of these 

students attend our regular services 

also. We are very glad to welcome them. 

The Phoebe Missionary Society has 

selected as officers for 1955-56: Presi 

dent, Mrs. Ray Wampler; Vice-Presi 

dent, Phyllis Moore; Secretary, Mrs. 

Anna Gregory; Treasurer, Maudeline 

Faris. 

We greatly enjoyed the concert given 

by the Genevans on March 29. 

It. is 

always a pleasure to entertain these 

young people in our homes. A carry-in 

dinner was served in the basement of 

the church before the concert. 

The Young Adults and Students' Sab 

bath School Class held a party in March 

at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John 

Robertson. The attendance was very 

good and an evening of good fellowship 

was enjoyed. We are sorry some did 

not get to attend because of illness. 

WINCHESTER NEWS NOTES 

Rev. Sam. Boyle conducted a week of 

services in our church March 7-13. 

These services were climaxed by the 

signing 

morning. 

of the covenant on Sabbath 

Gene Stewart is spending some time 

with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ira Stew 

art, after completing his service with 

the United States Army and receiving 

his discharge. 

Mrs. H. M. Clark and Phyllis of De 

troit visited her parents, Mr. and Mrs. 

Ross Keys. They came to fill the family 

circle on the surprise celebration of 

Ms. and Mrs. 

versary 

Keys' 

on March 10. 

35th wedding anni 

Mr. Henry Fulton is in Vail Hospital 

in Topeka for observation. 

We held our spring 

communion the 

weekend of April 2. Rev. Harold Thomp 

son of Southfield served as assistant. 

On Sabbath morning Rev. Thompson 

baptized his nephew, Jay Kenneth, the 

son of Mr. and Mrs. Gene O'Neill. 

Rev. Caskey baptized Martha Anna, the 

daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Dill. 

Mr. and Mrs. E. P. Davies and Ruth 

were greeted back into our congrega 

tion .at 

communion season, too. 

OAKDALE 

We were privileged to have Rev. Sam 

Boyle with us on Wednesday evening, 

March 16. The evening started with a 

"Family Night" supper after which Rev. 

Boyle spoke and showed several films 

from Japan. The attendance was good 

and we are much interested in learn 

served after the work period. 

The Genevans 

presented their con 

cert at the church March 20. The writ 

er finds it hard to express how much 

everyone enjoyed the evening! A super 

was served in the church basement 

preceding the concert. Following the 

concert, the audience was invited to 

the basement for refreshments. A large 

crowd was invited for the fine music 

a number coming from our Sparta 

and Old Bethel congregations. The music 

was superb and the fellowship refresh 

ing. We're hoping Oakdale will be in 

cluded on the Genevan's itinerary again 

soon. 

Our Spring communion has been set 

for April 24, and we are looking for 

ward to having Rev. Raymond Hemp 

hill with us. 

Mr. 

and Mrs. Harold Auld recently 

visited with their daughter and son-inlaw 

Mr. and Mrs. Dale Musselman in 

Kansas City. 

These officers 

SANTA ANA 

were elected at the 

April 8 congregational meeting: Mr. 

Hugh McCrum, 

chairman of the con 

gregation; Mrs. Mary Tippen, secre 

tary; Mrs. Gordon Betts, S. S. superin 

tendent; Mr. Lewis Keys, S. S. assist 

ant-superintendent; Mrs. Edna Nelson, 

S. S. Junior superintendent; Miss Viola 

McClurkin, S. S. treasurer; Mrs. Mae 

Vinson, S. S. secretary. 

Miss Joyce Allison became the bride 

of Mr. John Allen at a double-ring cere 

mony in the Covenanter Church on the 

evening of April 2. Dr. Samuel Edgar 

had a part in the ceremony. Misses 

Sharon and Rose Ellen Nelson were in 

charge of gifts and the guest book. 

Mrs. John Curry and Mrs. Harold Sedgeley 

assisted at the reception. 

We expect the newly-chosen 

pastorelect. 

Lie. 

of May. It is with joy 

Glenn McFarland, the last 

and thankfulness 

that we anticipate his coming. 

SYRACUSE, N. Y. 

During the time that we have had no 

pastor, we have had the following 

preach for us: Dr. Remo Robb, Dr. 

Robert Park. Rev. Charles Sterrett, 

Rev. E. R. Hemphill, and Messrs Paul 

Robb, Gene Spear, Robert McCracken, 

Ray Joseph, and Robert Fullerton. Mr. 

Hemphill told of the work at our Ken 

tucky Mission at Sabbath School and 

at the Young People's Meeting. 

The sympathy of the congregation 

is going out to the families and relatives 

THE COVENANTER WITNESS-

of Mr. Edward J. Dougall, a life long 

member of the congregation and to rela 

tives of Mr. William Wright, his neph 

ew. They passed to their heavenly re 

ward about a month apart. They are 

missed at our church services and by 

their many relatives and friends. 

The World Day 

of Prayer was ob 

served with a special meeting at the 

church on the evening of February 25, 

to which the congregation was invited. 

The meeting was in charge of the Mis 

sionary Society and Mrs. Charles D. 

Murphy presided. The work and needs 

of each of our mission fields were pre 

sented and then followed by prayer. 

The new officers of the W.M.S. are: 

President, Mrs. Charles D. Murphy; 

Vice-President, Mrs. William Pinkerton; 

Secretary, Mrs. Edson Ely; Treasurer, 

Mrs. James Park. 

The C.Y.P.U. enjoyed a party on 

April 1 

at the home of Mr. and Mrs. 

William Pinkerton. 

MONTCLAUt CONGREGATION 

The W. M. S. presented a program 

"that was different" for their annual 

Self-denial meeting. The congregation 

assembled at the church Friday even 

ing, March 4, for dessert served by the 

Social Committee with the aid of the 

Junior boys. After the social hour, Mrs. 

Harry Hunter, the T. O. Supt., presided 

over a well-planned program on Tith 

ing and Self-denial. Those who assisted 

were Mrs. Orrin Ferry, Mrs. Mario Messa 

Mrs. Edwin McBurney, and the Junior 

Misses Jean and Diane Messa, Faith 

McBurney and Virginia Donaldson. An 

offering of over $230.00 was received 

for missionary salaries. 

The second part of the program was 

in observance of the World's Day of 

Prayer and after a period of Psalmsinging 

and prayer, all left for our 

homes with a feeling that "it was good 

for us to have been there." 

The March meeting of the W.M.S. was 

in the home of Mrs. Ethel Ferry. Air 

outstanding note from this meeting was 

the welcoming into our W. M. S. two 

new members, Miss Jean McKnight of 

New York, and Mrs. Ethel Voeste as an 

associate member, making our total 

W. M. S. membership now 21. 

At our communion service on April 

3, 32 were at the Lord's table. The 

pastor's assistant, Rev. Sam Boyle, gave 

inspiring messages, the closing one on 

Sabbath evening dealing with the work 

in Japan and the ever increasing threat 

to the liberty of all the people by the 

sinister power of communism. We en 

joyed having Miss Mary 

Jane Park 

from Geneva College with us for all 

the services and having so many from 

New York join us in the last evening 

sermon. 

April 20, I955'j 

CHICAGO 

Mr. Gene Stewart of our Winchester 

congregation worshiped with us on 

Sabbath, March 20. He was in Chicago 

awaiting his discharge from the army. 

We regret having lost two of our 

faithful members from our midst. Mr. 

and Mrs. Allen Cummings will be missed 

in their faithful attendance at church 

services. Mrs. Cummings was a great 

help in our W.M.S. New York City's 

gain is our loss. 

We've proved that the men of our 

congregation can really 

cook! Our bi 

monthly dinner on March 26 was cook 

ed entirely by the men under the chair 

manship of Mr. Russell Huck. Hats off 

to the men for a delicious chicken 

dinner. Following the dinner we were 

entertained by the Juniors. 

Mr. 

Paul Levy has recently under 

gone surgery, but we are happy to re 

port that he is completely recovered 

and back to his usual routine. 

The 

young snap back quickly. 

Two of our members are at present 

on hospital beds. We trust in the Lord's 

care over Mrs. Collier and Mrs. Thomas 

Jack. 

Mondays and Fridays are proving 

to be very active nights at our church 

as we have set aside these evenings 

for church cleaning. We are washing 

walls, painting, and doing a thorough 

house cleaning. We hope to get the en 

tire church in spic and span order. Two 

floors are nearly 

completed with one 

more to go. We return home with dishpan 

hands and sore knees, but the fel 

lowship 

and results are well worth it. 

The following 

officers were elected 

at the annual business meeting of the 

W.M.S. President, Mrs. Norman Carson; 

Vice President, Mrs. Richard Bowes; 

Secretary, Mrs. Russell Huck; Treasur 

er, Mrs. Hyman Levy. 

The C.Y.P.U. started the ball rolling 

in their annual effort to raise money to 

send some of their number to Camp 

Covamikoi. The opening 

gun was the 

second annual "Popcorn Party" spon 

sored for the "benefit" of the congre 

gation, which was held in the church 

basement, March 5. Those who attended 

left with a few less pennies in the pock 

et, but the C. Y. 

start toward their goal. 

P. U. has a sizeable 

The Chicago Congregation played host 

April 5, to the GENEVANS, a splendid 

from Geneva College. From 

choral group 

the moment the bus rolled in, to the 

moment we shepherded the sleepy-eyed 

singers back to the bus the next morn 

ing, we 'who had contact with these 

representatives of our college were im 

pressed by 

was thrillingly 

their calibre. The concert 

presented and we were 

gratified to have nearly a full house. 

The presence of several Geneva alum 

ni contributed in no small way to the 

success of the enterprise. Come again 

Genevans. 

THIRD CHURCH, 

PHILADELPHIA, PA. 

World Day of Prayer was observed 

in Philadelphia with the combined con 

gregations of the United and Third 

Churches meeting under the leadership 

of Dr. Mary Elizabeth Coleman. Sincere 

earnest petitions were mad-e by various 

members of both congregations in be 

half of every phase of our denomina 

tional work for the Master. Third 

Church people served refreshments at 

the close of this pleasant and inspiring 

fellowship. 

Mrs. Robert J. Crawford, Sr. was 

hostess for the March meeting of the 

Women's Missionarj' Society. Mrs. 

George Price led the devotional period. 

Miss Jane McCleary was re-elected 

president for the coming year; Mrs. 

Herman Everett, Vice President: Miss 

Annabel McCullough, treasurer: and 

Miss Isabel Crawford, secretary. The 

society voted to send one hundred dol 

lars to Synod's Budget in memory of 

Dr. Ida Scott, long known, admired 

and loved by Third Church folks. 

The impressive service of Ordination 

and Installation of Deacons was held 

on March 6, when Miss Margaret Mc 

Candless and Mr. Frank Haussmann 

received the office of deacon. Our pas 

tor, Rev. George W. Price, gave the 

charge to the candidates using I Cor. 

10: 25, "All to the Glory of God" as 

his text. Rev. Dr. Finley M. Wilson, 

our pastor emeritus, gave the charge 

to the congregation, concluding with a 

magnificent 

prayer. 

The fund for the American Bible 

Society continues to grow as the con 

tributions are made by members of 

the Sabbath School when their birth 

days are observed. Miss Elizabeth Mc- 

Hatton sends a greeting 

card to each 

one, and annually empties the bank 

which holds the birthday offerings. The 

Sabbath School offering for March 20 

was designated for our mission in Cyp 

rus. An informative talk about our work 

on the island was given by Miss Isabel 

Crawford on the previous Sabbath 

Day. 

We note with joy 

Elder Thomas Armstrong to the High 

the promotion of 

er Life on March 13, just one day be 

fore he would have celebrated his 81st 

birthday. We miss his genial presence 

among us, his Biblical posers, and will 

ing cooperation. He had an enviable 

record of many 

years of unbroken con 

stant attendance at Sabbath School and 

Church, his prayers showed the depth 

of his faith and his intimacy with the 

255

Holy Spirit and knowledge of God's 

Word. Our sympathy goes out to his 

widow and three sons and their fami 

lies. 

Miss Mame Hogan, Miss Ray For 

sythe, Miss Elizabeth McHatton, Mrs. 

John McClay and Mrs. George J. Fish 

er assisted with the luncheon during 

educational week for the blind. 

Newly-weds Margaret and Walter 

McClay were surprised with a shower 

of lovely and useful household gifts 

by the congregation on March 22. There 

were 32 

present at Mid-week prayer 

service on March 23 and 24; boys and 

girls met together on the 24th under 

the leadership of Mr. Price for young 

people's devotions and recreation. 

Highlights of the Annual meeting of 

the Women's Missionary Society held 

March 29 included a most interesting 

account by Miss Shirley Stephen, a 

Philadelphia school teacher, of her ex 

periences in Kuwait, Arabia, 

where she 

had been called to teach the children 

of a Prince. She wore the woman's 

gown and veil compulsory in that Mos 

lem country and her charming humor 

ous anecdotes were illustrated by beau 

tiful slides. Surprise visitors at this 

meeting were Dr. and Mrs. Robert 

Clarke and their son, Dr. and Mrs. Edmond 

Clarke of Beaver Falls, Pa. Dr. 

Clarke, ever-welcome son of Third Phila 

delphia, made the concluding prayer to 

the challenging devotional message giv 

en by Mrs. Harry E. Mullen, Jr. Our 

treasurer reported more than two thous 

and dollars disbursed during the year. 

Two of our older and well-beloved 

women had birthday anniversaries in 

March. Sabbath, March 12, found Mrs. 

Finley M. Wilson, smilingly receiving 

the good wishes of her friends. We 

thank our Lord and Saviour for this 

beautiful radiant life 

she is an inspira 

tion in fortitude and courage, and ever 

challenges us to a more consecrated 

and devoted Christian life. Mrs. Frank 

Masterson, an out-of-bounds member 

living in Wildwood, New Jersey, was the 

recipient of our good wishes, via U.S. 

Postal Service. Passing 

her 80th mile 

stone several years ago, she is ever ac 

tive in her home and always eager to 

testify to our Lord's goodness and care 

and love. Prayers have gone to His 

Throne of Grace for the recovery of 

Mrs. D. Arthur Adams, long absent 

from God's house because of illness. 

Elder James MacKnight is vacation 

ing in Florida and Mrs. Thomas Gill, 

Miss Jane McCleary and Miss Margaret 

Crozier recently spent a week-end in 

Pittsburgh, visiting 

Miss Elsie Robin 

son, a guest in the Home there. They 

also enjoyed a pleasant visit with Rev. 

Blair and daughter, Anna. 

256 

Recent visitors at morning worship 

services included Mr. James Jackson, 

Mr. and Mrs. John Armstrong, Miss A. 

Bruce, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Arm 

strong, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. LaVerne Bish 

and son, Mr. Joseph Armstrong, Miss 

Ora Davies. 

HEBRON 

Sharil and Denis McMahan entertain 

ed the C.Y.P.U. at their home on March 

30. After much fun the business meet 

ing was called to order with the follow 

ing new officers elected; President, 

Ralph Craig; Vice President, Sharil Mc 

Mahan; Secretary, Charlene Hatfield; 

Treasurer, Ronald Dunn; Reporter Eve 

lyn Dunn; Psalm Leader, Jerry Mil 

roy. Mr. Harrington was chosen as their 

sponsor. The group presented him with 

a floor lamp as a "Welcome" gift. Mr. 

and Mrs. Jim Hatfield have been their 

faithful sponsors for the past few years, 

and the group expresses a big thank 

you to them. 

The Hebron annual congregational 

meeting was held at the Curch March 

31, preceded by a covered dish supper. 

Mrs. Joe Copeland baked and present 

ed cakes to two of our lovely "pin-up" 

girls, Mrs. Jamison who recently cele 

brated her 85th birthday and Mrs. B. W. 

McMahan who is soon to reach her 

91st year. These ladies are an inspira 

tion to all of us, and each Sabbath finds 

them in their regular places at church. 

During the business meeting these 

officers were elected. Congregational 

Chairman, Clyde Goodin; Clerk, Sharil 

McMahan; Precentors, Wilson McMahon 

and Byron McMahon; Witness Reporter, 

Mrs. Wilson McMahan; S. S. Superin 

tendent, Joe Copeland; Assistant S. S. 

Superintendent, Jack Dunn; S. S. Secre 

tary and Treasurer, Delber Copeland; 

Assistant Treasurer, George Craig; S. 

S. Precentor, Ronald Dunn; Junior S. S. 

Superintendents, Mrs. Ronald Hammel 

and Mrs. Raymond Milroy. 

The Young Adults' Class meets month 

ly in the church basement for an even 

ing of food and fun. They are making 

a list of worthwhile projects for which 

they will choose one or two to contri 

bute to financially. Recently the group 

met early 

and planted several good 

sized trees and enjoyed a "sack lunch" 

afterwards. 

Mrs. Russell James and Mrs. George 

Craig have been chosen as sponsors for 

the Juniors for their Sabbath evening 

meetings. 

Several members of our congregation 

report hearing the Genevans, and that 

they were the best ever. Mr. Ray Milli 

gan, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Milligan, Miss 

Elva Mann, and Mr. and Mrs. George 

Craig heard their Friday 

night con 

cert 

at Sterling, Kansas. The following 

drove to Topeka for the Saturday night 

concert: Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Milroy 

and Jerry, Ralph Craig, Mr. Harring 

ton, Ward McMahan and Marvin Ping. 

It was nice to say Hello to Mrs. Vos 

and other friends in the group. 

We are sorry 

to report that Mrs. 

Clarence Millian is hospitalized, but we 

rejoice that she is responding to treat 

ment. Her address is 550 North Hill 

side Wesley Hospital, Wichita, Kansas, 

Room 107. 

We are happy 

over the safe arrival 

of Irl Vos, infant son of Mr. and Mrs. 

Frank Henderson, born April 3. 

OPEN LETTER 

An open letter to the Covenanter 

supporters of the National Reform As 

sociation : 

Please do not be disturbed if you 

receive an Appeal letter from the Na 

tional Reform Association and you have 

already contributed within the past year 

to our work. 

The explanation is that the Appeal 

letters which we send out three times 

a year, go to all contributors whose 

names are in our files and who are 

not shown to have contributed within 

the past year to our work. Several con 

gregations send their annual offering 

either to our office directly, or to Mr. 

Fox, without including the names of 

individual contributors, many of whose 

names are in our files. Consequently, 

when our secretary sends out the Ap 

peal letters, she may, without being a- 

ware of it, be sending to many Cove 

nanters who have already made their 

contribution for the current year 

through the congregational offering. 

If you are one of these, we want you 

to understand that we do not expect 

you to respond to the Appeal letter un 

less you feel you would like to make 

further contribution. 

However, if you would like to have 

your record in our files up to date, we 

would appreciate it very much if you 

would send us a statement of the ap 

proximate date the contribution 

made and the amount. 

was 

Since these Appeal letters go out over 

my signature I thought this explanation 

should be made. 

Sincerely, 

J. Renwick Patterson, 

Executive Secretary. 

COVENANTER WITNESS

me." 

ECHOES NUMBER 



Revival in Our Time 

by Billy Graham 

One of the verses that President Dwight D. 

Eisenhower quoted in his inauguration message was 

2 Chronicles 7:14: "// my people, which are called 

by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, 

and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; 

and will forgive their 

then will I hear from heaven, 

sin, and will heal their land." This is the great re 

vival text of the Old Testament. It contains the heart 

of the whole divine philosophy of revival. This is the 

God-given method for bringing about a revival of re 

ligion which is desperately needed in our day. This is 

the method that was followed by the church down 

through the centuries when great revivals came and 

changed the course of history. 

FIRST: 

The first duty of a people seeking revival is hu 

miliation before God. By pride and haughtiness of 

spirit we have dishonored and grieved God. The Bible 

says before God can come in contact with us, we 

must humble ourselves in His sight. The pride of our 

hearts is an abomination in the sight of God. God 

demands that we bow in humility at the Cross of 

Christ and recognize our sinfulness. 

SECOND: 

Prayer is the second ingredient of revival. 

Prayerfulness is one of the greatest characteristics 

of a life lived for God. Many prayers sound great, but 

there is no life, fire or sincerity. When God's people 

beseech Him, as John Knox did when he prayed for 

Scotland, "Lord, give me Scotland, or I die!", then 

God opens the windows of Heaven and pours out 

upon us refreshing showers of His grace. 

THIRD: 

The Bible says that we must seek God's face. 

We must draw near to Him, and then He will draw 

near to us. God does not wish to have His children 

approach Him as a slave approaches a cruel master, 

or as a poor subject presenting his position by proxy. 

He wants us to draw nigh to Him as children go to a 

loving father. He wants us to come with boldness to 

the Throne of Grace. He never intended that His 

people should pray to Him as strangers. We are to 

seek the very face of God. We are to come into the 

Holiest Place and make our petitions known to Him. 

When Jesus Christ died on the Cross, the veil in the 

temple was rent in twain, and now we come directly 

into the presence of God in the name of Christ, the 

Great Intercessor, who is sitting at the right hand 

of God the Father. God will hear and answer our 

prayers if we seek His face in Jesus' name. 

FOURTH: 

Lastly, the Bible says that we are to forsake our 

sins. Until we turn from our wicked 

ways, God will 

not answer our prayers. The Bible says, "If I regard 

iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear Sin 

is the only thing that can separate us from God or 

induce Him to hide His face from us. It dishonors 

Him. With it, He can have no fellowship. No matter 

how small the sin is, it can shut out our prayers from 

the ears of God. If there is sin in your life forsake it, 

turn from it. The first demand that God places upon 

the human soul is that of repentance. We are to turn 

from our sins, forsake our evil ways, our lying, pride, 

gossiping and the sins that we are guilty of, as 

Christians and sinners alike, and then, the Bible says, 

God is going to answer our prayers. 

Four things we must do: Humble ourselves; 

pray; seek His face; forsake our sins. Then the 

Bible says, we are ready for the great and mighty 

revival that God will send. 

After we have met God's condition for revival, 

God promises that He will hear from Heaven, that 


turned 

She 

persons,' 

while." 

A 



One of Seven 

A missionary paper, "Under Syrian 

Skies," 

tells of some 

refugee students who went to the Training College in Beirut 

to receive teacher training. Those who came were selected 

by "UNRWA." They were "a group of sophisticated young 

ladies, well-dressed, very red-lipped, and with no 'refugee' 

appearance at all. That was the first impression. As regards 

their homes, they were all 'displaced 

and no doubt 

their families had suffered great losses." They had come at 

UNWRA's expense, . 

their expenses were met, and pocket 

money given. They were difficult to manage as they wanted 

more money, could not wear lip-stick in school, lights had 

to be out at 10 p.m. and they complained much. 

All of these but one returned, having received their cer 

tificates, without receiving "that greatest Gift of all, God's 

Unspeakable Gift, offered without money and without price. 

Then, was their coming worth while as regards eternal val 

ues Yes, surely, for one of the seven was different, 'one of 

them .... back and glorified God,' for she had really 

received His Gift of Life.' She had read a book about George 

Muller, and said, "I want to be like this man. I want to 

have faith .... received the Lord Jesus Christ as her 

Saviour, and witnessed to some of her class. She wrote back 

later : "How I praise God, for He has answered my prayer 

and I have been put to teach in a school where I do not have 

to work on Sundays. All the others are in Moslem areas 

where they have to teach on Sundays 

All seven heard 

the Word many times and studied it while here. In six there 

was apparently no response and, though the Word may even 

yet prosper, we may 

was only for this one, their coming 

never hear the result. But even if it 

Effective Teaching 

was worth 

There is an article in The Sunday School Times on 

"Three P's of Effective Teaching." This is written by a 

teacher of sixty years of service in the Sabbath School. The 

three are, patience, preparation and prayer. 

Of the first, patience, 

Patience 

she says: "Without this vital in 

gredient for successful teaching I just don't see how any 

one can hope to do effective teaching. Boys and girls are 

growing into maturity. They are filled with excess energy. 

They may do things which at times just seem to be well, 

also seem slow 

annoying, to put it mildly. And they may 

in grasping what one is trying to teach them. Yet some of 

these same boys and girls may turn into Christian ministers, 

evangelists, missionaries, 

ministers' 

wives. Patience can win 

a boy or a girl quicker than anything else, even if that 

sounds like a paradox. 

Preparation 

Of the second "vital ingredient" she says : 

"Preparation 

should consist of far more than last-minute, late Saturday 

night perusal of a Sunday school quarterly. The best Sun 

day 

school teachers start preparing for next Sunday's les 

son as soon as the present week's is concluded .... A 

real 

Sunday school teacher will, himself, become a keen student 

of the Scriptures, constantly attempting to make 2 Tim. 

2:15 a part of his life. . . . For such a purpose good Bible 

helps are needed. 

258 

Prayer 

Of the third important "ingredient," prayer, she says: 

"Without this all of his patience and knowledge, secured 

through study of the lesson and books 'How to Teach,' will 

be of little avail. He may be able to entertain the class, keep 

them amused during most of the session, but I doubt that he 

will truly reach them for Christ. A Sunday school teacher 

who doesn't pray is only half equipped to do the tremendous 

job that is his .... 

knowledge of the Bible is essentia], 

but prayer makes that knowledge truly effective. It puts 

keenness to the sword of the Spirit, the Bible (Heb. 4:12)." 

Nudism 

There is an article in The Banner on "Nudism 

A Moral 

Menace," which contains statements that are startling to 

Christians. There are more than 3,000,000 Americans who 

have embraced Nudism. In this country there are 150 nudist 

groups. The writer says : 

"Would you consider it 'amusing' 

or 'alarming' to wake up some morning to discover that a 

nudist camp had sprung up in your community What would 

be your reaction as a Christian citizen, to find strangers 

(nudists) ringing your doorbell, asking for directions to such 

a place Embarrassing Of course. Impossible Not at all. It 

has happened to Battle Creek people; it is happening to five 

other Michigan areas (to say nothing of many other states); 

and it can happen to your own city or .... 

community Nud 

ism is not content to remain as a closed group behind high 

board-fences. It openly solicits membership by 

mouth and 

mail. If you are shocked at the vast array of horror comics 

and smutty stories conspicuously displayed on our news 

stands, then you should be doubly shocked to know that the 

nudist organization publishes several magazines depicting 

nudes. These temptational magazines find their way into 

thousands of our American homes passing through our postoffices 

unhindered, as 'art' and 'health' publications. Juven 

iles and adults alike eagerly buy up all the newsstand cop 

ies." 

Many of these degenerating pictures and articles find 

their way into our high-schools and teen-age groups. 

An effort to outlaw the nudists in Michigan has been 

made in a bill before the legislature of that state. The nud 

ists, speaking against the bill, claimed that Christ was a nud 

ist how shameful and blasphemous! 

Youth in East-Germany Tested 

The above paper tells us that Communist groups in 

East Germany have been sponsoring "Youth 

dedication" 

take the place of Protestant and Catholic confirmation for 

non-Christian youth. But it is reported that there is in 

creasing political pressure behind the dedication movement, 

that there is more and more demand that all East German 

youth submit to the dedication ceremony. The dedication is 

being promoted as a mark of good citizenship, and it has 

been reported that parents have been warned that it would 

be "very advisable for youngsters who want to find a job 

or who want to be admitted to East German high 

scho 

to participate in the dedication ceremonies. All of the 

churches of East Germany have declared that it is impos 

sible for a young person to confess the Christian faith and 

to submit to the secular dedication sponsored by the Com 

munists. It is a time of severe 

testing for the Christian 

youth of East Germany. 


to

ealistic." 



BARGAIN FOR AUSTRIA 

Soviet Russia and Austria have agreed on the terms of 

an Austrian peace treaty, which would end the foreign oc 

cupation of Austria and restore her to full sovereignty. After 

blocking this settlement for ten years, Russia has made un 

expected concessions. She agreed to the immediate with 

drawal of occupying troops, and to the payment of $150 

million reparations in Austrian goods rather than cash. Rus 

sia promised to sell out her holdings in Austrian shipping 

facilities and oil installations. She also agreed to return all 

Austrian prisoners of war. 

This development will stimulate the calling of a Big 

Four conference. It should be easy to settle the Austrian 

treaty, but Russia also is likely to bring up the question of 

Germany. The Soviets stipulated that Austria must not join 

any military alliance, and Russia probably expects the 

Germans to believe that they too can be united if they will 

remain neutral and unarmed. If the Russians should make 

a genuine offer to free and unify Germany provided she did 

not rearm, Western strategy would be severely tested. 

POLIO VICTORY 

One of the happiest items in the recent news is the suc 

cess of the Salk polio vaccine. Thorough evaluation showed 

that the vaccine was 80 to 90 per cent effective against the 

paralytic form of polio, and at least 60 per cent effective 

against other forms. Its value may be increased by better 

methods of application; most vaccines are 90 to 95 per cent 

effective when fully 

perfected. Out of last summer's test 

group, less than one child in 200 suffered any unfavorable 

reaction. 

Polio will not immediately be eliminated as a health 

threat, for this would require vaccination of most of the 

population. The National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis 

has already ordered enough vaccine for 13.5 million persons, 

and more will soon be available for private distribution. By 

late summer there should be enough to meet any polio epi 

demic. In many states, children in the first two grades of 

school will be offered free inoculations. 

OUT OF THE RUNNING 

Chief Justice Earl Warren has removed himself from 

the political arena by announcing that he intends to spend 

the rest of his life on the Supreme Court. He made this 

declaration after a public opinion poll indicated that he was 

second only to Eisenhower as a favorite for the 1956 Repub 

lican nomination. In language which was about as positive 

as he could make it, Warren said that he would not change 

his mind "under any circumstances or 

conditions." 

His state 

ment will increase the pressure from liberal Republicans for 

Eisenhower's renomination. Such declinations are not very 

common, and a few more would help to clear the air. 

SPENDING MONEY 

The chairmen of both the Democratic and Republican 

national committees have told a Senate subcommittee that 

the limit of $3 million on their campaign expenditures should 

be raised. Democratic chairman Paul Butler said that the 

ceiling should be increased to at least $6 million. Leonard 

W. Hall, Republican chief, did not name a specific amount 

April 27, 1955 

but testified that the present limit was "outmoded and un 

and television. 

Both pointed out the high cost of airplane travel 

There are many loopholes in the present laws on cam 

paign spending. They do not apply to primary elections, or 

to spending by state and local committees or temporary 

groups. The Senate Privilege and Elections subcommittee is 

considering 

a bill which would let the national committees 

spend $12 million apiece, but place limits on subsidiary 

groups and also extend the controls to primary elections. 

Next year's Presidential campaign will be shorter but more 

intensive than 1952's and probably just as expensive. 

POWER NEEDED 

The Office of Defense Mobilization would like to in 

crease America's electric power production by almost 50 

per cent in the next three years. It has presented a Congres 

sional committee with a program which would add 46 million 

kilowatts to the 104 million available at the end of 1954. In 

1953 and 1954 our utilities added 21 million kilowatts, the 

largest increase in any two-year period. The need would be 

much greater, however, in case of full mobilization. One 

method by which the O.D.M. would encourage expansion is 

by allowing fast tax write-offs on new plants. Congress will 

soon be asked to extend for two more years the Defense 

Production Act which expires on June 30. This gives the 

O.D.M. extensive powers over production in case of war. 

CANCER DRIVE 

The annual fund-raising drive of the American Cancer 

Society centers attention on America's second most deadly 

disease. Cancer takes more than one hundred times as many 

lives as polio, and is outranked, as a killer, only by heart 

disease. At current rates, one person in four is likely to de 

velop cancer sometime in his lifetime. Modern research 

indicates that some viruses may be associated with the be 

ginning of cancer, in which case the Salk polio research may 

help in the discovery of a cancer remedy. At a recent meet 

ing of the American Association for Cancer Research, sev 

eral reports dealt with the relation between cigarette smok 

ing and lung cancer. The cancer-causing ingredient seems 

not to be nicotine, but some other unidentified substance 

in cigarette tar. 

SAFE DRIVING 

America's highways are gradually getting safer, the 

National Safety Council reports. The record number of 

traffic deaths, nearly 40,000, was set in 1941. Last year there 

were 36,300 deaths, but a great many more automobiles 

were in use. The deaths per 100 million car-miles have fallen 

steadily in the last 25 years. In 1930 the rate was 16, in 1940 

11.4, and in 1950 7.6. Last year there were only 6.5 deaths 

per 100 million car-miles, a new low. Cars and highways are 

gradually being improved. Modern freeways and super 

highways usually have a low accident rate. Drivers also are 

gradually getting more sensible and skillful. In most areas, 

however, the best accident preventive is still a strict pro 

gram of law enforcement. Thorough tests for licensing dri 

vers, and automobile inspection systems, have also contribu 

ted to the general improvement. 

259

studying." 

read," 

words" 

silver," 


I Dare You 

Chapter III. 

I DARE YOU TO SHARE 

Sufficient time has not elapsed since we sent out 

our first "I Dare You" for us to have received re 

plies, so we do not know whether you are going to 

take a "dare" or not, nevertheless we are sending 

you additional "dares." 

Dare No. 1. I dare you to share experiences. 

Have you ever been challenged by sermon, lecture, 

by scripture verse, or other quotation to such an ex 

tent that you can say, "I have lived differently ever 

since" Tell us about it in twenty-five words, more 

or less. You may sign it or leave it unsigned, but 

authenticate it so that the Editor may know that it 

is not fiction. Just this morning a man who has 

achieved eminent success told me how much he owes 

to a certain high school teacher who in the middle of 

a class recitation, stopped the clock to deliver a per 

sonal to him. He replied that he thought he 

was doing as well as the average member of the 

class. "But you are not 

He remained after 

class to tell the professor that he would finish the 

semester with all A grades, a promise he kept though 

it cost a mighty effort. Won't you tell us what woke 

you up 

Dare No. 2. We need short, interesting, challeng 

ing material for our columns. Preferably it should be 

original. But clippings will help. Have you as a far 

mer, school teacher, doctor, minister, candle stick 

maker, found some method or plan that has helped 

in your work Is there some one in your community 

or in your memory that is doing 

a worthwhile piece 

of work that should be brought to public attention. 

Is there a part of your pastor's sermon that should 

be shared with the church at large not just the text 

or the outline, but an illustration and its application 

Maybe you can persuade him to share it with the 

whole church, or at least get his permission to let 

you do it. We confess to a curiosity as to why minis 

ters who live for the good they can do seem so will 

ing to confine the results of their studies to their 

own congregations, when the wider field is calling 

for those same thoughts. It is unfortunate that our 

portion of the budget does not permit our paying for 

contributions. $2 to $10 is the usual rate, but to fill a 

paper would run into large expense when you do it 

fifty-two times a year. But of that later. 

Dare No. 3. Every department of our church's 

work needs publicity, and few of them are getting 

it. It would be easier to raise the Budget if the 

church were sold on its own activities, and we have a 

lot of them. "But people won't you say. Well 

then, they will look at pictures ; even the small child 

from that part 

will do that, and few of us get away 

of our childhood. "One picture is worth ten thousand 

words," 

and we probably average 1.8 cameras per 

person, or at least 3 per family. If each of our mis 

clear- 

sion fields will furnish us 5, 10, or more good 

we will arrange them 

cut glossy prints with titles, 

260 

into one page and print them. Each department of 

the College, pre-med, engineering, athletics, Chris 

tian Service, Music, Alumni, etc. should do likewise. 

Each of the Boards of the Church should present 

their work in graphic style, or be boycotted in the 

Budget. This is an experiment, and may have to be 

withdrawn, but we are daring in our plans. Who will 

pay for the plates Who will get the benefits "10,- 

000 one picture 

ought to be worth paying 

a dollar or so in advertising money, and multiply that 

amount by the number of pictures, 

and you have a 

bargain at $8.00 per page. That will keep us out of 

the red, we hope. Send us the pictures of your daily 

vacation Bible Schools this year, and your CYPU 

Conferences, or any worthwhile work that you or 

your congregation is doing. How about a page of pic 

tures of church choirs and precentors Are you 

photogenic 

Dare No. 4. I dare you to earn a REWARD. As 

said above, we are a little short on silver and gold, 

and not in condition to break over our established 

custom of not paying our contributors in cash, but 

such as we have, we gladly give and it may prove 

more precious than rubies. For "a word fitly spoken 

is like apples of gold in pictures of 

and may 

save a soul from death. Indeed it may echo down the 

generations, until it has literally enriched millions. 

Our subscription list is numerically below the mini 

mum we pay for, so to those who will send us a good 

article of your own (one to three pages double space, 

type-written, all manuscripts ours unless return 

postage furnished, decisions of the judges final, etc.) 

we will award the privilege of nominating a new sub 

scriber for one year, not now on a Covenanter church 

$2.50." 

roll. "Umph! Cash value, if any, It will all de 

pend on the reader. It may mean eternal life, 

least more abundant life. It's worth trying. 

we may 

or at 

Dare No. 5. We are open for suggestions how 

make this paper of more value to yourself 

and others. If your suggestion is accepted, the award 

will be as above. 

















Remo 1. Robb. D.D. 

Departmental Editor* 



Mrs. Ross Latime' 

Subscription rates: S2.50 per year; Overseas. $3.00: Single Copiet 

10 cents. 

The Rev. R. B. Lyons, B.A.. Limavady. 


N. Ireland. Agent for the 




COVENANTER WITNESS

name." 

correct." 

Archaeology and the Story 

of Samson 

By J. A. Thompson 

(A pamphlet published by The Australian Institute of Archaeology) 

To some people, Samson is an elusive character 

To one man at least, of whom the writer heard re 

cently, Samson was merely a myth. 

This man was a school inspector, and during a 

visit to a certain country school, asked the children 

for the name of a strong man from the past. One boy 

gave the name of Samson. To this the inspector re 

plied, "Oh, that story is only a myth. Give me an 

other Strangely enough, the teacher of that 

class took the inspector up at this point, and sug 

gested that, in view of modern archaeology, his dis 

missal of the boy's answer was a bit hasty. Unfor 

tunately that teacher had no archaeological material 

to produce at the moment, so that her objection was 

a bit hollow. In this article we shall look at five pie 

ces of evidence connected with this general period 

of Bible History and will discover that in the light 

of these, the inspector would have been well advised 

to hold his criticism. Unfortunately, he is typical of 

so many who criticize in ignorance of the facts. That 

is a dangerous thing, when it is so glibly resorted to 

in matters which touch on a child's faith. 

Now the story of Samson is set in the general 

context of the Philistine occupation of Palestine. To 

day, we know something about the period, the geo 

graphical distribution, the customs and the activities 

of these people. Each of these aspects of our study 

throws light on the Bible story of Samson. 

1. The Philistines in History- 

The Philistines were part of a great folk move 

ment which began in the region of Asia Minor and 

the islands just before 1200 B.C. These peoples, 

known as "Sea Peoples," began to move into Asia 

Minor, Cyprus, Syria, Palestine and Egypt, and to 

set up their own states. In Palestine they settled on 

the southern coast around Gaza. In point of time, we 

may date them from 1200 B.C. onwards. They re 

mained strong in Palestine till the days of David, 

some time about 1000 B.C. they are recognizable by 

their peculiar culture, especially their pottery. 

Now the Israelites had come into the land some 

what before the Philistines, but not much before. 

By 1200 B.C. they were settling down on the hill 

country areas. The Canaanites still held the valleys 

and plains with their chariot forces. But our point is 

that it is historically quite correct to place the story 

of Samson, one of the judges, in the days of the Phil 

istines. The age of the judges must be in the general 

period 1150-1050 B.C. At this time the Philistines 

were well settled in Palestine. 

2. Geographical Distribution of the Philistines. 

The Bible speaks much of the Philistines in the 

area of Gaza, their home. It indicates that at times 

they pressed inland, as for example, when they came 

to Micmash (1 Samuel 14). David slew Goliath in the 

valley of Elah. which is not far from Gaza. They did 

penetrate to Shiloh (1 Samuel 4), but by and large 

they are confined to the coast. Samson met them at 

Timnath, Gaza, Askelon, Sorek all places close to 

the coastal plain. Now, the Philistines have a very 

distinctive type of pottery. Concerning this pottery, 

Albright says, "This Philistine ware is abundant in 

April 27, 1955 

all levels and deposits of this period in Philistia it 

self, and is also found in the adjacent sites of the Ne 

geb and the Shephelah between about 1150 B.C. and 

the late eleventh century. Its title to be called "Phil 

istine" 

seems excellent. Moreover the ware in ques 

tion decreases relatively as one moves away from 

Philistia; it still occurs in deposits of the same age 

at Beth-Zur, Tell-en-Nasbeh and Bethel, and is found 

very sparingly at Bethshan or Tell-abu-Hawam, al 

though there was continuous occupation of these 

sites throughout this period. From the standpoint of 

geographical distribution alone, the term 'Philistine' 

is thus perfectly 

Of course, the important thing for us is that the 

Biblical distribution of this people is in general 

agreement with what we know from archaeology. 

3. Drinking Habits of the Philistines. 

One impression we gain from the Samson story 

is that Philistines were great drinkers. Samson was 

a Nazarite and stood apart from the local people. 

(Judges 13.) Later on, he met his death at a Phil 

istine feast where there was much drinking. (Judges 

16:23-25.) Archaeological work has shown us that 

there was an abundance of large jugs with open 

spouts found in Philistine cities. Albright is again 

useful to us in this matter. 

"The jugs are usually provied with a strainer 

spout, obviously intended for the same purpose for 

which the highland peoples of antiquity used reeds 

in order to strain out the 

or pipes in drinking beer 

beer without swallowing barley husks. It is not diffi 

cult to infer from the ubiquity of these wine craters 

and beer jugs that the Philistines were mighty carousers. 

In this respect again, archaeology is in full 

agreement with Biblical tradition, as we see from the 

story of Samson, where drinking bouts are men 

tioned several times in connection with the Philis 

tines, though it is said emphatically of Samson that 

he drank neither wine nor beer" (Albright's Archae 

ology of Palestine, page 115) 

4. Philistines Houses. 

We know a good deal about the kind of dwellings 

the Philistines lived in. Our special interest, though, 

is in the large dwellings, such as would be used by 

the nobles. When Samson met his death, he was in a 

house with pillars. He asked the lad who guided him 

to let him feel the pillars which supported the roof. 

Archaeology had no comment to make on the super 

human strength of Samson, but it does make a com 

ment on the fact that houses with pillars which sup 

ported the roof were known. A recent Israeli exca 

vator, B. Maisler, describes one such building he 

found in the excavations at Tell Qasile near Tell 

Aviv. It was a Philistine town for some time. In Level 

XI of this excavation they found the building in 

question. He writes : 

"In Stratum XI we discovered among others, a 

large building, one of whose rooms is bisected by a 

row of pillars built of bricks on stone foundations. 

The pillars evidently served to support the ceiling 

and recall the story of Samson's death." (Judges 16 : 

25-29). 

261

myth." 

zers." 

5. The Destruction of Shiloh. 

The Bible indicates that Shiloh was destroyed 

by the Philistines in the days of the last Judge, Sam 

uel. This would be dated somewhere about 1050 B.C. 

since Saul became King about 1020 B.C. The story 

is given in 1 Samuel 4, and tells of the capture of the 

ark, and the defeat of Israel. In recent years Shiloh 

has been excavated. There is clear evidence that it 

was destroyed by fire about 1050 B.C. The excavator 

remarks : 

"Through the excavations thus far undertaken, 

we have on important points been able to reconcile 

archaeological facts with the accounts of the Old 

Testament with surprising accuracy. We have caught 

a glimpse of a town, Shiloh, which in any case exist 

ed between 1200 and 1050 B.C., and of its destruction 

through fire (by the Philistines) about 1050 B.C.; 

and thus we see the reason why the ark of the cove 

nant did not later return to Shiloh ; the town did not 

exist any longer. The victory at Ebenezer could not 

call the destroyed town to life." 

When we take these items into consideration, it 

becomes clear that it is quite wrong for anyone to 

make up his mind in advance about the worth of 

ancient records. Archaeological work is moving on 

apace, and is flooding the past with light. Biblical 

records, when viewed against modern discovery, are 

found to give us a surprisingly intimate picture of 

life in those eras and places which they cover. It is 

a risky thing for anyone to say of the story of Sam 

son, "It is only a Our discussion here shows 

that there are several important elements in the 

story which are quite clearly in correspondence with 

the facts. It is of value to Christian people to know 

some of these, and to use them in discussion with 

some of the glib critics of our faith. 

The Bible Times 

ASTRONOMY AND ARCHAEOLOGY 

Philip R. Foxwell 

Young's concordance has an excellent article on 

archaeology found in the back of this large volume. 

The author is William Foxwell Albright who has 

just been quoted in the story of Samson. It is be 

lieved Bible students would be greatly profited by a 

perusal of this article. 

How ancient dates are calculated is of special in 

terest and Albright mentions the place of astronomy. 

Writing on Assyrian chronology he affirms: "With 

the aid of astronomical documents and references to 

celestial phenomena in the other literature, we can 

now fix the dates with a possible error of not more 

than ten years back to the 15th century B.C. He fur 

ther points out that for another thousand years we 

can fix dates with some degree of accuracy. Assyria, 

Babylonia and some other countries who play a part 

in Bible history recorded the reigns of the kings. 

Astronomy only needs to supply us with a few an 

cient dates to make possible the definite dating of 

much more. It is believed that Hammurabi reigned 

from 2067-2025 B.C. By a stroke of good fortune the 

king who reigned some years later kept a record of 

the movements of Venus. These records compared 

with astronomical data enable us to date Ammizaduga, 

and king lists show how many years he followed 

Hammurabi. Eclipses also have greatly helped. An 

eclipse in the year 763 B.C. enables us, on the testi 

mony of Albright, "to fix the exact chronology of the 

Assyrian campaigns in the west in the time of the 

262 

Divided Monarchy." Archaeology, using astronomy 

is showing more and more that dead men do tell tales. 

The Bible Times 

EDUCATIONAL PRINCIPLES ARE 

WORLD ISSUES 

The recent disturbances in Belgium indicate 

that the educational issues so familiar to the Ameri 

world issues. The stories of the 

can public are really 

riots were quite adequately 

carried in print and 

pictures by the public press in many communities. 

The Roman Catholic journal America put it this 

way editorally : 

"As in countless other countries, including our 

own, the school question is crucial for Catholics in 

several Western European countries at the present 

hour. Up to a fortnight ago, however, feelings have 

not taken the extreme form that Brussels witnessed 

on March 28. On that date the Belgian capital was 

the scene of a mass Catholic protest against the 

Government's proposed educational reform law. De 

spite the mayor's ban and despite deliberate curtail 

ment of transportation, an estimated 60,000 demon 

strators thronged into the city. The protests were 

the culmination of a four-weeks' series organized by 

the Catholic Committee for Freedom and Democracy. 

The Brussels climax was led by the President of the 

Christian Social party and by the head of the Con 

federation of Christian Trade Unions. Though punc 

tuated by arrests and relatively minor violence, the 

demonstration was termed a success by its organi 

Later in the same editorial it is recognized that, 

"Their own particular way of protesting by mass 

demonstrations may seem strange and perhaps rep 

rehensible to many 

Americans." 

Some Background. In Belguim, Roman Catholics 

had been in political control for decades up until last 

year. During that time Catholic schools were expand 

ed systematically, but State schools were not given 

an equal chance, with the result that about 934,000 

of Belgium's 1,600,000 school children are in Roman 

Catholic schools. In the words of one leader in the 

present government, "The coffers of the State were 

at the disposal of the religious schools without end 

and often without control." 

When the new government announced plans last 

November to cut state subsidies for church schools 

in 1955, the Minister of education, Leo Collard, said 

the move was being made to "safeguard the econom 

ic and social possibilities of the future." He criticized 

the Christian Social (Catholic) Party, predecessor of 

the present government, for allegedly having 

raised 

subsidies to too high a level. "Catholic schooling has 

become a fact in Belgium," he said. "It is my belief 

that both forms of education (Catholic and State) 

can live side by side. But all is a question of measure 

of limit." 

Despite vigorous protests, which included a oneday 

strike on November 24 by Catholic schools, with 

Catholic teachers in State schools joining the walk 

out, and demonstrations staged in eight cities by 

Christian Social Party members, the Belgian Parlia 

ment voted on December 22 to reduce subsidies for 

the payment of salaries to teachers in religious 

schools. 

Several other bills are pending which would re 

organize the country's educational set-up. Some 

COVENANTER WITNESS

schools." 

relationship." 

sectarianism" 

state" 

up" 

would increase State control over the "free" schools, 

operated by various religious organizations, most of 

them Roman Catholic. Under one provision, the 

Church schools would have to follow curricula and 

programs set up by the government for public 

schools, including the use of officially-approved text 

books, of they wanted to benefit by State subsidies. 

Others of the proposed measures favor expan 

sion of the State schools and would reduce Church 

influence in them. Among the measures that have 

been most strongly opposed by Roman Catholic lead 

ers are those that would affect teacher-training and 

recruitment. Directors and head-teachers of State 

schools are appointed locally by the municipal coun 

cils; where a council has a Catholic majority, these 

posts are usually given to graduates of Catholic 

teachers' 

training colleges. A pending bill would re 

quire that directors of State schools be graduates of 

State teachers' colleges. Since most Catholics plan 

ning to be teachers go to Catholic teachers' colleges, 

the proposed change would affect an important area 

of Church influence in the State schools. 

In a joint statement the Roman Catholic bishops 

of -Belgium charged that the government program 

was "nothing else but a means to fight the Roman 

Catholic They said, "On the one side it is 

apparently inspired by a spirit of malevolence and of 

mistrust toward the Roman Catholic educational in 

stitutions which one wants to hinder and paralyze; 

on the other side it shows the unvoiced intention 

to assure not only the strengthening of neutral edu 

cation but even an unacceptable domination thereof." 

The bishops also declared that the proposals were in 

spired by "narrow-minded 

and put 

"freedom of conscience in danger." 

The government, in reply, denied any attempt 

to force religious schooling into the background, but 

said it was seeking to expand the system of State 

schools for the vast number of Belgians who, for 

reasons of conscience did not desire religious educa 

tion for their children. In a large number of cases 

they have no choice at present for many localities 

have only Roman Catholic schools. 

What Happened. Despite government precau 

tions to prevent Catholics from massing in Brussels, 

the demonstrators turned out as scheduled; esti 

mates of the total number varied from 60,000 to 150,- 

000. The downtown area was virtually paralyzed 

from noon until about 4 :00 P.M. 

Reports of those injured ranged from 40 to more 

than 100; it was thought some did not seek treat 

ment because they feared arrest. Officials reported 

614 persons arrested, but most of them were re 

leased during the evening. 

Most of the violence was confined to the fringes 

of the crowd, where marchers, many 

of them stu 

dents, scuffled with police. At some points police 

used truncheons and the flat sides of their sabers to 

drive the demontrators back. Fire hoses were turned 

on the crowd at least twice, but police relied mainly 

on mounted militia and armored trucks to hold their 

lines. 

In mid-afternoon Theodore Lefevre, president 

of the Christian Social (Catholic) Party, went to the 

various concentration points and told the marchers 

the demonstration was over. He said their efforts 

had been successful and asked them to disperse 

quietly and go home. He promised the battle against 

the government's school policy would be continued 

in parliament. 

Significance. Obviously these incidents have a 

world wide significance. They demonstrate that the 

American political scene is not insulated from the 

rest of the world, but that we deal in the same is 

sues. America is no longer a world unto herself, and 

of course, she never was. 

A Christian Science Monitor editorial looked 

lesson" 

upon these events as an "object for the 

American public, concluding : 

"If this is the kind of pressure encountered 

when a people's elected representatives conclude sub 

sidies have gone too far, can it be wondered at that 

American non-Catholics balk at opening the door at 

all to a breakdown of the constitutional separation 

of church and 

Report from the Capital (Baptist) 

Dad and the Church 

ARTICLE FOR NATIONAL FAMILY WEEK-May 1-8 

from : National Sunday School Assn., 542 S. Dearborn St., Chicago, I1L 

by: Jesse C. Burt, Jr., reprinted Home," 

by permission from "Church and 

Standard Publishing Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio (1955) 

How can Dad help the church And how can 

the church help Dad These two questions are equal 

ly important, and never more so than at the present 

time. As one minister declared recently to a visitor, 

"When Dad is interested in the church, its impor 

tance increases a hundredfold in the home." 

What the minister declared is matched by an 

opinion expressed 'by an attractive gray-haired lady 

who has visited in literally "hundreds of homes." 

She declared with real enthusiasm: "Regardless of 

the furnishings of the home, when Dad, as well as 

Mom, is behind the church, it is a rich home. I would 

go so far as to say that Dad is the plus factor in 

the home-church 

Far be it from the present writer to offer gra 

tuitous advice to fathers. Probably they get enough 

of 

that, anyway. Yes, fathers have their hands full 

at the present time, paying bills, making a living, 

and just trying to be a good dad. 

Even with this on the record, it appears to many 

church workers that in some cases the church is not 

exactly a live and vital matter to fathers. It may 

well be, as some fathers protest, this deficiency is 

not their own doing. Yet the fact is, seasoned work 

ers are saying that Dad is needed to help bring the 

church into the home, and to help further the values 

for which the church stands. 

Agree or disagree with the contention that 

sometimes Dad "slips in the matter of church. 

What can Dad do for the church, and what can the 

church do for him is of paramount importance in 

this era. Let it never be forgotten that the Chris 

tian home often is like an island in an alien and 


263 

April 27, 1955

age." 

. . . Little 

sorry," 

nation." 

strangers." 

see," 

way" 


ECU 

For Covenah 

April, 1955 

Illustrations for the May C.Y.P.U. 

May 1 

Topics 

Filial Honor. 

The story is told of the Dean of Can 

terbury, afterwards Archbishop Tillotson, 

that one day after he had attained 

the churchly honors, an old man from 

the country, with uncouth manners, 

called at his door and inquired for John 

Tillotson. The footman was about to dis 

miss him with scorn, for presuming to 

ask in that familiar way for his master, 

when the Archbishop caught sight of his 

visitor and flew down the stairs to em 

brace the old man before all the serv 

ants, exclaiming with tones of genuine 

delight, "My father! It is my beloved 

father!" 

May 8 

F. E. Clark (Bib. Encyc.) 

A Parent's Concern for 

his Child. 

After the death and burial of Abra 

ham's faithful wife, Sarah, the patri 

arch is described as "old and well 

stricken in 

wonder that 

this father who had tested and proven 

the promises of God should have a grave 

concern about the future of his son. He 

was anxious that Isaac should not take 

a wife from among the daughters of the 

Canaanites, but that his selection should 

be from among the kindred of Abraham. 

This gives us an insight into the earnest 

longing and aspiration of the aging pa 

triarch. He wanted God's best for his 

son. This is not human selfishness but a 

desire for the purity and holiness of the 

"godly line" through whom "all nations 

should be blessed." 

May 15 

Evangelical Commentary. 1953 

Lincoln and Solomon. 

One night James Murdock, the noted 

elocutionist, overheard President Abra 

ham Lincoln praying. Mr. Lincoln was 

on his knees before an open Bible, and 

these were the words of his pleading: 

"Oh thou God that heard Solomon in the 

night, when he prayed for wisdom, hear 

me. I cannot lead this people, I cannot 

guide the affairs of this nation, without 

Thy help. I am poor and weak and sin 

ful. O God, who didst hear Solomon 

264 

when he cried tor wisdom, hear me and 

save this 

Evangelical Commentary, August, 1950 

May 22 

Russia's Ten Commandments 

The new manual of godless youth, reedited 

from the 1947 original is now be 

ing distributed in the Soviet Union. 

Here are the new commandments : 

1. Remember that the clergy, regard 

less of faith, is the foremost enemy of 

our Communist state. 

2. Thou shalt labor diligently to draw 

thy friends and acquaintances toward 

communism, never forgetting that the 

Communist party is the supreme au 

thority 

world. 

of the atheists of the whole 

3. Teach thy friends to shun all 

priests. 

4. Guard thyself against spies, con 

demn saboteurs. 

5. Busy thyself in the propagation of 

anti-religious magazines and newspa 

pers. 

6. Let every faithful Communist be 

also a militant and forthright atheist. 

7. Thou shalt resist religious ideas, 

always and everywhere, protecting thy 

friends from them. 

8. The faithful atheist is likewise a 

goodly policeman, ever watchful of the 

security of the Communist state. 

9. Give generously of what thou hast 

to carry on missionary work among the 

unenlightened, especially outside the 

Soviet Union where atheism suffers un 

derground. 

10. Remember that if thou be not a 

devoted atheist, thou canst not be a 

faithful Communist nor even a firm So 

viet citizen on whom our state can rely. 

Atheism and communism are of one 

bond, and these ideals are the founda 

tions of Soviet power. 

May 29 

Building God's House 

One Sabbath Ellen, looking 

round af 

ter the service was over, saw a strange 

girl hurrying out. Obeying a sudden im 

pulse, she ran after her. "Please don't 

go till I say, 'How do you do!' " she 

cried. The girl stopped abruptly. "I am 

she said, "but I had begun to be 

afraid that no one here cared to speak 

to 

"You 

Ellen apologized, "we're all 

so excited over our building. We are 

raising the money ourselves, and it's 

hard! But come let me introduce you to 

a girl you'll 

love." 

The other girl 

laughed, embarrassed. "You couldn't to 

day, thank you. Just now, I don't feel 

loving. But maybe I'll come back next 

Sabbath. Only please, please tell your 

church people to remember this: A 

church isn't a building!" And then the 

girl was gone. 

She was back the next Sabbath. Ellen, 

who was watching for her, slipped into 

the seat beside her, and her hand gave 

the stranger welcome. "Do you really 

feel that 

she asked. "I so want 

to believe you do!" Ellen heard nothing 

of the sermon that day; she was think 

ing over and over the sermon the girl 

beside her had preached. To think that 

girls like that were slipping away just 

because everyone was too much ab 

sorbed to notice! She could watch for 

them if she could not do anything else. 

Two years later the church was dedi 

cated. Ellen had no money and helped 

very little there were tears in her eyes 

as she thought how little, but how she 

loved it ! She was thinking of it all when 

the girl of two years before came up to 

her. 

"I want to tell you something, Ellen 

Haworth," she said. "You won't believe 

it, but it's true. Next to Doctor Bris 

church." "I" 

bane, you built this 

Ellen 

stammered. "Yes, you. You have made 

everyone belong. No one ever stood out 

side a group that you were in. I could 

count fifty people whose contributions 

should count to your credit; but that's 

the least part of it; it's the feeling that's 

the real thing. And that's what you have 

given us all." 

HAVE YOU READ THE COVENANT 

LATELY 

At the Sabbath morning service of the 

National Convention in July, 1954, the 

spirit of covenanting reached its climax. 

A 

large congregation of Covenanters 

stood and solemnly said "I do" to the 

terms of the Brief Covenant. Afterward 

over 650 of them attested their promise 

by signing their names. 

What has happened in 

since 

the months 

Well, the Brief Covenant has been the 

COVENANTER WITNESS

cappella." 

covenant." 

wrong." 

3 


SECRETARY 

oung People 

basis of a number of inspiring services 

among the congregations. I have helped 

to conduct covenant renewal services in 

at least seven different congregations. 

For the most part it has been a solemn 

and uplifting service. 

But did covenant renewal stop with 

the service where the covenant was 

signed I have not seen the Brief Cove 

nant on display in the churches. I have 

heard no reference to it in any meetings, 

nor have I noticed any different sort of 

attention being given 

promises that were made. 

to the solemn 

This is no way to merit the promised 

blessings of the Lord. He does not hold 

out His promises to covenant makers, 

but to "such as keep His 

How long has it been since you read 

the Covenant in your young people's 

meeting Or in your private devotion 

Has your pastor read it, or asked the 

congregation to read it together 

Let us recall our Declaration of Faith 

"We believe in the Reformed faith, 

emphasizing the sovereignty of Christ, 

the Presbyterian form of government, 

and the New Testament pattern of wor 

ship with its exclusive use of the Psalms 

sung a 

Let us renew our Confession of 

Sin--- 

"We confess that too often our faith 

has been weak, our works ineffectual, 

our loyalty wavering, and our love too 

cold. We confess that, knowing the 

right, we have too often done 

Let us keep our Covenant Obligations 

"We do covenant with God that we 

will seek to conform our lives to the 

teachings and example of our Lord Je 

sus Christ; and that we will endeavor to 

forsake all that is sinful and that would 

compromise our witness for Him. . 

, 

. 

We do solemnly promise to seek first 

the Kingdom of God and His righteous 

ness in all the relationships of life . 

We said we'd do all these things, and 

we meant it when we said it. Are we 

now where the Psalmist was when he 

sang: 

"If we have forgotten the name of our 

God 

Shall not the Almighty 

uncover this sin, 

April 27, 1955 

. 

Who knoweth our hearts and the se 

crets within" 

In 1953 the Brief Covenant was print 

ed on a small four-leaf folder, in several 

thousand copies. These have been sent 

to all parts of the Church. No more are 

in stock. Did you get a copy Have you 

read it Do you know where it is now 

Is your copy like Grandma's spectacles, 

hidden somewhere in a Bible you seldom 

use 

We are not like to keep that to which 

we give little attention. Therefore we 

ought to be paying continued attention 

to our Covenant of 1954. 

I suggest that every C.Y.P.U. avail it 

self of copies of the Brief Covenant for 

1954, enough for every member, and that 

the Covenant be read aloud together at 

least once every two months. 

If there is sufficient demand for cop 

ies of the Covenant from congregations 

or societies, I will have a new edition 

printed and send them out at cost. But 

don't wait for a new printing, if you 

have some copies. Keep the Covenant in 

your mind, in your heart, and in your 

activities. 

NOTICE 

Not all the Societies have secured the 

C.Y.P.U. YEARBOOKS for 1955. Every 

home of Covenanter young people should 

have at least one copy. Let me hear 

from the societies that have not yet or 

dered. The cost is only 

15c per copy. 

A number of societies are using the 

new BIBLE STUDIES for their Bible 

Study project of the Plan of Work. Two 

units are now ready. Unit One has four 

studies: (1) The Gospel; (2) Belief; 

(3) Repentance; (4) Surrender. 

Unit Two has six studies on Christian 

Character Development: (1) Personal 

Devotion; (2) Obedience; (3) Meeting 

Temptation; (4 & 5) Growth in Grace; 

(6) Witnessing. 

All studies have a minimum of 14 

questions (2 for each day for a week) 

with answers from Bible passages. The 

cost is 2c per copy. 

Write about other materials you may 

want. Possibly your Young People's Sec 

retary can supply 

where to get them. 

THE BIBLE STUDIES 

them or tell you 

The First Unit of the Bible Study Program is now complete. 

It consists of Four Studies 

The Gospel 

Belief 

Repentance 

Surrender 

The Second Unit is now in preparation. 

It consists of Six Studies in Christian Character Development, 

Personal Devotion 

Obedience 

Meeting Temptation 

Growth in Grace (two studies) 

Witnessing 

These Studies are prepared primarily for use in bringing others 

to Christ, but they may be used as subjects for Discussion Class 

es. Indeed, a Class may be good preparation for effective use 

elsewhere. 

They come 

in mimeographed form 

in different colors 

at 2c per copy 

from Remo I. Robb, 1102 Ninth Ave., 


..........

vider." 

priority" 

no!" 

from 

call." 

school." 

gol" 

DAD AND THE CHURCH . . . from page 263 

angry sea, swept by waves that generate from the 

casual 

living practices that we see everywhere 

around us. 

Dad can help the church because he does have 

high leadership in the home, even if he scarcely 

seems to exercise this prestige of his. A sociologist 

explained : "Dad is the male of the family. He sup 

plies the answer from his own experience. He goes 

out into the world and makes a living. He is looked 

up to, respected. His opinions, attitudes, and actions 

children." 

often determine those of his 

Also, Dad can help the church by completing 

the partnership between home and church. Often 

he can do this more effectively than Mom. But 

church workers report many instances in which it 

is Mom, not Dad, who really is alert to the privilege 

of Church. The point is : She cannot do it alone ! On 

the other hand, experience shows many a Dad who 

is a tireless worker for the church. Indeed, seeing 

whole families coming to church is a thrilling and 

moving experience. 

Dad through his church activities shows the 

importance of God and Christ in his daily living. 

It is by Dad's acceptance of Christ in his own life 

and by learning about Christ in the church that he 

shows the spiritual implications of fatherhood. These 

implications are what dad needs to ponder and weigh 

and take into his life. 

For the home, the church is the one institution 

that seeks to help, and this help is done in an abso 

lutely unique way. The unique mission of the church 

is to forward the teachings of One who gave His life 

for us. He said to bring the little children to Him. 

If Dad has any doubt about the functions of the 

church, the reason for its being, he should get out 

his Bible and read the letter to the Colossians, es 

pecially the third chapter where Paul reviews the 

dismal story of the casual Colossians. After Dad 

thinks about these Colossians, he might note partic 

ularly these words of the apostle: "Let the Word 

of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teach 

ing and admonishing one another in psalms and 

hymns and spiritual songs with grace in your hearts 

to God" (Colossians 3:16). 

The question finally comes down to this one 

point of emphasis: Dad can set a powerful and per 

suasive example in his daily Christian living. It is 

this example, growing out of Dad's realization of 

the spiritual side of fatherhood, that is far more 

important than just being the proverbial "good pro 

When Dad in his daily living puts the church 

and its values into "top rating, the church 

achieves a great significance in Dad's home. Ex 

ample is so strong it is almost beyond belief. All 

of us have been gently amused at the way a little 

boy imitates his father's walk. We can understand 

this. But we need to realize children also take on 

the spiritual traits and attitudes of their parents. 

Consequently, when Dad studies his Sabbath 

school lesson, goes to church, studies his Bible, plans 

and carries out his contribution to the church bud 

get, when he conducts family prayers, when he 

shows by his daily living he is a spiritually alert 

father he furthers enormously the partnership be 

tween church and home. 

What is the difference between an "average" 

266 

home and one that is a joy to behold Experience 

reveals that most often it's a churchgoing Dad who 

counts ! 

"PLEASE, 

DADDY LETS 

GO" 

A little girl with shining eyes 

Her little face aglow, 

it is almost time 

Said, "Daddy, 

For Sabbath school. Let's go ! 

They teach us there of Jesus' love, 

Of how He died for all 

Those who on Him will 

"Oh, 

said Daddy, "not today, 

I've worked hard all the week, 

I'm going to the creek, 

For there I can relax and rest, 

And fishing's fine, they say. 

So run along; don't bother me, 

We'll go to church some day." 

Months and years have passed away 

But Daddy hears that plea no more 

"Let's go to Sabbath 

Those childish days are o'er. 

And, now that Daddy's growing old, 

When life is almost through 

He finds some time to go to church 

But what does daughter do 

She says: "Oh, Daddy, not today 

I stayed up almost all night ; 

I've just got to get some sleep, 

Besides, I look a fright." 

Then Daddy lifts a trembling hand 

To brush away the tears, 

As again he hears the pleading voice 

Distinctly through the years; 

He sees a small girl's shining face 

Upturned, with eyes aglow, 

As she says, "It's time for Sabbath 

School Please, Daddy, won't you 

Author Unknown 

Book Reviews 

Sailor Sam and the Golden Mummy Case 

This is a mystery story for youngsters of Junior 

High and High School age. It tells something of the 

mysteries of the old Egyptian religion, the way of 

burying their dead, and their faith. But all through 

the story, Christian faith and conduct are emphasiz 

ed. 

It is a paper backed book and sells for 75c. I be 

lieve youngsters will read it with enjoyment. R.C.F. 

REVIVAL .... 

front page 

He will forgive our sins, that He will heal our land. 

A great spiritual revival in our land would do 

more in a single year to solve our financial problems 

and secure us against the national dangers which we 

see looming on every horizon than our worldly-wise 

politicians can accomplish in ten years. 

WE MUST have a revival, but God will not send 

it unless we are willing to meet His conditions. 

Are you willing you, as an individual You say, 

"But I'm only one Ah person." 

yes, but when you 

make your decision it is America through you mak 

ing its decision. 

American Tract Society 

COVENANTER WITNESS

world." 

world." 


MAY 1, 1955 

MAY 8, 1955 

MAY 15, 1955 

may 

C.Y.P.U. TOPICS 

FOR 

be found in the ECHOES NUM 

BER, March 30, 1955. 

The Comments have not reached this 

office, but if they 

come in time to be 

used, will be published later. But please 

do not let this happen again. 

JUNIOR TOPIC 

May 15, 1955 

Mrs. Charles F. Millican 

Cambridge, Mass. 

Passover, the Saving Blood 

Editor 

Scripture: Exodus 11 to 13:14 

Memory Verse: "Behold the Lamb of 

God, which taketh away the sin of the 

John 1:29b 

Psalms: 

Psalm 15:1-3, page 26 (Memory Psalm 

for May) 


Psalm 116:1, 2, 8 and 9, page 282 

"I am God. With mighty signs and 

wonders, and judgments, I will deliver 

my people out of Egypt. And they shall 

know and Pharaoh shall know, and the 

Egyptians shall know, and all the earth 

shall know that I AM GOD." 

In recent lessons we have read and 

learned about the plagues that God sent 

upon Egypt. The plague of blood, of 

frogs, of lice, of flies, of locusts, of mur 

rain, of boils, of hail, and of darkness. 

All these plagues were sent upon Egypt 

because Pharaoh stubbornly refused to 

obey God. He would not let the Israel 

ites go. We read how Pharaoh after 

each plague yielded but always changed 

his mind. Do you think God had a pur 

pose in hardening the heart of Pharaoh 

Yes, He wanted him to repent. However, 

when one refuses to submit to the will 

of God, even the mercies of God result 

in the further hardening 

heart. 

of that man's 

God told Moses that He was going to 

bring one more plague upon Egypt and 

that after that Pharaoh would let the 

Israelites go. The time was soon ap 

proaching 

when God would deliver a 

crushing blow upon Egypt and release 

His people from bondage. 

Moses told the Israelites that on the 

tenth day of the first month they were 

April 27, 1955 

to select a lamb. There must be nothing 

wrong with him. On the fourteenth day 

the lamb was to be killed. After killing 

the lamb all the Israelites were to 

sprinkle some of the blood on the door 

post. They were then to roast the lamb 

with fire and eat it. (Each family was 

to select a lamb and carry out these in 

structions). At midnight God was to 

pass through the land of Egypt and 

carry out the last of His mighty plagues 

that of killing all the first-born of 

man and beast. However, where He saw 

blood on the door post it was a sign that 

the people within belonged to Him and 

He would pass over and no harm would 

come to them. This was a great night 

for the Israelites. The feast was called 

the Passover and is a Memorial of the 

night when God delivered the Israelites 

out of the land of Egypt. 

Can you think of the blood of another 

lamb that saves people Yes, the Son of 

God is that precious lamb. He is the 

only one who ever lived a perfect life 

perfect just like the lamb chosen for 

the Passover Feast. It was He whom 

God chose to send into the World. It was 

He who gave His life for the sins of that 

world. It was He who was betrayed, 

forsaken and left alone to suffer the 

guilt of the whole world and to be taken 

by 

wicked men and crucified. "But he 

was wounded for our transgressions, he 

was bruised for our iniquities : the chas 

tisement of our peace was upon him; 

and with his stripes we are healed. All 

we like sheep have gone astray; we have 

turned every one to his own way; and 

the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity 

of us all." 

The sorrow that should be our ex 

perience as a sinner lost forever was 

laid upon Christ, the lamb of God. It 

was He who was stretched upon the 

cross and had great nails driven through 

His hands and feet. Because His pre 

cious blood was shed on Calvary for us, 

atonement has been made 

redemption 

accomplished. "Forasmuch as ye were 

not redeemed with corruptible things, 

as silver and gold, from your vain con 

versation received by tradition from 

but with the precious 

your fathers; 

blood of Christ, as of a lamb without 

blemish and without spot: who verily 

was foreordained before the foundation 

of the world, but was manifest in these 

last times for you, who by him do be 

lieve in God, that raised him up from 

the dead, and gave him glory; that your 

faith and hope might be in God." 

There is a story about a little lame 

dog who was trying to climb up the 

curbstone from the street to the side 

walk. He just couldn't reach the top; 

he always fell back. Many people passed 

by. They watched the little dog, laughed 

at him and went on. After awhile a 

workman came by, he saw the little dog 

and pitied him. He went over and lifted 

the little dog up to the sidewalk, Then 

he went on his way. Isn't that just what 

the Lord Jesus Christ did for us He 

left His heavenly home and came down 

to earth to lift us up from sin and its 

ruin. 

The feast of the Passover is celebrated 

by the Jews once every year as a mem 

orial of their deliverance out of Egypt. 

How often do you thank Him for what 

He did for you Do you have the joy of 

knowing that Christ died for you, that 

He loves you Do you have the assur 

ance that your sins are forgiven Only 

through Christ can sins be forgiven. 

Therefore do you not need Him as your 

Saviour If you have not accepted His 

sacrifice why not accept Him and ask 

Him now to forgive your sins and to 

enroll you as one of His followers If you 

have given your heart to Him and really 

do love God, why not consecrate your 

life to Him 

The Passover is a symbol of Christ 

the Lamb of God, slain, His blood shed 

on Calvary for us. When we accept Him, 

death will pass over us and we shall in 

herit eternal life. Won't you do it NOW! 

" 

Behold the Lamb of God, which 

taketh away the sin of the 

QUESTIONS: 

1. Why did God let a stubborn man be 

Pharaoh 

2. Why doesn't it pay to be stubborn 

with God 

3. How does trouble sometimes help 

people get to heaven 

4. What kind of lambs were they to 

take 

5. What did the blood on the door 

posts mean 

6. What do we mean when we say 

we are saved by the blood of the Lamb 

NOTEBOOK PROJECT: 

Divide a piece of paper down the mid 

dle. Head the left-hand column with 

"reasons why the psalmist loves the 

Lord" 

(using psalm 116); in the righthand 

column have the juniors list rea 

sons why "I love the Lord." Just before 

the close of the period have some of the 

reasons read. 

267


May 15, 1955 






UZZIAH'S STRENGTH AND FAILURE 


PRINTED: 2 Chron. 26:3-5, 9, 10, 16-21 

MEMORY: Hab. 2:20 "The Lord is in 

his holy temple: let all the earth keep 

silence before him." 

Joash, best known for his repairing of 

the temple, was followed by his son 

Amaziah. Again, we find the story of a 

good beginning and a drifting away. In 

trouble with the Edomites, descendents 

of Esau, he hired a great army from 

Israel, at a big price. Being warned by a 

prophet that it was displeasing to God, 

he did not use the hired army, but la 

mented the loss of the money paid them. 

By the help of the Lord, he defeated 

Edom and took much spoil. With the 

spoil there were many idols. Often de 

feated nations adopted the gods of the 

victors, because of the evidence of su 

perior strength. Why bother with the 

weaker gods of a defeated nation It is 

likely that Judah took these gods as 

souvenirs, play things, or perhaps be 

cause of the value of the materials. 

Eventually, those idols became a snare. 

A Good Beginning 

Uzziah came to the throne in a pros 

perous, victorious, idolatrous nation. It 

is reported that he did right, as his fath 

er had done. This certainly does not 

mean to endorse all that his father had 

done. Rather that he did the right things 

that his father had done; for Amaziah 

had done some good things. That surely 

is the meaning of the commendation 

given to those who did right as David 

had done. 

Uzziah came to the throne at the age 

of 16 and reigned 52 years. That was the 

longest reign in Judah. The mention of 

his mother, Jecoliah of Jerusalem, sug 

gests that she exercised a good influence 

in his youth. The prophet Zechariah also 

was a good influence as long as he lived. 

(Notice the parallel in lesson of two 

weeks ago.) 

The Influence of the King on Industrial 

Prosperity, 2 Chron. 29:6-16 

Uzziah was a strong leader. Along 

with his moral reforms, he led the na 

tion in useful labor. He fortified Jeru 

salem, and built protective towers in 

strategic places. He organized and 

equipped a strong 

army. God helped 

against the Philistines, and the Amorites 

sought peace by bringing presents. 

These protective measures had to be 

supported by productive industry. Uz- 

268 

ziah set them a good example in pro 

ductive labor; he loved husbandry. 

Farming 

seemed to be his favorite re 

creation. It was productive and set an 

example of how to work productively, 

and gather the fruits of their labor. 

Farming is the only truly 

essential in 

dustry. It can live without any other. 

All other industries combined would 

perish without the farmer. We are told 

that bombs can destroy all our cities. 

They cannot destroy all our farms. As 

long as there are farms and farmers, 

our civilization can live and rebuild. A 

month ago TV announced that Russia 

had produced a weapon that antiquated 

all others. Prosperity by destruction, 

will eventually work its own disaster. It 

seemed necessary for Uzziah to have a 

strong defensive army. In developing 

the industries that made the nation 

prosperous, he provided food for the 

stomachs that the army must travel oh. 

Disregard of God's Law, 2 Chron. 

26:16-21 

Uzziah, in his zeal for the material 

strength of the nation, seemed to forget 

the need of national obedience to God's 

law. He became proud of his power and 

prosperity. Idolatrous practices were be 

coming more popular, and it must have 

been more in the spirit of idolatry than 

of true faith, that he tried to take on 

himself as king, the prerogative that be 

longed to the priesthood. In presuming 

to offer incense in the Temple, he was 

not honoring God, but disobeying God's 

instruction. When the priests interposed, 

first, I suppose, with argument, then 

when the priests persisted he became 

angry and resisted by force. The priests 

were in the process of removing the king 

from the altar of incense, when the 

Lord relieved them from a very embar 

rassing situation by setting a mark on 

the king's forehead that forever barred 

him from the temple and all other gath 

erings of the people. Evidently the 

Church has some right to defend God's 

law in civil affairs. 

Not long ago the churches in America 

were offended by what was looked upon 

as a Presidential marriage of doubtful 

morality. They could do nothing. Re 

cently the English King offended in 

marriage, and the Church compelled him 

to abrogate the throne. At the present 

time it is reported that the Princess 

plans to marry a divorced man. Even 

though it is declared that this man is 

an innocent party in the divorce, 

seems that the strict code of the church 

demands that the Princess abandon her 

plan, or renounce her claim to the 

throne. The English code may seem se 

vere in this case. We are glad that there 

is one nation in the world that provides 

that her rulers must be just, "Ruling in 

it 

the fear of the Lord," and that demands 

a clean example in the family life of her 

rulers. 

Uzziah transgressed the law in the 

province that belonged to the priests. 

They withstood him even with force, 

and the Lord gave visible evidence that 

He disapproved of the King's presump 

tion. 

The Death of the King. 

The King's folly was in about the 27th 

year of his reign. That left about 25 

years that he was a leper, and could not 

leave his own house. It is evident that 

his purpose in going into the temple to 

offer incense was for public display, 

rather than for a sincere desire to honor 

God. He had violated the law of public 

service, and his punishment placed him 

where he could not appear in public at 

all. 

This does not mean that he was shut 

out from salvation. We like to think 

that he learned to see the greatness of 

his sin of presumption, and that he fully 

repented of it. And we know that if he 

did his sin was forgiven. His son became 

regent. It is not certain how much exec 

utive power Uzziah continued to use. 

His power of mind and body may not 

have declined for many years. We are 

told little of the reign of his son Jotham. 

He did right as his father had done, 

which as we said at the beginning of 

the lesson, must mean that he followed 

his father's example in the good things 

that he did, 

things. 

rather than in the evil 

Uzziah was subjected to great tempta 

tions. He was strong, wealthy and popu 

lar. He failed to remember that these 

were gifts from God that put him under 

obligation to use them for God. He for 

got also that God's law applies equally 

to all. They apply equally to king and 

subject, to rich and poor. Then he lost 

the sense of cooperation with his fellow 

men. He should have supported the 

priests in their special work, and should 

not have tried to usurp their office. Aft 

er the longest reign in the history of 

Judah, Uzziah died and was buried in 

his own sepulchre. 

It may throw some light on some pas 

sages in Isaiah to notice that he grew 

up in the reign of Uzziah and witnessed 

his success and his failure. 

Quick quotes for your bulletin: 

An egotist is a man who thinks too 

much of himself and too little of other 

people ! 

(Joseph Fort Newton) 

Wisdom is knowing what to do next; 

skill is knowing how to do it, and virtue 

is doing it. 

(David Starr Jordan) 


. . i. 

suggests," 

you." 

all" 


THE TITHE 

Psalms: 

For May 18, 1955 

Rev. Roy Backward 

ONE PROOF OF OUR 

LOVE 

(Mai. 3:7-12) 

22 :9-ll, page 51 Call to Worship 

116: 8-12, page 282 A Reason for 

Paying the Tithe 

34: page 79 Taste and See 

From 2:17 to 3:6, My Messenger 

(Malachi) reviews what has gone before. 

The current evils of worship and society 

have their roots in hearts which do not 

fear God. (3:5) 

But displeasing God by doing things 

He hadn't authorized in Worship Serv 

ice, and being unfaithful to their fellow 

men and wives in particular in their 

Daily Service, weren't the only 

ways in 

which they proved to God that they 

really didn't love Him enough to obey 

Him. He had spoken primarily to the 

priests in 3:3 and now He charges the 

people 

with unfaithfulness "from the 

days of their fathers" (3:7), and when 

they reply with another sullen question 

(7b) another "prove it if you can!", 

God charges them with robbing Him 

(3:9). They had probably pleaded their 

punishment as a reason for not obeying 

God . 

e. because crops were poor, 

they couldn't give the tithe and offer 

ings. It was a vicious circle, the more 

they withheld, the harder things became, 

until here God offered them a 'break' 

when He said (3:10) Try the tithe once 

and "prove me now herewith." I'll give 

you good crops (3:10) and kill all your 

bugs (3:11) and keep 

(literally) from "miscarriage." 

your fruit trees 

God might have said, "Since man and 

land, the seeds and the rain, the sun and 

the air are all mine, I want 9/10 of 

everything that's produced and man 

may keep the tithe." But His gracious 

love prompted Him to take the tenth 

and give to man the 9/10. Once the law 

was made (and no one has yet found the 

place or example in the New Testament 

which breaks it), God let it be known 

that it was no light matter to break it. 

The man who does not give tithe and 

offering today is still robbing God, and 

may expect punishment. Of that punish 

ment, one of the early fathers said; 

"There be three keys which God hath 

reserved in His own hands, and hath 

not delivered to any 

minister or sub 

stitute, the keys of life, of rain, 

resurrection." 

and of 

(Compare Acts 14:17 and 

I Cor. 3:7) 

There is a close connection between 

this chapter of the book of Malachi and 

our previous studies. God has not only 

ordered that we give one-seventh of our 

time to particular services of worship 

April 27, 1955 

for the building and work of His king 

dom; He has also ordered that we give 

one-tenth of our income to the particu 

lar work of building 

These we owe to God 

His Kingdom. 

the Time and 

Money for the building of His Kingdom. 

He didn't need the "time" because He's 

timeless, and He didn't need the money 

because He could have made or taken it 

all (Ps. 50:12) but He wanted some 

definite minimum by which to check 

man's willingness to return His own 

great love. To argue about these or to 

give Him less than He asks is an ex 

cellent indication of a wrong heart-atti 

tude toward God. It would speak louder 

than any denial, to say that we were 

spurning God's great love (II Cor. 9:7). 

It is also true that the man who does 

not have enough money to fulfill his 

financial duty to God will soon find it 

easy to neglect or forget his financial 

duty to his fellowman even his wife. 

The wife who discourages tithing is 

cutting her own throat, and the girl who 

marries a non-tither is taking a chance. 

In 1951 I heard professors of the 

Church of Scotland sneer at the tithe as 

"hypocritical 

legalism" 

and in 1953, I 

heard them cut their mission work bud 

get almost one-third. When a babe in 

Christ first asks, "How much should I 

pay How much does God want me to 

give"; and we soothingly suggest, 

"Whatever your feelings tell you, what 

ever your heart 

"NO! ! 

God 

says 

I set the tenth as a minimum, 

you'll be cursed for giving less, 

and 

those of you since Old Testament times 

who have seen My 

love-made-flesh and 

walking and working and dying among 

you to save you will surely not be 

content with either one-seventh of time 

or one-tenth of income. You'll go beyond 

that because you're beginning to ap 

preciate what Christ did for you and 

because you would like to try to return 

something of His love for 

Christ did not change the law; on the 

contrary, He fulfilled it (Matt. 5:17-20), 

and in every respect went beyond it 

(Matt. 5:21, 22, 27, 28, 33-37, 38-42, 

43- 

48), and so must we. 

QUESTIONS FOR DICUSSION 

1. Check the difference between a 

tithe (Lev. 27:30, 32; Num. 18:21, 24; 

Dt. 14:22-25; 26:12, 13; Neh. 9:38; 10: 

29-32; 13:10-14) and the offerings (the 

first fruits Num. 15:19, 20; the annual 

half-shekel Ex. 30:13-15; the offerings 

for tabernacle Ex. 25 :2, 3 & 35 :5, 21, 24 

& 36:3, 6; offerings for the second tem 

ple, Ezra 8:25; the ordinary offerings, 2 

Chron. 31:10, 12; tithes of the tithes 

paid by the priests, Num. 18:26, 28, 29; 

tithes of the priest's "portions" (bonus 

es) Lev. 8:14. See also Dt. 26:1-11) and 

make a N. T. application. . . i. 

e., if the 

Hebrew gave that much in anticipation 

of Christ's coming, how much should we 

give How should we give (Matt. 23: 

23; Lu. 11:42; 18:12) 

2. What could be "profitable" about 

contributing to the work of God's King 

dom Prove it, as did Malachi with spe 

cific instances. (Lu. 6:38; Matt. 7:2; 

James 2:13, 14; Phil. 4:10, 14-19; and 

others.) 

3. What have you done recently re 

tithing in your own congregation If 

time permits, discuss recent actions of 

Synod and the financial need for the 

tithe i.e., the budget for the year. 

God had previously proven to these 

Israelites through Malachi that they 

were spurning His love by their insin 

cere and disobedient worship, and by 

their treachery with their fellow Israel 

ites. But these were, perhaps, too vague 

(perhaps they didn't snore loud enough 

to be heard in church and perhaps their 

whip-marks did not show on the backs 

of their unloved wives) so God now be 

comes very 

as the crowning 

specific and cites the tithe 

proof of their lack of 

love for Him. Every good Hebrew would 

have had a detailed account of all his 

givings. Either he was a Hebrew or he 

"did 

not 

know" 

how much he had 

given or should have given, that year 

but he could not claim to be a Hebrew 

and also "not know." In the same way, 

every American wage-earning adult is 

required by Uncle Sam's tax officials 

not to be vague on this same issue. 

What do your check stubs for the 

past year indicate about your love for 

God 

The story is told of an only survivor 

of a shipwreck who was thrown upon an 

uninhabited island. After a while he 

managed to build a rude hut in which he 

placed the "little 

from the sinking ship. 

that he had saved 

He prayed to 

God for deliverance, and anxiously 

scanned the horizon each day to hail any 

ship that might chance to be passing 

that way. 

One day, upon returning from a hunt 

for food, he was horrified to find his hut 

in flames. All that he had, had now gone 

up in smoke! The worst had happened, 

or so it appeared. But that which 

seemed to have happened for the worst 

was, in reality, for the best. 

To the man's limited vision, it was the 

worst. To God's infinite wisdom, his loss 

was for the best 

that for which he 

had prayed. The very next day a ship 

arrived. "We saw your smoke signal," 

the captain said. 

Can we not take our seeming calami 

ties, and look for God's best in them 

From BETTER CHURCH BULLETINS 

by Stella O. Barnett 

(Fleming H. Revell Company) 

269

Church News 

Kansas. We are thankful that she is re 

gaining her strength. 

We are thankful that Mr. Raymond 

Milroy did not receive serious 

injury re 

cently, when he slipped and fell 15 feet 

while engaged in carpentry work. 

THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY 

The 145th Commencement 

program 

of the Theological Seminary will be held 

on Tuesday evening 7:45 P.M. May 3, 

1955 at the Wilkinsburg church. 

The final student sermons by the 

three Seniors will be given. The Board 

of Superintendents will meet to hear 

students preaching on Monday evening 

at the Allegheny 

church. The annual 

business meeting will be on Tuesday at 

the Seminary. 

The Baccalaureate sermon 

will be 

given by Professor S. Bruce Willson, 

Sabbath evening, May 1, at the Central 

Pittsburgh church. 

LOCHIEL 

During the past year we have been 

privileged to have had two of our mis 

sionaries in our midst, Miss Eunice 

McClurkin and Miss Orlena Lynn. They 

brought their missions so close to us 

with their fine reports and delightful 

slides. 

We are thankful to the Lord that 

He has enabled Miss Jennie Jamieson 

to return home from hospital much im 

proved in health after a very trying 

and painful illness. 

Miss June Parke and Mrs. Robert 

MacDougall of Clydebank, Scotland, 

were married on March 11. June is the 

daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. Parke, 

formerly of Toronto, now of Lochiel. 

BARNET, VERMONT 

Pvt. Harold Hutcheson, presently sta 

tioned at Camp Devens, Massachusetts, 

was a weekend visitor at the parsonage 

with his cousins, the Rev. and Mrs. J. 

Paul Wilson and family. At the Sabbath 

morning service Mr. Hutcheson gave an 

interesting talk on the mission work in 

Latakia, Syria, where he served a threeyear 

term as a teacher in the mission 

school prior to his induction into the 

army. 

Miss Winifred McLam who was a pa 

tient at Brightlook Hospital for five 

weeks is now recuperating 

at home. 

Officers of the W.M.S. for the coming 

year are as follows: President, Mrs. J. 

Paul Wilson; Vice President, Mrs. Roger 

Berry; Secretary, Miss Mary McLam; 

Treasurer, Mrs. Ellsworth Shields. 

During the winter there have been 

many 

cases of measles in the congre 

gation. Among 

them was our oldest 

member, Mrs. Jessie Gibson, who had 

just celebrated her 80th birthday. 

270 

Miss Lauren Wilson recently had the 

misfortune to fall down stairs and break 

her arm. 

GENEVA 

The regular Family Night Dinner in 

March featured the showing of the mo 

vie about the Cyprus Mission. 

Numbered among our sick are George 

Householder, Miss Grace Rodgers, Lois 

and David Hemphill, and the mother of 

Mrs. J. R. Lathom, Mrs. Mattie Davis. 

The birth of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Lathom's 

daughter, Melodie Lynn, has in 

creased our cradle roll membership. 

We welcome back to our fellowship 

Mr. and Mrs. Cameron Patterson, who 

have spent the winter in Orlando. 

Our young people's organizations have 

each enjoyed two socials recently. In 

February, the Juniors held a Valentine 

Party while the C.Y.P.U. traveled from 

home to home eating their Progressive 

Supper. In March the Juniors had a 

work meeting to fix Christmas cards to 

send to the Syrian Mission, and the 

C.Y.P.U. celebrated with a St. Patrick's 

Day party. 

Several of our congregational organi 

zations have elected new officers. The 

Sabbath School has selected Donald 

Smith, superintendent; Willard Hemp 

hill, assistant; Kay McCready, secre 

tary; and Samuel Lathom, treasurer. 

The C.Y.P.U. has elected as their offi 

cers, Kay McCready Lauren Wolcott, 

and Mary Lou Swager. The Women's 

Missionary Society elected Mrs. Ethel 

Young, Mrs. Samuel Edgar, Mrs. C. L. 

Fallon, and Mrs. J. B. Willson. The Lil 

lian McCracken Missionary Society will 

be led by Mrs. E. F. Lathom, Mrs. Rob 

ert Dean, Mrs. J. G. Vos and Mrs. W. S. 

McCready. Officers of the Geneva Guild 

are Mary Mitchell, Virginia Henery, 

Kay McCready, and Sylvia Montini. 

HEBRON 

Our Blue Banner 

(Young Women's 

Missionary Society) met for a covered 

dish supper with Evelyn Dunn. This 

year's officers are: Evelyn Dunn, Presi 

dent; Janice Henry, Vice President; 

Shirley Goodin, Secretary; Sharil McMa 

han, Treasurer. The group, while a 

small one, does many interesting things 

for their yearly projects. Their sponsors 

for the coming year are Mrs. Clyde 

Goodin and Mrs. Wilson McMahan. 

Mrs. Albert Henry had major surgery 

in St. Joseph's Hospital at Concordia, 

LOS ANGELES 

The session of the LOS ANGELES 

CONGREGATION wish to pay tribute 

to the memory of our senior elder Ed 

win L. Dodds who passed to his Heaven 

ly Home on January 8, 1955 at the age 

of 82 years. 

He was born at Lucerco, Pennsylvan 

ia, on March 2, 1873 and came to Los 

Angeles in 1910. He was elected elder in 

1912 which office he held at the time of 

his death. 

His faithfulness in attendance at the 

house of God was an inspiration to all 

who knew him. 

He held the office of precentor for 

many years and the praise service was 

improved because of his leadership. 

He was very faithful in his attendance 

at our session meetings and his council 

will be greatly missed in our delibera 

tions. 

PORTLAND 

On the evening of April 6 the Port 

land Congregation had a surprise dinner 

at the Thomas Chambers' home in honor 

of Miss Elizabeth Knight. Miss Knight 

has been very faithful to the Lord and 

His Church through the many years of 

service she has given to the Portland 

Congregation since its beginning in 1911. 

Miss Knight came out to Portland 

from Evans, Colorado, where she had 

been a faithful member and Sabbath 

School Teacher. She found we had no 

congregation in Portland and so en 

couraged Rev. Frazer to come out and 

start a Covenanter church in the grow 

ing Northwest. Miss Knight then be 

came a charter member and a tremen 

dous worker in our church. She has 

accepted responsibility 

that of the average member and has ful 

over and above 

filled all her duties with utmost care. 

Miss Knight is a Deacon, Treasurer of 

the congregation and general overseer 

of the physical needs of the church. 

Mr. Carson presented a Bible to her 

on behalf of the congregation. It was a 

privilege for us to honor Miss Knight 

for her unselfish service. How truly, "He 

that is faithful in that which is least is 

faithful also in 

much" 

! 

We would like to thank her publicly 

and desire for her the Lord's continued 

blessing. 

NEWBURGH, N. Y. 

Out-of-bounds members and friends 

worshiping with us recently were Mr. 


parents' 

Emerson Lynn and family, Mr. and Mrs. 

Raymond McKay, Miss Alice Millen, 

Mrs. Walter Magee and Lt. Col. George 

Simmons. It is always a pleasure to 

have these friends with us. It is also 

nice to have Jack White with us during 

his spring vacation from Geneva Col 

lege. 

On Sabbath, February 13, Rev. Wal 

ter Magee brought the morning message 

to us. Rev. Sterrett was preaching in 

Syracuse, N. Y. on this day. 

Wednesday evening, March 2 a Visi 

tation Delegation from the New York 

Presbytery 

visited our congregation. 

They first met with the Session and 

Board of Managers, then with the con 

gregation. After a devotional period led 

by Rev. T. J. Wilson of White Lake, a 

question and answer period was held. 

Others on the committee were Elder 

Ren. Tacey of White Lake and Rev. 

Walter C. McClurkin of Coldenham. 

The Newburgh, N. Y., 

congregation 

notes with regret the death of our for 

mer pastor, Dr. R. M. C. Ward. Sincere 

sympathy is extended to his family at 

this trying time. We are also sorry to 

note the passing 

of another one of our 

members, Mrs. Mary Masten, who was 

called home on March 3. 

We are thankful that Mrs. John White 

who suffered a fall in her home recently 

is able to be worshiping with us again. 

Mr. Joe Klomp, 

who has been on the 

sick list for quite some time, 

under 

went an operation on March 26. We 

trust and pray that it will not be Ions 

before Joe will be back with us again. 

Friday evening, March 11, a congrega 

tional party was held at the church un 

der the sponsorship of the W.M.S. 

We welcome Elder S. J. Robinson and 

wife back to Newburgh after their va 

cation in Florida. 

At the March meeting of the W.M.S. 

the following officers were elected for 

a term of two years : President, Miss 

Elizabeth Henderson; Vice President, 

Mrs. Margaret Klomp; Secretary, Mrs. 

Ruth Price and Treasurer, Mrs. Ethel- 

White. They took over their duties at 

the. April meeting, after which a social 

time followed. Mrs. Price and Mrs. 

White were hostesses. 

The Annual Congregational meeting 

was held on Wednesday, April 6. It was 

well attended and all departments of the 

church work seemed to be progressing 

April 27, 1955 

pit by Mrs. Henrietta Hill and Mrs. 

George Simmons in memory of one of 

our former pastors, Rev. John W. F. 

Carlisle. 

The Annual Sabbath School Teachers 

meeting was held at the home of the 

Superintendent Mr. John White on 

Tuesday, April 12. 

lowed the meeting. 

MORNING SUN 

A social time fol 

Corporal Clifford Royer of the Mar 

ines left Korea March 10, arriving in 

Santiago, California, March 24. He 

called on his cousin's family Florence 

Hetherington Sweet, Glendale, Cal., and 

at the James Honeyman home, La Crescenta, 

Cal. He also visited in Mexico. 

After spending two weeks with his par 

ents Curtis Royer's he will report to 

Camp 

Pendleton, California, for duty 

until August 1956. Tuesday a family re 

union was held at his 

home. 

Frances Royer, R.N. was also home 

from Iowa City Veterans Hospital. 

Mr. and Mrs. Fischer, Glenwood, Iowa, 

are visiting their daughter's family, the 

Maurice Hutcheson's for three weeks. 

Shirley Todd, Curtis Royer, Jr., and 

Thomas Dunn signed their names on the 

church roll Sabbath morning to signify 

their membership in the church. 

Rev. and Mrs. John Coleman remained 

a day longer to hear the Genevans sing. 

Dr. Coleman gave the speech for Geneva 

at the concert intermission. During their 

two weeks with us they 

quaintance of many 

made the ac 

relatives on the 

Willson family tree, in both congrega 

tions. 

We wish to add our praise for the fine 

quality concert rendered by the Gene 

vans. It would rate with Fred Waring 

or any high class choral group. Many 

commented that it was the finest Gene 

va glee club ever heard. Sharon and 

Morning Sun WMS served supper at the 

high school, and they were entertained 

in our homes overnight. They boarded 

the bus for Chicago, by 7:30 A.M. The 

time was too short. We also enjoyed 

meeting their sponsors, and Mr. Carson's 

descriptions of the Psalms was splendid. 

Dr. H. G. Patterson preached at Shar 

on April 10 when Rev. Edgar assisted 

communion at Hopkinton, Iowa. 

Iota Sigma WCTU 

Hoyt Cummings in April. 

met with Mrs. 

Mr. and Mrs. John Ifft, Butler, Penna., 

sent the congregation two lily 

plants in 

well. The past year's officers were re 

memory of her mother and step-mother. 

elected. Also re-elected to the Board of The W.M.S. met with Mrs. David 

Managers were : Miss Martha G. Hen 

Armstrong who served ice cream and 

derson and Mrs. George Simmons. Be 

cause of illness, Mr. Joe Klomp was un 

able to continue serving on the board. 

Easter Sabbath, April 10, a beautiful 

basket of flowers was placed in the pul- 

coffee honoring our guest Mrs. John 

Coleman, Drexel Hill, Pa. 

Stanley Geiselman, Burlington, is vis 

iting his grandparents Walter Hutche 

son's during Easter vacation. 

FRESNO, CALIF. 

The Board of Church Erection has 

granted our request as a congregation 

for a loan of $2,000 for purchasing lots 

for off-street parking. This is good news, 

and it is a reminder that pledges should 

be paid as quickly as possible. 

Thirty-four signed the Tither's Re 

solve on March 13. 

The Cottage prayer meetings were 

well attended, and the Lord answered 

many prayers, as 113 were present for 

Rally Day in the S.S. on April 10. The 

church was full for the first sermon by 

Rev. James D. Carson in the Revival 

Series. Several were present, for whom 

prayers had been offered. We praise the 

Lord. 

There was a joint meeting 

of the 

W.M.S. and Blue Banner Daughters at 

the home of Mrs. 

Matt Chestnut on 

Thursday, April 7 to greet Miss Eliza 

beth McElroy and to hear of her work 

as a Bible Woman in the villages of 

Syria near Latakia. She also spoke at 

the close of the S. S. on April 10 and 

again in the evening from 7 to 8 to a 

joint meeting of the adults, Young Peo 

ple, and Juniors. We are always so glad 

when our missionaries come to visit us. 

Saturday, April 9, the second planning 

Committee meeting for the Summer 

Conference of the Pacific Coast met at 

our church. Dr. Dean Hinton brought 

Miss Mary Marshall, Miss Alice Robb, 

Mrs. W. H. Lowe, and Mrs. Arthur Rus 

sell from Los Angeles. The Kenneth 

Caskey family also came from Los An 

geles. Mrs. John Vogt and Mrs. Richard 

Anderson came from Santa Ana. Lunch 

was served in the basement of the 

church at noon. Many important deci 

sions were made. We are glad to report 

that we are expecting the Sam Boyle 

family to be with us. Also that Dr. 

Remo Robb is to conduct the Y. P. For 

ums. Our Conference is to be July 16-23 

at Hume Lake. "GOD CAN" is our 

theme. 

DAVID M. ALEXANDER 

David M. Alexander was a life-long 

member of the Reformed Presbyterian 

Church in Walton, New York. Born in 

Hamden, New York, in 1870, he was 

baptized in infancy by the Rev. David 

McAlister, L.L.D., for whom he was 

named. He was a nephew of the late 

Rev. Henry Easson, Jr., who for thirty 

years labored as a missionary in Lata 

kia, Syria. In 1895 Mr. Alexander was 

married to Miss Jennie B. Bartow. In 

their Christian home they reared two 

sons and three daughters: Ralph Alex 

ander, Laurens. N. Y.; Hilton Alexan 

der, Putnam Valley, N.Y.; Mrs. Bernice 

Moore, Rochester, N. Y.; Mrs. Veda 

Thompson, Walton, N. Y.; Mrs. Evelyn 

271

Frick, Union City, N. J. The major part 

of Mr. Alexander's life-work was devot 

ed to the grocery business, in which he 

served his Lord as a Christian busi 

nessman. 

David Alexander was a loyal Cove 

nanter. During his years of retirement 

he made frequent visits to the homes 

of church members and others, encour 

aging them to attend the worship serv 

ices of God's House. Although he was 

crippled by arthritis, made worse by a 

fractured hip, he managed to be in his 

regular place whenever he could, and 

he signed the Brief Covenant in 1954. 

His long life of nearly eighty-five years 

in the Church is an enduring monument 

to the covenant-faithfulness of our Lord. 

And in old age when others fade 

Their boughs with fruit shall bend; 

They shall be hale and hearty still, 

Their life in vigor end. 

JAH 




A thought for you : 

What's wrong with 

YOUR LIFE 

the wheel of 

Even your closest friend won't tell 

you. Well, it's the hub. Let Christ be 

the HUB and let yourself take your 

rightful place out on a spoke (or even 

the rim) and your misery will be 

turned to joy 

your failure to success. 

NEW YORK PRESBYTERIAL meets 

May 3 and 4 at Cambridge, Mass., An 

trim St. between Broadway and Cam 

Corres. Sec'y. 

bridge streets. 

OUR HOME 

Wednesday evening, March 9, Mrs. 

Samuel Greer, State Field Worker for 

the W.C.T.U., gave a most interesting 

and inspiring flannelgraph talk on tem 

perance to the folks at Our Home. 

On Sabbath April 13, Mr. Armour Mc 

Farland preached at the Home. The sub 

ject of his sermon was "Prayer." It was 

a splendid sermon. 

On Wednesday April 16 two represen 

tatives from the Women's Auxiliary of 

the National Association of Evangelicals 

gave fifteen minutes talk on the work of 

the women's auxiliary. 

This was followed by 

the Reverend 

Samuel Boyle showing his pictures of 

Japan which were exceptionally beauti 

ful, 

instructive and delightful to our 

members. How much they have said 

over and over again they 

enjoyed this! 

On Wednesday evening, March 23, 

four of our students from the seminary 

272 

brought a tape recording 

of Reverend 

Samuel Boyle's address at the union 

service of our three Pittsburgh congre 

gations held in the Wilkinsburg church. 

Thank you, boys, you cannot realize how 

much joy you brought to Our Home. 

Again we beg: Won't you in your 

private devotions, 

and in your organiza 

tions, and in your public worship hold up 

the Board and Our Home to the Throne 

of Grace Pray especially for the Fundraising 

Committee that it will be guided 

and directed in the preparation of ma 

terial, individuals to solicit, and organi 

zations whom we might interest. We are 

inexperienced in this kind of thing, and 

can do nothing without your prayers. 

Press Committee 

NEW YORK PRESBYTERY NEWS 

If you have vacation time in July, 

plan to attend White Lake Presbytery 

Conference from July 25 through 30. The 

speakers will include Harold Harrington, 

Robert Tweed, Kenneth Smith, and Dr. 

Edward Young of Westminster Semin 

ary. 

You are welcome into the fellowship 

which we anticipate there. 

HALLELUJAH! LET US ALL GIVE THANKS! 

Contributions to the Budget of the 

Reformed Presbyterian Church 

April 1, 

of North America 

1954March 31, 1955 

Amount of Budget set by Synod $110,015.00 

Amount to send Missionary to Japan 5,000.00 

115,015.00 

Amount raised for the Budget 119,542.51 

Amount designated for Missionary for Japan 2,843.75 

Total Amount raised 122,386.26 

Distributed to the Departments of Church 117,528.95 

Credited to the Japan Missionary Acct. 2,156.25 

Departments to Receive 

Received 

Foreign Missions $27,000.00 $28,350.00 

Home Missions 9,000.00 9,450.00 

Southern Mission None 2,013.20 

Indian Mission 1,800.00 1,890.00 

Kentucky Mission 6,300.00 6,615.00 

Home Mission Secretary 3,625.00 3,806.25 

Young Peoples Secretary 225.00 236.25 

Women's Association 4,500.00 4,725.00 

Theological Seminary 9,000.00 9,450.00 

Students Aid 1,800.00 1,890.00 

Ministerial Relief 9,900.00 10,395.00 

Widows & Orphans 2,700.00 2,835.00 

Geneva College 14,400.00 15,120.00 

Covenanter Witness 8,000.00 8,400.00 

Witness Committee 10,800.00 11,340.00 

Christian Education 450.00 472.50 

Miscellaneous Acct. 425.00 446.25 

Nat. Association of Evang. 90.00 94.50 

110,015.00 117,528.95 

Respectfully Submitted, 

Cheoster R. Fox, Treas. 

The report given above is cause for great thanksgiving to God! 

Should we not accept it as a mandate from God, and from the whole 

church that an additional 

missionary be sent to Japan at once, and that 

the whole program of the church take an advanced step with new cour 

age 

COVENANTER WITNESS

missions," 



THE FIELD IS THE WORLD, TW 5/rtO (S THE WORD Of- GOD 

VOLUME LTV WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 1955 NUMBER 18 

Facts Every 

Christian Know 

Secretary, Christian Missionary Fellowship 

O. D. JOHNSON 

In "United Evangelical Action," Used by Permission 

The Mission Field is a term which conjures up 

different pictures in people's minds. Sabbath School 

children, women's society members, and church offi 

cers all see their own mental images when they hear 

these words. 

pictures" 

Since few such "mind are based on 

first hand knowledge, probably most of them are 

vague and inaccurate. Just what do we mean when 

we talk about missions 

In a word, missions means evangelism. Thus de 

fined, it is easy to see that missions is the whole 

program of the church, not merely a department. 

In ordinary usage, of course, the meaning is restrict 

ed to church work outside of and beyond the inte 

grated circle of the congregation. Though many 

churches have "home the mission fields 

are usually thought of as lying in distant and back 

ward lands. 

We would all be much straighter if we would 

stop thinking in terms of countries. Christ died for 

people, not for places. Missionaries are not sent to 

India, Ethiopia, and Brazil, but to the people who 

live there. Mission work is a personal thing, 

with 

the emphasis on personality, not on geography. How 

ever different their culture and their standards of 

whom the 

living and morality, the people among 

missionaries labor are men and women, boys and 

girls who are basically the same as we. The point 

is that they need Christ, whatever their social status 

may be. 

The Aim of Missions 

The missionary enterprise really has but one 

aim the establishment of the church of Christ a- 

mong all people in every place. The great tragedy 

of modern missions has been the failure to keep this 

aim clearly and constantly before every Christian. 

This basic goal encompasses more than giving a 

brief exposition of John 3:16 to the most people in 

the shortest time. It does not stop with indirect ap 

proaches that sow gospel seed which may or may 

not result in definite conversions. It means the estab 

lishment of a self-propagating, self-governing, and 

self-supporting native church. 

To recognize this goal 

the building of indigen 

ous Christian churches throughtout the world is 

the first step to an understanding of missions.. 

Christians can be confident that if the missions 

they support are true to the task of building an in 

digenous church, then that church can faithfully 

survive even if the orthodoxy of the parent mission 

should diminish, 

even if an external force like Com 

munism should force the mission to close. 

Training of National Workers 

The training of church workers from among the 

nationals of the country shoud be a No. 1 operation 

of every mission. Yet great care must be taken that 

the training methods do not defeat the purpose of 

this training. There is a place in the mission field 

for Bible schools, institutes, some colleges and 

seminaries, but there is a much greater place for 

a non-academic program of training leadership. The 

natural leaders among village converts need to be 

given enough training to enable them to teach and 

lead others. This training needs to be given with 

them to influences that would make 

out exposing 

them dissatisfied to remain in the little world of 

their nativity and to serve there on the meager 

salaries provided by the tithes of their brethren. 

Because of this, American Christians who sup 

port mission field training schools do wrong to in 

sist upon much, if any, direct contact with nationcontinued 

on page 279)

evealed," 

consider." 

apologies." 

frightened 

anyway." 



How the Walls of Jericho Fell 

An article which appeared recently in the public press 

cast doubt on the biblical record of the fall of the walls of 

Jericho in Joshua's day. There was a headline which read: 

"23 walls of Jericho fell long before Joshua's day." One 

statement of the article was: "All that is left of the Joshuan 

period is the stone foundation of a house at the eastern 

edge of the tell (mound)." 

There were two Jerichos and it may be that these ex 

cavations have been made at the site of the later Jericho. 

However, the archaeological excavations made under the 

direction of Professor Garstang, then Director of Antiqui 

ties to the Palestine government and recorded by Sir Charles 

Marston in his book, "New Bible Evidence," shows that 

the evidence is complete to substantiate the Bible record. 

Mr. Garstang and his wife examined 100,000 fragments of 

potsherds from the debris of the city, all of which attested 

to the same date, about 1400 B.C. 

Walls Fell Outwards 

Mr. Marston says: "The 1932 and 1933 excavations have 

completely exploded the theory of a pious fraud on the part 

of Joshua. The walls had fallen outwards quite flat in 

various places, particularly on the west side of the city 

which alone had remained undisturbed by the German 

excavators (p. 

141).'' 

"The further fact was 

Jericho Burnt 

says Marston, "that 

Jericho had been most systematically burnt, although it 

had not first been systematically plundered. There in the 

houses were found foodstuffs, such as wheat, barley, lentils, 

onions, dates and pieces of dough, all reduced to charcoal 

by the intense heat of the conflagration, and so preserved 

for more than three thousand years mute witness to the 

course of events attending the destruction of Jericho. "The 

reason that the food had been left untouched was because 

the city and all that was in it was devoted to God (Josh. 

6:17). "They burnt the city with fire, and all that was 

therein" 

(Josh. 6:24). 

Would that newspaper reporters and radio announcers 

would examine the most accurate evidence before making 

statements which question or cast doubt on the Bible record, 

for wherever archeological evidence is reasonably complete 

it has corroborated the accuracy 

of the record in the 

Bible, and that now covers nearly all important phases of 

Bible history. 

7s a Lie Justifiable 

Dr. L. H. Bartemeier, of Baltimore, Md., addressing the 

American Academy 

of General Practice in Los Angeles, is 

reported by the press to have said: "Doctors should lie to 

human 

life." 

their cancer patients as a means of prolonging 

There may be times when it is advisable for a doctor 

to withhold his findings from a patient for a time, but he 

has no more right to lie to them than a banker has to lie 

about the account of a depositor. A doctor should be a 

Christian, and a Christian should try to show those who 

seem to be near the end of life the way 

that they 

of salvation so 

do not die in their sins and after death suffer 

more terribly than if they had cancer. One who is a 

Christian will receive comfort in his sickness, and one 

274 

who is not a Christian should be shown the way of life 

and warned against the way to eternal death. "In the day 

of adversity 

A $10,000 Award to Waverly 

A $10,000 award was made to the citizens of Waverly, 

la., for their successful move to find housing for Captain 

Daniels and his wife and three children. Capt. Virgil Daniels 

is a Negro air force officer who some time ago was about 

to be denied an apartment in Waverly, but the citizens of 

the town became interested and welcomed him with his 

family. The award was given by the Ford Foundation to 

advance civil liberty. The citation reads: "Your prompt 

action in extending the hand of neighborly friendliness brings 

honor to Waverly 

Efforts such as yours give life and meaning to our Consti 

and makes it an example to the country. 

tution and Bill of Rights." The money 

will be used for 

civic betterment and will be administered by the civic area 

committee of the Chamber of Commerce. Waverly is the 

first city in the U. S. to receive an award of this nature. 

In receiving the award their spokesman, Mr. S. Spear, said: 

"We greatly appreciate it, but the people of Waverly cer 

tainly don't feel that we deserve anything 

doing what should have been done 

The Influence of Romanism 

special for 

A writer to Christian Herald says : "A group of churches 

in Detroit purchased a full page in the Detroit News, in 

an effort to express the biblical (Protestant) teaching on 

the worship of Mary, Mother of Christ. It was a paid ad. 

As soon as the first edition was circulated, the Roman 

Catholic .... 

hierarchy the management into 

dropping the ad. The check used in payment was returned, 

with 

The writer closes with these words: "It 

is frightening, to say the least, that a group 

can wield 

such influence in this land of the free." The Knights of 

Columbus can purchase space in the papers to promote 

Romanism, but they threaten and frighten the editor who 







through its editorial office at 1209 Boswell Avenue. Topeka. Kansai 



Opinions expressed in our columns are those of the individual writer*: 




Contributing Editory 





The Rev. R. B. Lyons. B.A.. 



Rev. John O. Edfrar 

Mrs. .1. O. Edfrar 

Mr*. Ross Latimer 

Subscription rates: $2.50 per year : Overseas. S3. 00 : Single Coptei 

10 cents. 

Limavady. N. 

Ireland. 

Ajfent for th* 

Entered as second class matter at the Post Office in Newton. Kan-wr 



COVENANTER WITNESS



HOPE FOR PEACE 

A new peace drive seems to be under way in the Com 

munist world. The Big Four are making preparations for a 

conference to settle the Austrian peace treaty. While at 

Bandung, Chinese Premier Chou En-lai asked for direct ne 

gotiations with the U. S. over Formosa and other Far East 

ern questions. Last February Chou rejected the idea of U.N. 

negotiations. His recent announcement followed a luncheon 

conference of the eight leading Asian premiers. The state 

ment professed friendship for the American people and a 

desire to lessen tension around Formosa, but Chou still in 

sists that Formosa belongs to Red China. The U. S. will de 

mand the participation of Nationalist China as an equal in 

any conference. As a guarantee of Red sincerity, we also 

want the immediate release of our imprisoned airmen, and 

a cease-fire in the Formosa straits. Chou En-lai is not likely 

to accept these conditions without modification; but his new 

attitude lessens the immediate danger of attack on Quemoy 

and Matsu, and offers new hope for peace. 

U. N. EVALUATION 

A provision in the United Nations Charter calls for a 

conference, at the end of ten years, to consider revising the 

charter. This fall the General Assembly 

will automatically 

take up the question of holding such a session, and some 

worthwhile discussion has already resulted. The Senate For 

eign Affairs Committee is holding hearings on the subject. 

One proposal is to strengthen the U. N. Security Council by 

limiting the big-power veto, which has been a major obstacle 

to the handling of important disputes. At the other extreme, 

some believe that either the free nations or the Communists 

should get out of the U. N. Most of the practical suggestions, 

however, have involved little change. Secretary of State Dul 

les believes that the Russians would not agree to any major 

changes in the charter, but that some improvements can be 

made in procedure. Ex-Presidents Hoover and Truman have 

made similar statements. Mrs. F. D. Roosevelt, who has 

given most of the past ten years to U. N. work, is also skep 

tical of the value of a revision conference. 

HOME FROM BANDUNG 

The Asia-African Conference at Bandung, Indonesia, has 

adjourned without the Communist victory which many West 

erners had feared. Twenty-nine nations, from Egypt to the 

Philippines, were represented at the seven-day meeting. 

Several pro- Western countries made strong attacks on Com 

munism, denouncing it as a new form of colonialism and de 

fending their alliances with the West. Premier Chou En-lai 

of Red China was taken aback by this hostility, but kept 

a conciliatory attitude. He threw his country's support be 

hind the Arab states in their quarrel with Israel. Premier 

Nehru of India failed to dominate the proceedings as ex 

pected, though he made a forceful appeal for neutrality and 

coexistence. Our diplomats are relieved that the conference 

did not commit itself to an anti-Western position, and that 

the Afro-Asian nations apparently do not form a solid bloc. 

MENTAL GIANT 

Few scientists have won such affection and respect as 

Dr. Albert Einstein, who recently died at the age of 76. 

May 4, 1955 

One of the great mathematicians and physicists of moderntimes, 

he was also famous as a humanitarian. Einstein left 

his native Germany in 1932 because of the rise of Nazism, 

and spent his last years at the Princeton Institute for Ad 

vanced Study. He was most famous for his theory of rela 

tivity, which introduced time as a fourth dimension. His: 

work on the quantum theory 

showed the relation between 

matter and energy, and thus opened the way for the develop 

ment of atomic energy. Einstein's passion for social justice 

sometimes led him into unpopular causes, but he was widely 

loved for his sympathy and humility. He willed his brain to 

science, to determine whether it had any physical variations 

which would help to explain his mental power. 

GOOD NEWS FOR BRITAIN 

Great Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer, R. A. But 

ler has given Parliament a budget with sweeping tax reduc 

tions. The basic rate of income tax is cut from 45 to 42.5 

per cent on all taxable incomes above $1,400, and more lib 

eral deductions are allowed for dependents. The 50 per cent 

purchase tax on textiles will be reduced 25 per cent. These 

cuts will lower government revenues by $375 million, but a 

treasury 

surplus is still expected. Britain had a surplus of 

over $1.2 billion for the past fiscal year, much higher than 

predicted. Political considerations are also involved in the 

new budget, as Parliamentary elections will be held May 

26. Britons will still pay much higher income taxes than we 

do in the U. S. more than double at the upper income levels. 

SURPLUS DOLLARS 

A recent report of the Hoover Commission brings out 

the possibility of large savings in the disposal of federal sur 

plus property. Our national government holds property, 

scattered around the world, worth about $155 billion, not 

including land, surplus farm commodities, or stockpiled 

strategic materials. Each year about $2 billion worth of unneeded 

goods are sold, usually at auction. The average sur 

plus sale brings only 5 to 7 per cent of the original cost. 

Better methods of disposal might increase this percentage 

and save many millions. The commission also found that the 

government needs a better inventory and cataloging system 

to keep track of its property and prevent the accumulation 

of excess stocks. The report estimated that such improve 

ments could eliminate from $10 to $20 billion worth of sup 

plies now in government warehouses. 

STOCKHOLDERS FIGHT 

One of the bitterest battles in modern corporate finance 

has ended in victory for 82-year-old Sewell Avery, who will 

keep control of Montgomery Ward & Co. As the nation's sec 

ond largest mail-order house, Ward has 650 retail stores 

and $327 million in cash assets Avery's management was 

challenged by Louis E. Wolfson, a Florida financier, who 

charged that Avery was hoarding Ward's assets and losing 

business to Sears Roebuck. Last August Wolfson began a 

campaign to secure the proxies of other stockholders for the 

election of the board of directors. He promised to expand 

Ward's operations and pay bigger stock dividends; but when 

the balloting began, he had to concede defeat, and Avery 

apparently has no plans for retirement. 

275

void." 

How the Gospel Came to North Korea 

William N. Blair, D.D. 

Rev. Robert J. Thomas was born in Wales 

September 7, 1840. He went to China in 1863 as an 

agent of the London Missionary Society. In 1865, he 

met two Koreans, members of the Catholic Church 

in Chefoo, in the home of Rev. A. Williamson, of 

the National Bible Society 

of Scotland. When Mr. 

Thomas found that these Koreans could read the 

Chinese Scriptures and learned from them that all 

educated Koreans could read the Chinese characters, 

he resolved then and there to go to Korea and give 

the Korean people the Gospel in Chinese. This was 

a resolution easier to make than to carry out as 

Korea was then a hermit country forbidding all for 

eigners on the pain of death from entering her bor 

ders. But Mr. Thomas never wavered in his deter 

mination to go to Korea. 

In September of 1865 he secured a vessel with 

financial help from Mr. Williamson, and succeeded 

in reaching islands near the west coast of Korea, 

one of them being the island of "White Wings" 

which we can see from Sorai, our missionary sum 

mer resort on the west coast of Korea. 

Unable to reach the mainland of Korea, Mr. 

Thomas returned to China only to make a second 

attempt one year later when he found that an Am 

erican ship called "The General Sherman" planned 

to make a voyage of exploration to Korea. No doubt 

the officers of the ship hesitated to permit a mis 

sionary to accompany them on such a dangerous 

journey, but somehow they were persuaded to re 

ceive Mr. Thomas and his cargo of Gospel tracts 

and Bibles. On board the ship were five Occidentals, 

Mr. Preston, the owner; Mr. Page, the Master; Mr. 

Wilson, the Mate; an Englishman named Hogart 

and Mr. Thomas and a crew of 24 Chinese and 

Malays. 

The General Sherman crossed the Yellow Sea 

and entering the mouth of the Tai Tong River sailed 

slowly up this wide river towards the walled city of 

Pyengyang on the west bank of the Tai Tong River 

fifty miles inland. Stops were made at several places 

and at each place Mr. Thomas gave copies of the 

Scriptures to those bold enough to receive them and 

left other copies on the bank of the river. 

Nearing Pyengyang the officers of the ship 

went ashore and met the governor of Pyengyang and 

the commander of the garrison who seemed disposed 

to be friendly. Unfortunately the crew of the General 

Sherman detained five Koreans on shipboard when 

they resumed the journey toward Pyengyang. This 

greatly frightened the captured men and enraged 

the Korean people, especially when two of the cap 

tured men were drowned trying to escape from the 

foreign vessel. Rumors spread that the foreigners 

had come to rob the ancient tombs and to secure 

eyes of little children for foreign medicine. 

There are a number of islands in the river just 

below Pyengyang City with swift rapids above and 

below them. Only once a month at high tide is it 

possible for an ocean going vessel to ascend these 

rapids, lt so happened that The General Sherman 

276 

arrived at the full of the moon and passed over 

the rapids without difficulty and anchored above 

the islands in sight of the walled city. 

Thousands of Koreans lined the banks on both 

sides of the river, shouting and discharging their 

flintlock guns at the unwelcome visitors. Little dam 

age was done, but no landing was possible. After 

several days of this sort of thing the men on The 

General Sherman decided in favor of discretion as 

the better part of valor. But they had waited too 

long. When they 

started to descend the river their 

ship went aground in the middle of the first rapid 

and could not be dislodged. Even here they were 

able to keep the Koreans at a distance with their 

superior arms for a number of days. During this 

time at least twenty Koreans were killed and many 

more injured. In the meantime the Koreans secured 

a large number of small fishing boats and piled 

them high with 

dry pine branches. Binding them 

together with iron chains they stretched them out 

in a long line across the river. Then at the right 

moment, when the tide was running swiftly towards 

the ocean, they set the boats all on fire and let 

them drift like outstretched arms of flame down the 

river to encircle The General Sherman. With their 

ship on fire the men on board had no alternative 

but to plunge into the water and make for the 

shore where the Koreans waited for them with 

knives and clubs and rifles. 

All of the foreigners were killed, but there was 

a difference. The Koreans say that the men from 

The General Sherman came cyt of the water with 

swords and pistols and tried to defend themselves; 

all save one who acted very 

strangely. This man 

staggered out of the water with his arms full of 

books which he thrust into the hands of the Koreans 

as they clubbed him down. 

Of course they killed Mr. Thomas, not knowing 

that he had come to Korea to help them; not know 

ing the precious gift he offered. But multitudes in 

Korea today know that the Bible is the most pre 

cious book in the world and God has marvelously 

kept His promise, "My word shall not return to me 

Though the officials in Pyengyang sought to 

gather and burn all the Bibles which Mr. Thomas 

left at various places along the river, and tossed to 

the crowd as he died at the river's edge, many copies 

were concealed and read later in secret. One of the 

early catechumens received by Dr. Moffett in Pyeng 

yang some twenty-seven years later was the son of 

a man who had received one of these Bibles. In 

Pyengyang City today there are twenty-seven Pres 

byterian Churches with an attendance of over ten 

thousand besides many churches of other denomina 

tions. All down the Tai Tong River strong 

churches 

mark the places where Mr. Thomas gave the Gospel 

to Korea and across the river just below Pyengyang 

stands the beautiful Thomas Memorial Chapel which 

the Presbyterian Church of Korea has erected in 

gratitude to God for the man who gave his life for 

Korea. 

COVENANTER WITNESS

expense" 

The Daily Rounds 

By Wilbur W. Weir 

1. Back on the job after a furlough of eighteen 

months, I am inclined to look at the work more 

objectively, for a year and a half of separation 

breaks a number of links. It affords an opportunity 

to step aside, look at the work, attempt an appraisal. 

When I told the Director of Education that the 

Academy had apparently run smoothly during our 

absence he said that was the way any well-organized 

school should do in the absence of the Headmaster. 

So that was that. To the Staff and students assem 

bled for chapel, I felt impelled to say that after 

every furlough I had found the Academy a better 

school. The impression after this fifth furlough was 

no exception. No comment : the assumption seemed to 

be: what else can you expect from a growing or 

ganism During these last two months a question 

has often come to my mind: "Why was it neces 

sary to speak in defense of the school when on fur 

lough" 

It seems incredible that anyone should 

question the value of throwing one's life into a proj 

ect of this sort. 

2. Yesterday when I was about to put into the 

waste paper basket the typed schedule of preach 

ing for January, February, March, it occurred to 

me to count the number of sermons that had been 

preached in the mission here during those thirteen 

weeks. To my surprise they added up to 90. Rev. 

C. Copeland was high man with 20 sermons preach 

ed. Rev. C. Christou was second with 17 ; I was third 

with 11 (in 9 weeks). Rev. G. Moissides, 9, Rev. 

Thomas Hutcheson 8, (but for illness he would have 

preached more. The Sabbath before he became ill 

he preached three times, taught a Sabbath School 

class, and was sponsor at the Young People's Meet 

ing.) Mr. Barnabas 7, Mr. Halvadjian 6, Mr. Kyriakos 

4, Mr. Chopourian 4, Mr. Kassauni 2, Mr. Pana 

yiotides 1, Dr. Mouradian 1. That means approxi 

mately 7 services each Lord's Day. Success cannot 

be measured by the number of sermons preached; 

yet, like Paul, we can rejoice that the Gospel is being 

preached. 

3. On our return in January we were led to 

compare prices here with those we had been paying 

in New York. Bread here is 9 cents a loaf, New 

York 20 cents, and the loaf here has at least twice 

the substance of the New York loaf. Eggs in N.Y. 

were 45 cents a dozen, here 47 cents. Sugar 10 cents 

per lb. in N.Y., 9 cents in Cyprus. Rice 18 cents a 

lb. N.Y., 19 cents in Cyprus. Pork roast 40 cents 

N.Y., 55 cents in Cyprus. A 3 lb. chicken cost 1.05 

in N.Y., 1.80 in Cyprus. We saved money by buying 

clothing in N.Y., especially when we bought second 

hand. 

4. The last time I got my hair cut in Bronx 

ville, N.Y., I asked the barber, an employee, how 

many hair-cuts, at the price I would pay him, he 

could 

buy with the money he earned in a day. The 

answer was "21." In Brindisi, Italy, I asked my 

barber the same question; his reply was "5." Here 

in Larnaca, Cyprus, my barber told me he could 

buy 8 hair-cuts with what he earned in a day. That 

shows something of the difference in standard of 

living. It means nothing to compare wages and sala- 

May 4, 1955 

ries of different countries; the important question 

is, what can you buy with what you can get for a 

given period of work. In New York a carpenter can 

buy 420 pounds of potatoes with one day's wages. 

In Naples a carpenter can buy 100 pounds with a 

day's wages. In Cyprus he can buy 112 pounds. 

In Naples a carpenter can buy only 2^ pounds of 

beef steak with a day's labor; in Cyprus he can 

buy 41/2 pounds ; in New York he can buy 21 pounds. 

Many still wonder why Communism enjoys the pop 

ularity it does in so many countries. When people 

cannot see how a change could make matters worse, 

they rally to the movement promising help. 

5. The Rev. Argos Zodhiates was with us for a 

week-end about the middle of March. He came to 

bring his mother to Cyprus, but he said he was at 

our disposal on the Lord's Day. He preached at 

Nicosia, Limassol and Larnaca. His message on 

Sabbath evening at the English service attended 

by the boarding students was most helpful, on the 

text: 1 Samuel 4:21 "The glory is departed from 

Israel." 

He flew back to Greece on Monday. We 

had special prayer for his guidance in the days 

ahead. His permit to remain in Greece would ex 

pire on April 14. No word has yet come to show 

whether he has succeeded in getting an extension 

of time. 

6. The Cyprus Commission of Synod has just 

adopted its budget for the year beginning April 1, 

1955. The 1600 dollars sent annualy to Cyprus for 

"field is 85 per cent of the Commission's 

income. The 15 per cent comes from rent of prop 

erty and from offerings at certain worship serv 

ices. At this point two facts are worth noting: 

1. The money sent for field expenses never gets 

into the schools. The Cyprus Commission has a 

treasurer who is bound by the budget adopted by 

the Commission annually. His report goes to the 

Foreign Board. The new treasurer is the Rev. C. 

Christou. 2. The amount of 1600 dollars is the sum 

which has been sent to Cyprus for field expense 

for a good many years. In the Minutes of Synod 

one reads a much larger figure. For example, in 

the Minutes of Synod, 1953, page 111, it is recorded 

that Cyprus field expense amounted to $5399.04. 

Actually 

what happens appears to be that when 

the Cyprus schools ask the treasurer of the Foreign 

Board to pay bills for goods (especially books) 

purchased in America, he charges that to "field 

expense" 

though he actually cuts it from the amount 

he is to spend for salaries, and from the 1600 due 

to come for field expense. It is a helpful service 

he renders us, and we don't mind how he records 

it, as long as he doesn't lead people to complain 

that the Cyprus Mission is a greater burden on 

the home church than it actually is. Readers may 

be interested in learning what the 1600 sent an 

nually is used for. Here are the items that ap 

pear in the expense column of the 1955 budget: 

1. Travel for those conducting services. 2. Trans 

lation work. 3. Part salary of H. Memour. (The Ar 

menian pastor is paid by the local people.) 4. Re 

pairs and upkeep of church buildings. 5. Water, 

Ins. Taxes, Telephone. 6. Rent. 7. Church building 

fund. 8. Literary Fund tracts. 9. Evangelism. 

10. Sundries. 

7. Last Sabbath we had communion services 

277

in both Larnaca and Nicosia. We had a united serv 

ice here, but in Nicosia I believe they had one at 

the Greek church and one at the Armenian. We be 

gan at 10:00 but did not finish until 12:30, for the 

sermon and the table address were both inter 

preted into Greek and into Armenian. The interpret 

ing is of course a handicap, but the fellowship is a 

great lift when three nationalities, with all their 

differences, unite in Christ Jesus around His table. 

Problems and Policy in the 

Girls' 

School 

by Eunice L. McClurkin 

It has pleased the Lord, whose work this is, 

to increase the Girls' School enrolment to well over 

300 during the school years that ended and began 

in the calendar year 1954. We know that He has a 

purpose in bringing these girls (and little boys, as 

well, in the kindergarten and first grade) into our 

school. We pray that His Spirit may guide us in 

our witness to them, and also in formation of future 

school policy. 

About half the students are registered as 

Christians, and all these, whatever their sect, are 

enrolled in daily Bible classes, and attend chapel 

weekly in the church. It is a constant challenge to 

teachers and students who know Christ to show 

Him in their lives before the unbelieving students, 

and we confess with shame that we fall far short 

of our goal. There is evidence of the Spirit's ac 

tivity and also of Satan's counterattacks. Christian 

fellowship groups for elementary and secondary stu 

dents are sponsored after school hours by two of the 

younger teachers, and many Moslems attend and 

hear the Word of God. The Intermediates' meetings 

on Sabbath, conducted in English, are attended by 

some from the Moslem homes who have shown in 

terest in the Christian message. The Inter-Scholas 

tic Christian Association of high schools in Syria 

and Lebanon has regular Easter-time conferences 

and other rally times in which our students partici 

pate. One of the Latakia delegates at the 1954 con 

ference in Sidon who professed Christ as Saviour 

is from an Alaweet home. Five boys and two girls 

from our high school attended a one-day ISCA 

Rally in Tripoli, Lebanon, in November, 1954. 

There is ever-increasing demand for education 

represented by 

government certificates (5th, 9th, 

and 12th grade examinations) and the government 

school system is unable to fill the demand. Their 

policy has therefore been to accept for further ed 

ucation in government schools not all who have 

passed a certificate examination, but those who 

have exceeded a certain minimum above the pass 

ing grade. That leaves the weaker students with 

out free education, and those with the will to con 

tinue must find places in private schools such as 

ours. Our increased enrolment in classes above 5th 

has been mainly from such weak students, but some 

of them have shown improvement scholastically 

with more individual attention than they had re 

ceived in larger government classes. Taking in such 

doubled our teaching 

program 

students has partially 

in classes above 5th, as new students from other 

schools cannot fit as a rule into our high school 

278 

classes conducted in English. In the Girls' School 

this has meant an added government program sec 

tion of 7th grade this year, opening the way for 

an increase of one or more subsequent sections 

every year up to 9th grade or beyond if such seems 

advisable. 

Sacraments in Cyprus 

Rev. E. Clark Copeland 

Dear Covenanter Friends, 

Sabbath, April 3, 1955, was a day of great joy 

for us here in Nicosia. We celebrated Communion 

in both the Armenian and Greek Congregations. 

It was my privilege to conduct the sacrament in 

the Armenian congregation; Rev. Christou and I 

together conducted the sacrament in the Greek con 

gregation. 

In the Greek Congregation we had the joy of 

receiving into the membership of the church Miss 

Avge David. We had watched Avge come under 

the gospel message, receive Christ as her Saviour, 

and grow up under Him the past nine years since 

she entered the elementary school of the Academy 

for Girls. She has taken an active part in various 

church and school activities where she has had a 

powerful witness, having been instrumental in lead 

ing others into the saving knowledge of Christ also. 

For the past two years she has helped Mrs. Cope 

land with the children's S. S. class, among other 

things. As we studied the sacrament of Baptism, 

Avge came to the conviction that she should be bap 

tized because of the unscriptural nature of Greek 

Orthodox baptism. As this is in harmony with the 

statement of the Constitution, Church Government, 

ch. 2, par. 5, we performed the sacrament of bap 

tism, though it has not been done before in cases 

of persons received from the Greek Orthodox 

Church. It was an inspiration to us all to hear her 

clear "Malesta" (I do) responses to the terms of 

the Covenant of Church Membership in receiving 

baptism. It seemed to us all the appropriate climax 

to her spiritual experience. 

We are having our Easter Vacation in the 

schools. I am not sure just what the meaning of the 

except that classes do not meet. 

We are trying to catch up with ourselves in a number 

of ways. There are a lot of things to be done at 

home which had to be let go. There are many details 

to be looked after in connection with our school 

building. There is family visitation to be done when 

word "vacation" is, 

we can go as a family. So the days will pass rapidly. 

Our plans have been made to have our evan 

gelistic meetings in Larnaca and Nicosia the last 

two weeks of May. Remember them in your pray 

ers. May God give us a harvest to the year's work 

of sowing in the schools, that His Word may be 

honored before men. 

Triumph of Grace 

By SPIROS ZODHIATES 

In these columns we have often referred to 

the name of George Galanakis, the young Greek 

who was shot six times through the body and once 

through the head. "His "executors," the Nazis dur- 

COVENANTEB. WITNESS

people." 

ago," 

waiting." 

ahead" 

one." 

ing the war, thought that he was dead. But in the 

providence of God his life could not be terminated. 

Christ wanted to give him life eternal because He 

knew what a blessing he would be in the ensuing 

years. For ten solid years he has been on his bed 

of affliction 85% incapacitated, paralyzed on one 

side, blind in one eye and constantly 

shaken with 

convulsive fits. Can a man like that be used as a 

missionary 

Through his "execution" experience and what 

followed he accepted Christ as his personal Sav 

iour. In the morning, disregarding physical excru 

ciating pain, he and his wife always start the day 

with the singing of a Gospel hymn. He has become 

the unexplainable sufferer of Greece. People passing 

by stop in to see what it is all about. Everybody 

gets from his mouth a living testimony to the sav 

ing grace of the Lord Jesus. They are all amazed at 

how a man who has suffered so much can be so 

happy and rejoicing. He always has his answer 

ready: "It is Christ revealed in the Book," he says 

of the New Testa 

as he hands the visitor a copy 

ment. The word about George Galanakis spreads 

like wild fire. Men and women stream into his little 

8'xl0' 

room eager to know what makes him happy. 

Thus his room, bare as it is with only a bed, chair 

and a tiny table, has become a great evangelistic 

center. There is nothing that breaks his heart more 

than to have to send people away without giving 

them God's Word. One night as I visited him the 

first thing that he said to me was : "Did you bring 

me Scriptures There are so many Mean 

while a brother who was there informed me that 

they hardly had anything to eat that day, 

and yet 

instead of 

asking for something for his stomach, 

he asked for the Bread of Life for other starving 

souls. Maybe after you read this short sketch of 

the life and industry of this invalid missionary, 

you will never permit him to send away anyone 

empty-handed. 

His Story in a Newspaper and 

the Athens Radio Station 

As the word about George Galanakis spread 

even among influential people, the medical editor of 

a large Athens newspaper and one of the broad 

casters of the Athens Radio Station heard about 

him. From the columns of the newspaper and 

through the radio everyone was invited to write 

to this exceptional man and find out the secret 

of his happy life. The invitation was especially di 

rected to shut-ins, invalids and patients in the hos 

pitals and homes. The assurance is given that 

George, who has been through some of the most 

trying experiences, is able to spread hope where 

there seems to be no hope. 

As soon as these announcements were given 

out our invalid missionary found his little room 

flooded with letters from all over Greece. "I never 

realized," 

said George, "that there are so many af 

flicted people and so many who long for happiness. 

I have no doubt that this earth is inhabited by un 

happy And now as a result of this, our 

brother is in full time service for the One who 

came to give the joy that no one can give and no 

one can take away. "Ever since my 

years George wrote in a most recent report, 

"I have always believed that the Christian should 

salvation four 

never wait for opportunities for witnessing to come 

May 4, 1955 

to him, but he should try to create such opportuni 

ties. Thus I try to use every experience of my life 

Christ." 

for the purpose of witnessing for my And 

he surely does in spite of the fact that he can never 

leave his tiny room. END. 

Dreams Becoming a Reality 

The Lord has finally given us the "go 

signal on several long planned important projects. 

Since the completion of our second orphanage build 

ing, in faith we have launched out and are now estab 

lishing in that building a workshop and a print shop 

for the vocational training of the children. Further 

more we are purchasing 100 acres of farm land for 

the needs of our orphanage work. Last month we 

sent $4,000 as the first installment for the realiza 

tion of these important projects. Another $21,600 is 

needed for the final completion. If every one reading 

this paper sends $5 designated for this purpose this 

work would indeed be a reality. It may foe of interest 

to you to know that there are over three million out 

of the seven millions who live in Greece who earn less 

than $10 a month. Aren't you glad you are on the 

giving end instead of on the receiving "Blessed is 

he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver 

him in time of trouble." (Ps. 41:1) 

American Mission to Greeks 

MISSIONARY FACTS . . . Cont'd from front page. 

als in training. The idea is prevalent in foreign 

lands that money grows on trees in America, and 

young nationals in training can easily be tempted 

to ask their correspondents in America for money 

to help them in various ways. The trouble is this 

money doesn't help them. It tempts them to feel 

proud that they are "attaches" a western capital, in 

stead of glorying in their being ministers of and sup 

ported by the indigenous church. They can easily ac 

quire a "superior" attitude. 

Training programs that steer clear of these pit 

falls are the ones that pay off in realizing their 

aim, for no people or tribe is ever evangelized from 

the top downward, but from the grassroots of the 

population upward. 

Erection of Church Buildings 

The indigenous principle of missionary work 

calls for great caution in the erection of church 

buildings. Surely God would say to many a mission 

as He said to David, "Whereas it was in thy heart 

to build a house for my name . . nevertheless thou 

. 

shalt not build the house A missionary re 

said "all over there are fine church build 

cently 

ings and about ten people worshiping in each 

With but few exceptions, mission-financed church 

buildings have done more to hinder the indigenous 

church than to help it. 

How much pride would we take in our own 

church buildings in this country if they were great 

cathedral-like structures built by agencies from 

other countries and of architectural types utterly 

foreign to us Dare we rob any group of Christians 

of the privilege to build a chapel, hallowed by their 

own sacrifice and labors, that parallels their own 

economic level and ability to maintain And until 

they are sufficient in number to build themselves 

a humble chapel, is it not more natural and Scrip 

tural that some Christian should have the honor of 

279

workers" 

opening his home to what Paul referred to as "the 

church in thy house" 

Support from Home Two Kinds 

Mission work needs two kinds of support from 

home spiritual and financial. Spiritual support is 

the most costly. There is a price of 

intercessory 

prayer to be paid by those who stand back of mis 

sionaries. This spiritual support is praying with 

missionaries rather than merely praying for them. 

Missionary epistles sent to home supporters are 

correctly called prayer letters. The Christian who 

commits himself to prayer support of a missionary 

(and may none pledge financial support without 

prayer support) must keep posted on the status 

and needs of the missionary so as to pray purpose 

fully as an active partner in his ministry. 

The New Testament bears out this concept of 

spiritual partnership. Paul, the great missionary to 

the Gentiles, was mightily concerned about his fel 

low Christians praying for him and with him in 

regard to specific needs. He likewise assured them 

of his reciprocal intercession. Nothing is clearer in 

the New Testament than that the fulness of God's 

blessing in evangelism is conditioned upon the part 

nership of His people in fervent prayer. 

The exigencies of life on the mission field re 

quire strong spiritual undergirding for the mis 

sionary even to survive, much less to serve. Mis 

sionaries are not machines who need only material 

help for their maintenance. Transportation does not 

mean transformation. Indeed, the mission field may 

bring out the worst in a person. The duress of new 

waves of nationalism and Communistic threats on 

most fields make missionary life even more a battle 

of nerves. No wonder frustration has reached a 

new high among missionary personnel. No wonder 

that by May, 1951, it was announced that of the 

missionaries who went to India after the last war, 

65% had gone home with no intention of returning. 

How much of this could be charged to lack of spirit 

ual support 

Continued in next missionary number. 

GLIMPSES . . . Cont'd 

prints a Protestant reply 

trine. 

from page 274 

or Scriptural statement of doc 

To Ban Liquor Advertising 

Representative Eugene Siler, who is serving his first 

term in Congress and is a former moderator of Kentucky 

Baptists, has introduced a bill to ban beer, wine and liquor 

advertising in all interstate media, including radio and 

television. 

Nepal Open to Missions 

The Kingdom of Nepal has opened its doors to Christian 

missionaries for the first time in nearly 200 years. Two 

medical missionaries with their wives from the United 

States have already 

established a small hospital in the 

picturesque Himalayan country. The most of the Napalese 

practice the rites of an ancient branch of Hinduism, and 

there are also many Buddhists. 

Release Holdings in India 

The Northern Presbyterian church has released titles to 

all property in northern India which has been held by 

their Board of Foreign Missions. These properties are to 

be held by "properly 

constituted and 

approved" 

native trust 

associations. Presbyterian missionaries will be called "frater- 

280 

nal 

and will be under the absolute jurisdiction 

of the Kolhapur Church Council of the provincial division 

of the United Church of North India. 

To Aid Missionaries 

The law of Tennessee has been so formulated as to aid 

foreign missionaries in the operation of motor vehicles. 

The new law applies to any 

person "who is now or who 

hereafter" will be in a foreign country in the employment 

of a religious or charitable organization. Missionaries in a 

foreign country, when their current license expires, will 

henceforth merely forward a certificate from a physician 

attesting that they are qualified physically to drive a motor 

vehicle. It is thought that the removal of this seemingly 

small, but often serious problem will be appreciated by 

many evangelical missionaries. 

Book Reviews 

Idea Book for Young People's Meetings 

Richard J. Mullin 

This is the third idea book for young people's 

meetings prepared by Mr. Mullin. It has plans for 

a year's meetings, with a particular theme for each 

quarter, and lessons to teach it. 

The theme for the first quarter is "A Closer 

walk with God;" for the second, "Being Good Wit 

nesses for Christ;" for the third, "Victorious 

Christian Living;" and for the fourth, "Faithful 

Christian Service." 

There is considerable material which would not 

be used, naturally, but it has a good deal of help 

ful and suggestive material that could be used with 

profit. Some is prepared to help children become 

better acquainted with the Bible itself. 

It is all prepared with the purpose of helping 

young people to know their Bibles, and Christian 

duty and Christian truth so that they will lead 

better Christian lives. 

It is a larger paper backed book and sells for 

$2.25. R.C.F. 

Danny Orlis and the Angle Inlet Mystery 

This booklet is also in the Moody Colportage 

Library. It is a story for children without any vul 

garity, indecency or profanity. That is to be noticed 

and commended in these days. It is a story that will 

interest youngsters and hold their interest to the 

very end. It also stresses the need for Christian 

habits and Christian living if one is to be a Chris 

tian. It emphasizes the fact that Christianity is a 

way of living as well as a profession of a faith. 

It sells for 35c. 

R.C.F. 

The Perfect Will of God. G. Christian Weiss 

This booklet in the Moody Colportage Library 

emphasizes the fact that God has a plan for every 

life, tells how that plan can be found, and the 

tragedy if it is never found. He emphasizes the fact 

that an interest in worldly things and a lack of dedi 

cation can cause one to miss the plan. 

Naturally it is principally for young people who 

are interested in knowing God's plan for their lives, 

or for those not so young, who feel that they should 

be doing more for the kingdom than they are. 

The books sells for 35 cents. It is well worth 

the price. 

R.C.F. 

COVENANTER WITNESS

worry," 

afraid." 

me'" 


JUNIOR TOPIC 

May 22, 1955 

Betty 

Jo Dickson 

THE SEA BECOMES DRY GROUND 

AND A DROWNED KING 

Scripture: Exodus 18:20-22; 14:1-31 

Memory verse: "In all thy ways ac 

knowledge him and he shall direct thy 

paths.'' 

Proverbs 3:6. 

Psalms: 


Psalm 103:5-8, page 247 

Psalm 25:3, 4, page 58 

Psalm 37:lr4, 

page 91 

Pharaoh had finally done it! Yes, he 

let the Israelites leave the country, 

BUT don't think this is the last that 

God's people will hear from him. 

Has your family ever started out for 

a vacation without knowing where they 

were going A lot of people do that, 

and it is kind of fun. But you know 

when the day begins to darken as the 

evening shadows come, Mother some 

times wonders where the family is go 

ing to eat or to spend the night. 

The Israelites did not know where 

they were going, but they had Almighty 

God leading them, and you would not 

think they would have been afraid. 

During the Second World War the story 

is told of a little London family who 

were sending their children into the 

country to escape the daily bombings. 

A brother and sister were saying good 

bye to their parents at the train sta 

tion when the girl began to cry because 

she did not know where she was go 

ing. "Don't 

comforted the both 

er tearful himself. "We may not know 

where we are going, but the King does, 

so we don't have to be It is 

too bad that God's people did not trust 

their King as much as these young 

children did. 

If you have been following the map 

in our study of the Israelites in Egypt, 

you will see that in order to get back 

to the Promised Land, they 

would have 

to cross the Red Sea. Now there were 

no boats to use nor maps that would 

show where the river might be shallow 

enough for all these folks to walk 

through. But God had promised to lead 

them. Do you know how He led them 

In the daytime, a big tall cloud went 

ahead of them, and at night the cloud 

became red and burned like a fire. Every 

time the cloud moved ahead, God's 

people followed after it. 

In the meantime Pharaoh was prob 

ably thinking 

how stupid he had been 

to let all these hard working people 

May 4, 1955 

leave so easily. It seems strange that 

when Satan gets hold of a person no 

amount of warning from God will make 

him realize he is wrong in what he is 

doing. 

I certainly hope none of you 

boys and girls will allow Satan to run 

your life so that you will not hear God 

calling you. 

The next thing the Israelites knew was 

that a whole army 

of the Egyptians 

was chasing them with Pharaoh him 

self in the lead. Even though the pillar 

of cloud stood before them and Moses 

was bringing them the commands and 

promises of God, the people began to 

complain that they were in such a mess 

now they would have been better off 

in Egypt. It reminds me of the little 

tot who asked her father for a nickel. 

When he lovingly handed her a dollar 

bill, she frowned and said, "But, daddy, 

I want a nickel." 

The Israelites did not 

understand what wonderful things God 

was to show them this very day. 

With their eyes straight ahead the 

Israelites only saw the Red Sea and 

directly behind only the soldiers of Pha 

raoh. If they had looked higher they 

would have been conscious of God's 

presence from them in the cloud and 

behind them in the angel of God. (Ex. 

14:19). 

Night fell and suddenly the Egyptians 

were unable to follow 

the Israelites 

anymore because of the intense dark 

ness. The cloud that had led God's 

people now 

divided them from their 

enemy. It brought darkness to the 

Egyptians, but light to the Israelites. 

God used his servant Moses to start the 

miracle which led to the salvation of 

the Israelites and the destruction of the 

Egyptians. After Moses stretched out 

his hand over the waters, God caused 

them to divide. There in front of them 

was a path of DRY ground that stretch 

ed to the other side of the sea. 

As the dawn began to creep over the 

horizon, the Egyptians were able to see 

the Israelites. We see God's miracle is 

still working when their chariot wheels 

begin to stick in the ground that was 

DRY when the Israelites passed over it. 

Moses, now on the other side of the 

Red Sea, again stretches forth his hand 

and the miracle is complete. God's ene 

mies were destroyed. 

If you had been an Israelite boy or 

girl and had been afraid the cruel 

Egyptians that you had known all your 

life were about to capture you, how 

do you think you would have felt after 

seeing them completely destroyed not 

in battle, but by God's miracle Little 

wonder the "people feared the Lord and 

believed Him." Fear of God meant rev 

erence and love of One who was able to 

care for them in comparison to the 

fear the people had for the enemy. 

And you know, that same Wonder 

ful God wants to lead you and take 

care of you today, if you belong to Him. 

Maybe you will not see a big cloud to 

follow, but as you daily pray to your 

Father, He will show you just what 

to do and say during the whole day 

and the week and your lifetime. Let's 

thank God right now for accepting us 

as His children, and promise Him we 

will follow Him wherever He leads us. 

"And Jesus said to them all, 'If any 

man will follow me let Him deny him 

self, and take up His cross daily and 

follow (Lu. 9:23). 

Handwork: 

The boys and girls might enjoy draw 

ing a pillar of cloud and a pillar of 

fire to illustrate some short verse they 

can rhyme to show God's leading. Here 

is a simple verse as a suggestion but 

encourage originality. 

A cloud for the day, 

A fire in the night, 

God led His children 

In a path that was right. 

SABBATH SCHOOL, LESSON 

May 22, 1955 




Christian Teaching, copyrighted by Internationa) 


HEZEKIAH ATTEMPTS 

RECONCILIATION 

2 Chronicles 27-30; Micah 6-7 

PRINTED 2 Chronicles 30:1, 2, 6-13 

Memory, 2 Chron. 30:9: "The Lord 

your God is gracious and merciful, and 

will not turn away his face from you, 

if ye return unto him." 

Since the last lesson, we are passing 

over two regencies; Jotham, counting 

his regency before the death of Uzziah, 

reigned 16 years; then Ahaz reigned 16 

years. Jotham did some of the right 

that Uzziah had done, but the influence 

of Ahaz was very bad. He made molten 

images of Baalam. These images ap 

pealed to the eye, and to the licentious 

desires of the people. People are gre 

garious, Most of them follow a leader. 

A strong leader always gets a following. 

Some will follow a weak leader because 

he is right. Society's safety is in the 

few who will do the right, whatever 

others may do. There are many who 

281

you." 

will follow the king because he is the 

king. It is very important that he that 

ruleth over men shall be just, ruling in 

the fear of God. 

The reform of Uzziah did not seem to 

be very deep spiritually. Hence the 

falling into idolatry 

rapid. 

under Ahaz was 

HEZEKIAH LEADS IN A GREAT 

REVIVAL, 2 Chron. 29. 

There were many in Judah who had 

not been led away by the idolatries of 

Ahaz but did not seem to have the 

power of leadership that could stem 

the power of evil that swept the land. 

Then there would be many that, though 

they had followed the crowd, had an 

underlying sense of guilt, and were 

glad to return to the Lord under the 

strong leadership of Hezekiah. The 

greater number had followed a bad lead 

er. 

This was the moral condition of Judah 

when Hezekiah come to the throne. The 

material prosperity that had been de 

veloped under the reforms of Uzziah, 

was used by Ahaz to demoralize the 

people. It requires stable character to 

withstand the temptations of wealth. 

Wealth in the presence of poverty may 

be used as an aid to righteousness or as 

a means of practicing selfishness and 

lust. Righteousness is not effected by 

wealth or poverty. But the material 

condition most conducive to godliness is 

neither poverty nor riches. A true faith 

in God teaches us with whatsoever 

things we have, therewith to be content. 

Hezekiah very wisely sought the co 

operation of the princes and the priests. 

With this strong support, he appealed 

to the people, and they gave a quick 

response. There were preparations that 

had to be made. The proper use of the 

Temple had been neglected, and it had 

been desecrated and abused by idol wor 

ship. It was dirty, broken and littered 

with Idols. The priesthood was badly 

disorganized. The first thing then, was 

to organize and sanctify the priesthood. 

Then the Temple had to be cleansed 

of all idol trash. The work began the 

first day of the year, and was not com 

pleted on the 14th day of Nizan, which 

was the first month in the year, and the 

regular time for the observance of the 

passover. So the Passover was set for 

the month following. The day is not so 

important as the spirit of worship and 

obedience. A fanatical holding to a cer 

tain day rather than to the spirit of 

fellowship and worship on an establish 

ed day, is a great obstacle against a 

harmonious Sabbath, both in law and in 

practice. 

Hezekiah's call to the passover was 

sent to all Israel, from Dan to Beersheba. 

It was met by many with scorn. 

282 

Since it was to be held in Jerusalem, 

the scorn might have been caused from 

the spirit of nationalism, jelousy, pride 

or stubbornness. Change the first word 

to denominationalism, and we may find 

all of these working against the com 

plete hrmony among Christian people 

today. They may appear when the loca 

tion, building or repair of a church is 

discussed; or in the discussion of church 

policies or sometimes in the election of 

officers. There are some who will not 

concede their preference even where no 

moral issue is at stake, for the sake of 

harmony. We do not like that spirit 

when we see it in the Northern Tribes 

of Israel. God does not like it when 

He sees it hindering the comfort, in 

dustry and efficiency of His flock. 

WE MUST HAVE ORGANIZATION 

AND LEADERS 

A leader of men should himself be led 

by God. And Christ should be recognized 

by all as the supreme leader. Human 

rulers and leaders should be followed in 

moral life only so far as they follow 

Christ. 

We see the effect of a stable leader 

ship on Nations. As compared with other 

nations in Europe, Denmark, Finnland 

and the Scandinavian nations, whatever 

the vicissitudes have been, have main 

tained a high stability in government. 

England, under a nominal Christian 

leadership has shown remarkable stabil 

ity. James Brice of England, author of 

"The American Republic," (I am sorry 

that I cannot quote his exact words,) 

said in effect, that while with a few 

exceptions the presidents of the United 

States had not been great men, there 

had been none that did not hold a high 

moral and intellectual standard. The 

recognition, even in measure of Chris 

tian standards in civil government has 

been blessed of God in giving stability to 

civil governments, wherever it is found. 

There is a growing effort in our country 

to separate the state, beginning with 

our schools, from the influence of 

Christianity. Atheistic communism has 

no greater ally. 

CONFIDENCE LN THE LORD 

REMOVES FEAR 

Ahaz found himself involved among 

the nations around. Judah was paying 

tribute to Assyria, but was not free 

from other dangers. 

Ahaz sought to 

make alliances. Isaiah advised against 

such alliances, but Ahaz would not 

listen. Instead of finding protection in 

alliance, he was overpowered by As 

syria, and put under heavier tribute. 

This was the state of affairs when Heze 

kiah came to the throne. Hezekiah had 

faith to trust in God, and so was not 

afraid to refuse to pay the tribute to 

Assyria, 

and to declare the independ- 

ance of Judah. Sennacherib answered by 

the invasion of Judah, which we will 

consider next week. 

THE VALUE OF A UNITED FAITH, 

v. 12 

Several generations had passed since 

Israel had separated from the original 

nation. Now Samaria was completely 

helpless under the power of Assyria. 

That, no doubt, influenced many to at 

tend the Passover in Jerusalem. If they 

had given full co-operation they might 

have joined in the deliverance that the 

Lord gave Judah. Patriotism is a strong 

bond. Faith is stronger. 

So Sennacherib's invasion met a strong 

ly united Judah, with some support from 

the Northern tribes. It was a nation 

that God could work with. They did 

what God told them to do. They trust 

ed in God to do what was beyond their 

power, and God did. 

The possibility of a world disaster is 

driving us to God as our only refuge. 

Or should I say, toward God. We are 

still trusting very 

much in horses and 

chariots. In the victories God wrought 

for Hezekiah and Gideon, armies had 

their place. Victories are not given to 

the overwhelming army, but to the 

faithful army. This promise was to a 

Nation: "If ye seek Him, He will be 

found of 

2 Chron. 15:2 


May 25, 1955 


"The 'Aniens' of Jesus" (No. 5) 

Birth" 

"The Necessity of the New 

John 3:3-5 

Psalms: 

138:1-4, page 338 

146:1, 2, 4-7, page 353; 

91:1, 2, 13-15, page 223 

37:30-33, page 94. 

References: II Cor. 5:17; Gal. 6:15; 

Titus 3:5; Eph. 2:1-6; I Pet. 1:23; I John 

3:9; Ezek. 36:26. 

In a letter from Whitefield to Benja 

min Franklin, dated 1752, occur these 

words: "As I find you growing more 

and more famous in the learned world 

I would recommend to your diligent and 

unprejudiced study the mystery 

of the 

new birth. It is a most important study, 

and when mastered, will richly answer 

all your pains. I bid you, my friend, 

remember that One at whose bar we 

shall both presently appear hath solemn 

ly declared that without it we shall in 

no wise see His kingdom." 

The reference is to the solemn words 

of Jesus, addressed to Nicodemus. 

"Verily, verily (I most solemnly say 

unto you), except a man be born again 

COVENANTER WITNESS

verily." 

spots" 

mire." 

you." 

exhibition" 

he cannot see the kingdom of God." 

Three times in the first 11 verses of 

this chapter we find Jesus using the 

words, "Verily, Where the word 

"verily" 

(amen) is doubled it is to be 

considered as most emphatic. 

Jesus told Nicodemus, a ruler of the 

Jews, that he must be bom again. 

Whitefield, one of the greatest preach 

ers who has ever lived, told Franklin 

that he ought to study the doctrine of 

the new birth. Nicodemus and Franklin 

were both intelligent, cultured, upright 

men. They were good men, according to 

this world's standards of goodness. But 

they were both warned of the necessity 

of the new birth. 

WHY IS THE NEW BIRTH 

NECESSARY 

(1) Because Of Man's Sinful Nature. 

How often Paul warns that we are 

dead in trespasses and sins. There is 

no exception to this rule. Every 

Adam becomes a part in his great trans 

son of 

gression. A dead body has no power 

within itself to rise. Christ arose from 

the dead because He had an inward 

source of power, and because He arose 

from the dead He is able to raise up 

the bodies of those who sleep in Him. 

In like manner, Jesus is able to bring 

new life to the soul and spirit of man. 

What the resurrection is to the physical 

body, describes and explains what the 

new birth is to soul and spirit. The 

change must take place within the 

heart. There must be no putting of new 

wine in old bottles, or of putting new 

cloth on old garments. It is not a matter 

of reformation, but of repentance and 

renewal. Where there is true repentance 

there will be reformation. 

We would not say that every person 

who does not have the new birth is 

wicked in the usual sense of the word. 

There are many good and upright 

citizens like Nicodemus. But neverthe 

less they are sinners and are lost, ex 

cept they turn unto Christ and ex 

perience 

the renewal which He can 

give. Man in his sinful estate is self 

centered 

set upon having his own way. 

But as long as he insists upon choosing 

his own way of salvation, and rejects 

the plan which God has provided, he 

is lost. 

(2). Because It Is God's Plan 

Ever since the fall men have been 

trying to work out their own salvation. 

Cain brought an offering of his own 

choosing instead of bringing that which 

God had commanded. He worshiped in 

the manner in which he wanted to wor 

ship. It is characteristic of false re 

ligions or heresies that they teach sal 

vation through good works. Men must 

work their way to heaven rather than 

rest upon the saving 

May 4, 1955 

grace of Christ. 

Even within the membership 

of Chris 

tian churches there are thousands who 

believe that salvation depends upon be 

ing good, and not upon one's personal 

relationship with Christ. 

Some declare that a man must be 

religious to be saved. The Mohamme 

dans are very religious, but their re 

ligion does not even produce good 

works. Recently a man was telling me 

about what a wonderful philosophy the 

Indians have concerning the future 

life. But he didn't mention the Indian's 

fear of evil spirits, and the evil in 

cantations of the medicine men. This 

man apparently believed that all the 

Indians would be saved because they 

believed in a hereafter. When I spoke 

to this man who claimed he was a 

church member about the necessity of 

a personal faith in Christ, he seemed to 

have no understanding 

of the subject. 

His philosophy of salvation was that one 

must be religious. 

(3). A Necessity to Enter the Kingdom 

Of God 

Jesus makes this very plain to Nico 

demus in verses 3 and 5. 

"Except a 

man be born again he cannot enter the 

kingdom of God." We usually think of 

this as pertaining to heaven. Certainly, 

one must have the new birth to go to 

heaven. But it means far more than 

that, for the kingdom of God is upon 

earth as well as in heaven. Jesus said, 

"The kingdom of God is within 

When the new birth takes place, the 

changes which take place within a per 

son are evident in his life upon earth. 

We don't have to wait for heaven to 

experience the blessings of the new 

birth. 

Man has been created in the image 

of God, a higher creation than the ani 

mals. Animals are lacking in soul and 

spirit and cannot experience the new 

birth. An animal trainer had a theory 

that the nature of an animal was de 

termined by the kind of food it ate. To 

test his theory he raised a lion cub 

on milk. But to his sorrow, he learned 

that the lion still had a thirst for blood. 

Its nature had not been changed in any 

way. Jeremiah writes (2:23), "Can the 

Ethopian change his skin, or the leopard 

his 

"But 

Peter writes (II P. 2:22), 

it is happened unto them ac 

cording to the true proverb, The dog is 

returned to his own vomit again; and 

the sow that was washed to her wallow 

ing in the 

Discussion 

1. How may one know that he has 

been born again 

2. Is it essential to know when one 

was born again 

3. Can one be born again more than 

once Can those who are born again 

experience a spiritual renewal 

For Prayer 

1. The young people who will be 

graduating from our schools. 

2. The coming meeting of Synod. 

3. For the Vacation Bible Schools that 

are being held, or that are to be held. 




COLORADO WOMEN'S 

PRESBYTERIAL 

The Thirty-sixth Annual Convention 

of the Colorado Women's Presbyterial 

was held in the Greeley Reformed Pres 

byterian Church on Wednesday, April 

20, 1955. Miss Pearl Allen of Denver pre 

sided. The Devotional Service was led by 

Mrs. M. T. Metcalf; reports of officers 

and superintendents were next on the 

agenda; matters of routine business 

were attended to. During recess, the 

delegates attended Tea in the Prayer 

Meeting room; hostesses were Mrs. 

Earle L. Coon and Mrs. Bruce C. Stew 

art; Mrs. Edwin R. Keys poured. 

The second session opened with a 

Memorial Service led by Mrs. Leonard 

Willcox. Mrs. Robert McBurney, Mrs. 

Wylie Kennedy, and Mrs. Paul White 

conducted a panal discussion; and the 

Rev. Bruce C. Stewart reported on the 

seminar on Visitation Evangelism which 

was recently held in Denver under the 

auspices of "Christ for America." Sev 

eral other items of business were dis 

cussed, and the meeting adjourned, Dr. 

J. C. Mitchel leading in prayer. 

A bountiful ham dinner was served by 

the ladies of the Church, and a "Cyprus 

prepared by Miss McCrea 

was on display at this time. 

Miss Gwen Elliott led the devotional 

service in the evening; the Juniors of 

Greeley under the leadership of Mrs. R. 

M. Carson presented some Psalms and 

memory work that they had completed. 

The speaker of the evening and honored 

guest for the Presbyterial was Miss 

Blanche McCrea, Principal of the Amer 

ican Academy for Girls at Nicosia, Cy 

prus. She challenged us with an appeal 

for help, and showed pictures of Cyprus. 

Rev. Paul D. White led in prayer, install 

ing the new officers. They are: Presi 

dent, Mrs. Bruce C. Stewart; Vice-Presi 

dent, Mrs. Ruth Carson; Recording Sec 

retary, Mrs. J. C. Mitchel; Correspond 

ing Secretary, Mrs. David McFarland; 

and Treasurer, Mrs. Wylie Kennedy. 

Miss Anna Dickey, 

Corresponding Secretary 

283

away." 

WOMAN'S DEPARTMENT 

Donations Acknowledged by Our Home 

Entertainment and refreshments from 

Y.W.C.A. 

Showing of Cyprus pictures by Rose 

Munnell 

Ice cream, cake, and coffee by Rose 

Point Y.W.M.S. 

Three cakes from Mrs. K. S. Edgar 

Easter favors from 8th U.P. Girl Scouts 

Easter favors from College Hill highlanders 

Cookies and candy from Wilkinsburg 

W.M.S. 

MARY KENWILL 

The Board of Directors of the Aged 

People's Home announces sorrowfully 

the passing of one of our Directors Miss 

Mary Kenwill who was the daughter of 

Arthur and Catherine Kenwill, members 

of the Central church in Pittsburgh. 

Miss Kenwill was a much loved and 

highly respected teacher in our Perry 

High School for 26 years before retiring 

in 1948. She was elected to the Board 

only last year to serve the unexpired 

term of Mrs. J. H. McBurney, and gra 

ciously and unobtrusively filled her 

place on the Board as a valuable mem 

ber, even though the period of service 

was so short. She had been made chair 

man of a new committee and had started 

to lay the foundation for the project. 

She was active in her own congregation, 

the Central-Pittsburgh, as a Sabbath 

School teacher for the past 28 years, and 

for two years was President of 

Woman's Missionary Society. 

the 

Miss Kenwill was a vital Christian, 

one who loved her Lord with all her 

heart, soul and mind and His church in 

its every phase. She leaves a nephew, 

Robert McConaughy 

an elder in the 

Central-Pittsburgh congregation, and a 

niece, Mrs. Mary McCrory of Colorado 

and hosts of friends to mourn her. For 

her to live was Christ, and to die was 

gain. 

Precious in the sight of the Lord is 

the death of his saints. Psalm 116:15 

STOP HURRYING! 

The Bible seldom speaks, 

and cer 

tainly its deepest, sweetest words, to 

those who always read in a hurry. Na 

ture can only 

tell her secrets to such 

as will sit still in her sacred temple 

till their eyes lose the glare of earthly 

glory and their ears are attuned to her 

voice. And shall revelation do what 

nature cannot do Never. The man 

who shall win the blessedness of hearing 

the voice of divine wisdom must watch 

daily at her gates, and wait at the 

posts of her doors. F. B. Meyer. 

284 

Church News 

NOTICE: 

Committee is 

Synod's Co-ordinating 

called to meet in the Geneva College 

Library, Beaver Falls, Pa., June 8, 10:00 

A.M., EDST. 

M. W. Dougherty, Chairman 

The Publication Board will meet May 

4, 10:00 A.M. at the Denison Church. 

M. W. Dougherty, Pres. 


At its temporary location in East 

Lansdowne, Pa., the United Covenanter 

Church held its Communion on Sabbath, 

April 10. It was conducted by our Pas 

tor, Dr. Paul McCracken, with Licen 

tiate Paul Robb assisting. We had a 

very large attendance, some people com 

ing long distances. All agreed they had 

a fine, uplifting experience. 

The Women's Missionary Society meet 

ing this month was held at the home of 

Mrs. Nellie Jackson. Miss Deborah Arch 

er was the devotional leader. Our new 

President is Mrs. Paul McCracken. Dele 

gates to the Presbyterial in Orlando 

were chosen. 

HEBRON PASTOR TO BE 

INSTALLED 

The Ordination and Installation of Mr. 

Milton Harrington will be held at the 

Hebron Church on May 17, beginning at 

2:00 P.M. Friends are welcome to this 

solemn and joyous occasion. 


"Twilight Time" will be the theme of 

the Geneva College May Day ceremonies 

to be presented in the college chapel 

May 5 and 6. The event is sponsored by 

the Women's Student association at the 

college. Siola Velazquez, New York, 

N.Y., will be crowned the 1955 Geneva 

May Queen. She was elected by vote of 

the student body. Because of the large 

attendance at the festivities in past 

years, college officials decided to repeat 

the ceremony 

a second night instead of 

the usual one performance. The program 

will begin at 8:15 p.m. both nights. The 

chapel will be open at 7:30 p.m. 

This year's activities include the tra 

ditional Maypole dance, and a pageant 

entitled "Our Toyland Fantasy." Miss 

Velazquez will wear a gold and white 

robe, 

and will be crowned amid a back 

ground of stars. Marjorie Houston and 

Nancy Mandeville both of Beaver Falls, 

will be the crown bearer and sceptre 

bearer respectively. Other members of 

the court are Lasca Barbee, Beaver 

Falls: Ruth Davidson, East Liverpool, 

O.; Margery Poppe, New Alexandria; 

Joan Watson, Yorklyn, Del.; Erla Jean 

Willson, Beaver Falls; and Jacqueline 

Woznicki, Aliquippa. 

Robert McFarland, Sterling, Kan., and 

Robert McMaster, Pittsburgh, will es 

cort Miss Mandeville and Miss Houston. 

Royal escorts for the remainder of the 

court will be Charles Cruikshank, Pitts 

burgh; Wendell McBurney, Spring Val 

ley, N. Y.; C. Dick Park, Valencia; Au 

gust Schnider, Norwood; James Shumaker, 

Beaver Falls; and Donald Wit 

ney, Gibsonia. Maypole dancers will be 

Joann Colteryahn, Eighty Four; Sally 

Daugherty, Monongahela; Kay Follette, 

Beaver Falls; Miriam Johnson, 

Monessen; 

Frances Kappas, Ambridge; Patri 

cia Kerr, Beaver Falls; Ruth Wimer, 

Aliquippa; and Vivian Wilson, Battle 

Creek, Mich. 

Vocalists in the coronation will be 

Sally Dishler, Rochester; Beverly Fleeson, 

Ellwood City; and Carol Love, Free 

dom. Janice Martin, East Liverpool, O., 

will be the organist, and Lois Weimer, 

Franklin, the pianist. 

Georgia Wilson, Stafford, Kan. and 

Wayne Spear, Bovina Center, N.Y. will 

be the narrators for the coronation. Miss 

Wilson is also chairman of the May Day 

committee. Miss Doris Nevin, women's 

physical education instructor, is director 

of the entire program. About 45 students 

will participate in "Our Toyland Fan 

tasy" 

pageant. 

CAMBRIDGE NEWS 

On March 30, at 11:55 P.M., David 

Irwin Robb arrived at Symmes-Arlington 

Hospital in Arlington, Massachu 

setts. He weighed in at nine pounds-one 

ounce and came with a fine set of lungs. 

His mother is fine and we thank the 

Lord for His goodness in granting such 

health and recovery to them both. 

Mrs. Ruth Tuttle, sister of Dr. E. J. M. 

Dickson and a very frequent attender 

at Cambridge, passed away on March 31. 

She will be deeply missed by the congre 

gation and her many friends, but we 

know with Peter that she, who lived 

and now sleeps in Christ, will "receive a 

crown of glory that fadeth not 

A month ago the church basketball 

team was struggling to get into fifth 

place in the Cambridge Senior Protes 

tant League at the YMCA. Then some 

thing happened and the season closed 

with the church team finishing in second 

place. Members of the team are Bill 


. 

ducted 

Grant, Bob McKinley, Leo Wolcott, Kinnon 

Burgess, Rusty Burgess, Roy Dean, 

Tom Smyth and Rev. Robb. 

Lights burn late some week nights at 

the church. Men of the congregation are 

working hard and long to improve the 

S.S. room of our church. New acoustic 

tile ceiling is being put up, naturally 

paint is also being added. . . and bright 

flourescent fixtures to replace the old 

standard ones will finish the remodeling. 

We hope that the members of presbyter 

ial will enjoy these improvements and 

that the new cheery room will add much 

to the S.S. classes which meet there. 

We hope to have Rev. Claude Brown 

with us as assistant at communion on 

May 1. He will also be a speaker at the 

Womens' 

Presbyterial which meets here 

on May 3 and 4. 

PHOENIX 

Our Sam McFarland Memorial Li 

brary is happy to report that during the 

past fiscal year ninety books have been 

added. If it is true that we become like 

those with whom we constantly asso 

ciate, then it is logical to say 

that the 

companionship of good books will have a 

salutary and stimulating effect for us. 

The Deacon Board has made it possible 

for the library to be moved, and thanks 

to Messrs. Mackenroth, McGaffick, 

Mc- 

Murray, and Means, for building new 

shelves so that we will have room for 

further expansion. We thank the follow 

ing for their donations of books; the 

Sabbath School, W.M.S.; Mmes. Cady, 

Bushnell, House, Mackenroth, McElhin 

ney, Neiman; Dr. D. Raymond Taggart, 

D.D.; David Daugherty and Glen Wolfe. 

OLATHE 

Sabbath morning, March 20, Mr. 


ject of 

"Stewardship," 

spoke on the sub 

in cooperation 

with Synod's Committee on Steward 

ship. The booklet "Ten Times 

Ten" 

was partially reviewed and several of 

the members of W. M. S. took part by 

responsively reading portions of the 

booklet. The Tithe Pledge Cards were 

distributed to the congregation and 

there was a fine response. We would 

recommend the reading of this booklet 

"Ten Times Ten" which is one of the 

finest messages on this important sub 

ject. 

The annual congregational meeting 

was held Friday, April 15, at the 

church, 

preceded by a "covered-dish" 

supper. The financial report of the con 

gregation was very encouraging and 

the amount given to Synod's Budget 

was almost twice as much as last year. 

We are happy to announce that the out 

side of the church is being painted and 

that we have sufficient funds on hand 

for this project. 

May 4, 1955 

The following officers were elected for 

the coming year: Chairman of the 

Congregation, Harvey McGee; Secretary 

of the Congregation, Mrs. Roger Brown; 

Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. Frank 

Stewart; Treasurer, Edgar Moore; Sup 

erintendent of the Sabbath School, How 

ard McGee; Assistant Superintendent of 

the Sabbath School, Kenneth Tippin; 

Treasurer and Secretary of Supplies, 

Mrs. Mary Tippin; Superintendent of 

Junior Sabbath School, Mrs. Charles 

McBurney; Assistant Superintendent of 

Junior Sabbath School, Mrs. Harvey 

McGee; Ushers, Kenneth Tippin, Alfred 

Spencer, Kenneth Gifford. 

The April meeting of the W. M. S. 

was held at the home of Mrs. Frank 

Redpath. After a very tasty luncheon, 

Mrs. Harvey McGee, the new President, 

opened the meeting. Mrs. Mary Everett 

led the Devotional Period and Miss Lila 

Smith gave the missionary review. 

Dr. H. G. Patterson was a recent 

visitor in the home of Mr. and Mrs. 

Frank Redpath. He made a call at the 

manse which was very enjoyable to 

Dr. and Mrs. Frank Stewart. 

The W.M.S. and the Y.W.M.S. had a 

joint Temperance Meeting, Wednesday 

night, March 30, in which the Juniors' 

also participated. A covered-dish sup 

per preceded the meeting 

well attended. 

which was 

Mrs. Carrietta Brown was the hostess 

for the Y.W.M.S. 

which met at the 

church for their April meeting. There 

was a brief business session after the 

Devotional Period in which delegates 

to the coming Presbyterial meeting 

were discussed. 

A large group from Olathe went to 

Kansas City to hear the "Genevans" 

give their concert. Many remarked that 

it was the best ever! The Glee Club 

was a real credit to Geneva College! 

We were very happy to have Mrs. 

Ninnie McGee of Sterling, Kansas, in 

our midst for a couple of weeks. She 

visited in the homes of Mrs. Ella McGee 

and Mr. and Mrs. Harvey McGee. 

Dr. and Mrs. Frank Stewart had a 

delightful time in the home of Rev. 

and Mrs. Lester Kilpatrick at Sterling, 

Kansas where Dr. Stewart assisted in 

the Communion Services. They also 

greatly enjoyed their fellowship among 

the members of the congregation. 

In the absence of Dr. Stewart, Mr. 

Harvey McGee conducted the Sabbath 

morning Prayer Meeting and led in a 

very helpful meeting. 

PORTLAND 

We were very happy to have Mr. 

Frazer fill our pulpit during the time 

our pastor was in Fresno, April 10 to 

16. 

We always welcome our out-of-bounds 

members into our fellowship when they 

are in our vicinity. Mrs. Death of Van 

couver, B. C, recently 

worshiped with 

us while she was visiting relatives in 

Portland. 

WILKENSBURG 

The W.M.S. and Y.P.M.S. were hos 

tesses at the annual temperance meet 

ing of 

the three Pittsburgh congre 

gations and New Alexandria. The de 

votional service was conducted by the 

Wilkinsburg C.Y.P.U. Rev. Kermit Ed 

gar gave a helpful talk, bringing things 

of interest from the meeting of the 

National Temperance Council in Wash 

ington, D. C. A temperance film follow 

ed "The Power Of Decision." Following 

the meeting, refreshments were served 

in the church dining-room. 

We were privileged to have Rev. Sam 

Boyle preach for us both morning and 

evening on March 27. There was a 

large audience in the evening, with 

Allegheny, Central Pittsburgh, New Al 

exandria and Parnassus congregations 

joining in that service. 

At the morning service on April 17 

Miss Marianne Campbell and Miss Sally 

Ann Frakes, who had been received by 

the session on profession of faith and by 

certificate, were publicly welcomed by 

our pastor as they took the Covenant 

of Church Membership. 

As the result of a recent fall in her 

home, Mrs. R. D. Brown suffered a 

broken wrist and a severe neck injury. 

On April 3 the sacrament of baptism 

was administered to Donna Jean Tib 

by, little daughter of Jim and Maxine 

Steele Tibby. 

Our annual congregational meeting 

was held the evening of April 12. It 

was preceded by a dinner, 

following 

which our pastor Dr. McKnight 

con- 

the devotional service. Good re 

ports were given on the work and 

finances of the various organizations, 

and by Dr. McKnight. Mrs. R. D. Brown 

and Mrs. Jim Harris were elected to 

succeed themselves on the Board of 

Trustees for a term of three years. Mr. 

James C. Harris was elected to fill the 

unexpired term of Mr. M. G. Hodgkiss 

who resigned. Agnes Liggett was ap 

pointed correspondent for "The Coven 

anter Witness." 

Dr. Frank E. Allen of the Hopkinton, 

Iowa, congregation assisted Dr. T. C. 

McKnight in the services connected 

without communion on April 24. Mrs. 

Allen accompanied him East. 

Preachers at our evening services 

from time to time in recent weeks have 

been students from our Seminary. Rob 

ert McCracken, Donald Felker, Armour 

McFarland, Ray Joseph, Glenn McFar 

land, Paul Robb, and Donald McClurkin. 

The members of the Wilkinsburg con- 

285

gregation appreciate greatly the fellow 

ship with and help of the young men of 

the Seminary and, having known them 

in this way, will follow each of them 

in his ministry 

prayers. 

with our interest and 

COLLEGE HILL 

The Women's Missionary Societies 

of the congregation sponsored a mission 

ary Conference March 20-23. On Sab 

bath evening our Pastor Dr. Lathom 

preached a fine sermon on "Missions in 

the World Today." Tuesday evening it 

was our privilege to hear Mr. and Mrs. 

Kenneth Sanderson tell about our work 

in Syria. On Wednesday evening Mr. 

Chester Fox, Treasurer of the Foreign 

Board, spoke on the problems con 

fronting this part of our Church's work. 

Questions by those present were asked 

and answered by Mr. Fox. It was a 

very 

profitable evening. We felt that 

this project was very much worth-while. 

Dr. and Mrs. J. S. Mclsaac were in 

Harrisburg, Pa. attending 

an Educa 

tional Convention. Dr. Mclsaac was 

President of the Pennsylvania Associa 

tion of Liberal Arts Colleges for the Ad 

vancement of Teaching. While on the 

same trip they visited their daughter 

Louise who lives in Washington, D. C. 

Mrs. Howard McAnlis has returned 

after spending the winter with daugh 

ters in Vermont and New Jersey. 

Dr. and Mrs. Robert Clarke and Dr. 

Edwin C. 

Clarke spent some time in 

Philadelphia during the vacation. 

Our mid-week Prayermeetings have 

been most interesting 

and the attend 

ance very good. Various organizations in 

the congregation and Sabbath School 

have presented the special work they are 

doing. These programs have shown that 

all are active in the Lord's work and 

have stimulated our prayer activity on 

their behalf. 

A daughter Roberta Lee was born to 

Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Dwyer on March 15. 

Congratulations. ! 

Dr. R. I. Robb was the assistant at 

our recent Communion. He gave us ex 

cellent preaching. One member was re 

ceived on profession of faith in Jesus 

Christ, James Bradley Goe, two by cer 

tificate from other congregations, Dr. 

Doris Birkie from Wampum, Pa., 

Presbyterian Church; Mrs. Minnie Goe 

was restored to membership. The fol 

lowing were baptized, two infants, 

Vickey Jean Hardies, daughter of Mr. 

and Mrs. Charles Hardies and David 

Alan Gache, son of Mr. and Mrs. John 

Gache. Also James Bradley, Robert 

David, Thomas Charles, Terrell Ruth, 

children of Mr. and Mrs. Wilford Goe. 

We welcome all these to our Christian 

fellowship. 

286 


After a covered dish supper, the Rev. 

Robert Tweed showed slides of his trip 

to the Holy Land. Everyone enjoyed the 

pictures very much, even 

though we 

had to find our way home through a 

sudden spring snowstorm. 

We were glad to have the opportunity 

of hearing Paul Robb from our Semi 

nary preach for us once again before he 

leaves for Los Angeles. 

Robert McCracken preached Sabbath 

April 3rd. While our pastor assisted 

communion at the Belle Center con 

gregation. 

Our spring communion was held April 

17, with Dr. S. Bruce Willson assisting. 

Preparatory services were the preceding 

Thursday and Friday evenings. Dr. 

Willson is a former pastor and we are 

always glad to welcome him to our pul 

pit. 

SAN DD3GO 

We wish to thank the following gen 

erous friends for gifts recently received 

for our church Building Fund: Mrs. J. 

M. McDowell, Mrs. J. H. McBurney, 

Almonte Congregation, Pittsburgh Pres 

byterial, and Kansas Presbyterial. We 

now have about $1,200.00 in our Build 

ing Fund. We hope to start our much 

needed addition as 

soon as we have 

sufficient funds to pay for the neces 

sary materials. Our Bible School at 

tendance last Sabbath was 223 (this in 

quarters built to accommodate 150), so 

we do need more room! 

There are still some openings for 

teachers in our part of the State. If 

interested in locating where you can help 

in the work of the Kingdom as well, 

write the California Teachers Associa 

tion, 1625 So. Figuero, Los Angeles 14, 

asking for placement in the San Diego 

area, or write the pastor, Rev. J. D. 

Edgar, 10140 Crestview Heights, La 

Mesa, California, giving your qualifica 

tions. 

If you are out-of-bounds and would 

like to get where you can be useful in 

the Lord's work, we'd like you to con 

sider San Diego. Or, if you need to 

move for reasons of health, San Diego 

can offer you many advantages and an 

opportunity to serve the Lord in help 

ing build up His work in our church 

community. There are many types of 

employment and self-employment op 

portunities available here. The pastor 

will be glad to answer your questions. 

GREELEY 

The Annual Congregational Meeting 

was held following a supper on Tuesday, 

April 12. The Pastor introduced a Visi 

tation Evangelism Program. At the re 

commendation of the Deacon Board, the 

Congregation voted to secure bids and 

to proceed with a program to paint the 

outside of the Church. Congregational 

Officers elected were: Chairman, J. 

Clyde Dunn; Secretary, Mrs. Geneva 

Elliott; and Treasurer, Neeland B. Sie 

bring. 

Recent improvements to the Church 

include new cornices in the Prayer Meet 

ing Room made by Mr. R. Wendall 

Speer, and new drapes and curtains in 

the Sabbath School Room made by Mrs. 

Elliott and her committee from the two 

missionary societies. 

The Thirty-sixth Annual Convention 

of the Colorado Women's Presbyterial 

was held in the Greeley Church on Wed 

nesday, April 20. Miss Blanche McCrea 

of Cyprus was the Missionary Speaker. 

A full Report of the Presbyterial will 

appear in the Witness. 

DENISON 

The Rev. Joseph Caskey assisted in 

the communion services the week end of 

April 10. He brought interesting, help 

ful messages. James Preston Robb, son 

of Mr. and Mrs. Stewart Robb, was 

baptized. 

Miss Mary McCrory has returned to 

her home here after some weeks of con 

valescence following major surgery in 

the Stormont-Vail Hospital, Topeka. She 

was able to attend some of the com 

munion services. 

Some men of the congregation partici 

pated very ably in a home talent play, 

sponsored by the Denison Men's Chris 

tian Fellowship, to augment the fund for 

floodlights for the ball field on the 

school grounds. 

SEATTLE 

March 17 was a red letter day for all 

the Irish in the Fellowship Group (and 

all those who aren't Irish), for a St. 

Patrick's Day party was held at the 

home of Betty and Verd Dunn. The 

theme was complete from Irish potato 

race to Irish folk songs sung by the host 

ess. Very tasty refreshments were served 

at the close of this entertaining evening. 

Again on April 1 the same group 

journeyed by Ferry boat to Bremerton 

for a pot luck dinner at the home of Kay 

and Evelyn Gilchrist. Although most 

everyone was on guard for the usual 

April fool jokes, a few new jokes put a 

lot of life in the party and we all en 

joyed the evening immensely. 

The semi-annual Congregational meet 

ing was held April 12 with the following 

persons elected to office: Chairman, 

Thomas Rea; Secretary, Jean Dill; Pre 

centor, Donald Crozier; Assistant Pre 

centor, Mrs. Marian Martin. 

Time April 15, Place, Seattle Church 

basement. Event, Mr. Joseph Fleming's 

annual dinner for the Congregation and 

friends. A delicious roast beef dinner 

was served to some 125 persons. A pro 

gram followed consisting of local talent 


skirts" 

said" 

said!" 

and a testimonial speech by the captain 

of the 1953 Washington University bas 

ketball team. 


The Spring Communion of the Walton 

congregation was held April 10, preced 

ed by preparatory services Friday eve 

ning 

and Saturday afternoon. Rev. Rob 

ert Tweed of the Geneva congregation, 

Beaver Falls, preached four very help 

ful sermons. He drove to Walton on 

Thursday 

and that evening showed his 

pictures of the trip he took through 

Europe and into the Holy Land. 

Wendell Spear accompanied Mr. 

Tweed to Walton April 7 and spent the 

week-end with his mother, Mrs. Norman 

Spear, returning 

Monday. 

with Mr. 

Tweed on 

John Russell, son of Mr. and Mrs. Mil 

lard Russell, accompanied the "Genev 

ans" 

on their tour as far west as Ster 

ling, Kansas, during the Spring vaca 

tion at Geneva College. 

The Boyle family and Mrs. W. M. 

Robb spent some time in Orlando, Flori 

da, in April. While there they enjoyed 

a family 

reunion with Mr. 

and Mrs. 

Philip Robb and Dr. and Mrs. Wm. Dill. 

Mr. Boyle assisted at the Communion 

services April 17. 

Wayne Spear spent part of his Spring 

vacation at his home at Bovina Center. 

Mr. Maurice Loker of Louisville, Ken 

tucky, was at church April 3. He was 

visiting his mother, Mrs. 

and other relatives here. 

Fred Loker 

Mrs. A. M. Thomson, Sr. recently 

visited her son Archibald, Jr. who lives 

near Baltimore, Maryland. 

Word has been received of the mar 

riage, April 20, of Robert Elwood to a 

German girl. Robert has been stationed 

in Germany for some time and he ex 

pects to be discharged from service in 

late summer. 


was held Saturday, April 23 at the 

church. A dinner wag 

served at noon. 

Howard Gilchrist was chairman 

Mrs. 

and 

Marian Spear clerk. The treas 

urer's report indicated that we had paid 

more to Synod's budget than was plan 

ned in the local budget. 

Our pastor, Rev. Joseph Hill assist 

ed at Communion services for the New 

York congregation April 17. He was ac 

companied by his family and they visit 

ed Mrs. Hill's mother, who lives in the 

New York area. 

BE A TRACT DISTRIBUTOR 

There is hardly a family in America 

today that is not in one way. or anoth 

er 

being bombarded with tracts in an 

attempt to win the readers to the 

writer's point of view^ True, all of this 

printed matter is 

not evangelical in 

content, for the various cults spend 

millions of dollars a year to promulgate 

their perverted doctrines. Communism 

alone has unlimited quantities of prop 

aganda in the form of tracts and 

pamphlets. They fully 

realize this is 

one of the cheapest and easiest ways to 

reach people of all ages and all walks 

of life. 

What a challenge this presents to the 

Christian church which has in its keep 

ing the words of eternal life through 

the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus saves! 

What more wonderful way can 

this 

good news be spread abroad than 

through leaflet evangelism 

It has been reported that 

Benjamin Franklin ghost-wrote and 

printed the tracts of several early 

American evangelists, including those of 

George Whitefield. 

William Penn, founder of the City 

of Philadelphia, wrote a single religious 

tract that freed 12,000 Quakers im 

prisoned for Christ's sake. 

John Wanamaker, while Postmaster 

General of the United State, carefully 

selected gospel tracts for distribution to 

those he came in contact with. 

Martin Luther wrote more than one 

tract, booklet or book for every working 

week of his entire life. 

Whistler's Mother was called "a 

preacher in 

because she distri 

buted tracts to the workers on the rail 

road between Moscow and St. Peters 

burg, Russia. 

Already this year the Lord has won 

drously blessed the efforts of the 

AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY, New 

York City, enabling this 130-year-old 

organization to publish over 4 V2 -million 

pieces of literature during the first 

three months of 1955. 

Among the new releases are several 

which demand careful reading: 

A missionary challenge to every Chris 

tian, HOW SHALL THEY HEAR, by 

John A. Mawhinney, Jr., asks the pro 

vocative question, "If apart from Christ 

there is no hope, God has given the 

command to go, and the responsibility 

is ours as Christians, why don't we get 

at the job as we never have before" 

Written specifically for use with 

children, Rev. J. Charles Pelon has 

authored THE GREATEST EMANCI 

PATOR, 

which points up the fact that 

although Moses, Martin Luther and 

Abraham Lincoln were all great eman 

cipators, there has only been one Eman 

cipator who could set the world free 

from sin and its consequences 

Christ. 

Jesus 

Edwin Raymond Anderson, in his 

leaflet, GETTING THE MOST OUT OF 

IT, scrutinizes the value of time, and 

quotes Lord Chesterfield's advice: 

"Know the value of time. No idleness, 

no procrastination; never put off till 

tomorrow what you can do today." As 

a Scriptural application to 2 Corinthians 

6:2 ("Now is the accepted time; behold, 

now is the day of salvation"), Mr. An 

derson pleads with the reader to wait 

no longer to accept Christ. 

WHO WAS HE, by Nathanael Olson, 

is a good gospel tract showing, by 

Scripture quotations, that Jesus Christ 

was the Son of God, the Saviour of 

Men, and God's Love Gift to Man. 

Compiled by Priscilla Lyle during her 

long illness, hoping that it might be of 

solace to others, a small booklet of 

Scripture portions, THE HEM OF HIS 

GARMENT, contains some wonderful 

verses from the Bible to lay hold on 

when in pain or sorrow. They are broken 

down into categories such as : Not Alone, 

Comfort, Why People Suffer, Tempta 

tion, Prayer, Guidance, Assurance, Love, 

Etc. 

Samples of any 

of the above-mention 

ed tracts will be sent upon request, 

without cost, by writing to the Society 

at 21 West 46th Street, New York 36, 

N. Y. 

SERMON MANUSCRIPTS INVITED 

Sermon manuscripts about the Chris 

tian family are being solicited for a 

book to be published next year by Ab 

ingdon Press. 

Two typewritten copies of each manu 

script should be submitted to the editor, 

Rev. J. C. Wynn, 1105 Witherspoon 

Building, Philadelphia 7, Pa., by the 

deadline of August 10. Preachers are in 

vited to enter sermons about marriage, 

parental responsibility, family religion, 

sex standards, etc. An honorarium of 

$25.00 will be paid for each sermon se 

lected for publication by 

an editorial 

committee from the Joint Department of 

Family Life in the National Council of 

Churches. Sermons sent in become the 

property of the committee and will not 

be returned. 

"HE HATH SAID" 

If we can only grasp 

these words of 

faith, we have an all-conquering weap 

on in our hand. What doubt is there that 

will not be slain by this two-edged 

sword What fear is there that shall 

not fall smitten with a deadly wound 

before this arrow from the bow of God's 

covenant "He hath 

said!" 

Yes; whether 

for delight in our quietude, or for 

strength in our conflict, "He hath 

must be our daily resort. Since 

hath 

"He 

is the source of all wisdom. 

and the fountain of all comfort, let it 

dwell in you richly 

as a "well of water 

springing up into everlasting 

life." 

So 

shall you grow healthy, strong, and 

happy in the divine life. Spurgeon. 287 

May 4, 1955

News Notes from Syria 


Dear readers of the Witness; 

Spring is on us with a jump this 

year, with a hot desert wind the first 

two days of April. 

Schools are going along rather evenly 

and three-fourths gone for the year. 

We had only two strikes this year, 

losing a total of six days of school. 

Public schools have lost more. 

Next week we expect to send two 

teachers and six students to the Chris 

tian Young People's conference in Alep 

po, Syria. We are very thankful that 

these conferences have taken a very 

evangelistic viewpoint and interest for 

the last few years. Pray that much 

spiritual good will come of the con 

ference for the Protestant youth of the 

land. Miss McClurkin is to be one of the 

leaders. 

During the last week of May there 

is to be a conference of all Protestant 

missions and native Protestant churches 

in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Israel. 

Mrs. Hutcheson is privileged to be our 

delegate. Pray that this also may be 

blessed richly from above. 

When foreign countries have colonies, 

one sometimes hears that the minority 

groups do not get a fair deal. It is 

generally conceded that when the for 

eign government left and native govern 

ments took over, these minorities often 

got less fair treatment. Here is one in 

stance of how our converts are being 

vexed. When they want to register a 

new baby, if the name does not sound 

Arab enough to the registering of 

ficials, they say they 

cannot accept that 

name, and tell them they must choose 

a more Arabized name; that that is too 

foreign. Then they put them off, and 

put them off many times, trying to wear 

them down, so to speak. Eventually 

after some weeks or months the par 

ents can usually get their children regis 

tered under the name they want; but not 

without a struggle and many perplex 

ities. Even adult Christians from other 

countries have been asked to change 

their names when they wanted to be 

nationalized. But I don't know of any 

that just had to, or did. Pray that our 

people may show the right spirit and 

perseverance in such cases. 

Our church young folks group has 

been reorganized this winter and is 

very active, having weekly meetings 

with a social every third week. They 

are a large group. They have their own 

officers, and committees and seem to be 

functioning nicely. The pastor does not 

attend except when invited, but of 

course is always ready to give advice, 

and is often consulted. The society is 

actively using a vacant lot near the 

church for such games as tennis and 

volley ball. These days, it is patronized 

from sun-up till school begins; 

from 4 P.M. till sundown. 

then 

We have recently received new Arabic 

Psalm books with all the psalms. We 

have been using only selections for the 

last 15 years or so. Each Sabbath 

evening now for about six weeks we 

have had an hour's psalm singing to 

learn the new tunes, and have used 

them the past two Sabbaths in church 

quite satisfactorily. 

The Junior society of the church, 

sponsored by the Ladies Society of the 

church is meeting a hearty response 

among the children each 

forthright, with 

an attendance around 50. 

We trust we are doing your bidding 

to a great measure, and that of our 

Lord and Saviour, 

as His human repre 

sentatives here in our group. 

Some 270 students will receive diplo 

mas at the Moody Bible Institute 1955 

commencement, June 10. This is the 

largest graduating class ever to go out 

from the famous old school in Chicago. 

Sixteen evening school students also will 

receive certificates. Since it was estab 

lished 69 years ago, the Institute has 

trained some 58,000 men and women for 

Christian service. 

COVENANT JULY 

HEIGHTS 

J I i$si 

IAIN SPEAK^S 

^Rev. W

people." 

good," 

school," 

LESSONS FOR THE WEEK OF MAY 29, 1955 

"THE FIELD IS THE WORLD, 

THE SED (S THE WORD OP GOD 

VOLUME LIV WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 1955 NUMBER 19 

The Biggest light of My Life 

It Happened In A Tokyo Stadium 

I felt every muscle straining for more speed as 

I rounded the curve of the track and sped toward the 

finish line. But up ahead I could see the smooth, al 

most effortless movement of the champion. He ran 

like an Arabian thoroughbred, I thought, as his feet 

beat out their steady rhythm on the track. I gave a 

final tremendous effort and narrowed the distance 

between us. But even as I did, I heard the crowd of 

10,000 people burst into spontaneous applause. I 

knew that the champion had broken the tape at the 

finish line. 

In any other race I might have felt the quick 

rush of disappointment. But this was not an ordinary 

race. I, Kikuo Moriya, an obscure Japanese college 

student, had been running against the world's 

champion indoor miler. Instead of disappointment in 

defeat, I felt a warm kind of pleasure. I had never 

been so challenged. And, after all, I had come in sec 

ond 

second to the champion. 

The race was not an ordinary one for another rea 

son. It was the prologue to a Gospel rally. Gil Dodds, 

the American champion, had come to Japan not to 

run, but to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was 

sponsored by The Pocket Testament League. The 

League was distributing Scriptures all over Japan. 

Now, here in Tokyo's Nile Kinnick Stadium, 10,000 

people had gathered to see Gil Dodds run an exhibi 

tion race and to hear the Gospel preached. All top 

runners in Japan had been invited to run against Gil. 

I had looked forward to this night for weeks. I had 

read every newspaper story on Dodds and I knew 

that in addition to being one of the world's top run 

ners, he was a Christian. I was anxious to meet this 

Christian athlete. 

Soon after our race, the Gospel meeting began. As 

I listened to the message I felt myself deeply moved. 

The things I heard struck familiar chords of halfforgotten 

memories and quick vivid flashes of child 

hood scenes came back to me. 

My Mother Worshiped Idols 

Suddenly I was back in our comfortable home in 

Nirasaki, a little Japanese town about 100 miles west 

of Tokyo. I was eight years old and my big sister, 

Tamika, had just come home from school. She was a 

student at the Baptist mission school in Kafu. As I 

sat beside her, she began to tell me what she learned 

at school. She pointed to the idols which had been in 

the symbols 

our home ever since I could remember 

of my mother's Buddhist and Shinto faith. "They do 

she said. 

not worship little gods like that at 

"They are Christians and they say there is only one 

God. They cannot see him, but they pray to him." She 

told me many other things about the strange Chris 

tian religion of the mission school. I liked the things 

she said. The Christians sounded so kind. They 

sounded happy, too. My mother, I knew, was a very 

religious person. She prayed for her family and of 

fered many sacrifices to her gods. But one never 

knew when the gods might get angry. 

. 

Again my memory took me back into my past. I 

was in high school, in history class. And my history 

teacher was explaining to us the Christian religion. 

"The Christian ideals are he told us. "Christ 

was a good man, and Christianity teaches that His 

followers should be good men, too. The Christians 

send missionaries to other countries to teach Chris 

tianity. The missionaries are often good people. But 

their governments use Christianity as a wedge to get 

into other countries and conquer and enslave the 

He told us that Christianity had come to 


affirm" 

requirement," 



The items in this issue, owing to special circumstances, 

are taken directly from other papers. 

Missionaries in India 

The growing impression in this country that India has 

no place for Christian missionaries from the U.S. is a false 

one, mission leaders meeting in New York were told last 

week. The door is open, and large numbers of American 

missionaries are freely carrying on their ministry of preach 

ing, healing, and service. During 1953 and 1954, the Indian 

government granted 89%% of all requests for visas by U.S. 

mission boards, a total of 399 persons. The report, based on 

a recently completed survey of 20 U.S. mission boards with 

work in India, was presented at the annual meeting of the 

South Asia Committee of the National Council of Churches 

by the Rev. A. Russell Stevenson, executive director of the 

Council's Office for Southern Asia and the Near East. Dur 

ing the same period, the Indian government refused only 

49 visa applications. 

University of Japan 

George Togasaki, president of the Board of Trustees of 

Internationa] Christian Union University, Japan, and presi 

dent of the Nippon Times, Ltd., Tokyo, is paying a visit 

to this country. He was introduced by Dr. Stanley I. Stuber 

to a group of religious editors at a luncheon in the ICU 

head office in New York. Mr. Togasaki reported the Uni 

versity as rapidly developing. Its incoming class will number 

167 picked students who come from all parts of the country. 

One third of the students are women. The students volun 

tarily maintain two Bible classes a week as part of student 

activity. The school has a campus of 296 acres. 

Various Sects in France 

Since World War II, some thirty new religious denom 

inations have sprung up in France. These sects have 

arisen largely on an anticlerical basis, as in Italy. The 

predominant, monopolistic Roman Catholic Church in France 

is resented by numerous elements of the population, largely 

among the working classes. An attempt by that church to 

stem this tide of alienation and even opposition was made 

by the use of labor-priests in industry, but this turned out 

to be dangerous for the ecclesiastical powers, because the 

disaffection of the masses infected the loyalty and obe 

dience of the priests. When ordered to stop their labor ac 

tivities, some of the young priests refused, and the church 

does not tolerate disobedience in the priesthood. The social 

unrest coupled with a deep desire for full religious freedom 

among the masses has created the opportunity for promot 

ers of various religious sects to propagate. This has resulted 

in a warning being issued by the Roman hierarchy to their 

church people of "the grave danger which threatens their 

faith . 

. . 

"Evidently, 

evangelicals in France are making 

some headway in awakening the people. 

Court Decision on the Oath 

The United States Supreme Court has ruled that wit 

nesses with religious scruples against oath-taking do not 

need to make more than a simple affirmation that they will 

tell the truth. It reversed the conviction of Perry Bowen 

Moore, of Sullivan, 111., 

who received a 2-year sentence 

on charges of draft evasion and ordered that he receive a 

290 

new trial. Moore claimed religious objections to military 

service. The opinion, which was unanimous, held that Fed 

eral Judge William Campbell, 

of Chicago, 111., erred in re 

fusing to let Moore take the stand in his own defense, as 

well as other defense witnesses who refused to swear the 

usual oath or to "solemnly 

truth. "There is no 

that they would tell the 

the high court said, 

"that the word 'solemnly' be used in the affirmation, and 

the judgment of conviction is therefore reversed and the 

case is remanded for a new trial." 

Worship in Egyptian Camp 

For the first time, an Egyptian military camp 

will have 

a Christian place of worship. A Coptic Orthodox church 

will be constructed soon in the huge Abbassia barracks 

near Cairo for Egyptian soldiers of the Christian faith sta 

tioned there. 

Graham Invited to Norway 

American Evangelist Billy Graham has been officially 

invited to visit Norway by Bishop Johannes Smemo of 

Oslo, Primate of Norway and his predecessor Bishop Eivind 

Berggrav. The action virtually assures plans for the evan 

gelist to stage a 5- to 6-day campaign in Norway next 

June, since Dr. Graham earlier had indicated his willingness 

to come to this country if all of its churches participated 

in the invitation. A committee appointed by the Evangelical 

Alliance, representing most of Norway's free churches, has 

been working for some time on plans for a Norwegian cru 

sade by 

the American preacher. Committee officials said 

that, since Oslo had no indoor auditorium large enough to 

handle the anticipated crowds, the rally probably will be 

held at the Bislet sports arena, which can accommodate 

up to 30,000. 

Congregation Supports 325 Missionaries 

Dr. Oswald J. Smith celebrated his 25th anniversary 

as pastor of the People's church, Toronto, Canada, March 







through its editorial office at 1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka. Kansas. 



Opinions expressed in our columns are those of the individual writers :; 













Subscription rates: 12.50 per year; Overseas. J3.00 ; Single Copiee 

10 cents. 

The Rev. R. B. Lyons, B.A.. Limavady, X. Ireland, Agent for the 


Entered as second class matter at the Post Office in Newton, Kansa^ 



COVENANTER WITNESS

ministers' 



TEN YEARS AFTER 

The tenth anniversary of V-E Day finds the world still 

longing for peace. Though no fighting is going on at the 

moment, our politics and economy are dominated by the 

possibility of war. The anniversary is being marked by a 

foreign meeting at Paris, which will restore the 

formal sovereignty of West Germany. Few Americans would 

have dreamed, in 1945, that we would now be rearming the 

Germans; but few then realized the strength of Communist 

imperialism. We have had many disillusionments in the past 

ten years, and made many mistakes. Gradually, however, the 

free countries have learned to cooperate and pool their 

strength for defense. American foreign policy has not al 

ways been wise, but it has usually been unselfish, and in some 

cases extraordinarily generous. How much stronger our lead 

ership would be if this were truly a Christian nation! 

ITALIAN POLITICS 

Italy has a new President, Giovanni Gronchi, who was 

elected by the parliament for a seven-year term to succeed 

Luigi Einaudi. The presidency of Italy, like that of France, 

carries little political power but considerable prestige. Gron 

chi was formerly president of the Chamber of Deputies. His 

choice is considered a major setback for Premier Mario 

Scelba, for Gronchi is a left-wing Christian Democrat while 

Scelba belongs to the right-wing faction. Scelba backed an 

other candidate but could not command the necessary twothirds 

majority. The socialists helped elect Gronchi, and he 

also received some Communist votes. Scelba must submit his 

resignation on May 12, and is likely to have a hard time 

forming a new cabinet. If a new government follows, it will 

be more leftist. The Communists have suffered some sharp' 

defeats, however, in labor union elections and in the choice 

of farm administrators for rural areas. 

TUNISIAN SETTLEMENT 

Premier Edgar Faure of France has announced a plan 

which may bring peace to the troubled North African pro 

tectorate of Tunisia. Mendes-France began the negotiations 

last summer but was thrown out of office before he could 

finish. France will continue to manage Tunisia's defense and 

foreign relations, and will keep military control of the 

Libyan border and the naval base at Bizerte. Both the 

French and Arabic languages may be used in the govern 

ment, and the Tunisian and French schools will remain sep 

arate. No town council can have a majority of Frenchmen. 

The Tunisians will take control of the police in two years, 

and of the courts in twenty years. Tunisia's Arabs outnum 

ber the Europeans twelve to one, and have a well-organized 

nationalist party. If the French National Assembly ratifies 

the new plan and the two governments carry it out in good 

faith, it should end the disorders in Tunisia and also lead to 

improvements in Morrocco and Algeria. 

PROGRESS REPORT 

If Congress is to adjourn in July, as planned, the law 

makers either will have to speed up their work or go home 

with little accomplished. The Administration's trade bill, 

extending the Reciprocal Trade Act for three years and giv 

ing the President more tariff-cutting powers, passed the 

May 11, 1955 

House in February. The Senate Finance Committee finally 

approved the measure after making some concessions to in 

dustries which want special protection. More amendments 

will undoubtedly be offered on the Senate floor, 

and Eisen 

hower will have to exert all his influence to get a worth 

while bill. A Senate committee has cut the President's am 

bitious road-building program to a measure allowing 

$21.7" 

billion over a five-year period, with an increase in the federal! 

gasoline tax. The Administration bill for a large militaryreserve 

is also being modified, and it appears that the 

sixmonth 

"universal" training program for youths aged 17 to 

19 will be made voluntary. 

CLOSED GATES 

Los Alamos, New Mexico, a center of atomic research 

since World War II, will remain a closed city according to 

a recent decision of the Atomic Energy Commission. A 

lively debate among the residents preceded this announce 

ment. A majority seemed to favor the continued exclusion 

of the general public, to prevent crime and the annoyance of 

tourists and salesmen. Others felt that the security restric 

tions surrounding Los Alamos were a violation of traditional 

American freedoms. It was generally admitted that the con 

trols were no longer necessary to protect atomic research. 

Oak Ridge, Tennessee, one of the earliest centers for build 

ing atom bombs, took down its gates in 1949. The federal 

government is now liquidating its real-estate holdings there 

and giving up its control of the local schools. 

DUST BOWL 

Continuing dust storms in the southern Great Plains 

have now created a situation as serious as the "dust bowl" 

of the 1930's. Under the high prices of wartime, wheat was 

planted on land which had barely sufficient moisture. Since 

1951 a cycle of dry weather has led to crop failures and 

serious erosion in a wide area, centering in western Kansas 

and eastern Colorado. Last year's "dust bowl" region was 11 

million acres, and has now increased to 14 million. So far this 

year the area has had only about half its normal rainfall, 

and much of the winter wheat crop has been blown out or 

killed. The emergency aid program begun last year is being 

continued, with over $7 million being paid out for emergency 

tillage and the planting of soil-conserving cover crops. The 

Federal 

. 

Crop Insurance Corporation has cancelled next 

year's wheat insurance in nine counties of Colorado, Texas, 

and New Mexico. This may seem harsh, but it is certainly 

unwise to encourage farmers to keep growing wheat on this 

marginal land, when we are already burdened with a 

heavy surplus. 

MIDGET RADIOS 

Germanium transistors, which have revolutionized elec 

tronic equipment, are now being applied to ordinary radios. 

A transistor smaller than a pencil eraser can do the work of 

a radio vacuum tube and take only a small fraction of the 

space and current. Hand-size portable radios using transis 

tors are not on the market, and a "transistorized" auto radio 

has been announced. It requires only one-tenth the battery 

power used by conventional auto radios. It also is smaller, 

lighter, and simpler and more rugged in design. 

291

miles." 

universe," 

cattle." 

sma' 

construction," 

risk." 

equal." 


A CALL TO CHRISTIAN EFFICIENCY 

A few years ago we were hearing a great deal 

about efficiency experts. These engineers () pro 

posed to go into any factory or office and make a 

survey of each man's job, analyze it, breaking it 

down into its several component parts, and teach him 

how to eliminate lost motion. Two men unloading a 

carload of pig iron could save three hours of time 

by following the expert's instructions, and all other 

jobs likewise. The reaction of many men was that 

made into mere robots and lost their 

they were being 

liberty and their personality. Nevertheless the as 

sembly line still persists. 

Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are the Chris 

tian's efficiency experts, and if the whole world 

would listen to them and read God's Rule Book, 

the hindering forces of the world would be elimi 

nated, and the constructive forces speeded up. But 

mankind in general insists on learning the hard way. 

Trial and error (mostly error) , sowing wild oats, is 

their idea of self education. In most cases the results 

are fatal. 

"Make straight paths for your feet" (Heb. 12: 

13), says the Scripture. "I am the Way, the Truth 

and the Life," says the Great Shepherd. Eliminate 

the lost motions of your life. 

Boston, "the hub of the has crooked 

streets 

bent spokes. One tradition says that aristo 

cratic Bostonians used to own milch cows instead of 

Rolls-Royces, and when they drove them across the 

Commons after the morning chore, the cows went 

from one green tuft to another, and made the paths 

that afterwards became the streets. Maybe that is 

where Henry Wadsworth Longfellow got that unfor 

gettable line, "Be not like dumb driven An 

other tradition has it that these are paths of the 

wayward citizens, coming home in the wee hours 

of the dusky dawn. The Evolution of the Super High 

way might make you a good thesis subject for your 

doctorate degree. From the Pathfinder to the Turn 

Piker. But note this : Every path or turn pike once 

had its first traveler. 

Psychologists tell us that all our habits are path 

ways or grooves in our brains figuratively speak 

ing, of course. The first time you do a thing is like 

a very light pinscratch, but repetition makes the 

score deeper, and soon it becomes a groove, then a 

rut which reminds us of the kindly man who put up a 

warning at the beginning of a very bad piece of 

road : "Choose your rut carefully, for you will be in 

it for the next forty So God says to the be 

ginner of habits, "Make straight paths for your 

feet." 

Habit Centers Are Scattered Throughout the Body. 

A skilled piano player will play a piece of music 

she has never seen before, reading the several clefs 

with the eyes, playing them with the fingers, check 

ing the harmony 

and the time with ears and coordin 

ating them all so unconsciously that scarcely a 

thought needs to be given to the whole performance. 

But this is possible as a result of many hours of fin 

ger exercises, in which the various phrases of the 

music have all been seen by the eyes, heard by the 

292 

ears, and only the general effect is recorded in the 

mind. Whoever thinks of which muscles he is using 

in walking, or which foot he is advancing, keeping 

his balance with all those bones and muscles in 

each of his feet The straight-paths-for-his-feet 

habit he mastered when a mere infant. 

But the moral habits of feet, hands, eyes, ears, 

tongue, and heart, are not so easily trained. "Keep 

thy heart with all diligence for out of it are the is 

sues of life." Touch not, taste not, handle not, look 

not, walk not, sin not, such are the constant warnings 

of scripture. Make a covenant with thine eyes, and all 

those other wayward members, and see that they 

keep their covenants. And the covenants of yester 

day need revising today. As one travels what was a 

marvelous road when it was built years ago, he often 

sees the new improved highway, straight and level 

being constructed parallel to it. A few miles further 

on he is allowed to travel on the new road "under 

construction, at your own From it you look 

down on the old road, narrow, crooked and worn, dip 

ping into the valleys and over the hills. So should 

the straightened paths for our feet be ever "under 

every valley being exalted and every 

hill brought low, the crooked being made straight 

and the rough places plain, a vertible King's High 

way. To straighten out the old worn-out habit paths 

we need to make frequent re-surveys ; are we doing 

our work in the most efficient way We should set 

new objectives for ourselves, as the ploughman who 

would plow a pilot furrow keeps his eye fixed on the 

stake at the far side of the field, remembering that 

having put his hand to the plough, if he looks back 

instead of forward, he is unfit for the job. Perhaps 

the best way of all is to run our race with patience, 

setting our feet into the very footprints of our Pace 

maker Jesus who says, "Follow Me." 

Christian Efficiency Helps Your Fellow Traveler 

There is a strange contrast between the King 

James Version and the RSV. The KJV reads: 

"Wherefore lift up the hands that hang down, and 

confirm the feeble knees" (pep up the other fellow, 

as I supposed) ; "make straight paths for your feet, 

way" 

lest that which is lame be turned out of the 

(fatally missing the curve in the road, as I sup 

posed) ; "but let it rather be healed." That would be 

an altruistic motive for going straight. But the RSV 

(possibly more correctly translated) appeals to our 

selfish motives : "Therefore lift your drooping hands 

and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight 

paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be 

put out of joint but rather be healed." That leads me 

to think of the man back in southern Ohio, or was it 

in the Green Mountains, who had one of those hill 

side farms so nearly perpendicular that the sheep de 

veloped their legs on the off side so that they were 

some four inches longer than those on the near side. 

"The legs of the lame are not That's why 

we walk in circles when we get lost in a prairie bliz 

zardjust that fraction of an inch difference. A 

straight path helps to correct our deficiencies, 

and 

of those who follow our footsteps also. Let's cut out 

those lost motions, and practice Christian efficiency. 

COVENANTER WITNESS

eternity." 

preach." 

sin" 

The Pre-eminence of the Lord Jesus Christ 

Rev. R. H. McKelvy 

In 1893 Dr. R. J. George, as Synod's retiring 

moderator, preached on Col. 1 :18, using as his theme, 

"The Pre-eminence of the Lord Jesus Christ." Fol 

lowing are some excerpts from his sermon. Taken 

from the Reformed Presbyterian and Covenanter, 

vol. 31. 

"Conclusions. I. The pre-eminence of the Lord 

Jesus Christ is the determinative doctrine of Chris 

tianity. By this is meant that this doctrine fixes and 

determines the limits and boundaries of a true Chris 

tian profession. Where the pre-eminence of Christ 

begins, there Christianity begins, and where it ends, 

there Christianity ends. This doctrine is so woven 

and interwoven with the whole web of revealed truth 

that it cannot be separated from it without the de 

struction of the whole fabric. The kingdom of God 

has for its corner-stone the Divine Sonship of Jesus 

Christ; and for its cope-stone his Mediatorial Head 

ship; and no person, church or nation, which either 

denies His divinity, or rejects His Kingly authority 

makes a true Christian profession. 

"II. This doctrine of the pre-eminence of the 

Lord Jesus Christ is determinative of the position of 

Christianity among the so-called religions of the 

world. 

"Christianity is as transcendent as the person 

of its founder. 

III. The doctrine of the pre-eminence of the Lord 

Jesus Christ is determinative of the position of the 

Reformed Presbyterian Church. Our church main 

tains a separate denominational existance in order 

that she may be a true witness for the mediatorial 

authority of the incarnate Son of God. She regards 

this doctrine of the pre-eminence of the Lord Jesus 

Christ as so fundamental to Christianity that it must 

be embodied in a consistant life if we are to set be 

fore the world a true Christian character. That the 

doctrine may be exemplified we must maintain a 

position of political dissent and separation from all 

institutions of civil government, which are set up 

without due regard to the authority of the King of 

kings and Lord of lords. The objection is made, that, 

admitting that the ground is scriptural, it is too nar 

row a basis on which to maintain a separate denom 

ination. If, however, it be true that the same doctrine 

which is determinative of Christianity is also deter 

minative of our denominational position, then our 

church is not founded upon a side-issue, but is built 

squarely 

upon the foundation of apostles and pro 

phets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner 

stone, and her position instead of being narrow is as 

broad as the Gospel of the Son of God, and as firm as 

the Rock of Ages. 

"I do not hesitate to affirm that in its relation 

to the integrity of a Christian profession ; in its re 

lation to the establishment of the kingdom of God 

among the race of men now in rebellion against Him ; 

in its relation to the pre-eminence of the Lord Jesus 

Christ in a universe that was created in Him and by 

Him and for Him ; in its relation to the glory of God 

the Father, who has enthroned Him at His own 

right hand ; I do not hesitate to affirm that our dis- 

May 11, 1955 

tinctive ground is broader, more fundamental, and 

more important to be maintained than all the other 

distinctions which separate the evangelical denom 

inations combined. 

. . . "Her position is a timely one, because all the 

Christian movements of the present hour are in the 

direction of the personal Christ; and if she will be 

true to her oath and keep unfurled the banner in 

scribed, 'For Christ's Crown and Covenant' she can 

lead the march of the churches and nations to Immanuel's 

throne. The position is one that holds the 

key to the future, because the acceptance of this doc 

trine will be the consummation of the world's his 

tory, and the coronation of Christ will be the song of 

Training 

Visitation 

By Jacob Prins 

Teams 

(Used by permission of Earnest Worker and 

the writer) 

In training visitation teams, it is well to remem 

ber that Jesus did not wait for people to come to 

Him ; He went to them. He welcomed and used oppor 

tunities to speak to people personally. He won many 

of His converts by means of private conversation. 

He trained His disciples to use this method 

also. They returned, rejoicing in the wonderful re 

sults accomplished, as men do, and will. "He ordained 

twelve that they should be with him, and that he 

might send them forth to "The Lord ap 

pointed other seventy also and sent them two and 

two before his face into every city and place whither 

he himself would come." 

Let us remember that, after the manner of 

the seventy, men and women go out today "two and 

two." 

Blessed fellowship is experienced, holy respon 

sibility is shared, hands and hearts are mutually 

strengthened. Whether those called upon are ac 

quaintances or strangers it matters not. Christ 

would be presented to all. There is no "city or place 

would" 

whither he himself not "come." Every gen 

eration of ambassadors for Christ has a great mis 

sion, the spiritual results of which may be far-reach 

ing. 

As his ambassadors, we endeavor to win people 

to faith in Him and to fellowship in His Church. 

We seek to make clear how one becomes a Christian. 

First, there must be an acknowledgment of sin. 

Second, we must have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ 

who came "to take away and to "reconcile us 

unto God." Third, there must be the will and resolve 

that, by the help of the indwelling Holy Spirit, we 

will lead a Christian life. 

293

Some of those visited are already members of 

some church in another community. They have 

simply neglected to transfer their membership: we 

will invite them to become active members of our 

fellowship and offer to help them in securing that 

transfer soon. Some have allowed their membership 

to lapse: we will invite them to make reaffirmation 

of their faith. Others have never made any profes 

sion of their faith: we will present Christ to them 

as their Saviour and Lord. 

It may be well to keep the following in mind as 

we carry on this mission: 

1. You are, first of all, an ambassador of Christ and 

as such represent His Church. 

2. Limit your call to approximately thirty minutes. 

3. Before you call: 

(a) Decide which of the two will open and direct 

the conversation. 

(b) Pray before and as you enter the home; keep 

praying as you converse. 

(c) Be sure you know why this person or home 

has been assigned for a call. 

4. After entering the home : 

(a) Be cordial in your greeting. 

(b) Make clear the purpose of your call and the 

name of the church you represent. 

(c) If company is present in the home, excuse 

yourself and offer to come back another time. 

Seek to make a definite date. 

(d) Assume the best. 

(e) Manifest a friendly interest in and concern for 

the members of the family, their work, their hob 

bies, their needs. Remember you are members of 

Concerned." 

the "Fellowship of the 

(f) Come to the point of your mission as soon as 

possible. 

(g) Visit for a verdict. 

(h) Be natural, relaxed. 

(i) Make your call Christ centered, not church 

centered. 

(j) Ask questions, for questions get people to talk 

ing; help bring out what is upon their minds and 

hearts. 

Specifically, make clear our need for the Saviour 

our need for salvation from sin unto God. If they 

confess that need, point out God's wonderful provi 

sion for meeting that need in the person and work of 

Jesus Christ, His Son. Make clear the necessity for 

accepting that which God has provided for our sal 

vation. If the person, or persons, indicate their readi 

ness and willingness to repent, confess, and accept 

God's provision for their need, encourage them to 

make that decision at once and to record it on a card 

you provide for that purpose. If opposition is mani 

fest or excuses are offered, deal with them in the 

spirit of Christ. If they say that their knowledge of 

spiritual truth is wholly inadequate to make such a 

decision, invite them to the pastor's instruction class. 

Make absolutely clear the steps necesary for mem 

bership in your local church. 

In bringing your visit to a close, express your ap 

preciation and thanks for the visit. If a decision has 

been made, give expression to your joy and satisfac 

tion. In any event, offer to pray briefly with them, 

giving thanks for blessings received and interceding 

294 

for needs revealed in the interview. If no decision has 

been made, ask that the matter be given earnest, 

prayerful consideration and indicate your willingness 

to return. Invite all the members of the household to 

the ministry of your church. Make clear that, if de 

sired, your pastor will be happy to call and explain 

more fully what it means to be a Christian. 

Avoid : Controversial questions, if possible (you 

are there as a witness to Christ, to give expression 

to and to seek to obtain affirmations of faith in Him 

and His Word) ; "holier than thou" attitude ; dis 

couragement (remember seed sown today does not 

immediately take root and come to fruition) ; preach 

ing (you are not sent to preach but to present Christ 

in your own words) ; arguments (you are not sent 

as a lawyer but as a witness) ; being sidetracked; 

keep directing the conversation toward Christ ; mak 

ing mere goodwill visits; merely getting people to 

join your church. 

Believe: That you have a Christ to share who 

save unto the uttermost all that 

can really 

come unto the Father by him." that there are 

people waiting for an invitation to come in 

to the joy of salvation and into the fellowship 

of His Church ; that the Holy Spirit can do for and to 

others what He has done for and to you; that the 

Lord can and will use you to bring others to faith in 

Him. 

Be: Patient, pleasant, prayerful, expectant; "ac 

cording to thy faith be it unto thee." Be on the look 

out for all you may commend. Be eager to lead men 

to want to do what you are inviting them to do. Be 

prepared to report your results and to share your 

experiences with others sent out on similar missions. 

Be sure always to please Him by your conduct and 

conversation. 

Resource Material 

Instructions For Evangelistic Visitors 

Preparations For Evangelistic Visiting 

Order from Division of Evangelism of 

The Presbyterian Church, U. S. A. 

The Prebyterian Church, U. S. 

The United Presbyterian Church 

Laymen Visit for Christ and His Church 

They Went Forth Two By Two 

Order from Tidings 

1908 Grand Avenue 

Nashville 5, Tennessee 

BOOK REVIEWS 

The Christian Sabbath. Arthur W. Pink 

@2c 

@2c 

@2c 

@10c 

In a day when the Sabbath is so largely neg 

lected or misused, this pamphlet ought to be widely 

read. 

Mr. Pink speaks of the purpose of God in giv 

and how it was emphasized in the 

ing the Sabbath, 

Ten Commandments, how kept by Christ and how it 

ought to be kept in the Christian church. 

Sabbath breaking is a common sin. It is wise 

and right for us all to take time enough to think 

about the Sabbath, our need of it, and how we 

should keep it. This book is Biblical and needed. 

It sells for 30c a copy and can be had from The 

Bible Truth Depot, Mr. I. C. Herendeen, of Swengel, 

Union County, Penna. 

R.C.F. 

COVENANTER WITNESS

strength." 

wheels." 

programs." 

position." 

army" 

world" 

A Preacher Speaks to Laymen 

Jacob J. Sessler 

Laymen and the Church 

Let us not be overawed by appearances. If our 

church services are not as well attended as they once 

were, it is because those who were lukewarm and had 

no other place to go now have something else to at 

tract them. They never did belong to the church spir 

itual. These times are giving the Church a long over 

due pruning. The church steeple points up and is 

symbolic of the highest and noblest aspirations of 

which we humans are capable. 

In such a church, laymen cannot shirk their re 

sponsibility. You, laymen, have duties to perform for 

your God. If you see something that ought to be 

done, that makes you the one to do it. The question 

of big or little, spectacular or obscure, has no signifi 

cance in God's sight. Was it big to rule the world as 

Alexander the Great once did Was it small to sing 

to a baby as Mary did in the stable To do what God 

wants done is the real honor. 

Laymen should exert their influence to preserve 

the true function of the church as a House of Prayer. 

You should visualize the church as the center of wor 

ship for its people. Look at it as a great and holy in 

stitution holy and great because it has been dedi 

cated for worship and for the preaching of God's 

Word; great, not only because the men and women 

in it are lifting their eyes beyond the range of our 

present vision. 

Laymen are subject to the danger of applying 

the machine technique to the life in the Church. The 

Church must not be compared with the lodges, fra 

ternal organizations, and chambers of commerce. 

What the Church has to offer puts it into a class by 

itself. It ministers to the spirits of men, and its lies 

in the words of Isaiah, "In quietness and confidence 

shall be your 

We do well to recall the 

words of John R. Mott: "An alarming weakness 

among Christians is that we are producing Christian 

activities faster than we are producing Christian ex 

perience and Christian faith." 

Pastors and laymen are equally responsible for 

the multiplicity of "wheels within Too often 

the pastor splits the church into splinters in order 

that he may have work enough for all. There are 

large city churches with programs that call for some 

thing every hour of every day in the week. No less a 

successful pastor than Charles M. Sheldon said: "I 

have come to the conclusion that the Church in 

America is organized to death with 

Lay 

men can help by refusing to be overawed by the pro 

posed program and by kindly frankness at the busi 

ness meeting. This is not to say that business meth 

ods should not be applied to the business end of the 

church. But I am certain that the best business 

methods strive for simplification. 

Laymen and the Parish 

The parish includes two types of people the 

church members and the unchurched, or the insiders 

and the outsiders. The ultimate aim of the Church is 

May 11, 1955 

to extend its Christian influence as far as possible, 

and the best way which is perhaps the only way 

is for the insiders to teach the outsiders. 

The chief task of the Church is to bring Christ 

and His Church to the community. If the Church 

members are content to remain on the inside and 

multiply activities there, how will the outsider be 

reached, or persuaded to become an insider There is 

only one way to reach the outsider and that is for the 

insider to go outside the walls of the church and 

reach out. 

Many churches are like an introvert, i. e., they 

cannot get outside of themselves. We often refer to 

those who are not active in the church as standing 

on the outside looking in. But it is equally true that 

there are many Christian laymen who are standing 

on the inside of the church and looking out. In the 

parish outside the church building every layman can 

find work. Too often the job of filling the pews is 

left entirely to the minister. All our churches would 

take on new life and become sources of power, if the 

laymen would speak to one person per week about the 

claims of the Christian Church upon our lives. 

By personal work laymen can bring Christ and 

the Church to people. There are people who are lone 

ly, new families in the neighborhood, homes into 

which death has entered all these have a claim upon 

you. Ask someone to be your guest at church next 

Lord's Day ; call for them to go to church with you. 

There are only two requisites for this personal work: 

love and devotion to Christ and His Church. 

This personal work is more important than of 

ficial positions on church boards. I personally would 

consider it a healthy sign if some who are holding 

important positions should say to me : T am so busy 

doing personal work that I have to resign from my 

Bringing others into the church will give 

you joy and stabilize your religious convictions. If 

all laymen did this we would have a revived Church 

in an old sinful world. 

No single pastor can do it. A company of tired, 

exhausted soldiers was revived when the band met it. 

At the sound of the martial note the soldiers revived. 

The Church of God has been likened to a "mighty 

but this army of soldiers has been dragging, 

not marching. We need to hear the martial note of 

our Lord, "Go ye into all the 

and march. A 

mighty army cannot march in a circle from one ac 

tivity to another within the four walls of a church. 

The slowness with which the Church grows is due to 

the fact that the insiders have spent their energy 

to reach insiders to win them over to their particular 

slant on Christianity. 

Every layman is under just as strong an obliga 

tion to bring people into the church as the pastor. 

Your promise to be a witness for Christ is just as 

solemn and binding as his promise. It is your church 

just as much as it is your minister's church. What 

general ever gained a victory without the aid of his 

army Intelligencer-Leader. 

295

society" 

wise" 

How Drunkards Are Produced 

By William James Robinson, A.M., D.D. 

We have in America 4,000,000 alcoholics, and 

probably 3,000,000 problem drinkers (near alcohol 

ics). A majority of our men and almost half of our 

women drink. Many high school boys and girls, col 

lege and university students drink. In all these 

groups the percentage of drinkers varies in different 

parts of the nation. This situation is deplorable in the 

extreme. How can such a condition exist in a socalled 

Christian nation It exists because the wor 

shipers of Baccus dominate the "land of the free and 

the home of the brave." I will prove this. 

Liquor is being sold at taverns, night clubs, 

roadhouses, honky-tonks, drug stores, lunch counters, 

and department stores. The number of drinking 

places has increased from 177,000 in pre-prohibition 

days to more than 494,452 in 1952. Many of these are 

equipped with every thing conceivable to induce boys 

and girls, men and women to drink. There is one 

place where alcoholic beverages can be bought for 

every 300 persons, including children as well as 

adults. One place where liquors are sold for every 

71 homes. There are almost two liquor outlets for 

every church. Americans spend nearly twice as much 

for alcoholic beverages as for education and several 

times more than for spreading the gospel. To put it 

bluntly we are more determined to degrade our na 

tion than we are to uplift our people. The facts stated 

prove that we are more nearly a Baccanalian nation 

than we are a Christian nation. 

But you ask how this condition was developed 

We once had National Prohibition. Conditions were 

not perfect then. No friend of prohibition will say 

they were ; but they were very much better than be 

fore prohibition and exceedingly better than they 

have been since repeal. 

How was repeal brought about Many factors 

compose the answer to this question. First, and more 

important than any other, was diabolical greed. A 

men desired to de 

goodly number of very wealthy 

stroy prohibition claiming that it was in every sense 

a curse to the people. They claimed that it was the 

cause of almost every imaginable evil. They openly 

said if the law could be repealed it would save them 

many millions of dollars. They preferred to make 

debauches of the laboring people, keep their families 

in intolerable poverty, squalor and lead them into dis 

grace, base immoralities and crime if by so doing 

they could amass millions of dollars. Many openly 

urged the people to break the law in order to make 

it unpopular. There is not a fouler, more disgraceful 

or deplorable chapter in American history than the 

history of how repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment 

was accomplished. 

After Repeal 

Prominent people urged every one to drink. One 

of the most outstanding women in America and well 

known abroad (I am ashamed to call her name) 

urged young women to learn how much they could 

safely drink and stay in that limit. This was the ad 

vice of the liquor dealers. They said drink moderately 

296 

but do not get drunk. They knew moderate drinkers 

would soon drink to excess. A more diabolical bit of 

advice was never given by the devil himself. You had 

just as well tell little ducks to go into the water but 

never swim as to tell people to drink moderately but 

never get drunk. Large numbers of people calling 

themselves the "elite" and "high seemed to 

think they could not have a delightful social affair 

without alcoholic cocktails. It is possible that some 

people have no better judgment than to urge people 

to drink but do it moderately believing you need to 

drink to be delightful socially. 

The example of the rich, the supposed leaders of 

society, was followed by aspiring people in lower 

classes of culture and finances. The "elite" and social 

leaders tried to make it appear that to be "some 

body" you must drink and so millions drank and 

started on the way to shame, disgrace and to "skid 

Row" and so we now have 4,000,000 alcoholics, one 

in six of whom is a woman. And these are men and 

women from every rank of society including men who 

at one time were regarded as ministers of the gospel. 

There is no degree of shame and disgrace to which 

moderate drinking will not lead people. Mark you, 

social drinkers who are prominent are a curse to 

many less prominent persons. 

Advertising 

Never in American history has any business 

spent so much on advertising. Distillers and brew 

ers spend millions of dollars annually in the most de 

ceptive, most alluring advertising that money can 

pay conscienceless ad writers to produce. Many of 

America's keenest minds have sold their abilities to 

promote this diabolical business and have succeeded 

far beyond their fondest expectations. They have 

paid such fabulous prices for space that it amounts 

to bribing editors and owners of many publications, 

but thank God there are still some notable publica 

tions that love integrity better than the alcoholic 

gold. 

Other factors could be mentioned but space for 

bids. Just keep in mind the liquor business is diaboli 

cal in the extreme. It violates more laws than all 

other business and its devotees are the greatest law 

breakers in the nation. It leads men and women, boys 

and girls, from all ranks of society that it can induce 

to imbibe and to commit all kinds of disgraceful acts 

and every known crime, but it has never led one per 

son, to rise from degradation and live nobly. Yet 

every day scores of our brightest boys and girls, men 

and women, are induced to begin, drinking. Truly 

"fools rush in where angels dare not tread." No won 

der beholding the wrecks made by liquor, Wisdom 

exclaims "What fools we mortals be !" 

We must arouse our people to the fact that 

"Wine is a mocker and strong drink is raging: and 

whosoever is deceived thereby is not Prov. 

20 :1. According to this proverb more than half of our 

people are not wise. "At the last it biteth like a ser- 


COVENANTER WITNESS

adder." 

government." 

nations." 

OUR VINES HAVE TENDER GRAPES 

(Song of Solomon 2:15) 

By Lillian Hitt, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 

We are a 

family of four. Dad and I, David our 

fourteen-year-old, and Susan who is ten. Fortunately 

we have a rich heritage. We, as parents, had the 

priceless possession of Christian parents before us. 

We grew up in the church, and attended Sabbath 

school so early in life that we scarcely remember at 

tending any public gathering prior to that. 

My recollection as a little girl of the church serv 

ice was that sometimes it seemed to go on and on. 

But I always brought a handkerchief and with it I 

discovered that I could have a world all my own. By 

folding and refolding it, the handkie became a pa 

poose, a cradle, and so forth. And so in those tender 

years, only the Sabbath school really meant some 

thing to me. The story of ten virgins, told by an art 

ist who with blackboard and chalk depicted the story, 

shall be one that I shall carry forever in my memory. 

And I was a very tiny tot sitting on a little red chair 

that Sabbath afternoon. 

So without the Sabbath school in those early 

formative years and the compulsory verse memoriz 

ing, I might not be enjoying today the deeper things 

of God . . . how important to have the right Sabbath 

school teachers to tell the story graphically and in 

the power of the Spirit so that it will be retained in 

the pliable hearts and minds of these little ones. 

And how important it is for us as parents to see 

that our children are taken to this school to learn les 

sons that will be lost forever if the opportunity is not 

grabbed up at this precise moment. 

We have done this. And have rejoiced to see the 

results in some measure in the spiritual develop 

ment of our children. 

But once a week Sabbath school, as good as it is, 

is not enough to build them up in the nurture and 

admonition of the Lord. We have found that a family 

altar at home each day can be the tie binding Sab 

bath to Sabbath. 

We have set aside a few moments after dinner 

each evening for our family devotions. They are not 

long, 

nor complicated. But we read the Word and 

have printed notes to assist us. And incidentally 

these notes are leveled not to the adult, but rather 

to the We child.* consider this paramount. Some 

times we might discuss or answer questions in con 

nection with what we have read. 

And then we pray. Sometimes it is the parents. 

Sometimes just the children. Sometimes we all pray. 

HOW DRUNKARDS ARE . . . con't from page 296 

pent, and stingeth like an Prov. 23:32. 

Truer words were never penned. 

How much longer will God-fearing men and 

women allow the devotees of greed, crooks, liars, 

thieves, thugs, racketeers, outlaws, adulterers and 

adulteresses to dominate "our land" If all who pro 

fess to love and serve the Lord were true to Him, 

Greed's rule would soon end. We put on some of our 

coins "In God we trust" and then allow Bacchus to 

rule our nation. Words are too weak to express the 

shame of this folly. 

8100 Wornall Road, Kansas City, Mo. 

May 11, 1955 

If we do, they are short but to the point. They in 

volve the family interests school interests neigh 

borhood interests church interests plans for a 

trip-:that examination tomorrow a safe journey 

the missionaries we know personally and all that is 

important to us. 

In it all, we don't forget to thank Him. For when 

we pray together like this, we have seen many 

prayers answered. How this increases our faith as 

well as the faith of our children ! And little by little, 

we see some progress being made. 

Recently we had to go out for dinner and the 

evening thus leaving the children a little while. When 

we returned, they told us that they had had their 

own devotions 

and the other praying. 

one reading 

Our hearts were strangely 

brushed away a tear ! 

warmed and I 

*JUNIOR NOTES by Scripture Union, 3 Cawthra 

Square, Toronto 5, Canada 

THE BIGGEST NIGHT 

Cont. from front page 

Japan 400 years ago through Spain and Portugal. 

"But the Christians fought our 

he said, 

"so we closed our land to Christian Chris 

tianity sounds good, I thought, but maybe my teach 

er is right. 

Again, as I listened to the speaker in the sta 

dium, my mind went back to the war years. I remem 

bered that during the war Christians in Japan were 

not permitted to meet for worship. This did not seem 

right to me. But some said the American mission 

aries were spies. It did not seem logical that Amer 

ica would use missionaries to spy for them. I could 

not decide whether Christianity was good or bad. 

Politics Interested Me 

At the time World War II broke out, I was a 

socialist politically. I had been interested in commun 

ism, but had given it up because I came to realize 

that the claims it made were false. However, because 

I opposed the war, I became suspect and was jailed as 

a communist. After my release from jail, I was con 

fined to my home and could not work or go to school 

until the war was over. I reasoned that the govern 

ment had been wrong about me 

maybe they were 

wrong about the American missionaries, too. After 

the war I decided that the missionaries had not really 

been spies. 

In college, I again encountered the Christian re 

ligion. One of my best friends there was a Christian. 

Although he invited me, I didn't go to church with 

him on Sundays because I was busy training or run 

ning in track meets. (Running was becoming my 

chief interest outside the classroom, although I still 

planned on a career in government.) However, I was 

increasingly interested in Christianity, and attended 

some Bible studies sponsored by the YMCA. 

My mind raced through these thoughts in a mat 

ter of seconds as the speaker spoke of Jesus Christ 

and salvation from sins. In all my previous brief en 

counters with Christianity, I had never heard the 

Christian Gospel explained so clearly and simply. And 

never foefore had I felt such an overwhelming desire 

to give my life to this Jesus who could forgive sins 

and make men good. 

297

you," 

Almost too soon, the meeting was over, but I 

was overjoyed when Gil Dodds met with our team 

and coached us on our running. It was a thrill for me 

to get this chance to talk personally with the man 

whom I admired so much. We talked about running 

then we talked about Christ. 

That Spring 

I Became A Christian 

night of 1950 in the Tokyo Stadium 

was to be the turning point in my life. For it was 

soon after talking to Gil Dodds that I decided to ac 

cept Jesus Christ as my 

personal Saviour. 

And now my life seemed suddenly to take on a 

kind of pattern. My early contact with Christianity 

through my sister (although she herself has never 

become a Christian) my interest in running my 

meeting with Gil Dodds my salvation. They all 

seemed to tie together in God's plan for my life. And 

now I saw the great possibilities of an athlete in Ja 

pan witnessing to the young people of Japan for 

Christ, for Japanese youth greatly respect athletes. I 

decided to devote my life to God through the medium 

of athletics. 

Since that time much has happened to me. 

Through writing to Gil Dodds when he returned to 

America and through my friendship with Mr. Robert 

son, The Pocket Testament League representative in 

Tokyo, I was encouraged to come to America to study 

in a Christian college and learn to be an athletic 

instructor. So it was, that in the fall of 1952, I found 

myself at Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois, as a 

student and a member of the track team coached by 

Gil Dodds. 

I received fine training at Wheaton both in 

athletics and in the Word of God. Now I am anxious 

soon to return to Japan and to begin to lead young 

people to Jesus Christ. I know how many of the boys 

and girls of Japan are being won over by the false 

claims of materialism. 

I believe it is all-important that Japan get the 

Gospel now..And I would like to ask Christian friends 

in America to pray for and support The Pocket Tes 

tament League in their wonderful work of taking 

God's Word to my people. 

Steeple of North Church 

The famed steeple of Old North Church, from which 

Paul Revere hung his lantern, will be replaced within a 

year from the time that it was toppled in last summer's 

hurricane. Contributions amounting to $150,000 came in 

from all over the nation, and even from England. The last 

"over- the-top" contribution of $10,000 was given by the 

Colgate-Palmolive Company. 

Bingo Games 

A bill amending the State constitution to permit bingo 

games under the auspices of religious and charitable groups 

has been defeated by the House in Delaware. Rejection of 

the measure came after exceptional parliamentary man 

euvering by legislators who wanted to defer a vote until a 

public hearing could be held. Efforts to postpone action 

were unsuccessful. Protestant groups have been bombard 

ing legislators with anti-bingo telegrams and letters in 

recent weeks. 

A CHANCE FOR A HOME RUN 

By Addison Hardie Leitch 

Bogard makes out of Bible reading a kind of 

baseball game. When we actually read the Bible we 

are on first base. When we understand what we read 

we have reached second base. When we understand 

what the words of Scripture mean in our own life we 

have reached third base. And when we put into prac 

tice what the Bible teaches we have scored. Since the 

point of the game is to push over the runs, the end 

product in Bible reading is to put into practice what 

we read. As Bogard points out, a great many Bible 

readers never score. On the other hand there are 

good people who try to score before they have run 

the bases, so the score never really counts; in fact 

they have not scored at all. So, everything in decency 

and order. First we read, then we understand, then 

we make it personal, then we apply it. What a pity to 

"die on third"! 

United Presbyterian 

Gil Dodds says: 

Cookie is not only one of the finest athletes, 

but one of the most promising young Christians it 

has ever been my privilege to coach. He is typical of 

hundreds of young Japanese who are being won for 

Christ through the marvelous ministry of the Pock 

et Testament League. I praise the Lord for PTL 

and urge you to give this soul-saving ministry your 

wholehearted support. 

GIL DODDS Phil. 4:13 

Send your gifts for the work of PTL to: 

Mr. Alfred A. Kunz, Executive Director 

The Pocket Testament League, Inc. 

156 Fifth Avenue, New York 10, N. Y. 


27. In the past 25 years the congregation has contributed 

$2,754,000 toward the missionary 

taking 

enterprise and is now 

care of the personal support of 365 full-time mis 

sionaries on 40 different fields of the world. 

298 

A PRAYER FOR PEACE 

Dear Lord, the world has known so many wars, 

It bears such bitter, deep and lasting scars, 

Reach out Thy hand, O maker of us all : 

Bend down Thy listening ear and hear our call 

In this, and every other threatening hour. 

Only Thy might, dear Lord, only Thy power 

Can change the hearts of men can bid them cease 

Their avarice and greed 

and bring us peace. 

Lord of the nations, let no nation reign 

To crush another. Free us from all the stain 

Of blood and slaughter let us not forget 

The loving kind example Thou hast set. 

God help us lift the Golden Rule so high 

That its bright words will flame against the sky : 

"Do unto others as ye would that they do unto 

And then will come the day 

The crushed will rise, the bound will find release, 

And we shall know the blessedness of peace. 

Selected 

COVENANTER WITNESS

mark." 

out" 

chain.'' 


C.YjP.U. TOPIC 

for May 15, 1955 

Rev. Roy Blackwood, Jr. 

GOD'S WILX. FOR MY LIFE 

Rom. 12:6-18 

1. We Know That God Has a Par 

ticular Plan for Every Life. 

EVERY LIFE. 

Because God has created us; 

food and aid to keep us alive; 

Only 

given us 

sent His 

Begotten Son with a plan of sal 

vation to save us; and prepared a man 

sion in heaven to keep us for eternity: 

we know He has a particular plan for 

the time we spend on earth. He wouldn't 

have planned all these other things so 

carefully without caring about what we 

did on earth. 

Because God told us quite plainly in 

Eph. 2 :10 that we are "created in Christ 

Jesus unto good works which God 

hath before ordained (or planned) 

we should walk in them"! 

that 

Because Christ told us of that plan. 

In Matt. 10:29-33 He told us that God 

had a plan for everything, even the 

sparrows, and that His particular plan 

for our lives begins with our salvation 

on the day we say, along 

with Paul, 

"Lord, what wilt thou have me to do" 

No other life can fulfil the plan which 

God has made for your life, and the 

man that misses God's plan for his life 

is like the wheel that's out of line in a 

big machine: it beats itself to pieces 

and damages the whole machine. 

2. Many People Miss God's 

Plan for Their Lives 

Thousands of people come and go like 

actors on the stage of earth without 

even trying to get in touch with God and 

His plan for them. Their lives "miss the 

They're uneasy 

and unhappy. 

And that was why God said; "Work out 

your own salvation with fear and trem 

bling, for it is God which worketh in you 

both to will and to do of his good plea 

sure." 

Watch for that plan, study to find 

it, pray for it, work for it, and wait for 

it, "with fear and trembling" 

lest you 

miss it. We should treasure every talent, 

guard every friendship, evaluate every 

influence and plan every year and day 

carefully because these are the means 

by which we must "work the plan 

of life which God has already made for 

us. These are the means by which He 

speaks to us to tell us where He wants 

us to be and what He wants us to do. 

May 11, 1955 

What a terrible thing if we missed any 

of His plan for our lives! 

Some miss God's plan because they're 

afraid to look for it 

afraid of what God 

might ask them to do. Others allow the 

wrong kind of friends or even their fam 

ily, to make them deaf to God's wishes 

and some allow a desire for wealth, a 

career, or social position, to blind them 

to God's plan. Some try to "choose their 

own calling" 

and find that the phrase 

contradicts itself. It's God who does the 

calling and the choosing and when we 

insist upon choosing our own path, we 

inevitably choose wrong. Christ has giv 

en us a very pointed command about 

this (see John 15:16). 

3. How Does God Reveal His Will 

for Our Lives 

1. God guides us by the Bible. First 

and most important is God's written 

manual of detailed instructions the 

Bible. Many "Christians" today say, 

"Lord, what wilt thou have me to do" 

and then never make any consistent ef 

fort to study God's Word to know what 

He's directing them to do. When we re 

ceive a letter of instruction from some 

one, we don't wait for some sudden tele 

gram or telephone call to tell us what to 

do, we read the letter first. But many 

people keep asking God for some super 

natural revelation from God concerning 

His will for their lives, without reading 

His letter of Instruction. (See Rom. 

12:1; II Tim. 2:15). 

2. God guides us by the Spirit. He can 

and does give us "a sanctified imagina 

tion," 

and the Spirit of Truth, who has 

written the Bible, can act as our person 

al interpreter to explain its application 

to our individual lives. Paul explains one 

instance of this in Rom. 8:26. 

3. God guides us by circumstances. He 

doesn't usually send a deaf man to lead 

music; or a man who can't learn lan 

guages to a mission field. But this is not 

an infallible rule. The story around Josh. 

9:14 is an illustration of the WRONG 

way to consider circumstances. They 

must always be tested thoroughly in the 

test chambers of the Word and Prayer. 

4. What Must We Do to Find 

God's Will for Our Lives 

1. BELIEVE: Believe Eph. 2:10 just 

as much as Eph. 2:8. Believe that God 

has a detailed plan for your life and then 

look for it. Just as there's only one an 

swer to a mathematical problem, so 

there's only one plan for your life. Set 

yourself to find God's plan and watch 

2. 

for it at every stage of life. 

PRAY: God has promised the neces 

sary wisdom (Jas. 1:5). If we will pray 

regularly, trustfully, and expectantly, 

God will help us to see His plan for our 

lives. 

3. WILL: That is, determine to do 

God's will whenever it is made clear to 

you, whatever it might require of you. 

Christ said; "If any man will to do My 

will, he shall know . . When we begin 

to choose God's will instead of our own 

for our lives, then we will begin to 

know His will. 

4. BE DILIGENT with the task at 

hand: Some people insist that consecra 

tion can be measured in miles; i. e. the 

farther God sends you from home, the 

more consecrated you are. But Christ 

Commanded the disciples to work for 

Him "beginning at Jerusalem" 

where 

they were (Luke 24:47). God usually 

leaves a man right where he is after he 

has consecrated his life 

at least until 

he proves his sincerity and ability to 

handle some bigger task. Usually, God 

requires us to prove our diligence to 

witness at home with a dishcloth or a 

hammer or a school book, before sending 

us overseas as a missionary (I Cor. 10: 

31). See Gideon's example: Judges 6: 

11, 12. 

5. FOLLOW Him step by step 

throughout life: We should always be 

preparing ourselves to find Christ lead 

ing us on to something more. Someone 

has said; "The golden chain of God's 

great purpose for your life is woven of 

the single links which we lay hold of 

one at a time along the pathway of daily 

. . . 

opportunity The man who faithful 

ly picks up the links need never fear 

about missing the It was at this 

point too that God issued the warning 

in Prov. 29:18 and gave the promise in 

II Cor. 12 :9. 

FOR THE LEADER 

1. Outline with scripture God's plan 

for Salvation. 

2. Have someone share a CHARAC 

TER STUDY of Gideon showing how he 

found God's will for his life. 

3. Discuss what revelations of His 

will God has made for your own lives. 

Invite some older person to tell you how 

God has guided his life preferrably an 

elder in the congregation. 

PSALMS 

51:7-14, page 131 

23: 

119: page 287 

299

me." 

JUNIOR TOPIC 

For May 29, 1955 

SWEET WATER AND DAILY BREAD 

Mrs. Mildred L. Ramsey 

Cambridge, Mass. 

Scripture, Exodus 5:23-27; 16:11-36 

Memory verse: "But my God shall sup 

ply all your need according to His riches 

in glory by Christ 

Jesus." 

Phil. 4:19 

Psalms 

Memory Psalm 15, page 26 


Psalm 146: 1-3, 7, page 353 


References: Psalm 31:19; Deut. 2:7; I 

Kings 17:6; Psalm 115:12; Matt. 6:32, 33 

On your map locate Desert of Shur; 

Marah; Elim; Desert of Sin. 

Have you ever seen a magician doing 

tricks Perhaps you saw him turn a 

yellow scarf into a red one, or make 

some money disappear. No one believes 

magicians really do these things, but we 

know they are just clever at fooling us. 

In our topic today, God does some 

wonderful things we don't understand. 

Only God isn't fooling us. He never does. 

He can really do these wonderful things 

we call miracles. We must remember 

God made us and the world, and contin 

ues to control the world. Sometimes in 

the history of. man, He did things dif 

ferently from the ordinary way to re 

mind us of His power and glory. 

In this story of the deliverance of the 

children of Israel from Egypt, God per 

formed many wonderful miracles. He 

brought the plagues to the Egyptians; 

He led them by the pillar of cloud; 

and then most exciting of all, He parted 

the waters of the Red Sea, 

and let the 

Israelites march across to freedom, and 

drowned their enemies. How thrilled the 

Israelites must have been at these mira 

cles and how thankful! One would ex 

pect after these experiences that the 

Israelites would trust the Lord forever. 

Let us see what happened. 

The children of Israel began their 

journey to the land of Canaan. They had 

to cross the sandy desert of Shur and 

they had very little water. Every one 

was getting thirsty. Soon they came to a 

place called Marah, where they found a 

stream of clear running water. The peo 

ple were so happy until they tasted it. 

Alas it was bitter and they couldn't 

drink it! What did the people do then 

Did they say, "God will help 

us as He 

did before" No, they began to com 

plain to Moses, their leader. Did Moses 

know what to do Yes, he knew where 

to get help. He talked to God and God 

told him to cut down a tree nearby and 

throw it into the water. When Moses 

cast the tree into the water, it made the 

water sweet so the children of Israel 

300 

could drink all they wanted. How 

ashamed the Israelites must have been 

at their lack of faith in God! 

After this the Israelites rested for a 

while in the little oasis called Elim. 

They enjoyed the shade of the palm 

trees and water from good springs. They 

relaxed here after the rigors of traveling 

the hot sandy desert. But the time came 

for them to move on, so they folded up 

their tents and packed up and started 

into the desert again. They came into 

another wild desert country, called the 

desert of Sin, reaching towards Mt. 

Sinai. They had been traveling for weeks 

now, and the grain and other food sup 

plies the people had brought with them 

were almost gone. Again Moses hears 

the people complaining. They wish they 

had never left Egypt. They think they 

will die of hunger. They are thinking 

that they had food to eat in Egypt, but 

forget how cruel the Egyptians were to 

them. But Moses had more faith than 

his people. He knew God would not for 

get them. He said, "Wait and see. This 

evening the Lord will give you fresh 

meat and in the morning fresh bread 

from heaven. Then you will know that 

it was the Lord 

not Aaron' and I who 

brought you out of the Land of Egypt." 

Sure enough, that evening flocks of 

quail flew over the camp and the people 

caught them and cooked them for sup 

per. Then in the morning they found 

small white things like seeds with the 

dew on the ground. They called it Man 

na. This means "What is it" for no one 

knew exactly what it was. But they soon 

found it was good to eat and to cook. 

God had provided for them again. There 

was thanksgiving among the children of 

Israel and wonder at the provisions of 

their God. 

God gave several interesting rules 

about the use of this Manna. They were 

to gather only enough for one day be 

cause it would spoil in the desert heat if 

kept overnight. Of course some people 

tried to keep it more than a day and it 

became wormy and bad smelling. Only 

on the sixth day, the people were to 

gather twice as much so that they would 

not have to work on the Sabbath Day. 

This time it did not spoil because God 

had commanded it so. God kept it sweet 

and good to eat. Later Moses and Aaron 

filled a bowl with manna and kept it to 

show their grandchildren. God kept this 

from spoiling too, and the Israelites 

saved it for hundreds of years. They 

wanted the Israelites to remember for 

ever how God cared for His people the 

forty long years they traveled in the 

wilderness. 

As we read these stories of God's care 

for the children of Israel, we are very 

disappointed in them for their lack of 

faith and their ingratitude. We keep 

thinking if we had been there we would 

have trusted God to care for us, and 

praised Him for the miracles. But be 

fore we criticize these people, let us find 

out how many of us have ever been 

thirsty on a desert or afraid we would 

die of hunger. No, nearly all of us have 

comfortable homes and plenty to eat, 

and parents or friends to help us. How 

do we show our gratitude for God's daily 

care over us How do we let others see 

our faith in Him when things go wrong 

It is easy to trust and smile when our 

lives have fallen in pleasant places. Let 

us learn from the Israelites something. 

to remember when we are in difficulties. 

First our memory verse shows us that 

God will supply every need 

not every 

whim or desire. God did not provide 

Manna to the Israelites until their other 

food was gone. Then He provided it for 

forty years. He filled their special need 

as He will fill ours. Just let us come to 

Him in prayer as Moses did. 

Second, we must obey God's rules. The 

manna spoiled when the people kept it 

against God's laws. God gives us cer 

tain rules of health and behavior. The 

results can be disastrous for us if we 

break these rules. 

Finally, God expects us to do our part. 

Even the Israelites had to gather their 

manna. God expects us to put "legs" un 

der our prayers. God will not do for us 

things we can do for ourselves. 

As we compare our lives to those of 

the children of Israel, "Let us make a 

joyful noise unto the Lord" for His good 

ness to us, for the daily blessings we re 

ceive from Him who is the source of 

"every good and perfect gift." 

have quiet trust and faith too, for dif 

May we 

ficulties that may lie ahead, remember 

ing that as the Lord cared for the Is 

raelites in the wilderness for forty years, 

He will watch over us too. "Yea, though 

I walk through the valley of the shadow 

of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art 

with me, Thy rod and Thy staff they 

comfort 

Questions: 

1. Name all the miracles you can re 

member that the Lord performed in de 

livering and caring for the children of 

Israel. 

2. Why did the people of Israel not 

trust the Lord after all He had done for 

them Why do we not trust Him more 

3. Why did the children of Israel re 

ceive no manna on the seventh day 

What can we learn from this 

4. What did Moses do every time they 

seemed to be in trouble 

5. List some of the people who care 

for and protect you. 

6. Have you ever been afraid Did you 

pray then Tell the others about it. 

THE COVENANTER WITNESS-

earth." 

wash." 


Imagine you were traveling 

with the 

children of Israel and make a list of all 

the things that made you happy 

the things that made you sad. 

SABBATH 

SCHOOL LESSON 

May 29, 1955 


and all 


Lessons ; the International Bible Lessons foz 



HEZEKIAH MEETS A CRISIS 

2 Chronicles 31-32, Isaiah 36-39 

Printed, 2 Chronicles 32:1-8, 32, 33. 

Memory: Psalm 124:8: "Our help is in 

the name of the Lord, who made heaven 

and 

We have the story of today's lesson 

from two sources; we follow it as it is 

recorded in the Bible. We can find it 

also inscribed on Assyrian monuments. 

The difference in the records is not a 

difference of viewpoint, but a desire on 

the part of Assyria to praise her own 

valor, recording only her victories. The 

inspired story does not spare the leaders 

or the people by seeking to cover up 

their sins, failures or defeats. The As 

syrian story is almost true in what it re 

lates, and it bears testimony to the truth 

of the Bible record. 

As we learned last week, Hezekiah, 

when he had strengthened the defences 

of Judah against their enemies, and ren 

ovated the Temple, proceeded to organ 

ize the priests for the Temple service, 

and renewed the Passover that had been 

neglected for many years. Today we see 

some of the results of this reform. 

The Quality of the Revival 

2 Chron. 31:1 

When the call for the Passover was 

issued, there was a movement in the 

hearts of the people. In the midst of 

their idolatries, they 

were oppressed and 

disheartened. Hezekiah's work and call 

to them inspired new hope and longing 

for the "Old Time Religion." Many, sod 

den in their rebellion and sin, scoffed. 

There must have been much conversa 

tion, encouragement and prayer to per 

suade some of the faint hearted to un 

dertake the journey. After weeks 

preparation a great host gathered. It 

was no longer a divided religion, but a 

united worship 

nations. 

of 

of the One God of all 

When the excitement of this great 

gathering was over, they did not forget. 

The worship was restored and priests 

appointed in every city, and the people 

went to their new homes with a new 

purpose. They broke down the idols. 

With this renewed sense of unity, they 

May 11, 1955 

were better prepared to face the Assyr 

ians. 

The Boast of Sennacherib 

The story in 2 Chron. is very brief. 

It is told in much greater detail in 2 

Kings 18-20, and in Isaiah 36-39. Sargon 

was the King of Assyria, Sennacherib 

was his general, and Sanballat his 

spokesman. Sargon and his officers were 

cruel, arrogant and had no mercy. When 

they captured, they killed the old and 

the worthless, and carried off the best 

for slaves. 

Sennacherib had by-passed Jerusalem 

and occupied Phillistia on the west 

southward. Samaria on the north was al 

ready his vassal and Judah was paying 

high tribute from the time of Ahaz. 

Sennacherib wanted to take Jerusalem 

without a struggle. So he approached 

with a mighty army, and sent letters de 

manding and threatening. He not only 

defied the power of Judah, but belittled 

and insulted the God of Israel, counting 

him as but one of the many gods whose 

worshipers he had conquered. When he 

did not get the action that he desired 

from Hezekiah, he sent loud-mouthed 

Sanballat to shout his insulting mes 

sage and threats to the people on the 

walls, who would tell it to all in the 

city. Thus he thought to frighten the 

people into submission and take the city 

undestroyed. 

Hezekiah's Declaration of Independence 

Now the Declaration of Independence 

Hezekiah took the insulting letters to 

Isaiah and spread them out before the 

Lord. The insults were indeed against 

the Lord, and the Lord took charge of 

the matter as He always does. Hezekiah 

did not remain idle. He took every pre 

caution that was in his power. He took 

council with his leaders. To deprive the 

invaders of water, he stopped the foun 

tains. This strategy is made clear by re 

cent discoveries. 

A water tunnel has 

been found, cut through the solid rock 

from springs just outside the city on 

the north, passing into the city. An in 

scription on the wall inside this tunnel 

shows that it was built by Hezekiah. 

They could fill these springs with stone, 

cover them over so they could not be 

seen, and let the water run through into 

the city. Then they 

strengthened the 

walls and the towers, and prepared the 

army for the siege. 

Now the Declaration of Independance 

came from the Lord to Isaiah. We are 

not told that it was eventually delivered 

to Sennacherib, but as it was in part 

concerning him and his army, and in 

answer to his insulting threats, it was 

probably so delivered. The defeat that 

the Lord promised was fully realized. 

Sennacherib led the remnant of his de 

feated army back to Damascus, and his 

own sons killed him. Probably they 

thought that the disgrace of such an 

overwhelming defeat could be erased in 

no other way. A Japanese officer would 

have saved his friends the trouble. 

The Death of Hezekiah. 2 Chron. 32: 

32,33; Isaiah 38. 

Hezekiah was sick unto death with a 

(malignant) boil. He was promised life. 

He asked for a sign, and it was given; 

the shadow was turned back ten de 

grees on the dial of Ahaz. The creator 

of the universe can readjust it without 

upsetting its ordinary working. We do 

not need to fret ourselves about how 

the Lord performed this feat, or length 

ened the day for Joshua. We might 

notice, however, that in this case that 

it was the shadow that turned back. 

Did you ever see a mirage I did. I 

saw one, that while I do not suppose it 

was exceptional, would easily have turn 

ed back the shadow of a setting sun 

perhaps nearly ten degrees. 

Isaiah applied a poultice of figs to 

the boil, and it was healed. We under 

stand that there was an immediate, mir 

aculous healing, but the ordinary means 

were applied; even Christ 

in almost 

every case used them in the miracles of 

healing. Today, we hasten to the apoth 

ecary and for a large price secure a 

complicated concoction that is almost as 

good as the poultice that Grandmother 

used to make in her own kitchen. We 

have such faith in the apothecary's art, 

that we feel no need to ask God to per 

form tht mysterious miracle in us that 

means healing. 

In historic words, Hezekiah trusted 

God and kept his powder dry. God 

works miracles, but for some good rea 

son. He gives the one who is to be bene 

fited some work to do. Christ said, "Go 

"Get up and "Stretch walk." 

out 

your hand." The great draught of fishes 

did not jump into the boat. 

And at last when this great man died 

the fact is stated in words that might 

have told of the death of king or peas 

ant, rich or poor, saint or sinner. He 

died and was buried. The manner of the 

burial may differ, but death has no 

favorites. That is the physical story of 

death. With the soul, it is vastly differ 

ent. 

Hezekiah was followed on the throne 

by his son, whose sin and repentence 

we will study next week. 

It is not the fact that a man has rich 

es which keeps him from the kingdom 

of heaven, but the fact that the riches 

have him. 

(David Caird) 

301

condemned." 

man." 

generation." 

on." 

cursing." 

repo 

and' 


June 1, 1955 

The Unbridled Tongue 

James 8:1-12. 

M. K. Carson, D. D. 

Psalms: 34:7-10, page 80; 

141:1-4, page 344; 

140:1-2, page 343; 

145:12-13, page 351. 

References: Rom. 3:14; 10:9-10; Eph. 

4:29; 6:19; 4:15; Ezekiel 33:31; Col. 

3:8; Ps. 51:14; Luke 6:45; Proverbs 

10:20; 12:18; 15:2-4; 16:1; 18:21; 21:23, 

Ps. 52:2. 

As we study this Epistle, let us ever 

remember that a man is justified by 

faith without the deeds of the law. 

(Rom. 3:24-28). Good works can never 

be the "ground" of our justification. But 

they have their place, for as has been 

said, we are saved by faith alone, but 

the kind of faith that saves is never 

alone. (Eph. 2:8-10). This true and liv 

ing faith produces fruits. Among these 

"fruits" 

is the right use of the tongue. 

"Let me see your tongue." If the doc 

tor can tell us something about our 

physical condition by looking at our 

tongues, we shpuld be able to learn 

something about our spiritual condition 

as we "look" at this portion of God's 

Word. 

"Be not many of you teachers." (3:1 

R.V.) Yet most of us are teachers in 

the home, church, school or elsewhere. 

We cannot escape it. And we do not 

want to escape it for teaching is a noble 

work if it is done for the glory of God. 

But it is a work which carries a heavy 

responsibility with it. "For by thy 

words thou shalt be justified and by 

thy words thou shalt be 

(Matt. 12:36-37). The man who speaks 

only 

when he should speak what he 

should speak and in the way that he 

should speak is truly a "perfect 

"We all oftentimes offend; 

and of those 

frequent offences, sins of the tongue are 

so weighty 

a part and so constant a 

cause, that he who is free from them 

may be said to be perfect . . "able 

also to bridle the whole body." (3:2). 

We admire a great teacher like Dr. 

Robert Dick Wilson, who was constrain 

ed by his conscience and convictions to 

withdraw from Princeton where he had 

been an outstanding professor for thirty 

years. A few days before his death, he 

congratulated the students of Westmin 

ster Seminary that they had been "given 

faith and courage to stand up for Jesus 

in the midst of a faithless 

The Lord gives us each one the faith 

and courage to use our power of speech 

in witnessing for Jesus in this genera 

tion which seems to be even more faith 

less than 1930. 

302 

The unbridled tongue is lawless 

"But the tongue can no man tame; 

it is an unruly evil, full of deadly pois 

Our tongues need to be controlled. 

Two illustrations are used, the horse 

and the ship. The horse, many times 

stronger than the driver or rider is 

controlled by 

the use of a bit in the 

mouth of the horse. The bit is very 

necessary in the breaking of a young 

and unruly horse. But with the bit the 

horse is controlled and is made useable. 

The "very small helm" enables the gov 

ernor to guide the large ship. And it is 

quite an achievement to bring the ship 

into the dock, especially if the water is 

rough. How useless both the horse and 

the ship are if they cannot be control 

led! How necessary it is that our tongues 

be controlled! Is an unbridled tongue an 

evidence of a true and living faith or 

the lack of such a faith This warning 

is often found with a new fountain pen. 

"When this pen flows too freely it is 

a sign that it is nearly empty and should 

be filled." Are uncontrolled tongues an 

evidence of empty hearts Psalm 39:1-3. 

The unbridled tongue is destructive 

The tongue may be a small member, 

but it can cause great destruction. This 

was true in the first century. But the 

influence of the tongue for either good 

or evil is even greater in these days of 

the telephone, radio and television. It 

does not take very much to start a very 

destructive fire. Many lives, much prop 

erty and thousands of acres of the finest 

timber have been destroyed because 

some one was careless with a match. So 

there are many warnings along 

our 

highways about the dangers of fire, es 

pecially where there are valuable forests 

and great fire hazards. The tongue is 

like a fire and may be very destructive. 

for there are always "fire hazards" for 

the tongue. "Behold, how great a matter 

(forest) a little fire kindleth!" Most of 

us are very conscious of the danger of 

fire. Are we as conscious of the danger 

ous fires which may be caused by our 

tongues In contrast with the greatness 

of the fire is the smallness of the first 

spark. Who can estimate the serious 

damage which is often caused by a word 

from an unbridled tongue During the 

days of the war there was a poster 

with the picture of a ship being de 

stroyed and both the soldiers and the 

sailors being lost. The caption on the 

poster was, 

"SOMEBODY TALKED." 

Some one had revealed some secret in 

formation which made it possible for 

the enemy to locate the transport. Are 

we giving aid to the enemy by the way 

we use our tongues How far-reaching 

is the effect of one's words life or 

death! Paul uttered a very important 

and sometimes difficult obligation when 

he commanded us to speak the truth in 

love. Such a practice could turn a de 

structive tongue into a constructive 

power for good. We have the power of 

speech, may we use it for the glory of 

God! 

The unbridled tongue is inconsistent 

'Therewith bless we God, even the 

Father; and therewith curse we men . . 

Out of the same mouth proceedeth 

blessing and (3:9-10). Do we 

find such things in nature What about 

the fountain Or do we expect olive 

berries from a fig tree No tree can 

bring 

forth fruit inconsistent with its 

nature. If the fountain did send forth 

at the same place both sweet water 

and bitter it would not be long until 

the fresh water would lose its charac 

ter. The consistent use of his tongue en 

abled James Renwick, the last Scottish 

Covenanter martyr to suffer death by 

public execution upon the scaffold, to 

utter his last words, "Lord, into Thy 

hand I commit my spirit, for Thou hast 

redeemed me, Lord God 

(Luke 23:34; Acts 7:59-60). 

of 

Truth" 

Augustine said, "He (James) does not 

say that no man can tame the tongue, 

but no one of men; so that, when it is 

tamed, we confess that this is brought 

about by the pity, the help, the graceof 

God." Lord give us power to control 

our tongues. "Consistency thou art a 

jewel!" 

Questions 

How can we bridle our tongues Mat 

thew 12:34-35; Luke 6:45. 

2. How is this subject of the "Tongue" 

related to the Ninth Commandment 

See Larger Catechism, Questions 144 

and 145. 

Prayer 

For the Lord's forgiveness for the 

times we have used our tongues in the 

wrong way and for power to control 

them. 

For the various Boards of the Church 

and for the meeting of Synod. 

For the Covenanter Crusader Corps: 

and our summer C.Y.P.U. Camps. 

SCOREBOARD 

The State Board of Health 

that during 1954 in Kansas there was: 

A birth every ten minutes. 

A death every 27 minutes. 

A marriage every 30 minutes. 

A divorce every hour and 40 minutes. 

A heart disease death every hour and 

20 minutes. 

A cancer death every 3 

10 minutes. 

hours and 

An accidental death every 6 hours. 

An infant death every six hours 

30 minutes. 

A motor-vehicle fatality every 14 

hours. 

A pneumonia death every 21 hours. 

A suicide every 36 hours. 

A tuberculosis death every 72 hours. 


Church News 

SECOND NOTICE 

NOTICE : Synod's Co-ordinating Com 

mittee is called to meet in the Geneva 

College Library, Beaver Falls, Pa., 

June 8, 10:00 A. M. EDST. 

WANTED 

M. W. Dougherty, Chairman 

SAN DD3GO 

V.B|S. Teachers! If you're 

going to be in our area this summer and 

would like to help in V.B.S., we can 

put your talents to good use! Our 

school runs for two weeks, June 27 

through July 8, followed a week later 

by 

our Conference at Hume Lake in 

the Sequoias. So, here's a chance for 

two worth-while events. 

We'll probably haye to limit attend 

ance at our V.B.S. to 150, both because 

of lack of teachers and lack of space. 

If you would like to help as one of the 

teachers, please write our Director, Mrs. 

J. D. Edgar, 10140 Crestview Heights 

La Mesa, California, at once. We can 

promise board and room for the time 

you're here. The Lord will pay the 

balance of the remuneration. 

FOR SALE 

Does your church need a 

fine new lighted outdoor bulletin board 

This is one of the prizes we won in the 

S. S. Attendance Contest last fall. Since 

we already had one, we'd like to sell 

this one and put the money into our 

Building Fund for our much needed ad 

ditional S.S. classrooms. Your church 

name will be lettered on a lighted glass 

panel. We also have a fine new 40"x40" 

Screenmaster Projection Screen, tripod 

style, for sale. This was another of our 

prizes and its sale price will also go 

into our Building Fund. If you can use 

either of these items 

who can 

right away! 

or know anyone 

please get in touch with us 

TOPEKA 

We are greatful indeed to Dr. John 

Coleman who conducted our services on 

the 10th of April and also brought help 

ful messages in our preparatory services 

April 13, 14, 15, climaxed by communion 

services on the 17th. It was a week full 

of blessings. We were glad to welcome 

into our membership by 

profession of 

faith Harold and Martha McKinney and 

Fred Martin. Mr. and Mrs. Harold Mc 

Kinney and their children Karen Sue 

and Rodney received the sacrament of 

baptism at the Friday evening prepara 

tory services. This Sacrament was per 

formed by Dr. Taggart, assisted by Dr. 

Coleman. 

May 11, 1955 

The following were elected to fill 

church offices 

for the coming year: 

Chairman, Wilmer Piper; Vice Chair 

man, Lloyd McElroy; Secretary, Rober 

ta McElroy; Treasurer, Herbert Davies; 

Precentor, Dr. W. O. Martin; Assistant 

Precentor, Albert Crane; Witness Cor 

respondent, Mrs. Elizabeth Maine; Social 

Chairman, Louise Calhoun. 

NEW ALEXANDRIA NOTES 

Sally Shaw, daughter of Mr. and 

Mrs. W. Steele Shaw of New Alexan 

dria was capped on March 11, 1955 at 

the Allegheny General Hospital School 

of Nursing. Sally is taking the five 

year course and completed two years 

at Pennsylvania College for Women be 

fore entering the Allegheny General 

Hospital School of Nursing. 

STERLING NEWS 

Dr. and Mrs. F. L. Stewart of Olathe 

were welcome guests in our communi 

ty the week end of April 10, while 

Dr. Stewart gave us wonderful ser 

mons at our spring communion. 

William Joseph, four months old son 

of Joe and Roberta McFarland, was 

baptized April 9 by his grandfather, Dr. 

A. J. McFarland. 

Others home for communion were 

Mr. Ralph Snair, and Mr. 

and Mrs. 

Howard Mann, Wichita; Mr. and Mrs. 

W. Edgar of Burdett; Miss Lulu Tippin, 

of Otis, Mrs. Allan Marshall of Sylvia; 

Mr. and Mrs. Joe McFarland of Turon; 

and Marjorie Humphreys and Jean and 

Alice Edgar of Hutchinson. 

Mr. Robert McCrory, treasurer of our 

congregation, is the current president 

of the Rice County Farm Bureau. 

John McFarland, senior, and David 

Kilpatrick, sophomore, are leading 

Sterling High in tennis. Larry Oline, 

senior President won a superior rating 

at the State this year on his bass horn 

solo. 

Present teachers in our Sabbath 

School are: Mrs. Clara Martin, David 

Kilpatrick, Diane Oline, 

Mary Hum 

phreys, Zetta Wilkey, and Evelyn Mor 

ley. Sam Wilkey will relieve David Kil 

patrick in June. 

Mr. Karl Cunningham of Gypsum has 

been elected president of the Saline 

County 

Teachers Association for next 

year, and Mrs. A. 

J. McFarland, the 

president of Rice County Teachers As 

sociation. 

Eldo McFarland, conductor of the 

Junior Choir, entertained the choir 

members and their guests at a skating 

party at the Sterling College Recreation 

Hall recently. Twenty-five friends en 

joyed this fine evening of skating, fel 

lowship and refreshments. We appre 

ciate their music leadership many even 

ings. 

Mrs. Mary Moore accompanied Dr. 

and Mrs. A. J. McFarland to Wichita 

April 17 to visit their cousin Mrs. Clar 

ence Milligan of Hebron, who is a pa 

tient in the St. Elizabeth Hospital. 

The Rev. J. D. Edgar, D.D., of San 

Diego, California, spoke twice in our 

services April 17. 

Miss Esther Dill entertained the Dill 

relatives at a dinner in the College 

Banquet Hall Tuesday evening, April 

26, honoring five of her friends from 

the Welfare Board of Oskaloosa where 

Esther labored for several years. 

Mrs. Margaret Taylor is back at 

church after sustaining 

jury. 

a bad knee in 

FROM "TRADITIONS OF THE 

COVENANTERS" 

By Rev. Robert Simpson D.D., 

Sanquhar, Scotland 

James Glendenning "then brought a 

Bible from the shelf, and, placing it on 

the table, said : "There is one duty which 

besides many others we have heretofore 

neglected 

I mean family worship; it is 

my intention, therefore, to perform that 

duty this evening. 

"This service is a duty which no one 

who has any regard for the divine honor, 

and regard for personal responsibility, or 

any concern for the spiritual welfare of 

a family, can possibly omit. The religion 

of that household in which God is not 

worshiped is either extinct or greatly on 

the wane * 

* * Who can tell how much 

of the disorder, unhappiness, and pover 

ty which prevail in many a household 

may be owing to the neglect of this 

duty While, on the other hand, the har 

mony and prosperity with which other 

families are blessed may, through the di 

vine favor, be mainly attributed to the 

conscientious performance of this duty." 

Free Methodist 

"A MAN CALLED PETER" 

NOW A MOVIE 

By S. L. Morgan, Sr., Wake Forest, N. C. 

For once, I hail with confidence and 

joy the coming of a great religious mov 

ie, A Man Called Peter, which is to be 

released "shortly after Easter." This is 

the information just received from Mrs. 

Peter Marshall, author of the now fa 

mous best-seller, A Man Called Peter-. 

Sixteen months ago she wrote to me 

as one of the 1,800 who, she said, had 

written her their high evaluation of her 

book. That letter was an urgent appeal 

to her "friends" to send up a "veritable 

303

prayer" 

experience." 

movie." 

glad." 

years!" 

world." 

tidal wave of 

while she was in 

Hollywood, that the moving message of 

her book might become the heart also 

of the movie, to carry its message to the 

heart of America. In the letter just re 

ceived she says, "Someday, I hope to be 

able to tell in detail the exciting story 

of what prayer did for the 

As technical adviser for the screen 

play in Hollywood, she went through 

some "bad 

moments," 

when she saw the 

producers "on the verge of very wrong 

decisions." 

Her faith often "wavered and 

faltered"; how was God to guide those 

who often were not even aware of Him, 

and who perhaps did not even seek His 

guidance 

"With Complete Integrity" 

But, she writes, "On January 21 in 

Hollywood, 80 clergymen Protestant, 

Jewish, and Catholic 

saw the rough-cut 

version of this movie. Their overwhelm 

ing reaction was, 'We didn't think Holly 

wood could do it!' " She is overwhelmed, 

she says, with gratitude that the spirit 

of the book is so faithfully carried 

through in the movie; that Richard 

Todd impersonates Peter Marshall "with 

complete integrity"; and that "big 

chunks" 

of Marshall's sermons in his 

own words are spoken on the screen 

this "for the first time in motion-pic 

ture history." She herself saw it March 

7 in New York "an awe-inspiring and 

humbling 

In her letter dated March 15 she again 

appeals for a tidal wave of prayer that, 

as Peter again preaches to vast audi 

ences across the land, God will open the 

hearts of the people to receive the mes 

sage. 

United Presbyterian 

RISING TIDE OF EVANGELISM 

NEW KORK CITY, April 2 This 

Easter, when Americans will traditional 

ly throng to worship services in their 

greatest numbers, the nation's churches 

will welcome more new members than 

ever before in history, according to the 

Rev. Berlyn Farris, executive director 

of the Department of Evangelism of the 

National Council of Churches. 

"The Lenten Season of 1955 will see 

more persons uniting with the Christian 

churches of America than in any other 

similar time," he declared. "A rising tide 

of religious interest and evangelistic ac 

tivity 

on the part of the churches, and 

particularly of the laity, can point to 

this." 

nothing less than 

Dr. Charles "Chuck" Templeton, na 

tionally known evangelist who has travel 

ed in 26 states during the past 12 months 

said he has seen "unmistakable evidence 

of the greatest interest, in evangelism in 

my 

memory." 

Speaking 

as evangelism 

secretary of the 2,000,000-member Pres 

byterian Church, USA, Dr. Templeton 

said that last year his 

304 

denomination 

"had the greatest results from its evan 

gelistic program in all its history." He 

predicted that the trend will carry into 

this year. 

Some 90,000,000 persons in the U.S. 

are enrolled as members of Christian 

churches an all-time high. Of these, 

2,500,000 joined the church during the 

past year. Another 35,000,000 chiefly 

children and young people belong to 

Sunday Schools. The Religious Newsweekly 

On Easter this year the churches of 

the United States were attended by a 

greater number of people than ever be 

fore in the history of this nation or any 

other. This at least is the opinion ex 

pressed in a recent issue of the popular 

weekly magazine, 

"Newsweek." 

In its 

survey of religion in the nation as of 

"Newsweek" 

the present time, 

said in 

part : 

"The resurrection was celebrated 

in the nation's churches by some ninety 

million persons, the highest church-go 

ing percentage of total population in the 

country's history. Some fifty-seven per 

cent of all Americans (paid) homage be 

fore some altar to the risen Christ; a 

century ago it was only sixteen per cent. 

This fourfold -expansion cannot be dis 

missed as an empty statistic. Rather, it 

apparently symbolizes a steady growth 

of America's belief in God, and an in 

creasing desire to participate in the life 

of His churches. American church mem 

bership since the turn of the century has 

increased more than twice as fast as the 

population. But even the numerical 

growth has been overshadowed in recent 

years by the obvious vigor and scope of 

America's religious life. If the United 

States is undergoing a genuine religious 

revival 

that it is 

and there is every indication 

the rebirth is one which has 

been fostered by preacher and parishion 

er together in unprecedented co-opera 

tion to spread the Word of God." We can 

be grateful that as Bishop Kennedy of 

the Methodist Church expresses it, 

"Something has happened! Something 

tremendous!" 

Let us hope that it is still 

happening 

every day. 

not on Easter day alone, but 

Influencing Our Little Ones 

"When we go dead, then we are going 

to live again. That makes us 

Thus spoke four-year-old Johnnie 

writer's little nephew. 

the 

"When we die that's the end of us," 

said a niece, nicknamed "Johnnie," who 

is ten years old. These two Johnnies 

belong to the same Christian communi 

ty. And yet how different! 

The ten-year-old "Johnnie" 

the case with the younger Johnnie 

as was 

did 

not give expression to views which ori 

ginated with her personally. She voiced 

the religion of her larger surroundings. 

The ten-year-old has been exposed to 

non-Christian influence. The stamp of 

the world has been impressed upon her 

young soul. As a natural reflex the 

language of the world flows from her 

lips. 

Another True Story 

A boy had attended a certain school 

up to the fourth grade. In this school 

the Bible was honored. Then his pa 

rents moved, and the boy went to 

another school. One day, in Spelling, 

the word "create" was in the word 

list. The class was asked to use the 

word in a sentence. The new boy held 

up his hand and said: "God created 

the This was met by a telling 

smile from the teacher, and the whole 

class burst out laughing. (Fourth grade, 

"Well," 

mind you!) said the teacher, 

"there are still some who believe that." 

No subject not even Spelling is 

safe in the hands of an unbelieving 

teacher. Ridicule on the part of the 

teacher and classmates is a deadly wea 

pon of destruction. Who can stand under 

its withering effects in more mature 

years 

How many children of the King are 

exposed to the attack of the enemy 

while at school 

Know this: a child 

of the King taught by worldly teach 

ing is royalty set up as a target in 

easy range of the enemy. 

"To mispronounce a word is a griev 

ous blunder, to misquote an author is 

a crime 

but to put a kink in a stu 

dent's thinking is to tamper with his 

eternal destiny." 

Stearns 

National Association of Christian 

Schools, 542 S. Dearborn St., Chicago 

5, Illinois. 

THE GREAT COMMANDMENT 

A Slaveholder had committed the care 

of one of his teams to a faithful slave 

for some years; at last one of them died. 

While the slave was burying the faithful 

animal, the other horse came across the 

field and stood by, watching the opera 

tion as a silent mourner. 

The master said to the slave, "I be 

lieve Dick loved Billy." Instantly the 

slave replied, '"Course he did, Massa; 

why they pulled together for twenty 

It is the pulling together of the 

various Christian forces against the 

common enemy and for a common cause 

that will unite the hearts of the follow 

ers of the Master. 

J. W. Knopp, D.D. 

COVENANTER WITNESS

anger" 

LESSON HELPS FOR THE WEEK OF JUNE 5, 1955 


THE ATOM BURSTS ITS SWADDLING CLOTHES AND MANIFESTS THE ALMIGHTY POWER OF ITS 

CREATOR. "Who knoweth the power of thine Psalm 90:11 Topeka Capital photo

made." 

efficient." 

wisdom." 

stand" 

century," 

good" 

year," 

manger." 


NATURE'S SWADDLING CLOTHES 

God's Arguments Versus the Atheists' 

Sales Resistance 

"There are no atheists in the Fox-holes," said 

the G.I.s in the World Wars. 

"There are no atheists among the nuclear scien 

tists not a single 

one," 

says Col. John D. Craig, a 

former Army man Commissioned by the government 

to photograph the atomic explosions at the original 

Bikini and Eniwetok tests. 

"There are no atheists among the nuclear scien 

tists not a single one. When they succeeded in split 

ting the atom, they realized for the first time man 

had stepped into the realm of Creation, that it was 

Divine Sovereignty speaking to him, and that man 

had better listen to what his Creator was saying to 

him. For now two destinies were offered to man. The 

very power that was active in creation had been 

and he could use it either for 

placed at his disposal, 

untold blessings or for his own undoing. Once more 

he had been confronted with the age-old alternative 

of choosing between life and death." (ERA-4/13/55) 

. 

Of the power of the bomb he says it not only caused 

an island to disappear but "blew a hole in the ocean 

bottom a mile in diameter and 75 feet deep." Despite 

this fact, Craig says, "only about one-thousandth of 

the potential power of the bomb had been actually re 

leased, since the nuclear bombs are onetenth 

of one per 

only about 

cent 

The news reports of the recent bomb test at 

Yucca Flat, Nev., say that the flash had the bril 

liance of 300 suns, the force of 35,000 tons (not 

pounds) of TNT, and that the shock wave was heard 

and felt in Los Angeles 250 miles away. (See pictures 

on our front page and explanation on p. 306). 

"Who considers the power of Thy anger, and thy 

wrath according to the fear (perhaps lack of fear is 

intended) of Thee So teach us to number our days 

that we may apply our hearts unto (Psalm 

90:11, 12, RSV). 

God Is Pressing Home the Argument 

In Romans I we are told; "For the wrath oif 

God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness 

and wickedness of men .... for what can be known 

about God is plain to them, because God has shown 

it unto them. Ever since the creation of the world 

His invisible nature, namely His eternal power and 

deity, has been clearly perceived in the things that 

have been But now when man's sophistication 

has grown, and his resistance to awe, the Palomar 

telescope has revealed the incomprehensible infini 

tude of the universe. When we had begun to be con 

cerned about the exhaustion of our fuel supplies of 

coal and oil, the limitless power resources of the atom 

is being revealed to us. Not that it sets our minds to 

rest, rather it is increasing our fears, because of 

man's inhumanity to man. But that can be a school 

master to bring us to Christ. We are learning that 

the wisdom of yesterday was "but the outskirts of 

His ways; and how small a whisper do we hear of 

Him ! But the thunder of His power who can under- 

306 

The Atomic Age is both an invitation and 

a threat. 

Will the Atheist Be Convinced 

When we quoted that there are no atheists in 

fox-holes or among nuclear scientists, let Us not sup 

pose that all these persons have become convinced, 

evangelical, born-again Christians. There are practi 

cally no Atheists in the world in the root meaning 

of the word no-godists, even among the loud 

mouthed variety. There are many willful agnostics 

don't-knowists. "The fool (wishful thinkers) hath 

said in his heart, "There is no God. Corrupt are they, 

and have done abominable iniquity; there is none 

that doeth (Psalm 53:1). The atheism is in 

his heart, not in his head. His life demonstrates his 

practical atheism, and until his heart is convinced 

he will remain a practical demonstration of atheism. 

Through all the centuries past, the atom and the 

electron have been wrapped in their swaddling 

clothes, and now that they are being unbound for 

the use of mankind, and will continue to be in the 

coming decades, we need not expect miracles of grace 

wrought by them, except as they are employed by 

Him Who was once Himself bound in swaddling 

clothes. 

GOD'S OWN SON IN SWADDLING CLOTHES 

"And so it was, that, while they were there (in 

Bethlehem), the days were accomplished that she 

(Mary "the mother of the "the mother of her 

"the mother of ail time not excepting Eve 

the Mother of All Living") brought forth her first 

born son (conceived in her womb by the power of the 

Holy Ghost,) and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, 

and laid Him in a To manger." 

the shepherds the 

Conductor of the Angel Chorus announced, "Unto 

you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, 

which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign 

unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swad 

dling clothes, lying in a 

Why did Luke, 

the Dean of all Research Historians, the paragon of 

all reporters, lay such emphasis on that insignificant 

fact "wrapped in swaddling clothes" Did he copy 

that from the Bethlehem Evening Dispatch of De 

cember 25 It could hardly have been news in Beth 

lehem, for the custom was as old as Job (38:9), as 

old as Jeremiah (Lam. 2:22), as old as Ezekiel (16: 

. 

4) But it is news to us, and always will be, that the 

Almighty Son of Almighty God, to whom all power 

has been given was once wrapped in swaddling 

clothes and laid in the manger of a cow-shed. A most 

significant fact! Selah. Meditate. 

I had thought to speak more about the swaddled 

Christ, how His friends and His enemies and I and 

you have kept Him from using His full power, but 

circumstances have interposed, so think it over for 

the next few days, and God willing, we shall continue 

the subject next week. 

D.R.T. 

EXPLANATION OF THE PICTURES ON OUR 

FRONT PAGE 

ATOMIC FIREBALL CHURNS DESERT 

FLOOR The long-delayed nuclear test over Sur- 

COVENANTER WITNESS

manners." 

none." 



Formal Worship 

The editor of United Evangelical Action says: "There 

is in America a disconcerting tendency toward hollow ritual, 

especially in "liberal' churches which call themselves Prot 

estant. Unfortunately evangelicals of a sort are succumbing 

to the popular trend. Wherever interest in formal worship 

is found there is usually a marked indication that spiritual 

religion is on the wane .... 

Possibly 

the time has come 

for a fresh study of the basic principles and practices of 

evangelical Christian worship as revealed in the Holy Scrip 

tures and to rethink their meaning for us. Let us measure 

our practices by what we discover and take steps as may 

be necessary to restore the simplicity and reality which our 

Lord counseled in His discourse to the woman at the well of 

Sychar." 

Before the Reformation ritual worship was almost 

universal and meaningless, but the most scholarly and con 

sistent reformers turned back to simple, plain worship 

with the use of Psalms without instrumental music. There 

is a call, even in the Covenanter church, to guard against 

the beginning of ritualism and formality. 

Bible in Schools 

A bill to permit Bible reading in the public schools of 

California has been defeated by 

a vote of the Senate com 

mittee on education. The bill provided that materials which 

will promote and encourage moral and spiritual values, in 

cluding selections from the Bible, may be read in the public 

schools. The State Superintendent of Public Instruction was 

opposed to the bill, and the Attorney General E. G. Brown 

indicated that he was preparing an opinion to the effect 

that the proposed legislation was unconstitutional. The Jews 

were opposed to it. Men pay lip service to the Bible Society 

and the Bible and yet oppose its use in the very place where 

it may be most effective, namely on the youth of the land. 

Such actions are a direct affront to God who gives us His 

Word. 

Thank God for Food 

The State Board of Education of Georgia has directed 

that a set of rules be drawn up which would require teach 

ers to sit with students during meals in school lunchrooms 

and see that a blessing is asked at the table. One board 

member said that many children will never hear grace said 

unless they hear it at school. Another board member stat 

ed: "Nobody but atheists and agnostics could object to the 

saying of grace. I also think the teachers could do a lot 

for table 

Surgeon and Christian 

Mr. Ernest Gordon produced an article on 

"Arthur 

Rendel Short: Surgeon and Christian," in a recent issue of 

The Sunday School Times. It is also the title of a book 

which may be had from Intervarsity 

Christian Fellowship, 

vival City, Nev., bursts in the pre-dawn darkness 

Thursday (upper left) and two or three seconds 

later (upper right) the fireball developed streaks of 

dark and churned the earth into waves of dirt. Dust 

from the desert floor at Yucca Flat (lower left) 

was stirred into mountainous gray billows as the 

blast expanded with a roar. (Topeka Capital) 

May 18, 1955 

1444 North Astor, Chicago 10, 111., price $2.50. The Lancet 

(British medical journal) said of him, "He was a general 

surgeon in the best sense of the word and, as diagnostician, 

he yielded place to 

He was a professor of surgery 

in the University of Bristol, England, and wrote very many 

scientific articles and some books. A few years ago he sent 

to me as a gift his book, "The Bible and Modern Research," 

which tears to shreds the theory of evolution, especially the 

evolution of man and stands firmly for the inspiration and 

infallibility of the Bible. 

Of the relation of man to the higher animals he says : 

"Likeness is no proof of common descent .... As for the 

blood test, no sane physician would transfer ape's blood 

into a living man. Except in tiny doses it would almost 

certainly kill him .... At no stage is the human embryo 

at all like an ape or monkey." 

Dr. Short was an active Christian, a member of the 

Brethren, a promoter of missions. He taught elementary 

medical courses to missionaries and gave his services al 

most without charge to ministers and missionaries. One 

wonders how he ever did all the work that he accomplished 

either in the medical field or the religious field. 

Ambrose Fleming 

Sir Ambrose Fleming was a very prominent young 

British scientist who was also opposed to evolution, speaking 

and writing against it and showing the fallacy of those 

who argued in favor of it. He also died not long ago. Great 

names favoring certain statements do not necessarily prove 

that they are true, but when psuedoscientists declare that 

we have no great names in science upholding the authen 

ticity of the Bible and opposing evolution, they show that 

they are either ignorant or guilty of falsifying, for the 

names of Short and Fleming stand at the top in the scien 

tific world. 

Religion in the Classroom 

Bangor, Michigan, is a town about 27 miles west of 



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307


By Prof. William H. RusselL Ph.D. 

OUR NEW ALLY 

The political situation in Europe is now changing rap 

idly. West Germany has been restored to full sovereignty, 

and the Allied high commissioners now become ambassadors. 

The Big Three will continue to maintain 450,000 troops in 

West Germany, but as allies rather than as occupational 

forces. The Bonn Republic has been admitted to NATO, 

with authorization to raise an army of half a million men. 

Actually, the West Germans are not enthusiastic about re 

armament, and have been virtually sovereign for some time. 

Their biggest interest is in reunification with East Germany, 

which is Europe's next item of "unfinished busness" after 

the settlement of the Austrian peace treaty. In order to fore 

stall West Germany's rearmament, Russia may ask for neu 

tralization as the price of German unity. Russia and her 

satellites are drawing closer together by a series of military 

talks at Warsaw. 

ONE BIG UNION 

The drafting 

of a common constitution marks another 

step toward the merger of the A.F.L. and C.I.O. The new 

charter follows the main outlines of the agreement reached 

by union leaders at Miami Beach last winter. It firmly op 

poses racial or religious discrimination, and provides for 

quick action against Communism or corruption in the mem 

ber unions. Other sections would facilitate the merger of 

competing unions, and help to settle jurisdictional disputes. 

Next December the two unions will hold a joint convention 

in New York City to complete the merger. The new group 

will have a combined membership of 15 million, covering 

nearly all of organized labor except for John L. Lewis' Unit 

ed Mine Workers and the railroad brotherhoods. One of the 

biggest isues remaining is the selection of a name. A.F.L. 

leaders want to transfer their old name to the new group, 

but the C.I.O. will undoubtedly insist on a new title. 

SURVIVAL, CHANCES 

An entire model town was deliberately 

exposed to an 

atomic blast in one of the recent nuclear- weapons tests in 

Nevada. The bomb used had about twice the power of those 

we dropped against Japan. Frame and brick houses nearly 

a mile from the blast center were demolished. Those of cin 

der block and concrete slab remained standing, though their 

windows were broken and furnishings damaged. Flying de 

bris either "killed" or "seriously injured" the dummies, rep 

resenting people, in unprotected areas up to three miles from 

the bomb. Home bomb shelters proved effective, however, 

and Civil Defense officials survived the blast in trenches just 

over a mile from the explosion. Army tanks also provided 

good protection. The main lesson from this test seems to be 

that survival is possible if people will prepare. Forty-five 

state governors, meeting in Washington, have asked the fed 

eral government for more help with their civil defense prob 

lems. The responsibility is now diffused and there seems to 

be great confusion. 

REMOVING WAR SCARS 

Twenty-five Japanese girls have arrived in the U.S. for 

plastic surgery to remove scars left from the atomic bomb 

ing of Hiroshima. They 

will receive free treatment at Mt. 

Sinai Hospital in New York City. This program, which may 

308 

require more than a year in some cases, is being financed by 

private American groups and individuals, as a gesture of 

goodwill and Christian charity. None of the girls seemed to 

have any 

resentment over the American bombing. 

COMMUNIST ATHLETES 

The Soviet Union has announced that it will spend $62 

million this year to expand athletic facilities in Moscow. 

About 300,000 athletes will take part this summer in the 

first "Moscow Games," a national sports festival. Work 

has begun on a gigantic stadium in one of Moscow's suburbs. 

This will probably be used to support a bid for the 1960 

or 1964 Olympic games. Since World War n the Russians 

have put great emphasis on athletics, sending teams to com 

pete all over Europe. Their top 

performers all claim amateur 

status, but actually are heavily subsidized by the state. 

FOR MENTAL HEALTH 

As a climax to Mental Health Week, the Ford Founda 

tion announced a grant of $15 million for research over the 

next five to ten years. The program will cover both the 

causes of mental illness, and methods of treatment and pre 

vention. The U. S. now has over 700,000 mental patients, oc 

cupying more than half of all our hospital beds. Thousands 

more have less serious mental illnesses which limit their 

happiness and usefulness. Our federal and state governments 

spend over a billion dollars a year for the care of mental 

patients, but less than one per cent of this goes for research, 

and many public institutions are so understaffed that very 

little treatment can be given. 

RAIN OR SHINE 

Can artificial rain-making change the general pattern of 

our weather For two years the U. S. Navy conducted ex 

periments along the Atlantic coast to answer this question. 

Of 37 different storm centers which came along during that 

time, half were "seeded" by rain-making techniques, 

and the 

others were untouched. The conclusion was that 

cloudseeding 

had no "large-scale meteorological 

effects."Rainmaking 

may cause local showers, but it cannot change the 

general path of the winds and pressure areas which deter 

mine our major weather patterns. This conclusion has con 

siderable military significance, but not all meteorologists 

agree with it. President Eisenhower has an Advisory Com 

rainmaking, 

which has become a million-dollar business in this 

mittee on Weather Control to study problems of local 

country. One difficulty is that the rain-makers may "steal" 

rain which would normally fall somewhere else. Also, overseeding 

may actually prevent rain. 

COURT PACKING 

Prime Minister Johannes Strydom of the Union of South 

Africa has removed one of the last obstacles in the way of 

his segregation program. Twice the High Court of South 

Africa has disallowed, as unconstitutional, Nationalist legis 

lation which would disfranchise the people of mixed blood 

in South Africa. Now Styrdom has secured permission from 

his parliament to pack the High Court with five new judges, 

increasing the bench from six to eleven. All the new judges 

are favorable to the Nationalist policies. This is not only a 

blow against the rights of the native peoples of South Af 

rica, but a big step toward dictatorship. 

COVENANTER WITNESS

work." 

A 

Gift for God 

Address at the dedication of the Educational Addition to the church, New Alexandria, Pa. March 18, 1955 

Prof. J. B. Willson, D.D. 

This is a happy occasion. We have met to set 

apart, to dedicate, a new building for the worship 

and service of God. There is connected with this the 

rededication of the old house of worship, to which 

the new is now joined, to a larger and fuller service 

to God, to His people, and to this community. 

Builders, Ancient and Modern 

We turn back in thought to a happy occasion 

about twenty-four hundred years ago. Cyrus, king of 

Persia, had sent home from captivity a group of God 

fearing people of Judah, about fifty thousand in 

number, with the special commission to build the 

house of the Lord God of Israel at Jerusalem. Chap 

ters I, III, and VI of Ezra bear on our subject, but 

we are especially interested in chapter III. 

There are several differences between their sit 

uation and ours. Their old house of worship had been 

destroyed. Ours is still standing, in good condition, 

still an attractive building, both inside and outside. 

The people who were building the church then had 

just recently returned after an absence of many 

years, in captivity. The builders now have had their 

homes here for many years. There were many there 

to support the work of building. There are not nearly 

so many here. The people there met with great oppo 

sition after the work was under way. Their neigh 

bors, whose families had been settled there by the 

Babylonians in the exchange of populations when not 

allowed to join in the work, opposed it vigorously. 

They stopped it for about fifteen years. Here the 

work has continued without any such interruption. 

There are several resemblances. The people at 

Jerusalem had good leadership. The book of Ezra 

places on record for ever a number of names. You 

had good leadership here, in planning, in starting the 

work, and in carrying it through to completion. 

They had and you have had good helpers. A few 

leaders cannot do it all. The record tells of their giv 

ing money to the masons and to the carpenters, and 

food to those who brought cedar trees from Lebanon ; 

of their setting forward the workmen in the house of 

the Lord. They secured men who knew how to put up 

a building. When later on the wall was being built, 

we read "the people had a mind to This is the 

secret of the satisfactory completion of any task. 

You wanted this building, and you stayed with the 

job till it was done. 

They had good givers. The end of chapter two 

tells of offerings for the house. This building has 

taken money as well as work. You have been ready to 

meet the cost. 

They had God's blessing upon them. Cyrus is 

sued his proclamation. Those who returned were 

those whose spirit God had raised up. When the 

foundation was laid, they had a service of praise and 

thanksgiving to God. When the work was stopped, 

God opened the way again. They dedicated the house 

with special offerings, and with the observance of 

May 18, 1955 

the passover. "The Lord had made them joyful, and 

turned the heart of the king of Assyria, to strength 

en their hands in the work of the house of God." You 

feel that God has helped you, and directed you. Now 

you have assembled to dedicate this building, 

and to 

give thanks to God. 

Mingled Sorrow and Rejoicing 

Two verses about the first service tell how the 

people felt about it. "But many of the priests and 

Levites and chief of the fathers, 

men, that had seen the first house, when the founda 

who were ancient 

tion of this house was laid before their eyes, wept 

with a loud voice ; and many shouted aloud for joy : 

so that the people could not discern the noise of the 

shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the 

people ; for the people shouted with a loud shout, and 

off." 

the noise was heard afar 

The younger people in Jerusalem had never seen 

the temple of Solomon in all its glory. The oldest peo 

ple recalled going to it in company. 

They recalled 

their fellow-worshipers ; those who led in the services 

of the sanctuary. They recalled the passing of the 

glorious building. They recalled the years in cap 

tivity. Memories that bless and burn pressed upon 

their hearts. So often it is with us. I have a feeling of 

sadness and a sort of homesickness of the heart when 

I pass our old Allegheny church building where I 

worshiped through childhood and youth. I rejoice in 

the new church on Perrysville Avenue, but my heart 

turns back to the place which I knew as a child. When 

a congregation celebrates an anniversary, we usually 

have a diagram of the pews, often of an older build 

ing, with the names written in of the families who 

sat in each pew. We older people can shut our eyes 

and picture the old days. Younger people who have 

not grown old along with the old church, undisturbed 

by memories, know only joy in the new church. 

The Evolution of Our Homes 

Do we need new churches or new additions to 

churches What about our homes We love our old 

homes. But we make improvements. Caves and tents 

and sod houses and log cabins were displaced by 

frame and brick and stone dwellings ; in time by man 

sions, castles and palaces. One room for all purposes 

has become many rooms for specialized purposes. The 

trip to the spring or pump was abandoned for run 

ning water in the home; bathrooms have become 

standard equipment. Candles yielded to oil lamps, to 

gas jets, to electric lights ; a wood fire to a stove, to 

a gas range, to an electric range. Now we have ranch 

type houses and picture windows. With buildings as 

with generations of people, one passeth away and 

another cometh. 

The Evolution of Our Churches 

Study the places of worship in the Old Testa 

ment. At first there was the altar under the open 

sky. Then came the tent without the camp where 

309

curtains." 

Moses met with God ; then the tabernacle. Study the 

preparations for the tabernacle. The people were 

of workmanship. Gold, silver, brass, precious stones, 

called on to give the best of materials and the finest 

the best of timber, brought from afar. Those whom 

God had specifically qualified made the vessels; and 

did the fine work on the curtains. This house contin 

ued as the place of worship through the period of 

the conquest and of the Judges. Why was it 

changed David had become established as king. Hi 

ram king of Tyre sent messengers to him, and cedar 

trees, and carpenters and masons; and they built 

David a house. David recognizes the hand of God 

in all of this. He says to Nathan the prophet, "See 

now I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God 

dwelleth within 

He compares his home 

with the place of worship. God approved his plan, but 

postponed its completion. He gathered together vast 

amounts of materials for the building; and again 

these were of the best, and the workmen were the 

most skilled. So Solomon built the great temple. 

This temple was much larger and grander than 

the tabernacle. In addition to the larger holy places 

there was a three story building erected against its 

two exterior sides and the rear, containing chambers 

for officials and for storage. Perhaps there were 

chambers above the holy of holies. Before the 

front entrance a portico was built, and two brazen 

pillars stood there. There were two courts, the inner, 

upper court of the priests, and the great court for 

Israel. This temple served for nearly four centuries. 

When the hearts of the newly returned captives 

from Babylon were stirred up to rebuild the house of 

God, again they sought materials and skilled help. 

was not as magnificent as Solomon's 

The building 

temple, but followed the same plan. There were out 

side chambers, and the whole was surrounded by 

courts. For Herod's temple the old area was enlarged 

to twice its former size. The building was much larg 

er, with the addition of two wings extending from 

the front corners, and an attic over the holy and most 

holy places. There were additional inner courts, sep 

arate for men and for women. 

It is in accordance with Scripture teaching and 

example that church buildings keep pace with the 

standards and needs of the times, and with the uses 

for which they are properly required ; and that they 

measure up at least to the standard of the homes in 

which the worshipers live themselves. With the 

death of Christ upon the cross, the veil of the temple 

was rent, and the ritual of the temple worship was no 

longer needed or authorized. The followers of Christ 

met in the simple worship of the synagogue. Early 

church buildings met this need. The enlarging work 

of the church called for changes. Increasing ritualism 

had its part in dictating the manner of change. Per 

haps emphasis was placed on the beautiful and the 

impressive rather than on the practical. Some of the 

great cathedrals of the past and present were and are 

the work of decades or centuries. 

In our own country the early churches were log 

buildings, unheated. A comment after a cold winter 

day's services has come down from, I think, the old 

Union church near Mars, "We were not troubled with 

mosquitoes today." The first church at New Alexan 

dria was a log building, back of where the Presbyter 

ian church now stands, and was used by 

all denom- 

310 

inations. John Cannon came to Greensburg as pastor 

in 1816. His grave is in the old burial ground which 

was beside the log church. In 1835 a brick building 

was erected on the present site. This was replaced 

about 1870 by the present building. 

The Evolution of the Church School 

In recent years a large emphasis has been on the 

needs of what we call the church schools. Early edu 

cation was in the hands of the church. The leaders of 

the church established schools in which the Bible was 

taught along with the other subjects. What we call 

Sabbath schools were not established then, and were 

not introduced without considerable opposition in our 

own and other churches. The changes in the system 

of education in our country have called for a change 

on the part of the church. There has been, we be 

lieve, a steady decline in the knowledge of the Word 

of God. The church is trying to meet this challenge. 

The church building as well as the church program 

must keep pace with the requirements of the times. 

We need a place for the Sabbath School which will 

give to the teachers and pupils at least something of 

the opportunity which our modern public school 

rooms give their teachers and pupils. 

(To be continued) 


Kalamazoo, where the officials of the school are threatened 

with prosecution in the courts if they do not discontinue 

teaching religion in the classroom. However, the superin 

tendent, Homer Hendricks, has been determined to con 

tinue the program until they are proved to be wrong. Stu 

dents are free to go to hear lectures on religion or not 

as they choose. There are eight religious groups which have 

taken advantage of the opportunity to provide religious 

speakers. Though there has been much opposition the lead 

ers regard the experiment a success and they are laying 

plans for the next school year. 

The Time Spent in Prayer 

The editor of The Banner refers to an article in a re 

ligious magazine entitled, "How to pray an hour" and among 

other comments, 

says: "Is it true that the strength of our 

prayer life can be measured by the amount of time we spend 

on our knees We do not think so The important question 

is not how long but how well we pray. How intense and 

fervent are our prayers How urgent are our petitions Je 

sus praised the widow for her importunity in making a re 

quest. God requires sincerity and humility in prayer. Faith, 

confidence in God's power and willingness to hear our sup 

plications, is one of the leading requisites of true prayer. 

"He that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that 

he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Heb. 

11:6). Not less indispensable is our submission to His will, 

as our Lord himself was submissive when He prayed in 

Gethsemane: Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup 

from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. In 

short, our prayers must be Scriptural in harmony with 

God's revealed will. Five minutes of intense outpouring of 

the soul before God is better than a whole hour of praying, 

in which our thoughts wander, and in which the weakness 

of our faith leads to much needless repetition. All of which 

is no denial of the fact that our prayers of intercession, 

in private as in public worship, may 

time." 

require considerable 

COVENANTER WITNESS

nations." 

nots'." 

country.' 

atheism" 

Bandung: A Challenge to Evangelicals 

A Special E/P News Report 

The Afro-Asian Conference of 

Bandung is now 

history. For years to come politicians, law-makers 

and journalists will attempt to evaluate the true sig 

nificance of the week-long babel produced by 1,000 

delegates from 29 nations representing half the 

world's population "the 1.4 billion 'have Was 

mice" 

there anything in this rally, in which "mighty 

from the small nations of the world succeeded in 

toning down red China's propaganda blurbs, for 

America's evangelicals 

Before the conference got under way, Life maga 

zine published a thought-provoking editorial (April 

18) which should stimulate evangelical consideration. 

It opened with this statement: 

"An enormous fact about the world is often ig 

nored. It is that more than half of the world's people 

are nonwhite. For the first time in history they are 

getting together, in something called the Africa- 

Asian Conference which begins at Bandung, Indo 

nesia on April 18. The 30-odd nations attending 

make up nearly 60% of the world's population; they 

have excluded most of the lighter-skinned peoples 

a sort of reverse form of color discrimination. 

Whether such exclusion should alarm the lighter col 

ored peoples or not, it will certainly arouse their cu 

riosity about what goes on at Bandung." 

During the early days of the conference the im 

portance of moral and spiritual force, including re 

ligious beliefs, was strikingly prominent in the 

speeches of both Asian and African leaders. One re 

porter observed that "expressions of religious senti 

ment and faith have been much more numerous than 

in comparable meetings in Western 

There are reasons why religion crept into the 

Bandung conference. 

One is that the conference included the great 

Islamic and Buddhist countries of the world and in 

many of them religion plays a larger role in national 

life than it does in the Western countries. 

Another reason is that the majority of the coun 

tries are small and lack military or material power. 

Lacking this power they hope to exert some influence 

on international affairs by attempting to exert 

"moral force." 

The outstanding exception to this, of course, was 

Communist China. It probably was a revelation to 

Red China's Chou En-lai to learn how important re 

ligion is to many countries represented. 

In Chou's first speech, a draft of which was dis 

tributed to the delegates, the question of religion was 

left out. But in his later supplementary remarks he 

made an important issue of it. 

Reporting by cable from Bandung, A. Doak Barnett 

said : 

"The tone of the conference regarding religion 

was set in the opening speech made by Indonesia's 

President Soekarno. Soekarno said: 

" 

^Religion is of dominating importance particu 

larly in this part of the world. It would be a source of 

interference.' 

unity and a bulwark against foreign 

"In speeches which followed the importance of 

religion was frequently stressed. 

May 18, 1955 

"For example, Ceylon's Prime Minister Sir John 

Kotelawala said: 'The heritage of Buddhism is one 

of the most precious possessions of my 

"Iraq's delegation chief, Mohammed Fadhel Jamali 

quoted from the Koran: 'Allah will NOT change 

the condition of a people until they change from 

within themselves.' He stated that 'Communism is a 

one-sided materialistic religion. It denies God, and 

the spiritual heritage of " mankind.' 

Because preceding delegates, by making such 

references to religion, forced him to do so, Chou Enlai, 

Premier of Communist China, took up the re 

ligion angle. He tried to "sell" the idea that it should 

be possible for believers and atheists in Asian and 

African countries to unite. 

Premier Chou's remarks on religion were defin 

ite and deliberate. He said : 

"I would like to talk about the question as to 

whether there is religious freedom in our country. 

"Freedom of religious belief is a principle recog 

nized by all modern nations. We Communists are 

atheists, but we respect all those who have religious 

beliefs. We hope that those with religious beliefs will 

respect those without. 

"China is a country where there is freedom of 

religious beliefs. There are in China not only seven 

million Communists, but also tens of millions of Mos 

lems and Buddhists and millions of Protestants and 

Catholics. Here in the Chinese delegation there is a 

pious iman (priest) of the Islamic faith. Such a situ 

ation is no obstacle to the internal unity of China." 

"buyers" 

But, Chou could not find any for that 

line. One delegate from an Islamic state saw through 

the shallow reasoning and declared : "The whole basis 

of our life is belief in God. How could we possibly be 

favorably impressed by an admission of 

With amazing foresight the Life editorial, writ 

ten before the Bandung conference opened, summed 

up the value of the confab and came to two conclu 

sions : 

"The first is that most Asians lead lives of ap 

palling poverty, ignorance and hardship, as they have 

for centuries past ; but that they are no longer recon 

ciled to their backwater role in modern history. Their 

determination to do something about this has thrown 

the whole East into a political ferment which will not 

cease until hope and progress have taken the place of 

hunger, dust and mud. To this Asian demand for pro 

gress the West must give not only sympathy but ac 

tive aid. Otherwise the revolutionary politics of Asia 

will embroil us in conflict without end. 

"But the second big fact about Asia is that Com 

munism, that brand of exploitation so incomparably 

worse than the vanishing colonialism whose vacuum 

it seeks to fill, can never satisfy the deep Asian need 

for hope and progress and most Asians know it. 

Non-Communist Asia is the real Asia, however di 

vided and miserable. As a House Foreign Affairs 

Committee survey has just noted after a tour of 

Eastern nations, the non-Communist people of Asia 

number 700 million, more than a match for Red 

China's, and their armed forces actually in being 

number 2,350,000 men, almost as much as our own 

311

cat" 

vain." 

cat." 

planned for next year. Non-Communist Asia lacks 

unity but not potential strength. The Western atti 

tude, and particularly the American attitude, should 

therefore be one of 

discriminating thought about 

Asia and resolute adherence to our own political prin 

ciples. We must sympathize with all Asia but dis 

tinguish between the cry of those countries we can 

usefully help now (Free China, South Vietnam, Thai 

land, etc.) and those (the mainland Chinese) whose 

hopes for true progress may have to wait. If we show 

this discrimination and resolution, our stand in Asia 

will be supported by Asia's own best strength, 

and 

none need wait in 

The challenge of all this to evangelicals should 

be evident. Just to list some of them should be 

sufficient: 1) Half of the world's people are nonwhite; 

2) The non-Christians of the world are not 

antagonistic to religion ; 3) Religion in non-Christian 

countries plays a larger role in national life than it 

does in America; 4) Communism can be swayed by 

religious opinion; 5) Christian America must extend 

social and economic aid to Asia ; 6) Non-Communists 

in Asia are numerically more than a match for Red 

China; 7) The Asians have a deep-seated need for 

hope and progress. 

All of the needs of Asia and Africa and the 

rest of the world, too could be met if evangelicals 

would unite in one great effort to present Christ and 

Christianity as the Hope of the World. This is the 

true challenge of Bandung. 

(ERA-4/27/55) 

FOR WOMEN ONLY 

MICE, THAT CAT, AND US 

A houseful of happy mice and a wonderful out 

look on life. There were spacious cupboards with 

food, and shelves for capers, and soft wool for nests, 

yes, and a career-bent housekeeper not much given 

to domestic arts. All was going well for the mice 

until one day, alas, a kitten came into the house an 

innocent furry little kitten. But soon, how very soon, 

that kitten became a huge mouse-eating cat. Life 

became dangerous for the once happy mice. They 

called a council. No mouse could think of a solution 

until one very wise young mouse exclaimed, "Let's 

put a bell on the How happy they were, forget 

ting their plight for a moment, until one very wise 

old mouse ventured, "But who will put the bell on 

the 

So far as we have been able to learn that still 

is an unsolved question. With a Cat in the house, 

mice can only exist in terror for their very lives 

without hope, peace, safety, or happiness till tragedy 

trips them up. DO I DARE speak from the 

point of view of one woman and in behalf of wo 

men only 

How often we women are like mice. We live in a 

fine world of plenty and life is grand, until one 

day something comes into our lives yes, a CAT, if 

you please, and no solution seems to help. The aw 

ful handwriting appears on the wall. There is no 

one to put the bell on the CAT. 

In life we see many many women like that. This 

problem his become greater in proportion than any 

epidemic of measles in our generation. The medical 

profession proclaims that about 75% of their patients 

312 

are victims of mental and emotional disturbances pri 

marily. With our American way of life our high ed 

ucation, our fine social set-up, our leisure, our church, 

our creed, our revered background, yes, and we claim 

the second birth, and life could be so wonderfully 

abundant but for the CAT, and there is yet no prac 

tical solution. 

That Cat may exist in any of various feline 

forms: it may be financial difficulties, or family 

troubles, or losing a job, or an unsuccessful mar 

riage, or incompatible in-laws. Perhaps its an insane 

fear of some dread disease, or it may stem from 

pain of a very real illness. There may be the death 

of a loved one, life may be completely changed and 

a new pattern for living demanded. It could be a 

neighborhood row or a feud in a women's group. 

Could it be the children have grown and left mother 

unable to cope with life Or might it be the death 

of the last hope of finding a husband or having a 

baby or that age or, or, just that sinister CAT 

ad infinitum. In any case this cat looms up chok 

ing us and threatening our very lives. Our play house 

is toppled, our fun ruined, our future menaced, and 

life is no longer normal. 

Ah, we might expect such 

tragedy among the 

heathen and the ungodly, but we are astounded when 

Christian friends, fallen in despair, resort to hys 

teria, mental disorder, divorce, suicide, or perhaps 

just yield to a low plane of unhappy existence with 

out hope for that abounding life. For them there 

is no one to put the bell on the CAT. 

Christ came that we might have life and that 

we might have it more abundantly, and we know the 

Bible is full of the promises of God, and God never 

fails. We know this life has its troubles, and these 

trials should make us stronger and better. So who is 

to blame for this sinister CAT that warps and ruins 

life, driving its victims, sometimes, beyond that 

tragic point of no return 

Who is to come forth with a practical solution 

The church does not meet the need. Fine or 

thodox sermons do not seem to be the answer for 

mending broken hearts and crushed souls. Society 

has its education and its psychiatrists, but few of 

us have the desire or means for an effective psycho 

analysis. We have long prided ourselves in our re 

form and missionary enterprises and community 

projects all very necessary, but how little we have 

to offer the woman baffled and suffering emotional 

collapse because of the CAT. Her world of friends 

may suddenly become uninterested, unsympathetic, 

perhaps critical and antagonistic regarding her as 

one to be blamed for her pitiful state. Where is she 

to turn in seeking help Who is there to help her 

put a bell on the CAT 

Did someone say something about looking for 

a challenge Did anyone ever get the idea there are 

no opportunities for pioneering souls today If you 

are looking for a challenge, open your eyes and ears. 

and most of all your heart ; for here is a wide open 

field. Look about you and see the need. Come down 

from your pinnacle of high intellect and stand on a 

mutual level for (don't look now) but psssttt ! that 

CAT lurks on YOUR side, and sooner than you think, 

your pedestal may topple. Offer a helping hand. Set 

yourself to the task of finding a solution 

solution. There is a solution. We need your help ! 

Anne HOWE 

a practical 

COVENANTER WITNESS

world." 

place" 

yesterday," 

Lesson Helps for the Week of June 5, 1955 


May 22, 1955 

"FORWARD WITH CHRIST" 

Phil. 3:1-14 

Comments By Rev. J. Paul McCracken 

There is something very entertaining 

about a squirrel in a cage, running on 

the inside of a whirling 

wheel. People 

will stand for hours and watch a sight 

like that, and they 

wonder if the poor 

squirrel will ever realize that he isn't 

getting anywhere. A lot of exercise, but 

no progress! Pity the poor animal that 

runs itself tired, but goes nowhere! 

But let us leave the zoo, and get to 

human beings. Better yet, let us pick out 

a certain group 

of human beings. Better 

yet, let us pick out a certain group of 

human beings that we are interested in, 

and concentrate on them. Let us enter a 

church, and without stopping go straight 

into one of the back rooms where the 

young people are meeting Sabbath eve 

ning. There is young Bill Jones leading 

the ... 

meeting a nice Christian fellow, 

neat, friendly, and lots of fun. 

Two years ago Bill was a high school 

sophomore, and he decided then that he 

should start improving his spiritual life. 

So his life soon included the following: 

Bible reading 5 minutes a day; prayer 

3 minutes; S.S. and church (morning) 

regular; C.Y.P.U. fairly regular; 

Prayer Meeting No. (Busy school 

night); Witnessing for Jesus None. 

(Didn't feel qualified). 

A year ago Bill was a High School 

Junior. And he was still "improving" his 

spiritual life. Bible reading 5 Minutes; 

Prayer still 3 minutes; S.S. and Church 

(morning) very regular; C.Y.P.U. 

fairly regular; Prayer Meeting No. 

(Very busy school night) ; Witnessing 

none. (Didn't quite feel qualified yet). 

Now, Bill is a Senior in High School 

(of course). And what about his spirit 

ual progress Yes, he's still reading the 

Bible five minutes a day. He doesn't 

exceed his three minutes prayer time as 

yet. We are glad to see that he is still 

faithful at morning services, but he still 

misses C.Y.P.U. occasionally. Wednes 

day night is so busy for him, now with 

the added burdens, responsibilities, and 

functions of Senior life. And doesn't he 

ever mention anything to anybody about 

his Lord Jesus Christ, who saved him 

Bill may be a nice fellow, all right, but, 

as a Christian, he's in a rut! . . . he's 

going around and around ... in a way 

it reminds you of . . . 

yes, a squirrel run 

ning inside a wheel. Lots and lots of ex 

ercise, but NO PROGRESS! 

And what about John and Shirley and 

Eddie and Carol and Margie and Nick 

and Isabel who are also in the C.Y.P.U. 

What about their spiritual progress Is 

the leader typical of the rest And in 

another year, will there be anybody else 

in the C.Y.P.U. besides Bill and John and 

Shirley 

and the others 

In 1950, the theme of the Grinnell 

Conference in Iowa was this subject, 

"Forward With Christ," and, if memory 

serves correctly, it was taken from the 

passage which is our study this evening. 

Especially the phrases apply in Phil. 3: 

13, 14, ". . . this one thing I do ... I 

press toward the mark for the prize of 

the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." 

What progress have you made with 

Christ since 1950, or '52, or '54 And is 

the C.Y.P.U. going "Forward with 

Christ," or is it running in one spot 

Paul the Apostle seems determined in 

this part of his letter to Philippi to show 

Christians that the normal life is going 

forward, progressing, always moving 

ahead toward a distant goal. Paul was a 

man of action, just like his Lord when 

He was on the earth. Paul set goals 

(I Thess. 3:11-13), and made plans (I 

Cor. 16:5) subject always to the Lord's 

changes, and then he worked and trav 

eled and prayed to see them carried out. 

Every day was a day of pressing toward 

a goal. 

Our first and basic goal as Christians 

is an individual one, and that is Paul's 

emphasis here. As societies, we like to 

set goals regarding number of members 

stewardship, financial stability, service, 

and yet striving for the individual goal 

will help in attaining these other ends. 

So then, in order to make Progress in 

Christ, to go Forward with Him, let 

us. . . 

I. Beware. 

The Philippians were first warned 

about other people, and then about 

themselves. Evil companions are danger 

ous to spiritual progress, and even the 

ordinary associations of every day pre 

sent a challenge to us, for we must rub 

elbows with many worldly people. Keep 

world," 

clean and separate. Be "in the 

but never "of the 

Mostly 

we are warned against our 

flesh." 

selves, "taking confidence in the 

Pride, we call it; "thinking 

more highly 

of ourselves 

than we ought to 

think," 

and thereby tending to depend on our 

selves in the matter of salvation. But 

look at what Paul had done, and had 

been! And he knew that all of that was 

worthless except Christ should save him 

by His grace and power. 

II. Value only Christ. 

It saddens us to say it, and yet we 

certainly must admit, that much of our 

public school teaching today is 

done 

purely from the idea of how much it 

will help the student to make money 

when he grows up. Of course, 

moneymaking 

is essential, but training with 

emphasis only on the value of the ma 

terial, and not the spiritual, is sadly 

lacking. As a result, it is often the case 

to see young married couples who feel 

that all of their time must be spent in 

amassing these material goods, while 

God and Christ are neglected. Notice 

verse 7, "But what things were gain to 

me, those I counted loss for Christ." 

Only Christ is truly valuable, and if we 

had a choice to make between things 

which were gain just to us, and Christ 

(which choice we do have) He alone 

would be the wise choice, for life or 

death carries no real blessing without 

Him. 

III. Look Forward. 

What does he mean, "forgetting those 

things which are behind" Are we to 

forget sins of the past which are for 

given Very definitely. The only cause 

for their remembrance is to guard us 

lest we again fall. There are other 

things to forget also: the old sins 

and inconsistencies in others which 

may not exist today; past 

bitterwhich 

may 

not exist today; past bitter 

nesses and "hurts." But here"the Apostle 

speaks chiefly of past accomplishments. 

"Forget the triumphs of 

he 

says, "do not dwell on them. Look ahead. 

There is far more to be accomplished 

ahead than has been done behind. Look 

always ahead. Reach out for goals be 

yond, even as "I press toward the mark 

for the prize of the high calling of God 

in Christ Jesus." 

Questions : 

1. What kind of goals should a society 

set for itself 

2. What are some ways for us to keep 

from "running 

itual life 

in one 

in our spir 

3. Why did Paul value Christ so 

much Is your testimony anything like 

Paul's, in verses 7-10 Why not 


For June 5, 1955 

'OUGHT' " 

"Big Words: 

Acts 5: 29; Matthew 23:23; 

II Peter 3:11-14 

Topic used by 

permission of Christian 

Endeavor. 

Psalms : 

119:1-3, page 287 313 

May 18, 1955

anyway." 

sire" 

giver." 

obedient." 

89:13-17, page 217 

18:19-22, page 32 

25:7-12, page 59 

Scritpure References: Jer. 20:9; Luke 

12:50; John 4:4; John 9:4; Acts 4:20; 

Acts 20:22; Rom. 12:1,2; I Cor. 9:16. 

Comments by the Rev. Bruce C. Stewart 

Greeley, Colo. 

Our topic this evening is the first in 

a series of four topics on "Big Words 

for Youth to Know and Use." 

What does 

the word "ought" sug 

gest to you Does it instill obedience 

or vacillation Does it fill you with joy 

or resentment Does it make you think 

of something which you want to do or 

something which you do not want to do 

"Ought" 

very definitely has in it the 

idea of compulsion; it is associated with 

that which is right; it makes us thnk 

of words like 

"Must," "Should," "Duty," 

and "Conscience." Its use is based on 

the assumption that there is an absolute 

authority which reveals the truth. God 

in His Word has given to us an infallible 

guide for faith and life; thus we "ought" 

to follow His revelation. 

Sometimes we "ought" to, but don't 

Unfortunately, the word "Ought" is 

frequently linked to the word "but." 

How often do we say, "I know I ought 

to 

but 

" 

God's Word and our 

conscience tell us what to do, but we 

do what we like instead. 

Compulsion of any kind is unpopular 

today. 

"Junior" 

is supposed to be left 

freely to express himself. Subjects in 

school are supposed to be chosen from 

those things we like; the fact that the 

easy 

subjects are the most popular is 

more than coincidence. Society in gen 

eral is conformed to lower moral stand 

ards by making 

acceptable that which 

is done rather than that which ought 

to be done. A recent issue of "Time" 

contains an article about morals in 

Sweden; it states that unchastity is be 

ing taught in the schools because boys 

and girls are "going to do it 

The general secularization of our cul 

ture today is diminishing 

"oughtness." 

our sense of 

Sometimes we "ought" to, but 

do it grudgingly 

The scribes and Pharisees referred 

to in Matthew 23:23 were paying the 

tithe; they were doing it quite scrupu 

lously. Christ commended them for it, 

and said that they "ought to have done" 

it, (incidently, here is an explicit New 

Testament passage commanding the 

"tithe") but He also showed them that 

mere obedience was not enough. He 

pointed out the importance of their per 

sonal relationship with God; He revealed 

the all-important fact that HOW WE 

DO IT is just as important as WHAT 

314 

WE DO. True obedience is a response 

to the love of God, and not a thing of 

virtue in itself. 

When I tell Dougie to clean up his 

room, and he complains and groans and 

sulks around, he will eventually get it 

cleaned, but neither he nor I are too 

happy about it; he knew he should do 

it, but did so grudgingly. On the other 

hand if I tell him to clean up his room, 

and he says with a smile, "Alright 

Daddy!"; he not only finishes more 

quickly, but both of us feel happy about 

it. 

I believe that the church member 

who serves God grudgingly does more 

harm than the open sinner; from him 

others will get the impression that the 

Christian life is superstitious drugery 

rather than a joyful service. 

Sometimes we "ought" to, and do 

it cheerfully 

Do you think that Peter and the other 

Apostles begrudged or resented doing 

what they "ought' 'to The power and 

the glory of Christ was so wonderful 

that they couldn't help teaching in His 

name. Sure, they were put into prison, 

but the angel who released them con 

firmed their compulsion to spread the 

Gospel. When they were apprehended 

again, they said, "We ought to obey 

men!" 

God rather than 

The word "ought" and the word "de 

should be synonymous for the 

Christian. That which God wants us to 

do is that which we want to do! The 

love of Christ constrains us. "Every 

man according as he purposeth in his 

heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or 

of necessity, for God loveth a cheerful 

A cheerful and willing service 

goes hand in hand with what we "ought" 

to do whether it involves money or time 

or talents. True happiness and success 

comes only to those who desire whole 

heartedly to do God's will. 

Suggestions: 

1. Have someone read and comment on 

"Ode to Duty" by Wadsworth. 

2. Why is "ought" a moral word 

3. In the light of II Peter 3:11-14, what 

is the relationship 

between Christ's 

second coming and what we "ought" 

to be 

4. Discuss "ought" and "want." 

5. Why do we fail sometimes to do what 

we ought to do 

6. Why do we sometimes do what we 

ought to do grudgingly 

JUNIOR TOPIC 

June 5, 1955 

THE SMOKING MOUNTAIN 

By Mrs. Ray Park, Syracuse, N. Y. 

Scripture Text: Exodus 19:16-25 

Memory Verse: Exodus 24:7b. "All that 

the Lord hath said will we do, and be 

Psalms 

Memory Psalm for June : 


Psalm 121:1, 2, 3, 4, 

Psalm 119:1, 2, 

page 299 

page 314 

Can you imagine thousands and thou 

sands of people on a camping trip to 

gether When the Israelites left Egypt 

there were so many people that they 

needed six hundred thousand tents. 

Finding good camping spots for so many 

people was not easy. There had to be 

pasture and water for the animals as 

well as food and water for the people. 

The Israelites were fortunate to have 

Moses as their leader. Of course they 

could not have done it without God's 

guidance. 

If you have a map see if you can 

find Mt. Sinai. At the foot of this moun 

tain the Israelites pitched their camp 

and stayed a whole year. Some wonder 

ful things happened here. 

If I were to ask you how you know 

there is a God you might answer, "Be 

cause the Bible says there is." If you 

would have asked a young boy from the 

camp 

of the Israelites, he 

may have 

answered, "Because Moses has told us 

that there is but one true God. He is a 

Spirit and we must never again worship 

idols as the Egyptians taught us to do." 

You see, they had no Bible and no 

written law. Just as today, each family 

could make laws for itself within its 

home (or tent), but for all families to 

live together peacefully 

and happily 

more and greater laws were needed. 

While they were camping at Mt. Sinai 

God gave them their first set of laws. 

The Israelites had been in Egypt for 

over four hundred years. When the 

Egyptians found that they were a grow 

ing nation, they were afraid that the 

Israelites would become too powerful 

and so they made them slaves. In that 

way they could control them. 

At this time the Israelites did not 

know that they were God's Chosen peo 

ple. It was not until they were on their 

journey to the new land that they 

began to know that God had adopted 

them in a very special way. They real 

ized too that they also must adopt Him 

to be their One and only God. Some of 

these people were mothers and fathers 

and even grandparents before they came 

to know God. 

Therefore it is not strange that God 

made Himself known to them in an un 

usual way. You and I often see clouds, 

thunder and lightning. We know that 

God rules over them but we do not often 

think of them as messages from Him. 

But one morning 

as the children of 

Israel were all gathered at the foot of 

COVENANTER WITNESS

obedient" 

words." 

uprightness." 

oats" 

good." 

pain." 

Mt. Sinai there was terrible thunder 

and lightning. The top of the mountain 

flashed "like a devouring fire" and 

smoke poured forth while the whole 

mountain quaked greatly. Moses spoke 

to God through all this and somehow 

God answered him in thunder. 

In getting ready for this Moses had 

built a fence around the mountain so 

that the people could not climb it or ev 

en touch it. But they hardly needed the 

fence. The people were so frightened 

that they trembled and pushed back 

from the mountain in fear. Only Moses 

was unafraid. God called him to the 

top of the mountain and there gave him 

rules and directions for the people. 

Moses wrote these rules and read aloud 

to the people. 

People are usually 

firsts. We are very 

excited about 

proud of George 

Washington, the first president of our 

country. The first airplane to fly the 

Atlantic Ocean is kept in a museum in 

Washington, D. C. Everyone respects 

Dr. Salk because he was the first man 

to find a way to prevent polio. 

Our lesson today is about a very im 

portant first 

the first written laws that 

God gave to man. It has been so long ago 

that we do not remember it in a special 

way. But we should realize how very im 

portant it was for the Children of Israel 

and for us, too. 

Turn in your Bible to Exodus 20. As 

you read it you will see that it is the 

Ten Commandments. Chapter 21, 22, and 

23 are also laws. They are called "The 

Book of the Covenant." They are laws 

about worship, feasts, how to treat 

slaves, strangers, widows and orphans, 

the poor and even the enemy. 

talk about being 

ments for doing wrong. 

fair about punish 

They 

Before Moses read these laws to the 

people he built an altar and offerings 

were made to the Lord. 

Blood was 

sprinkled on the altar and then Moses 

read the Covenant. The people said, "All 

that the Lord hath said will we do, and 

be 

(Ex. 24:7b 

our memory 

verse). Then Moses sprinkled blood on 

the people and said, "Behold the blood 

of the covenant which the Lord hath 

made with you concerning all 

these 

Were you at the Covenant signing 

ceremony at Grinnell or at your Church 

Compare it with this service. The chil 

dren of Israel saw God 

through the 

smoking mountains; we see Him through 

Christ. We no longer offer sacrifice and 

sprinkle blood because Christ gave His 

life's blood as a sacrifice for us. 

You might like to copy the Ten 

Commandments in your notebook. 

This might be a good meeting to dis 

cuss rules. What are some rules we ob 

serve in Church Why do we need 

them 

May 18, 1955 


June 5, 1955 






MANASSEH'S SIN AND 

REPENTANCE (Temperance) 

2 Chronicles 33 

PRINTED 2 Chronicles 33:9-20 

Memory: Psalm, 143:10, "Teach me to 

do thy will; for Thou art my God: Thy 

spirit is good; lead me into the land of 

Physical and mental traits are to some 

extent inherited. Moral character is not. 

The birth of a child is but the beginning 

of parental obligation. The church and 

the nation also have each a duty to pro 

vide safeguards, opportunities and influ 

ences that will help the child to develop 

properly in body, mind and spirit. The 

final determining factor in Christian 

character is the grace of God. 

Parents in trying to be kind may for 

get that indulgence is not kindness. The 

idea that youth should be allowed to 

"sow his wild 

has been grossly 

overworked. Manasseh sowed many 

crops of wild oats and harvested them 

to his sorrow. Here is Mathew Henry's 

summing up of Manasseh's sins, slightly 

abbreviated; 

Abandoned himself to impiety. 

Copied abominations of the heathen. 

Ruined the established religion. 

Discouraged his father's glorious ref 

ormation. 

Profaned the House of God with idola 

try- 

Dedicated his children to Moloch. 

Counciled with the devil's oracle. 

Part of the physical means used to im 

press on his soul the dangerous nature of 

wild oats was a hook in his snout by 

which he was led like a bull across 

the weary desert to Babylon. 

The Weakening Power of Sin 

This is called a Temperance Lesson. 

Temperance is "Total Abstinence from 

the use of things that are bad, and 

Moderation in the use of what is 

God has favored us above any other 

nation in the bountiful supply of good 

things for our comfort and nourishment. 

Nearly every medicine 

advertised or 

perscribed is for the pupose of relieving 

the effect of intemperance in the use 

of wholesome, or unwholesome, foods. 

All our children know the evil effect 

of the use of alcohol. They 

hear about 

it so often. But temperance in the use 

of what is good has been largely ne 

glected. This is reflected in the popular 

advertising of foods and medicines. 

Magazines give recipes for looks and 

taste. Do they 

Prepared foods are fortified by adding 

vitamins. All known vitamins are in 

ever mention health 

natural food in perfect balance. The re 

placement by imitations after the vital 

vitamins have been removed, gives food 

an appeal to a jaded appetite that en 

courages intemperance in eating. 

Notice the host of medicines offered 

to relieve the ills of indigestion. Here 

is a characteristic phrase; "When you 

suffer pain 

the only important 

thing is to get rid of the That 

is a deadly heresy in either physiology 

or religion. Just find some excuse to 

ease the conscience, 

or the stomach. 

The liquor and tobacco interests are 

working that idea overtime. They appeal 

to pride, glamour and appetite, and so 

remove the pain of a live conscience. 

Yes, we should study temperance. 

God Used Wicked Nations to 

Punish His People 

David prayed, "Deliver my soul from 

the wicked, which is thy sword (Psalm 

17:13). God's sword. A hundred times 

Israel and Judah are warned that if 

they sin, the sword of heathen nations 

will be used to punish them. Of course, 

we have been on the right side in all 

our wars, and have been victorious. But 

we have been sorely punished. Were we 

ever punished more than we had sinned 

Esar Haddon, son of Nebuchadnezzer, 

was allowed to punish and disgrace 

Manasseh and his people for their gross 

sins. 

The King's Sorrow and Repentance 

This repentance, not recorded in 

Kings, seems to have come toward the 

close of a long wicked reign. His sinceri 

ty is shown in his confession and prayer, 

followed by a courageous attempt to un 

do the effect of his evil reign. What pur 

ports to be his prayer was written cen 

turies later in the Apocrypha. 

Manasseh's disgraceful slavery in 

Egypt seems to have been very brief. 

On returning he immediately tried to 

clean up the evil condition he had cre 

ated. That was a hard task. It is easy 

to pollute a house ; it is difficult to clean 

it. A bad example may start a boy down 

ward, but it takes more than a good 

example to bring him back. Manasseh 

tried to do a thorough job. There were 

many idols scattered through Jerusalem. 

There were some of special beauty that 

he had carved. Some were in the House 

of the Lord, the Holy Temple. He gath 

ered them all up from the Temple and 

from the city and threw them out. Out 

of the city. On the dump. Where the 

children played. He had a young son, a 

child, who played on the dump where 

the idols were thrown out. An up-to-date 

city today forbids dumping. It uses an 

incinerator. Manasseh dumped his idols. 

315

earth." 

come," 

References : 

relationships." 

A Demonstration of God's Mercy 

22:12-14, page 51 the prophetic pattern. It is divine in its 

So free is God's mercy that it begins Dan. 2:31-45; Matt. 6:10; Mark 4:30- 

even before repentance. It is so rich 

32; Luke 13:18-20. 

that it does not count the cost, or does 

Comments 

it We may not be able to count the 

As we meet for another Wednesday 

stars. God has counted them. Manasseh's 

evening service, you will remember that 

sin had to be paid for in full. The cost 

our general topic for this series is 

was the value of his life. Our life too "PRAYER," 

and that the Lord's Prayer 

is lost on account of sin. Unless our life 

is being followed step by step, even 

is worth less than the life of Manasseh though other portions of Scripture may 

our redemption costs just as much as be used. This evening, the key verse 

his. We cannot count the cost of God's 

is "THY KINGDOM COME" found in 

mercy, unless we can weigh all the sins 

of all the redeemed. 

Manasseh's Death and Legacy 

The King, like every serf, died and 

was buried. The small bit of room that 

he had occupied was soon filled. He left 

Matt. 6:10. 

The two parables found in the three 

verses of our Scripture reading are tak 

en from the group of seven Kingdom 

Parables spoken by Christ at the seaside 

the single parable of the sower, and 

behind much evil of his own creation then the three pairs, the wheat and 

that he had not been able to remove. 

The world was worse for his having been 

in it. 

tares and the drag net, the mustard 

seed and the leaven, the hidden trea 

sure and the pearl of great price. 

He left a son. His son became King. "The kingdom is like said Jesus. 

His son had played on the dump where 

the idols had been thrown out. He had 

fancied the carved idols, pretty things, 

and had kept them. Just a child, they 

But what is the kingdom A definition 

frequently heard, and one which serves 

very adequately, is "The reign of Christ 

in the hearts of men, and in all the in 

amused him, why grieve him by taking 

stitutions of man's 

That 

them away Amon became King. He 

brought out those beautiful carved idols 

puts Christ first. That gives Christ pre 

eminence. That accepts Christ as Sav 

that his father had thrown away on iour, and recognizes Him as Lord. It im 

the dump. He set them up in the sight plies regeneration as basic and funda 

of the Lord, and sacrificed to them. mental, and consecration and obedience 

What a legacy for Manasseh, a con 

verted man, to leave; Manasseh did not 

as a logical follow-up. It is individual, 

but it is much wider and more compre 

build an incinerator. Remember this hensive than that. It includes the home, 

when we study Josiah's reform next 

week. Josiah had no incinerator; he had 

a hammer. 

the church, and the state. It operates 

in time, and prepares for eternity. It 

signifies an order of society where the 

will of God is supreme, and righteous 

"So live, that when thy summons comes 

ness the predominant feature. Christ 

to join 

taught us to pray, "Thy Kingdom Come." 

The innumerable caravan, which moves 

In his Pocket Bible Handbook, Mr. 

To that mysterious realm where each 

Halley has this to say about the two 

shall take 

Kingdom Parables, the mustard seed 

His chamber in the silent halls of death, and the leaven. "Two similar parables, 

Thou go not, like the quarry-slave at 

illustrating the small beginning of 

night 

Scourged to his dungeon; But, sustained 

and soothed 

By an unfaltering trust, approach thy 

Christ's Kingdom, the gradual and im 

perceptible growth, both in the individ 

ual and in the world at large, ultimate 

ly reaching vast proportions, leavening 

grave, 

all the institutions, philosophies, and 

Like one who wraps the drapery of his 

governments of the 

couch 

This idea is reinforced by the vision 

About him, and lies down to pleasant 

dreams." 

of Daniel, recorded in Dan. 2:31-45. 

William Cullen Bryant. 

A study of these verses would seem to 

reveal that this Kingdom is : 


June 8, 1955 

1. Divine in its origin 

34 and 35 

v. 44. Also 

"PRAY FOR THE KINGDOM" 

2. Humble in its beginning v. 45 

Matt. 13:31-33 


3. Progressive in its tendencies 

34, 35, 44, 45 

vs. 

Psalms : 

100: 1-4, page 237 

72: 1-6, page 172 

86:6-9, page 209 

4. Triumphant in its extent 

45 

5. Universal in its extent 

6. Eternal in its duration 

vs. 35, 

v. 35 

v. 44 

72:9-12, page 175 

The history of the Kingdom as it has 

73:9-11, page 179 

developed to date follows specifically 

origin, set up by the God of Heaven. This 

is no man-made institution. It did have 

a humble beginning. Christ was born in 

a stable and cradled in a manger. It 

has been progressive through the cen 

turies. When 

two of John's disciples 

heard Jesus speak, they followed Him. 

Later one of them brought his brother. 

A third (a fisherman who had been 

called enlisted another. After a time 

there were 12, then 70, then 120, then 

3,000 and 5,000. Within three centuries 

this Kingdom had overspread the Roman 

Empire. Now it claims 70 to 80 mil 

lions, and goes on to further triumphs. 

In God's own scheduled time the pro 

gram will be complete. See Psalm 72, 

and keep working and praying. 

There are many enemies of Kingdom 

progress to be overcome. In the parable 

of the soils there are four great hin 

drances mentioned, hard ground, birds, 

stones and thorns. These same ideas 

seem to catalog the enemies of today. 

There is the hard ground in men's hearts 

of selfishness, indifference, pride, de 

ceit, and hypocrisy. There are the 

scavenger birds of gossip, ridicule, care 

lessness, doubt, fear, self-pity, worry, 

bad temper, and impatience. There are 

the stones of laziness, blindness, impeni 

tence, discouragement, defeatism, com 

promise, and disloyalty. And there are 

the thorns of wrong pleasures, lusts, evil 

habits, riches, and worldliness. The 

more these things are tolerated and 

cultivated, the more the Kingdom is 

retarded. 

On the other hand, as fellow-workers 

with God, we are not only to destroy the 

works of the devil, but the good seed of 

the Word of God is to be scattered and 

tended, and the leaven of the Gospel 

disseminated far and wide. Let us 

earnestly pray "Thy Kingdom Come," 

and then do all we can to help answer 

our petition. 

A fine summary of what this petition 

involves is found in the Shorter Cate 

chism, Q. 102. "In the second petition, 

which is, "Thy kingdom we pray 

that Satan's kingdom may be destroyed; 

and that the kingdom of grace may be 

advanced, ourselves and others brought 

into it, and kept in it, and that the king 

dom of glory may be hastened." See 

Scripture references p. 147 in Blue 

Book. 

The Larger Catechism, Q. 191, 

goes 

into much more detail, and merits a 

careful and unhurried study. These three 

small words, "Thy Kingdom Come," are 

most meaningful, comprehensive, and 

significant. Let us use them reverently 

in our prayers, and be trustful of their 

ultimate fulfilment. 

You will find suggestions for prayer 

and discussion scattered all through 

the comments. 

316 THE COVENANTER WITNESS

steps." 

church" 

mount." 

required." 


Mrs. Ross Latimer, Editor, 


W. M. S. Topic for June 

THEME: SELECTING THE PLAN 

Titus 2:7-8 


It was our "dream house" ! High above 

the water, its windows commanded a 

wide view of the city, of the bay with 

its busy coming and going 

of craft of 

all sizes and errands, of the tree-covered 

hills beyond the harbor, and in the dis 

tance, the peaks of the snow-capped 

Olympics. Time and time again we turn 

ed from our way to pass the house, so 

beautiful in its construction, so perfect 

in its landscaped setting, so utterly de 

sirable. 

We had the fond hope that 

some day by some strange turn of cir 

cumstance we might enter its door and 

walk through its lovely rooms. That 

day never came, but the house still 

lives in memory, beautiful beyond all 

dreams of possession. 

Yet an even more satisfying dream 

house can be your own possession and 

mine as we build our life structure for 

the Lord and by His grace. But first we 

must choose well the pattern of our 

building. Paul, who finished his course 

with joy, set down for us his pattern 

in Philippians 3:12-14, the eager follow 

ing of the Lord for Whom he had suf 

fered the loss of all things and counted 

them but refuse for the love of the One 

he had found. This same Jesus, who is 

our guarantee of the covenant of grace 

and of our acceptance in the Lord (Heb. 

7:22), may be just as truly 

our perfect 

pattern. Peter knew Him as his pattern, 

for he wrote (I Peter 2:21), "leaving 

us an example, that we should follow 

His John, the Beloved disciple, 

followed that pattern and at the end 

of his life he could say, "It doth not 

yet appear what we shall be, but we 

know . . . that 

we shall be like Him." 

Centuries before, David had set himself 

the same pattern when he wrote, "I 

shall be satisfied with Thy likeness." To 

Peter and John on the lake shore, He 

offered Himself when He said, "Follow 

Me." 

To us each one He makes the 

same offer, to be not only our true and 

perfect pattern, but much more to be 

our very life, to make of us new crea 

tures. "Who would not follow when He 

called" 

To choose a true pattern, one that 

will never need alteration to suit time 

or circumstance, that is of utmost im 

portance. Yet even that most excellent 

pattern can be of little avail unless it be 

closely followed. "And look," said the 

May 18, 1955 

Lord to Moses, "that thou make them 

after their pattern which was showed 

thee in the 

Moses had seen the vision of the com 

pleted tabernacle in all its perfect beau 

ty. With Moses worked Bezaleel and 

Aholiab and all who were wise-hearted, 

whom God had filled with the spirit of 

wisdom, following in every detail the 

pattern set before them. When the 

"tent was complete, "the glory 

of the Lord filled the tabernacle." For 

all who had helped, what a day it was 

to remember, when the Lord accepted 

th,eir work, 

the perfect plan! 

the perfect execution of 

As Moses had his perfect unalterable 

plan to follow, so also have we. "Look 

ing unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher 

of 

our 

faith." 

The skilled 

workman 

checks his work constantly by the speci 

fications of his blue-print. So must we 

constantly, humbly, earnestly look to 

Jesus, being good stewards of the grace 

He has given us, and so build our house 

that at its completion it may, by His 

grace, be filled with the glory of God. 

The choice is ours. If our work is 

willful, heedless, setting aside God's per 

fect pattern to work out our own; if we 

have neglected the good material He 

has provided and built instead with hay 

or stubble, then our work is only loss, 

and to those who look to us for guidance 

and inspiration, we become only a hind 

rance, 

a stumbling-block, a millstone 

about their neck. But if we have chosen 

the true pattern, have followed its every 

direction and command, comparing our 

work with the perfect model set before 

us, then by the grace of God and the 

working of His mighty power in us, our 

building grows into the very likeness of 

the Pattern and the beauty of the 

Lord shines upon it. And others seeing 

in us the pattern of good works are 

themselves led to glorify God and choose 

His way. 

Our dream house! What could it not 

be with such a Pattern, such grace in 

every line, such beauty in its reflected 

Glory, such permanence, as it endures 

forever! Your dream house and mine, 

by the exceeding riches of the grace of 

God! 

NOTICE TO ALL WOMEN from our 

year book chairman, Mrs. Harold Hanna : 

Harold Hutcheson is no longer teach 

ing in Syria, but is in Germany in the 

Armed Forces. 

On the back of the program the name 

of Mrs. R. H. George should replace that 

of Mrs. Agness Steele as treasurer of the 

Home for the Aged. Her address is Box 

358 A.D.R. 7, Pittsburgh 29, Penna. 

The Mission of the Covenant (Jew 

ish Mission) has been closed and the 

property sold. 

Some effort has been 

made toward the possibility of starting 

work in New York City. 

Hot Springs is an organized congre 

gation, no longer a mission. 

See Calendar for Giving, page 26. This 

is a recommendation from the Plan of 

Work Committee. Some find it advisable 

to interchange the months especially 

concerning the Special Project which is 

new each year. Our Special Project of 

this current year will be decided in the 

Official Board Meeting June 11, 1955. 

The Special Project last year was pay 

ing transportation of a new missionary 

to a foreign field, but no one sailed. 

OUR WOMAN'S DEPARTMENT 

OUR VICE-PRESIDENT WRITES: 

To the Members of the Women's 

Synodical Missionary Society 

Dear Co-Workers : 

How nice it would be if we could all 

know one another personally! Since that 

is not possible the best substitute is to 

become acquainted through our Wom 

en's Department Column in the "Cove 

nanter Witness." 

In a few short weeks it will be just 

one year since many of us were gathered 

at Grinnell. What wonderful memories 

each of us has of the days spent there 

with the Convention reaching its climax 

Covenant!" 

in "the Signing of The 

Not only should this linger on in mem 

ory but it should produce tangible re 

sults. First, this Grinnell vision and rededication 

should give new impetus to 

our Christian life. It would be tragic to 

revert to our former state. Second, this 

should produce a desire to impart to 

others some of that inspiration. This can 

be done through our W.M.S. fellowship 

and work. 

Some of our Presbyterials will be over 

before this appears in print. Neverthe 

less, we are approaching the summer 

time of relaxation when possibly we will 

need most this zeal and extra effort. 

Therefore, we need to remember the 

words of Paul, "ever abounding in the 

work of the Lord," or The Master's 

words, "Unto whomsoever much is given 

of him shall much be 

Now is 

the time when those who have had the 

privilege of "Grinnell" and "The Signing 

of the Covenant" can use it for the 

honor and glory of the Lord. 

The Plan of Work in the Uniform Pro 

gram is given for this purpose. There 

you will find an outline of suggestions, 

some of which will be helpful in your 

particular situation. 

May we all "be steadfast, unmoveable, 

always abounding in the work of the 

Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your 

labour is not in vain in the Lord." I Cor. 

15:58 

Affectionately yours, 

Mrs. Kermit S. Edgar 

317

OUR WOMAN'S DEPARTMENT 

A NOTE FROM MRS. D. C. WARD 

I have so many happy 

the loving kindness shown me in Grin 

memories of 

nell by the women of the Synodical and 

many others. It was a wonderful ex 

perience to realize how many people 

really cared when I was injured, and it 

made me feel very humble to be remem 

bered so graciously. It was worth a lot 

of pain and the very deep disappoint 

ment of missing so many of the meet 

ings, and it has all turned out very well 

for my injury is completely cured in the 

knee although it was the one which had 

the most severe arthritis. I still have a 

lingering tenderness in my left hand 

which also suffered in the mishap but 

my recovery was truly remarkable. 

Church News 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS 

to come before the 1955 Synod 

1. Letters of Remembrance. 

2. Report of the Committee to develop 

a long-range plan for study and action 

leading toward future covenanting. 

S. B. Willson. 

3. Report of the Committee to survey 

the Jewish Mission possibilities. R. 

A. Henning. 

4. Report of the Committee to assemble 

the parts of the plan on Continuance 

of Pastorates. 

G. S. Coleman. 

5. Report of the Committee on the use 

of various translations of the Bible. 

S. E. Boyle. 

6. Report of the Delegates to the N.A. 

E. Convention J. C. Mitchel, N. M. 

Carson. 

7. Report of the Committee on granting 

of 

degrees to seminary students. 

J. R. Patterson. 

NEW ALEXANDRIA 

The dedication of the new addition 

to the New Alexandria church was a 

fine occasion. The building is attached 

to the old church at the front and con 

stitutes a right wing. It occupies the 

space of lawn in front of the cemetery 

beside the church. It is excellently de 

signed. The man who prepared the plan, 

Mr. Evans, explained his purpose, to 

make it fit in with the architecture of 

the old building, for which he right 

ly 

expressed admiration. It is a large 

room, with modern lighting and the best 

of floor covering. Two entrances lead to 

it through the wall of the old church, 

one from the vestibule, and the other 

from the auditorium, well up from the 

back corner, to satisfy, state safety laws. 

This made it unnecessary to sacrifice 

any of the beautiful windows, for the 

one in the corner remains in the wall, 

visible from both sides. At the far end 

are a kitchen with up-to-date 

ment, 

equip 

and two toilets. In the basement 

is a modern heating sysem which takes 

care of both buildings. Partitions be 

tween classrooms for the Sabbath 

318 

School are a future project. The congre 

gation is to be heartily congratulated 

on the vision, the determination and the 

sacrifice which have made this new 

building 

possible. We also regard it as 

one of the fruits of the labors of the 

pastor and his wife. They are now in 

the twenty-eighth year of their earnest 

capable, self-sacrificing and 

successful 

service to this congregation. Dr. Fullerton 

is an excellent preacher, and a faith 

ful and diligent pastor. 

A large audience was present for the 

dedication service. A number of our 

people came from other congregations, 

and many friends from the neighbor 

hood were there. It was a time of fel 

lowship in worship and in friendly in 

tercourse after the service. We came 

away encouraged for the future. 

PORTLAND 

J. B. Willson. 

Our Communion services were a rich 

blessing to our lives. Rev. Robert Mc 

Millan from Fresno was our assistant, 

who brought us challenging messages 

from the Word of God. 

ORLANDO, FLA. 

The B.W.M.S. met at the home of 

Mrs. W. R. White on the evening of 

April 1st. Mrs. Clarabell Worsham was 

leader of devotions. 

A congregational meeting was held at 

the church on the evening of April 8. 

The Orlando Junior Band enjoyed a 

social at the home of J., Joe, and Susan 

Worsham on Saturday afternoon, April 

9. An Easter egg hunt, swimming, 

games, a temperance lesson and plenty 

of eats filled the afternoon. 

The Orlando Congregation 

too has 

been blessed by the presence of Rev. 

Sam Boyle and his family. Rev. Boyle's 

first message was on the "Twillight of 

Missions," 

which he gave on the eve 

ning of April 10. Following this service 

a Psalm sing 

and Fellowship was held 

at the home of the Louis Donahues. 

The monthly Fellowship Dinner was 

held on the 13th of April. After the 

filling dinner, Mrs. Boyle showed in 

teresting and educational slide scenes 

of Japan in the absence of Rev. Boyle 

who had gone to speak at the Columbia 

Theological Seminary in Atlanta, Geor 

gia, and at our Selma Mission in Ala 

bama. 

Rev. Boyle conducted inspirational 

preparatory services on Thursday and 

Friday evening preceding our Spring 

Communion on April 17. As implied, 

Rev. Boyle assisted at our Communion 

services on this Lord's Day. Three 

young men partook of their first com 

munion upon profession of faith at this 

time. They were Robert Simon, J. Wor 

sham and Joe Worsham. 

The Boyles were guests of Dr. and 

Mrs. Wm. E. Dill. Also visiting at the 

same time were Mrs. Orlena Robb and 

Mr. and Mrs. Philip Robb, from Wal 

ton, N.Y., and Aliquippa, Pa., respective 

ly. 

The Builders for Christ class held its 

monthly social at the home of Anna 

Belle Donahue the 19th of April. Every 

one enjoyed a new variety of games. 

The Fellowship Class held its month 

ly social at the home of the Howard 

Worshams the evening of April 22nd. 

Mr. and Mrs. Edward Forest became 

the proud parents of a boy the eve 

ning of the 25th of April. They have nam 

ed him Roy Edward. Mrs. Forest is the 

former Jean Fullerton of New Alexan 

dria, Pa. Mrs. Forest's mother, Mrs. R. 

C. Fullerton is visiting here at present. 

Mother, son, and father are doing fine. 

The C.Y.P.U. held a party at the home 

of Alan and Donald Windham the eve 

ning of April 29. The evening was filled 

with plenty of roasted wieners for 

everyone present and numerous relay 

games. 

KANSAS CITY 

Sabbath, March 27, we completed our 

spring Communion Season, with Rev. 

Dougherty of Denison as guest minister. 

Dr. Robb's sermon, Wednesday even 

ing, prepared us well for Rev. Dough 

erty's good sermons which followed. The 

congregation profited greatly by Rev. 

Doughterty's ministry. Mrs. Doughtery 

came with him and we enjoyed having 

her. Mr. and Mrs. Harold Ward were 

received into our membership. Dr. Robb 

baptized their youngest son, Harry Alan, 

on the previous Sabbath, and with Wil 

liam, and John, three names are added 

to the roll of baptized members. Mrs. 

Robb was received by letter from Syra 

cuse. 

The Olathe congregation joined in 

the closing service, 

Sabbath evening, 

and just before the sermon, we had a 

praise service, ably led by Mr. Charles 

McBurney of Olathe. 

Dr. Robb was invited and appeared 


on the radio program, "Know Your 

Pastor" 

over WDAF, Saturday morning, 

March 26. He was interviewed by Rev. 

J. Roy Smith, President of the Roan 

oke Ministers' Association; the program 

is sponsored by the K.C. 

Council of 

Churches. Dr. Robb, in a very interest 

ing way, told about the work of our 

church, not only here but at large, 

bringing in what is so dear to our 

hearts 

the CAM. He also announced 

the coming of the Genevans, and we 

believe this resulted in the attendance of 

some additional strangers. 

The Genevans arrived promptly, early 

in the evening of March 31, and were 

all ready 

for the dinner served at 6:00 

o'clock by the ladies of the Roanoke 

Presbyterian Church. The Concert was 

excellent. We were glad to have these 

fine young 

people with us they 

are a 

credit to the college. The Olathe con 

gregation were with us 

part of the expense. 

and covered 

Dr. Paul Coleman is not improving. 

He enjoyed having his sister here again 

and not only did she cheer him up but 

was a good lift to Mrs. Coleman and 

Betty. When Mrs. George was here 

several months ago, she attended our 

WMS meeting and gave us much inter 

esting information regarding the Aged 

People's Home. Dr. and Mrs. John Cole 

man were also here for a short visit 

on their way to and from Topeka. Mrs. 

Coleman attended one of our WMS 

meetings. 

Don Weimer's parents also 

visited in their home on their way West 

to visit another son. 

April 17, our Pastor assisted in Com 

munion in the Lake Reno congregation 

at Glennwood, Minn. Mrs. Robb accom 

panied him. 

Dr. Robb gave a children's message 

April 3, wonderfully illustrated with 

chemicals. 

The Psalms are being broadcast over 

the Billy 

Graham "Hour of 

Decision" 

program since the beginning of the 

Glasgow campaign and we presume that 

some of our people have heard the 1200 

voice choir sing the 23rd and 24th 

Psalms. 

Mrs. Harold Ward is Junior Superin 

tendent with Miss Margaret Hall as 

sisting her in the work. 

FIRST BEAVER FALLS 

We are glad to have Mr. Norman 

Javens Sr. back to worship with us after 

his illness in the Hospital. 

Mr. Adam Wissner has been ill since 

January. Although discharged from the 

hospital, he is not well enough to at 

tend church. We miss him as one of the 

choir and his regular attendance at the 

services. 

Mrs. Mildred Hill and Mrs. Virginia 

Nahas were the hostesses for the March 

meeting of the Hilltop Missionary Cir 

cle. Mrs. Winnifred Elliott led devo 

tions and gave a book review on our 

mission study book, "Queen of the Dark 

Chambers." 

Officers for the coming year 

are: 

President, Mrs. Florence Ramsey; Vice 

President, Mrs. Virginia Nahas; Secre 

tary, Mrs. Anna Lane; Treasurer, Mrs. 

Chloe Adams. 

Our congregation has been saddened 

by the deaths of Mrs. William George 

and Mrs. George Klingensmith. Our 

sympathy goes to the families of these 

faithful members. 

The Joy Class entertained their fami 

lies at a covered dish dinner. Films and 

feates of magic performed by Rev. and 

Mrs. Elliott were the highlights of the 

evening. 

Jimmy Boyce has been hospitalized 

twice this year with a bone disease in 

his legs. Our prayer is that God will 

heal him so that he will walk without 

crutches. 

Mrs. Charles Belles is recovering from 

an eye operation in a Pittsburgh hos 

pital. 

WHITE LAKE 

We were very happy to have the Rev. 

Walter Magee and his family with us 

for our Spring Communion Season. Mr. 

Magee brought us some very helpful 

messages from the Word of God. 

It was a thrilling experience on Sab 

bath, May 1, when two babies of the 

congregation were presented for bap 

tism. Those baptized were : Patricia Ann 

Tacey, the daughter of Elder and Mrs. 

Renwick F. Tacey; and George Allan 

Bosch, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel 

H. Bosch. 

Five of our ladies attended the Pres 

byterial which was held at Cambridge 

this year. They were Mrs. Daniel Bosch, 

Mrs. George Norris, Mrs. Grace Weiss, 

Mrs. Lena Van Kuren, and Miss Doro 

thea Millen. 

We are looking forward once again 

to the unique conference which is plan 

ned primarily for adult Covenanters. 

The New York Presbytery's Adult Bible 

Conference is to be held at the White 

Lake Camp during the last week in July. 

Judging from the past conferences, it 

will be a Christian experience of great 

value. 

HOT SPRINGS 

The end of March saw one of our 

members leaving for Philadelphia. Miss 

Dolly Everett, a faithful worker both in 

the Sabbath School and Clinic, has 

gone to be with her sister-in-law, Mrs. 

Margaret Everett, and her two children. 

We hope that Dolly will find it possible 

to return to us again. 

The spring communion 

season was 

observed on April 8 through 10. 

We 

were sorry that not all of our members 

could be present, due to distance or 

sickness. Elder and Mrs. John Dale Russel 

were unable to be present as they had 

hoped, due to the serious illness of Dr. 

Russell which necessitated hospitaliza 

tion and surgery. We understand that he 

is slowly on the road to recovery. 

The Rev. Mr. Paul Faris and family 

visited in the home of The Rev. Mr. 

and Mrs. Boyd White en route to their 

home in Qinter, Kansas from Phoenix, 

Arizona, where Mr. Faris assisted with 

Communion. 

We were happy to have Miss Eliza 

beth McElroy with us for our prayermeeting 

hour, April 27. She gave us a 

very interesting and inspiring message 

on our Mission Work in Syria. 

At our congregational meeting, April 1, 

our retiring chairman, Mr. Albert Cun 

ningham, handed over the gavel to our 

new chairman, Mrs. James Lucas. 


It was a church social, Friday April 

29, and the congregation gathered for 

lots of fun. When Martha Jilek and Jim 

Hartin arrived the entire group greeted 

them singing "Here Comes the Bride." 

They were escorted to a specially pre 

pared place, and there beneath a para 

sol 

(which they used occasionally to 

hide their blushes) they accepted a 

large basket of gifts. Amid much fun 

and laughter the gifts were opened. 

Practical, decorative, and altogether 

lovely they were. Two gifts brought 

much attention, a box of bandaids and a 

rolling pin well-padded with toweling. 

You would never guess who from Jack 

Peoples. (Dr. John) Why 

A beautifully decorated cake and re 

freshments were served. 

Games were 

played. We all felt "a merry heart doeth 

good like a medicine" 

MORNING SUN 

(Prov. 17:22). 

The Morning Sun Young People's So 

ciety enjoyed a social at the parsonage. 

Mrs. Ralph Todd is hostess to WMS. 

Leaders are Mrs. McMurtry for devo 

tions, and Mrs. McElroy for mission 

study. 

The men dug out the parsonage drain, 

so the kitchen drain could be connected, 

not such a big job, but a news item when 

that many men stop their plowing in 

April. McElroys provided refreshments. 

Mrs. Fred Johnson, Mrs. Robt. Dick 

son and Mrs. McElroy will be teachers 

in the Daily Vacation Bible School 

May 23-June 3. Others will help on the 

serving committees. 

David Armstrong is valedictorian of 

the Morning Sun High school seniors. 

Rev. Patterson used to say that Cove 

nanters always took this honor at 

May 18, 1955 319

missies" 

you." 

written." 

me." 

Morning Sun and again it is true. 

David's sister Mary Ann was also vale 

dictorian of her high school class a few 

years ago. Rev. Edgar will give the 

baccalaureate address. 

Jimmie McElroy, Junior Royer, and 

the Patterson brothers took part in a 

large Boys Scout carnival at Burlington, 

Iowa, both Friday and Saturday nights. 

Our regular congregational meeting 

was held in April. Several bequests have 

been received in recent months from 

these estates: Lizzie Marshall, Jennie 

Armstrong, Jessie Moore, and George 

Scheming. New officers elected were: 

James Dunn President, and Mrs. M. J. 

McElhinney Secretary. 

The S. S. officers and teachers met at 

the home of the secretary Mrs. M. M. 

Todd. 

John Honeyman, Master-Pilot on the 

Arnold V. Walker Mississippi river tow 

boat, visited his mother and both visited 

in Mankato, Minnesota, with the Forrest 

Talbott family. 

Gwendolyn Wilson of Ames attended 

the National convention of Tomahawk, 

a sophomore honorary activities Sorori 

ty, at Monmouth College, 111. 

BELLE CENTER 

Mr. and Mrs. Russell Harsh of Morn 

ing Sun have recently purchased a very 

commodious and attractive rural home 

in our area and are now at home to 

their friends. We welcome them into our 

fellowship. 

In a pretty home ceremony Mary Eliz 

abeth Rutherford and Eugene Berry 

were united in marriage on Saturday, 

March 26, by Rev. M. K. Carson, pastor 

of the bride. After a wedding trip to 

Washington, D.C, they are making their 

home at Lake Ridge, Indian Lake. To 

the satisfaction of her large clientele, 

Mrs. Berry continues to operate her 

beauty salon in Belle Center. Mr. and 

Mrs. Berry were honored with a bridal 

shower on May 5 at the home of Mr. 

and Mrs. James M. Keys. 

The spring communion was held April 

3 with Rev. John Tweed as assistant. 

His fellowship and searching 

gospel mes 

sages were a great blessing to us all. 

On Sabbath, April 17, Dr. Carson as 

sisted the Rev. John McMillan in com 

munion services in the Old Bethel and 

Sparta congregations. Mrs. Carson and 

Mrs. Coleman accompanied him on the 

trip and all were happy to renew as 

sociations of former days. Mr. and Mrs. 

James M. Keys also accompanied the 

Carsons and were guests in the home 

of their daughter and family, the Ralph 

Mathews of the Old Bethel congrega 

tion. 

Mrs. J. Melville Rutherford and 

daughters Melba Grace and Rose Mary 

were recent visitors in the home of her 

parents, Mr. and Mrs. E. B. Patterson of 

the Old Bethel congregation. 

James Templeton has completed his 

basic training at Ft. Knox, Kentucky 

and is enjoying a two weeks furlough 

before beginning specialized training in 

"guided 

nois. 

at Ft. Sheridan, Illi 

Robert Templeton, a junior in the 

local high school, was recently elected 

to the National Honor Society. Robert 

is active in 4H work and in sports and is 

a member of the High School band, 

besides being dependable and willing in 

all congregational activities. 

ELMA JANE HOLMES 

Elma Holmes was born in Baldwin, 

m., but had lived in Topeka the greater 

part of her life, where she was an effi 

cient teacher in the elementary grades 

until her retirement. Her extra-curricu 

lar courses were quite as important to 

her as the prescribed curriculum, for 

she believed that the fear of God is the 

beginning the foundation for wisdom, 

so the children minored or majored in 

Bible, according to the tastes of the pu 

pil, but she was faithful in it all. For 

years she served on the Trustee Board 

of the Church. Besides her church mem 

bership 

she belonged to a number of 

patriotic, educational and social clubs. 

After she had lived her three score and 

ten and a few of those bonus "and if by 

reason of strength" 

years, she answered 

the Master's call on April 20, in a To 

peka Hospital. Her sister Mabel survives 

her. 

The large group 

of friends from far 

and near that attended her funeral at 

tested the esteem in which she was held. 

Dr. Taggart, a former pastor, spoke on 

I Cor. 3:11-15, "The Cremation of the 

Soul." 

Burial was at Baldwin, 111. 

To Whom Shall We Pray 

A little lad in central Africa had 

learned to read the New Testament in 

the mission school. 

Some time later 

the Roman Catholic fathers persuaded 

him to be baptized into the Roman 

Church. 

They 

gave him a medal to 

wear, on which was a representation 

of the Virgin. "It will be easier for 

you to pray when you look at that," 

they said, 

"and the mother of Jesus 

will pray to her Son for 

Several months passed, and the boy 

returned to the evangelical 

mission. 

Asked the reason why he did not go 

to the Catholics he said, "I read in 

the Gospels that Mary lost Jesus when 

she was on a journey; so I thought, 

If she forgot her own little boy, she 

will surely forget me, so I am going 

to pray 

straight to 

Jesus." 

Christian 

Digest 

BRDLLIANT SIDESTEiPPER 

Robert G. Ingersoll was one of the 

most brilliant and eloquent men of 

America in the nineteenth century. He 

was the son of a minister. Once as a 

boy 

he lived in a parsonage in Greenville, Il 

linois. 

Ingersoll was a lawyer and a politi 

cian, but chiefly he used his great tal 

ents lecturing against the Bible and 

Christianity at $50.00 a night when most 

ministers were receiving less than so 

much per month. 

Once he said that his father was a 

"devil" while his mother was an "angel," 

which was probably 

overstatements. 

one of his usual 

At the close of one of his lectures he 

gave the usual privilege to any who de 

sired to answer his arguments. The 

many 

ministers present in the great 

crowd sat silent 

not wishing to engage 

so able a man or to be in reproach, being 

worsted by him. But as told by one of 

the auditors, a humble man, a local 

preacher, unlearned, arose and told 

what the Lord had done for him 

just 

his testimony. Ingersoll listened intently, 

then replied, "I would give all I have 

if He would do that for 

To his saintly aunt he presented one of 

his books against the Bible. On the fly 

leaf he wrote, "To my Aunt Sarah. If all 

Christians would live as she does, prob 

ably this book would never have been 

At the grave of his brother he ex 

pressed a yearning for a good immortal 

ity. 

If his father was a "devil" and his 

mother an "angel," was this sufficient 

excuse for his following his father in 

stead of his mother 

If many 

"Christians" 

do not live like 

Aunt Sarah, is this ample excuse for the 

failure of a man who knew well the 

Word and the way 

of salvation 

Anyone who wants to can somehow 

defend his failure to serve God and find 

defence for the squandering of his gifts. 

But at the Judgment Ingersoll and 

each of us answers as a moral and re 

sponsible being. 

Alone we stand before God! 

Free Methodist 

Anxiety and worry are the parents 

of temper and disease. 


gospel," 

along" 

gadgetry," 

ECHOES NUMBER 



THE SEED IS THE WORD OP GOD 


U 

Back to Basics w 


The conversation turned towards the fascinating 

topic of the world of tomorrow . . . "What a place to 

Bill!" 

live in, the one man said to his companion. 

"Think of the wonders of the world of the future . . 

things we don't even dare to dream about today, even 

with the wonderful things we possess. I can just ima 

gine . . he slowly closed his eyes with the thought, 

"I can just imagine one of tomorrow's children 

hurrying in to the front room where dad is sitting 

and asking, 'Say Dad ! can I borrow the family space 

ship for this evening, please I want to take my girl 

for a spin to the Moon ; maybe we'll go over to Mars 

" 

and see what's going on there. And the man op 

. 

ened his eyes and turned to his companion, "What do 

you think of that, Bill" 

The other said nothing for a long 

he turned in the direction of the other and said soft 

ly, "But even so, Bob, even so, tomorrow's children 

will still get the same advice that today's fathers 

give. 'Don't drive too fast, and don't stay 

late' !" 

moment. Then 

out too 

That is quite a suggestive story isn't it At least 

it is spiritually suggestive, bringing us to the re 

minder of those things which we ought never to lose 

sight of. There are some things which never change, 

notwithstanding the quickness of outward appear 

ance. Sin will always be sin, whatever the century, 

for the hearts of those who dwell in the centuries 

will never advance beyond the need of the Atone 

ment. Calvary must always be set into the center 

of the scene, or else nothing will be important nor 

profitable. There is no date-line where the iniquities 

of the heart are concerned, 

and no salve of science 

will ever be able to soften, or smear away the stains 

of sin. The centuries past had their desperate need 

of Jesus Christ arid Him crucified as the One Hope. 

The hours of today may have changed the outward 

form and the apparent mould, but they have their 

own horrors . . . Witness the horror of the hydrogen 

bomb which hangs over us ! and still find no release 

in aught else. And should He tarry and "the wonder 

ful world of tomorrow" hold its fashion over this 

sphere, there will still be the desperate necessity 

for the personal experience of Him who above and 

life." 

beyond all is, "the way, the truth and the 

Of course, we know all of this as a doctrinal po 

sition and a theological reality. We have been 

"brought up on the and know Him as the 

only Saviour and sovereign Lord, upon the basis of 

the personal experience. We may readily locate chapter-and-verse 

which points up the power of the un 

changeable Gospel, and that supreme salvation which 

is unto everyone that believeth. But when it cornels 

to the practical application of these basic truths it 

may be quite another matter, and the gospel of the 

doctrine seems to have become short-circuited some 

where along the life-line, from being translated into 

the gospel of daily doing and doxology. 

Perhaps we have become "sucked in" by the 

swiftness and apparent abilities of the outward 

changes which we witness on every hand. It is too 

tragically easy to "flow with this "progres 

sive tide," and allow the god of this world (2 Cor. 

4:4) to blind us to our business of occupying with 

the Basics. There is the subtle temptation of leaning 

upon new methods, more fascinating "twists," to 

present the message in a more commodious manner 

to Christless hearts. One has well called our times, 

gadgets," 

"the age of and the "gods of 

have seemingly invaded many a corner of Christian 

so that we come to move the message behind 

work, 


games." 

evil." 

violence." 

Is 

counts.' 

If 



Bingo in New York 

The Legislature of New York voted to legalize bingo and 

recommended it for a vote of the state. The editor of the 

Watchman-Examiner, commenting 

on this says: "It was, 

undoubtedly, a concession to certain churches, clubs, or 

charitable organizations, so-called. We do not believe that 

they are worthy of the title, for any philanthropic institution 

which pays no attention to the promotion of good morals is 

hardly 'charitable.' " Since bingo has been permitted and 

licensed in New Jersey in an eight-month period it has grown 

to be more than eleven times as prevalent. Receipts from 

bingo games were $6,754,519, and from raffles, $1,892,882. 

The New Jersey Commission has revealed that "professional 

elements" 

are trying to "knuckle into the operation of Bingo 

"Every decent citizen in New Jersey has a troubled 

conscience at the public permission and approval of the 

gambling 

Lutheran Mergers 

At one of the meetings of representatives of Lutheran 

churches four of these bodies planning merger tentatively 

approved a major portion of the first draft of a proposed 

constitution for the new Church of more than 1,800,000 

members. Those involved in this plan are the Evangelical 

Lutheran Church, American Lutheran Church, United Evan 

gelical Lutheran Church, 

and Lutheran Free Church. 

Missions in Latin America 

Now is the time to send new missionaries to Latin 

America, to purchase choice properties which may 

not be 

on the market later, to promote field missions and direct 

evangelism, declared Dr. F. K. Means, secretary of the Mis 

sion Board of the Southern Baptist church, after a ten weeks 

visit to the areas for which he is responsible. 

Expenditures on Visual and Radio Programs 

This year the National Council of Churches plans to 

spend $1,405,000 on religious films, television, and radio pro 

grams, which is an increase of $245,000 over that of 1954. 

The "Martin Luther" Film 

The film entitled, "Martin Luther," is being shown in a 

number of European and Asiatic countries, including Austria 

and India, Finland, Norway, the United Kingdom, and Hol 

land, and is said to be a great success. It is to be shown in 

Ceylon and Burma and other countries. 

Comic Books Outlawed 

The State of New York, through its legislature, has ap 

proved a bill to outlaw the sale to any one under 18 years of 

age of comic books dealing with crime, horror, sex, and bru 

tality. It defines such books as "any book, pamphlet, or 

magazine consisting of narrative material in pictorial form, 

and commonly known as comic books, 

colored or uncolored, 

the title or titles of which contain the words, 

'crime,' 'sex,' 

'horror,' 

or 'terror,' or the contents of which is devoted to, 

or principally made up of, pictures or accounts of methods of 

crime, or illicit sex, horror, terror, physical torture, brutal 

ity, 

322 

or physical 

Blind Leaders 

Under the above caption the Evangelical Christian tells 

us that "on a recent Sunday evening a lady Hindu doctor 

told the young people of the St. Columbia United Church 

in Toronto, 'It is not what you worship, but the sincerity of 

how you do so that 

She then proceeded to trace the 

growth of modern Hinduism from its beginning 4,000 years 

ago down to the present time .... 

this woman's views 

are correct these young people must be wondering why the 

United Church, or any other church for that matter, sends 

missionaries to India, Africa, China and the ends of the 

earth. If it does not really matter what people worship as 

long as they are sincere, then all the animists who bow down 

to monkeys, cattle, snakes and a hundred and one other idols 

of wood and stone do not need the Christian Gospel, for they 

are perfectly sincere in the worship of their false gods. Our 

Lord certainly did not believe that, the apostles did not be 

lieve it .... 

it necessary that people like this should be 

invited to speak in Christian churches, to set forth doctrines 

and teachings that if true would nullify the whole Christian 

message We wonder why the pulpit is losing its power to 

day. Well, one reason is right there." 

Human Speech 

The above editor tells of a recent article in one of the 

Toronto newspapers written by a graduate of Trinity College 

which purports to tell the story 

of the development of hu 

man speech from the unintelligible sounds made by children, 

which he considers are an expression of primitive emotions 

through which after a long passage of years man developed 

language. "There in a he nut-shell," 

says, "lay the secret of 

human language. Only 300,000 years ago our forefathers, the 

cavemen, expressed themselves exactly the same way, not 

only in their childhood, but all through their lives .... these 

primitive animal reactions were the beginnings that event 

language." 

ually grew into human 

The editor remarks: "It is articles such as this appear- 







through its editorial office at 1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka. Kansai. 



Opinions expressed in our columns are those of the individual writer*; 




Contributing Editors- 





Departmental Editor*. 




Subscription rates: $2.50 per year; Overseas. $3.00; Sinule Copiet 

10 cents. 

The Rev. R. B. Lyons, B.A.. Limavady, X. Ireland, At'ent for thf 


Entered as second class matter at the Post Office in Newton. Kan*ah 



COVENANTER WITNESS



AUSTRIAN INDEPENDENCE 

The people of Austria are rejoicing over the final sign 

ing of the treaty restoring their full independence. The Big 

Four foreign ministers had to settle several last-minute 

issues before agreeing on the treaty. The final draft re 

moved from the preamble a clause implying that Austria was 

partly 

responsible for World War II. The 

big powers 

agreed to "respect" Austrian neutrality, but not to guaran 

tee it. The Austrian government will soon issue its own dec 

laration of neutrality, in the form of a constitutional law. 

The intention is to give Austria the same status as Swit 

zerland, but this will not be easy to achieve. 

The foreign occupation troops will leave Austria within 

ninety days. Though Austria has not been entirely sovereign 

since Hitler occupied the country in 1938, it has had its own 

government since 1945 and was never as sharply divided as 

Germany. Austria's seven million people are strongly anti- 

Communist, but they still face difficult economic problems. 

WARSAW ALLIANCE 

The Communist states of Eastern Europe have complet 

ed a military pact which is designed to counterbalance our 

North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Meeting at Warsaw, 

Russia and her satellites signed a mutual defense treaty 

providing for unified command of their armies. No one could 

have been surprised when a Soviet Marshal was named the 

supreme commander. Each country will have a deputy com 

mander, and the general structure is simpler than NATO. 

East Germany's military participation was left open for later 

settlement, possibly as a hint that Russia may try to have all 

of Germany neutralized. The Defense Minister of Red China 

attended the meetings and pledged full cooperation with the 

new organization, though China is not a member. The new 

agreement actually makes little difference in the balance of 

power, as the armies of the satellite states have always 

been under Russian direction. 

SUPPORTING SELF-GOVERNMENT 

In spite of recent disorders, Premier Ngo Dinh Diem of 

South Vietnam seems likely to remain in power. He has 

named a new Nationalist cabinet of fourteen men, only four 

of whom were in his original government. Early 

elections are 

promised for a national assembly to adopt a permanent plan 

of government for South Vietnam. Bao Dai remains the 

Chief of State, though Premier Diem has virtually repudiat 

ed his authority. The French support Bao Dai as a prop 

for colonialism, but he has spent the last several years in 

France, and is so tainted with corruption that he cannot 

possibly be the head of an indigenous democratic govern 

ment. France is determined to protect her economic inter 

ests in Indo-China and has prevented Premier Diem from 

suppressing some of the opposition sects. The U. S. is more 

interested in strengthening Vietnam against Communism, 

and has given Diem full support. 

NEW ARMY CHD3F 

Gen. Maxwell D. Taylor is replacing Gen. Matthew B. 

Ridgway as Army Chief of Staff. Gen. corn- 

Taylor is 53 and 

May 25, 1955 

manded an airborn division in World War II. He was re 

cently head of the Far East Command and of U. N. opera 

tions in Korea. Gen. Ridgway's term was to expire in August, 

but he asked to retire earlier, following a public disagree 

ment with the Administration about cuts in Army manpow 

er. Ridgway may accept the presidency of a new Henry 

Kaiser corporation to build trucks and autos in Argentina. 

The House has approved the Administration military bud 

get, calling for total appropriations of $31.5 billion; but the 

Senate Armed Services Committee may restore some of the 

cuts in manpower. 

STATEHOOD DEND3D 

The House of Representatives has returned to commit 

tee the bill granting statehood to Hawaii and Alaska. This 

virtually kills the measure for this session of Congress. The 

vote was 218 to 170, so it will be difficult for friends of the 

bill to revive it. Politics seem to have determined many of 

the votes. Republicans opposed the bill because both territo 

ries are now Democratic. Southern Democrats also voted 

against the measure because the representatives of Hawaii 

and Alaska would favor civil rights legislation, and would re 

duce Southern influence in the Democratic party. This re 

sult is unfortunate, for if the issue were considered on its 

merits, we would not only have two more states, but would 

show that we really 

BLACKOUT PREPARATIONS 

believe in democracy. 

The longest eclipse of the sun in over 1,200 years will 

take place June 20. It will be visible, in total form, only on 

a narrow strip of the earth across southern Asia, and the 

maximum period of totality will be a little over seven min 

utes. Astronomers from the U. S. and several other countries 

are converging on Ceylon, the island off the southern tip 

of India, which will be the best observation point. Photo 

graphs taken during a total eclipse give us our only good 

view of the edge of the sun and its flaming projections, 

which are believed to have some influence on our weather. 

Astronomers can also use the eclipse to test one of Ein 

stein's theories, that light is deflected by the mass of nearby 

bodies. 

DIPLOMA PROSPECTS 

This June our colleges will graduate 264,000 seniors, 

the smallest number since 1948. America's largest graduat 

ing class was 434,000 in June, 1950. Employment prospects 

are good for this year's seniors. In some fields, such as en 

gineering, there is strenuous competition for the graduates, 

with beginning salaries of from four to five thousand dol 

lars being offered. High-school seniors who do not go on to 

college will find their situation more difficult, for this year's 

high-school graduating class is the largest in history, and 

college training is becoming 

more and more essential for 

the more desirable jobs. In two or three more years the num 

ber of college graduates will begin a steady rise, and the 

job competition may become keener at the upper levels. All 

this results from the increase in America's birth rate, which 

began in the late 1930's and has continued strongly since 

World War II. 

323

sorrowing." 

come." 

strings," 

wine." 

you." 

ulate" 

mother." 

also!" 


THOSE SWADDLING CLOTHES 

When "Rusty" Williams came home from school 

late, wearing a 'shiner,' it resulted in an investiga 

tion which revealed that Rusty had retaliated when 

a larger boy than he had insinuated that Rusty was 

a 'Sissy' on account of his high curly pompadour. In 

the family debate that followed, Rusty and his father 

Danny Williams supported the affirmative of the 

question: "Resolved that Rusty is now sufficiently 

advanced in life to shed those long curls and have a 

manly haircut." The negative was upheld with con 

siderable vigor by his mother and older sister. For it 

seems to be a natural trait of mothers to view with 

reluctance the passing of babyhood of the young 

est child. The booties, the soft soled slippers are pre 

cious relics salted for preservation in Mother's tears. 

So the Mother of Jesus brought forth her first 

born child, wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and 

laid Him in a manger. This kindly intentioned treat 

ment must not be so confining as it sounds, for we 

have no record of lasting resentment on the part of 

anyone subjected to it, though the same may not be 

true of being "tied to Mother's apron a later 

stage. That the boy Jesus was properly restrained 

and disciplined is evidenced by the confidence of His 

parents in Him when He was twelve years of age 

-when they assumed that He would be in their homebound 

company. That He was more than willing to be 

left 'behind is apparent by the advantage He took of 

His several days of freedom to be "about His Fa 

ther's business," and to ask and answer questions of 

the doctors of the Law, and to astonish, and even 

confuse them by His Socratic astutenes and simplici 

ty. 

That He considered this freedom well within His 

rights is shown by His answer to His mother's re 

proachful look and gentle rebuke, "Why hast thou 

dealt thus with us Thy father and I have sought 

you 

"Why did you seek me Did you not 

know that I must be in My Father's house " And He 

went down with them to Nazareth and was obedient 

unto them. And He began His ministry at about thir 

ty years of age. Don't you think He felt those swad 

dling clothes binding Him through all those years 

But even those thirty years of subordination did 

not satisfy that maternal instinct for regency. But 

even after His public ministry had well begun, His 

mother came to Him with at least a hint of authority 

There was 

in her voice to say, "They have no 

no suggestion of what He should do, but would he not 

do something Jesus answer was an appeal to the 

Statute of Limitations, veiled in mild but unmistak 

able language ; "0 woman, what have you to do with 

me My hour has not yet His mother said to 

the servants. "Do whatever He tells It sounds 

like a mutual understanding that His filial obliga 

tions had been paid in full, and from now on He was 

taking orders only from His Father in Heaven, and 

she immediately turned the servants over to His 

management. 

We know of no further interference on the 

mother's part until near the end of His ministry. His 

popularity had passed its zenith, and there was a ris- 

324 

ing tide of opposition that was no longer concealed. 

Nazareth was openly hostile and would have pushed 

Him over a cliff had they been divinely permitted. 

Rumor had it that Herod was seeking His life. Judea 

was lying in wait with stones, until the disciples 

feared for His life and theirs if He dared to go there. 

The rulers had a price on His head, and were only 

waiting for the Passover season to be over to kill 

Him. What could a mother do but interfere and bring 

Him home as one "beside himself" And who but a 

mother could persuade her other sons to go with her 

to bring Him home So we find Jesus talking to a 

great crowd of people, so many that Mother and sons 

could not get near Him, so the word is passed from 

one to another, "Thy Mother and thy brethren stand 

without, seeking thee." And He answered, "Who is 

my mother, and who are my brethren " And stretch 

ing out His hand toward the multitude He said, "Be 

hold my mother, and behold my brethren. For whoso 

doeth the will of My Father, the same is my brother 

and sister and He was not to be swaddled 

by any family circle ties, nor pressured by public 

opinion. 

"The Return From Calvary" is a heart touching 

picture familiar to most of you. Mary is climbing the 

hill and entering Jerusalem on the arm of her newly 

assigned son John, the Beloved Disciple. But they 

stop to look back to that tragic hill where the three 

crosses stand silouetted in the distance. Their eyes 

are holden of course against the coming resurrection. 

The day's happenings must have seemed to them as 

a terrible nightmare too impossible to be true ! But 

there stood the crosses against the sky! There was 

no denying the facts. Did Mary who treasured so 

many things in her heart think back to those happy 

days when "she wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, 

and laid Him in a manger Of the happy day when 

they presented Him in the temple, and those old 

saints came out and blessed the child; but kind old 

Simeon looked her sadly in the eyes and said, "Yea, 

and a sword shall pierce thine own heart This 

day was that prophecy fulfilled. Oh, for those happy 

days of the swaddling clothes, but He had outgrown 

them, in spite of all she could do. 

And yet that very evening two comparative 

strangers would take Him down from the cross, and 

lovingly wrap Him in linen swaddling clothes, and 

put Him in a new tomb, and roll a stone over the 

door. Later the Roman Government would put their 

seal upon it, and make it as sure as they could and 

set a watch. SWADDLED ! 

From the day that Mary first swaddled Him to 

the present it has been the chief end of the world, 

the flesh and the devil to keep Him bound. And 

again we say, you and I are also guilty. But even 

death could not hold Him. 

The Roman Catholic Church is swaddling Jesus 

Christ by putting Him into subjection to the "immac 

Virgin Mary, and swaddling Him in the infalli 

bility of His so-called Vicar, the pope. Swaddling 

Him in the filthy rags of false traditions, but He to 

whom all power has been given will not remain con 

fined. 

COVENANTER WITNESS

motion." 

meditate." 

me." 

A Gift for God 

Address at the dedication of the Educational Addition to the church, New Alexandria, Pa. March 18, 1955 

Prof. J. B. Willson, D.D. 


What is the Purpose of This New Building 

Its first purpose is WORSHIP 

Worship began with an altar under the open sky. 

When these returned captives came to restore their 

place of worship, they first set the altar upon its 

bases, and proceeded with the offerings. They kept 

also the feast of tabernacles as it is written. When 

the foundation of the house was laid, they sang 

praises to God, after the ordinances of David, king 

of Israel. When they dedicated the house, they pre 

sented the offerings and "set the priests in their 

divisions, and the Levites in their courses, for the 

service of God. ... as it is written in the book of 

Moses. 

The Psalms are full of the thought of wor 

shiping in God's house. "I was glad when they 

said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord." 

"Lord, I have loved the habitation of 

thy house, 

and the place where thine honour dwelleth." "How 

amiable (lovely) are thy tabernacles, O Lord of 

hosts!" 

The Psalmist said again "One thing have 

I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that 

I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days 

of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and 

to inquire in his temple." "To behold" 

some one 

has said "I look at God, and He looks at "To 

inquire" 

may also mean "to 

Both ideas 

include some thoughtful study 

of God and of His 

Revelation to men. This is one purpose in our wor 

ship ; it is the special purpose in our Sabbath School 

work. God's Word will be studied in this building. 

The President of Princeton University in a 

message last fall to alumni and parents of under 

graduates quoted from a former President of the 

eighteenth century, Dr. Witherspoon, a definition 

of a liberal education as one designed to "put all 

human powers into Dr. Dodds considers 

this still applicable in 1954. He says : "If the individ 

ual man of the twentieth century is to develop 

all his powers to the highest possible degree and 

to permit none of them to remain dormant or un 

used, if he is to learn how to use them in his ef 

fort to live honorably and well in an age when (as in 

all ages) it is very difficult to do either, if he is 

to make only the wisest choices among the myriad 

possible options which lie open to him in his per 

sonal life, humanistic studies are clearly indispensible 

to him." If this be true of the studies of 

the secular schools, how much more true is it of the 

studies in our church schools If we are going to 

put all human powers into the right kind of motion, 

if we are to make the right choices in life, we need 

to know God, and we need to know Him through 

His Word. We had in our Seminary within fairly 

recent years students from our Seminary in Ire 

land. They were accustomed to having examinations 

in Sabbath School classes, with grades given out. 

Would that help us to maintain higher standards of 

progress 

May 25, 1955 

A second purpose of this building is FELLOWSHIP 

In Israel there must have been a happy fellow 

ship in connection with the annual journeys to Je 

rusalem for the feasts. It would compare with our 

good times at summer camps and conferences. That 

in later times, at least, they traveled in different 

groups, perhaps general family or age groups, would 

appear from the account in Luke's Gospel of Joseph, 

Mary and Jesus going to a passover. 

It does us good always to meet together in wor 

ship. Some churches have a plan for every one to 

speak to the person behind him at the close of the 

service. We ought to greet our fellow-church-mem 

bers regularly, and to ask about absentees. We 

ought to make a special point to greet visitors. There 

is a bond of 

unity in worshiping together. Families 

and individuals are bound up together in the bundle 

of life in the great family of God. 

Social gatherings of the people of a congregation 

are a part of the church life. There are the mis 

sionary societies, the young people's Society, perhaps 

a Men's League, which meet regularly for worship, 

for study and for fellowship. My thoughts go back 

to the Allegheny congregation of my youth. We 

young people had many good times together. We had 

our regular socials, an annual summer picnic, and iceskating 

in winter. My social life was bound up with 

my fellow Covenanters, thanks to the leadership of 

our faithful pastor, Dr. W. J. Coleman. I know you 

have this opportunity here, under the leadership 

of your pastor. I covet the same experience for all 

young people, 

in their several churches. 

The church building should be adapted to such 

social events. It is neither convenient nor fitting 

to have them in the auditorium which should be 

reserved so far as possible for worship. We need a 

kitchen, and a room large enough for tables to 

seat all the congregation and more, and also adapt 

ed for games. These needs are provided for in this 

new building. 

The third purpose of this building is SERVICE 

We worship together as those who are saved 

to serve. We are our brothers' keepers. We are to 

go into all the world and preach the Gospel. We 

have responsibility also for material welfare. Church 

members have always been helpers of their neigh 

bors and of all in need. Deacons were chosen in the 

apostolic church to direct this service, and should 

still take the responsibility for it. Churches are still 

the center of every united effort for others, and 

leaders in every good work. That kind of service will 

be taught in this building, and from it we trust 

all will go forth to do their part. 

The church by its very presence and by its 

teaching serves the community and the nation. Long 

ago a minister wote a railroad company to thank 

them for the courtesy of reduced rates. A letter of 

acknowledgment said that if it were not for the 

churches railroad trains could not run. The church 

325

system," 

all 

is the greatest force to control lawlessness and 

crime. 

We believe that the Covenanter Church renders 

special service by the high standard of truth which 

of the Lord 

it teaches. We proclaim the Kingship 

Jesus Christ. He is Lord over the whole of man. He 

is Lord over our doctrines, and we cannot give them 

up because they are unpopular, or to suit our own 

desires or convenience. He is Lord over our worship. 

We still sing in worship the Psalms, and we still 

leave out of our praise service instruments of music, 

because we believe this is His appointment. He is 

Lord of our life among men. We believe that this 

rules out membership in a secret order. We believe 

that in our social life, in our business life, in our 

political life we must give Him the first place. We 

believe that He is Lord of nations, the divinely ap 

pointed King of kings and Lord of lords, and that 

nations should acknowledge His supreme authority. 

Since our nation makes no acknowledgment of Him 

in the fundamental law, the Constitution, we do 

not seek political office nor vote for others to hold 

office. We bring no railing accusation against those 

who differ with us on some or all of these points. 

To use the words of Abraham Lincoln, "with malice 

toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in 

right," 

the right as God gives us to see the we cleave 

to our profession of faith, and strive to finish the 

witness which we have received from our fathers. 

We believe that this congregation renders a distinct 

service in holding and in proclaiming this high stan 

dard of truth and of loyalty to truth. 

The Church is a Nation's Protecting Wall 

The temple was finished and was dedicated. 

But Jerusalem's wall lay in ruins. Over fifty years 

later Nehemiah came to the city. At his urging a 

host of earnest men got to work. There were those 

who kept aloof the nobles of the Tekoites put not 

their necks to the work of their Lord. But many 

wrought faithfully, and often the work was done 

by individuals or groups over against their own 

houses. They were working both for themselves 

and for their city. And the wall was finished. 

Let us apply this all to a wall which we need 

around our homes and our nation, not a wall of ma 

terial weapons and defenses, but a wall of spiritual 

protection. There can be such a wall. And in a real 

sense, in building the house of God, we build this wall 

around our homes, our cities and our nation. 

Dr. Donald Grey Barnhouse in his survey of 

1954 in the January issue of his magazine Eternity 

ended a brief discussion of the relations of our Amer 

ican oil interests and our government with Arab 

countries and Israel with the statement that if the 

United States favors Israel against the Arab states, 

God cannot allow Russia to strike us, but that if we 

side with the Arabs against Israel, we will have lost 

our protection. We disagree with him in the apparent 

implication that the righteousness required of our 

nation for its safety from the Russian foe is limited 

to taking the part of this new Jewish nation against 

its enemies. We agree in two ideas suggested, that 

God can keep a nation secure from enemies, and that 

His requirement for the giving of such security is 

obedience to His law. 

It was sin and disobedience that brought judg 

ment on the nations round about Israel and on Israel. 

The cup of their iniquity become full. Because Israel 

326 

sinned, she was delivered into the hands of her ene 

mies. Her earthly kings helped her to forget her 

heavenly King; and the nation that will not serve 

Him shall perish. God's command to nations is "Kiss 

the Son, lest He be angry, and ye perish from the 

way when His wrath is kindled but a little." "Right 

eousness exalteth a nation." 

"Blessed is the nation 

whose God is the Lord." 

In commanding that the men go up regularly to 

Jerusalem for the appointed feasts, God gave the peo 

ple assurance of protection for families and posses 

sions left at home. "No man shall desire thy land." 

In the days of the Judges deliverance and peace came 

when Israel repented and made a new effort. When 

Sennacherib threatened Jerusalem, Hezekiah laid the 

matter before the Lord. The Lord disposed of the at 

tacking army. Solomon, wisest of men, said, "If a 

man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his ene 

mies to be at peace with him." 

We think of our nation's sins 

robberies, gam 

bling (including the unrighteous plots at Harrisburg 

within the week), murders, sins of impurity, the 

liquor traffic with its train of evils, profanity, Sab 

bath desecration, disregard for God and for His law, 

sins of fathers and mothers, and sins of our young 

boys and girls. The wall around our persons, our 

homes and our nation is crumbling. We keep wonder 

ing if an atomic war is about to bring our day of 

judgment. 

The way to build up the wall is to build the house 

of God, and to maintain its worship, its fellowship, 

its service. Then from our churches will go forth 

bands of boys and girls, and of men and women, 

whose hearts God has touched, to touch the lives of 

all the people of the land, and to touch the nation's 

life for God. This is our hope. 

Will all of you who are here tonight join hearts 

and hands in building the house of God and the wall 

You come from different communities and from dif 

ferent churches. You have a common goal. Will you 

build, every one of you Will you begin by building 

each one over against his own heart and his own 

home Will you say with Joshua of old, "As for me 

and my house, we will serve the Lord " Let us arise 

and build. 

As this house is dedicated this evening and as 

we rededicate ourselves, may joy fill our hearts. May 

the blessing of God which maketh rich and addeth 

no sorrow rest upon the old house and the new, and 

upon all who come here to worship. To this commun 

ity and to a wide circle of influence may He make 

this house and these people a blessing. 

"BACK TO BASICS" . . . continued from front page 

the marvel of these modern methods. It is horrible 

to behold the "Hollywood in so much of 

Christian work, as if the message of salvation were 

otherwise crippled or bereft of its life-giving power. 

But the Lord is the same in every direction. 

There is the same gospel. His call to the gospeleers 

is the same ; men and women "on fire ... out . . . 

aflame," 

out and out . . . heart's with passion for 

the sake of the Man of Calvary. When He has the 

whole man as the living sacrifice (Rom. 12:1), then 

and not until then ! does He have His Basic Method 

of moving on and out with the Message. Let us never 

lose sight of that in these days of clamoring changes. 

COVENANTER WITNESS

nothing." 

ministers' 

glory." 

HURRAH! WHAT DOES IT MEAN 

The whole Budget has been raised, also the extra 

$5,000, also some thousands more. It is wonderful 

what a special dramatic appeal will do by its vivid 

ness. It has brought forth a response passing that of 

many years. It has turned many members into cheer 

leaders, 

and made still more into responsive partici 

pants. It has given a large number a sense of 

strength and hope. 

$12.57" 

"BALANCE 

better in the Minutes than last years 

looks so much 

$353.94." 

"Balance OVERDRAWN 

That 

first is imagination, but the latter is an actual record. 

Last year the Board of Pensions recommended in 

their report a cut of 10% in 

pensions, 

since the Board had paid out $1,600 more than it re 

ceived. This year's receipts fill up the $1,600 with 

$675.04 more. How different a feeling every board 

when the year's results of their 

and committee has, 

management seem a demonstration of wisdom! 

How differently the Church feels at the larger 

giving ! The total should be impressive this year. It is 

good to remember, in any discussion of giving, that 

our Synodical Budget is not much over a fourth of 

our total enterprise in most years. Last year's total 

of $430,243 will be moving on up toward $500,000. 

Less than 5,000 communicants give that each year 

and keep it up, year after year. Tell that to any per 

son who mocks at the "little denomination" which 

they think "does 

And now, what does this year's achievement 

mean for the future What does it mean in sustained 

giving The missionary supposedly is to go to Japan. 

Then what happens Is he to be self-supporting at 

the end of the year Is he to come home at the end 

of just twelve months Is he, indeed, to stay there 

still, but without money for rent or sufficient means 

to buy food Of course not! Well then, that means 

a permanent increase in the Budget, does it not 

Last year the Foreign Mission Report showed, 

on p. 98 of the Minutes, an overdraft of $1,264.72 for 

the year, 

even though page 97 shows that $10,000 

was transferred from the Gihon Estate to meet the 

demands. Not all problems are settled by one year's 

unusual success. An additional missionary calls for 

increased support, year after year; and that means 

obviously that sustained giving is necessary. 

What does this year's success indicate has hap 

pened where it counts most, in the hearts of church 

members Was the triumph only the temporary suc 

cess of special appeal, which will lose its power when 

repetition makes it commonplace Or is it the result 

of a sharp increase in the number of tithers, a be 

ginning of systematic giving by a larger part of the 

membership who will do the same kind of thing year 

after year as a matter of conviction If the joy of 

giving this larger amount this once is sufficiently 

strong, some may decide now to make a habit of find 

ing that joy. 

Plainly there is room for the Covenanters to do 

better than they have done, better even than this 

year. The Free Methodists maintain a far higher 

average with a much larger number of members. 

So do the Seventh Day Adventists and the Wesleyan 

Methodists. They 'all do it on the tithing system. So 

watch for the report on the number of tithers this 

year. 

May 25, 1955 

May it be that a goodly number of the givers of 

this past year will cultivate a sense of greater de 

votion to God and His work as a continuous experi 

ence One of the most remarkable and appealing 

facts about tithing is that few who accept it ever 

drop the plan. Indeed, in full Christian faith and de 

votion there is a "joy unspeakable, and full of 

Let those who promised at Grinnell to labor for more 

tithers "be here dedicated to the unfinished work" 

of bringing all Covenanters to the full measure of de 

votion. Then all sorts of good things will be pos 

sible, under God's promised blessing, with joy and 

glory. 

George S. Coleman 

How can I be sure that the Bible is the Word of God 

This booklet by the Moody Press is prepared 

for use in DVBS or for released time Bible teaching 

for youngsters of the 5th or 6th grades. 

Other material may be needed, but this book 

let will help the teacher in planning to teach chil 

dren the answers to the great question which is the 

subject of the book. It gives helps so that the chil 

dren can be assured that the Bible is the Word of 

God. 

It sells for 50c but for anyone planning to 

teach such a course, it will be well worth the price. 

All of these books can be ordered through any 

bookseller or from the Moody Press at 820 N. La 

Salle St., Chicago 10, 111. 

R.C.F. 

GLIMPSES continued from page 322 

ing in reputable journals that do infinite harm to the faith 

of young people, and make the task of Christian parents in 

creasingly difficult .... The whole theory of evolution has 

received such a setback in recent years by a series of frauds 

that one would think reputable men would be careful before 

going 

out on a limb with such rediculous statements con 

cerning the origin of man. Only a year or so ago the much 

publicized 'Piltdown' man faded away as a shameless hoax, 

and is now the subject of a book by the British Association 

explaining the fraud!" 

A Confucian Mason 

A Chinese-born Confucian has been made Master of a 

Masonic Lodge in New York. His name is Sang Mun Hoe, is 

a naturalized American, 

and is a Confucian. 

Mr. Hoe was received not as a Confucian, but as a man 

worthy to be received into the Order because he believed in 

a Supreme Being. He could have been a Christian or a Jew 

a Buddhist or a Moslem. We are told that on the grand seal 

of the Grand Lodge in Israel are emblazoned the Star of 

David, the Cross and the Crescent. The Jew, the Christian 

and the Moslem are viewed alike. 

$50 to Quit Smoking 

The National Voice tells of an oil man of Wichita Falls, 

Texas, who is willing to pay any of his employees $50 to quit 

smoking. He told his men in a letter that he had been read 

ing with great interest what some of our great medical men 

have to say about smoking, that lung, throat and stomach 

cancer and many other troubles are on the increase due to 

who makes the offer, says: "I have 

smoking. Mr. Bridwell, 

watched some of my very good friends become seriously ill 

and some go to their death, all because of smoking." 

327

mander." 

me." 

servant." 

successful." 

nominations." 


For Covena1'' 

May, 1955 

To Illustrate the June CYPU Topics 

June 5 

Ought. 

Big Words 

A clergyman was once asked by the 

Duke of Wellington, "How are you get 

ting on with the propagation of the gos 

pel abroad Is there any chance of the 

Hindus becoming Christian" 

To which the clergyman replied, "Oh 

no! I do not see anything doing there; I 

see no reason to suspect any work of 

the kind being 

"Well," said the Duke, "what have 

you to do with that What are your 

marching orders Are they 

not 'Go ye 

into all the world, and preach the gos 

pel to every creature' Do your duty, 

sir, and leave the results to the Com 

June 12 

Grow. 

Years ago I heard of a contractor who 

had just finished the work on a long, 

high bridge. On the day of dedication, 

when he was ready to turn over his 

work to the city, he put on a demonstra 

tion to prove the strength of the bridge. 

He took all of the huge building machin 

ery 

which had been used in the con 

struction and ran it out on the bridge. 

Thus all who saw would believe that, 

even under this terrific weight the 

bridge would stand up. 

In the same manner God has "tested" 

His children, does "test" them, 

when He 

knows they have grown to a point of en 

durance. Remember what the angel 

said to Abraham "For now I know that 

thou fearest God seeing thou hast not 

withheld thy son, thine only son from 

God often puts us to the test. There 

are times when He asks us to do things 

which seem to be entirely unrelated to 

our idea of His will for us. Our growth 

at such times will bring us ultimately to 

hear his "Well done, thou good and 

faithful 

June 19 

Serve. 

In the Tate Gallery in London hangs 

one of the last and most notable paint 

ings of Frederic Watts, his "Sic Transit 

Gloria Mundi." A shrouded form lies 

upon a bier in the middle of the room. 

On a table near by is an open book, and 

against the table leans a voiceless lyre. 

328 

In one corner of the room is the rich 

mantle of a nobleman and in the other 

corner a lance and shield and divers 

pieces of armor, with roses strewn over 

them to show that the arts and tastes of 

life were mingled with the sterner du 

ties. But now all is over. The still form 

cannot read the book, nor don the man 

tle, nor catch the odor of the roses. On 

the wall in the background are three 

sentences of a German proverb: "What 

I spent I had. What I saved I lost. What 

I gave I have." Whatever you give in 

the ministry of your profession of your 

hopes, your enthusiasms, your tears, 

your labors (for Christ's sake) that 

and that alone is yours, and yours for 

ever. 

June 26 

Love. 

Macartney. 

In "A Tale of Two Cities" (Dickens), 

Charles Darnay, a royalist, and Sydney 

Carton, very much a commoner, are 

both in love with Lucie Manette, and 

while they are very much alike, it is to 

Charles Darnay that she gives her love. 

Then the French Revolution 

broke 

out. The down-trodden peasantry gained 

control, and sought to destroy every per 

son who might be counted as one of the 

aristocracy. In the course of time, 

Charles Darnay is taken prisoner, and 

awaits his doom on the guillotine. 

Then, because he loves Lucie and 

wants her to be happy above all else, 

Sydney Carton gains admission to the 

prison, takes Darney's place, and has 

him smuggled away to safety, while he 

remains to pay the price with his life. 


SUMMER LEADERSHIP PROGRAM 

In 1951 the National Young People's 

Staff began a program of early summer 

activities. This followed the request of 

the 1950 National Convention for "the 

organization and development of a pro 

gram of youth evangelism similar to the 

caravaning 

program used in other de 

The program had two 

parts, a "School" of seven days, held 

during Synod, with intensive courses on 

subjects vital to Church leadership; and 

Service Teams who went into congrega 

tions, where they were invited, to carry 

on work as requested, chiefly in Vaca 

tion Bible Schools. The School was open 

to anyone who wished to attend, but 

Team membership 

was limited to high 

school graduates and upward through 

college and first year seminary students. 

School expenses of all students were 

paid in full, and, of course, Team expen 

ses were taken care of. Through the 

team services, the field at Hot Springs 

got its Sabbath School under way. Other 

teams have served in New York City, 

where testimonies were given at the 

Bowery Mission, and at San Diego, Los 

Angeles, Orlando, and many congrega 

tions across our country. For three years 

this summer program was promoted un 

der the name of the 

"Crusaders' Corps." 

Last year was National Convention year, 

which seemed to be summer program 

enough, so the Crusaders' Corps did not 

operate. 

This year the Staff took stock of the 

previous three years of experience. 

Those had been years of beginnings, and, 

admittedly, some parts needed improve 

ment. The program of this year has 

many new or changed features. 

To begin, the name has been changed 

to the Leadership Training Program. 

As before, it has two principle parts: 

a. The Leadership Training School. 

b. The Summer Service Teams. 

Leadership Training Program 

This will be held at the Seminary 

building, 7418 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, 

Penna., from June lfy to 21. This is the 

week following Synod. Previously the 

school was held at the college during 

Synod. Some are asking 

changes in date and place. 

about the 

Several factors led to the decision to 

change. 

For one thing, while the meeting of 

the School during Synod made it pos 

sible to select teachers from among min 

isters who live at a distance, it also took 

them out of the sessions of Synod for a 

specified time each day. Sometimes the 

teachers were involved in the discussions 

of Synod and therefore unable to meet 

their classes. Besides, it is part of the 

minister's obligation to attend the meet 

ings of the Church courts, and it does 

not seem quite fair to ask permission of 

the Synod each year for some ministers 

to be allowed to attend part time. 

From the young person's viewpoint, 

COVENANTER WITNESS

ginnings." 

DES 


SECRETARY 

oung People 

the Synod was an interference with their 

School. Many of the students served as 

waitresses in the college dining room. 

Meals were set at certain hours. No mat 

ter what the lessons were about, or how 

interesting they were, the School had to 

dismiss in time to get the tables set for 

Synod's meals. And, since Synod was not 

scheduled to reconvene as early in the 

afternoon as the school, the dining hall 

personnel had to wait for Synod and its 

guests to visit around the tables 

which 

is most certainly their pleasant privilege 

and not infrequently 

the afternoon 

classes were delayed in getting started. 

It seemed best therefore to set dates 

when the students could give their full 

time to their task. Hence the dates were 

set for the week following Synod, June 

14-21. 

Since the Geneva College summer 

school is under way by that time, and 

their class rooms and dormitories are in 

use, a request was made of the Semin 

ary Board to conduct the School in the 

seminary building. This request was 

most graciously granted. 

The School is to be under the direc 

tion of Lie. R. Paul Robb, president of 

the 1954 National Young People's Con 

vention. He is giving the young people 

this final service before he "graduates" 

from their number into the membership 

of Synod. His committee members are 

Lie. Robert McCracken, and Miss Nancy 

Mandeville, participants in the pro 

grams of 1951 and 1952. 

Because of limited facilities at the 

seminary, the enrollment has been held 

to 26 young people 13 boys and 13 girls. 

These have been selected from a list of 

nearly 100, recommended by 

pastors and 

others, from 36 congregations in all nine 

presbyteries. The selection was made 

prayerfully by the Leadership Training 

School Committee and Synod's Young 

People's Secretary. Where pastors gave 

special recommendation to their . 

nomi 

nees, this was given particular weight by 

the committee. Some who were chosen 

at first have found they cannot attend, 

and others from the recommended list 

are being invited. During the School, the 

boys will be housed in the seminary 

building already used to boys and the 

girls will be housed in Pittsburgh homes. 

May 25, 1955 

Every care is being taken to have the 

group properly supervised. Board will be 

furnished at cost, .and, following last 

year's National Convention recommen 

dation, the students will bear one-half 

the expense, except for those chosen 

to the Teams whose expenses will be 

paid in full. 

Courses in the School include Bible 

Study and how to prepare it, Principles 

of Christian Teaching and use of Visual 

Aids, Recreation and Singing Leader 

ship, Gospel Team work, and other mat 

ters. Selected speakers will address the 

School each evening. 

For students who must travel when 

their pastors come to Synod there may 

be work opportunities during Synod 

week, 

and there are some prospects for 

rides at least part way homeward. 

The Service Teams 

From the 26 young people at the 

school, recommended as having leader 

ship ability, three teams, if possible, 

of two boys and two girls each will be 

selected early in the school week, to re 

ceive special instruction in Vacation Bi 

ble School leadership 

ties, 

and other activi 

and will then go into two congre 

gations each, where there services are 

requested. Applications for their services 

have been sent to every congregation. 

The teams will travel by 

public con 

veyance, and at minimum travel cost. 

The congregations where they serve will 

provide additional help in meeting their 

expenses. 

We thank God for the interest and 

support He has given to the Young Peo 

ple's program over "the years of be 

We have learned some valu 

able lessons, which we are trying hard 

to integrate into the program of this 

summer. 

A deepening interest by Covenanter 

young people in preparation for the 

Lord's service throughout life, whether 

in the ministry or the mission field, or 

in the challenging prospects of Christian 

service in the modern teaching, business 

and industrial worlds, encourages us to 

give to them the best in brief but earn 

est training that we can provide, that 

the coming leaders of the Church may 

ever serve and glorify our Lord and Sav 

iour Jesus Christ, always "aiming to live 

end." 

for the glory of God as our chief 

From Recent Books 

In Europe, America and elsewhere re 

ligious thought is returning hopefully to 

the Bible. The Bible has ever proven its 

authority when men have turned to it in 

times of crisis or calamity. It does not 

yield its deepest secrets when ap 

proached in a faithless or negative at 

titude. But when men reverently and 

lovingly turn to it as the Word of God, 

or to discover honestly if it be the 

Word of God, the search is rewarding 

and deeply satisfying. 

It was belief in the authority of the 

Bible which gave rise to the Reforma 

tion principle 

of universal education. 

This principle was brought to the new 

world by our founding fathers. Why, 

then, should Christian education desert 

the very attitude which gave rise to the 

American system of public education 

From ABIDING VALUES IN CHRIS 

TIAN EDUCATION 

by Harold C. Mason 


A 

great Latvian Christian said to 

some of us a short time ago, "Twenty 

million Communists are taking the 

world away from six hundred million 

Christians." 

There are only twenty mil 

lion really dedicated Communists on the 

party rolls of the Communist party, and 

there are six hundred million enrolled 

Christians ! 

When we look at the corruption in 

public life 

both state and national 

when we look at the racial and national 

prejudice still rampant in the world, 

when we consider the very unpleasant 

fact that one out of every twelve people 

in the United States is either neurotic 

or emotionally or mentally confused, it 

doesn't make us feel very 

effective as 

Christians, does it If we were more vi 

tal, if we were more dedicated, if we 

were really channels of God's holy pow 

er and energy, these conditions would 

not continue to exist, and Communism 

would have no appeal. Communism has 

no appeal to people who are well fed, 

both physically and spiritually; it ap 

peals to the physically and spiritually 

starved. If the Christian Church were a 

pillar of fire leading the peoples of the 


329

others." 

aliens," 


paths" 



For May 29, 1955 

Comments by Rev. J. Paul McCracken 

"HEROES OF FAITH AND PEACE"* 

Hebrews 11:7-10 

The Bible doesn't use the word 

"hero." 

it is a word which we use in our 

Twentieth Century in many different 

ways, and it seems that one of the ways 

that it is used is to describe some out 

standing people in the Bible. But just 

what does it mean to be a "hero" 

Perhaps some of you have just taken 

part in a Senior Class Play during the 

month of May. One of the most enter 

taining features about many such plays 

is the development of a clash between 

one cruel person, the "villain," and one 

courageous, dashing one, who is the 

"hero." 

That is one way we use the 

word. 

In history books, the outstanding per 

sonage in a certain battle or period of 

history is often referred to as the 

"hero," and in a poem, drama, or narra 

tive, the "hero" is usually the outstand 

ing male character, the one with noble 

characteristics. But the word is used in 

a little different sense in the topic for 

this evening. 

These "heroes of faith and peace" 

as 

described in the passage in Hebrews fall 

more into the category of "persons who 

are regarded as models, or examples, for 

They are our "heroes" in the 

sense that they have shown in their lives 

qualities that we hold to be of the high 

est type, and that we would do well to 

imitate. 

Not that we have chosen them. They 

have been chosen for us, to follow. Like 

a father directing the attention of his 

son to a picture of Abe Lincoln, and urg 

ing him to follow the example of that 

great man, so God, our Heavenly Father, 

has given us here in Hebrews 11 a cata 

logue of great saints to follow. Here is a 

Hall of Fame, but the qualifications for 

admittance involve far more important 

matters than a batting average in base 

ball, or even great accomplishments in 

science, politics, or education. These men 

and women portrayed here achieved the 

favor of God, and still receive the ac 

claim of the whole Christian world, be 

cause of their faith in God, and their 

contentment in doing His Will. Through 

it they virtually set the world on fire 

for God, accomplishing the impossible, 

and overcoming the worst of Satan's op 

position. See the amazing things that 

God did through these faith-full saints 

in 11:33-38. They "subdued kingdoms, 

wrought righteousness, obtained prom- 

330 

ises, stopped the mouths of lions, 

quenched the violence of fire, escaped 

the edge of the sword, out of weakness 

were made strong, waxed valiant in 

fight, turned to flight the armies of 

the etc. 

Of course, Christ is our primary 

"hero," or model. We are told in many 

Bible passages to follow Him first (see 

I Pet. 2:21, 22; I John 2:6). Yet we are 

also called to follow those of His people 

who are truly imitating Him. Paul ex 

horted the Christians (I Cor. 11:1), "Be 

ye followers of me, even as I also am of 

Christ." 

So we are likewise to follow 

the Heroes of Hebrews insofar as they 

were followers of the True God. 

Let us notice, then, some of the char 

acteristics of the two men described in 

the assigned passage, and see why they 

are well qualified to serve as our ex 

amples in the Christian life. 

I. Noah. What a man! He was around 

five hundred years old when God said, 

"Build Me a boat." It was to be longer 

than a football field, approximately 75 

ft. wide, and as tall as a three story 

house, or better; quite similar in size to 

many ocean-liners today. It took at least 

one hundred years to build it. He may 

have had help other than his three sons 

in building it, but no one else believed 

his predictions. Only his own family 

were fit to enter the Ark when the flood 

came. Peter describes him as a "preach 

er of 

(n Peter 2:5). 

Think of preaching for a hundred years 

to people, and never winning a convert! 

All he received was ridicule, and pity, 

and sarcasm. What a story it must have 

been for his neighbors to tell. Farther 

and farther over the civilized world it 

must have spread . . . "Did you hear 

about crazy old Noah Ha!" How would 

you like to be the laughing stock of the 

whole world 

If we think we have our troubles 

with ridicule, 

persecution, and if we 

think the Lord is asking us to 

do unreasonable and unpopular things, 

what about Noah! This "Hero" shows 

us: (a) Determination to do God's will; 

(b) perseverance over a long period of 

time; (c) faithful witnessing in the face 

of unbelief; (d) obedience to every de 

tail of God's command (Gen. 6:22); and 

(e) a clear-cut example of what it 

means to "walk with God" (Gen. 6:9). 

II. Abraham. Another "hero" of equal, 

or surpassing, fame. He is known as the 

"father of the faithful." Born in heathen 

surroundings, and with a father who 

was an idolater, Abraham might have 

been the same type. But he wasn't. 

Somehow he learned of, and believed in, 

the One True God. Eventually the Lord 

told him to leave home and seek a land 

of promise, so Abraham obeyed (even 

though he had not the slightest idea 

where it was, or how long it would take 

to get there!). When he arrived in Ca 

naan, God showed him that it was the 

area that would some day contain mil 

lions of his descendants. But had not Ab 

raham been a powerful man of faith and 

trust, he might have become discour 

aged. The inhabitants were little dif 

ferent from those he had left back in 

Ur, idolatrous heathen. But he, and his 

family, eventually settled down there, 

living in tents, satisfied that God would 

accomplish what He said He would. 

Abraham's experiences perhaps do not 

excite as much sympathy in us as the 

experiences of Noah, but yet the ac 

counts of Abraham's faithfulness, might, 

and accomplishment show us much in 

"hero" 

the way of example for us. This 

shows us: (a) Sound belief in the true 

God in a sea of wickedness; (b) willing 

ness to leave his home for God though 

"flying blind," going not by sight, but 

by faith; (c) obedience even without 

understanding (Gen. 22:2, 3); (d) per 

sistence in Prayer for others (Gen. 18: 

23-32) ; (e) a full and blessed life lived 

wholly for the Lord (Gen. 24:1). 

Solomon had not written his in 

spired advice as yet, but the life of 

Abraham says the same, "Trust in the 

Lord witli all thine heart and lean not 

unto thine own understanding; in all thy 

ways acknowledge Him, and He shall 

direct thy 

Questions : 

(Prov. 3:5, 6). 

1. Other Bible heroes are listed, in 

cluding Gideon, Barak, Samson, etc. 

What qualities do we find in their lives 

of faith that we can imitate 

2. Mention historical and modern-day 

Heroes of Faith, and show how they 

have demonstrated that faith. 

3. What heroes does each person pres 

ent have Are they 

follow Why or why not 

good examples to 

* Used by permission of International 

Christian Endeavor. 

Psalms : 


For June 12, 1955 

BIG WORDS: GROW 

Luke 2:39-52; II Peter 3:18 

Topic used by permission of 

Christian Endeavor 

92:11-14, page 226 

1:1-6, page 1 

144:10-13, page 349 

19:5-9, page 42 

COVENANTER WITNESS

Scripture References: n Cor. 9:10; Eph. 

4:15; I Thess. 3:12; Heb. 6:1; I Peter 2: 

2, 3; II Peter 1:5, 6; I Sam. 2:26; Luke 

1:80; 2:40, 52; Acts 9:22; II Thess. 1:3; 

I Cor. 13:11; Heb 5:14. 


The word, "Grow," is a part of our ex 

perience before we can define it. At 

birth we weigh 7 pounds and are 22 

inches long (more or less). We can see, 

but not discern; we can hear, but not 

understand; we can make noise, but not 

speak; we can eat, but not appreciate; 

and we can feel, but not distinguish. 

However, if this is still true twelve 

months later, something is wrong. Na 

turally 

we expect these senses to de 

velop; this process of development will 

best define the word "grow." And this 

is true of animals, of plants, of every 

"Grow" 

thing that has life. might be 

used as an antinym of "die" because it 

is so important to life. 

But this is not a biology lesson. We 

want to consider growth in our spiritual 

life. In the passage in Luke 2:39-52, 

Jesus' 

physical growth was natural and 

expected (and you may be sure that Je 

sus was the best athlete of His com 

munity), but His growth in spiritual 

things is the surprise to His parents and 

the lesson to us. 

In order to "grow," a thing 

must be 

gin to live. You cannot grow spiritually 

until you have been born spiritually. 

Look into your own heart to see if a 

new life in Christ Jesus is present there. 

If you have not given your heart to 

Christ, you can go no farther with this 

topic. Get right with Him. Repent of 

sin, and accept Him as your Saviour. 

Then it is only natural that you should 

grow! "But grow in grace and in the 

knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Je 

sus Christ" (II Peter 3:18). 

In our Covenant of 1954 we promised 

"to avail ourselves of opportunities, pub 

lic and private, FOR GROWTH IN 

GRACE!" 

Then the Covenant goes on to 

point out those things which help us 

to "grow." 


1. Consider each of the seven things in 

the Covenant of 1954 which help us to 

grow. In what way does each one help 

us 

a. Worship 

b. Prayer 

c. Study of the Scriptures 

d. Keeping holy the Sabbath day 

e. Observing the appointed sacraments 

f. Giving regularly to the Lord's work 

g. Seeking to win others to Christ 

2. Can we grow if we neglect any one 

of the seven 

3. Was there a relationship between 

Jesus' 

sinlessness and His physical 

growth His spiritual growth 

4. What will help our CYPU to grow 

May 25, 1955 

our Church to grow What is our soci 

ety doing about it 

JUNIOR TOPIC 

June 12, 1955 

THE GOLDEN CALF 

By Mrs. Ray Park, Syracuse, N. Y. 

Scripture Text: Exodus 32:1-6, 15-20 

Memory Verse: Exodus 20:3 Thou shalt 

have no other gods before me. 

Psalms 

Memory Psalm for June Psalm 103, 

page 247 

Psalm 34:6, 7, 8, 9, page 82 

Psalm 19: 1, 2, 3, 4, page 41 

Last week we learned how God 

showed Himself to the children of Israel 

through a smoking, quaking mountain 

and thunder and lightning. Then He 

called Moses to the top of the mountain 

and gave Him laws for the people. Moses 

wrote these, then read them and the 

people agreed to obey them. In today's 

lesson we find the Israelites getting "off 

the track." 

If you have ever made a trip on a 

new throughway you may remember 

how fast you could travel. But do you 

also remember that it was so new, and 

straight, 

and level that it became tire 

some You rarely even slowed up for 

sideroads! Sometimes drivers on a 

throughway become bored and sleepy 

and wish for a more interesting and ex 

citing road. Something like this hap 

pened to the Children of Israel. Let's 

say that Moses had led them to and on 

the Right-way rather than the Throughway. 

Moses left on one of his trips to the 

mountain-top to talk with God. He prob 

ably did not realize that he would be 

gone as long as forty days and forty 

nights. If he had, he would have told 

the people that even though it would be 

a long time until he was back, yet they 

on the Rightway. 

must stay 

But as the days and nights passed the 

people began to wonder if their great 

leader was gone forever. Everything was 

so new to them 

the country 

and the 

way of living. Now the one who best un 

derstood it, was gone and they were 

lonely, tired and perhaps afraid 

wanted to find a different route. 

they 

They began to think of Egypt and the 

gods they worshiped there the idols 

that they could see and touch. Their new 

God, who was a Spirit, seemed too far 

away. And so they asked Aaron if he 

would make them a god to worship. 

Aaron was the brother of Moses; he 

was in charge of the camp while Moses 

was gone. What a pity that he was not 

strong enough or wise enough to refuse 

to do what the people asked of him! In 

stead he had them bring their beautiful 

golden earrings to melt and form into a 

CALF 

this was their new god! 

How glad you and I should be that we 

have grown up in a land where we learn 

about the true God! We do not see or 

touch Him but we feel Him in our 

hearts. We can read His word and know 

the way He wishes us to live. It seems 

strange to us that the Children of Israel 

could think of a golden calf as a god. 

They even built an altar before it and 

had a feast day. They killed sheep and 

oxen and burned them on the altar. Then 

they ate and drank, danced and sang. 

Aaron, their leader, said, "This is your 

god, O Israel, who brought you up out 

of the land of Egypt." How they needed 

Moses to help them at this time! 

Of course Moses could not see all this 

because he was above the clouds. His 

life was so different from his people at 

this time. He was alone with God, living 

a simple life yet keeping busy; God was 

giving him the precious stones on which 

were written the Ten Commandments. 

Very suddenly 

Moses had to leave this 

simple and peaceful life. God was aware 

of all that was going on in camp. He 

knew how much the people needed Moses 

and He directed Moses to hurry back to 

them. 

Can you picture Moses coming down 

the mountain carrying the large slabs of 

stone 

carefully guarding this precious 

word of God. First he would begin to 

hear strange music, then wild singing 

and shouting. Finally, he would be 

where he could see the dancing and 

feasting before an altar which was burn 

ing with a sacrifice for the golden calf 

behind it. 

Moses was shocked and hurt and an 

gry. He cast the stones from him and 

rushing to the image, he tore down and 

destroyed it! He alone knew how angry 

God was! He must make the people 

know it! They were Children of God; 

idol worship was wrong something they 

were never to do! 

Moses knew he had to do two things. 

He must punish the people for their 

wrong and he must divide them and get 

rid of those who wanted idol worship. 

So he set about immediately to do these 

two things. He ground up the golden calf 

and sprinkled the tiny grains on the 

water so that the people had to drink 

every bit of it. 

Now you and I drink a lot of good 

water. We have so much that we forget 

how fortunate we are to have it. This 

was not so with the Israelites. On their 

journey from Egypt they had often suf 

fered and become frightened because 

they did not have water for themselves 

and their animals. They knew how valu 

able good water was and having to drink 

the ground up gold was a real reminder 

of the wrong they had done. 

Not all of the people were sorry for 

their sin. There were some who had led 

331

me." 

in the wrongdoing. They were angry 

and rebellious ready to try to turn the 

people away from God again when 

they 

got a chance. Moses knew that these 

leaders must go. He stood in the gate 

of the camp and said, "Who is on the 

Lord's side Come to 

All the sons of Levi came and Moses 

told them that God wanted them to slay 

the men who were leading the people in 

the worship of images. These trouble 

makers had to die so that the nation 

would not continue to be lead away from 

God. Aaron had allowed the people to do 

wrong but he had not persuaded them 

to do it. Aaron was a Levite; he came to 

God's side. 

Through all of this sorrow Moses did 

not lose his love for his people. He had 

to punish them, yet he continued to love 

them 

just as mothers and fathers some 

times need to punish their children 

whom they love dearly. His love was so 

great that he pleaded with God to for 

give his people. He asked that if God 

would not forgive them that he, Moses, 

be blotted out with the people. What a 

wonderful leader 

a man of God who 

was firm and just, who loved his people 

so much that he was willing to sacri 

fice his life for them. We think here of 

Christ many years later He did give 

His life for Christian people. Moses was 

in many ways like Christ. 

God's answer was that those who had 

sinned must themselves be punished for 

it. Yet he saved the nation and told 

Moses to go on leading them, on their 

journey to the promised land. Again 

Moses climbed the mountain and re 

ceived the tablets of stone 

(the Ten 

Commandments) showing God's forgiv 

ing love. 

In your notebooks, you might draw a 

map of a Throughway (the Rightway, 

of course). At the end could be a city; 

give it a name 

God." 

it might be "Kingdom of 

Leading from the Rightway 

would be 

ramps. Draw and name as many as you 

can 

"Telling Lies," "Cheating," etc. 

In what ways was Moses like Christ 

Why do you think that God called 

Moses to the mountain top to talk with 

him 

If anyone in 

the group has flown 

above the clouds ask him or her to de 

scribe it. 


June 12, 1955 


(Lessons based on international Sunday School 




YOUNG KING JOSIAH 

2 Chronicles 34; Nahum. 

PRINTED 2 Chronicles 34:l-12a 

332 

MEMORY, Psalm 119:9 "Wherewithal 

shall a young man cleanse his way By 

taking heed thereto according to Thy 

Word." 

Amon followed his father Manasseh 

to the throne at the age of 22. 

probably 

He 

saw several years of his fath 

er's idolatry. Evidently he was old 

enough when his 

father dumped the 

idols to choose and keep the choicest 

of them, the carved idols. Perhaps he 

hid them. Or his father may have rea 

soned that since he was just a child, 

they would do no harm, and too bad to 

disappoint him by taking the idols away. 

Amon failed to respond to his father's 

reformation. 

Josiah did not follow the idolatries 

of his father. Amon may have been too 

busy to bother with his son, and that 

would be to the son's advantage. Prob 

ably Manasseh, failing to influence his 

son Amon, took an interest in his grand 

son Josiah until his death, when the 

child was six. Lasting impressions can 

be made on a child. Manasseh may have 

surrounded the child with godly teach 

ers who remained with him and helped 

him in the management of the kingdom 

in his youth. At the age of 8, 

came to the throne. 

Josiah 

Josiah Prepares For His Work, Vs. 2, 3. 

For 8 years, until Josiah was 16, he 

would be in his studies, and the govern 

ment would be administered by older 

men. Then he became actively interest 

ed in the affairs of his office. He "began 

to seek after the God 

father." 

of David his 

Then for four years until he 

was 20, he got ready for his great work. 

He did not rush into his work unpre 

pared. His reign is marked by thorough 

ness in everything he undertook. 

It was a difficult time for any King 

young or old. The early, idolatrous part 

of Manasseh's reign, that could not have 

been exceeded in wickedness, covered 30 

or 40 years, and his reformation was not 

complete. Then Amon, in two years, 

led the people back into gross idolatry. 

Josiah Begins His Reformation, vs. 3-7 

Surely a child of eight is not cap 

able of leading a nation. At the age of 

sixteen, Josiah began to seek the "God 

of David" as his guide in planning his 

work. When he did take decided action, 

the leaders that he called in council 

were in sympathy with his program. 

It is probable that between 16 and 20 

years, he had been carefully selecting 

wise leaders, and influencing those who 

were already leaders in the nation. . He 

did not rush into the work alone, but 

made careful preparations to lead a 

willing 

tion. 

people in a thorough reforma 

Josiah's appeal touched the hearts of 

the people. The purged Judah and Jeru 

salem of all idols, and brake down the 

altars and destroyed the idols. Some of 

the choisest idols, carved images, were 

those that Josiah's grandfather had 

made and failed to destroy. Josiah did 

a thorough job. He beat the idols into 

dust and strewed them to mingle with 

the dust of their worshipers. The chil 

dren could never again play 

idols. 

Repairing the Damage Done 

by Sin, vs. 8-11 

A boy threw a 

with those 

stone and broke a 

window. His father forgave him, but 

required him to do as much work in 

addition to his usual chores as would 

earn money for the window. He should 

learn, so far as possible, what sin costs. 

Josiah put the people to work to repair 

the damage. Not only the idolaters, but 

all the people, innocent and guilty, must 

share in the punishment for sin. A whole 

family, a whole church, a whole school, 

a whole nation suffers from the sin of 

one of its members. There is a degree 

in which all are responsible for the sin 

of one. Truant and other officers would 

be able to serve the law much better 

if they had the intelligent co-operation 

of all the citizens. School teachers would 

have little trouble with discipline if 

the parents did their duty. And it is 

likely that those who had the least to 

do with idols did the most of the work 

of cleaning up 

after them. 

Faithful Work Under Honest 

Leadership, vs. 9-12a 

In the lesson of May 8, we studied a 

similar reform under Joash (2 Chron. 

24:4-14). These two reforms are very 

similar in the zeal and faithfulness with 

which they were carried on. Much 

money had to be collected and spent. 

There was no hint of wasting funds, 

or padding pay 

rolls. And this was a 

national task. There are financial ty 

coons, prominent in the church and in 

charities, who scruple not to defraud 

the public so long as they keep "with 

in the Law." Of course, these men as 

individuals, could be trusted. But they 

act as corporations, which have no soul. 

It is cheering to know that there are 

many men in positions of trust who 

are honest. Not too many 

when they 

bury their acts in large companies. 

I heard a senator, in public address, 

condemn federal development of water 

for irrigation or power, on the ground 

that it would corrupt the government. 

He said it would turn all our senators 

and representatives into grafters. I 

wanted to ask him if that was the kind 

of men that guard the interests of our 

nation. He was in a position to know. 

Also he was (indirectly) interested in 

power. "Other People's 

Money" 

by 


faithfully." 

sure" 

me." 

Louis D. Brandeis is worth reading. 

The story of how Josiah collected and 

used the money comes to a very pleas 

ing end; "And the men did the work 

There are three items, not in the les 

son, that ought to be noted before we 

come to the lesson for next week; 

The Finding of the Law, vs. 14-21 

Found when they 

cleaned out the 

idols. Some Christians have not courage 

to speak against social idols, so the law 

is covered in dust. With a housecleaning, 

we might find some things that we have 

lost. 

Hulda Speaks, vs. 22-28 

Huldah did not gloss over the sins of 

Judah and Israel, but warns them of 

their coming captivity. Josiah is to be 

favored by the captivity not coming in 

his day. 

The Reading of the Law, vs. 29-33 

The law had been covered by the im 

plements of sin and by dust. When found 

it was read to Josiah. He rent his of 

ficial robe from off him, and stood un 

covered before the world and God. He 

would not hide behind his office. To 

some, they had found the law of Moses. 

To Josiah, it was the Word of God. 

The Prophecy of Nahum 

This is mentioned in this connection 

because it was written in the reign of 

Josiah and fortells the overthrow of Judah's 

great enemy Assyria. Already the 

capital was moved from Damascus to 

Nineveh. The captivity would not be to 

Nineveh, but to Babylon. 

SYNOD SABBATH PRAYER 

MEETING TOPIC 

For Sabbath, June 12, 1955 

Theodore F. Harsh 

TOPIC: "The Convicting 

Holy Spirit" 

SCRIPTURE : John 16 :8-ll 

SUGGESTED PSALMS : 


Psalm 51:7-12, page 131 

Psalm 139:1-6, page 341 

Psalm 130:1-5, page 325 


Power of the 

RELATED SCRIPTURE PASSAGES 

Psalm 51:10-17; Acts 2.22; Rom. 3:7 

Gal. 3:22; Isaiah 42:6, 21; I Cor. 1:30 

Gal. 5:5; I Sam. 16:7; Matt. 12:18 

John 7:24 

What is the Work of the Holy Spirit 

in the World "And He, when He is 

come, will convict the world in respect 

of sin, and of righteousness, and of judg 

ment." 

(John 16:8 ASV). The Holy Spir 

it must work with men created in the 

image of God in knowledge, righteous 

ness and holiness, but in whom the im 

age is badly 

marred by sin. The work of 

May 25, 1955 

the Spirit is to restore that image, but parties in the crucifixion believed that 

first He must set men straight on the Jesus was the Son of God, that person 

three points at which they in their nat would have refused to take part, and the 

ural state differ from the Perfect Man, crucifixion would not have taken place. 

Jesus Christ. Jesus was perfectly sinless, Unbelief was at the root of the crime. 

men are sinful; Jesus had perfect right All who are guilty of unbelief are guilty 

eousness, men have no righteousness of of the same sin, lacking only the oppor 

their own; Jesus looked to the favor of tunity to commit the same crime. The 

His Father in Heaven, men look to the Spirit came with convicting power at 

favor of the prince of this world. To men Pentecost and continues to convict men 

in their natural state, sin is the trans of their participation through their un 

gression of an arbitrary human code, belief in the crucifixion. However else 

righteousness is the satisfaction of hu the Spirit may convince men of their sin, 

man consciences, and judgment is the it is not until the cross is presented 

verdict of this world. Until men are that He can bring home the awfulness of 

brought back to the original design of their sin, showing them that by their 

creation on these points, nothing further unbelief they become a party to the 

"convict," 

can be done. The word, brings greatest of crimes, crucifying the Son of 

to mind a prosecuting attorney seeking God, and putting Him to an open shame. 

a pronouncement of guilt. We get closer 2. "OF RIGHTEOUSNESS BECAUSE 

to the intent of this passage when we I GO TO THE FATHER AND YE SEE 

"convince," 

take the word, 

from the ME NO MORE." Righteousness is the 

RSV translators. It gives the idea of a great aim of men in all their religions, 

physician convincing a patient of the though the ways of achieving vary. Yet 

presence of a deadly disease and of the there is a constant feeling of guilt, that 

necessity and effectiveness of curative something more needs to be done, a lack 

measures. 

of assurance of God's being reconciled 

The first step of the Spirit's Work is 

to men. 

to Convict, not to Convert. Conversion 

Jesus Christ came and lived a life 

of perfect righteousness. 

may follow, but the first step is to 

He gave His 

con 

vict, even as the doctor life for the sins of men. But had it all 

must convince 

the patient of the seriousness of his ended with His con 

death, the world could 

not 

dition before he will consent to drastic have been convinced of righteous 

ness. 

action. How does the Spirit 

But He rose from the dead and 

convict 

Jesus points to Himself as the 

was received 

means by 

up to be with the Father, 

which the Spirit will convict. Christ's showing that the only righteousness ac 

presence in the world was necessary to ceptable to God is that of Christ. For 

enable the Spirit to convict the world of guilty men, the only way of obtaining 

sin, righteousness, and judgment, but 

it is through Christ (Acts 4:12). 

without the Holy Spirit, the coming of In this way the Holy Spirit convinces 

Christ would have been 

the world of righteousness. It is 

useless. 

only 

when men learn that Christ rose from 

1. "OF SIN, BECAUSE THEY BE 

the dead that the Spirit can convict, can 

LIEVE NOT ON ME." Disbelief in 

make men see that their sins are forgiv 

Christ is the great evidence (symptom) 

en through Christ (Romans 8:1), and 

by which the Spirit is to convict the 

that they must accept Him or reject 

world of sin. What is there by which to 

their only hope of being reckoned right 

convict the world of sin outside of 

eous before God. 

Christ's death There is the law of God 

written upon the heart, telling what is 

3. "OF JUDGMENT BECAUSE THE 

PRINCE 

right and what is wrong, and a 

OF THIS WORLD IS 

feeling 

JUDGED." 

of obligation to obey that law 

Jesus had 

(Romans 

said, "Now is the 

2:14, 15). There were the Old Testament 

judgment of the world. Now shall the 

prince of 

law and the pronouncements of the 

this world be cast out, and I, 

prophets, but all of these were inade 

if I be lifted up will draw all men unto 

quate instruments for the conviction of 

There 

the world by the Spirit. 

is a judgment pronounced by 

Jesus Christ came as a "more God, and one pronounced by men. Only 

when men's judgment coincides with 

revelation of God's law. He not only 

taught all that was in God's is it a true judgment. 

men's conscienc 

Satan, the 

prince of this 

es and all that was in human and di 

world, warps men's judg 

ment and makes men believe that world 

vine law, He showed the way, He carried 

it out, He was a living example of what ly success is a mark of God's favor, that 

God's law means. He was the 

the gifts offered 

living 

by this world are to be 

Word that could not be 

the aim of life. Jesus Christ has shown 

perverted or 

twisted to men's own ideas. 

the judgment of God to be the reverse of 

How did the world receive the Word 

this. The cross is the symbol of this 

It put Him to death. Should He then revolutionary disclosure. Christ's resur 

rection 

have said, "Of sin, because 

told the world that God's 

they judg- 

put me 

to death" Had any of the responsible ( Continued on page 334) 

333

Church News 

. 

NOTICE 

Will the ministers or clerks of sessions 

please foreward the certificate of their 

delegate to Synod to D. Howard Elliott, 

207 Darlington Rd., Beaver Falls, Pa. as 

soon as possible. 

PORTLAND 

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. 

Thomas Chambers on the birth of 

Thomas Parker Chambers, 

who arrived 

on Mother's Day, May 8, to gladden the 

hearts of his parents and three sisters. 

Prayer Meeting Topic Cont. from pg 333 

ment was against the prince of this 

world and gave the Holy Spirit the 

means of convincing the world of judg 

ment. 

Through the centuries the Spirit has 

convinced many of judgment and led 

them to choose the reproach of Christ 

before the pleasure and honor of this 

world. To this day He convinces many 

more of the blessing of serving Christ 

for His rewards, rather than the world 

for those which it offers (Matthew 6: 

24). 

From Recent Books 


world, instead of an ambulance corps, 

bringing up the rear as it so often seems 

to be, Communism probably would never 

have been born. 

From THE SECRET OF EFFEC 

TIVE PRAYER 

by Helen Smith Shoemaker 


If evil were stronger than God, He 

would never have sent His Son to show 

us how to overcome it. God in His wis 

dom knew that evil could be defeated. 

God in the person of His Son faced the 

cruel facts of evil and pain and death 

unflinchingly for us. The crucifixion was 

the seeming triumph of evil, and God 

allowed it, but the resurrection was 

God's secret weapon and with it He tri 

umphed by demonstrating His power to 

replace evil, suffering, and death with 

the creative force of love and life. The 

resurrection tells more about God and 

His power to overcome evil than any 

other event in history. 

334 

From THE SECRET OF EFFEC 

TIVE PRAYER 

by Helen Smith Shoemaker 


The Session of the CAMBRIDGE Con 

gregation wishes to place itself on rec 

ord as commending the Report of the 

Committee to Evaluate The Revised 

Standard Version as found on page 114 

of the 1954 Minutes of Synod. It de 

serves the careful examination of every 

one interested in Bible Study. The re 

port is signed by Delber H. Elliott, Les 

ter E. Kilpatrick, Robert K. Mc 

Conaughy. 

William S. Ramsey Jr. 

Clerk of Session 

The death of Mary Kenwill recalls an 

episode of sixty years ago. A group of 

eleven-year olds in a schoolroom were 

discussing the merits of their respective 

churches. Mary, whose family belonged 

to Central Allegheny, stoutly maintained 

the superiority of the Covenanter 

Church (she did not call it Reformed 

Presbyterian). Mary had something that 

lasted. Arthur W. Calhoun, Sterling. 

ATTENTION 

Those within driving distance of Spar 

ta, Illinois, Welcome to our Worship 

Services! Daylight Saving Time in ef 

fect through September. Old Bethel 

Church on Route 154, near Houston. 

Sparta Church, 401 N. Vine Street. 

Those coming from the west cross the 

Mississippi river bridge at Chester. Sab 

bath School, Old Bethel, 10:00 A.M., 

Sparta 1:30 p.m. Worship Service, Old 

Bethel 11:00 A.M., Sparta 2:30 p.m. 

Pastor, Rev. John M. McMillan. 

NEW YORK CITY 

On May 1 Dr. F. M. Wilson preached 

for us in the absense of Rev. Henning 

who was assisting communion for the 

Mercer Congregation. 

May 6 we held the annual congrega 

tional meeting. Encouraging reports 

were given by all departments of the 

church work and the following officers 

were elected: W. K. Metcalf, Chairman 

of Congregation; Adele Newell, Secre 

tary of Congregation; Trustees (3 year 

term) Margaret Little, Theo. M. May, 

Allen Murphy and Bert Whitehead; Mrs. 

W. K. Metcalf, Congregational Reporter; 

Miss Lola Weir, Agent for Covenanter 

Witness; Bertha Singenwald, Social 

Chairman. 


A social evening 

was enjoyed at the 

home of Mr. and Mrs. Milton Bowes on 

March 25. The evening was spent play 

ing 

various games. When refreshments 

were served birthday 

cakes were pre 

sented 

to John Morton and Clarence 

Bowes. 

The March meeting of the W.M.S. was 

held at the home of Mrs. James Morton. 

New Officers for the year are as fol 

lows: President, Mrs. James McGregor; 

Vice President, Mrs. F. F. Reads; Sec 

retary, Miss Rose Ellen Burns; Treasur 

er, Mrs. John Morton. 

OAKDALE 

My apologies to Rev. C. E. Caskey. He 

did not preach for Oakdale but Rev. 

Wylie Caskey did. 

Dr. A. J. McFarland was with us Sab 

bath April 17 and brought the morning 

message. That evening a large group 

went to Sparta to hear Dr. M. K. Car 

son who was assisting Communion at 

Sparta and Old Bethel. 

The following Sabbath, April 24, Rev. 

E. Raymond Hemphill held Communion 

services here. All the meetings were 

very well attended. The spirit-filled mes 

sages were enjoyed and very helpful. A 

number from Sparta and Old 

Bethel 

were present for the Sabbath evening 

service. 

Mrs. Preston Carson and children 

visited recently with Mr. and Mrs. Frank 

Harsh of Sidney, Ohio, and Rev. and 

Mrs. T. F. Harsh in Cincinnati. 

Rev. Walter Magee was present to 

preach for us May 8 and plans to be 

with us the following Sabbath also. 

TOPEKA 

Rev. R. H. Martin supplied our pulpit 

April 24 and Mr. A. L. Anderson, mana 

ger of The Topeka Bible Store, spoke 

to us on behalf of the Gideons in our 

morning service, May 1. That evening 

Mr. C. E. Thomlison, former police chief 

in Hot Springs, N. M., brought us the 

message. 

Our sympathy is extended to Miss Ma 

bel Holmes in the death of her sister, 

Elma, who pased away April 20. 

Mr. Lloyd McElroy has undergone sur 

gery and is making good recovery. 

Mr. Knox Carson has been confined to 

the hospital, but is now home. He is 

quite weak, however. 

It was with deep regret that we bid 

farewell to Misses Emma and Mary Mc 

Farland who have gone to make their 

home at the Aged People's Home. Their 

prayers, faithful interest and service will 

ever be remembered by the congrega 

tion. We wish them well in getting set 

tled in their new location. 

QUINTER 

Rev. and Mrs. Paul Faris and children 

returned home on April 20, after making 

a one week trip to Phoenix, Arizona, 

where Rev. Faris helped with Commun 

ion Services. They also went through the 

Carlsbad Caverns, and other points of 

interest. 


Mrs. Ellsworth Francy returned home 

from the Quinter Hospital on the week 

of April 18, after a major operation. 

A Social was held at the church Fri 

day evening, April 29. We enjoyed slide 

pictures shown by Juanita and Eugene 

Graham of their trip 

spring. 

SANTA ANA 

to Florida this 

Dr. J. D. Edgar of San Diego brought 

preparatory messages 

on Friday and 

Saturday 

ion on the first Sabbath of May. 

nights and conducted commun 

Mrs. Harriet Pogemiller of the Sharon 

congregation attended our worship serv 

ices on May 1 and visited in the homes 

of Mrs. Mary Tippin and Miss Margaret 

Walkinshaw. 

King's Daughters' officers for the new 

year: President, Mrs. Virginia Ander 

son; Vice President, Mrs. Vicky Curry; 

Secretaiy, Mrs. Catherine Vogt; Trea 

surer, Mrs. Mae Vinson. 

Christian Brotherhood officers for the 

new year: President, Ronald Shepard; 

Vice President, Albert Wylie; Secretary- 

Treasurer, Lewis Keys. 

of 

Ladies of the congregation and friends 

King's 

Daughters' 

members 

were 

guests of the King's Daughters' Mission 

ary Circle on Saturday afternoon, May 

7. Mothers were honored with a tea in 

the church reception hall. Corsages were 

pinned on Mrs. Samuel Edgar, oldest 

mother present, and Mrs. Virginia An 

derson, 

youngest mother present. Music 

for afternoon enjoyment came from our 

young ladies Sherry Anderson, Virginia 

Hurd, Saundra Anderson and her mu 

sical pals, and Sharon and Rose Ellen 

Nelson. 

Born to Mr. and Mrs. William Hart 

zell on May 8 a son, Ronald Allen. 

Mr. and Mrs. R. C. McCloy of Hemet 

attended the morning service on May 8. 

Mrs. Mary Johnson was hostess for 

the May me.eting of the King's Daugh 

ters. After a covered dish dinner a 

teacher from a Light and Life Christian 

Day School was heard as a guest speak 

er. 

Through the months when our pulpit 

was vacant we have had preaching regu 

larly because in our midst are Dr. Wal 

ter McCarroll, Dr. Samuel Edgar, and 

Rev. John Gault. These ministers have 

filled the pulpit whenever they were 

needed. 


COVENANTERS OF PHILADELPHIA 


Third Philadelphia met at the home of 

Mrs. Thomas McClay and Miss Helen 

Schaal. Mrs. Walter McClay was wel 

comed and accepted into our member- 

May 25, 1955 

ship. Six hundred dollars was disbursed 

by the Society among the Foreign, Ken 

tucky and Southern Missions, the Penn 

sylvania Temperance League; the Sem 

inary; the Home (for food mixer) and 

Kobe Book Room. The devotions, led by 

Miss Margaret McCandless included a 

circle of prayer for the evangelistic serv 

ice held in connection with the showing 

of the Billy Graham film, "Mr. Texas." 

Nineteen boys and girls responded to the 

Call when the invitation to accept Christ 

as their Saviour was given following the 

picture. 

Our Spring Communion season was a 

time of deep searching and challenging 

messages given us by the Rev. Dr. Del 

ber Elliott who assisted our pastor. Dr. 

and Mrs. Elliott were the guests of Rev. 

and Mrs. George Price during their stay 

in Philadelphia. We were glad that so 

many 

out-of-bounds members were en 

abled to journey to Philadelphia for the 

Communion time. These included Mr. 

and Mrs. Robert Wilson and Miss Helen 

Euwer of Ocean City, N. J.; Miss Edna 

Claypoole and Mrs. William Foster of 

Yonkers, N. Y.; Mrs. K. Wagner of At 

lantic City, N. J.; Mr. and Mrs. Robert 

Adams of Springfield, Pa. We welcomed 

the presence of Covenanters of other 

congregations also: Miss Dolly Everett; 

Rev. and Mrs. Julius Kempf; Mrs. J. 

McClean and son and daughters; Mr. 

and Mrs. A. Dodds; Mr. and Mrs. J. 

Jackson; Mr. and Mrs. Gene Spear; Mr. 

and Mrs. Everett Mcllwee of Wappinger 

Falls, N. Y.; also Dewey and Linda. 

Other recent visitors at worship services 

include Mr. and Mrs. William McClurken 

and sons of Hatbora, Pa., Mrs. K. 

Behm and Mrs. Walter Cameron and 

children of Germantown, Pa. 

Our sincere sympathy goes out to the 

four sons of Mrs. D. Arthur Adams 

whose death occurred on April 16. We 

miss the warm greeting 

courageous gentlewoman. 

of this quiet 

Elder James MacKnight had his Flor 

ida vacation interrupted by a sudden ill 

ness which necessitated surgery. He is 

now back in his home in Philadelphia 

convalescing. 

Little Robert C. Everett is now regu 

larly attending church again, having 

been absent several weeks due to chick 

en-pox. 

Our hearts are gladdened by news 

that Mrs. F. M. Wilson, very ill for over 

a month, has begun to show slight im 

provement. Sincere and earnest petitions 

are being made in her behalf. 

Mr. Gene Spear spoke at closing ex 

ercises in Sabbath School, telling of the 

activities of the Seminary and Geneva 

College. He stressed the need for our 

prayers for faculty and students of both 

of these institutions of our Church. The 

following Sabbath the entire S. S. offer 

ing was designated for the Seminary 

and College. 

Third Church folks enjoyed a delicious 

dinner and social evening April 18, given 

to introduce our minister to ministers of 

neighboring churches who were our din 

ner guests. 

Miss Isabel Crawford was elected su 

perintendent of the Sabbath School for 

the coming year. Mr. John McClay is 

assistant Superintendent, Mrs. Arthur 

Danenhour, treasurer and Mr. Frank 

Haussman, Secretary. Miss Elizabeth 

McHatton is Birthday Secretary. Mrs. 

George Price is Cradle Roll superinten 

dent. The Home Department workers 

are Miss Matilda Wolfert and Mrs. W. 

J. McClay. Mr. Robert J. Crawford is 

Chorister and Mr. Walter McClay, as 

sistant Chorister. 

STERLING NEWS 

The Genevans gave a real boost to 

Geneva College in the wonderful con 

cert given in Spencer Hall, April 1, be 

fore an appreciative audience of 350 

persons. The quartet was a good "fore 

runner"; they came ahead by night from 

Kansas City and sang in both the Col 

lege Chapel and Elementary Schools 

earlier in the day. Robert McFarland 

was a member of that quartet. 

The speaker at the April 21 meeting 

of W.M.S. was Mr. Wong Kim of Korea, 

a college student who told of his life 

both at home and in America. Twentyeight 

members met in the spacious coun 

try home of their president, Mrs. Mary 

Jane Wilkey. 

Sterling's offering toward the budget 

on the last Sabbath of the year totaled 

$1,065. 

Miss Blanche McCrea of Nicosia, 

Cyprus, spoke at both services on Sab 

bath, May 1, while Rev. L. E. Kilpatrick 

held communion at Stafford. 

Armour McFarland plans to be at 

home between May 13 and 

30, after 

his second year in seminary. He plans 

to be licensed during that time. 

Mr. and Mrs. Joe McFarland, and Bill, 

worshiped in Minneola, May 1, in an 

swer to an invitation to help lead Psalm 

singing 

in a union service. 

Sterling graduates this spring are: 

8th grade Elaine Boyd, Vickie Wilkey, 

and Bonnie Morley; High School John 

McFarland, Scott Boyle, and Larry 

Oline; Sterling College, Ruth McKissick, 

Hugh Hays, and Kathleen McCrory; 

Geneva College, Robert McFarland. 

Mrs. A. J. McFarland was pleased 

to win a "I" rating on her one-act play 

at both the League and District High 

School Speech Festivals. Her play won 

a II at the State. 

335

JILEK HARTIN 

In the United Philadelphia parsonage, 

on May 7, 1955 at one P.M. before a 

bower of palms and dogwood, a very 

pretty wedding was solemnized. The 

bride, Mrs. Martha Jilek, in a blue lace 

gown and James Hartin, were married 

by their pastor, Dr. Paul D. McCracken, 

in the presence of their families and a 

few friends. The bride was attended by 

her sister Mrs. James A. Carson and the 

groom by Charles J. Jilek. A dinner and 

reception at Strath Haven Inn, Swarthmore, 

Pa., followed the ceremony. After 

July 1 Mr. and Mrs. Hartin will be at 

home at 124 South Pennock Avenue, 

Upper Darby, Pa. 

A TESTIMONY 

Yes, verses of Scripture presented by 

Holy Ghost power have brought to me 

conviction of sin more than once. For 

example: In the Providence of God, I 

roomed with a young lady for one year. 

We were both Christians who needed 

chastening temperamental differences, 

maybe . 

Speaking for myself, I was 

conscious of the need of God's power to 

give harmony 

and prayed that God 

would show me my part in the discord. 

My habit in those days was to read por 

tions of the Bible at three periods of the 

day. In these readings I was halted by 

this verse Proverbs 22:10 "Cast out 

the scorner and contention will go out; 

yea reproach and strife shall The 

cease." 

Holy Spirit enabled me to see myself in 

the role of Scorner and furthermore He 

enabled me to change my attitude. 

Proof 

Two years later we two, in 

the Providence of God, lived together 

again but this time there was harmony 

the work of God's Spirit through the 

applied Word of His grace. 

This lesson is faithfully brought to 

my remembrance as occasion requires 

for which I praise God through Jesus 

Christ my Lord and Saviour. 

OPEN LETTER 

Do We Dare Lose Our Lifef 

"For whosoever will save his life shall 

lose it; and whosoever will lose his life 

for my sake shall find it." Mat. 16:25. 

I've been interested in Dr. Taggart's 

articles on, 

Taking 

a dare. And I've 

been wondering if we as a church are 

willing to take the dare of this verse 

Matt. 16:25. We have been so concerned 

trying to save our selves that we are 

in danger of losing our life. We get so 

alarmed over the fact that the church 

might die that we forget that we are 

in a much bigger fight than merely 

keeping the Covenanter church in exist 

ence. In the first place we don't need to 

worry about the truth dying. God takes 

care that it doesn't die. The Jews pre 

served the truths of the Old Testament 

336 

through hundreds of years. They be 

came so zealous in keeping the church 

that they killed the 'Messiah they had 

been looking for through the centuries. 

The Jewish church had served it's pur 

pose, but the truth went on living in 

the Christian church. During the dark 

ages a little group of Waldenses held 

on to the true teachings of the apostles. 

That truth was taken up by the reform 

ers, Luther, Huss, Knox and the rest. 

So we don't need to be afraid that the 

truth our church holds will die. But the 

church as an organization can die and 

will, if we in our efforts to save our 

selves lose sight of the fact that we have 

a much bigger task to do. 

We are in a struggle that takes in 

the whole world, Satan against God; 

evil against good. Are we in there fight 

ing for all we are worth Or are we so 

busy being jealous of who is going to 

get the credit, or making sure that if a 

soul is won it must be for our congrega 

tion so we can report it, that we fail; 

to win any one Are we thinking of 

advancing the cause of the kingdom or 

of our own pride and prestige Are 

we just as willing to work for the 

kingdom where we see work to be done 

even though no one but the Lord knows 

about it 

Satan has not gone to sleep. He is 

fighting for all he is worth and it's 

amazing how much his followers will 

sacrifice for the cause of evil. The Com 

munist fights with zeal. The liquor in 

terests never lose a trick. While so 

many protestant churches dally around 

taking it easy, chiefly concerned in try 

ing to keep up with the Joneses. We talk 

about the nation being blind to the 

Bible truths. It's easy to put the re 

sponsibility on the rulers of our country, 

but the nation is made up of people. The 

Christian church must sound the alarm, 

wake people up to the great need of 

Christian living and sacrifice. We talk 

from the pulpit but do nothing about it 

when no change of life is made. We are 

afraid to upset the apple cart. We know 

not where the waves might reach, per 

haps to some influential member. We 

need Christians that are born-again to 

spread the gospel of love, not only in for 

eign fields but in our own country. I think 

we need some shouting preachers, at least 

some that talk as if the cause is urgent. 

But too often it seems the sermon is just 

another chore for the week and it 

doesn't make too much difference 

whether people are in the fight or not. 

Do you wonder why Billy Graham is a 

success Well, part of it is because he 

talks as if he really has a message 

that must be put across with no time 

more 

to lose. He makes people feel that they 

are sitting on a keg of dynamite. Sam 

Boyle has the fighting spirit. We need 

of it. Nothing 

suits Satan better 

than take-it-easy talks and methods. 

The attitude that seems to say, "Let's 

stay 

on our own little island and be 

good and let the rest of the world go 

by." 

It doesn't work. Unless we get into 

the fight we lose our own goodness. He 

who would find his life must lose it 

for My sake. 

If the Covenanter church forgets the 

big fight in their efforts to hold the 

members we have, if we spend all our 

time and money trying to keep members 

in bounds and pay 

preachers to holeup 

somewhere, where there are no 

people to reach, if we think we can 

revive ourselves by signing a Covenant 

when we know & 

great many 

of our 

members weren't keeping the Covenant 

they had taken when they joined the 

church; then it's time for us to wake 

up. We have long consoled ourselves 

with the story of Gideon and his three 

hundred. The story is good, but remem 

ber the three hundred soldiers that were 

left were the most alert men of Israel. 

Is that true of our Covenanter church 

es If so, some of them are low enough 

now that they should get started in the 

other direction. 

Why don't we send our Home Mis 

sionary Superintendent and other min 

isters out into new settlements, buy 

them a house and let them start a mis 

sion Sabbath school in the basement 

and work to get a church started. Some 

ministers in our church have done it. 

Baptist and other churches are doing 

it all the time. One town on Long Island 

has grown from forty to four thousand 

in only a few years. The same thing is 

happening around all our cities. Are 

we too far gone to take the dare and 

really get into the fight Only alert, 

born-again Christians would be interest 

ed in this kind of a project. And if a 

few people did the work would some of 

us be jealous if they succeeded, instead 

of rejoicing in the work done Of 

course if we sat down and talked it 

over from a business stand point we 

would shake in our boots and say it 

isn't practical. That's right, it isn't. 

It would take faith. We 

talk about 

faith. Do we have it Are we willing 

to lose our life Are we enough in 

earnest to put away jealousies, pride, 

and our own easy life If we are not, 

remember the words of our text, "For 

whosoever will save his life shall lose 

it. "And that is God's Word. 

Jean L. McFarland. 

COVENANTER WITNESS



VOLUME LIV WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 1955 NUMBER 22 

WELCOME... 

It is a great pleasure for 

rae, on behalf of Geneva 

College, to extend a cordial 

invitation to you to our 

beautiful 

campus for the 

meeting 

of the Reformed 

Presbyterian Synod. 

I trust I will have the 

pleasure of visiting with 

many of you personally. It 

is our sincere hope that 

your visit with us will be 

both profitable and enjoy 

able. 

Charles M. Lee, LL.D. 

President 

"Old Main"

wrought" 

about." 



Luther Film Banned 

The Board of Review for Motion Pictures of the Philip 

pine Islands has banned the Martin Luther film. However, 

in order to ease the ban somewhat, President Magsaysay 

has authorized the showing of the film in Protestant church 

buildings. The chairman of the Board of Review, in an 

effort to justify the board's action, said: "The flim glorifies 

one religion at the expense of another." 

No Bible Credits in Arizona 

The Superintendent of Public Instruction in Arizona 

asked: "May a (public) high school give credit to pupils for 

classes that are non-denominational in nature but deal only 

with historical aspects of the Bible" The State Attorney 

General answered this question in the negative and claimed 

that his ruling was based on the constitution of Arizona. 

shoulder on the concrete terraces as is the custom of Brit 

ish soccer fans. The total number of decisions for Christ 

throughout the Crusade was 52,253. The total attendance at 

crusade meetings and relay 

services was 2,647,365. 

Mr. Graham is scheduled to hold meetings this summer 

in France, Switzerland, Germany, Holland, Norway and 

Sweden. Interpreters in five languages are now 

being 

chosen. George Beverly Shea has begun learning solos in 

five languages. 

If we had been told a few years ago that in this year 

there would be 

held evangelistic meetings which would 

reach hundreds of thousands and even millions we would 

have thought the suggestion unbelievable. "What hath God 

Mr. Graham said that, "whoever described the Scottish 

people as 'dour' did not know what he was talking 

Niemoeller Resigns 

Pastor Martin Niemoeller has notified the German 

Evangelical church leaders that he is resigning from all 

duties in the church's governing organization. He stated 

that he was doing this. because of criticism of his work by 

the General Synod of Protestant Churches which was re 

cently meeting in Weimar, East Germany. Niemoeller has 

actively opposed West German rearmament. Protestant 

authorities said that their criticism referred mainly to the 

pastor's handling of administrative matters. 

Broadcasting in Korea 

Early in May a missionary, Tom Watson, flew from the 

U.S.A. to South Korea to acquire property for a new radio 

station. Cash and pledges have been received for one third 

of the amount needed to construct the new broadcasting 

station. It is to be a 20,000 watt station and is intended to 

broadcast the gospel behind the bamboo curtain to China, 

Manchuria, Siberia, Mongolia and North Korea in the lan 

guages of those lands. It is two years since Mr. Watson be 

gan to negotiate with the Syngman Rhee government to 

secure a license for this project. 

Mennonite Gains Citizenship 

Complying with an order of the U. S. Supreme Court 

in February 1954, the Superior Court of Fresno, California, 

has granted citizenship to Mr. Arthur Jost, Mennonite of 

Reedley, California. This is the end of a legal battle which 

has been going on for three years. It is said to be the first 

application for citizenship contested under the McCarran 

Act of 1950 to be granted. 

Mr. Jost's earlier applications had been rejected because 

he refused on religious grounds to agree to bear arms for 

his country. In the oath asked of him he was required to 

swear to support the Constitution, but no reference was 

made in it to bear arms or do non-combatant work in the 

case of a national emergency. He is a native of Canada and 

a member of the Mennonite Brethren in Christ Church. He 

served four years during World War II as a conscientious 

objector in civilian forestry camps and hospitals. 

DeShazer in U.S.A. 

A well-known missionary in Japan, Jacob DeShazer, 

former Doolittle bombbardier, is now in the U. S. on fur 

lough and to hold a series of meetings. He expects, later, to 

enter Asbury Theological Seminary 

Graham Meetings in Scotland 

for advanced study. 

The largest attendance records in the history of Billy 

Graham's evangelistic ministry were broken on April 30, the 

closing day of the Scotland Crusade, when 113,000 crowded 

into Hampden Stadium. Only 14,000 of the great crowd had 

seats. The greater part of the crowd stood shoulder to 

338 

Romanism in Argentina 

Those who are acquainted with the problem of the 

Peron regime as over against the Roman Catholic Church 

believe that there will be a separation of church and state 

in Argentina. There is an intense campaign going on led by 

the pro-Peron newspapers for a constitutional change dis 

establishing the Catholic Church. (Later, this separation 

has now been affected by an overwhelming vote. Editor.) 

Waldensian Celebration 

The Waldensian church celebrated the 100th anniver 

sary of the establishment in Rome of the Waldensian 

Theological College, which is the oldest seminary in Italy 

for the training of Protestant pastors. The Waldensian 

church did not obtain religious and political recognition in 

Italy until 1848, though it is the oldest and largest non- 

Catholic group in that country. The Waldensian church is 

named after Pietro Waldo, who was once a rich merchant of 

Lyons, but who in 1170 gave up his possessions and began 

the itinerant work of a minister. 

Would Ban Liquor Ads 

The House of Representatives of Maine has voted by a 

majority of 90-17 to ask Congress to forbid all liquor adver 

tising 

on TV and radio. One of those who promoted this ac 

tion stated that "liquor advertising is bringing the saloon 

atmosphere into the home." 


COVENANTER WITNESS

. 

SUN 



ON THE FENCE 

Will President Eisenhower run again in 1956 Republi 

can leaders seem to have growing doubts. Continued oppo 

sition from right-wing Republicans is making Eisenhower's 

position less attractive, and removing any feeling of obli 

gation to the party. Mrs. Eisenhower is not in vigorous 

health and she and the President are increasingly attached 

to their country home near Gettysburg, Pa. Some are al 

ready referring to their choice as the "Battle of Gettys 

burg." 

The biggest worry of Republican leaders is that they 

have no other good candidate in sight. Public opinion polls 

indicate that Adlai Stevenson can win over any Republican 

except Eisenhower. Even if the President has made his 

decision, he is not likely to announce it before the adjourn 

ment of Congress, since the prevailing doubt increases his 

political leverage. 

SERVICE RECORDS 

One of the biggest headaches of the armed services has 

been the handling of the records of discharged servicemen. 

A tremendous storehouse now is being built near St. Louis 

to bring all these records together in good order. The build 

ing will contain the files of over 25 million persons who 

have seen service in the last fifty years. The six-story 

structure will have thirty-five acres of floor space, making 

it one of the largest filing centers in the world. Anyone's 

record will be available within ten minutes. Many organiza 

tional documents, such as morning reports and sick books, 

will be preserved on microfilm. The new center will cost 

about $15 million and will begin operations with a staff of 

2,500, mostly civilians. 

POLIO BUNGLING 

Regardless of the final outcome, there is no denying 

that the polio vaccine program has been seriously mis 

handled. The U. S. Public Health Service apparently was 

unprepared to deal with the matter and took no action 

until the Francis report was released. It then acted as if 

there were no doubt whatever of the safety 

and effective 

ness of the vaccine, until polio cases began to appear among 

the vaccinated children. None of the subsequent shifts in 

policy have been adequately explained, and the whole pic 

ture is very confused. Parents are torn between the desire 

to protect their children from polio and the fear that the 

vaccine is not safe. Apparently this year's vaccine has not 

been as thoroughly tested as that used in last year's ex 

periments. Unfortunately, the whole matter has now become 

a political issue, in recent years the Public Health Service 

has suffered from economy cuts, and Mrs. Hobby, the Sec 

retary of Health, Education and Welfare, is now under fire. 

The Administration still opposes federal control over vaccine 

distribution. 

STATE VS. CHURCH 

Dictator President Juan Peron of Argentina has 

turned his campaign against the Roman Catholic Church 

into an all-out war. Many priests have been arrested and re 

ligious organizations disbanded, and the teaching of the 

Catholic religion in the public schools has been stopped. 

June 1, 1955 

Peron has secured legislation legalizing divorce, prostitution, 

and illegitimacy, in defiance of the standards of the Church. 

Now both houses of the Argentine Congress have voted for 

complete separation of church and state, ending the official 

status which the Catholic Church has always had in Ar 

gentina. It will be interesting to see whether Peron's attack 

on the Church strengthens or weakens his hold on the peo 

ple. Ninety-three per cent of the Argentine people are 

Catholic, but many of these, especially in the cities, have 

only a nominal faith. 

POWER 

A scientist in Israel has made discoveries which may 

lead to the world's first practical power plant using solar 

heat. He has found a way to treat black metal plates so 

that they will retain nearly all the heat they receive from 

the sun. Water pipes will be placed under the plates to 

produce steam for power. It is estimated that sixteen per 

cent of the sun's energy could thus be converted into pow 

er, 

and that the process would be no more expensive than 

conventional sources of power. Solar power has been tried 

before, but always proved inefficient. The idea is a good one 

because our conventional fuels will not last more than one 

more century at the present rate of consumption. Israel will 

start a pilot plant this summer to test the process. 

AT THE SUMMIT 

It seems that a Big Four conference definitely 

will be 

held this summer, though the time and place are not yet 

decided. The invitation came from the Western powers as 

they met at Paris to receive West Germany into NATO 

membership. Soviet Russia promptly accepted, but continues 

to charge us with obstructing the peace. Before the chiefs 

of state gather there will be a preliminary meeting of for 

eign ministers. It is doubtful, however, whether there can 

be any advance agreement on an agenda. The problem of 

Germany surely will be discussed, but there is no good 

prospect of an agreement on unification. Disarmament and 

atomic controls also are likely to be considered. Both sides 

are maneuvering to strengthen their positions before the 

talks begin. The last few months have brought great im 

provements in the unity and defense of western Europe, and 

President Eisenhower has promised that he will not follow 

any policy of appeasement. 

ATOMIC CONTROLS 

After twelve weeks, the U. N. subcommittee on dis 

armament has suspended a five-power meeting in London, 

without any definite achievement. The Russians helped to 

sabotage the conference by breaking the rule of secrecy on 

the negotiations. But Jacob Malik, the Soviet delegate, 

made proposals which indicated some change in the Russian 

position. He suggested a complete ban on the manufacture 

and use of atomic weapons. First all countries would pool 

information on their armaments and agree not to increase 

them. The U. S., Russia, and Red China would be allowed 

one and a half million men each. Then in 1957, the produc 

tion of atomic weapons would be stopped and existing bombs 


339

. This 

earth." 

Editorial Notes 


Synod's Budget. It was raised in full plus anoth 

er $12,500. An astonishing record! For this we 

should raise our song with thankful hearts. Tlie 

response of local congregations and of individuals all 

over the church has been most heartening. This, for 

one thing, was an answer to prayer, for there were 

many praying for this. For another thing it was a 

human response to the challenge flung out to the 

church by Mr. Boyle in his articles in the December 

Missionary Number. The 2,000 members did not need 

to borrow $60 each to pay more than $122,000 to 

Synod's treasurer. They did it without borrowing. 

This is an evidence of the working of the Holy Spirit 

in the minds and hearts of His people. The Spirit 

works through and uses human instruments. The 

self-denying giving on the part of some stirred many 

to action who had been satisfied to let their stand 

ard of giving be what it had been in previous years. 

Too often the members of the financial board of a 

congregation feel no responsibility for challenging 

the congregation to greater efforts for the support 

of the different departments of the church's work. 

The church needs leaders in the local congregations 

who will have a sense of responsibility for the work 

of the church at large. 

There has been no such outpouring of money for 

the different departments of the church's work since 

the Great Depression which began late in 1929. Back 

in the 1920's large sums of money were freely given. 

In one year, perhaps it was 1926, the amount desig 

nated in Synod's budget for foreign missions alone 

was about $105,000. Those were days too when we 

sent too much money to the fields, for the native 

people came to expect every thing from the Mission. 

The times of stringency in the home church did not 

prove an unmixed evil, if it was evil at all. "And we 

know that to them that love God all things work to 

good." 

gether for 

Another Missionary to Japan. Synod adopted a 

recommendation authorizing the Board of Foreign 

Missions to appoint and send to Japan not later than 

September of 1955 one more ordained minister, pro 

viding that Synod's budget be oversubscribed by 

$5,000. That provision has been met. We understand 

that Gene Spear has received the appointment, and 

that reservations for the Boyles and the Spears have 

been made on a passenger ship sailing from Seattle 

August 3, 1955. Thus there are two families to sail 

for Japan: Mr. and Mrs. Boyle and four children, 

Mr. and Mrs. Spear and two children, a party of ten. 

This band of missionaries needs to be undergirded 

with our prayers. 

News Items from Cyprus. A committee of the 

Cyprus Mission is preparing a Bible Syllabus for the 

Academies . . . Mr. Christou has completed the trans 

lation of one version of each of the Psalms. This 

probably means versification. After being checked 

this will be ready for the printer . . . The Christian 

Herald Tour under the direction of Dr. and Mrs. 

Daniel Poling will stop for a day at Cyprus. Plans 

are afoot for a meeting with the leaders of that Tour 

summer it is planned to hold the Cyprus- 

Syria Missionary Conference in Syria . . . H. H. 

Memour having completed his three years in the 

European Bible Institute in Paris is expected back in 

Cyprus to work in the school and among his own peo 

ple. His article on the work of the European Bible 

Institute, which appeared in the Larnaca Academy 

Herald, is published on another page of this issue. 

MISSIONARY FACTS from page 341 

while she lingers other forces 

religious and secular 

engage in missionary activities that rival her own 

in the quest for men's loyalties. Communism is mis 

sionary from start to finish. Big business is mission 

ary. Nowhere is the climate too disagreeable or are 

the people too backward for the great corporations 

to send their missionaries in the interest of "the 

almighty dollar." 

Conversions to Christianity are barely exceed 

ing the increase of the pagan population. There are 

thought to be about 700 million professed Christians 

(Protestants, Roman Catholics, et al.) out of a world 

population of 2,430,000,000. To realize that the 

greater percentage of these 700 million know noth 

ing of regeneration in Christ is to see more clearly 

the gravity 

of the picture. 

The word missions stands for a global enter 

prise at once home and foreign. He who would win 

for Christ the people of distant lands will also be an 

evangel in the community where he lives. The Chris 

tian who is consecrated to the task in his immediate 

surroundings is also the first to catch the vision of 

carrying the gospel "to the uttermost part of the 

CURRENT EVENTS . 

from 

page 339 

destroyed. The Allies have advocated some of these ideas for 

several years. However, the Reds still refuse to admit any 

system of inspection and control which we would consider 

adequate. They 

would also put the whole plan under the 

Security Council, where they have a veto. The new pro 

posals probably justify more negotiation, but they do not 

offer any immediate hope for atomic disarmament. 






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Kansaf 

COVENANTER WITNESS

out" 

Facts Every Christian Know 

O. D. Johnson 

Secretary, Christian Missionary Fellowship, in "United Evangelical Action," Used by permission. 

(Continued from last Missionary Number) 

Everyone understands that missionaries must 

draw their salaries from homeland sources. It needs 

to be understood, however, that a missionary's per 

sonal salary is only part of his financial support. 

Other necessary items include his insurance or re 

tirement fund, deposit for furlough ship fare, medi 

cal needs, field expenses in connection with his resi 

dence and 

work, 

and some expenses in the homeland. 

Notwithstanding the outlay of money required 

to keep missionaries on foreign fields, it is still far 

cheaper in terms of cold cash to evangelize than to 

militarize. In the fiscal year 1950 United States mili 

tary personnel on active duty totaled 3,249,455. With 

a total military budget of $44,633,000,000 for that 

year, this figures to an average of about $13,735 for 

each person in service. Depending on fields and mis 

sions, the same amount could provide the annual 

support from five to nine missionaries. 

A fairly accurate report shows the total giving 

of American churches to foreign missions for a re 

cent year was $56,567,292, or $1.33 per member. 

Evangelicals, who are substantially responsible for 

the increase of missionary ranks in recent years, are 

giving far more than this per member. Still one won 

ders if anyone is really giving sacrificially to provide 

a gospel witness for all nations and to bring back the 

King. 

Every Christian must think in terms of what he 

individually is doing for world missions. One must 

face up to the question, how much am I giving for 

missions Interestingly enough, 

in 

churches which are 

the forefront in missionary giving are those 

which constantly confront their members with this 

very question. Personalized underwriting of mission 

aries by individuals and groups and individuals with 

in the congregation is the method that results in 

both maximum giving and maximum blessing to the 

giver. 

The Shortage of Personnel 

There is always a shortage of qualified and will 

ing men and women to serve overseas. "But are there 

not always more missionary volunteers than can be 

sent someone is sure to ask. That is true, but 

we are speaking of those who are both qualified and 

willing. Mission boards are not tyrants because they 

insist upon high standards for candidates. It is for 

everyone's good and certainly it is in harmony with 

the teaching of the Holy Spirit. 

The shortage of manpower 

literally manpower 

on the mission fields represents the most acute 

of all personnel needs. Mission agencies send out 

from 50 to 200 per cent more women than men. Yet 

the cultural patterns of most non-Christian societies 

is such that they respect men far more than women. 

It is even truer abroad than in this country that to 

win a man is to win a family. Surely the inequity in 

June 1, 1955 

the comparative numbers of men and women mis 

sionaries is not God's doing 

His will. 

nor in accordance with 

Non-professional Opportunities 

There are many people for whom it would be 

poor stewardship to attempt to go to a mission field. 

These folk need to find their place in an army of 

specially dedicated missionary boosters in the home 

land. 

First, these volunteers could become effective 

prayer partners with different missionaries. Their 

own interest and closeness to missions qualifies 

them for this in a special way. Then in their own 

homes they could do much. They could make their 

homes a meeting place for missionaries on deputa 

tion and people who are lacking in missionary vision. 

People who think they don't believe in foreign mis 

sions have a way of changing their minds when they 

get acquainted with a missionary through an infor 

mal visit and find his zeal is catching. 

This volunteer army should include many, yes 

every, minister. The effective promotion of missions 

in a local church is both an art and a science which 

all too few ministers ever master. Yet the minister, 

more than anyone else, can determine just how great 

the missionary commitment of the congregation will 

be. With a minister who has paid the price of learn 

ing how to put over a missionary program, no con 

gregation can remain indifferent to its obligation. 

There is another great field of opportunity 

among the 31,000 or more foreign students who are 

studying in the colleges and universities of the na 

tion. Many of these wander as sheep without a shep 

herd, having abandoned the old orthodoxy of their 

native non-Christian religions and having found 

nothing to take their place. It is easy for them to 

see, if not to assimilate, the worst and most profane 

aspects of American life and never to come in con 

tact with the vital Christianity that made this coun 

try great. Christians having access to these students 

could find a worthy ministry in presenting to them 

the evidences of Christianity. 

There is even a missionary opportunity for 

Christians serving overseas in secular posts, for 

those in military service, other governmental duties, 

and in commercial activities. These people cannot 

take the place of full-time missionaries, but they 

have some entrees never offered to regular mission 

aries. One church has been known to hold a com 

missioning service for one of its families which went 

abroad in the employ of a large business corporation. 

Others could well follow this example. 

The Immensity 

of the Task 

The Christian church is making painfully slow 

progress in accomplishing her evangelistic task. And 

(Concluded on opposite page) 

341

J;arjan 

P 

Highlights of a Year 


Thankful to God for His mercy in granting 

daily strength for daily needs, I have come to the 

end of a year of work, for most of which I was illfitted 

because of inexperience and lack of training. 

One afternoon a week was spent in going to Ichino 

tani for the meeting for women and part of another 

afternoon at the Shinoda home for a second group of 

women. Most of the remainder of the week was spent 

on Book Room business. 

A two weeks rest in a Japanese farm home, 

time out for a conference, the usual holidays, and 

two days in bed in February, kept me in working 

form until Miss Lynn returned and took over the 

Book Room. 

The work with the women's classes has been most 

satisfying, though the attendance was small; this 

was largely because I had no time to call on some who 

would have been interested in studying the Bible. 

One class completed Mark and are beginning Philip 

pians : the other class studied Hebrews and are now 

on Romans. They are so eager and intelligent that 

it was necessary to study Commentaries and Theo 

logical books in preparation ; usually they spent an 

other hour after class asking questions and discuss 

ing difficult points. 

Mrs. Nitta and Mrs. Takihara have been faith 

fully passing on what they have learned, as they go 

to Hospitals and homes to teach. In talking with oth 

ers about their need of salvation, of comfort, or of 

help, they turn readily to chapter and verse in their 

well-marked Bibles. Mrs. Takihara has experienced 

so much of the love and goodness and power of God 

in the life of her family that she bubbles over with 

praise and thanksgiving to God. Mrs. Nitta has been 

a teacher and will soon be given a class to teach. 

Since Mr. Masunaga was laid aside by illness in 

June, Mrs. Oonishi has been my interpreter, and is 

an excellent one. She insists on doing this without 

pay because she says God has made this Bible study 

a great blessing to her. 

The Children's Bible class at Chashi, on Friday 

evenings, was continued through the year with at 

tendance averaging 35 or 40. With ages varying 

from four to fourteen, besides one or two women, it 

was an achievement worthy of note for my interpre 

ter to hold the interest of all to the end of the les 

son, and to the end of the year. Mr. Masunaga was a 

most efficient interpreter until his illness made it 

necessary to have a young college student ; he began 

with fear and trembling, but improved with experi 

ence. Several of the older children have professed 

faith in Jesus Christ, and should be in a special class. 

Vacation Bible Schools were held as usual dur 

ing the summer. Mr. Katayama, Mrs. Nitta and oth 

ers had charge of the one at Ichinotani. Mr. Kata 

yama, Mrs. Hansen and others gave much help at 

Chashi, so that it was not too burdensome to any. 

Work on the Japanese Psalter was somewhat 

neglected, though quite a number of new Psalms 

342 

have been completed, and Mr. Takase has several in 

meter that I have not had time to check or find suit 

able music. All or part of 

seventy Psalms have been 

prepared, and when divided into portions for singing 

make about a hundred numbers. The Church group 

in Suma plan to set aside twenty thousand Yen 

(about $55.00) from their budget for the printing 

of the Psalter. If this proves to be a rolling snowball 

in a deep snow, the printing might begin in a few 

months. 

My few short years here in Japan years which 

seem to pass with accelerating speed as one nears 

have been filled with satisfying 

"quitting time" 

service and happy Christian fellowship ; and it is my 

hope and prayer that the work I have tried to do, 

may soon be carried on by those who can do it in 

their own tongue. 

"THY RIGHT HAND HATH HOLDEN ME UP" 

By David Hansen 

The Lord has been pleased to use this mission 

during the past year. He has allowed us to win souls, 

to guide another infant congregation, to comfort and 

help many who were in need spiritually and physi 

cally, and to fill a need for good literature to help the 

Japanese pastors in their teaching. 

We have had a reasonable amount of harmony 

among ourselves, and with the Japanese brethren. 

We have had to contend with Satan constantly for 

every new step which we have taken has been a 

struggle to maintain, but we have had the Lord's 

strength accomplishing that which we have been too 

weak to do. Thanks to Him we are acquiring a group 

of young men who will be able to take over the work 

here, and who will, I think, remain true to their con 

victions concerning our church's principles. One, Mr. 

Katayama, has finished seminary and is now study 

ing with me for a year or so. Another is in his first 

year of seminary. Two others are in college but are 

planning on entering seminary. The increase in the 

congregation has been small but steady, and is a 

constant proof that our church needs to make no 

sacrifice in principles in order to operate a mission. 

Personally the study of the language has been 

my major task and also my major cause for lament 

ing. After a year's study I can say very little more 

in Japanese and much less in English. I can under 

stand a little of what I hear others speaking, but not 

to the extent that I've ever been able to overhear 

anyone making a complimentary 

remark about my 

Japanese ; I keep listening though. I spent one year 

with three hours per day in classes plus three in 

preparation, but this second year I have cut down 

to two hours plus preparation. I figure it shouldn't 

take any more than that to polish off my ignorance. 

I have moved my headquarters to a village in 

the mountains near Kobe called SUZURANDAI. 

Here there is a population of some 5000 and no other 

Christian influence. The Lord willing I hope to make 

COVENANTER WITNESS

it the start of a new congregation just as the one 

was started in Ichinotani by the Boyles. There is no 

worship service yet at Suzurandai but there is a 

Sabbath School with a good attendance, plus Bible 

Classes in Japanese on Monday and Wednesday eve 

nings, and in English on Friday evenings. Tuesday 

evenings I taught a Bible class in English at the Book 

Room and on Saturday evening a Bible class in 

English in a nearby town. Mr. Chao, Mr. Katayama, 

and I, alternately preach at the Ichinotani church 

service, which makes little burden upon any of us, 

yet my time seems to be pretty well taken up with 

these things plus visiting the people and teaching 

Mr. Katayama. 

It is our constant prayer that God will send us 

other workers to help in such a fertile field as this 

one seems to be. My earlier fears that the door in 

Japan would soon be closed seem somewhat ground 

less. The situation here in regard to the relations be 

tween the government and the Christian missionary 

have not changed to any noticeable degree since my 

arrival. During this year we have had the same free 

dom to worship and carry on our activities as you at 

home have had, and we all recognize the Lord's 

hand in bringing this to pass. So it is with hearts 

full of praise and thankfulness to God that we make 

this report on the past year's work. 

Sincerely, 

OBUKAMIKOYASUBA, YAMADA-CHO, 

HYOCO-KU, KOBE 

By Rev. David D. Hansen 

If you've looked at the address up above, you 

will notice that we have moved to a new place. We 

can at least be thankful that we don't have a street 

name other than the 12-1, or the name would be 

much longer. One day in January we were looking 

through the ads in the newspaper and noticed an ad 

for a western style house in a village not too far 

away. The rent was only half as much as the rent for 

the apartment in which we were living so we 

thought it was a mistake, but just to make sure we 

went out to check. It turned out to be only about half 

an hour's electric train ride from downtown Kobe 

and was a village of about 5,000 population. The 

house was built 30 years ago or so by a foreigner and 

is still in pretty good shape. There were no other 

missionaries or churches in the town so we promptly 

moved in. Of course, there are the ever present tem 

ples and shrines, but no Christian influence. 

The day after we rented the place, we tried driv 

ing out to it by car. It's a good thing that it wasn't 

the day before or we would never have rented it. 

That road defies description. One often follows a 

cow-drawn cart for a good long way before finding a 

place wide enough to go around it. I thought it was 

about as narrow as it could get but now they have 

dug a ditch along one side of it for laying pipe and 

that leaves it only 2/3 as wide as before and we can 

still squeeze through. 

For all of the inconvenience though, it is a plea 

sure to make the trip by car for the houses along 

the way are all typical Japanese country houses. 

There are high thatched roofs made of rice straw 

laid a couple of feet thick. These are always trimmed 

June 1, 1955 

very neatly so look quite nice and I hear they 

better than the tile roof for they keep the house 

are far 

warmer in winter and cooler in summer. I suppose 

you've seen pictures of Japanese trees on postcards 

or in your geography books; they always looked 

quite weird and distorted to me. But here all of the 

trees except on the mountain side are of that odd 

shape and the people go to great pains to trim them 

to look that way. Then these country homes always 

have a wide front covered with nothing but shoji 

doors. A shoji door is a sliding wooden framework 

covered with very white paper. The paper is opaque 

so one can see the wooden frame through it and it 

presents quite a pleasing appearance. All along the 

way are terraced rice paddies terraced because this 

village is in the mountains 

and sometimes one sees 

a farmer plowing with a wooden plow behind the 

family cow. 

Children are surely in abundance here. Of 

course, we wanted to start a Sabbath School right 

away so gave out a few invitations. The first day 

about 70 showed up so we're afraid to give out many 

invitations before we have a place fixed for them 

to meet. After the weather warms up perhaps we 

can meet out in the garden which is adjacent to the 

house and then it won't matter too much how many 

come. Kizumi-san, who works at the Book Room, is 

teaching them with the use of flannelgraphs and 

some Psalm charts. Masunaga-san, the interpreter, 

is also helping with the duties equivalent to our S. S. 

Superintendent. Every week they receive an old 

Christmas card with a Bible verse mimeographed on 

the back and they are memorizing these verses. 

Then also, we send a tract home with them each 

week for the parents. People who wouldn't take them 

from us will take them from their children and read 

them. 

Some of the children have requested a Bible 

class in English which is an opportunity that I've 

been waiting for. Always these people want to 

study English and sooner or later they request a 

class themselves. Since I'm here to teach the Bible 

they naturally settle for a Bible class, and from 

these classes come those who make up the congrega 

tion later. 

Former Students' Column 

THE GOAL OF THE E. B. I. 

By H. H. Memour 

The European Bible Institute was founded by 

Robert P. Evans about four years ago. Mr. Evans 

was a chaplain in the American Navy during the Sec 

ond World War and during those years he spent 

some time in Europe. While there he saw the great 

need of the Continent for Christian Leadership and 

True Christian Education. Through those circum 

stances the Lord burdened him with the need of 

Europe. Gradually, this burden developed into a 

great desire to found a Bible School, where young 

men and women from Europe, who could not afford 

to go elsewhere for studies, could attend very easily 

at home, and prepare themselves for the Service of 

the Lord. By the year 1952 Mr. Evans was in Europe 

343

out." 

again and began to search for a place a building 

which was to be used as a school. After some time 

the Lord, in a marvelous way, led him to buy the 

present building which is in a town in the suburbs of 

Paris, a place easily accessible from the city itself. 

Fortunately the E.B.I, faculty gives as great 

importance to practical teachings as to theoretical. 

Since the time when the E.B.I. began operating, stu 

dents going out have founded about sixteen to twen 

ty children's classes, where the Bible is taught by 

means of flannelgraph. Schools here in France are 

closed on Thursday afternoons and availing our 

selves of this opportunity we have founded Thurs 

day Clubs where we teach children about the Bread 

of Life. In these clubs, from time to time, we have 

the joy of seeing some of the children come forth 

and give their lives to Christ. 

Time and again I have been challenged 

by the 

great need that there is for the Gospel of Christ in 

Europe and particularly by the great need in France. 

Every Monday afternoon we make door-to-door calls 

here in our own locality and many times we are sur 

prised to see how little people know about the Bible ; 

in some cases we even find people who do not know 

what the Bible is. So -the need is indeed great, but 

the labourers are few. It is for this purpose that the 

E.B.I, stands today, namely, for preparing young 

men and women who will go out and preach the Gos 

pel without fear and without shame. 

Dear Reader, does not this stir you to pray for 

France I hope it does. If it does, then pray particu 

larly for the E.B.I, whose goal is to prepare men and 

women to meet this great need. Pray that God may 

send more French students to E.B.I, and that those 

of us who are already here may be used in a mighty 

way for the Salvation of many a precious soul. Pray 

particularly for a spirit of unity among the faculty 

members and the students, for more moral integ 

rity and sanctified lives before the Lord, for we real 

ize that all our strength lies therein. We firmly 

believe that unless the truth of Romans 12:1, 2 is 

realized in the lives of each one of us we are abso 

lutely helpless. 

Thus far the information I have given is for the 

purpose of laying a burden for prayer upon Christian 

brothers and sisters who desire to see the advance 

ment of His Kingdom on this earth, but in closing 

I want to write a word or two to those of you who 

have not yet decided what to do with your lives. Out 

of eleven years of personal experience in the Chris 

tian Life I can say with conviction that the 

greatest investment a person can make is to give 

himself or herself for the Service of the King of 

kings and Lord of lords. But before yau can have a 

desire to serve Him you must allow Him to come 

into your life and fill you with His joy and peace and 

reconcile you to God, for that is the first thing He 

would like to do. You who have sought your joy and 

peace in the pleasures of the world, the material 

things, or even in a religion, but have not as yet 

found them and you are still struggling desperately 

and helplessly and you may be frustrated, won't you 

at this moment try Him Jesus of whom you may 

never have thought before I am sure He will not 

disappoint you, for He has said in His Word, John 

6:37b, "Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise 

cast 

344 

Academy Herald, Larnaca, Cyprus 

OBSTACLES: CHECKMATE OR CHALLENGE 


Our Boys' school here in Latakia is still carry 

on with the usual classes, beginning with the 

ing 

First grade. The ninth class boys, take the second 

official examination, and the larger per cent of them 

do not go on to any school. This is considered a stand 

ard of education here, 

much as the popular con 

ception of a High School education is considered in 

U.S.A. A few students, however, take another year 

with us, and in this way complete our High School 

course, if they have taken the High School course, 

and thus learned enough English to study mathe 

matics, geography and sciences in this language. 

Our attendance is all that we could wish for 

with the room space we have at our disposal. We 

even refuse some students in certain classes 'because 

of lack of space, but do not refuse until we have 

about 40 in a class. Most of our rooms are as big as 

office rooms in schools in U.S.A. and not large like 

classrooms there. If we had such rooms here we 

would use them for assembly rooms. Our school is 

considered one of the four Boys Schools of the town, 

for secondary education, i.e. of High School level, 

and one of several more for elementary education. 

For a few years after the war, we were able to 

expand our school some and put in a good High 

School course, and add a class so that we could pre 

pare students for the second government examina 

tion, mentioned above. We were then visited by dep 

utations from the American colleges of Syria and 

Lebanon to see what our scholastic standing would 

be considered in their eyes. We were told that they 

would accept our graduates from High School in 

their Freshman class without examination, for the 

present. We were also told that we must improve 

our laboratory and library, or would likely lose 

standing with them. We improved these two some, 

but not enough, so three years ago we lost this 

standing with the American University of Bierut, 

Lebanon; and last year with 

Aleppo, Syria; and 

American Junior college. We need a good large room 

for both, then some equipment for the same. This 

room does not seem available, unless we build. 

Since the war we have spent a fair amount of 

money in repairs of rooms and buildings but have 

not built any new ones. Some of these repairs have 

been rather extensive, as we put on new roofs, to 

replace old clay ones. The new7 ones are flat, 

re-inforced 

concrete roofs, that should last forever. We 

have a few more that may need replacing ere long 

and some tile roofs also that may need replacing, 

with concrete, as new tiles are practically impossible 

to get. 

Mr. and Mrs. Sanderson were able to carry on a 

considerable youth program during the six months 

they were here last year. When they went to the 

youth conference in the spring, our students seemed 

to be really touched spiritually. One proof of this 

was the spiritual testimonies that Dr. Krikorian 

wrote about in his letter to Mr. Hays last fall, ex 

cerpts of which were published in the "Witness" last 

winter ; (in December missionary number, I think it 

was) and I hope you were all privileged to read. By 

the way this Dr. Krikorian's wife is a daughter of 

our beloved Dr. Badeer who worked with our mission 

in Mersine. 

COVENANTER WITNESS

us" 

us" 

us" 

minister" 

service" 

n 

One of these boys referred to as having a 

spiritual 

awakening wrote after being in college a 

few weeks, that it seems there was no religion in 

the college he went to after leaving us, saying that, 

one was free to do most anything, and he came in 

contact with several that lived a rather fast life. 

Then he went on to say ". . . but I am trying to live 

up to the standards and religious truths that I have 

been taught in my former days." Let us hope that 

we were partly responsible to make these standards 

and truths fundamental in his life and that of many 

other young people in our midst. 

GLIMPSES .... from page 338 

Old Bible Manuscript 

A manuscript of the New Testament in Aramaic, said 

to be 1600 years old, supposed to be the oldest known copy 

of the N.T., has been placed on special display in the Li 

brary 

of Congress. This is the first public exhibit of the 

manuscript since it was brought to America in 1930. The 

owner is Norman Yonan and the Aramaic Bible Founda 

tion is seeking a fund of $1,500,000 to purchase it and do 

nate it to the Library of Congress. Mr. Yonan emigrated to 

the U. S. from Iraq after World War I. He says that the 

manuscript has been in his family for nearly 50 generations. 



For June 19, 1955 

Big Words: SERVE 

Matthew 20:20-28; Galatians 5:13; 

Colossians 3:22-24 

Psalms : 



22:12-14, page 51 

134:1, 2, page 331 

20:1-7, page 43 

100:1-4, page 237 

Scripture References: Ex. 23:25; Deut. 

10:20; Psalm 2:11; Josh. 24:14; Eph. 

6:7; Heb. 12:28; Mark 10:43, 44; John 

13:14; Gal. 6:2; Matt. 10:42; Acts 

20:18, 19; Luke 22:27; Phil. 2:7. 


Here is a word of many meanings 

"serve"! We "serve" guests at a party; 

we "serve" customers in a store; we 

"serve" a summons upon someone; we 

"serve" a tennis ball; we let oleo "serve" 

as butter; we "serve" a hitch in the 

Marines; we "serve" the public in offi 

cial capacity; we "serve" our master; 

and we "serve" the Lord. You probably 

can think of other uses of this word; it 

is a big word in scope and usage. 

However, we are interested in this 

topic to consider the word "serve" as it 

applies to our relationship with Christ. 

My Webster's Abridged Dictionary gives 

18 definitions to this verb, but the first 

one is "to exert oneself continuously or 

statedly for; specifically, in a religious 

sense, to obey or True worship." 

service, 

no matter what its varied applications, 

is based upon service to God. 

There are three "c's" we might think 

of in connection with out service: 

CLEANSING 

Just as we must get right with God 

before we can grow spiritually, so we 

must have our hearts cleansed before we 

can serve God acceptably. Gideon had to 

June 1, 1955 

clean out the idolatry of his own village 

before he could serve God as the one 

who would bring victory over the idola 

trous Midianites. When Isaiah had his 

vision of God, he realized that his own 

life had to be cleansed before he could 

serve God. It is only as we experience 

the cleansing power of the blood of 

Christ that we are able to serve Him. 

CALL, 

When our hearts have been cleansed, 

then we wili hear the Call of God. When 

Isaiah's heart was cleansed, then He 

heard the voice of the Lord, saying, 

"Whom shall I send, and who will go for 

Isaiah said, "Here am I; send me!" 

Today 

we need ministers in our 

church; there are vacant congregations; 

there are many communities where 

churches might be started, and the Call 

of the Lord comes, "Whom shall I send, 

and who will go for 

Today 

we need missionaries both 

on the foreign field and in our congre 

gations; people who will witness for 

Christ; soulwinners, and the call of the 

Lord comes, "Whom shall I send, and 

who will go for 

COMMISSION 

When God calls us, He has a specific 

work for us to do! Jesus Christ came 

to this earth for a specific purpose 

save sinners! That was His work! As 

we read in Matt. 20:28, "He came not to 

be ministered unto, but to 

(not to be served, but to serve). Just as 

Christ served us, so we have the com 

mission to serve our fellow men; and in 

so doing we are serving Him. 

to 

In our Covenant of 1954 we promised 

to avail ourselves of opportunities 

public and private .... FOR CHRIS 

TIAN SERVICE." Then the Covenant 

goes on to point out those things which 

help us to "serve." 


1. Consider each of the seven things 

in the Covenant of 1954 which help us 

to "serve." In what way does each one 

help us 

a. worship 

b. prayer 

c. study of the Scriptures 

d. keeping holy the Sabbath Day 

e. observing the appointed sacraments 

f. giving regularly to the Lord's work 

g. seeking to win others to Christ 

2. What is the difference between the 

service of the believer and the unbeliev 

er 

it 

22 

3. Are we serving if we are paid for 

4. What is "eye 

See Col. 3: 

5. What is the relationship between 

"serve" and "grow" 

JUNIOR TOPIC 

June 19, 1955 

by Mrs. Parke W. Wicks 

Syracuse Congregation 

THE TABERNACLE AS PLANNED 

BY GOD 

Scripture Text: Exodus 25:1-22 

Leader: Exodus 26 

Memory Verse: "Every man according 

as he purposeth in his heart, so let him 

give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for 

God lovetH a cheerful Corinth 

giver." 

ians 9:7 

Psalms 

Memory Psalm for June, Psalm 103: 

5-8, page 247 


Psalm 117:1, 2, page 283 

God tells Moses that the children of 

Israel should build Him a sanctuary, for 

He wishes to dwell among them. He had 

chosen the people of Israel to be His peo 

ple, and He Himself would be their 

King. The tabernacle, or sanctuary, is to 

be His royal palace; in it He would 

keep His court. While in the wilderness 

the people lived in tents, so too, was the 

345

giver" 

rams' 

tabernacle to be a tent, so that it could 

be moved with them. God gives Moses 

exact directions as to how to build it, 

and the people of Israel are to furnish 

the materials and labor. This is only 

right 

as God had given them protec 

tion, food and shelter in their journey 

through the wilderness. Their offering 

was to be given willingly and with love 

and gratitude. Just as now, 

all our bless 

ings come from the Lord, so should we 

offer the best that we have, in service, 

riches, love and obedience to Him. "God 

loves a cheerful (II Cor. 9:7). 

The people were to bring gold, silver 

and brass," and "blue, purple and scar 

let and fine linen," and precious stones. 

The tabernacle was made of linen cur 

tains, embroidered with cherubim. The 

curtains were fastened together. Over 

the linen curtains were curtains of hair 

cloth, and then a covering of 

skins 

and badgers' skins over them. The 

stronger coverings were to protect the 

fine delicate curtains from the weather. 

The arrangement of curtain panels made 

the tent easy to set up or take down as 

they moved from place to place. The 

curtains were attached to boards so that 

the tabernacle might be strong as well 

as beautiful. Everything was very rich 

and of the best, for God deserves the 

best. Our tabernacle is our body, where 

in the Spirit of the Lord dwells, and only 

the best and purest thoughts and feel 

ings should come into it, and go out 

from it. In our study 

of the Bible we 

need to be careful to build our life with 

its verses so that when strong storms 

beset us we will be strong to withstand 

them. 

The first thing to be made to be 

placed in the tabernacle was the ark. 

This was to be kept in the holy of holies, 

the most holy place of the sanctuary. 

The ark was a chest, in which the two 

tables of the law written with the finger 

of God were to be carefully kept. The 

ark was covered within and without 

with thin plates of gold. It had a crown 

of gold around it with rings and staves 

to carry it with. In this way as the peo 

ple of Israel moved about on >their jour 

ney to the Promised Land they would 

have God's law or commandments with 

them wherever they would go. We also 

should have God's law and command 

ments written in our hearts, so that 

wherever we go we may take them with 

us. 

The next thing to be made was the 

mercy-seat or covering for the ark. It 

was to be of solid gold and made to fit 

the ark exactly. 

Next came the two cherubim of gold; 

these were fixed to the mercy-seat and 

they spread their wings over it. Their 

faces looked toward each other, and 

downward to the ark, while their wings 

346 

were stretched out to touch one another. 

God was to dwell between the cherubim 

on the mercy-seat, and meet with Moses 

and talk with him. This, then, 

would be 

the throne of the King where He would 

give laws and rule His people. 

In all the planning 

and building of 

the tabernacle the people were to offer 

their service as well as their gifts. When 

we offer ourselves to the Lord, each 

must give according to his talent. We 

each should offer to God that which we 

are able to do best. Not each one will 

bring the same offering. One may bring 

a beautiful voice to sing praises to Him. 

Another may be a clever speaker and 

persuade others to follow Him and do 

His bidding. Still another may be 

wealthy in money and give that to help 

the church. The main thought to remem 

ber, both in the building of the taber 

nacle by the people of Israel, and in our 

building of our "personal" tabernacles to 

God, is that God's grace to them and to 

us is free; and so whatever offering is 

made to Him should be free-willed and 

lovingly given. 


Draw and label the plan of the taber 

nacle, showing the curtains and rooms. 


June 19, 1955 





tional Council of Religious education.) 

JOSIAH KEEPS THE PASSOVER 

2 Chronicles 35; 2 Kings 23 

PRINTED TEXT 2 Chronicles 35:1-6, 

16-19 

MEMORY, Psalm 122:1: "I was glad 

when they said unto me, Let us go into 

the house of the Lord." 

Josiah came to the throne at the age 

of eight. He spent twelve years in pre 

paring himself and organizing his help 

ers. When he was 20, he began a strong 

leadership in ridding the land of idola 

try and repairing the Temple. Six years 

later, he called the people to Jerusalem 

for the observance of the Passover. 

That was the greatest Passover since 

the time of the Judges. Judah at this 

time seemed so strong and prosperous, 

who would suspect that in six years 

Nebuchadnezzer would invade the land, 

and in a quarter of a century Judah 

would be carried captive to Babylon 

Israel, the Northern Kingdoms, had al 

ready been in captivity for 80 years. 

Preparation for the Passover, 2 Chron. 

35:1-10 

The last Passover under Hezekiah 

was five or six years before the cap 

tivity of Israel. There would be few liv 

ing who would remember it. Much can 

be forgotten in two generations. Heze 

kiah was not ready for the Passover at 

the usual time, 

postponed it till the 

second month, and then made his prep 

arations in haste and not too well. Jo 

siah did not call the people to the Pass 

over till the 18th year of his reign, six 

years after he began his reformation. 

Josiah was thorough in every thing he 

undertook, but not in haste. There was 

much to do. The Priests and the Levites 

had to be reorganized and trained, then 

he called all the people in Israel and Ju 

dah. There was a splendid response. 

The Passover was held at the usual 

time of the year. Notice that it was the 

fourteenth day 

of the first month. The 

year always began with the first day of 

the week. That would account for 364 

days in the year. What became of the 

365th day The only 

explanation that 

I have heard is that Pentecost, coming 

on the 50th day, after the passover fol 

lowing the 49th day, which was the 

seventh sabbath of the week of weeks, 

was treated as a Sabbath, making two 

Sabbaths together. Then followed the 

first day of a new week. If that is true, 

it leaves the Seventh Day people with 

no place to stand. 

There was a seven day preparation 

for the Passover. Some living today will 

remember when in our preparatory 

week for the Communion, we observed 

a fast-day. I recall when a pastor and 

elder on their way to Synod from a 

western congregation, arrived with us 

on Saturday morning, and went to 

church as it was our Communion week. 

They met with the session, and our pas 

tor, Rev. Wm. Slater, said that though 

they had been traveling, their thoughts 

were no doubt on the Communion of 

which they knew, 

so he thought it 

would be right for them to commune. 

They would not tell a lie, so they ex 

plained that, having an hour off in Chi 

cago, they had done some business, on 

fast day. So Rev. Slater advised them to 

be just observers, rather than partakers 

of the Communion. No doubt this advice 

was extreme even in those days. I re 

cord it to show that within our memory, 

fast day was observed much as a Sab 

bath. Where is fast day now Is our 

Sabbath slipping too 

Preparation of the Priests and Levites, 

v. 2 

The priests and Levites were teach 

ers. They were distributed among the 

communities. 

Then they 

held special 

schools and classes in connection with 

the Passover. Christ attended these 

classes when He was taken to the Pass 

over in Jerusalem, and made such prog 

ress that we find Him among the doc- 

COVENANTER WITNESS

tors, following them to the limit of their 

knowledge. 

There was a regular ritual for the 

sanctifying of the priests. It compared 

in some measure with our ordination. 

This had been neglected for so long 

that there were few priests that had 

been rightly inducted into their office. 

They 

needed also to be encouraged for 

their work. Josiah provided for this. 

Some were discouraged for lack of 

knowledge. Some were hopeless because 

of the greatness of the task. Others 

would fear to become unpopular. Josiah 

encouraged them by word and example. 

The Levites were the custodians of 

the Law, including the Ark of the Cove 

nant. The Ark had been removed from 

the Temple, probably in some time of 

invasion in order to hide it. It would be 

a rich prize. Surely, if it had ever been 

captured, the fact would have been 

mentioned. Where is it now Josiah di 

rected the priests to return it to its 

place in the Temple. 

The Passover a Symbol of Hope 

The Passover was instituted when the 

Death Angel was about to visit every 

family in Egypt. It was provided, how 

ever, that God's people might be saved 

if they would kill a sacrifice and sprin 

kle the blood on their door posts and 

stay behind that blood. Death by sin; 

Life by blood. But safety depended on 

your relation to the blood. The Angel of 

Death was not an enemy to the Chil 

dren of Israel. It was by his work that 

night that the last chain of their slav 

ery was broken. So the Passover, in re 

membrance of the deliverance from 

Egyptian slavery, was a type of the de 

liverance from sin. Christ fulfilled the 

type, and instituted in its place a com 

memoration, not of 

a type, but of the 

actual deliverance from sin. We are 

brought near by the blood of Christ. 

The blood on the door did not avail 

for those who strayed away. Family re 

ligion will not save those who forsake 

it. Not by the faith of our fathers, but 

by our own faith we are saved. National 

religion for the nation; Church creed 

and faithfulness for the church; Person 

al faith for every individual. 

The House of the Lord 

"I was glad when they said unto me, 

"Let us go into the House of the Lord." 

I attended the dedication of a new 

church. It was on the location of the 

old church. The old church had been 

torn down. Beside the new church in 

the shade of the trees, the pews from 

the old church had been arranged where 

the congregation had been meeting in 

had no church. 

the open air while they 

It was a quiet place on the hill top 

where there was no traffic to annoy and 

June 1, 1955 

I wondered if they would not keep 

those seats there, where they could 

meet outside the church when the 

weather was fine. 

I wonder if you have not felt that 

there is something wrong with the way 

this story is told. It's true in every 

word, except that in every place the 

word church appears, it should read 

Church Building. A church may be torn 

down by jealousy, hatred, stubbornness 

or any other sin, but not with a ham 

mer and crowbar. A Church should 

have a suitable building in a suitable 

place. The Jews and the Samaritans 

could not agree on the place where the 

building should be. So they hated each 

other. Churches have been split wide 

open because they could not agree 

where the church building should be. 

The building sometimes seems to out 

rank the Church in importance. 

Josiah's Passover "was 

the greatest 

gathering for the feast since the time of 

Samuel. What was done by Josiah was 

undone by those who followed him. Ev 

ery generation needs to watch the mileposts 

and the direction of travel. I have 

seen the origin of every new lighting 

method since the flat wick kerosene 

lamp. I have seen many changes in so 

cial and moral standards .We are trav 

eling 

going 

Psalms 

at terrific speed. Where are we 


For June 15, 1955 

THE DAY OF THE LORD 


(Mai. 3:13 through 4:6) 




When the Jews returned from Baby 

lon, they expected peace and prosperity 

but God did not want to bribe them 

into loving Him and the only way to sift 

the desire for pleasure from their love 

of righteousness, was to "try" them for 

a few years by famine and persecution. 

But instead of standing fast, they grew 

sullen and rebellious. They had learned 

to fear punishment but most of them 

still refused to fear God. Their great 

sin was formalism. They only pretend 

ed to be doing what God wanted them 

to do. They went to church but they 

turned their minds off the minute they 

sat down in the pew they never al 

lowed themselves to reason seriously 

with God. They read their Bibles but it 

never caused them to change their 

habits of life. God sent Malachi (My 

Messenger) to reveal them to them 

selves, but every time he made an 

accusation, they lived their hypocrisy by 

making a sullen, self-justifying denial. 

Even when Malachi proved his accu 

sation with specific illustrations from 

their personal lives, they shrugged 

their shoulders 

apparently untouched. 

The form, they thought, was all that 

was necessary. This same spirit later 

led their descendants to crucify Christ. 

Malachi was the last O. T. prophet to 

try to stop them; to try to get them 

ready to receive Christ. He finished the 

messages of the prophets as did the 

minister who died in his pulpit 

the words of the Gospel on his lips. 

with 

Malachi made a final accusation and 

they sneered again (v. 13) ; Malachi an 

swers their sneer wi.th five specific 

proofs (vs. 14, 15), each a little more 

serious than the last: (1) They 

had said 

it's impossible to serve God perfectly 

and it doesn't "pay" to keep His com 

mandments why try to do any better 

These people say today; "it really 

doesn't matter what you do to serve 

God, so long as you do it with sinceri 

ty." 

(2) They had said we have done 

what God wants us to do. We sit 

through church services and watch ev 

ery act of worship and look serious and 

wise when anyone talks about God. 

Isn't that religion Even when we 

weren't sincere, we "conformed." (3) 

They had called all proud people good 

people reversing God's reasoning on 

the subject 

see v. 12 for God's state 

ment of the "blessed." (4) They had 

even helped along those who worked 

against God 

perhaps they had insisted 

no scripture should be taught in pub 

lic schools; or that Anti-Christian 

courses should be allowed to be taught 

in their state universities, 'in the name 

of (5) They had science.' 

managed to 

find the wisdom to have more mercy 

than God had. They kept delivering or 

excusing those who "tempted" God. 

All evil has its day but finally must 

come "The Day of the Lord." And with 

this, final proof of their double-mindedness, 

Malachi stops instructing and 

abandons them to their own self-blinded 

fate. He promises that God's day will be 

a day of righteous judgment. The more 

and the louder the ungodly men had 

talked, the more the few God-fearing 

men had been thrown together (v. 16), 

so God begins the prophecy of Judg 

ment by telling us of "the book of re 

membrance"; the reward for those who 

love God and obey Him (v. 17) and the 

distinction to be made between those 

who fear God and those who forget 

Him (v. 18). 

In chapter 4, Malachi closed the O. T. 

with the same prophecy 

John Baptizer 

opens the N. T. (cf. Luke 3:17). No- 

347

wings." 

selves" 

selves" 


sin," 

count" 

eat." 

verily," 

where have the two sides of God's right 

eousness been more vividly described 

than in Malachi. Unspeakable tender 

ness is promised to those who love Him, 

and the strictest severity for those who 

finally rebel. Some people find fault yet 

today, with "the severity of the last 

word of the O. T.; and in so doing align 

themselves perfectly with these Jews 

who followed the form of the words but 

missed the spirit and meaning 

(com 

pare Christ's "last" words Matt. 7:23). 

God's Messenger is describing God's 

righteousness and he promises an even 

more vivid example of that in "the sun 

of righteousness," 

but for the present 

(v. 4) he urges them to remember the 

law of Moses for it was the bridge that 

could carry them safely across the in 

tervening 400 years till Christ came 

(compare Gal. 3:24); and he also prom 

ised them an Elijah who .wouldhelp 

them to learn the faith and reverence of 

their fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Ja 

cob. The words of 4:4 might have come 

from Christ himself, and it's only by 

forgetting why Malachi came to speak 

this message, that we can begin to com 

plain about the warning of curse found 

here. 

This prophecy was particularly ful 

filled when Christ came. John the Bap 

tist was the Elijah or forerunner whose 

purpose and message and life so closely 

resembles that of Malachi. In Christ, 

men for the first time saw God's Right 

eousness face to face. 

He was "The 

word Made Flesh" and lived Moses' 

commandments perfectly. One 

symbol 

of Christ's ability to heal spiritually 

was His ability to heal physically. He 

literally "rose with healing in his 

But the prophecy was by no 

means exhausted there and the phrase 

"sun of 

refers to more 

than the person of Christ; this book is 

to prepare us for the final "Day of the 

Lord," 

the last judgment. The Jews in 

sisted on hypocrisy, "lying to them 

and "pretending to the world"; 

and it caused them to crucify Christ. 

It will cause us to do the same thing 

(see John 1:47). Our whole nation has 

just returned from captivity to warjitters, 

we're still threatened, and many 

have learned to fear God's punishment, 

Lord." 

but comparatively few "fear the 

Very often today people "kid them 

into an unconsciousness of their 

own sins. They kill their consciences 

by thinking often of ther good deeds and 

quickly forgettnig the sins they do ad 

mit. "Oh that's not such a bad 

still a common expression. 

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION 

1. It is almost instinctive to associate 

goodness and physical prosperity. Suf 

fering 

348 

and sin are repulsive and pros- 

is 

perity and goodness are desirable. These 

Israelites pleased Satan as much as Job 

displeased him but discuss the bene 

fits of suffering. Is it fear of punish 

ment, desire for reward, or love for God 

that causes you to live as you do 

2. Discuss Malachi's charge (vs. 13- 

15) and his specific instances of proof 

as they apply to us today. 

3. List some current instances of in 

sensibility to sin Remember the mis 

application of such titles as "Christian" 

"gentleman," "noble," etc. Discuss the 

danger of not labeling sin as "sin" (cf. 

Mai. 2:17). 

4. "Keeping a prophet and loss ac 

(bargaining) with God is a com 

mon sin. One of the best deterrents is 

to begin by remembering God's love of 

choice (see Witness for Jan. 19). An 

other is to do a topical study 

"Book of Remembrance." 

on God's 

5. Compare the conclusion to this 

book (4:4) with conclusions to Prov. 

31:30; and Eccl. 12:13; and Job. 

6. If God were to appear today, to run 

a clear sharp line between all good and 

evil (motives as well as deeds), would 

it be to your advantage or disadvan 

tage On which side of that line would 

your worshiping and tithing and your 

attitude toward your wife and your fel 

lowman, fall 


June 22 


THE AMENS OF JESUS: THE BREAD 

Psalms 

OF LD7E 

John 6:32, 33 

146:1, 2, 5, 6, page 353 

78:13, 14, 18, 19, page 188 

104:9-12, page 250 

34:1, 2, 5, 6, page 79 

References: Exodus 16:11-21; John 6: 

48-58; Matt. 4:3, 4; Deut. 8:2, 3. 

A few weeks ago our topic was, "Op 

portunity Brings Responsibility." It con 

cerned a rebuke Jesus administered to 

the Galileans after the feeding 

of the 

five-thousand. There were some who 

had followed Him for the loaves and 

fishes and had not used their opportun 

ities for spiritual discernment. Our 

study tonight has the same background 

and we find Jesus elaborating concern 

ing the bread which came down from 

heaven. John 6:32, 33. 

The Galileans were challenging Jesus 

to give them further evidence that He 

was the Son of God. They said, "Our 

fathers did eat manna in the desert; 

as it is written, He gave them bread 

from heaven to 

Jesus answered 

them using the emphatic words "verily, 

"My Father giveth you the true 

bread from heaven." Those who ate 

the manna were sustained in a physical 

way, but it could not keep them from 

dying. But those who ate the Bread of 

Life (Christ) would live forever. 

So often in Scripture we find physical 

things being 

used as a type or symbol 

of things which are spiritual, and all 

too often men have failed to grasp the 

significance. This was certainly true of 

those who saw only the physical side 

of the miracle of the loaves and fishes. 

PHYSICAL BREAD 

God is ever concerned about the physi 

cal needs of men. He created the earth 

that it might be productive and provide 

sufficient food for man. One of the 

greatest miracles we can behold is that 

of seed being placed in the earth, dying, 

living again, and producing one-hundred 

fold that which was planted. God pro 

vided the manna for His people when 

they were in the wilderness. When 

Jesus saw the hungry multitude He 

multiplied the loaves and fishes to meet 

the need. 

Our Heavenly 

Father is still con 

cerned about mankind's need for food. 

Millions in the world are hungry. In 

India and China there is almost contin 

uous famine for millions. Russia is prob 

ably facing a food shortage. The recent 

"shake-up" 

in government was due at 

least in part to the fact that the com 

munal farms are not producing suffici 

ent food. Even in the more prosperous 

countries of the world there are people 

who do not have enough to eat because 

they cannot afford to buy food. 

In our nation there is a surplus of 

food. Thousands of bushels of corn and 

wheat are stored in government gran 

aries, and are in danger of spoiling be 

fore use can be found for them. During 

the past decade thousands of tons of 

foodstuffs have been shipped to needy 

people around the world. 

Many economists believe that with the 

rapid increase in world population, we 

are approaching the time when there 

will be mass starvation. But we believe 

that the earth is still far from reaching 

its peak of food production. Soil con 

servation, irrigation, and scientific farm 

ing might easily double the world's pro 

duction of food. But this is not the 

world's greatest problem. The real prob 

lem, as Jesus revealed to the Galileans, 

enough to 

was a spiritual one. Having 

eat is important, but it is not as im 

portant as having the Living Bread, 

Christ Jesus. 

SPIRITUAL BREAD 

One of the popular philosophies of the 

present day is, that if everyone in the 

world had enough 

to eat we would 

no longer have war, crime, or disease. 


good." 

In other words, sin would largely be 

abolished. In the little magazine "NOW" 

it is related that a Mrs. Hudson, a Lon 

don expert on juvenile delinquency, has 

been reported to recommend brown 

bread and raw vegetables as a cure for 

bad girls! "A great deal of juvenile de 

linquency has to do with digestion," she 

said. 

In comment, the reporter of the above 

incident says, "We are for brown bread 

and vegetables, and believe them to be 

assets to good health; but on the other 

hand, we feel it is asking too much 

of such morsels of food to ask them to 

change the nature of girls from bad to 

If man is only an animal as some phil 

osophers claim, then the physical bread 

is the all important requisite for life. 

But if man is a living soul, created in 

the image of God, 

as we are taught in 

His Word, the matter of our spiritual 

nourishment is the all important prob 

lem. Though one may feed on manna 

from heaven, as did the Israelites of 

old, it cannot keep him from physical 

death. Not even Moses, beloved as he 

was of God, could stay the hand of death 

by eating the manna. But Moses was 

looking forward to the Spiritual Bread 

which would come in the person of 

Christ, and feeding on Him in a spiritual 

way he was able to enter into the life 

which is eternal. 

It is 

LIFE GIVING BREAD 

not enough that people have 

food in quantity; it must be full of life 

giving vitamins. Many of the processed 

foods which we use today are enriched 

with vitamins. It is a known fact that in 

the milling process, much of the good 

ness is taken out of wheat flour. To 

make up for the deficiency, synthetic 

vitamins and minerals are added. 

Nutritionists say that in spite of all 

the abundance in America, there are 

many 

people who are not well fed be 

cause they do not eat the foods con 

taining the necessary vitamins. 

We have a parallel in respect to spirit 

"religion" 

ual bread. Many consider that 

is the only requisite for spiritual health. 

They declare that it matters little what 

one's spiritual bread may be, whether 

of Buddha, Confucius, Mohammed, or 

of Christ. Jesus said, "I am the bread 

of life" (John 6:48). He is the only 

bread which can give eternal life unto 

men. 

He is the only 

spiritual leader 

who can back His claim with the author 

ity by which He was able to multiply 

the loaves and the fishes. All about us 

there are those who are feeding on devitaminized 

spiritual bread. Modernism 

which denies the divinity of the Lord 

Jesus Christ is a bread which is lacking 

in life giving 

vitamins. Many feed upon 

June 1, 1955 

this bread and apparently are satisfied. 

But without the vitamin of "Divinity" 

it is a savor unto death. 

For Consideration 

1. Are people with empty stomachs 

likely to comprehend the doctrine of 

Jesus, the Bread of Life 

2. What are some diseases that are 

due to vitamin deficiencies What are 

some spiritual diseases, due to lack of 

spiritual vitamins 

3. Do men today complain about the 

"Living Bread" as the Children of 

Israel complained about the manna 

while in the wilderness 

For Prayer 

1. Our C.Y.P.U. conferences, the con 

ference officers, and our young people's 

secretary. 

2. For our workers in the foreign 

fields. 




KANSAS WOMEN'S MISSIONARY 

PRESBYTERIAL 

The Thirty-ninth annual convention 

of the Kansas Women's Missionary 

Presbyterial met at the Reformed Pres 

byterian Church at Denison, 

Kansas, 

May 3 and 4, 1955. The convention 

" 

theme was "Ask, and ye shall receive 

the convention Psalm was Psalm 5:1, 5. 

The welcome to the delegates was 

given by Mrs. Albert McCrory of Deni 

son, and the response by Mrs. Charles 

McBurney of Olathe. 

The devotional services were led by 

Mrs. Ray Milligan, Hebron, Mrs. Hobart 

Haney, Quinter, Mrs. F. M. Redpath, 

Olathe, Mrs. Lucy McClement, Sterling, 

and Mrs. Dale Musselman, Kansas City. 

The subjects for the devotions were, 

Prayer of Adoration, Mary; Prayer of 

Intercession for Others, Moses; Prayer 

of Petition for Ourselves, Paul; Prayer 

of Confession and for Forgiveness, Da 

vid; Prayer of Thanksgiving, Hannah. 

A special season of prayer for Revival 

was led by Mrs. F. L. Stewart of Olathe. 

The Bible Study for the three ses 

sions was conducted by Mrs. Herbert 

Davies of Topeka. She gave first some 

methods for Bible study, then a study 

on Discipleship which was very helpful 

and soul searching. 

Mrs. T. B. Boyle of Topeka led in the 

Personal Testimony period. Many testi 

fied as to what the Lord had done for 

them, and our hearts rejoiced at the 

power of the Lord. 

The Winchester W.M.S. gave a play, 

"The Missionary Barrel," and the Deni 

Delbert 

son Juniors under the leadership of Mrs. 

Braum gave a Thank Offering 

exercise. 

The Tuesday evening address was 

given by Mrs. Lloyd Northrup of Kan 

sas City. Mrs. Northrup is a converted 

Jewess. Her portrayal of Jewish cus 

toms was interesting, and her testimony 

for the Lord was wonderful. She and 

her husband are missionaries to the 

Jews in Kansas City, Mo. 

At the business session, Mrs. Lester 

Kilpatrick, Presided. Officers and de 

partment reports were heard, and busi 

ness matters were attended to at that 

time. 

Mrs. H. H. Hunter of Kansas City led 

in a lovely memorial service, five mem 

bers of the Presbyterial having depart 

ed this life in the past year. 

"Nest above the Abyss" by Isabel 

Kuhn was reviewed by Mrs. W. O. Mar 

tin of Topeka. 

Greetings were brought to the Pres 

byterial by the Synodical President, 

Mrs. A. J. McFarland of Sterling. 

Mrs. Charles McBurney, Presbyterial 

Representative for Home for the Aged, 

gave some pertinent facts about the 

needs of the Home. 

On Wednesday evening the new offi 

cers were installed by the retiring 

President: President, Mrs. Paul Faris, 

Quinter; 1st V. Pres., Mrs. Don Weimer, 

Kansas City; 2nd V. Pres., Mrs. A. D. 

Robb, Topeka; Recording Secretary, 

Mrs. J. Harvey McGee, Olathe; Cor. 

Secretary, Mrs. L. G. O'Neill, Winches 

ter; Treasurer, Mrs. Ross Latimer, Esk 

ridge. 

The address of the evening was given 

by Miss Blanche McCrea, Principal of 

the American Academy for Girls at Ni 

cosia, Cyprus. She chose as her theme, 

"Christ Challenges Us." Miss McCrea 

gave an inspiring talk and said that 

Cyprus 

had many challenges for us, 

new teachers, financial aid and above 

all, our prayers. 

The convention closed by singing the 

convention Psalm and the pronouncing 

of the benediction by Rev. Dougherty of 

Denison. 

*t**i*fcx**T**r**i**i-*i 

I**!*I"*I- 

"3 

Mrs. J. Harvey McGee, Sec. 

..T..T..%TTT%T 

OUR HOME 

The Reformed Presbyterian Woman's 

Association at its Annual Meeting, April 

27, 1955, elected the following officers 

and directors of the Home. 

President, Mrs. Kermit S. Edgar; 1st 

Vice President, Mrs. Wyman S. Robb; 

2nd Vice President, Mrs. D. H. Elliott; 

3rd Vice President, Mrs. J. S. Tibby; 4th 

Vice President, Mrs. John M. Allen; 5th 

Vice President, Mrs. K. M. Young; Re- 

( Continue don page 352) 

349

grown!" 

Church News 

DISAPPOINTED YES. 

A few weeks ago I called for volun 

teers who were willing to take a dare. 

There was some response, but not such 

as I had hoped. For one thing I asked 

those whose lives had turned a corner 

because of some scripture verse. I had 

supposed that nine out of ten Christians 

could answer that one, and would for 

the sake of Him who had given them 

that grace. There were some who did 

respond; one out of ten Well, if so, 

things are looking bad! Either folks 

have been deaf to the voice 

of the 

Spirit, or they are not ready to "speak 

a good word for Jesus Christ." 

There was a call also for those who at 

some time had been challenged by some 

word other than a verse from Holy 

Writ, for God oftentimes uses the pres 

ent day prophets to awaken sleeping 

saints. Here again there were signs of 

life, but most of the bones didn't even 

rattle. Surely at some 

time in your 

life some word fitly spoken engraved it 

self in letters of gold on the silver 

screen of your memory. The light-meter 

registered, but how feebly! 

I called for the pictures of your pre 

school children. I meant any child that 

had graduated into swaddling clothes, 

or more mature garments. At almost 

any gathering 

where there are parents 

whose quiver is filling up with arrows, 

one may see parents and grandparents 

opening pocket-books filled with snap 

shots just back from the photo-finishers, 

proudly displaying and comparing the 

pictures of yesterday with those of the 

day before "Just see how they have 

row are worthy 

Surely these leaders of tomor 

of a picture in the 

church paper. The mail was not clogged 

as I expected, or was it When thy son 

asketh thee in, days to come, "How does 

it come that my picture did not appear 

in The Covenanter Witness along with 

my contemporaries Were you ashamed 

me" 

of How are you going to answer 

those accusing eyes for your dereliction 

in duty Please don't try to shift the 

blame on the Editor no longer able to 

defend himself with the real facts in 

the case. That would be cowardly! I 

give you one more chance on all these 

and other matters I dared you to do. 

We published a testimony last week 

that came. We will have room for yours 

soon. "As you shall give your account 

on that last great day 

. 

350 

. 

Editor 

MID-WEST PRESBYTERY ORDAINS 

AND INSTALS REV. MILTON 

HARRINGTON 

Midwest Presbytery convened at the 

Hebron Church, Idana, Kansas, at 2:00 

o'clock on May 17, 1955. 

In the absence of the moderator Rev. 

Bruce Stewart, Rev. Wiley Caskey or 

ganized the court, and was elected mod 

erator pro tem. 

The action of the moderator and clerk 

in calling this special meeting was sus 

tained, and the steps were related by 

the clerk. 

Trial Pieces of Licentiate Milton L. 

Harrington were given in a very able 

and acceptable manner. The vote on the 

Trial pieces and the Examination were 

all unanimously sustained. Dr. Paul 

Wright was elected traveling fund 

agent. 

Court took recess with prayer by Rev. 

M. L. Dougherty to re-convene at 8 

o'clock. 

After a bountiful dinner and social 

time, the court was called to order and 

re-convened with prayer by Rev. Har 

old Harrington. 

Greetings from friends and former 

pastors were read. 

The adherence of the congregation to 

the call was unanimous, and Mr. Har 

rington gave his acceptance. 

The prescribed Queries were pro 

pounded by the clerk. 

Rev. Paul E. Faris gave the Ordina 

tion Sermon from John 15:16 "Ye have 

not chosen Me, but I have chosen you." 

The ordination prayer was offered by 

Dr. Frank Stewart. 

Rev. Milton Harrington was wel 

comed to the Midwest Presbytery, and 

the terms of communion were signed 

by him. 

The address to the pastor was given 

by Rev. M. W. Dougherty and the one 

to the people by Rev. R. W. Caskey. 

In the receiving line of welcome for 

the new pastor were his parents Mr. 

and Mrs. Hugh Harrington of Johannes 

burg, Michigan, his brothers Rev. Har 

old Harrington of New Castle and Gor 

don Harrington, recently 

Korea, his brother-in-law Lie. Don Fel 

ker and his cousin Glen McFarland, en 

returned from 

route to California soon to be installed 

as minister at Santa Ana; these were 

greeted by members of the congregation 

and a large number of friends and sev 

eral ministers from local churches were 

present to extend greetings. 

Paul Wright, in be-half of the Pres 

bytery, thanked the Hebron congrega 

tion for their generous hospitality. 

After adjournment of the court, the 

newly installed pastor pronounced the 

benediction, and a coffee hour followed 

for those who were leaving for their 

homes at a distance. 


The Reformed Presbyterian Synod to 

be held at Geneva College, beginning 

June 8, comes at the conclusion of sev 

eral weeks of intense activity at the col 

lege. 

Starting with final examinations May 

27, the campus will be host to a whirl 

wind of events. Highlight of the usual 

before-graduation flurry is the Alumni 

Association's Diamond Jubilee, week 

end, June 4-7. 

The association has a gala program 

scheduled to celebrate the 75th anni 

versary of its founding. The event will 

begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 4, with 

registration in Old Main. At 1:30 p.m. 

meetings of reunion and honor classes 

will be held in Old Main. Honor classes 

are 1895, 1905, and 1930. Reunion class 

es are 1890, 1891, 1892, 1893, 1909, 1910, 

1911, 1912, 1928, 1930, 1931, 1947, 1948, 

1949, and 1950. 

The day's activities will continue with 

the association's annual business meet 

ing in the Old Main chapel at 3 p.m. 

Alumni President Howard C. Emrick 

and Dr. Charles M. Lee, president of 

the college, and their wives, will hold a 

reception for alumni, students, and 

friends in McCartney library beginning 

at 4 p.m. 

The climax of the busy day will be 

the Diamond Jubilee dinner in the Hotel 

Brodhead ballroom at 6:15 p.m. Con 

gressman Robert J. Corbett will be the 

principal speaker. Presentation of the 

Life 

"G" 

Awards will be made. 

and Distinguished Service 

Special alumni services will be con 

ducted at 11 a.m. Sabbath morning. The 

annual Baccalaureate service will be 

given in the college chapel at 8 p.m. 

Sabbath evening. Dr. A. J. McFarland, 

Sterling, Kans., class of 1924, will deliv 

er the sermon. 

Rev. McFarland's subject will be: 

"The Price of an Ideal." 

Alumni will hold a reception for the 

graduating class of 1955 at 8 p.m., Mon 

day. 

Commencement exercises will be held 

in Reeves field at 10 a.m. Tuesday. 

Charles Lee Austin, president of Jones 

and Laughlin Steel corporation, will 

give the commencement address. Hon 

orary degrees and prizes will be award 

ed. 


night" 

SYRACUSE 

En route to a Medical Convention in 

Philadelphia, Dr. and Mrs. Robert Met 

calfe and Tommy of Crossville, Tenn., 

spent the week-end with Mrs. Metcalfe's 

parents, Mr. and Mrs. D. C. Park. 

Mrs. C. D. Murphy attended the Pres 

byterial at Cambridge, Mass., and gave 

an interesting account of it the next 

week at the Missionary Meeting at the 

home of Mrs. S. B. Patterson. 

Mr. Raymond Park and family spent 

two weeks in Florida in April. 

Mrs. William Ramsay visited in Phila 

delphia and drove, 

with others, to the 

Philadelphia Presbyterial at Orlando. 

Jack Ramsey has been discharged 

from the army. Jimmie Russell has just 

entered the service. 

We're looking forward to having Miss 

Elizabeth Mcllroy speak to us, on Sab 

bath, May 15 and Rev. Samuel Boyle 

on May 22. 


A "Peter Rabbit" party was held in 

the basement of the church April 9 for 

the nursery and kindergarten groups. 

Mothers were invited. After appropriate 

games, refreshments of ice cream, cup 

cakes and cookies were served. Each 

child was presented an Easter basket. 

Mrs. John Robertson's Sabbath School 

class were entertained with a party at 

her home on the Nashville Road. The 

children enjoyed an Easter egg hunt on 

the lawn. 

Our young people enjoyed a "Bum" 

party Thursday, April 7. Entertain 

ment was in charge of David Wampler 

and Joe Moore, two of our young 

people who did an excellent job. The 

games were well planned and in keeping 

with the "Bum" theme. The serving 

table was appropriately decorated with 

candles in an odd assortment of jars, 

etc. Delicious food was served to a 

tired and hungry group. Devotions were 

led by Rev. Roy Blackwood. 

Mrs. Laura Jane McMillan, age 93, 

died April 16, 1955. She was born in 

Fairfield County, Ohio, January 12, 

1862, the daughter of Samuel and Eliza 

beth Fishbaugh. For the past several 

years, she had made her home with 

her daughter, Ethel, in Mitchell, In 

diana. Her husband, Moore McMillan, 

died April 13, 1934 at Bloomington. 

Surviving are two sons, Thomas F. 

McMillan of 

Detroit, Michigan, and S. 

Ward McMillan of Bloomington, In 

diana; also, two daughters, Ethel Mc 

Millan of Mitchell, Indiana, and Mrs. 

Robert W. Curry of Bloomington. Mrs. 

McMillan was a life long member of the 

Reformed Presbyterian Church. 

Our spring communion services were 

held May 1 with Rev. John Coleman 

June 1, 1955 

as assistant. The congregation gained 

much from his messages and enjoyed 

having both Dr. and Mrs. Coleman with 

us. 

Miss Blanche McCrea of Cyprus 

brought both morning and evening mes 

sages to us on May 14. We greatly en 

joyed the slides and tape recordings she 

brought to us. We are happy to have 

Blanche visit us, 

since she attended 

Indiana University and attended our 

church while working 

Degree. 

LAKE RENO 

on her Master's 

During our spring communion season, 

April 14-17, we were privileged to have 

the assistance of Dr. and Mrs. G. M. 

Robb of Kansas City. This visit of a 

former pastor and wife was much en 

joyed by members of the congregation, 

and we profited by Dr. Robb's splendid 

messages from the Word. 

On communion Sabbath, Gary War 

ren, third son of Mr. and Mrs. Dale 

Blair, received baptism. James McCrory 

and Paul Mitchel were received and wel 

comed into communicant membership 

in the church. 

On the evening of April 5 the young 

people's class and their teacher, Mrs. 

Charles Peterman, entertained the con 

gregation and friends at a "family 

party. There were interesting 

games, contests, and a missionary film 

entitled: "Regions Beyond." There was a 

good attendance and every indication 

that the party was enjoyed. 

The newly-elected officers of the Wo 

men's Missionary Society are: President, 

Mrs. Ermel Blair; Vice President, Mrs. 

Roland McCrory; Secretary, Mrs. 

George Blair; Treasurer, Mrs. Leo 

Brock. 

One project followed in recent months 

has been the taking notes on the pas 

tor's sermons by younger members of 

the Sabbath School. Awards for note 

books were recently presented to the 

following: David and Edgar Peterman, 

Eileen and James McCrory, and Paul 

Mitchel. 

Members of the young people's S. S. 

class are committing the Shorter Cate 

chism, and a leather-bound Psalter or 

Bible is offered to each one completing 

the Catechism. Thus far David Peter 

man and Paul Mitchel have received 

their awards. 

One of the dreams for community 

betterment of the late Dr. Edward M. 

Elsey was a lecture series which would 

be informative and beneficial to the pub 

lic. Since Dr. Elsey's death a fund has 

been 

established for this purpose by 

citizens of Glenwood and community 

to be known as the Dr. Edward Elsey 

Memorial Lecture Fund. On Monday 

evening, April 25, the first of these 

lectures was presented in the Glen 

wood H.S. auditorium. The speaker 

was Dr. Tagus Chisholm of 

Minneapolis, 

a specialist in child surgery. His ad 

dress on "Safety," especially in regard 

to children, was well received. 

FRESNO 

At mid-week prayer meeting, March 

16, Bob Seiffert, a transfer student at 

Fresno State, spoke of his work in tak 

ing the Gospel to College students. He 

follows the pattern of Campus Crusade 

in speaking to 

fraternities and other 

groups. Bob worked in Pittsburgh last 

year with several of the students from 

Geneva College and our Seminary. 

On March 18, 

a bridal shower was 

given in honor of Matilda Buck, who 

became Mrs. Sidney Knight on April 

16. The shower was held in the home 

of Mrs. Evelyn Webster, with an over 

flow attendance. 

On April 4 the annual Congregational 

Meeting was held. The new officers are: 

Chairman of 

Congregation, Don Chest 

nut; Secretary, Lois Copeland; Corre 

sponding Secretary, Mrs. Joyce Chest 

nut; Superintendent of S. S., Mrs. 

Matilda Knight; Assistant Superintend 

ent, Don Gouge; Secretary-Treasurer, 

Mrs. Evelyn Webster; Assistant Treas 

urer, Mrs. Helen Buck. 

During the week of April 10-17 re 

vival meetings were held with Rev. 

James Carson of Portland preaching. 

We enjoyed the messages, which were 

so clearly and wonderfully presented. 

There were several decisions for Christ 

made and a renewing of the Spirit in 

many. On April 17, as a joyous con 

clusion, we observed the Lord's Supper. 

There were six new communicants who 

were received into the church by profes 

sion of faith in Christ. They were: Mrs. 

Jim Copeland, Janice Moore, Margaret 

McMillan, Patricia Parnell, Charlotte 

Gentry, and Judith Gentry. The last 

three, faithful attendants of our Bible 

School for several years, also received 

Baptism. 

NEW CASTLE 

Seminary Student Donald Felker 

preached for us on April 24 while Rev. 

Harrington was assisting in communion 

at Rose Point. 

Our Spring Communion was held on 

May 8. Five new members were received 

at that time. Mrs. John S. Riley Jr., and 

John Riley III were received by letter 

from the Epworth Methodist Church. 

Albert Booher, Jacqueline and John 

Evans also were received, the latter two 

receiving the sacrament of baptism. 

Plans are being completed for Daily 

Vacation Bible School to be held June 

351

en." 

goest." 

6 through June 17 under the super 

vision of the Sabbath School. 

Kenneth Gaston, 

the new Superin 

tendent of the Sabbath School, along 

with other officers, was installed by 

Rev. Harrington on Sabbath morning, 

May 1. 

The annual Congregational meeting 

was held in the church on April 20. 

Kenneth Kennedy was re-elected Chair 

man and Mrs. Katheryne Pattison Sec 

retary. Encouraging reports were heard 

from the various organizations and the 

Church Treasurer. 

LOS ANGELES, CALIF. 

Dr. E. G. Russell conducted our Spring 

communion unassisted, with the excep 

tion of one evening service, when Mar 

shall Smith of San Diego preached for 

us. We had a very helpful communion 

season, and are happy to welcome Dr. 

and Mrs. R. E. Smith back into the 

membership, and also to welcome Edwin 

Dodds who joined on profession of faith. 

On May 6, we held our annual con 

gregational meeting, preceded by a potluck 

dinner, with Mrs. Howard Boyd 

heading the dinner committee. The new 

officers elected were: Congregational 

Chairman, Arthur Russell; Assistant, 

James Honeyman; Recording Secretary, 

Mrs. Donald Walker; Corresponding 

Secretary, Mrs. George Chambers. The 

basic plans presented by the parsonage 

committee, were discussed and accepted 

and we are looking forward to the time 

when the parsonage will be completed, 

at least we have made a start. 

The new officers for the missionary 

societies are as follows: Covenanter 

Daughters, President, Mrs. James 

Honeyman; 1st Vice President, Miss 

Alice Robb, 2nd Vice President, Mrs. 

Harper Lowe; Secretary, Mrs. David 

Heinitz; Treasurer, Mrs. Jean Aikin. 

For Covenettes, President, Mrs. Earl 

Wilson; Vice President, Mrs. Francis 

Buck; Secretary, Mrs. Clarence Walker; 

Treasurer, Mrs. Jerry Yagoda. 

Sabbath School officers are: Super 

intendent, Mrs. Tom Gault; Assistant, 

Miss Jean Robb; Secretary Treasurer, 

Mrs. Floyd Walker; Primary Superin 

tendent, Mrs. James Honeyman; with 

Mrs. Samuel Marshall as Assistant. 

Mrs. Wilbur Aikin is the program chair 

man and we had a lovely Mother's Day 

program under the direction of Mrs. 

Aikin, with primary and junior children 

taking part. 

After May 10, Dr. and Mrs. E. G. 

Russell's address will be 1332-A, Bar 

rington Way, Glendale, Calif. 

On May 11, Miss Eugenia Price spoke 

in the Burbank Emmanuel Church, and 

many of our members attended and had 

the pleasure of hearing her, and also 

352 

of getting acquainted. Our prayer meet 

ing was dismissed in order that more 

might attend and we were well repaid 

for Miss Price brought us a very spirit 

ual and uplifting message. 

Miss Betty Forsyth, who has been an 

invalid for over twenty years from 

arthritis, underwent major surgery re 

cently in the Santa Monica Hospital, 

but is making satisfactory progress 

toward recovery and was to be brought 

home on May 15. 

Plans are underway for our D.V.B.S. 

under the direction of Mrs. Arthur 

Russell. We ask for your prayers for 

this project that many children may 

attend and many new converts won. 

The dates are June 20 to July 1. 

RHODA HILL REID 

Mrs. Rhoda Hill Reid passed to her 

Eternal Home a few weeks ago. She was 

the last of that well known family of 

La Junta, Colorado. She will be remem 

bered by those early workers in the be 

ginning days of our church in Chicago. 

She with her Cousin Edwin Dodds and a 

devoted band were those who nobly 

sustained Dr. Robert Clarke when he 

was laying the foundations in that new 

field. After her marriage, she and Mr. 

Reid continued in Chicago for a number 

of years, later moving to the Northwest, 

here she kept in contact with our Port 

land church. 

After Mr. Reid's death she joined her 

daughter, Mrs. Margaret Riddell, also a 

widow, and made her home with her in 

Pasadena, California, till the call came 

to the Heavenly Home. Dr. Sam Edgar 

of Santa Ana conducted the Farewell 

service and counted it a privilege, as it 

was his to be much in that Hill home in 

his early ministry. Mrs. Reid loved her 

church and delighted in the wide work of 

her missionaries, and followed them 

through the printed page in all their la 

bors. In her passing the labors and en 

thusiasm of another pioneer family 

closes of those who moved from the 

Old Brookland Church to La Junta. 

With appreciation of her life and 

friendship we say, "She hath done what 

she could." 

OUR HOME from page 349 

cording Secretary, Mrs. J. B. Willson; 

Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. C. M. 

Patterson; Treasurer, Mrs. Mary Cole 

man George; Assistant Treasurer, Mrs. 

Bertha H. McKnight. 

Directors 

Three Years 

Mrs. William Esler, Mrs. J. P. Hickey, 

Miss Edith A. Miller, Mrs. J. Merrill 

Robb, Mrs. J. R. Patterson, Mrs. M. L. 

Watson, Miss Myrtle E. Wylie. 

One Year 

Mrs. Harry W. Ziegler. 

Mr. and Mrs. James L. Mitchell were 

elected Managers of the Home. 

The Board of Directors of Our Home 

wish to express their appreciation for 

the long and faithful service given to 

the Home Family by the Misses Edith, 

Mary and Elizabeth McWilliams, of our 

Allegheny congregation. 

The Misses McWilliams' father for 

many years had charge of the prayer 

meetings every week in Our Home. He 

provided speakers and conducted the 

meetings himself when no speakers 

were available. He was faithful and his 

meetings were stimulating and a great 

blessing to all who attended. That was 

certainly "laying up treasure in heav 

And the blessing 

which he received 

was not all "laid up in heaven." His 

three daughters lovingly assumed this 

work which their father had laid down 

when his Master called him Home. For 

seventeen years these sisters have con 

tinued their father's work here con 

scientiously and well. Our Home fam 

ily expressed their appreciation by pre 

senting the Misses McWilliams with a 

gift of a purse. 

The Board feels they cannot ade 

quately express their appreciation for 

these years of loving service to His ag 

ing saints and to the Board. So, we just 

say, "Thank you, Misses McWilliams, 

and may the Lord bless you, and guide 

you, and direct you all the days of your 

lives." 

As a small token of their very 

great appreciation, the Board presented 

the Misses McWilliams with a table 

lamp. 

The Board announces with regret the 

resignation of Mr. and Mrs. McWhinney 

(Miss Jean Barr) from their positions 

at Our Home. Mrs. McWhinney 

has not 

been well, and feels she is no longer 

able to carry on the work. They are 

both looking forward to a good rest, 

and we hope they will be enjoying re 

newed strength and vigor soon. We are 

sorry you feel it necessary to give up 

your work, but we know "The Lord, thy 

God, is with thee, withersoever thou 

May the Lord bless you both, 

and give you many happy years togeth 

er is our prayer for you. 

Respectfully, 


COVENANTER WITNESS

people" 

people" 


THE FIELD IS THB WORLD, THE SrD S THE 

WORD' 

OF GOD 

VOLUME LIV WEDNESDAY JUNE 8, 1955 NUMBER 23 

The Christian Amendment Introduced in Congress 

The following appeared on the front page of the Congressional Record 

for Wednesday May 25, 1955: 

LET US ACKNOWLEDGE GOD IN OUR CONSTITUTION 

(Mr. Ashmore asked and was given permission to address the House 

for one minute and to revise and extend his remarks.) 

MR. ASHMORE: Mr. Speaker, about one year ago both Houses of 

Congress voted unanimously to place "under God" in the Pledge of Alle 

giance to the flag of the United States of America. Shortly before that we 

voted unanimously to have a Prayer Room in our National Capital, and 

that room is now complete. Plans are under way to have stamped on 

our currency "In God We Trust." Many of our postage stamps are now hav 

ing "In God We Trust" imprinted on them. But there is no acknowledg 

ment of the Supreme Being in our Constitution. 

Our nation needs an anchor. "We, the cannot lift ourselves 'by 

our own bootstraps, yet "we the are the highest authority acknowl 

edged in our Federal Constitution. There is an answer for Communism and 

all our other moral and spiritual problems and that answer is God. Our 

forefathers believed that God was the answer. 

For example, the Mayflower Compact contained the following : 

"In the name of God, Amen. We, having undertaken for the Glory of 

God and the advancement of the Christian faith, do by these presents, 

solemnly and mutually, in the presence of God and one another, covenant 

and combine ourselves into a civil body politic . 

Then in 1643, the Articles of Confederation said in part: 

"Whereas we all came into these parts of America with one and the 

same end and aim, namely to advance the kingdom of our Lord Jesus 

Christ, and to enjoy the liberties of the gospel in purity and in peace . . 

Not only did the early settlers of America put God first and foremost, 

but the Supreme Court of the United States as late as 1892 recognized our 

faith in God. In the case of "The Church of the Holy Trinity vs. The United 

States (143 U. S. 457-271), the Court said: 

"These and many other matters which might be noticed add a volume 

of unofficial declarations to the mass of organic utterances to show that 

nation." 

this is a Christian 

Since it is God who has made and preserved us a nation can we do less 

than acknowledge our Maker in the Constitution of our land. "Blessed is 

that nation whose God is the Lord." 



By 

Prof. William H. Kussell. 

Ph.D. 

BRITAIN VOTES CONSERVATIVE 

Great Britain's recent 

Parliamentary 

elections produced 

a substantial victory for the Conservative Party. They 

raised their majority from 17 seats to 59, and increased their 

share of the popular vote by l.S per cent. This continues the 

Conservative trend which began with the elections of 1950 

and 1951. The Conservative triumph is attributed to general 

prosperity, and to Prime Minister Anthony Eden's success 

in foreign negotiations, such as the Paris pacts and forth 

coming Big Four talks. "The Conservatives also gained by 

the serious split within the Labor Party, which offered very 

little in the way of a constructive program. Eden is now 

securely in power and the new Parliament may last a full 

live years. Government policy is not likely to change, but 

the Labor Party must have a showdown soon to settle its 

interna) disputes over policy and leadership. 

AIR SUPERIORITY 

Washington is embroiled in an argument over the rela 

tive strength of Soviet and American air power. For several 

months, Air Force spokesmen had hinted that our present 

goal of 137 wings was inadequate. Then came a brief an 

nouncement that the Russians had displayed a new type 

of bomber comparable to our eight- jet B-52, which we have 

just begun to put into regular service. Congressmen and Air 

Force officers reacted with a rash of conflicting statements 

and conjectures. 

Most estimates place the Soviet rate of plane produc 

tion above ours, and some also believe that they have more 

planes in .service. 

However, we are definitely 

superior in 

certain categories, such as naval aviation, transport planes, 

and long-range medium bombers. Our fighter planes proved 

their general superiority 

over the Russian MIGs in the 

Korean war. We also have important geographical advan 

tages, for we have air bases closer to Russia than she has 

to the U. S. To meet the threat in heavy bombers, the Air 

Force has announced a 35 per cent speedup in production 

of B-52s. Under the new schedule, all our B-36s will be re 

placed with B-52s by 1958. 

WILD WINDS 

The tornado season again has arrived. In an average 

year the U. S. has 145 tornadoes, 

which take 230 lives and 

destroy property worth $20 million. They usually 

late spring and early summer, and are most common in the 

come in 

Midwest and Southeast. In one 24-hour period this May, we 

had several "twisters" which killed at least 114 persons and 

injured many more. Sixty-nine died in the little town of 

UdaJl, Kansas. Let us hope that we do not surpass the 

record of 1953, when tornadoes killed 516 people and de 

stroyed property worth nearly 

REFUGEE PROBLEM 

$225 million. 

Controversy over the Refugee Relief Act of 1953 has not 

died down since the firing of Edward Corsi as chief admin 

istrator of the program. The law provides for the admission 

of 214,000 Iron Curtain refugees, beyond the regular quotas, 

by 1956. So far, with the period covered by the act half 

gone, only 22,000 have entered this country, and only about 

one-fourth of these were actual refugees. The White House 

has now asked Congress for ten changes to liberalize the 


law. These amendments would broaden the definition of a 

"refugee," ease the necessity of sponsorship by an American, 

and relax the requirement of a complete personal 

history 

over the past two years. Most persons coming from behind 

the Iron Curtain cannot provide any proof of their past his 

tory, and many have had to wait out the two-year period 

in a DP camp. In spite of strong support for these changes, 

it is doubtful whether Congress will comply, for many 

Congressmen are fearful of any liberalization in the immi 

gration laws. 

HOT WATCHES 

Swiss watch movements have become one of the biggest 

items in the modern smuggler's trade. Last year the Ameri 

can tariff on foreign watch movements was increased 50 per 

cent, to meet the demands of American watchmakers for 

protection. Our legal imports of Swiss watch movements 

have fallen from 12 million in 1953 to a rate of about eight 

million this year. But the smugglers, it is estimated, are 

bringing in over a million Swiss movements a year. Customs 

officials believe this is done by a well-organized internation 

al syndicate. Watch movements are small and easily hidden, 

so the detection problem is very difficult. America's legiti 

mate watch dealers, who pay the tariff, are complaining of 

competition from the illegal imports. They have asked the 

Swiss Watch Federation to police the Swiss factories, to 

prevent watch movements from getting into illegal channels. 

The Swiss Federation, however, is more interested in getting 

the American tariff reduced. Perhaps you have seen their 

attractive ads in some of our national magazines. 

GERMANY FLIES AGAIN 

Planes bearing German insignia are again flying the 

world's airways. Early this year Lufthansa, the prewar 

national airline of Germany, was revived. Permission for 

this was granted even before the signing of the Paris agree 

ments which restored West Germany to full sovereignty. 

The West German government owns 90 per cent of the 

shares in the new Lufthansa. (Nearly all European airlines 

are at least partially government-owned.) Its main base is 

at Hamburg. Domestic service began in May, and trans- 

Atlantic flights on June 1. When more planes are acquired, 

Lufthansa also will begin service to South America and the 

Middle East. Some of Hitler's Luftwaffe veterans are being 

retrained to fly the new German airliners. 

DOCTOR SHORTAGE 

Officials of 

American medical schools have begun to 

complain that they do not have enough applicants. The num 

ber of applications for admission to medical schools has de 

clined steadily for the past five years, and the national aver 

age is now 1.96 applicants for each opening. This still leaves 

college graduates with only a fifty-fifty 

chance of being 

admitted 

immediately to a medical school. Most state uni 

versities continue to restrict their admissions to residents of 

their own state, and all too often political "pull" is useful 

in gaining admission. But the schools are already com 

peting for the better students, and complaining 

of a de 

cline in the quality of applicants. Among the reasons given 

for the decline are the length and expense of the training,. 

and the improved employment opportunities in other fields. 

COVENANTER WITNESS

voice" 

witness." 

grace" 

was" 

Christ As Revealed in the Book of Daniel 

Retiring Moderator's Sermon Before The Synod of 1955 

by Frank E. Allen, D.D. 

"I am an old man and have never seen God," said a gray-haired 

Indian to Sir John Franklin when he was making his way into the 

Arctic region. So said Pharaoh when Moses was sent by God to de 

mand the release of the Hebrews: "Who is the Lord, that I should 

So said Nebuchadnezzar when Shadrach, Meshach, 

obey his 

and Abednego refused to bow before his golden image: "Who is that 

" 

God that shall deliver you out of my hands 

But that God whom Pharaoh defied caused the water of the Red 

Sea, which fled before Israel, to roll over the head of Pharaoh and 

his host. That God stood in the inidst of the furnace of fire with the 

three men who had been thrown into it, protecting them from all 

harm. 

He Was Christ 

That God was the Lord Jesus Christ who is declared in the second 

Psalm to be the one whom the Father has commissioned to break the 

rebellious nations as with a rod of iron, and dash them in pieces as a 

potter's vessel. He is the same Christ spoken of in the 45th Psalm 

whose arrows are sharp in the heart of the King's enemies. He is the 

Christ of the 72nd Psalm who has dominion from sea to sea and to 

the ends of the earth. He is the Christ of the 110th Psalm to whom 

God said, he will make his enemies his footstool. 

Rev. F. E. ALLEN, D.D. 

Moderator of the 1954 Synod 

The Stone 

The second chapter tells us of the stone cut out 

of the mountain without hands which was to break 

in pieces all those kingdoms. The stone was un 

doubtedly Christ. The record of the destruction of 

those kingdoms, through much of the Book, demon 

strates how Christ in His providence breaks them 

and executes His decrees. 

How could it be true that Christ was to be 

raised up, or anointed, in the days of these kings, 

and also break them all in pieces Most of the com 

mentators are confused on this point. Christ was 

King from eternity but was given special honor, or 

invested in a special manner, after His work was 

completed on earth. In the gospels we are told that 

the kingdom of heaven was at hand. The King was 

to be revealed in human form, but He had been both 

Saviour and King through the ages. He was a Sav 

iour to Abel and Enoch and Abraham, and was King 

over Pharaoh, and David, and Nebuchadnezzar. He 

called himself "Captain of the Lord's Host" when 

He appeared to Joshua as the latter was becoming 

the leader of Israel. 

Examples are common among earthly kings of 

those who were kings a considerable time before 

their coronation. The Queen of Great Britain, 

Elizabeth II, was a queen with all the rights of a 

queen, several months before the coronation cere 

mony. So Christ was King ages before the special 

honor of His crowning, when 

following His death on 

the cross His name was exalted above every name. 

Christ Now King 

Andrew Melville boldly declared to king James 

that when he was in his swaddling clothes Christ 

Jesus reigned freely in Scotland, and he might have 

June 8, 1955 

added, when Adam was hunting fig leaves to clothe 

himself Christ reigned in all the world. 

In the Alps there is a little circular church with 

statues of the twelve apostles ranged around its 

wall, all pointing their fingers to Christ as He is por 

trayed emerging from the tomb on the resurrection 

morning. Written above is the text, "To him give all 

the prophets 

Dr. J. R. W. Sloane, in his sermon on "Christ in 

History," 

said: "All events are to be ascribed to 

Christ as Mediator." He showed that Christ is: (1) 

The author of all events ; (2) He controls them ; (3) 

He limits all events. 

On the "appointment of Christ to Mediatorial 

dominion, "William Symington, in his book, "Mes 

siah the Prince," says: "Christ was formally ap 

pointed to the kingly office by His Father from all 

eternity in the covenant of (p. 40). We are 

told in Scripture (of the personal wisdom of God in 

Christ) : "I wTas set up from everlasting, from the be 

or ever the earth (Prov. 8:23). 

ginning, 

Christ the Center 

Christ is the center of the Book of Daniel, not 

Nebuchadnezzar not Belshazzar not Darius or Cy 

rus, but Christ in whose hand all these great kings 

and empires were as the dust of the balance. The 

book deals mainly with the kingship of Christ. It 

presents Him also as priest and prophet, but it does 

not dwell upon His priesthood with nearly as much 

emphasis as His kingship. It shows that He is as 

truly king of the Gentile nations as of the Hebrew 

nation. 

In All the Chapters 

Christ is referred to definitely in six, possibly 

eight, chapters of Daniel. Since He is spoken of so 

often as having power over these nations, is it not 

355

generation." 

wise." 

most reasonable to infer that He was also present to 

uphold and protect His own. With that in mind we 

can say that His presence is evident in every chapter 

of the Book. 

In the first chapter, Christ was preparing four 

handsome, brilliant, devout youths for His service, 

that they might give His testimony to several worldfamed 

kings and dynasties. 

In the second, Christ is represented as a stone 

cut out of the mountain without hands which would 

break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms. He 

would stand forever and His kingdom would fill the 

whole earth. 

In the third, Christ protected and supported, 

even in the fire, the three men who would not wor 

ship the golden image which Nebuchadnezzar had 

set up. 

In the fourth, it was the "watcher" Christ who cut 

down the great tree, representing Nebuchadnezzar, 

and humiliated him until he was ready to confess 

that "his dominion is an everlasting dominion and 

his kingdom from generation to 

In the fifth it was Christ who in the midst of 

the drunken feast of Belshazzar wrote his doom upon 

the wall and gave his kingdom to Darius the Mede. 

It was Christ, in the sixth chapter, who gave 

Daniel the faith and the courage to refuse to pray 

to Darius, and who protected him in the den of lions. 

It was Christ in the seventh chapter who is de 

scribed as one like the Son of Man who came with 

the clouds of heaven to the Ancient of Days, God 

the Father, and was given an everlasting kingdom 

over all peoples. This is the climax of the whole book 

of which we wish to speak more specifically later. 

The eighth and ninth chapters tell of the time of 

the coming of Christ and of His sacrificial death. 

The ninth chapter names Him "Messiah the Prince." 

The tenth describes Christ as both priest and 

king, as a man clothed with linen and girded with 

gold, and His appearance like lightning, in almost 

the same highly figurative language as He is de 

scribed in the first chapter of Revelation. 

The eleventh chapter implies Christ's control 

of a plethora of nations of that day and on through 

the inter-testament era, as Persia, Greece, Egypt, 

Svria, Ethiopia and Palestine, causing potsherd to 

dash against potsherd, "sifting out the nations with 

sword," 

liis terrible quick preparing for the world 

wide rule of the nation whose feet were as iron, 

which was to rule over the world when our Lord 

would come in the flesh. 

The twelfth points to the same man clothed with 

linen as in the tenth, that is to Christ, to His com 

ing, to the resurrection, the judgment, 

and the re 

wards of the righteous. 

There are many lessons in this book a few of 

which we wish to make special note. 

I 

Christ Prepares Men for His Service 

Christ was preparing Daniel as a boy for the 

great work that he was to do through a long 

period 

of leadership in his mature life. He had been taken 

captive along with others about three years before 

Jerusalem was destroyed. Though a boy 

of about fif 

teen vears of age he had not lost hope, and resolved 

to his best wherever he was placed and remain 

true to God. 

. 

He was in Babylon and probably saw Zedekiah 

356 

brought in with a chain around his neck, his eyes 

bleeding, his back swollen from beatings, footsore 

and burned with the desert sun, a sorry, humiliated 

sight, a captive because he disobeyed and dishonored 

God. Amidst all the devastation, death and horror, 

Daniel and his three companions had been preserved 

unharmed. 

His Parents 

If Daniel's parents were preserved alive they 

would have nothing to regret in the way they had 

trained their son. But what of other parents who 

had not taught their children the Bible, who had al 

lowed them to engage in false worship, and who had 

not restrained them from breaking the Sabbath and 

other forms of evil Melanchthon, Luther's friend, 

said: "Rightly to train a single youth is a greater 

exploit than the taking of Troy." Rating them by 

this definition, Daniel's father and mother were 

great heroes. 

Daniel Tested 

Daniel had not been long in Babylon when he 

and his three friends were severely tested. They 

were among those who had been chosen for special 

training with a view to advancement among the hon 

ored advisers of the king. Daniel protested against 

drinkingthe 

wine and the kind of food they were 

given. He and his friends were given the opportunity 

would thrive better if 

to show by a test that they 

the wine were eliminated from their rations. 

Daniel had seen the disastrous results of intoxi 

cating wine in his home land. He had probably heard 

the prophet warn: "Woe to him that giveth his 

neighbor drink!" He had known how Noah had got 

ten into a shameful state, and how Lot had been 

dragged into the gutter by his own daughters who 

made him drunk with wine. He knew that Solomon 

had said, "Wine is a mocker ... he that is deceived 

thereby is not He knew what Isaiah had said: 

drink!" 

"Woe to them that follow strong He knew 

more about the fearful results of beverage alcohol 

than some of the modern schools for the study of 

alcohol are willing to admit today. 

Rewarded 

Christ was Daniel's daily support and he was 

rewarded far beyond his expectations for his tem- 


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seat." 

not." 

ward." 

mercy." 

not." 

exploits" 

perance, his faithfulness and assurance of Divine 

aid. Daniel has served as an example to young men 

and women for more than 2,500 years. Christ was 

preparing him for other tests of faith, purity of life 

and worship, and he did not fail when put to the 

most severe tests. 

"Dare to be a Daniel ; 

Dare to stand alone; 

Dare to have a purpose firm; 

Dare to make it known." 

II 

Christ Is the Mediator by Whom Prayer 

Is Made Effective 

Long before Israel was taken into captivity her 

people were told that if they 

should sin and be taken 

captive, if they would repent and pray toward Jeru 

salem, God would bring them back to their own land. 

When they prayed toward Jerusalem they thought 

of the temple, of the sacrifices, of the holy 

place and 

the mercy seat. These pointed to Christ who was to 

offer Himself a sacrifice and show mercy to His peo 

ple. Daniel prayed, not once, but three times a day 

toward Jerusalem. He was pleading for mercy 

through the great Redeemer. 

When Daniel and his companions were threat 

ened with death if they did not reveal and interpret 

the dream of Nebuchadnezzar, they prayed earnestly 

and believingly, and God heard and answered, re 

vealing not only the interpretation, but the lost 

dream to the unreasonable king. 

Daniel Sad 

As recorded in the tenth chapter in the third 

year of Cyrus, Daniel had been a captive for about 

seventy-three years. Some of the Jews had already 

returned to Palestine. Why Daniel had not returned 

we are not told. Tradition affirms that he died in 

Shushan and a monument was erected in his mem 

ory there. 

Daniel had mourned and fasted for three weeks. 

Why was he so sad He had not fallen into disfavor 

with the king. He had not committed some great sin 

and was not mourning 

on that account. He was 

called by the holy angel, "a man greatly beloved." 

There were probably different reasons why he 

was sad. His people were having trouble in Jerusalem 

as recorded by Ezra. The adversaries of the Jews 

wanted to make an alliance with them, and when 

their sinster proposition was refused, they troubled 

the people of Judah and hired counselors against 

them to frustrate their purpose. 

By Hiddekel 

One day after the period of mourning and fast 

ing, Daniel stood by the river Hiddekel, or Tigris, 

when a marvelous vision appeared to him. Christ 

was giving him encouragement in the midst of his 

sorrow. Remember that it was by the river Hiddekel 

that the garden of Eden was located, 

where man 

was placed amidst beauty, ease and perfection. He 

was probably thinking, as Milton expressed it: 

"Of man's first disobedience, and the fruit 

Of that forbidden tree, whose mortal taste 

Brought death into the world, and all our woe, 

With loss of Eden till one greater Man 

Restore us, and regain the blissful 

He would think of the result of that sin upon man 

kind, how it had been transmitted from generation 

June 8, 1955 

to generation, and how it caused Israel to sin re 

sulting in their captivity. 

The Time 

The time was on the 24th day of the first month 

when he as a boy, with his family, would have just 

returned from Jerusalem after the observance of 

the Passover. He remembered the sacrifices which 

pointed to a greater sacrifice, to One who was led 

as a sheep to the slaughter, and by whose stripes we 

are healed. As he prayed and wept, I can hear him 

cry in the words of a prophet whom he may have 

known, "O Lord, revive thy work in the midst of the 

years, in the midst of the years make known: in 

wrath remember 

Vision of Christ 

Christ revealed himself to Daniel in a marvelous 

vision, in the tenth chapter, in almost the same man 

ner in which He was revealed to John in his loneli 

ness on the Isle of Patmos. He saw a man clothed 

with linen, wearing a girdle of gold, His body like 

beryl, His face like lightning, His eyes as lamps of 

fire, His arms and feet like polished brass, and His 

voice like that of a great multitude. Christ was re 

vealing Himself both as priest and king, in His beau 

ty, glory and power. What could better encourage 

and strengthen him and the church in view of the 

troubles through which they were to pass Daniel 

was overpowered with fear, but a hand touched him 

and said, "0 Daniel, a man greatly beloved . . . fear 

How often has our Lord come to His people in a 

trying hour, saying, "Fear He came to Abra 

ham in an hour of perplexity, saying, "Fear not, 

Abram, I am thy shield and thy exceeding great re 

He came to Paul, when threatened with ship 

wreck, saying, "Fear not, Paul !" He has come to His 

not!" 

servants in every age, saying, "Fear 

Still Mighty 

Christ is still the great High Priest, willing to 

save. He is still upon the throne. He has put down 

Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius, Alexander and 

the Caesars. He has overcome the Charleses, the 

Jameses, the Hohenzollerans, and Hitler and He 

shall reign until He has put all enemies under his 

feet. 

Not Discouraged 

Do not be discouraged, ye faithful of the Cove 

nanter Church in America, or Ireland, or Scotland, 

or Syria, or Cyprus, or Japan, or China. He has given 

you a banner to be held aloft. Why art thou cast 

down, why are ye disquieted, ye Covenanters Trust 

in Christ for your cause is His cause. 

Jesus encouraged His disciples saying, "Fear 

not little flock, it is your Father's good pleasure to 

give you the kingdom." Christ assured Daniel that 

though his people should pass through exceedingly 

trying times, "The people that do know their God 

shall be strong and do (11:32). 

Palissy, a Huguenot potter, was made a prisoner 

of France visited him in the 

in the Bastile. The king 

dungeon, assuring him that he had a regard for him, 

but declaring that if he did not conform to the es 

tablished religion he would be forced to leave him in 

the hands of his enemies. Palissy replied: "Forced, 

sire this is not to speak like a king ; but they who 

force you cannot force me. I can die." 357

stroyed" 

Like Daniel, let us pray on and let us labor on, 

for Daniel's God is our God, and His Mediator is our 

Christ, ready to hear and also ready to answer and 

give redemption and victory to His own. 

Ill 

Christ Demands Submission of All Men and Nations, 

Exalted above All 

It is said of Christ, "By me kings reign, and 

princes decree justice." We are told in the words of 

the apostle Paul that Christ became man, "humbled 

himself, and became obedient unto death, even the 

death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly 

exalted him, and given him a name which is above 

every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee 

should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, 

and things under the earth ; 

and that every tongue 

should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory 

of God the Father." 

Ascension and Crowning 

The Psalms portray the ascension of Christ and 

Daniel portrays his crowning more vividly than else 

where in the Bible. 

The Psalmist said : 

"God is ascended with a shout, 

The Lord with trumpet sound. 

Sing praise to God our King : sing praise, 

resound." 

Yea let His praise 

What a glorious reception in heaven our Lord 

received as portrayed in another Psalm ! It may have 

been sung in honor of the return of the ark to Je 

rusalem, but how much more truly did it tell of the 

ascending Lord! 

The host of angels accompanying Christ as He 

ascended seem to sing in a loud voice : 

"Ye gates, lift up your heads on high; 

Ye doors that last for aye, 

Be lifted up, that so the King 

may." 

Of glory enter 

The guardian angels seem to ask, 

"But who of glory is the King" 

The reply comes back: 

"The mighty Lord is this; 

Ev'n that same Lord that great in might 

And strong in battle is. 

Ye gates, lift up your heads on high ; 

Ye doors that last for aye, 

Be lifted up, that so the King 

may." 

Of glory 

enter 

Again the guardian angels call: 

"But who is He that is the King 

Of glory Who is this" 

The heavenly 

escort exclaims in reply: 

"The Lord of Hosts and none but He 

The King of glory is." 

Thus the Psalms give us a glorious picture of 

Christ's ascension, but it was given to Daniel to see 

a vision in the seventh chapter which takes us be 

yond the veil to the very throne of God, in a manner 

which is not even revealed in the gospels. 

358 

Daniel saw till the thrones were cast down and 

the victorious Christ came into the presence of the 

Ancient of Days, God the Father, who was sitting 

upon the throne in all His glory. He saw one like the 

Son of Man (Christ Jesus) come with the clouds of 

heaven to the Ancient of Days, and they brought 

Him near before Him. "And there was given him do 

minion, and glory and a kingdom, that all people, na 

tions and languages should serve him: his dominion 

is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass 

away, 

and his kingdom that which shall not be de 

(7:9-14). 

Here heaven is opened and we are given a pic 

ture of Christ being crowned as Mediatorial King by 

God the Father. 

The Psalmist was directed to say of this con 

quering King: 

"Jehovah to my Lord hath said, 

Sit Thou at My right hand 

Until I make thy foes a stool 

stand." 

Whereon Thy feet may 

Always King 

The exercise of the kingly office of Christ be 

fore and after His resurrection was much the same 

as the exercise of an earthly king before and after 

his coronation. The ceremony of the coronation 

makes a public display of the sovereign's investiture 

with kingly power, but his authority and power may 

have existed long before. 

Christ is before all things, and by Him all 

things consist. All things were created by Him and 

for Him. In all things He should have the pre-em 

inence (Col. 1:16-18). 

In the day in which we live when there is so 

much defection in the church and so much rebellion 

in the state, we see the need of a new realization of 

Christ the Mediator upon the throne, and of Him 

holding all peoples and all nations as a drop in a 

bucket, by His almighty power. 

The Right to Demand Submission 

We should remember that this is the outstand 

ing book of the Bible dealing with Gentile nations. 

We have here the record of the rise and fall of three 

world-conquering kings, and of another king which 

was used of God to carry out His will toward His 

people. 

Daniel had reproduced and interpreted the 

dream of the wicked tyrranical king, Nebuchadnez 

zar, which taught him that Christ, the stone cut out 

of the mountain, was not only over him, but had 

power to destroy him and all the succeeding kings. 

After interpreting another dream which showed that 

Nebuchadnezzar should be brought low, and if he did 

not repent would lose his reason and be degraded to 

the statue of the beasts of the field until he should 

be ready to recognize the power and dominion of 

Christ, in place of 

repenting he became more 

haughty and the sentence was carried out. After he 

had thus suffered and his reason returned to him 

he was willing to admit that the Most High ruleth 

in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of 

the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto 

thou" 

him, what doest 

Tested by Fire 

Moreover, Daniel had seen the effort of Nebu 

chadnezzar to force all the people of his realm to be 

come idolaters and bow before his golden image: 

COVENANTER WITNESS

sians." 

return," 

contempt." 

world." 

angels." 

and when 

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused 

to bow or worship, he cast them into a fearful fiery 

furnace. The men were not burned or even harmed, 

and there walked with them, as the king said, one 

like the Son of God. The king spoke more wisely than 

he knew, for the Son of God was there to keep and 

protect them from all harm. 

Tested by Lions 

The most severe test which came to Daniel was 

when Darius commanded his subjects to pray to 

none other but himself for thirty days, or, as a pen 

alty, to be cast into a den of fierce lions. When Dan 

iel prayed to God as usual he was cast into the den, 

but Christ was there to protect him from all harm. 

When the men who sought his death were cast into 

the den they were torn to shreds before they reached 

the bottom of the den. Then the king issued a decree 

declaring that the God of Daniel is the living God 

and stedfast forever, 

and His kingdom that which 

shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall be 

even to the end. 

Handwriting on the Wall 

When Belshazzar on the night of a drunken de 

bauch with a thousand of his lords saw the hand 

writing on the wall, "Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin," 

Daniel was called in to interpret the writing. He told 

the trembling king that though he knew of the pow 

er of God over Nebuchadnezzar, he had not humbled 

himself and had rebelled against the God of heaven. 

The writing on the wall declared, "God hath num 

bered thy kingdom, and finished it. Thou are 

weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. Thy 

kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Per 

In that night was Belshazzar the king of the 

Chaldeans slain. It was the stone cut out of the 

mountain (Christ) who brought to an end Belshazzar's 

reign, and it was He who ruled over all the 

kings whose reigns are recorded here, and over sev 

eral others whose subjection is foretold in the latter 

part of this Book. 

The Assyrian Army 

Christ has no less power today than when the 

proud army of Sennacherib, the Assyrian, stood at 

the gates of Jerusalem. The prediction through 

Isaiah came true, "He shall not come into this city, 

nor shoot an arrow there .... 

By the way that he 

came, by the same shall he broken, ruined 

and disgraced by the hand of the messenger of the 

King of kings. 

Can you throw out your hand and stop a jet 

plane as it shoots by like a rocket Can you rush 

down to the beach and block an ocean wave as it 

catapults toward the shore No more can you halt 

the purpose of Christ the Mediator as He deals with 

men and nations of the world. 

On a mosque in Damascus, formerly a Christian 

church, there still remains on its wall the inscrip 

tion: "Thy kingdom, O Christ, is an everlasting 

kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all 

generations." 

Mrs. Jennie Kennedy, a missionary 

in 

Alexandretta, 

Syria, told of the destruction of the German 

consulate during the First World War. A French 

warship had come into the harbor and ordered the 

German consul out within an hour. He left just be 

fore the hour was up and the French gunners 

promptly shelled the building to pieces, but the 

cen- 

June 8, 1955 

tral wall was left and on it pictures of the Kaiser 

and Frederick the Great. The German consul called 

Mrs. Kennedy to come and see the remains of the 

building, and looking up at the portrait of the Kai 

ser, shouted: "See! they couldn't bring him down! 

They will never bring him down!" But the Kaiser 

was brought down. So will it be with all the powers 

that rebel against the honor and the kingdom of 

Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords. 

The Right of Dissent 

These courageous, good men, Daniel, Shadrach, 

Meshach and Abednego, not only taught us the im 

portance of a pure life and pure worship, but they 

demonstrated the right of the child of God to dissent 

from the laws of a government which contravenes 

the commands of God. What would we know of these 

men today if they had not only been willing to dis 

sent, but to die if need be, rather than dishonor God 

If they had not been pure, temperate, men of prayer 

and faith, they would have died in their early career 

along with the wise men of Babylon. Christ would 

not have honored them and preserved their lives; 

He would not have heard their prayers and given 

them wisdom above others if they had not honored 

Him and had true faith in Him. 

IV 

Christ Will Judge and Reward His Own 

The Dead Raised 

In the last chapter of this book we are told of 

the resurrection and the judgment. "Many of them 

that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some 

to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlast 

ing 

The resurrection is a great fact which men of 

all ages need to know. It was not a fact hidden from 

those who studied the Old Testament. There are a 

number of references to it in the Psalms and else 

where. Martha, who was a student of the Old Testa 

ment, said to Jesus, "I know that he shall rise at the 

resurrection at the last day." 

It was an encouraging truth to those who were 

to undergo persecution in that day and in the future. 

There is a story in the second book of the Maccabees 

of seven brothers and their mother who were sus 

tained during torture and martyrdom by the assur 

ance of their resurrection to everlasting life. 

The Judgment 

The last judgment, 

which is so briefly men 

tioned here, is vividly portrayed by 

our Lord in the 

latter part of Matthew 25. There we are told of the 

great and final separation of the righteous from 

the wicked, of the sentence pronounced on the 

wicked and the reward of the righteous. Christ shall 

say to the righteous: "Come, ye blessed of my Fa 

ther, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the 

foundation of the To the wicked he shall de 

clare: "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting 

fire, prepared for the devil and his The 

wicked shall go away into everlasting punishment: 

but the righteous into life eternal. It is a fearful 

thing to neglect Christ as sad as to openly defy Him. 

Eternal Rewards 

Earnest laborers for Christ shall have a great 

(or more 

and eternal reward. "They that be wise 

exactly, teachers) shall shine as the brightness of 

the firmament; and they that turn many to right 

eousness as the stars for ever and ever." 

359

nations." 

you.' 

prayer." 

us!" 

years.' 

This is an epitome of such commands as we 

have in the New Tetament as, "Go ye therefore, and 

teach all In such commands Jesus pro 

claims the duty of teaching the gospel ; here in Dan 

iel He presents the reward. What greater reward 

could the child of God ask than to shine as the fir 

mament and as the stars for ever The stars, though 

they may seem small to us, are far greater and 

brighter than the sun. 

Men of the world seek some great gain or ambi 

tion for themselves, and they frequently trample 

down others in the effort to reach their goal. Nebu 

chadnezzar, Darius, Alexander and Caesar rose to 

places of power by physical force, wading through 

blood and crushing their rivals. Christ presents to 

us a far higher ideal and a far greater reward. The 

places of honor under Him are promised to those 

who have been most like Him in holiness, in the con 

secration of their lives, in the eminent spiritual in 

fluence they have manifested, and in the testimony 

they have given. Paul went to the far ends of the em 

pire beseeching men night and day with tears to be 

lieve in Christ and be saved. He considered himself a 

debtor to the Jew and to the Greek, to the barbarian 

the bond and the free. We too, have the call to be 

wise teachers, seeking to turn many to righteous 

ness. 

No Door Closed to God 

Have we been discouraged about the future of 

Christian work at home or abroad If you are dis 

couraged and think the door is closed or closing 

listen to Samuel H. Moffett, missionary to China, 

who was arrested, imprisoned, and tried by the Com 

munists before being expelled from that country. 

In a recent article he declares that no door stays 

closed to God. 

When the Communists had come into China, had 

arrested one of the pastors and the door seemed 

about to close, a commencement speaker thrilled his 

discouraged audience, students and teachers, when 

he took as his text: Revelation 3:8, "Behold I have 

set before thee an open door, and no man can shut 

it." 

As he spoke they could almost see the graduates, 

about to leave the shelter of the campus for the hard 

and hostile future of a Christian in a Communist 

land, "Graduates, teachers, all, straightened their 

shoulders and lift their heads. It was Red China; 

the Communists were upon us, but God was speaking 

to us, 'Behold I have set before thee an open door, 

and no man can shut it.' " 

The missionary continues: "It is high time we 

stopped this deadly talk about closed doors before us. 

It is time we listened to God, not to our own de 

feated hearts. Our God is able, and it is He who is 

speaking, the Almighty God, maker of Heaven and 

earth, Alpha and Omega, who by the word of His 

power rolled away the stone that closed the tomb at 

Calvary. No door stays closed to Him." 

The door seems to be closed, "closed by the 

might of the Red Army. But it is not closed to our 

brothers, the Chinese Christians, 800,000 of them, 

some weak, some dying, some deserting, and yet, by 

the grace of God, still bearing their witness as the 

remnant of the faithful. . . . 

"There is the door of new methods of reaching 

the unreached with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Every 

year the Bible is translated into new languages, 

un 

locking yet more frontiers to the Word of God .... 

360 

"There is the magic door of the radio. On a bul 

letin board in the office of the Presbyterian Mission 

Board in New York there is the slogan : 'Our (radio) 

programs reach more people in one week than heard 

the gospel in the first one-thousand The 

Christian mission has rimmed the whole world with 

broadcasting stations, and we have not even begun 

to exhaust the possibilities of this wide-open door 

that is spread ibefore us. . . 

. 

"There are some doors that never have and 

never can be closed. There is the door of prayer. 

Jesus said, 'Ask, and it shall be given to you ; seek ; 

and ye shall find ; knock, and it shall be opened unto 

How easily we forget this door that never can 

be closed to 

As Mr. Moffett was about to leave China he said 

" 

to an earnest Christian girl, 'Is there anything that 

I can do for you now ' She looked at me straight in 

the eye and said, 'Yes, there is, you can pray for 

me.' 

" 

And he adds : "How dare we say there is noth 

ing we can do about the doors that are closing all 

over the world to the Christian mission We have 

in our hands a power greater than all the Commun 

ist armies of Asia and Europe, a power that can 

split the Iron Curtain wide open as the veil of the 

temple was rent at Calvary, a power that can open 

any and every door known to man. It is the power of 

Daniel's Prayers Heard 

Christ who heard Daniel and his three friends 

and preserved them from being cut to pieces by the 

cruel king; the Christ who heard their plea and 

walked with them in the fire : the Christ who broke 

in pieces the Chaldean, Persian and Grecian and 

Roman empires of old, can hear the prayers of His 

people today 

and put down and break in pieces all 

dictators and heathen powers that resist the onward 

march of his kingdom. 

Our Lord who promises that they who turn 

many to righteousness shall shine as the stars, ex 

pects of us a courageous, faithful, persistent effort 

to seek those who are lost and to witness to the na 

tions. They shall shine as the stars! What a won 

derful reward! How that reward held before us 

should revive and enthuse us when we tend to be 

come weary with well doing ! 

The Joy of Home 

A terrible storm was sweeping over the Great 

Lakes. A steam tug towing a barge began to found 

er. The captain and his crew took to a small boat. 

Throughout the night they were tossed about fear 

ing for their lives. In the morning they were rescued 

by a passing ship. Later the captain testified that 

all night long as they were beaten and tossed by the 

tempest there was one thing which encouraged them 

to row on and kept their hearts from sinking in des 

pair. It was this: shining through the darkness and 

the storm they saw the lights of home. 

When in the midst of the storms and struggles 

of life we are tempted to yield, may we keep before 

us the fact that Christ rules and the assurance of 

the resurrection and our eternal home, and may we 

never yield to despair! 

Let us not become weary of witnessing or 

preaching for Christ ! If we are faithful to Him and 

exert our talents for Him, He promises a glorious 

and eternal reward. 

COVENANTER WITNESS

unsurpassed." 

night." 

sung." 

sight," 

REFLECTIONS ON MAKING A WILL 

There are many reasons why a person should 

make a will. If you have in your life time accumu 

lated money and other forms of wealth you need to 

make a will. By making a will you will save your 

heirs a lot of trouble and they will respect your 

of your estate. If you have not 

wishes in disposing 

made a will there is bound to be different opinions 

as to how the estate should be divided and maybe 

hard feelings will arise. Then no one has as much 

right to say how your estate is to be settled as your 

self. 

Having decided to make a will you will need to 

keep in mind certain things relative as to how you 

are to divide your estate. You will not seek to escape 

any of your responsibilities ; if you have dependents 

you will want to do the right thing by your de 

pendents. You will recognize the rights of men and 

the rights of God. 

If you have been in the habit of giving your 

tithes and offerings you will likely want to continue 

this giving in your will. Money is a trust and we are 

to use all of our money in a way that will cause it 

to do the most good, and this is as true of what we 

leave behind as it is of what we spend. For this rea 

son when we make our wills we should consider the 

claims of God. 

If you want to leave money for the furthering 

of the Lord's work you can leave it in various ways. 

You can leave it as an endowment fund. This will 

mean that only the interest of the money will be 

used each year, the principle will remain intact and 

continue to bear interest for years to come. This ap 

peals to some people because long after they are 

gone, a yearly 

contribution will be given to the work. 

The disadvantages of the endowment is that institu 

tions and their principles change and the interest 

may be furthering something that you would not ap 

prove fifty years hence. Then too, a substantial gift 

today might do more to further the kingdom of Je 

sus Christ than the interest from that sum over a 

period of years. 

If you prefer you can leave your money to the 

Current Account of Synod's budget and the money 

will be used at the discretion of Synod. If any of the 

departments of the church's work is in a particular 

need your gift may ease that need, or it may 'be di 

vided pro rata between all the departments. Money 

left to the current account is used as the need arises. 

or maybe we should say, the opportunity arises. If 

to a particular 

you desire you may leave your money 

department, or departments, of the church's work, 

either stipulating that it is for endowment or the 

current account. 

This article is not written to apply any pressure 

upon anyone to leave money too the church, but is 

written to urge people to make a will and to consider 

when they are making the will the just claims of the 

Church of Jesus Christ. After all there is no place 

where we can invest our lives or our money to a 

better advantage than in the kingdom of Jesus 

Christ. 

(Written by request of Synod's Special Committee.) 

June 8, 1955 


By Rev. D. T. Lauderdale 

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 

Psalm 23:1. 

E. C. Olsen in his recent book, "Meditations in 

the Book of Psalms," says : "The twenty-third Psalm 

undoubtedly is the most universal Scripture, known 

and loved in all lands. One can go on exhausting ad 

jectives in an attempt to express its great message, 

and still he would only have touched the fringe of its 

contents. Yet it is a Psalm of only six verses. If I 

were a lawyer pleading the case of the inspiration of 

the Bible before a tribunal, I think I would say some 

thing like this, 'Gentlemen, I rest my case upon the 

twenty-third Psalm.' " 

Kyle M. Yates in his late book, "Studies in the 

Psalms," 

says of the -third 

twenty Psalm : "It is the 

first one that a child learns, the one he repeats most 

often as he grows up, the one he remembers longest, 

the one his thick lips repeat in the last moment of 

his life. It is more than three thousand years old and 

yet so new, so colorful, so adapted to our every need, 

that it could well have come from the pen of God this 

morning. The little child learns to repeat it at his 

mother's knee. ... In the Church service the voice of 

the minister speaks forth its words and the entire 

audience becomes still and listens to its matchless 

message. . . . When the end of life comes and the 

shadows darken about one, the choice of all would be 

these blessed words of David." 

Charles H. Spurgeon in his noted commentary 

on the Psalms, "The Treasury of David," says of the 

twenty-third Psalm, "Its sweetness and spirituality 

are 

Robert C. McQuilken in his booklet, "The Lord 

Is My Shepherd, The Psalm of Victorious Life," says, 

"The twenty-third Psalm is the greatest poem ever 

penned in any language. ... It is the best known 

chapter of the Bible." 

W. Graham Scroggie of Edinburgh, Scotland, in 

his recent devotional commentary, "The Psalms," 

says that the twenty-third Psalm is, "the simplest, 

sweetest song that was ever He adds, "Happy 

are they who can sing it in the Scottish metrical 

version to the tune of 'Stracathro,' or 'Covenanters,' 

or 'Crimond.' " 


'BE STILL, AND KNOW' 

How can God give us visions when life is hurry 

ing at a precipitate rate I have stood in the national 

gallery and seen people gallop round the chamber and 

glance at Turner's picture in the space of five min 

utes. Surely we might say to such trippers, "Be still 

and know Turner!" Gaze quietly at one little bit of 

cloud or at one branch or at one wave of the sea or 

at one ray of the drifting moon. "Be still, and know 

Turner." 

But God has difficulty in getting us still. 

That is perhaps why He has sometimes employed the 

ministry of dreams. Men have had "visions in the 

In the daytime I have a Divine visitor in the 

shape of some worthy thought or noble impulse or 

hallowed suggestion, but I am in such feverish haste 

that I do not heed it and pass it along. I do not "turn 

aside, and see this great and so I lose the 

Heavenly vision. If I would know more of God, I 

must relax the strain and moderate the pace. I must 

be "still." J. H. Jowett. 

361

nothing." 

cymbal." 


CYPU BIBLE STUDY DURING JULY 

We are to study the two epistles, to 

the Galatians and to the Colossians, 

during the five Sabbaths of July. To 

make our time count the following is 

recommended : 

1. Read the background given in the 

Acts from ch. 13:14 through ch. 16:8. 

Note mention of Galatia, 14:6, 7; 16:6. 

See also Acts 18:23. 

2. Study your Bible map, then draw 

or trace a map showing Paul's first two 

missionary journeys. Mark on the map 

all the places where he preached. 

3. Read Galatians first two chapters, 

at least. 

4. Bring 

with your Bible. 

your notebook and pencil 

Thanks for your cooperation. 

C.YJP.U. TOPIC 

For June 26, 1955 

BIG WORDS: LOVE 

Alvin W. Smith 

I John 4:7-11; I Corinthians 13; 

Psalms 

John 3:16 



103:1-4, page 246 

116:1, 2, 8, 9, 11, 12, page 282 

36:5-9, page 90 

89:1-4, page 216 

Scripture References: John 14:15, 16; 

14: 22, 23; 15:9, 13; 16:27; I Peter 

1:8; Gal. 2:20; I John 3:16; 4:16; 

Rom. 8:35; II Cor. 5:14; John 13:35; 

15:12; Rom. 12:9; I Thess. 3:12; I 

Peter 1:22 


This is the biggest of them all 

four letter word, but the biggest word 

there is 

"love"! 

God's Love For Us 

In order to approach this subject, we 

must turn first to God. We must realize 

that God knows all about us; He knows 

our thoughts and our hearts; He sees 

the power of sin in our lives; and yet 

"God so loved the world that He gave 

His only begotten son . . . There 

a 

is 

the best definition of the word "love." 

Look again. Look at Jesus! He knew 

what His incarnation would mean; He 

knew what suffering and humiliation 

He would endure here upon the earth; 

He knew that the cursed death of the 

cross lay before Him; and yet He came 

to live and to die for us; "Greater love 

hath no man than this . . If 

we can 

but comprehend even a speck of the 

love of God, we know what love is. 

362 

Then We should respond to that love! 

"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God, and 

thy 

neighbor as 

thyself." 

First, 

Our Love For God 

we must love God. That is the 

message of the Scriptures; that is the 

unity of the first four commandments; 

that is the core of the Gospel message; 

that is the basis for Christian behavior; 

again" 

that is the expression of a "born 

life; that is the criterion of consecra 

tion; that is the response of the heart to 

the heart to God's love. 

Our Love for our Neighbor 

Second, we are to love our neighbor 

as ourselves. If we profess to love God, 

but can't get along with others, we had 

better examine our profession. There 

are those who go to church and know 

the Bible, but are constantly nagging, 

contradicting, and fighting; unfortun 

ately, this even takes place in the 

church circle. I was talking to a min 

ister recently 

who said that in his 

church they just expect to have a 

church fight and split about every six 

months. Yet our love for our neighbor 

is a measure of our love for God. In 

I John 4:20, we read, "If a man say, I 

love God, and hateth his brother, he is a 

liar; for he that loveth not his brother 

whom he hath seen, how can he love 

God whom he hath not seen" 

love is an evidence of divine love. 

Human 

That is why it is important for us as 

parents to show love and affection to 

our children; that doesn't mean a lack 

of discipline, but how are we going to 

lead our children to experience the love 

of God if they have not experienced love 

on the human level. It is important to 

love and be loved humanly. 

God realized the value of interpreting 

divine 

things through human experi 

ence; that is why God sent His Son that 

we might know the love of God. Until 

we have come to love and be loved 

humanly, we cannot fully 

show the love of God. 

appreciate or 

I Corinthians 13 shows us that love 

is the greatest of the Christian virtues. 

Love stands first in Paul's list of the 

fruits of the Spirit. 

We might be tempted to think that 

obedience is the most important thing in 

the Christian life, but the greatest thing 

is love. 


witnessing is the most important thing 

in the Christian life, but Paul wrote, 

"Though I speak with the tongues of 

men and of angels, and have not love, 

I am become as sounding brass, and a 

tinkling 


faith is the greatest thing in the Chris 

tian life, but Paul wrote, "and though 

I have all faith so that I could remove 

mountains, and have not love, 

I am 


martyrdom is the greatest evidence of 

the Christian faith, but Paul wrote, 

"Though I give my body to be burned, 

and have not love, it profiteth me noth 

ing." 

Love means that self comes last; it 

means considering the feelings of oth 

ers; it means leaving the last piece of 

cake for someone else; it means using 

the money you saved for a new coat to 

get clothes for someone else; it means 

that even though you are dead tired, 

you will make a special effort to invite 

someone to church. 

You remember Jesus' last journey to 

Jerusalem. He knew what lay before 

Him. All the sins of humanity were to 

be laid upon Him. If ever anyone had 

reason to think of Himself and forget 

everyone else, it was Jesus at this par 

ticular time. But as He passed Jericho, 

a blind beggar called out to him; the 

disciples passed by, but Jesus who was 

going to suffer and die forgot about 

Himself and thought about this beggar. 

He stopped the procession and took 

time to heal and to bring 

cheer. Such 

was the completely unselfish love of 

Christ! Can we do less 

God created us that we should love 

people and use things, but today too 

many 

of us have reversed the order; 

we love things, and use people. The 

object of love is to be loved in return, 

but when we love things there is no re 

sponse, and so we want more and more 

things. Life is a frustrating and unsatis 

fying thing without love for God and 

love for our neighbor. 

The word "Love" seems especially 

appropriate for June since we see so 

many June weddings. You will notice 

the word "love" frequently in the mar 

riage service; and many 

ministers will 

say that love is the foundation of a 

happy home. 

However, I believe that it depends on 

the kind of love. There is physical at 

traction which is sometimes called 

"love"; but when the bloom dies, what 

is there to bind hearts together There 

are things in common which frequently 

draw people together 

sports, social 

position, art, etc. and people say, 

"What a perfect couple!" 

but what hap- 

COVENANTER WITNESS

cymbal" 

nacle." 

pens when one or the other becomes in 

terested in something else There are 

many other things which pose as love 

sympathy, hero worship, success, etc. 

but none of these should be the basis 

for a Christian marriage. 

True "love" in marriage is a response 

to the love of God; it should reveal that 

discernment, purity, unselfishness, and 

understanding which characterize every 

part of the Christian life. True love 

does not come magically 

at the marri 

age ceremony, but it is developed dur 

ing courtship. As we date and eventual 

ly become engaged, we should always be 

thinking of those things which will 

make for a mature and lasting love. 

Especially, the question of our faith is 

important, for not only our love, but 

also the love of our partner should be 

a response to the love of God. 

Love is something that grows with 

use; without use, it dies. The more we 

love, the more we want to love. And the 

more we love, the more discerning our 

love becomes; 

want to help 

it becomes natural to 

and understand others. 

Both our CYPU Pledge and the Cove 

nant of 1954 remind us that "we will 

encourage by our example . . . 

love!" 

Let others see that we have received 

the love of God by the way in which we 

show love toward God and toward our 

fellow men. 


1. What is love God's love Our re 

sponse 

2. Show the difference between mere 

physical attraction and true love. 

3. What do you think about someone 

who says he loves God, and yet is dis 

respectful to his parents 

4. Why is witnessing "as a sounding 

brass or a tinkling 

love 

without 

5. If we truly love our fellow men are 

we going to let them go on living with 

out telling them about Christ 

6. How do we know when we are "in 

love" What place do mutual interests 

and a mutual faith have in loving some 

one 

7. How would you answer someone 

who said, "What do you do if you fall 

in love with an 

unbeliever" 

(Should 

we date someone whom we know to be 

an unbeliever) 

It's You 

It's not money He wants, but men; 

Not coin, but character; 

Not tithes, but tithers; 

Not gifts, but the givers; 

One's sense of partnership with Christ 

is heightened as one places first in his 

life of obligations, the one he owes to 

the Master through His Church. 

June 8, 1955 

JUNIOR TOPIC 

June 26, 1955 

by Mrs. Parke W. Wicks 

Syracuse Congregation 

THE TABERNACLEGOD'S 

DWELLING PLACE 

Scripture Text: Exodus 40 

Leader: Exodus 25:23-40; 37; 38:1-8 

Memory Verse: "Then a cloud covered 

the tent of the congregation, and the 

glory 

Psalms: 

of the Lord filled the taber 

Exodus 40:34 

Memory Psalm for June, Psalm 103: 

5-8, page 247 

Psalm 29:1, 2, 6, page 66 

Psalm 95:1, 2, 5, page 231 

The curtanis and boards, the furni 

ture of the tabernacle have been com 

pleted and Moses has passed his ap 

proval of the work. God now tells him 

to set up the tabernacle the first day 

of the first month. This is almost a year 

since the people have come out of 

Egypt. Moses is ordered to set up the 

tabernacle first, then to put the ark in 

its place, and draw the veil before it, 

then to fix the table, and the candle 

stick, and the altar of incense, without 

the veil, and to fix the hanging of the 

door before the door. In the court he 

was to place the altar of burnt offering, 

and the laver; then the curtains of the 

court, and a hanging for a court-gate. 

After the tabernacle and furnishings are 

set up Moses was to anoint them with 

oil, and then consecrate Aaron and his 

sons as priests. As soon as Moses placed 

the table he set the show-bread on it 

(verse 23), for God will never have His 

table empty. When he placed the can 

dlestick he lighted the lamps before the 

Lord (verse 25) ; 

when the golden altar 

was put in its place he burnt sweet in 

cense thereon (verse 27). Then the al 

tar of burnt offering was set up and he 

had an offering ready to offer upon it 

(verse 29). Moses did all these things, 

not only to instruct the priests, but to 

show that God's gifts to us are for use 

and not show. We are to make use of 

our talents and not save them. 

All this was done while they were in 

the wilderness. "Then a cloud covered 

the tent of the congregation, and the 

tabernacle." 

glory of the Lord filled the 

Now here God comes to dwell with the 

people, to be their King. He owned 

them, and was pleased with their labors. 

He forgave them for their sin of the 

golden calf. We can use this lesson to 

show how Christ came to save us. We 

need to prepare ourselves according to 

His directions; the tabernacle of old be 

ing our bodies, 

and after we have made 

our minds and hearts ready to receive 

Him, He will come and dwell within us. 

He will forgive us of our sins if we but 

follow His word and do His will 

as the making and erecting 

bernacle. Also as they 

tabernacle in the wilderness, 

just 

of the ta 

established the 

so we can 

accept Christ as our Saviour in any 

place and at any time, as long as we 

confess our sins, and acknowledge Him 

to be Lord and Master of our lives. 

The same cloud which led the people 

out of Egypt settled upon the taber 

nacle and became a token of God's pres 

ence to all Israel. When the cloud was 

taken up the camp moved, and when 

the cloud was not taken up they re 

mained in camp. The cloud made an ex 

tra protection for the tabernacle. Our 

protection for our tabernacle comes 

from the love of the Lord Jesus, and is 

constantly with us too, covering us over 

like a cloud, and is with us at home, at 

play, wherever we may 

go. So as the 

Israelites' 

glory of the Lord filled the 

tabernacle, the glory of Jesus in our 

hearts should cause us to shine before 

others in our doing the will of and lov 

ing our Saviour. 

When we have the word of the Lord 

in our hearts it is clear to all we meet 

that we would do good, and not evil, and 

that the Saviour truly dwells within us. 

Moses and Aaron and Aaron's sons 

acted as the go-betweens between God 

and His people. We have Jesus Christ 

to plead our cause to God and help us in 

our life here on earth. How easy it is to 

kneel in prayer each day to talk with 

our Lord, each one of us, and not de 

pend on others to carry 

our messages 

for us. We can come to Him with our 

problems and questions with the com 

plete assurance that He will answer 

wisely 

solve them. 

and direct our paths so as to 


Draw the inside view of the taber 

nacle, and place and label the furniture. 


June 26, 1955 


(Lessons based on international Sunday School 



national Council of Religions Education.) 

GOD AND THE NATIONS 

Zephaniah 3 

PRINTED TEXT, Zephaniah 3:1-5. 

14-20 

Memory Verse: Psalm 67:4: "O let the 

nations be glad and sing for joy: for 

thou shalt judge the people righteously, 

and govern the nations upon earth." 

All that we are told about Zephaniah 

is in the first verse of his prophecy. It 

was written during the reign of Josiah. 

363

sorrow." 

afraid." 

.... to 

rusalem." 

voice." 

people." 

me." 

anymore." 

rejoice." 

singing." 

Zephaniah was not writing of the con 

ditions that he saw before him in the 

prosperous days of Josiah's reign. He 

was dealing broadly with the history of 

Judah, not only in times of obedience 

and blessing, but also in times of rebel 

lion and punishment. 

The prophecy begins with a very 

dark picture of national idolatry, and 

then in the midst of our lesson today, it 

changes suddenly into as bright a pic 

ture as could be written. The two parts 

of our lesson seem to be about the same 

people, but they really describe the con 

duct and destiny of two entirely dif 

ferent groups of people, occupying the 

same land at the same time. 

The Woe of Jerusalem, Zeph. 3:1-5 

"WOE!" 

terjection of 

Thayer defines it as "An in 

How could we 

describe a greater sorrow than this A 

thousand times I have spoken that word 

where it was understood and usually 

obeyed promptly. It meant 

"Stop." 

Sometimes it meant that disaster was 

imminent if it was not obeyed quickly. 

I do not know if we borrowed the 

word from the Hebrew, but there is cer 

tainly a degree of similarity in the 

meaning. Is not the very pronounce 

ment of the woe a call to stop the evil 

course, a warning of disaster if sin is 

persisted in 

Judah had gone so far in sin that we 

marvel at the mercy of God offering 

salvation at all. She was rebellious, pol 

luted, oppressive, living in violent con 

tradiction of God's purpose, princes, 

prophets, judges and priests perverting 

their office, government of the rich, by 

the rich, for the rich. Man's work is 

never complete. There is always a rem 

nant. Josiah's reform left a remnant of 

idolatry. Chap. 1 :4 shows that when 

God takes charge the remnant of idola 

try 

will be destroyed. Then when the 

people fall into idolatry 

and are spirit 

ually lost, there is always a remnant 

that remains faithful. Chap. 2 :7 shows 

that when Judah has been carried into 

captivity, there will be a remnant that 

God will save. He will destroy the rem 

nant of idoJs, and save the remnant of 

His people. The remnant is to wait un 

til the Lord gathers the nations (Chap. 

3:17). They 

are to wait until the rem 

nant of Israel has been purged and does 

no iniquity, and speaks no lies. 

they 

"For 

shall feed and lie down, and none 

shall make them 

of the 23rd Psalm.) 

(Reminiscent 

Judah Slow to Learn vs. 6-8 

(not printed.) 

In the midst of a picture of God's lov 

ing grace, the vision changes suddenly 

to earnest advice and stern warning. 

They are not to rest in idleness on God's 

364 

mercy, but to "wait" in obedience and 

faith until the day when the Lord shall 

gather His people. God is still speaking 

to His people; He is still working for 

His people. He is setting before them a 

warning the example of wicked nations 

that brought them to ruin. Judah and 

Israel could see what sin was doing to 

the nations around her. We are sur 

prised that she did not heed the lessons. 

We have a much plainer warning. We 

have the story 

nations, 

of the rise and fall of 

even from the Garden of Eden, 

with the unbroken testimony that 

"Righteousness exalteth a nation, and 

sin is a reproach to any 

The 

world has heard the warning, but is slow 

to heed. If there is a great disaster, a 

remnant will be saved. Where will we 

be 

The Joy of Obedience, vs. 9-20 

(vs. 9-13 

not printed) 

"In that day." Though not included in 

the lesson, it is a key to the book. The 

Day of the Lord is set in contrast with 

the day when man works his will. "The 

remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity." 

There has always been a remnant. The 

Lord is never without a witness. The 

remnant remains faithful to God 

through disaster and persecution. "Woe 

not my 

the oppressing city! She obeyed 

But in that polluted city, 

there was a remnant. On the remnant of 

idols and their worshipers, a woe is 

pronounced. But the remnant of faith is 

addressed in most endearing terms : 

"Daughter of Zion," "Daughter of Je 

Sing, shout, be glad and re 

joice with all thy heart. Thy judgment 

(condemnation) is taken away, thine 

enemies are cast out. "The King of Is 

rael even the Lord, is in the midst of 

thee: thou shalt not see evil 

"Yea though I walk through the valley 

of the shadow of death, I will fear no 

evil, for Thou art with me. Thy rod and 

Thy staff, they comfort Redemp 

tion takes the place of judgment, and 

mercy comes in instead of punishment. 

The blessings that are promised to 

the seed of Abraham are not for a tribe, 

but for a World Kingdom, the Kingdom 

of the Redeemed, under the reign of 

Christ. When Christ came, Abraham. 

like John the Baptist, decreased, and 

the faithful Jews submerged their hu 

man ancestry and their nationalism in 

Christ's Kingdom. They let go of Abra 

ham, and laid hold of Abraham's Christ. 

They lived for Christ's Kingdom in 

stead of for the Jewish Nation, because 

Christ was the Messiah, the Hope of the 

Jews. Those who followed the faith of 

Abraham, followed it right into the 

service of Abraham's Christ. And those 

who were the children of Abraham by 

faith were driven from their land by 

those who were the children of Abra 

ham only by the flesh. They 

were scat 

tered abroad, and went everywhere car 

rying the blessed Gospel of the Son of 

God. The unrepenting descendants of 

the rebellious Jews, 

who crucified their 

Christ, who are now trying to regain 

the Jerusalem that they destroyed, are 

but a handful to those who carry the 

blood of Abraham in their veins, 

thlove 

of Christ in their hearts, and the 

Gospel of the Son of God in their lips. 

"In that day!" God is gathering the 

"remnant" 

into the glorious Kingdom of 

Jesus Christ, the Kingdom of the Re 

deemed, where all families and tribes 

and nations are one. To this redeemed 

remnant comes the call, "Sing, shout, be 

glad and 

"The Lord thy 

God in the midst of 

thee is mighty; He will save, He will re 

joice over thee with joy; He will rest in 

His love, He will joy 

over thee with 


For June 29, 1955 

Mark 8:37 

"WHAT WILL A MAN GIVE IN 

EXCHANGE FOR HIS SOUL" 

C. E. Caskey, D.D. 

(The Scripture Reading might be taken 

from Psalm 37.) 

Suggested Psalms: 

Psalm 63:1-5, page 153 

Psalm 37:14, 20-22, page 93 

Psalm 49:4-8, page 125 

References: Psalm 119:72; 119:127; 39: 

6; Luke 12:13-21; Jer. 17:11; I Cor. 

15:32; Matt. 6:19-21; 6:31-34: II Cor 

inthians 4:16-18. 

This is the second in our series on the 

subject: "GREAT QUESTIONS GOD 

ASKS," 

which were to be prepared 

"with a view to interesting the young 

people and securing young leaders." The 

first question, "What is that in thine 

hand," 

prompted us to ask ourselves as 

parents if we are willing 

to give our 

children over to the Lord's service, and 

to ask the young people if they are will 

ing to take the talents which the Lord 

has so graciously given them and conse 

crate them to His work. 

The question, "What will a man give 

in exchange for his 

soul" 

is not asked 

for information. It is a rhetorical ques 

tion and it implies that there is nothing, 

not even the whole world, that equals 

the soul in value. It isn't like one man 

coming to another and asking, "What 

car" 

will you give me for my A car 

has a definite value for which it may be 

exchanged. The life and soul are in 

valuable. It is more like a man sayingi 

"All the money in the world couldn't 

buy. . 

. and then he names something 


nal." 

he considers priceless. The difference is 

that what he considers priceless has a 

value, but the whole world gained is 

not to be weighed against the loss of the 

soul. 

Some translate the word "soul" with 

the word "life" instead. Jesus Christ 

used a word that means both the life 

and the soul, and to keep the meaning 

clear we had better stick to "soul." Had 

He meant just the life He could have 

said so. 

martyr proves 

Furthermore the death of a 

that there are things 

which are of more value than the life 

alone. For these a man will rightly ex 

change his life, but not his soul. 

While 

the question actually means 

that there isn't anything, even the 

whole world, which equals the value of 

the soul, the fact is that we do in ef 

fect trade things for our souls. Esau 

traded off his birthright, and wished he 

hadn't done it. Men trade their souls for 

things they 

want at the moment and 

quickly find to be of no value, for our 

sense of values changes. Here is an il 

lustration. A ship is in distress at sea 

because of fire in the hold and it must 

be abandoned. The captain tells every 

one that there are enough lifeboats to 

hold all the passengers, and that each 

boat will carry in addition three boxes. 

There is plenty of food and the ship has 

in its cargo many boxes of gold. The 

captain's advice is that each boat take 

two boxes of food and one box of gold, 

but in one boat there are those who have 

a different idea. They think it is too bad 

not to get all the gold they can so they 

take one box of iood and two of gold. 

They begin to drift and are not picked 

up 

so after some days there comes a 

shout from this boat, "We'll trade a box 

of gold for a box of food." Still they are 

not rescued and the supply 

of food is 

dwindling so a second offer is shouted. 

"Two boxes of gold, for a box of food." 

Finally the situation becomes desperate 

for them and they cry in anguish, "Take 

all our gold and give us just a little of 

your 

food." 

Today the things of 

the 

world have their apparent value and the 

temptation is to take them in preference 

to the things of the soul, but there will 

come a time when they will lose their 

value and the tilings of the spirit will be 

seen to be of inestimable worth. Then 

we would gladly, if it were possible, 

trade all of the world for one soul. "The 

things which are seen are temporal; but 

the things which are not seen are eter 

A drink may seem harmless and 

desirable, but drunkards do not inherit 

eternal life. Sex attracts and seems to 

offer much, but it can destroy the soul. 

Pride, wrong ambition, selfishness, and 

many other wares are offered in the 

devil's market in exchange for the soul. 

In fact nothing is too large or too small 

June 8, 1955 

for him to offer it in this exchange. 

Norman McLeod has given us an alle 

gory with some lessons. A young man 

walks the path of life holding carefully 

to a silver thread which guides him 

safely as long as he grasps it and fol 

lows it. As he goes along singing he 

notices a little way off the path the 

most beautiful golden bird he has ever 

seen. As he starts for it the bird flies 

away leaving a beautiful golden egg 

which he feels he must have. Holding 

the silver thread he tries to reach it, 

but it is too far away. Surely it will do 

no harm to let go of the thread for 

just an instant and get the beautiful 

egg, but when he lets go the heavens 

suddenly become black, lightning flash 

es, and thunder terrifies him. The egg 

in his hand is nothing but ugly ashes, 

and when he gropes for the thread it is 

gone. Finally, above the trees, he sees a 

little light and there, out of reach, is the 

silver thread. 

Young people, what are you giving in 

exchange lor your souls Parents, what 

are you holding out as most desirable in 

life, the things of the world or the 

things of the spirit. "What shall it profit 

a man, if he shall gain the whole world, 

and lose his own soul Or what shall a 

man give in exchange for his soul 



Praver Hour I :00 P.M Monday 

The Thirty-Second Annual Meeting 

of the 

Women's Presbyterial Missionary 

Society of the 

New York Presbytery 

The 32nd Annual Meeting of the New 

York Presbyterial was held in the Cam 

bridge, Massachusetts, church, May 3 

and 4. The Rev. and Mrs. Donald I. 

Robb, the members of the Missionary 

Society and Missionary Guild gave all 

a very 

gracious and warm we'come. 

We were indeed fortunate in that we 

had the Rev. Claude C. Brown from our 

Southern Mission and the Rev. and Mrs. 

Samuel E. Boyle as speakers. Mr. Boyle 

showed pictures of the work and work 

ers in our Japan Mission field. 

Officers elected for the year 1955-56 

were : 

Mrs. Paul Wilson, President 

Groton, Vermont 

Miss Elizabeth Henderson, Vice-presi 

dent 

Newburgh, New York 

Mrs. Orrin R. Ferry, Recording Sec 

retary 

Montclair Society 

Mrs. Norman Speer, Corresponding 

Secretary 

Walton, N. Y. 

Mrs. Abbott S. Cutter 

Cambridge Society 

The Convention Theme was "Ye Shall 

Be My Witnesses," Acts 8:1, and the 

Convention Psalm, the 40th. The devo 

tional periods conducted by the Rev. 

Donald I. Robb, and Mrs. Samuel E. 

Boyle were very helpful. 

Important business included action 

taken which will in the future divert 

monies from Life and Memorial Mem 

berships of the New York Presbyterial 

to be used for building 

of the Aged People's Home of the Re 

formed Presbyterian Church. 

and maintenance 

A recommendation was also sent to 

the Woman's Association that the name 

be changed to The Covenanter Home. 

The spiritual atmosphere of the con 

vention was very high, and the renewal 

of friendships and the making 

of new 

ones added greatly to the enjoyment of 

all. It was indeed an experience of fine 

Christian fellowship with a real purpose, 

that of promoting the mission work. 

Ethel Ferry 

Recording Secretary 

MISS MARY L. KENWILL 

The passing from this life of Miss 

Mary L. Kenwill on Tuesday, April 19, 

1955 brings to the members of the Cen 

tral Pittsburg W. M. S. a deep sense of 

bereavement and loss, and we desire to 

pay a tribute of love and esteem to her 

memory. 

Miss Kenwill was born and reared in 

Pittsburgh, and her forty-two years of 

faithful and efficient public school serv 

ice was rendered in this area. 

From childhood she 

participated in 

the activities of the Sabbath School and 

Church, and when older, carried many 

responsibilities in the service of the 

congregation. She was capable in the 

work she performed and her consecrat 

ed leadership will be greatly missed. 

The members of our W.M.S. recall with 

pleasure and gratitude the times our 

meetings were held in her home where 

she extended the hospitality 

cious Christian hostess. 

of a gra 

We rejoice in the assurance that she 

is now at Home with the Lord, and our 

prayer is that all those who knew her 

and witnessed her devotion to Christ 

may be led to dedicate their lives anew 

to Him. 

With thanksgiving to God for the 

salvation that is ours through the aton 

ing 

work of Jesus Christ our Saviour, 

we look forward to a glorious reunion 

with loved ones gone before in His pres 

ence. Committee of W. M. S. 

365

wait." 

ed." 

a 

statement." 

Christian Amendment Movement News 

CAM NEWS 


Washington, D. C. 

May 24, 1955 

Letter from A. J. McFarland, D.D. 

Dear Dr. Taggart: 

I have been in Washington, D. C. just 

a little over two weeks, and have talked 

with many Congressmen and Senators, 

and have had some good results. It is 

hard to know for sure the final out 

come, but if promises hold out seven or 

eight Congressmen will introduce our 

Bill in the House. They have said they 

would, and have given me their pic 

tures to include in the Patriot. Some 

take considerable time at something 

such as this, so we will have to wait for 

final results. In the Senate it is also, 

like the army, "hurry and 

Right 

now I am waiting on the final word of a 

Senator who just took the plane for his 

home state and will not be back until 

next week. If, in the end, he doesn't 

introduce the Amendment bill, I think 

there is another who will. 

But I am writing this, not to talk 

about hopes and maybes, but I want to 

see put in the Witness the statement 

made by the Honorable Eugene Siler, 

Congressman from Kentucky. This was 

his own idea, and this is what he said as 

he introduced the Christian Amend 

ment Resolution on May 23, 1955. 

I might just say that he said, "I 

hope every 

Bill 

person who introduces the 

will make a similar 

And then he made this further com 

ment: "As long 

as I am in Congress, 

and this Amendment has not become a 

reality, I will continue to introduce it." 

He was for two years the President of 

the Baptist State Convention of Ken 

tucky, the only layman to have held 

that position in many, many years. His 

father before him, 

held the same position. 

But this is the statement: 

"Mr. 

as a layman, had 

Speaker, I have introduced in 

this great legislative body a resolution 

seeking to add 

amendment 23 to our 

present United States Constitution to 

the end that the basic and fundamental 

law of our land might recognize the 

Master Architect, Creator, and Builder 

of the Universe, the Almighty God, who 

hung 

out the stars and lit the burning 

taper of the sun and draped the glorious 

rainbow as a scarf about the shoulders 

of the storm: and also to the further 

end that there may 

be recognized in 

that same Constitution Jesus Christ as 

the Son of God and Universal Saviour 

of all mankind. 

"Many people, I believe, think the 

greatest deficiency of our present Con- 

What the Amendment Is 

The Amendment proposed is stated as follows: 

"SECTION 1. THIS NATION DEVOUTLY RECOGNIZES THE AUTHORITY 

AND LAW OF JESUS CHRIST, SAVIOUR AND RULER OF NATIONS, 

THROUGH WHOM ARE BESTOWED THE BLESSINGS OF ALMIGHTY GOD." 

Sections two and three read as follows: 

"Section 2. This amendment shall not be interpreted so as to result in the 

establishment of any particular ecclesiastical organization, or in the abridgment of 

the rights of religious freedom, or freedom of speech and press, 

semblage. 

or of peaceful as 

"Section 3. Congress shall have power, in such cases as it may deem proper, 

to provide a suitable oath or affirmation for citizens whose religious scruples pre 

vent them from giving unqualified allegiance to the Constitution as herein amend 

stitution lies in its failure to recognize 

specifically God Almighty and Ameri 

ca's definite position .as 

great Chris 

tian nation. In this modern day 

of paganistic 

and mundane attitudes, when 

Communism and all its philosophy of 

atheism and statism and materialism 

hold full sway in many places of the 

earth and embrace millions of its peo 

ples there is surely a great need for 

America to assert humbly her unalter 

able dependence upon God and her own 

daily followership of Christianity as 

the prevailing ideology of most of her 

people. As most everyone knows, the 

Constitution is whatever the people de 

cree it shall be, and since most of the 

people are God-fearing 

lowing, 

and Christ-fol 

the Constitution itself should 

make manifestation accordingly. 

"This proposed amendment is in no 

way an enroachment upon the demarca 

tion line of Church-State separation 

that has always characterized our Gov 

ernment, since this amendment would 

neither recognize nor support with tax 

revenue any 

soever. 

church organization what 

While this Amendment would 

not in any wise establish a church, yet 

it would in a positive way recognize the 

authorship of the Supreme Being and 

His Son Jesus Christ, as Saviour of 

mankind. 

"Mr. Speaker, the Holy Bible tells us : 

'Blessed is that nation whose God is the 

Lord.' 

wrote : 

"And the great Apostle Paul once 

'For other foundation can no 

man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus 

Christ.' 

"I hope our great Constitution may 

come to recognize God as our Lord and 

may 

also come to recognize that the 

Nation's foundation must be laid upon 

Jesus Christ as the firm Rock of Ages 

and Saviour of the 

Siler's remarks.) 

world." 

(End of Mr. 

Why not, right now, while you are 

thinking 

about it drop a card or 

letterto 

Mr. Siler and tell him how grateful 

you are for his having introduced the 

Bill, and for the message he gave in 

connection with its introduction. 

I am writing this Tuesday evening 

May 24 from Washington. Tomorrow, 

another is to introduce this Bill in the 

House, and he too is to give a brief 

message in connection with its intro 

duction. Perhaps next week we can 

have that message for the paper. Maybe 

we can have a little more complete 

story at that time, as well. 

But please write these men and thank 

them for championing the cause of Je 

sus Christ in our national Capitol. 

My most sincere thanks to so many of 

you who have been praying that the 

Lord would open hearts and doors here 

in Washington. God has answered. 

Sincerely in Christ, 

A. J. McFarland 

Address your letter to: 

The Honorable Eugene Siler 

House Office Building 

Washington, D. C. 

THE CHRISTIAN AMENDMENT 

INTRODUCED 


Today I have introduced a joint reso 

lution to amend the Constitution of the 

United States so as to give due recog 

nition to Almighty God. 

The resolution was the Christian 

Amendment. 

I was present to see Mr. Ashmore 

hand in this paper and also the Bill. The 

Bill was handed in just after the open 

ing prayer, at the beginning 

of the Ses 

sion, thus the comments ranked a place 

on the front page. There were a number 

of others who handed in Bills at the 

same time. Mr. Ashmore scanned the 

gallery and we waved at each other as 

he walked back after putting the Bill in. 

So far as I can determine no one else 

submitted the Bill on Wednesday. We 

have hopes of some others doing it 


366 


' 

Church News 

I moderated a call for the Topeka 

Congregation on June 1. Licentiate 

Donald McClurkin was chosen on the 

first ballot, and the call was made 

unanimous. 


D. R. Taggart 

Visiting with Mrs. Bella Burns and 

Wm. Burns over the Easter week end 

were Mr. and Mrs. Sam Burns and 

Danny of Hamilton, and Mr. and Mrs. 

Ernie Burridge and Erna Lee of Otta 

wa. 

The hostess for the April meeting of 

the W.M.S. was Mrs. Milton Bowes. 

This was* an evening meeting. 

Mr. Will Burns is recovering from an 

accident which resulted in a severe 

chest injury and a fractured rib. He is 

now home from the hospital. 


was held at the church on May 3. The 

new officers are Mr. James Morton, 

Chairman, and Miss Elizabeth Burns, 

Secretary. Prayer Meeting was held 

before the business was discussed. 

Rev. and Mrs. F. F. Reade left on 

the 2nd of May for Cambridge, Mass., 

The Christian Amendment . . . 

(Continued from p. 366) 

shortly, but it isn't necessary at all that 

all do it on the same day. The others. 

perhaps, will make no comment, but we 

do expect that there will be at least one 

or two others, and possibly as many as 

four others who will introduce the Bill 

in the House. We will have to wait a 

little longer in 

the Senate, since the 

Senator whom we hoped would do it 

left Tuesday evening to be gone for the 

rest of the week, and we await his reply 

when he returns. 

I am now on my way to the office in 

Pittsburgh. I want to say of my trip to 

Washington, in general, that I consid 

ered it most profitable. It had its prob 

lems, its heart breaks, but it also bore 

much fruit, and we have learned some 

things that we are sure will be helpful 

in the future in holding 

what gains we 

make. If you will indulge a further 

story I will try next time to give a 

brief summary of what transpired and 

some of our hopes for the future. It is 

to a great extent your prayers, and your 

money, that has made any of this work 

a success. You deserve to know of some 

of the fruits. We will try and give those 

next time. 

June 8, 1955 

Sincerely, 

A. J. McFarland 

and will 

attend the Presbyterial. On 

Sabbath the services were in charge of 

the elders and the Y. P. 

A large number attended the social 

on the evening of May 6 at the home 

of Mrs. Jane Waddell. Our purpose was 

to help Mr. and Mrs. John Morton cele 

brate their 15th Wedding Anniversary. 

The anniversary cake was enjoyed by 

everyone of course. 

Spring has arrived here in Canada 

and we are happy to report that Mr. 

and Mrs. Will White have also arrived 

from Florida. 

HOPKINTON 

Miss Minnie Anderson, the oldest 

member of our congregation, is very ill 

in the Memorial hospital at Manchester. 

We enjoyed the fellowship of the Rev. 

and Mrs. John O. Edgar and Louise, 

and were much helped by his ministry 

in connection with our recent commun 

ion. 

Mr. Ray Joseph who has completed 

his second year at the Seminary 

has 

gone to the Indian Mission to minister 

while the Rev. and Mrs. D. C. Ward are 

away. 

Mr. Hugh McGlade who has been 

treasurer of our congregation for more 

than a quarter of a century was honored 

on the occasion of his 80th birthday by 

his family, the congregation and other 

friends who met in his home. His daugh 

ter, Mrs. Ruth Stevenson, had come 

from near Detroit to be present on that 

occasion. Mr. 

McGlade was presented 

with a handsome (Thompson's) Bible 

by his pastor on behalf of his friends. 

Mr. J. R. Stevenson of Farmington, 

Mich., a former member of our congre 

gation, stopped over night, taking his 

wife and family 

to the funeral of his 

mother, Mrs. James Stevenson of Clar 

inda. 

Mr. and Mrs. John Finlay attended 

the funeral of their aunt, Mrs. Steven 

son, at Clarinda. Mrs. Stevenson was 

known and loved in our congregation 

and community. 

ROSE POINT 

Rev. Harold Harrington of New 

Castle ably assisted our pastor at our 

Spring communion on April 24. 

Two new members have recently 

come to our congregation, sons born to 

Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Stoner and to 

Mr. and Mrs. Roy Bessell. 

Martin Hutcheson was the winner of 

a bronze medal in a Junior Speech Con 

test held in New Castle under the di 

rection of the Lawrence County Wom 

an's Christian Temperance Union. Lois 

Stickle, a member of our Sabbath 

School, participated in a Silver Medal 

Contest also held in New Castle. 

The young men of the congregation 

have been busy recently putting a new 

ceiling on the entrance hall and audi 

torium of the church. It is a decided im 

provement. 

Paul Robb, recently 

graduated from 

the Seminary, preached for us while our 

pastor Rev. T. R. Hutcheson was ab 

sent assisting in communion at the 

Parnassus church. 

Linda McElwain, daughter of Mr. and 

Mrs. Harry McElwain, is able to be at 

church again after being kept indoors 

most of the winter with a bronchial in 

fection. 

Merle Wilson represented our session 

at the meeting of Presbytery held in 

the College Hill Church. 

Stephanne Dudash is a graduate of 

Princeton High School this year. She is 

assistant secretary 

School. 

of our Sabbath 

The Daily Vacation Bible School will 

be held at Princeton school this year 

June 13 to 24. Rev. and Mrs. T. R. 

Hutcheson and Miss Mary Jane Wilson 

assist as teachers in this school. 

A number from Rose Point attended 

the Pittsburgh Presbyterial held in the 

Parnassus church in New Kensington. 

Miss Anna Blair was timekeeper and 

Mrs. T. R. Hutcheson and Miss Mary 

Jane Wilson are members of the Exe 

cutive Board. 

CAMBRIDGE, MASS. 

Our Communion season was a bless 

ing to all who were able to attend. Rev. 

Claude Brown from Selma was our as 

sistant and broke the Bread of Life to 

us most faithfully. But he was not 

through when Sabbath services were 

over. The New York Women's Presby 

terial met the next Tuesday and Rev. 

Brown was the evening 

first night. 

speaker the 

All of the messages and fellowship 

which he afforded us were a witness to 

his walk with Christ. 

The second night of Presbyterial was 

in the hands of Rev. Sam Boyle who 

not only showed films from Japan, but 

challenged us to pray urgently for the 

work of Christ in Japan now. 

Last month several of the men of the 

congregation spent some long 

and late 

hours at the church. They refinished 

the Sabbath School room. Of course 

there was new paint, but they 

up an acoustic tile ceiling 

also put 

and bright 

new flourescent light fixtures. The dif 

ference is amazing and helps out great 

ly on occasions when this room is used 

for dinners, entertainments, etc. 

367

We have been very glad to have Bob 

Dodds of the Central-Pittsburgh con 

gregation with us lately. He is in the 

Coast Guard and has been stationed 

here in Boston as a dental technician. 

As far as he knows now he may be here 

for quite some time and so he is a very 

welcome addition to our number, and 

we trust that we will find him in our 

fellowship as often as his duties permit. 

OLD BETHEL (Houston, 111.) 

The Sparta and Old Bethel Congrega 

tions united in communion services, 

Sabbath, April 17, with the usual pre 

paratory services. Dr. M. K. Carson of 

Belle Center assisted our Pastor and 

brought us inspiring 

messages. Mrs. 

Carson and Mrs. J. M. Coleman came 

with Dr. Carson and renewed old 

friendships in this community. 

Mr. and Mrs. James Keys also of 

Belle Center came with the Carsons and 

enjoyed a short visit with the Ralph 

Matthews Family. We were glad to 

have them with us for this Communion 

Season. 

Our Pastor, Rev. John M. McMillan 

conducted "Family 

Devotions" 

a fifteen 

minute program on our local radio sta 

tion WHCO recently. He used the Grinnel 

Psalm records and made very in 

teresting and effective talks during the 

week that he was in charge of the pro 

gram. 

William R. Finley 

and James W. 

Mathews were welcomed into the mem 

bership of 

communion. 

Old Bethel at our recent 

Mrs. R. C. Adams of our Kentucky 

Mission visited in the home of her 

daughter Mrs. J. M. McMillan recently. 

While here she made a very interesting 

talk on the work in Kentucky. 

Old Bethel has been greatly favored 

in contacts with our Missionaries dur 

ing recent months. We have listened to 

very fine reports of the work from all 

three of our foreign mission fields. We 

feel that our interest has been quick 

ened and that we can pray more in 

telligently for our workers since hearing 

these reports. 

The new officers of the W.M.S. are 

Mrs. L. S. Finley, President; Mrs. W. L. 

Finley, Vice President; Mrs. Ralph 

Mathews, Secretary; and Mrs. Olive 

Mathews, Treasurer. 

ALLEGHENY 

For the past few weeks, Mrs. C. R. 

Fox has been in Wooster, Ohio, where 

she has been combining a visit with her 

sister, Mrs. Thomas Graham, with med 

ical treatments from a doctor. 

Mrs. W. S. Robb has been home from 

the hospital for several weeks. We are 

glad that she is 

able to be with us 

again at our Sabbath service 

S68 

and are 

hoping that her strength will soon re 

turn to normal. 

Mrs. R. Howard George has returned 

from Kansas City. Our prayers went 

with her, as she was going to the bed 

side of her brother, Dr. Paul Coleman. 

We were pleased to have Mr. Richard 

George and his family 

with us at church 

last Sabbath. We were particularly glad 

to see their little daughter Linda for the 

first time. Richard is 

in the Service, 

stationed at the Engineering Depot at 

Granite City, Illinois. 

Our communion was on April 24. It 

was a very 

good communion season, 

with helpful sermons by the assistant, 

Rev. John O. Edgar, of Sharon, Iowa. 

We were privileged to hear Dr. Bruce 

Willson preach at the closing of the 

Seminary in a combined service at the 

Central Pittsburgh Church. The follow 

ing Sabbath evening, we joined with 

Central Pittsburgh at their closing com 

munion service, when we heard a fine 

sermon by Dr J. G. Voss of Geneva 

College. 

QUINTER 

A supper was held in the church base 

ment Monday evening May 16, in honor 

of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bailey of Greeley, 

Colorado. 

Rev. and Mrs. Paul Faris and chil 

dren, Mrs. Hobert Haney, Mrs. Lloyd 

Ewing and Mrs. Bert McElroy attended 

the Kansas Women's Presbyterial at 

Denison, Kansas, on May 3 and 4. 

A work day at the church is planned 

for Thursday May 26. 

A hearing 

aid system has been pur 

chased for the hard of hearing. 

CINCINNATI 

The Sacrament of Communion was 

observed on May 8. The Rev. E. R. 

Hemphill brought inspiring and helpful 

messages on Friday evening, Saturday 

afternoon and Sabbath morning. The 

congregation expresses thanks to the 

provisional session, Mr. R. H. Reed and 

Mr. James King, for their presence at 

Communion times. The Covenant was 

also signed on this occasion. Three new 

members were received into the church, 

Mr. Howard Miles, Mr. Leroy Diss and 

Mr. Wm. Haynes. The Sacrament of 

Baptism was administered to Mr. How 

ard Miles, Mr. Leroy Diss and Mr. Wm. 

POETRY TIME 

God gives us joy that we may give; 

He gives us joy that we may share; 

Sometimes He gives us loads to lift 

That we may learn to bear. 

For life is gladder when we give, 

And love is sweeter when we share, 

And heavy loads rest lightly too, 

When we have learned to bear. 

Selected. 

Haynes on May 1. Deborah Jane Harsh 

was baptized on Saturday afternoon, 

May 7, by Rev. E. R. Hemphill. 

A Cradle call was formed with thir 

teen members. The recognition service 

for the Cradle call was held on April 10. 

Mr. and Mrs. Lyman Patton (Grace 

McGaha) announce the birth of a son, 

Bradley, born April 30. 

The congregation is indebted to Mr. 

R. H. Reed of Belle Center for a very 

attractive out door sign for the church. 

Miss Cecil Smith has been very gen 

erous in supplying interesting tracts for 

the new church tract rack. 

At S. S. Association meeting held, 

May 16, at the newly finished home of 

Mr. and Mrs. Esty Pickelheimer, 3105 

Diehl Road, an Oxford Bible was pre 

sented by the congregation to Mrs. 

Pickelheimer for twenty-five years of 

faithful services as Church Custodian. 

Mrs. 

Pickelheimer's mother was hon 

ored on the occasion of her eightieth 

birthday. Because of ill health Mrs. 

Pickelheimer resigned her position as 

Church Custodian. The Board of Trus 

tees elected Mr. Howard Miles to fill 

the position. 

TO OUR NEWS REPORTERS 

Thank you 

during the past year 

our new correspondents. 

for your faithful work 

and welcome to 

May we request a shortening of some 

of the church news, perhaps by elimin 

ating some of the regular monthly 

meetings unless something 

special oc 

curs. Some reports recently have taken 

considerable space 

and printing is ex 

pensive. Stress items of denominationwide 

interest. Thanks for your coop 

eration. 

Quoted 

OPEN LETTER TO CAMBRIDGE 

CONGREGATION 

Dear friends, 

My wife and I want to thank you sin 

cerely for your kindnesses to us when 

David was born. Your letters were ap 

preciated as were your visits. 

help 

And we wish to thank you for your 

with the expenses of the hospital 

and doctors. It was a kindness which we 

shall not forget. 

You have more than supplied our 

needs from day to day, 

and so we want 

to make wider recognition of your good 

ness to us through this open letter. 

Sincerely in Christ, 

Donald and Betty Robb 

COVENANTER WITNESS

strength." 

LESSON HELPS FOR THE WEEK OF JULY 3, 1955 


Spiritually 

How Tired Do You Get 

George B. Duncan 

Condensed from "The Bible Speaks to Britain" 

I suppose that most of us have known what it 

has meant to be tired. And how difficult life can be 

come when we are in such a state. Everything be 

comes so much harder. But if physical and mental 

weariness can make life difficult, even more so does 

spiritual weariness, for this is the most vital part of 

our lives. There is a wonderful verse in the Bible 

which has something to tell us about the secret of 

spiritual strength. "They that wait upon the Lord 

shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with 

wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, 

they shall walk and not faint" (Isa. 40:31). 

I want you to note that here the writer speaks 

of the limitation of our strength. It is something 

which needs to be renewed. I wonder how many 

Christians have ever stopped to think of this, and 

how many take any practical steps to meet the situ 

ation of spiritual weariness. Think for a moment as 

to why it is that we need to guard our spiritual 

strength. Why is it that we do become spiritually 

tired 

I think of the exhaustion through service that 

is bound to exist. Anybody 

who works hard physical 

ly will get physically tired, mental effort leads to 

mental weariness, spiritual service will lead to spir 

itual weariness. Do you recall how of Christ we read 

that He knew that virtue had gone out of Him 

I think too of the impoverishment through neg 

lect. Anybody who neglects his body 

and health will 

soon discover that his strength is not the same as 

that of others. But how often men and women be 

come spiritually tired simply for the same reason, 

they have been neglecting the simple and elementary 

rules of health. Lack pf food; of feeding upon the 

Word of God; lack of fresh air; of prayer in the 

presence of God;. lack of exercise, of witness Yes, 

neglect is one of the most common reasons for spirit 

ual weariness. 

But think also of enfeeblement through disease. 

Have you ever been ill, really ill Do you remember 

the utter weakness that afflicted your body Why, 

you could scarcely walk across the room! And so 

too, sin, in the realm of spiritual disease, weakens 

the body. Samson "wist not that the Lord had de 

parted from him," but his sin had broken the fellow 

ship that once had existed. 

Are you spiritually tired I wonder if some of 

the above thoughts will give you a clue why it is 

that you have found your strength to be so limited, 

how it is that it needs to be renewed. 

But this verse goes on to tell not only of the 

limitation of our strength but also of the inspiration 

of our strength. "They that wait upon the Lord shall 

renew their 

"They that wait upon the 

Lord." 

Are you in this company of people who know 

what this is in their daily life Note three things 

here concerning the inspiration, the inbreathing of 

strength into our spiritual lives. 

Firstly, there is the fact of derivation. Our 

strength is not in ourselves, it is in God. Nothing is 

more obvious than this from the teaching of the 

whole Bible. Spiritual strength is not human, it is 

divine. 

This suggests then the need for the place of de 

votion. "They that wait upon the Lord," well then, I 

must surely have a place where I wait upon Him. 

Do you have such a place 

And this suggests finally the need for discipline. 

I will not form this habit without the most exact and 

careful discipline of my time, my habits. So that 

amongst the many other priorities that make their 


evil" 

public." 

wane." 

evening." 



Would Ban Drink on Planes 

The association of stewards and stewardesses on air 

lines recently adopted a resolution disapproving the serving 

of liquor on commercial air transports. The association 

asked its officers to do what they could to discourage this 

practice "in the interest of the safety of the 

The 

practice of serving free drinks on foreign air lines on trans 

oceanic flights was started several years ago, and now 

American lines serve liquor on the extra-fare planes even 

on short flights. The reasons seem to be that they fear los 

ing customers because of close competition among the dif 

ferent lines. The stewardesses and stewards have the best 

opportunity to see the harmful results of drinking on planes 

and no doubt have to clean many messes which have result 

ed from drink. Men on trains who have been drinking are 

difficult to manage, how much more on planes. When we 

were riding recently all night on a train we were bothered 

and lost sleep because of a man in front of us who was 

drunk. Why do not the Christian citizens of our land rise as 

one man and demand the banning of drink, not only on air 

and land transports, but throughout the whole country 

A Crusader Passes 

A man who was probably the oldest and one of the best 

known crusaders against the liquor traffic, Clinton N. How 

ard, passed to his reward April 27. He was known as the 

"Little Giant of Prohibition Reform." He was almost 87 

years old when he died. This writer can remember him as 

a prominent prohibitionist and Chautauqua lecturer when 

I was a boy. Clinton Howard, Billy Sunday 

and Wm. J. 

Bryan had much to do in the leadership of bringing about 

the 18th amendment outlawing the liquor traffic in the 

U.S.A. It was a sad day when that law was repealed. The 

slaughter on our high ways, at least half of which is due to 

drinking drivers, is a sufficient reason alone for prohibiting 

the whole liquor traffic, and this includes beer. If more 

people read such temperance papers as the National Voice, 

and learned of the fearful disaster of drink, they would be 

more willing to take a stand against it. 

Crime Due to Drink 

The National Voice quotes Judge Raymond Campbell of 

Sullivan County, Tenn., as saying in a public address: "No 

man could sit on the bench and ... be complaisant about . . . 

this tremendous 

of alcohol. He estimated that 90 per 

cent of the criminal cases in his court are the direct or in 

direct result of alcohol and that this evil is responsible for 

three-fourths of the divorces. 

Beer Broadcasts 

It is estimated that $50 million will be spent by adver 

tisers to sponsor major league ball games on radio and tele 

vision during the 1955 season. More games will be sponsored 

by brewers than any other industry. Probably the largest 

baseball beercaster of all is Anheuser-Busch (Budweiser 

Beer) of St. Louis, owners of the St. Louis Cardinals. They 

are to sponsor half of all the Cardinals' games on radio over 

90 stations in at least nine Midwestern and Southern states. 

Can millions listen to these broadcasts praising beer, with 

out being impressed Some will be disgusted, but thousands 

370 

will wish to use their product. Do you want your boy 

to be inclined to sample beer 

Family Worship 

or girl 

The Free Methodist, quoting from Simpson's "Tradi 

tions of the Covenanters," says: "James Glendenning then 

brought a Bible from the shelf, and placing it on the table, 

said: "There is one duty which besides many others we 

have heretofore neglected I mean family worship; it is my 

intention, therefore, to perform that duty this 

"This service is a duty which no one who has any re 

gard for the divine honor, and regard for personal respon 

sibility, or any concern for the spiritual welfare of a fam 

ily, can possibly omit. The religion of that household in 

which God is not worshiped is either extinct or greatly on 

the 

Ministers to Russia 

The Watchman-Examiner informs us that four Ameri 

can Baptist ministers may be allowed to preach in Russian 

churches this summer. Russian Baptists have obtained 

approval of their government to invite the American min 

isters to Russia. The project does not yet have the approval 

of the U. S. State Department. 

Fewer Divorces 

There has been a drop in the number of divorces in 

West Germany. In 1948, there were 19 divorces for every 

10,000 inhabitants, but in 1953, for which statistics have 

just been made public, there were only ten. 

Victims from Japan 

The 25 girls, victims of the atomic bomb attack on Hiro 

shima, who have been brought to New York for medical 

treatment for their scars, are under the care of the Rev. 

Kiyoshi Tanimoto, a Methodist minister. Of these girls, 15 

are - members of Mr. Tanimoto's Nagaragawa Christian 







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Opinions expressed in our columns are those of the individual writers . 













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COVENANTER WITNESS

affairs." 



REEDOM FOR FOUR 

Red China has released four of the fifteen U. S. airmen 

hom she has admitted holding prisoner. All four of those 

eed were jet pilots captured individually when they were 

lot down during the Korean War. After being held for two 

sars in violation of the Korean armistice agreement, they 

ere recently brought to "trial" before a Chinese military 

jurt. All were convicted of intruding on Chinese territory, 

ut their punishment was reduced to deportation. Of course 

genrous. 

The real motive for the release is not yet 

lis was merely a device to make the Chinese appear 

clear; 

'eiping has never before made any 

xpecting something in return. 

concessions without 

Hope is now revived for the release of the eleven other 

irmen. Their case is more difficult, however, since they 

rere "convicted" as spies last November and given long 

rison sentences. But the U. S. will continue to press for 

heir freedom, and for the release of forty-one American 

ivilians who are also held in China. 

JRADUAL INTEGRATION 

The long-awaited Supreme Court ruling on means of imlementing 

its ban on school segregation proved to be a 

loderate decision. In a unanimous opinion, the Court directd 

the lower levels of the Federal judiciary to comply with 

he principles laid down in last year's decision. But no deadine 

was set for the ending of comlexity 

of the problem and the great variation in 

segregation, due to the 

local 

onditions. The Supreme Court merely directed the states 

3 eliminate segregation within a "reasonable" time. The 

>wer Federal courts will have the responsibility of passing 

n local plans. This ruling should help to end the immediate 

ension in the South, and is accepted with good grace even 

y Negro leaders. However, it will probably lead to lengthy 

ligation in the lower courts, which might have been 

revented if the Supreme Court had taken a more courgeous 

stand. 

1AISING CONTROVERSY 

In his first veto of this session of Congress, President 

lisenhower killed the bill for an 8.8 per cent increase in the 

ay of postal workers. He disapproved the act because it 

arried no corresponding increase in postal rates, and beause 

some provisions were unfair to certain groups of post- 

1 employees. The veto was easily sustained and Congress 

ill probably adopt an 8 per cent increase, which the 

resident is likely to approve. Congress may also try to 

xtend the same increase to more than a million workers 

l the classified civil service. But Eisenhower recommended 

nly a 5 per cent increase for them, and will probably veto 

nything over 6 per cent. In any case, the postal raise is 

are to bring increases for other federal employees. The 

bngressmen can hardly refuse, since they 

wn salaries substantially at the beginning 

ARGAINING WITH TITO 

raised their 

of the session. 

The Soviet Union's top leaders spent eight days visiting 

ugoslavia's Marshal Tito, without bringing him back into 

le Soviet bloc. The visit began with an abject apology, 

y party chief Khrushchev, for Tito's ouster from the Comiform 

in 1948, and for all the economic and propaganda 

une 15, 1955 

attacks of Russia since then. But Tito was unmoved. At 

the end of the conference, a joint declaration was issued 

announcing agreement on many elements of foreign policy, 

such as Red China's right to Formosa and to membership' 

in the U. N. However, the declaration did not denounce 

the West, so Tito is free to continue friendly relations: 

with us. There also was no mention of a tie between the 

Russian and Yugoslav Communist parties. The declaration 

included a significant provision upholding the principle of 

"mutual respect and noninterference in internal 

American officials seem satisfied that Tito has maintained 

his independence, but will soon meet him to review our poli 

cies. Since 1950 we have given Tito about $500 million in 

economic aid, and even more in military equipment. 

ECONOMIC PARALYSIS 

A transportation tieup late in May threw Great Britain 

into her worst economic crisis since the general strike of 

1926. First 20,000 dock workers walked out in six British 

ports. Then 70,000 locomotive engineers and firemen went 

en strike for a wage increase. Their effort to gain special 

benefits was opposed by the National Council of Railwaymen, 

representing 400,000 workers. But within a few days 

rail service was cut to 20 per cent of normal, and shippers 

found it difficult to get goods to and from the ports that 

were still open. All available trucks, busses, and cars were 

used, but this produced record traffic jams. Britain is 

especially sensitive to transportation because she imports 

60 per cent of her food and many of the raw materials 

of industry. After one week of the strike, over a quarter 

of a million industrial workers had become unemployed, and 

Great Britain's new-found prosperity was being seriously 

threatened. 

DEFENSE LEADERS 

President Eisenhower has reappointed Admiral Arthur W. 

Radford as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, for 

another two-year term. When Radford was first named to 

the top service post, in 1953, there was criticism because of 

his sharp attacks on the Air Force. Since then he seems 

to have satisfied even the airmen that he places the total 

defense of the country above the immediate fortunes of the 

Navy. Nathan Twining has been reappointed as Air Force 

Chief of Staff, and General Maxwell Taylor succeeds Gen 

eral Ridgway as Army Chief. 

SAVE THE FISH 

The U. S. Senate has unanimously approved a treaty with 

Canada for cooperation in eradicating sea lamprey from 

the Great Lakes. The sea lamprey 

is an eel-like parasite 

which fastens itself to other fish, sucking out their vital 

fluids and eventually killing them. It lives part of its life 

in the ocean, but returns to inland streams to spawn. 

In the last twenty years it has invaded the Great Lakes 

and destroyed most of the trout and whitefish in Lake 

Huron and Lake Michigan, and is also entering Lake Super 

ior. This has ruined a fishing industry which used to bring 

in several million dollars a year. Electric cages have been 

developed which will kill the spawning lamprey without in 

juring other fish. With effective international cooperation, 

there is good hope for saving the Great Lakes fisheries. 

371

works." 

abide." 

goal" 

city." 

(.(. 

The Race Before Us" 

The Wednesday morning devotional address at the Grinnell Conference 

Rev. Kermit S. Edgar 

Hebrews 12:1, 2, "Wherefore, seeing 

we also are 

compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, 

let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth 

so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the 

race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the 

;" 

author and finisher of our faith 

Life is a race, in the sense of striving toward 

an objective. The apostle Paul summed up his life in 

these words: "I have fought a good fight, I have 

finished my course, I have kept the faith." His life 

had been a race, characterized by effort and struggle 

all the way, and he had not faltered. Hence the ex 

hortation of this Epistle, beginning at chapter 10, 

verse 19, is to hold fast to our hope in the New Cove 

nant through the blood of Christ, and to help the 

"brethren. The 11th chapter adds its list of illustra 

tions of such faith. Then, 

supported by examples, 

the writer calls upon us to follow in their footsteps 

of faithfulness. "Let us run with patience the race 

us." 

that is set before 

I. We Must Run The Christian Race. 

There are many kinds of races, races against 

'competition and races against time. There are short 

dashes and races of long endurance. The Christian 

race is a relay race one in which others have run 

before us, and still others shall follow us. It is now 

our turn to carry the baton. 

The stadium is filled with old grads, all of them 

runners at one time or another. Some are terribly 

battered and mutilated. But they are the most glori 

ous company of winners the world has ever known ! 

Every one has received the crown of righteousness ! 

The list is not complete, for it numbers a great mul 

titude which no man can number, from the days of 

Abel down to the times of our fathers of whom we 

have been most conscious during these days of cove 

nanting. Each in turn has carried the baton, and 

now it is passed to us. 

It is most important that we appreciate the 

heritage of truth we have received from the past, 

and that we carry it as a sacred trust for the future. 

The race did not start with us, neither does it stop 

with us. Paul in Ephesians 2:19-22, uses another 

figure, that of a temple, "built upon the foundation 

of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself 

being the chief corner stone ; in whom all the build 

ing fitly framed together groweth unto a holy tem 

ple in the Lord : in whom ye also are builded together 

for a habitation of God through the Spirit." Peter 

speaks of us as living stones in this temple. So as one 

stone is built upon another, we are built upon the 

past, 

and the future will rest upon us. 

In our sixth Term of Communion we acknowl 

edge that "Jesus Christ is Saviour and Lord of men 

and of nations, and that in loyalty and obedience to 

Him, it is our duty to follow the noble example of 

the faithful confessors and martyrs of Jesus in their 

372 

witness for divine truth, and in their sacrifices and 

labors to establish the Kingdom of God on earth." 

That is what is handed us from the past, divine 

truth and its application to every relationship of life. 

Only as we are faithful to their example in witness 

and labor, shall we be able to hand to those yet un 

born this sacred trust. 

In the 73rd Psalm, the Psalmist was having "a 

rough time" until his faith wavered, and he was 

ready to speak rashly from momentary surface im 

pressions. But he checked himself: "If I had said, 

been." 

children false had 

I thus will speak, I to Thy 

Young people, in the moments of the trial of your 

faith, do not lightly esteem the faith of your fathers, 

verified through generation after generation of test 

ing, and do not lightly discard it until you can re 

place it with something that will yield the same 

fruit of steadfastness! Moreover, you will be dis 

loyal to God's children after you if you do not pass 

on to them the conclusion of the Psalm, "I have put 

my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all Thy 

"For Whom have I in heaven but Thee 

None else on earth I long to know. 

My flesh may faint and weary be ; 

My heart may fail and heavy grow ; 

With strength doth God my heart restore; 

evermore." 

He is my portion 

II. We Must Run toward a Definite Goal. 

It was said that Abraham "looked for a city which 

hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God." 

In Hebrews 11:16 we read: "They desire a better 

country, that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not 

ashamed to be called their God: for He hath pre 

pared for them a Psalm 107 expresses God's 

leading, "That they might to a city go, wherein they 

might Jesus said: "When ye pray, say, Our 

Father which art in heaven. Hallowed be Thy Name. 

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it 

is in heaven." The goal before us is a Kingdom of 

righteousness, a world for Jesus Christ, 

all of life for Him. 

all life and 

Therefore, ours is the goal of the ends of the 

earth turning, repenting, unto the Lord. It is the 

goal of the knowledge of the Lord covering the 

earth, as the waters cover the sea. It is the goal of 

that day when at the name of 

Jesus, every knee shall 

bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ 

is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. It is the 

goal of all 

knowing Him, from the least unto the 

greatest. For He "is set down at the right hand of 

the throne of God." "He must reign, till He hath put 

all enemies under His feet." 

But we say, "That is too far away. It may 

not 

come when I am, running. What is my goal today" 

That is it. There is no lesser. Our question should 

be, "What can we contribute toward the attainment 

of that The answer is in the Covenant we 

COVENANTER WITNESS

saved." 

us." 

covered!" 

us." 

serve." 

signed, which is an individual and world program of 

positive righteousness, an aggressive program for 

the regeneration of man and society. 

Some may believe our goal to be the preserva 

tion of the Covenanter Church. It is true the church 

needs members. We pray also for the day when all 

shall be one in Jesus Christ. Moreover, it is false 

optimism to ignore the dangers to the church. But 

remember, the church has always been in danger. 

Cain slew Abel and the existence of the church was 

threatened. After three years which Jesus spent 

with His disciples, still on the night of the trial all 

forsook Him and fled. The call from Macedonia was 

heard, and Paul answered that call, and the whole 

new continent was opened to the Word. What hap 

pened Paul and Silas landed in prison from man's 

point of view, hopeless! Nevertheless, they sang 

Psalms to Him whom no prison wall, nor Caesars, 

nor empires, nor civilizations, nor persecutions 

could stop! 

We are to preach Jesus Christ and Him cruci 

fied, Christ the wisdom of God and the power of God 

the wisdom of God in dealing with sin, and the 

power of God to transform the sinner, and all his re 

lationships of life. Following John 3:16, we read: 

"For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn 

the world ; but that the world through Him might be 

All the vows 

Saved men, and a saved world ! 

of our Covenant are a positive effort toward that end, 

and our goal is faithfulness to the heavenly vision! 

We cannot agree with those views of the Kingdom 

which shrug off personal responsibility for seeking 

to establish the Kingdom of God on earth, by saying 

that Christ will do it when He comes. We are com 

missioned to go and preach the Kingdom of God! 

III. We Must Run as a Church Unshackled. 

"Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which 

doth so easily beset There are many obstacles to 

bar the way, many burdens to slaken our pace, many 

encumbrances to hold us back. In Philippians 3, Paul 

speaks of "forgetting those things which are be 

hind," so he presses on. What are some of the things 

which shackle us 

1. The Remembrance of Past Glories. Paul had 

a glorious past, but if he stopped to admire it, his 

forward progress would be stopped. We too, have a 

glorious past. Our Covenanter history is filled with 

those who received the crown of faithfulness. If we 

stop to admire their crown, we shall never receive 

ours. So often I meet someone who glories in the fact 

his grandfather was a Covenanter. I always wonder, 

What about you 

2. The Burden of Past Sins shackles us. Sin al 

ways enslaves. But we have confessed our sins as a 

church as well as individuals. It is written: "If we 

confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us 

our sins, and to cleanse us from all 

Did God not mean every word He said Did Christ 

carry our sins to the cross in vain We ought to go 

forth with all the joy of the Psalmist as he sang, 

"0, the blessedness of the man whose transgression 

is forgiven, 

whose sin is 

3. The Lures of This World shackle us. One of 

the saddest sentences of Scripture is that of Paul, 

"Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present 

world." 

Was it the deceitfulness of riches I think 

June 15, 1955 

more likely it was the fear of persecution. In either 

case Satan offered the easy way out, and Demas 

took it. Jesus answered Satan's offer with these 

words, "Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and 

Him only shalt thou 

It cost Him the cross. 

It is easy to be a Christian at Grinnell, but it 

will mean struggle and hard work at home. It is easy 

to visualize programs at Synod, but it is a different 

matter working out the kingdom program, even in 

our larger congregations ; and 0, how hard for those 

in little groups where young people and others must 

labor almost alone! But we are His Witnesses. One 

of the most challenging records of Scripture is that 

of a nameless little slave girl in the home of Naaman 

the Leper. She was a captive, with all her former 

dreams shattered, a prisoner in a far country, in the 

midst of heathen idolatry. Yet she was true to her 

God and gave her testimony, and not only was a man 

cleansed of his leprosy, but the relationship between 

nations was changed. 

IV. We Must Run with the Endurance of Hope. 

"And run with patience the race that is set before 

That is the patience of expectation. There is 

nothing more deadly than hopelessness. It may dem 

onstrate rare courage, or dogged determination, but 

to what end Ours is the endurance of hope. 

Toward the end of the Civil War, President Lin 

coln was asked if he had ever doubted the outcome. 

"Never for an instant," was his reply. George Muller 

was asked if he had ever had a doubt. He replied 

that once he had doubted for five minutes. Think of 

that only five minutes in a lifetime ! No wonder his 

was a life of power. Martin Luther walked out of the 

Diet of Worms where he had taken his famous stand 

on the truth of Scripture, with his hands held high, 

not as a prisoner, but in the symbol of victory. Lu 

ther was standing on the Truth, which endureth 

forever ! 

We have renewed our Covenant on the basis of 

the promises of God. Does God mean what He says 

concerning His Truth He calls us to a life of posi 

tive goodness. Does He mean it He commissions us 

as He did Paul to proclaim His Name before kings. 

Does He mean it Paul believed that He did! One 

of our great messages is that of the Crown rights of 

Jesus Christ over the nation. If Christ does not 

mean it, how do you explain 140 radio programs in 

33 states today, and that backed by the meager bud 

get of the Witness Committee We have the Chris 

tian Amendment Bill in Congress; but some say, 

"Nothing will come of it." Nevertheless, through the 

"Congressional Record" it has gone into homes and 

offices all over this land. God led the editors of a 

national magazine to copy it, and thus millions of 

copies were distributed over this land. We need to 

run more with the patience of hopefulness. 

V. We Must Run with Our Eyes on Christ. 

"Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our 

faith." 

When we look to Jesus in our Christian Race, 

What do we see We see not yet all things put under 

Dr. George Morri 

Him, but we see Jesus crowned ! 

son has written about the hopefulness of Christ. 

No where is Christ more hopeful than at the cross. 

We read: "Who for the joy that was set before Him, 

373

missionaries' 

me," 

endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set 

down at the right hand of the throne of God." Isaiah 

casts light on this "joy" in his prophecy (53:10), 

"when thou shalt make His soul an offering for sin, 

He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, and 

the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand." 

Then we turn to Philippians and read that because 

He was obedient unto death, even the death of the 

cross, "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, 

and given Him a name that is above every name: 

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow 

and every tongue should confess that Jesus 

Father." 

of God the 

Christ is Lord, to the glory 

This is the victory that overcometh the world, even 

your faith. 

Only as our eyes are centered upon Christ 

shall we continue to run our Christian race, shall we 

be faithful to our trust, shall we run with purpose 

toward a goal, shall we run unshackled, shall we run 

with enduring hope, and shall we run unto victory. 

Last summer it was my privilege to stand at 

Grand Coulee Dam on the Columbia River, where 

over 21,000,000 tons of concrete were poured into 

that spot, building that dam 550 feet high and 

stretching over 4,000 feet between the hills. As a re 

sult, the water that once rushed headlong toward 

the sea was backed up and directed out in an irri 

gation project which brought new life to nearly a 

million acres of land. And I thought how when Jesus 

Christ is at the heart of a man, or a church, all the 

resources of that man or that church are turned 

into a great life giving power which brings blessing 

to mankind, and glory to God. When we look unto 

Jesus and cry, "I live ; yet not I, but Christ liveth in 

me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I 

live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, 

and gave Himself for then CHRIST'S CHARGE 

BECOMES MY CHALLENGE. 

And blessed be His glorious name, 

Long as the ages shall endure. 

O'er all the earth extend His fame; 

Amen, amen, for evermore. 

Why Not a Letter 

By Mrs. M. W. Dougherty Sytaodical Corresponding Secretary 

Twenty-two of the twenty-seven books of the New 

Testament took the form of letters under the Spirit's 

guidance. Paul's epistles overflow with warmth of 

love, 

assurance of prayers and a godly concern for 

the growth of Christian believers. 

Is letter writing a lost art Not to some folks 

who are constantly taking up their pens as instru 

ments of blessing. If you have been neglecting it, 

consider that your pen can greatly extend your op 

portunities for doing good. Its use may truly prove 

to be an avenue of Christian service. 

What may letters accomplish Friendship build 

ing may be one objective. Friendships through per 

sonal association require time and cultivation. What 

added care must be taken if one is dependent largely 

on letters ! Through them distance can be erased and 

the fires of friendship kindled and maintained. Even 

for friends near at hand a written message is more 

impressive and often more aptly phrased. Writing is 

a more permanent form of expression than the spok 

en word. When letters glow with the warmth of true 

friendship they can be helpful and satisfying. One 

has said that a person is rich in the friendships 

which he has made. 

So important did one consider letters to mission 

aries that the suggestion was made at a recent meet 

ing of the Kansas Women's Presbyterial Executive 

Board that this item be included in the secretary's 

report blank, so that it would receive more emphasis. 

Kind, friendly letters from home can brighten the 

days immeasurably. 

Write to bring cheer to the sick, the sorrowing, 

the burdened, the distressed. A letter will be less 

tiring to one very ill than a personal visit. Such a 

letter may well precede a personal visit. Who will 

not testify to the comforting strength of letters in 

times of bereavement One man told of a letter that 

he received after the volume of letters had dwindled 

374 

and he thought that people were fast forgetting his 

sorrow. But this one was especially appreciated in 

its understanding concern. A letter can assure those 

burdened and distressed that we feel keenly with 

them in their trials, and can praise them for their 

courage or other commendable conduct and encour 

age them to cast their burden upon the Lord. 

The least compensation one can give a bene 

factor is a note of thanks and yet how often that is 

neglected. Even gifts have sometimes gone unac 

knowledged. Gratitude is not a fruit of the natural 

heart ; it requires special implanting and cultivation. 

A gracious note came one day by mail from around 

the section. That one had taken the time to write 

made its message of thanks more special. A hostess 

finds her reward, for hospitality extended, in a 

thoughtful note sent promptly by an appreciative 

guest. 

David Dunn, in his inspiring book "Try Giving 

Yourself Away" states : "Years ago I learned that a 

'second thanks' is an important part of the gracious 

act of receiving. If a person sends me a book and I 

cannot read it immediately, I write a note of appre 

ciation at the time. Later and it may be many 

months, for I have much reading to do 

finish the book I write a second note, telling the 

when I 

giver of my enjoyment, this time in specific terms." 

Some years ago a "Readers Digest" article sug 

gested that each day in November one write a letter 

of thanks and appreciation to someone who had con 

tributed something to his life, a school teacher, a 

writer, a fellow worker, a person of the church or 

community. What a tidal wave of cheer, encourage 

ment and good will this custom would release ! 

Open letters to newspapers and magazines offer 

an excellent opportunity for the common person to 

mold public opinion on the side of righteousness. 

This was suggested by a dry leader as a very helpful 

avenue of service. "The pen is mightier than the 

COVENANTER WITNESS

you.' 

church" 

sword" 

because it molds the thought life of the na 

tion and this is the source of all action, humanly 

speaking. 

Be generous with your letters of commendation. 

If you like a radio or television program, say so. 

Many people in public life long for approval and en 

seek to do the right. David 

couragement when they 

Dunn says again, "How can you know that your 

word of appreciation or commendation will not 

strengthen or encourage some great person at a 

critical hour in his or her life I think often of the 

loneliness of Abraham Lincoln as he left the battle 

field after his Gettysburg address. After the long, 

flowery speech of Edward Everett, the orator of the 

day, 

which drew thunderous applause from the 

crowd, his simple speech was received in silence. He 

could not know that his hearers were so moved by 

his message that applause would have seemed sac 

rilege. He could not foresee that his words would one 

day be cast in imperishable bronze, and be taught 

every school child in the land. He could not know 

because no one told him." 

Do not hesitate when you feel that a letter of 

protest should be written. Make it kindly but firm 

and precede the protest by a word of commendation 

if possible. Some years ago wine advertising was dis 

continued in "Better Homes And Gardens" because 

of a volume of protests. 

Again, a letter may contain your witness for 

Christ your Saviour. Why can we talk so readily of 

a new recipe, a good book, a new product in the mar 

ket and yet refrain from telling the best news of all 

"That Christ died for our sins according to the 

Scriptures" 

Some like to enclose helpful tracts. 

Letter writing can be used by people of limited 

strength to do great good. One elderly woman writes 

each child in the congregation a letter on his birth 

day, that will be treasured. 

Here are suggestions to aid in really getting the 

contemplated letters written : 

1. Keep well stocked with stationery, stamps, 

postal cards, a convenient pen and all-occasion cards. 

These can aid us greatly in expressing the desired 

message. 

2. Have a correspondence corner somewhere so 

that you can write with ease. 

3. Set a time in the daily or weekly schedule 

when you will devote yourself to this form of serv 

ice. 

4. Pray for God's guidance that you may say the 

right thing. Certainly you will never say in writing 

anything that you could not say face to face. Seek 

to promote God's glory and the good of your fellow 

men through your pen. 

David Dunn assures us: "There is something 

peculiarly you in the letter or note you write. It 

says, T think enough of you to take the trouble 

to sit down and try to put into words the feeling I 

have toward It matters not whether you have 

the gift of expression. If you say what is in your 

heart, the words won't matter. And who knows your 

letter may 

arrive at a time of crisis. The course of 

many a person's life has been changed by a letter 

mail." 

received in the morning's 

Years ago in my address book I pasted this 

poem by Margaret gangster: 

June 15, 1955 

"Oftentimes it makes you better 

When you're ill to get a letter. 

Oftentimes when you are sad 

A wee note will make you glad. 

Sometimes when you're all alone, 

In a letter's friendly tone, 

You will find the sympathy 

That you need! It seems to me 

Letters are an easy way 

To make brighter someone's day. 

Letters make the miles seem fewer, 

Letters make old faiths seem newer, 

Letters make a friendly hand 

Warmly reach from land to land. 

Oh, I think we should (don't you) 

Write more letters than we do!" 

Book Review 

HIS NAME by the Rev. William Dyer, and EPHE 

SIANS by Walter C. Wright. 

These two books in the Moody 

brary 

Colportage Li 

contain 128 pages each and sell for 35c. 

HIS NAME is a series of sermons on the names 

of Christ found in the Old Testament the Desire of 

all Nations, the King of kings, the Mighty God, etc. 

It was the author's purpose to make his hearers and 

readers realize the matchless beauty of the Saviour 

and our need of Him. He was distressed because so 

many spent life very careless about the all important 

things of eternity and very careful about the less 

necessary things of time. He compares them to a 

woman who carried out her possessions from the 

burning house and her child was left to perish in the 

flames. The author, an English minister who died in 

1696, left the church in which he was raised and 

trained to work among the Quakers who were more 

interested in bringing others to know the Lord. It 

is well worth the price asked. 

EPHESIANS is a brief commentary 

on the let 

ter. Being brief it does not deal with every verse at 

great length, nor with some of the critical problems 

that some may raise. Yet for a good understanding 

of the real meaning of this letter "from the heart 

of Christ through the heart of Paul to the heart of 

the this booklet has much to offer. The av 

erage reader will find it more interesting and more 

helpful than some larger and far more expensive 

works. 

Stories for Young People. 

R. C. F. 

The Moody Press has also published three stor 

ies for children and younger young people. These are 

entitled Judy's Birthday Wish, Peppermint Sue, and 

Jack-o'-lantern house. The first two sell for 50c each 

and the third one for 75c. 

These are all paper covered, well bound booklets. 

The stories are well written. Each one emphasizes 

the need for faith and that young people need to be 

Christians in all of life. They teach the truth that, 

in the long run, the Christian life really pays. 

If you have children and young people in your 

homes, they will read and enjoy these books. 

R. C. F. 

375

The Spanish Brothers, by Deborah Alcock. 

HOW TIRED DO YOU GET . 

. . (from 

front page) 

Many books have been published concerning the 

persecutions of our Covenanter ancestors in Scot 

land. But this same struggle for religious freedom 

went on in other lands as well. This book is the story 

of that struggle in Spain. The great facts of the 

story are true, even though the book is written as 

fiction instead of history. There is a great deal said 

about the Inquisition and its cruelties as those were 

experienced in Spain. Yet the emphasis is upon the 

life and spiritual growth of those who loved the Lord 

and did not "love their lives" so much. They faced 

great suffering, but they found that the Lord's grace 

was sufficient for them. The hatred and the cruel 

ties of their persecutors did not cause them to turn 

their backs on the Lord. These drew them closer to 

Him. 

Protestantism failed in Spain, because of the en 

trenched power of Roman Catholicism, the fact that 

the church and the national government cooperated 

so closely in stamping out Protestantism, and be 

cause of the thoroughness with which the Bible was 

kept from the people. But God never failed to give 

His people all promised blessings. 

This same opposition exists to Protestantism in 

Spain today, and the same powers cooperate to keep 

it from spreading. The story is well written and will 

hold the interest of the reader. It is from the Moody 

Press. It is a book of 350 pages and sells for $3.00. 

R. C. F. 

We Learn to Worship God, By Robert T. Sutherland 

This is a book of sixty stories, 

each two pages 

long. Some are taken from the Bible, some from 

nature and some from missionary biography. Follow 

ing each story is the personal application of the truth 

to our need, and ends with a short prayer. The au 

thor of the book is a retired physician. He must have 

been a child's specialist ! He knows how to write for 

children. The old saying was, "All roads lead to 

Rome." 

All these stories lead to Christ and our need 

and His ability. The book was written for children, 

but parents, reading this book to their children, will 

find themselves richly repaid. It is another Moodv 

book and sells for $2.00. 

R. C. F. 

GLIMPSES . . . from 

page 370 

church in Hiroshima. They will receive free medical treat 

ment at Mount Sinai Hospital. The plane which brought 

them was furnished by the U. S. Air Force as a goodwill 

move toward Japan. Three Japanese surgeons will assist the 

U. S. doctors in a series of operations to correct deformities 

and scars on the girls. This is a small reminder of what an 

atomic war would do for our nation and other nations. 

Argentina's Religious War 

The National Congress of Argentina, overwhelmingly 

Peronist, has voted to approve a bill to separate church and 

state. If my memory serves me right, it was announced on 

the radio that the Senate had voted unanimously, and the 

House had only 16 out of 100 against the bill. The Pope 

protested vigorously against this action as did Catholic 

leaders in Argentina. Peron has been and probably still is a 

strong dictator. Perhaps this is a forward move for Argen 

tina which only a dictator could force through the Congress. 

376 

claim upon my time, this will have the first priority. 

The words of the text go on to speak of the 

manifestation of our strength. "They shall mount 

up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be 

weary, they shall walk and not faint." What do these 

words suggest to you They suggest to me the 

strength which comes from a soaring vision. That 

eagle can see so far. The man who shares the vision 

of God will see beyond the immediate present to the 

ultimate purpose. He will see beyond the difficulties 

the goal that awaits him. 

The words finally suggest the strength which 

shows itself in a plodding determination, "they shall 

walk and not faint." Who was it who said that suc 

cess is ten per cent inspiration and ninety per cent 

perspiration ! 

Christian Digest 

OPENING OF SYNOD 

THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 1955, 7:30 P. M. 

Synod opened on schedule, with Rev. C. R Cas 

key precenter, Dr. T. C. McKnight reading the scrip 

ture, Dr. M. S. McMillan leading in prayer, the latter 

two seminary classmates of Dr. F. E. Allen, the re 

tiring moderator, who is preaching the sermon 

which appeared in last week's Covenanter Witness. 

After the introduction of three newly-ordained 

ministers, Rev. Harold Harrington, Rev. Milton Har 

rington, and Rev. Glen McFarland, and six elders 

who were delegates to Synod for their first time, El 

ders Dodds Balph of College Hill, Mr. Bish of Cen 

tral Pittsburgh, Mr. McKee of Almonte, Ontario, Mr. 

Charles McBurney of Olathe, and Paul D. Bennett, 

Allegheny. 

The roll was called. Nominations for the new 

moderator were called for. Rev. F. F. Reade present 

ed the name of Dr. George Coleman. This was sec 

onded by Dr. M. S. McMillan who said that two years 

ago he had hoped to present the name of Dr. Paul 

Coleman but was enjoined not to do it on account of 

his (Paul's) health, but would be glad to see his 

brother George act by proxy for Paul as moderator 

if this were parliamentarily possible. 

Dr. R. J. McKnight then presented the name of 

Rev. W. C. McClurkin as candidate for the Modera 

tor. The final result was (after some discussion) 

that Dr. Paul Coleman, very seriously ill in a hospi 

tal in Kansas City was elected by a hearty unani 

mous vote to be Honorary Moderator, and Rev. W. 

C. McClurkin was chosen as the acting moderator. 

The former clerks, Rev. Howard Elliot and Rev. 

Waldo Mitchell were re-elected to serve another 

year. After the court adjourned there was the Cove 

nanter Palaver, when Scotch meets Scotch. The new 

Moderator adjourned the court in prayer. 

This report will be continued next week. 

If you think you are useless, it is pretty good 

evidence that you are. If you think you are indis 

pensable, it is pretty good evidence you are not. 

Merrill H. Eve. 

COVENANTER WITNESS

gospel." 

other." 

man,' 

several." 

Lesson Helps for the Week of July 3, 1955 


For July 3, 1955 

STUDTES IN THE EPISTLE TO THE 

GALATIANS I. 

(Magna Charts of Christian Liberty) 

Galatians Chapters 1 and 2 

Comments by Alvin W. Smith D.D. 

Psalms: 

103:5-8, page 247 

40:9-12, page 103 

Prayer 

1. For the guidance and enlighten 

ment of the Holy Spirit. 

2. For all of our CYPU Summer 

Camps. 

3. For God's blessing 

upon the preach 

ing of the true gospel and the refuting 

of error. 

For Starting Acquaintance 

From our knowledge of the Acts we 

are already acquainted to some extent 

with Paul, his conversion, his com 

mission, 

his journeys, his writings to 

the churches and his prayers. For to 

night and the two succeeding Sabbaths 

we 

are undertaking the reading and 

studying of one of Paul's early letters 

sent to his converts in order to establish 

them in the true gospel. With great in 

tensity of feeling and concern as a fa 

ther and a tender nurse, Paul wrote to 

the Galatians. 

Value in This Study 

"This is the epistle that was the in 

spiration of Martin Luther in the Refor 

mation of which he was the great lead 

er. Its doctrine of Justification by Faith, 

so clearly set forth and so explicitly 

taught, led that mighty man out of the 

mazes of Romanism into the clear light 

of the 

We all have been bene 

fiting from the Reformation. But not 

only do we owe so much to this epistle 

because it inspired Luther four hundred 

years ago, we owe just as much to it 

for equipping us to meet the onslaught 

of unbelief and counterfeit gospels right 

now. 

Galatians declares: 

1. All men are condemned sinners. 

2. Salvation is impossible by the 

works of the law. 

3. Christ alone can save. 

4. By faith Abraham was saved. 

5. Jew and Gentile distinctions are 

done away. 

(Christianity is a world religion, not 

a Jewish sect). Purves in Davis Dic 

tionary. 

June 15, 1955 

"The Galatians had some marked 

Why Paul Wrote It 

came powerful among the Galatians." 1. Who were the Judaizers Does the 

"It was near the close of his residence characteristics. Fickleness was a strik 

at Ephesus (Acts 18:21) and about ing feature in the character of the Ga 

three years after his last visit in Galatia, 

latian converts. No country embraced 

that Paul was astounded to hear the Gospel so readily and cordially. 

that the churches in Galatia were ac 

tually in danger of turning their backs 

(Stony ground hearers). They received 

Paul with such gratitude and respect 

upon him and the Gospel he had as if he were an angel of God (Gal. 4: 

preached to them with so great appar 

ent success. 

"The tone of surprise of his letter suf 

14, 15). But no church fell so quickly 

from the faith. Soon converted they 

soon relapsed into Judaism." 

"It 

ficiently proves that he was wholly un 

was upon his second missionary 

prepared for the bad news when it did journey that Paul in company with Silas 

and 

reach him and this apparently indicated 

Timothy came into Galatia. A sud 

den attack of his peculiar 

that he had not heard from 

malady, his 

the Galatian 

thorn in the 

teachers for some time" (Warfield). 

flesh, evidently compelled 

Judaizing teachers had made their the apostle to remain longer than he 

ap 

had at first intended. 

pearance among the Galatians. 

Utilizing his en 

They 

forced stay, he were preached the gospel to 

attempting to undermine the au 

thority of the the Galatians, apostle and were who heard with readiness 

teaching 

his words and embraced the salvation 

a very different gospel from the one he 

through Christ. We have no means of 

had taught." 

"The reception of this information 

telling how long the missionary band 

remained in Galatia, but it is evident 

was the occasion of this letter, and his 

that phenomenal success attended their 

object in writing it was to defend his labors." 

own apostolic authority and to confute 

"Some three years later (54 A. D.) 

the erroneous teachings of the Judaiz 

Paul revisited the churches in Galatia 

ing teachers as well as to exhort the 

of which there were 

Gala 

Galation Christians to constancy in the 

tians was evidently written from 

faith he had preached unto them. 

Ephesus or Corinth. The time is not 

He saw what principles were at stake 

and how the whole future of Christian 

decided upon. The outside limits are set 

down as A. D. 54 and 58. For our pur 

ity was likely to be compromised. Hence 

pose, at present, the exact time is a 

in this epistle there is an impress of 

minor consideration. 

severity and indignation which we find 

in no (Kerr, Introduction to N. 

Meeting Program 

T. Study). 

With the psalms and prayers, read 

aloud the first two chapters. Note how 

To Whom Addressed and When 

in chapter 1:1-12 Paul pointedly es 

"Unto the churches of Galatia." The tablished the fact that his gospel com 

three principle cities were Ancyra mission was received directly from 

(name of modern capital of Turkey), Christ. (Compare with his similar de 

Tavium and Pessinus. The Galatians fense to the Corinthians. See 1 Cor. 1:1, 

were descendants of the Gauls who in 9:1 and 2 Cor. 12:12). 

vaded Greece and Asia Minor about In detail note the expressions 'not 

three centuries before the Christian era. of men,' 

'neither by v. 1, also in 

For a time these fierce Northerners verses 11, 12. In contrast note "by Je 

swept everything before them, but at sus Christ" v. 12. From 1:13-24 note 

length, they were defeated in 238 B. C. the account of his own personal life and 

by Antiochus Soter, King in Syria and the change wrought in him. How does 

Attalus, King of Pergamos. After that this supplement what is told in the 

disastrous defeat they were confined to Acts 

a part of Phrygia, and they gave the 

name Galatia to it. 

In Chapter 2. 

"The Galatia of Paul and Luke was 

In connection with the reading of vs. 

1-10 recall the significance of the Coun 

not the Roman province of that name, 

cil at Jerusalem (Acts 15). Explain the 

but was the earlier kingdom of Galatia 

which was only a part of it. The 

rebuking of Peter at Antioch by Paul 

coun 

and the justification for 

try of Galatia afforded great facilities 

it, vs. 11-21. 

Note the 

for commercial purposes. The 

setting forth of the true way 

special 

of 

privileges granted to 

salvation, 

the Jews of Gala 

2:16, 21 and Paul's own 

tia attracted many of that testimony, vs. 19, 20. 

nationality 

to the province, and their influence be 

Questions 

377

man' 

work." 

gospel need 

defending against such or 

will it stand of itself 

2. What did Paul mean by 'another 

gospel' Name counterfeit gospels cur 

rent today. 

3. Why is it necessary that the gospel 

be by the revelation of Jesus Christ 

rather than 'of 

or 'by man' 

4. Remembering Peter's experience in 

the matter of Cornelius (Acts 10), 

show wherein he was open to censure 

for his conduct in Antioch. 

5. Explain the issue set forth in Acts 

15 and how it was settled. Did the Ju 

daizers ever conform to the ruling 

6. Why is Galatians so valuable to 

Protestantism 

- 

Church 

and to the entire 

For Memory's Bank 

Learn 1:3, 4 and 2:20. RECITE. 

JUNIOR TOPIC 

July 3, 1955 

Mrs. Robert Russell 

Walton, New York 

NADAB AND ABD3TJ 

Temperance Lesson 

Scripture Lev. 10:1-11. 

Memory Verse: "Behold, to obey is bet 

ter than sacrifice and to hearken than 

the fat of rams." 

Psalms 

1 Sam. 15:22b. 

Memory Psalm 44, 1-4, page 112 

Psalm 26, 1-3, 6-8, page 61 

Psalm 141, 1-4, page 344 

Psalm 9, 6, 7, 8, 10, page 16 

Did you ever listen very carefully 

when your parents told you how to do a 

certain piece of work and then decide to 

do it the way you thought best Maybe 

you can remember a time when you 

were very tired or your mind was con 

fused and you didn't care if you fol 

lowed your parents' or leaders' instruc 

tions and advice. If you have had such 

an experience, I'm sure you have 

learned how important it is to do your 

work exactly as you have been told. 

I am going to tell you a very sad 

story about Nadab and Abihu. They 

were punished because they did not fol 

low God's commands concerning their 

work in the worship of the Tabernacle. 

One day the two older sons of Aaron, 

Nadab and Abihu, were in the Holy 

Place. It was part of their work to take 

in a censer, some burning coals from 

the great altar of burnt offering in 

front of the Tabernacle, and with these 

coals to light the fire in the small gold 

en altar of incense, which stood inside 

the Holy Place, near the veil. 

These young men had been drinking 

wine and their heads were not clear. 

They did not think of what they were 

doing. Instead of taking the fire from 

the altar of burnt-offering, they took 

some other fire, and with this they went 

378 

into the Holy Place to burn the incense 

upon the golden altar. God was very 

angry with these young men for coming 

into His holy house in a drunken state, 

and for doing what He had forbidden 

them to do. No fire except that from 

the great altar was allowed in the Holy 

Place. 

While they were standing by the gold 

en altar, fire came out from it, and they 

both fell down dead in the Holy Place. 

When Moses heard it, he said "This is 

the sign that God's house is holy, and 

that God's worship is holy; God will 

make people to fear Him because He is 

holy." 

Moses would not allow Aaron, the 

father of the two men, to touch their 

dead bodies, he said, "You have on the 

robes of the high priest. You are leading 

in the service of worship. God's work 

must go on, and must not stop, even 

though you are greatly troubled." 

Then Aaron stood by the altar and 

offered the sacrifice, though his heart 

was very sad. 

When the men had been buried, Mo 

ses said, "After this, let no priest drink 

wine or strong drink before he enters 

the Tabernacle. Be sober when you are 

leading the worship of the people, so 

you will know the difference between 

the things that are holy and those that 

are common; and so that you may teach 

the people all the laws which the Lord 

has given them." 

The rule that Moses gave the priests 

to be kept when they were leading the 

worship of the people, not to drink wine 

or strong drink, is a good rule for every 

one to keep, not only when worshiping 

God but at all times. 

In His Word God has told us how we 

must worship Him. True worship must 

come from the heart. If our hearts are 

full of love for God, we will worship 

Him according to His will. Sometimes, 

like Nadab and Abihu, we take strong 

drink or alcohol into our bodies. It is 

quickly carried from the stomach, in the 

blood stream, to the brain, where much 

of it remains. There it starts to put the 

brain to sleep. Alcohol goes first to the 

fore-brain which controls bad instincts 

like anger, hatred and the desire to 

fight. This part of the brain helps you 

to love God, your parents and your 

friends. Always remember, alcohol puts 

this part of your brain to sleep first be 

cause, with love and self-control asleep, 

you are not yourself. Love for God no 

longer rules your actions and you will 

do things which are very wrong and sin 

ful. 

Your brain is precious. Be sure to 

keep it clear and alert. Never take any 

thing into your body to harm it. You 

alone must decide who will rule your 

life. Will it be God or sin Ask God to 

help you each day to make the right 

decision. "Choose you this day whom 

you will serve but as for me and my 

house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 

24:15. 

For your notebooks. 

Nadab and Abihu made God angry by 

the way they worshiped Him. Make a 

list of ways in which we displease God 

in our worship today. Make another list 

of ways of honoring God in our worship. 


July 3, 1955 






THE PROPHET OF JUDAH'S 

DECLINE 

Jer. 22; 36; 3 Kings 23:31-24:7 

PRINTED TEXT Jeremiah 23:1-9, 

24, 25; 36:4, 20, 21 

MEMORY: Jeremiah 22:13, "Woe unto 

him that buildeth his house by unright 

eousness, and his chambers by wrong; 

that useth his neighbor's service with 

out wages, and giveth him not for his 

Jeremiah prophesied in the reign of 

five kings, from Josiah to Zedekiah, in 

whose reign Nebuchadnezzer carried 

Judah captive to Babylon. Jeremiah was 

contemporary with Zephaniah, Habak 

kuk, Ezekiel and Daniel. He was the 

outstanding prophet of the last days of 

Judah. He began to prophesy in the fif 

teenth year of the reign of Josiah, when 

he was quite young (1:6). That was just 

after Josiah had begun to purge the land 

from idolatry. His enemies respected, 

while they feared him. 

When Nebuchadnezzer captured Je 

rusalem, he had respect for the in 

tegrity of Jeremiah, and left him at lib 

erty to go with the captives to Babylon, 

or to remain with the remnant in Jeru 

salem. He decided to remain. When 

Johanan gained control of the remnant 

in Jerusalem, he decided, against the 

advice of Jeremiah, to go for safety to 

Egypt. Jeremiah was carried with them 

and died in Egypt. There is a story that 

he was stoned by his own people. 

The Certain Fulfillment of Prophecy 

In Chap. 22, Jeremiah foretold the sad 

end of the Kingdom of Judah. His mes 

sage was always in the spirit of a warn 

ing that offered, or at least implied, a 

way of blessing. Josiah was seeking to 

follow that way. The four kings that 

followed him on the throne would not 

listen to the warning. Always, 

were two courses open to them; 

downward, the other upward. 

there 

one led 

Jere- 

COVENANTER WITNESS

scroll." 

sea," 

miah's prophecy was not so much a 

foretelling of the future, as an analysis 

of conduct and its results in national 

life. The prevailing 

conduct that he 

saw in the morals of the Kings and the 

life of the people was what would nat 

urally lead to disaster, even as they 

did. A few of the kings of Judah chose 

the way of the Lord, and they 

and the 

people were blessed. Often the people 

became angry with their prophet, as 

though he was their enemy. They should 

have known that the Lord's messenger 

was their best friend, because he was 

revealing to them the natural results of 

their own conduct. God is always ready 

to bless, if we repent and obey, even 

though we forfeit all claim to His mer 

cy. Our worst doom is to suffer the re 

sults of our own sin. 

Jehoiakim Tries to Overrule Jeremiah's 

Prophecy 

Jeremiah was saying things that were 

not pleasant to his listeners, but that 

could not be denied. So Jehoiakim put 

him in prison. There the Lord told him 

to write on a scroll, and just what to 

write. So he pronounced the words that 

the Lord gave carefully 

and Baruch 

wrote them down, then carried them to 

the Temple and read them to those who 

were there. The princes heard of it and 

asked for it to be read to them. When 

they had heard it, they hid the scroll 

and told the King. The king sent Jehudi 

to get the scroll, and commanded him 

to read it aloud. As each page was read, 

the king cut it off with his penknife, 

and threw it on the brazier and watched 

it writhe like a live thing 

And so 

on the coals. 

with a self-satisfied grin he 

watched the last of the sheepskin 

shrivel into an ill-smelling coal. "That 

finishes Jeremiah's 

What a ter 

rible mistake! He had destroyed the 

parchment, but not God's Word. It soon 

appeared on another scroll that was not 

destroyed. And every word of it was 

fulfilled. It is easy to destroy a book. 

The Truth endures forever. 

In the dark ages, pagan blasphemers 

tried to destroy God's Word by trying 

to destroy every book in which it had 

been written. They could not succeed 

in finding all the books. But if they had 

found them all and burned them all, 

that would not have destroyed the 

Word. Moses broke the tables of stone 

on which the Law was written. God 

wrote it again. There are men today 

who could reproduce from memory the 

entire Bible. Many have followed the 

example of David and laid it up in their 

heart, at least great parts of it. God's 

word is truth, and the truth endures 

forever. 

Jehoiakim was very anxious to estab 

lish his own house. But with his son 

June 15, 1955 

Coniah, (Jeconiah) the house of Jehoia 

kim came to an end. He had built his 

house by oppression with no purpose to 

strengthen Judah except in such ways 

as would make it serve to support his 

own house in royal splendor. This was 

the surest way for his own destruction. 

His house became such a spectacle of 

failure that nations passing by asked, 

"Wherefore hath the Lord done thus to 

this great city Then shall they answer, 

Because they forsook the covenant of 

the Lord their God, and worshiped 

other Gods and served them." 

Patriotism 

A Patriot will seek to do what is 

best for his country. There are always 

those who look to their own selfish in 

terests or desires rather than to their 

own good and the good of others. We 

are learning slowly that the interest of 

our nation is bound up with the interest 

of the world. We are also learning slow 

ly that a nation cannot prosper unless 

freedom to prosper is granted to every 

person in the nation. 

In verses 2-4 of our lesson the condi 

tions for prosperity are detailed. The 

program for prosperity is righteousness, 

helpfulness, mercy. With these, there is 

the promise of national and social se 

curity. With the offer of this bright op 

portunity, a warning is introduced with 

the adversative conjunction, 'but.' There 

was, and is, no excuse for failing to heed 

this warning. Each generation in every 

land has seen this whole program com 

pleted in some measure. We are trying 

at great labor and expense, and in much 

fear, to correct now, the effect of our 

national sins that we see clearly now, 

and that we could have seen just as 

plainly before, if we had not been blind 

ed by our own lusts. 

The third verse is addressed to offi 

cers. There are many duties that belong 

first in the family; then neighbors have 

a part to play. If these fail in their du 

ty, civil government should see that the 

work is done. We spend millions from 

public taxes to combat foot and mouth 

disease along our Mexican border, and 

other millions to eradicate the Medi 

terranean fly from the citrus groves of 

Florida. These dangers are met quickly. 

That's business. Caring for the health of 

the people, that's charity. Most people 

agree that there should be public help 

to an indigent, I heard one Christian 

say, "Worthy indigent." 

A letter recently appearing in the 

WITNESS referred to the Townsend 

plan. Dr. Townsend offered a plan that 

was based on the nature in which God 

created man. He comes into the world 

helpless and normally he is helpless in 

his declining days. The Doctor made the 

mistake of announcing his plan in some 

striking details. Those who counted 

themselves sitting nicely in their own 

individual plan made adverse slogans of 

the Doctor's phrases, and publicized 

them so thoroughly that most people 

never went beyond that to investigate 

the plan. I speak of this now, to call our 

attention to the fact that we are just 

now riding on the tide wave of pros 

perity. In the 20s, we were as sure that 

depression would never come as we are 

now. Our reasons for that certainty 

were the same as they are now. It came. 

I worked on a committee that was try 

ing to feed the families of 300 unem 

ployed working men, with inadequate 

funds, (charities). I hope those condi 

tions will not return. 

The third verse of our lesson deals 

with the care of those in need. The 

thirteenth verse deals with justice to 

the laborer. God's message through Jere 

miah made clear that greed was one of 

the great sins that brought unrest, 

weakness and captivity. 

Human nature and God's law do not 

change. We are part of our nation. Our 

nation is part of the world. We help one 

another in obedience to God's Law, or 

we perish. 

Psalms 


July 6, 1955 

TRUE WISDOM 

James 3:13-18 


111:1-3, 9, page 276 

25:7-12, page 59 

34:7-10, page 80 

107:31-32, page 268 

References: Found in the comments. 

Dean Howson observes that "there is 

more imagery drawn from mere natural 

phenomena in the one short epistle of 

James than in all St. Paul's Epistles put 

together. How many 

such references 

can you find "The waves of the 

"wind," 

"flower of the 

grass," "sun," 

"man with a gold ring" are a few of 

these vivid figures of speech. Is it a 

sign of true wisdom to be able to find 

"tongues in trees, books in the running 

brooks, sermons in stones and good in 

every thing" How much can we learn 

these vacation days from the wonders of 

nature. Of course we do not need to 

limit this opportunity to the summer 

time. 

We believe that Paul and James 

are in agreement with each other. Their 

setting forth of the same truth from op 

posite points of view seems to present 

a contradiction. But men can see nei 

ther our faith nor the new nature com 

municated in regeneration, but they can 

379

more." 

say." 

right" 

sorrow." 

work." 

. . 

right" 

wisdom" 

and should see the effects in our new 

manner of life. And if it is a living faith 

the fruits will be seen. "If there be life 

in the body, the pulse will beat; and if 

there be faith in the heart it will 

So the wise man endued with knowl 

edge will show out of a good conversa 

tion (manner of living) his works with 

meekness of wisdom. Such a one might 

be described as a man of "practical wis 

dom in pious living." (Vincent). Char 

acter, a good life and right conduct are 

the evidences of true wisdom and the 

requisites of all worthy teachers. The 

man of true wisdom must prove the 

superiority of his wisdom by his good 

life. 

"Knowledge is proud that she has 

learned so much 

Wisdom is humble that she knows no 

In these verses in James we have a con 

trast between the wisdom which is not 

from above and that which is 

from 

above. There is the true wisdom and the 

counterfeit. Christ is the true Wisdom. 

"But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus who 

of God is made unto us, Wisdom . . . I 

Cor. 1:30 Bitter envying (jealousy) is 

an evidence of the lack of true wisdom. 

True wisdom is lacking 

where there is 

not the good life. "What you are speaks 

so loudly that I cannot hear what you 

So character reveals the nature of 

our wisdom. 

The wisdom of the world is "earthly, 

sensual, devilish." And as we would ex 

pect this wisdom has always been a 

curse. It has produced factions and jeal 

ousy. Jealousy has been described as 

"sorrow at other men's goodness and joy 

at other men's 

This sin pro 

duces confusion and every vile deed. 

In our Covenant (1871), "we abjure 

and condemn infidelity, 

under all its 

various aspects, atheism . . . pantheism 

. . . spiritualism . . . indifferentism . 

formalism . 

. . and we might add athe 

istic communism and materialism. The 

working out of man-made systems, 

earthly wisdom, if it can be called wis 

dom, has been and is responsible for 

world conditions. Yet men continue to 

reject the True Wisdom. If "might 

makes 

(earthly wisdom) 

then 

wars and fightings will naturally follow. 

But this claim that "might makes 

is earthly, sensual and devilish. What 

a terrible thing war is and who can even 

imagine the sufferings and horror of a 

possible third World War! 

The licensing of the liquor traffic, 

evidently a product of earthly wisdom, 

causes "confusion and every 

vile 

deed" 

disorder, pauperism and crime. 

Materialism and the inordinate desire 

for money is not heavenly 

380 

wisdom. How 

much strife is caused by the love of 

money! There are lawsuits, jealousies, 

separated families . . . W. 

J. Bryan said, 

"Those who live for money spend the 

first half of their lives getting all they 

can from everybody else and the last 

half trying to keep everybody else from 

getting what they have away from 

them; and they find no pleasure in 

either half." 

But there is the true wisdom. This 

wisdom makes for righteousness. "And 

the fruit of righteousness is sown in 

peace for them that make R. V. 

peace." 

We cannot secure peace by compromis 

ing with evil. In striving for righteous 

ness there may be conflict, misunder 

standing and suffering, but it is the way 

to peace. To give up that which is right 

for the sake of peace will not make for 

peace. Peace is one of the fruits of 


This true wisdom has seven-fold ex 

cellence. Is this primarily a wisdom of 

the heart It is first "pure." Purity is 

its essential nature. It is free from all 

wrong motives. It is not numerically, 

but first essentially. (Vincent). This 

wisdom, coming from above, even from 

God Himself, is pure. How many times 

did James see this kind of wisdom ex 

emplified in Jesus as they played and 

worked together in that home in Nazar 

eth! What a lasting effect this perfect 

example had upon James! 

It is also peaceable. The beatitude 

about the pure in heart is followed by 

the beatitude concerning 

"peacemakers."Matt. 

5:8-9. Why should purity of 

heart lead to peace Another character 

istic of true wisdom is gentleness. Gen 

tleness made Jesus great. Psalm 18:35; 

Matt. 12:20; Mark 10:13-16; Isaiah 40: 

11. Jesus was infinite in power, yet in 

finite in gentleness too. 

Perhaps the expression "easy to be 

entreated" 

is one of the most appealing. 

It is easy to approach some people. 

Those who come to Jesus in all sincerity 

and truth found Him most approach 

able, available and able. We are urged 

to come boldly unto the Throne of 

Grace (Heb. 4:16). He will in no wise 

cast out those who come (John 6:37). 

"Come." 

His gracious invitation is, 

Matt. 11:28-30. All of us have been 

greatly blessed and our lives have been 

enriched because our teachers have been 

patient and longsuffering with us. They 

have been easily entreated 

true wisdom. 

a sign of 

This ideal wisdom is full of mercy 

and good fruits. What a blessing a good 

teacher is! Is it any wonder that the 

multitudes were astonished as they lis 

tened to Him Who spake as never man 

spake Matt. 7:28 

Men possesed with true wisdom arenot 

"time 

servers," 

influenced by par 

tiality and hypocrisy. There is no shift 

ing of convictions to gain favor, no pre 

tense and no attempt to be evasive. 

Evidently there are many 

attempts to 

use words to conceal the real convic 

tions. Liberal leaders have been accused 

of using the language of the orthodox to 

deceive their hearers. This kind of wis 

dom is described above as "earthly sen 

devilish." 

sual, They try to blow both 

hot and cold at the same time. 

Questions 

1. What is the relation between char 

acter and true wisdom 

2. Why are men opposed to the "true 

God 

Prayer 

as revealed in the Word of 

For the C.Y.P.U. Conferences. 

For the work of the Church in For 

eign Fields. 

For the Christian Amendment Move 

ment. 

W. M= S. Department 



The 37th Annual Meeting 

of the 

Philadelphia Presbyterial was held at 

the Orlando Reformed Presbyterian 

Church, May 10 and 11. 

The Theme 

was "The Open Door" I Cor. 16:9. 

Supper was served to the guests on 

Tuesday evening. This was followed by 

the evening meeting at which Rev. 

A. W. Smith preached. After the serv 

ice a Reception was held in the Social 

Room of the Church. 

Wednesday consisted of the meeting 

of Presbytery and Presbyterial in the 

morning and afternoon. At noon a fill 

ing meal was enjoyed at the Broadway 

Methodist Church, prepared by the 

women of that same church. 

Wednesday evening a Fellowship din 

ner was held in the Social Room for 

the guests and host congregation. At 

the 8:00 p.m. meeting those present 

witnessed the Licensure of Robert Mc 

Cracken. During the day Mr. Mc 

Cracken had given his trial pieces, to 

be climaxed by this memorable event. 

Miss Elizabeth McElroy 

gave the 

missionary address to bring to a close 

this meeting of Philadelphia Presby 

terial. 

The Fellowship Class had a covered 

dish supper at the church May 20. Mr. 

Bob Simon showed some films for the 

entertainment. 


.I..I..I-H-H-I-I-I-M-I-H' 

-I-I--I I I I-I-I-I-I-I' I I 

OUR HOME 

GOD BLESS OUR HOME 

A report on the Aged People's Home 

for Presbyterial WMS 

sented at Denison May 11, 1955. 

Dear Presbyterials: 

We 

meetings Pre 

have reached the point where 

something must, be done about Our 

Home. First, the main or brick building 

was an addition over fifty years ago to 

a dwelling house which formerly served 

adequately 

for a private family. That 

portion is now over 100 years old, so has 

rooms too large which waste space, and 

extra high ceilings which waste heat. 

A year or more ago we had the roof 

insulated on the brick addition, hoping 

to conserve heat in winter and be more 

comfortable for those on the third 

floor during the summer. We have had 

mounting bills to keep it serviceable (as 

is true of any fifty-year-old building) 

and make it comfortable and attractive 

as a home for our members. We started 

by dreaming of a completely new home 

but when we learned of costs those 

dreams were reluctantly abandoned and 

we then began thinking in terms of an 

addition. 

Our kitchen and dining rooms both as 

to size and equipment are inadequate. 

We have one average size sink with 

wooden drainboards. Meals for 40 are 

prepared here and dishes for them 

washed here three times a day. We can 

not seat all our members in the dining 

room at one time. Our deep freeze 

(which was a gift) has extra boards un 

der it to prevent it from dropping 

through the floor. To get to our laundry 

one has to go outdoors. In inclement 

weather this is often hazardous to those 

who help. In the summer the clothes 

must be carried up the hill to be hung 

out. We have no dryers, and in the win 

ters the wet clothes have to be carried 

upstairs to a drying room above the 

lean-to shed of the laundry to be hung 

on lines there when the weather does 

not permit hanging 

of our members are bedfast, 

outside. A number 

so one can 

easily understand our laundry problems. 

We must have a new laundry with mod 

ern institutional equipment. 

We have a staff of seven full time 

and four part time, 

members, and every 

and thirty-three 

month new appli 

cations come in! Our Home is so favor 

ably known in the community that many 

local people apply. 

What do we offer our folks 

First, a Christian Home. We have 

preaching once a month in the Home. 

Our Pittsburgh Presbytery ministers 

and our Seminary 

June 15, 1955 

students have charge 

of this. Other Sabbaths those who can 

walk the block and a half to our Alle 

gheny congregation do so; for those who 

can't walk a taxi is provided. 

Every Wednesday evening prayer 

meeting is held in the Home. Once a 

month the Seminary students have 

charge; the remainder of the times the 

Misses McWilliams take charge of the 

service and provide speakers. 

At the close of each morning and eve 

ning meal there is a worship service. 

Twice a year communion is held at 

the Home. The Allegheny minister of 

ficiates in the spring and the Central 

Pittsburg in the fall. 

Entertainment Oh yes! 

Local organizations outside our 

church entertain with music, etc. 

Our local churches and societies en 

tertain them with songs, pictures, and 

addreses, and refreshments, of course! 

A Memorial dinner is given in the 

Home once a year to the members in 

honor of Mrs. Eda McKee by 

daughters. 

her two 

The Board, often with friends or 

missionary societies contributing of 

course, either in money or food, always 

provides special Holiday dinners. 

But our Reception and Donation Day 

are looked forward to from year to year, 

for then the members see so many 

friends and loved ones, and there is al 

ways ice cream and cake! 

And one birthday is looked forward 

to: the ninetieth. A lovely party is 

given at the Home for the Honor guest 

by the Board. 

And what does the Board do 

Its thirty-one members meet once a 

month at the home from 10 :30 to five or 

later. They bring their own lunches, and 

frequently 

committee meetings require 

very hurried consumption of that food. 

Each month the House Committee 

consisting of two members of the Board 

visit every member in his or her room, 

and the matron. We check for any needs 

the members may have, comfort, health, 

and contentment. This is rarely done in 

less than two days by each committee 

member. It has been estimated that 

each Board member actually devotes 

two full weeks to the Home in a year's 

time. This does not include committee 

meetings, purchasing supplies, writing 

letters, ad infinitum. 

What do we vjant 

First of all, your prayers. 

We need your prayers for the whole 

work of the Home. 

The Building Committee is launched 

on a tremendous project for which they 

have no training or experience. Pray 

that the Lord will guide their every de 

cision that they 

will be given wisdom. 

The Fund-Raising Committee covets 

your prayers. This Committee is a com 

bination of the Publicity 

and Press 

Committees. They have had no experi 

ence in fund-raising. Over and over they 

have said they can do nothing without 

the Lord's help. Won't you pray that 

His guidance will be poured out on us 

for this campaign That He will direct 

us whom to see and when. 

Second, we want you to know what a 

blessed place Our Home is, so that you 

can and will support it joyfully. GIVE 

TILL YOU REJOICE. 

"And whatsoever ye shall ask in my 

name, that will I do, that the Father 

may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall 

ask anything in my name, I will do it." 

John 14:13, 14. 

"With God all things are possible." 

Matthew 19:26. 

Yours in His Service, 

The above letter was sent to me to 

distribute to all Presbyterials. Since it 

is most too late to reach all, I am hav 

ing it brought to the attention of every 

church member through the WITNESS. 

Synodical Representative, 

Mrs. Charles R. McBurney 

Miss Blanche McCrea showed slides 

of Latakia on the evening of May 26. 

After this, the Reverend Kermit Edgar 

treated the Home Family to ice cream, 

and Mrs. Brown Sterrett with cup 

cakes. The pictures and talk were 

thoroughly enjoyed by all, as well as 

the ice cream and cakes. Thank you, 

all three! 

The writer of this report has this 

past month visited each member in the 

Home. The members all seemed very 

happy, but some of them are failing. 

Dear Miss Dolly Aiken 99 years old 

lies in her bed, perfectly comfortable, 

with her white hair tied with pink or 

blue ribbons. Sleeps most of the time. 

Three other members are failing men 

tally. Right now there are quite a num 

ber of tray patients. 

Due to the students of the seminary 

being so busy with the closing of the 

seminary, no preaching was held in May, 

but the usual prayer meetings were 

held. 

A Spelling Test for Juniors 

B. L. L. Faris 

(a) My soul was 1 by Jesus. 

(b) My friend's soul was 1 2 

(c) Now 2 souls are 1 in Him, 

(d) Because both were 1 by Him. 

(e) The 2 of us will find souls 

(f) 2 win 4 Him 2 

(g) And if each 1 1 1 

, 

(h) 4 would be 1 4 Him, 

(i) And be 1 in Him. 

(Answers on page 384) 

381

cometh." 

Church News 

OAKDALE, ILLINOIS 

In the moderation of a call in the 

Oakdale Congregation on the evening 

of June 1, the first ballot resulted in 

the choice of Dr. J. R. Patterson to be 

their pastor. It is hoped there will be 

an early acceptance. 


C. Lee Austin, president of Jones and 

Laughlin Steel Corporation, will deliver 

the commencement address at Geneva 

College, Tuesday, June 7, on "Facing 

Up to Our New World." The address 

will be given at 10 a.m. in Reeves field. 

The public is welcome. Mr. Austin be 

came one of the youngest presidents of 

a major industrial corporation in the 

country when he was elected president 

of Jones and Laughlin at the age of 

49, in January 1952. 

CLARINDA 

Mrs. Mary Alice Lee Price, of Los 

Angeles, a former member, is visiting 

the Lee relatives in this community. 

Norma Woods and Phyllis Perry are 

our high school 

graduates this year. 

Both girls are looking forward to Gene 

va College in the fall. Susie Perry and 

Glola Caskey 

eighth grade. 

are graduates from the 

Martha Caskey is attending the sum 

mer session at Maryville Teachers Col 

lege. Martha has been teaching at Leon, 

Iowa, the past year. 

Mr. J. Ren Lee spent a week in the 

hospital receiving 

treatment but is at 

home again, and able to get out some. 

Another of our Elders, Mr. Miller Dunn, 

is now in the hospital having undergone 

surgery. We have been remembering 

these friends in prayer. 

We miss the cheery presence of Mrs. 

Mabel Stevenson who was called to be 

with her Lord in the early morning of 

May 23. She had been failing in health 

for several weeks but was at church the 

week before her death. Mrs. Stevenson, 

wife of the late James Stevenson, leaves 

two children, Mrs. Kenneth McCalla, of 

Clarinda and Raymond Stevenson of 

Birmingham, Michigan. Besides these 

there are three grandchildren, Eddie 

McCalla, and Paul and Linda Steven 

son. Mrs. Stevenson was a woman of 

strong faith and great courage. Called 

upon to suffer a great deal at times, 

she was 

cheerful and uncomplaining. 

Her faith was summed up in a verse 

she gave a friend who was ill, "The 

name of the Lord is a strong tower; 

Saturday, May 14 to give the entire life that is filled with the Spirit" 

building a thorough cleaning floors, 

chairs, pews, carpets, windows, etc. 

About 20 workers were present. At noon 

Miss Letha Conway prepared a delicious 

luncheon to serve to the working party. 

The New York presbyterial met at 

Cambridge, Mass., May 3 and 4. Those 

the rightepus run into it and are safe." 

attending from Walton were Mrs. Rob 

Lyle Cabeen is at Camp Chaffee, Ark., 

ert Russell and Rev. and Mrs. S. E. 

getting his basic training. 

Our DVBS is in session at present 

Boyle, who were on the program as mis 

sionary speakers. 

under the leadership of Mrs. Howard Walter Eels, accompanied by Miss 

Caskey and a corps of faithful teachers Elinor Biedekapp, attended 

May-Day 

and assistants. 

festivities at Geneva College and visited 

in the home of Dr. and Mrs. Lathom. 

SHARON NEWS ITEMS 

The Sharon-Morning Sun Bible School 

The pastor preached at the County 

Home on May 1. 

was held from May 23 to June 3 with 

Two of the little folks underwent 

an enrollment of 84. A program was 

given on June 3. Staff members from 

Sharon included Mrs. Calvin McClurkin, 

Mrs. Robert Harsh, Mrs. Robert Mc 

tonsillectomies recently: Gladys Boyle 

on May 7 and Virginia Russell on May 

14. 

Measles have been the order of the 

Clure, Mrs. Lloyd Edgar, Mrs. Bert day in Walton this month and have kept 

Gregory, Mrs. Wylie Kilpatrick, Mrs. 

some of our Sabbath school scholars 

James Robertson, Rev. and Mrs. John 

Edgar. 

from their regular attendance. 

Mr. Timothy Sanderson is still con 

Miss Margaret McElhinney, Mrs. fined to Smith Hospital at the present 

Pearl McElhinney and Mrs. Iva McEl 

hinney attended the funeral of Mrs. 

writing. 

May visitors at church have been: 

Jack McCloy at Greeley on May 16. Miss Miss Ruth Henderson, Mr. and Mrs. 

Margaret McElhinney remained for a Andrew Price and sons, Tommy and 

visit in the Dr. Robert Patterson home 

at Ault. 

Rev. and Mrs. Philip Coon and Dr. 

and Mrs. Larry Coon stopped at the 

Everett Cummings home over Sabbath, 

Stephen, Walter Price and Miss Terry 

Irwin and her mother. 

Mr. T. A. Henderson is Session's dele 

gate to Synod at Beaver Falls, June 

8-14. 

May 29. They were en route to Colo 

rado. 

Donald McClurkin, a recent graduate 

MRS. TELFORD SANDERSON 


of the Seminary visited his parents the Walton, New York, congregation 

briefly on his way to Topeka to supply 

the pulpit for several weeks. 

Miss Joanne Pogemiller, a teacher in 

wishes to pay tribute to the life of Fan 

nie Sanderson, lived among us for over 

fifty years. 

Fort Madison, Iowa, is planning to at Mrs. Sanderson was born May 14, 

tend the Crusader School in Pittsburgh. 

David Edgar arrived in the United 

States from Okinawa on May 27 and 

1878 at Cannonsville, New York, daugh 

ter of Roswell and Frances (Tiffany) 

Smith. She was married to Telford P. 

will soon receive his discharge from the Sanderson on November 3, 1903 and 

army. 

The Sharon Seniors had a film "The 

Regions Beyond" at their recent social 

evening and the Blue Banner Group en 

joyed slides of missions in Africa shown 

by a Winfield couple who have visited 

there. 

since that time had lived in the town of 

Walton. 

She died suddenly at her home on 

May 10, 1955. The funeral was held on 

the following Thursday, conducted by 

her pastor Rev. J. A. Hill, assisted by 

the Rev. Samuel Boyle. She is survived 

The Sharon Juniors gave a play, 

by her husband. 

"Convincing Mr. Worldly Wiseman" at 

the evening church service on May 22. 

Miss Lena Eckhardt was honored by 

the Sharon ladies at a shower on May 7. 

Miss Eckhardt and Wilmer Faigle were 

God called, she was ready and may 

the Lord sanctify to our hearts this 

sudden providence. Matt. 24:44: "There 

fore, be ye also ready: for in such an 

hour as ye think not, the Son of man 

married in Burlington on May 28. 

Mr. and Mrs. Merle Kerr (Dorothy 

Mrs. Norman Spear 

McElhinney) are the parents of a 

for Walton W. M. S. 

daughter born May 31. 


Field Day was held at the church on 

"The fruits of righteousness are the 

fruit of the Spirit, and grow only in a 

382 


Dry Weekly Newspapers 

R. H. Martin, D.D. Chairman Committee Against Liquor Advertising of the 

National Temperance and Prohibition Council, 209 Ninth St., Pittsburgh, 22, Pa. 

Newspapers are one of the leading 

media employed by the Alcoholic Bev 

erage Industry in advertising to pro 

mote the sale and consumption of their 

products. 

Newspaper editors and publishers are 

largely dependent on advertising to 

meet the cost of publishing their papers. 

It is therefore a strong 

temptation for 

them to accept liquor advertisements 

when the Industry is ready to spend 

probably 

as much as $100,000,000 a 

year in the newspaper advertising of 

liquor, wine and beer. While a large 

majority 

of the editors and publishers 

of newspapers succumb to this tempta 

tion, not a few stand out against it and 

refuse to accept any 

advertisements of 

alcoholic beverages, while others accept 

beer, or beer and wine advertisements 

only, and refuse all advertising 

tilled spirits. 

of dis 

This is particularly true with refer 

ence to weekly, bi-weekly and tri-weekly 

newspapers. The 1952 issue of Week 

ly Newspaper Representatives, Inc., 

combining the American Press Associa 

tion and Newspaper Advertising Serv 

ice, contains a complete list, by states, 

of all the weekly, semi-weekly 

and tri 

weekly newspapers published in the 

United States, their editors and pub 

lishers, circulation, and other informa 

tion, including whether or not they ac 

cept liquor, wine and beer advertising. 

3,547 DRY WEEKLY PAPERS 

The number that refuse all alcoholic 

beverage advertisements liquor, wine 

and beer totals 3,547. In addition, 584 

accept beer advertisements only, 

and 

772 accept only beer and wine adver 

tisements. 

There is 

not a single state in our 

48 states which does not have any 

weekly papers that refuse all advertis 

ing of alcoholic beverages. Delaware, 

Rhode Island and Vermont each have 

only 2; Wyoming, 3 and Arizona, 4. 

The remaining states have anywhere 

from 4 to 257 each. 

12 STATES WITH MORE THAN 100 

DRY WEEKLIES EACH 

Following 

are the states each of 

which have above 100 weekly, 

semiweekly 

or tri-weekly 

papers which ac 

cept no advertisements of liquor, wine 

or beer, and those which accept only 

beer, 

or beer and wine advertisements: 

With 

Beer 

Beer and 

only wine only 

Georgia 153 3 74 

Illinois 195 16 14 

Indiana 103 12 8 

Iowa 404 0 247 

Kansas 233 68 13 

Missouri 153 24 32 

New York 102 5 15 

North Carolina 72 21 18 

Ohio 141 10 21 

Oklahoma 155 117 6 

Pennsylvania 105 7 10 

Texas 277 42 18 

reference to daily newspapers, 

our Committee Against Liquor Adver 

tising has no reliable up-to-date list of 

dailies which decline all advertising of 

alcoholic liquors. We are at work to ob 

tain such a list which, when obtained, 

we will send out in a "Release" to fol 

low this one. 

In the meantime, we urge all those 

who oppose liquor advertising to com 

mend the editors and publishers of these 

dry papers and their communities for 

their stand on this issue; most of them 

at a financial loss when they are hard 

pressed for funds to meet expenses. This 

is one way you can help the temperance 

cause. We would appreciate a letter 

letting us know what you have done 

and giving us any information that will 

help the cause. 

AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY DISTRIBUTES 15,391,171 SCRIPTURES DURING 

1954; SOCIETY PASSES 450,000,000 VOLUME MARK ON ITS 139TH 

Annual Meeting Also Marks Society's 

120th Year In Work For The Blind 

New York, May 12 

Distribution of 

Scriptures to the blind reached a record 

high mark during 1954, members of the 

American Bible Society 

were told to 

day at the organization's 139th annual 

meeting, held at the Fifth Avenue Pres 

byterian Church. 

Marking its 120th year in work for 

the blind, the society issued 55,076 vol 

umes of Scriptures in 21 languages. 

New publications during the year in 

cluded a new edition of the "Small Vol 

ume of Scripture Passages" in English 

Braille, which is frequently called the 

Bible" 

"pocket by the blind. 

The same "Small Volume" also was 

recorded on five "Talking Book" rec 

ords in Portuguese for the blind in Bra 

zil. Other new publications during 1954 

included Braille editions of portions of 

the Bible in Portuguese, German, Ar 

menian, Korean and the new colloquial 

Japanese. The German edition was for 

distribution in the Eastern zone, 

ANNIVERSARY 

and 

the Korean and Japanese were com 

plete New Testaments. 

"Talking Book" Records, which are 

recordings of the Bible for the blind 

who cannot use the various touch sys 

tems, were shipped to Liberia, France, 

Switzerland, England, Philippine Is 

lands, Japan and Ethiopia, in response 

to urgent requests for them. Materials 

to aid the blind in learning Braille, and 

to aid the production of Braille volumes 

in foreign lands, were sent to Liberia 

and Korea. Since it began its work for 

the blind in 1835, the society has dis 

tributed 480,282 volumes and recordings 

in 40 languages and systems. In the 

United States, a large measure of the 

society's work is directed to supplying 

the needs of blinded veterans of recent 

wars. 

Pauline Nodhturft, 11, student at the 

New York Institute for the Education 

of the Blind, read the Scripture lesson 

at the annual meeting. Pauline, who 

lives at 2240 Seward Ave., Bronx, N. Y., 

received her first volume of the Braille 

Bible from the society when she was six 

years old and has since received all ad 

ditional volumes to complete an entire 

set of the Bible. The 20 volumes are 

more than five ieet high. 

In the United States, distribution of 

Scriptures totaled more than 9,000,000 

volumes for the second time in the so 

ciety's history. Extraordinary progress 

was noted in the society's southern dis 

trict comprising the states of Georgia, 

South Carolina, Florida, Alabama, Mis 

sissippi and Tennessee, where, for the 

third successive year, more than 1,000,- 

000 volumes of Scriptures were distrib 

uted. 

Total distribution throughout the 

world, including the United States, 

amounted to 15,391,171 during 1954, and 

the society passed the 450,000,000 mark 

for its 139 years. 

Other highlights from the annual re 

port include: 

***The society met increasing requests 

for Scriptures from our armed forces. 

***The society published the first Scrip 

tures in six languages. These were Puebla 

Aztec (Mexico), Bandi (Liberia), 

Gbeapo (Liberia), Ayacucho Quechua 

(Peru), Junin Quechua (Peru), and 

Shipibo (Peru). The first New Testa 

ment was printed in Aymara (Bolivia) 

and in Ecuadorean Quechua. The total 

number of languages in which at least 

June 15, 1955 383

one book of the Bible has been trans 

lated now stands at 1,084. 

***The society distributed more Scrip 

tures in Latin America than in any 

previous year. 

***The society expects the publication 

of the entire Bible in colloquial Japan 

ese to have wide acceptance and "to af 

fect profoundly the literary future of 

Japan." 

***Despite the many hardships caused 

by unsettled conditions in all parts of 

the world, and the restrictions placed 

upon its work by many governments, 

the society 

was not compelled to re 

trench on any of its activities in any 

country. 

In an address before the meeting, 

Rev. Dr. Francis C. Stifler, a society 

secretary who retired last year, told 

members that more copies of the New 

Testament in Japanese have been sold 

in Japan in the past 10 years than in 

all the 60 years that missionaries had 

been advocating it there before World 

War II. "In Brazil, 

where the evangeli 

cal churches, we are told, are growing 

more rapidly than anywhere else in the 

world, it has been impossible to keep up 

with the demand," he said. 

A new motion picture in color, "The 

Living Word in Japan," depicting Bible 

distribution in that country, was pre 

viewed for the audience. 

Elected Honorary Life Members of 

the society were Louis F. Powell, a 

businessman of Richmond, Va.; Jose M. 

Chicol of Guatemala, for his revision of 

the translation of the New Testament 

into the Cakchiquel language of Guate 

mala; Rev. George H. Eastman, O.B.E., 

England, for his revision of the transla 

tion of the entire Bible in the language 

of the Gilbert Islands; Dr. Lauro Monteiro 

da Cruz, a member of the Federal 

Congress of the Republic of Brazil, 

father of the legislation whereby Bibles 

and other religious literature are ad 

mitted into Brazil free of duty and of 

import licenses; Gregorio Jus- 

Choque, 

tino Quispe and Modesto Aliaga, all of 

Bolivia, for making the first translation 

of the New Testament into Aymara, 

the language of nearly 

a million peo 

ple in the High Andes of South Ameri 

ca; and Rev. Senji Tsuru, Rev. T. Endo, 

Rev. G. Tezuka, Rev. Takuo Matsumoto, 

Rev. K. Takahashi, Rev. S. Yamaya, Mr. 

K. Baba, the translators of the Japan 

ese Kogotai Bible, the first translation 

of the whole Bible into the commonly 

used form of the Japanese language. 

Answers to Spelling Test page 381 

(a) won; (b) won, too; (c) two, one; 

(d) won; (e) two; (f) to, for, too; (g) 

one, won, one; (h) four, won, for; (i) 

one. 

GENEVA 

The Rev. A. J. McFarland, D.D., of 

Sterling, Kan., will deliver the sermon 

at the Geneva College baccalaureate 

service to a class of 188 seniors in the 

Old Main chapel at 8 p. m. Sabbath eve 

ning, on the subject, "The Price of an 

Ideal," 

Psalm 16:8. 

Dr. McFarland was graduated from 

Geneva in 1924. He is field secretary of 

the Christian Amendment 

President Charles M. 

Movement. 

Lee will be in 

charge of the service. Music will fea 

ture a selected choir under the direction 

of Louis J. Krepps, instructor in music. 

Dr. McFarland's son, Robert H., is a 

member of the graduating class. 

MINNTE JANE ANDERSON 

Miss Minnie Anderson of the Hopkin 

ton congregation was called to her eter 

nal reward on May 26, 1955. She was 

born June 15, 1869, and so was almost 

86 years of age. She was laid to rest in 

the Hopkinton cemetery. She had been 

a member of the Reformed Presbyter 

ian Church from her youth, and a faith 

ful and devout member she was. She 

loved her Lord and His Word and exem 

plified His truth in her life. She was a 

very considerate, humble, kindly, gen 

erous, patient, optimistic woman. She 

loved her church and supported it with 

her tithe. Of her immediate family, she 

is survived by but one brother, Mr. Jas. 

H. Anderson of Orange, California. She 

will be greatly missed by her friends. 

Dr. Remo I. Robb 

rV 4- V\rs. 

&.-per ok.ld 

2>-(o 

Vi/- Registration for Adults 

Kevnneth SancWôn \"*2.- Redis Ration tv Families 

For -father information please Write tot %V. Bruce C. Sfcsvtoct 

1 

15Q5 1QW Ave., Cxveeley, Col< 

P.S-! 

COVENANTER WITNESS

up." 

ruined!" 

well" 

LESSONS FOR THE WEEK OF JULY 10, 1955 


"The 

Missing Center" 

by 


Do you recall the Jig-saw puzzle It was quite 

the rage a few years ago, with almost everyone bent 

low over a table littered with all manner of sizes of 

pieces, feverishly seeking to scramble them together 

into the sense of the pattern pictured on the cover of 

the box. 

For most people, the jig-saw puzzle has given 

way to some later fad, in the bewildering crazy-quilt 

of our civilization. But there is one old-timer in town 

who is still excited over the game. At every oppor 

tunity he will turn his hands to the putting together 

of a pattern. I dropped over to visit on a particular 

afternoon. As soon as he opened the door in response 

to my knock, I could sense that something was terri 

bly wrong ! 

He stared at me for a moment, his lean frame 

trembling from head to foot. Then he suddenly 

reached out, grabbed my arm and pulled me into the 

living-room, hurried me through to the side-room 

where he kept his precious puzzles. There on the 

table before me, I spotted one of them. 

"Take a good look at that . . . just 

take a good 

look !" he was almost shouting in my ear, in the grip 

of whatever disaster had befallen him. "See what 

has happened. Never before in all the time I've been 

working these things, has anything like this come 

I drew closer to the table. Instantly I spotted 

the "tragedy." There, spread before me, was a jig 

saw puzzle almost completed. It was a beautiful re 

production of a famous painting, and I appreciated 

the time it must have taken the old-timer to have 

come thus far with it. But right in the center of 

that picture was a jagged blank; a piece was miss 

ing! 

!" 

"And . . and. he cried out behind me, "I've 

been looking all over the house for that one piece to 

finish up the picture . . for days ! Yes, I said, days ! 

Asked everyone, had them help look for it . . . but 

no luck. Just for that one piece, the whole thing is 

ruined And as he 

. . 

formed that 

. 

word, 

"ruined" 

the poor old chap broke out into bitter 

weeping. 

Perhaps you smile ; I did at first. But there is a 

solemn spiritual lesson which has long lingered with 

me. For lack of a center-piece, the picture was in 

complete, and that blank would haunt the whole. 

Surely one can see the spiritual implication in that! 

Let us allow that this life is like a jig-saw puzzle, 

taking many things of differing forms to go into 

the making thereof, so there be harmony and fruitfulness. 

But where is the evidence of it Is it not 

more evident that for so many in our day, there is 

every indication of the missing center-piece of the 

Lord Jesus Christ and His "so great salvation" pro 

vided in the wonder of His finished work at Calvary 

For all the talk, all the longing of peace, of rest, of 

quietness, of assurance, it is hardly much more, for 

life without the Lord of life, is not life at all, at 

highest and richest and best, but rather a tragic lie 

lived under the rule of this world's god. 

But unlike the old-timer, many in our day ap 

pear totally indifferent, unconcerned about this vital 

center-piece. They blandly, blindly believe that "all's 

without the wonder of it. It is your business 

and mine, beloved, to so labor with the Word, in the 

enabling power of the Holy Spirit, that they shall be 

stabbed awake to their emptiness, their vital need. 

And if we are to be at all effective in this service, 

we must first make certain that there are no miss 

ing center-pieces in our make-up. We have accepted 

Him as Saviour, we must go on and "fill in" by 

crowning Him as LORD of life, presenting ourselves 

continually as the living sacrifice (Rom. 12:1, 2). 

There must be the feeding on the Word, the "water 

ing" 

by fervent prayer, a constant occupation in re 

deeming the time, approving ourselves in all things 

as faithful stewards of the things of the Lord. 

Are you missing "something" Is your life ALL 

that is intended of the Lord It is high time (Rom. 

13:11) to return unto the Lord, mark that which is 

missing, and thus meet with Him in renewal and 

consecration. May we be truly concerned about this 

vital matter!

choices." 



No Atheists 

Col. John D. Craig, a former Army man commissioned 

by the government to photograph atomic explosions, states 

in one of his lectures that "there are no atheists among nu 

clear scientists 

not a single one. When they succeeded in 

splintting the atom, they realized that for the first time man 

had stepped into the realm of creation, and that it was di 

vine Sovereignty speaking to him, and that man had better 

listen to what his Creator is saying to him." 

Stative of Mohammed Removed 

A marble statue of Mohammed that stood for more than 

50 years in a New York City courthouse has been removed 

at the suggestion of the U. S. State Department. This action 

was requested by the Islamic governments of Indonesia, 

Egypt and Pakistan in order to comply with the Moslem 

objection to graven images. 

Archeological Discoveries 

Archeological discoveries in Palestine are becoming 

more frequent. Among the recent discoveries are: (1) An 

underground church carved out of solid rock 50 feet below 

the tomb in the garden at Gordon's Calvary. (2) The re 

mains of what may be the idolatrous shrine denounced by 

the prophet Amos (Amos 5:5) (3) The ruins of the 2000- 

year-old palace of King Herod the Great at Masada, near 

the dead sea. 

Among the treasures located at the site of Herod's 

palace were the palace fortress which has a mosaic flooring 

fronted by a large columned terrace, four cisterns estimated 

to hold 40,000 cubic meters of water, remains of pottery, 

pillars, inscriptions, food and trees, and the earliest mosaics 

yet found in Israel. 

Youth in Formosa 

A group of young people, in the teen-age, have organ 

ized themselves into a band which they call, "Christian 

Youth in Action." They have decided to form tract bands, 

to help in street meetings and do hospital visitation. On each 

Sabbath afternoon they 

distribute tracts on the highways 

and byways of Taichung. On certain Sabbaths the group di 

vides and each separate group goes to a village in the vicin 

ity for tract distribution. Most, of these are children of 

missionaries. 

Work in Ecuador 

An evangelistic effort has been launched by missionar 

ies in Ecuador in an effort to reach the Quecha Indians. 

They have established an inn for them near the city Cuenca. 

When the Indians come to the city on market days they 

find the inn a convenient place to sleep, store their products 

and quarter their animals. While they are guests at the inn 

gospel messages are given, slides and recordings are used 

and tracts are given out. 

Atheism in China 

The Chinese Communists have joined the campaign still 

spreading in the Soviet Union and its satellites to promote 

"scientific 

atheism" 

among 

China's youth. The latest effort 

appeared in China Youth and labeled religion "an opiate for 

386 

the intoxication of the people, a social problem and an in 

strument of aggression." 

The magazine declared that "God 

was created by the psychology of fear and religion owes its 

birth and continued existence to the helplessness of man 

against social relations." 

Supreme Court Decision 

The Supreme Court has just now (today as I write) 

ordered the courts of the South to try to carry out as 

rapidly as they can well do so, the order to discontinue 

segregation in the schools. 

More Alcoholism than Polio 

An item in The Free Methodist states that alcoholism 

is one hundred times more prevalent than polio, according 

to Dr. Caradine R. Hooton, executive secretary of the 

Methodist Board of Temperance, Washington, D.C. "The 

American people raise millions of dollars each year to fight 

cancer, TB and Polio," said Dr. Hooton, "but spend billions 

to help spread the virus that causes alcoholism." 

Causes of Juvenile Delinquency 

The Moody Monthly in an editorial says : 

"Pity a nation 

such as ours that is literally terrified at the spectre of its 

young people out of control! Yet in Washington, D. C, New 

York, Chicago, Los Angeles and throughout the country, 

courts, school officials, juvenile authorities and communi 

ty leaders are perplexed and appalled by that they see. 

"No one who has faced the problems of juvenile delin 

quency will argue that they 

are simple or easy. But the 

source of juvenile delinquency may be located without much 

trouble. 

"Like it or not, nearly every juvenile delinquent is a 

monument to the failure of a home and the parents in that 

home. In the economy of God, the child is entrusted to the 

parents not only for physical care but for guidance in his 

spiritual and moral 


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COVENANTER WITNESS

war," 



GUARANTEED WAGE 

The contract settlement between the United Automobile 

Workers and the Ford Motor Co. set a new precedent in 

industrial relations. The union rejected a company for em 

ployee stock ownership, and instead won a modified form of 

the guaranteed annual wage for its 140,000 workers who 

are paid by the hour. The three-year contract was signed 

after eight weeks of intense negotiating, just in time to 

avert a strike. The company will contribute five cents an 

hour for each employee into a special fund, which will reach 

$55 million in three years. When a worker is laid off, the 

fund will be used to supplement his unemployment insur 

ance payments, in such a way that the worker will receive 

65 per cent of his previous take-home pay for the first four 

weeks, and 60 per cent for the next twenty-two weeks. 

Other benefits in the new contract bring its total value to 

about twenty 

cents an hour. 

EXPANDING GAINS 

The Ford plan is a compromise, for the union wanted 

100 per cent payments for a full year; but the principle of 

the guaranteed wage is established. General Motors, with 

nearly three times as many workers as Ford, avoided a 

strike by accepting a similar plan. In each case the special 

funds will be started immediately, but payments from them 

will not begin until June, 1956. 

change many 

It will be necessary to 

state laws so that a worker can receive un 

employment compensation and guarantee payments at the 

same time. The automakers would like to reduce the sea 

sonal fluctuations in their business, but their keen compe 

tition, and the custom of introducing new models every fall, 

will make this difficult. Unions in other seasonal industries, 

such as steel, will also push for some form of guaranteed 

wage. Tt will be difficult, however, for any but the largest 

companies to meet the cost. 

BONN AND MOSCOW 

Russia has made a dramatic move in foreign policy by 

inviting Chancellor Konrad Adenauer of West Germany to 

discuss the opening of diplomatic, trade, and cultural rela 

tions. This implies recognition of West Germany's sovereign 

ty, a major concession by the Reds. The German people 

were delighted at the prospect of a warmup in the "cold 

and Adenauer had no choice but to accept the invi 

tation. However, he promised that he would not desert the 

West for a neutral position, and came to Washington for 

preliminary 

consultations. He also insisted on a neutral 

place for the meeting, rather than going to Moscow. Russia 

probably hopes to delay German rearmament by reviving 

the popular hope for unification. Adenauer and the West 

will continue to insist on free elections as the basis for 

German unity, and the Communists can hardly 

agree to this 

without losing all their power in East Germany. 

LAND RIGHTS 

In 1953, at the height of the Mau Mau killings in Kenya, 

Queen Elizabeth appointed a Royal Commission to investi 

gate the whole matter of relations between natives and 

whites in East Africa. The basic problem is land distribu 

tion. Of the eighteen million persons in Uganda, Kenya, and 

Tanganyika, only fifty thousand are white, but the whites 

control nine-tenths of the best land. Though not actually in 

slavery, the Negroes have had to work for the whites in or 

der to secure money to pay a "head tax." The Royal Com 

mission has finally reported, recommending for Kenya that 

part of the five million acres now reserved for whites be 

opened to Negroes. Land not now in cultivation would be 

leased to anyone regardless of color. This recommendation 

will not be popular with the whites, but it seems a simple 

matter of justice, as well as the only 

tinued violence. 

DECISION AVOIDED 

alternative to con 

Dr. John Peters, who was dismissed from federal em 

ployment as a medical consultant in 1953, after an adverse 

decision by the Loyalty Review Board, has won a favorable 

ruling from the Supreme Court. Peters claimed that the 

action against him was illegal because he had no opportun 

ity to confront the witnesses who testified to his Communist 

leanings. However, the Court refused to rule on this basic 

constitutional issue, which is involved in many recent se 

curity cases. Instead, the Court threw out the Board's action 

because it was made on its own initiative, without appeal 

from the government. 

It is in accordance with judicial principles that the Su 

preme Court will not rule on a constitutional question if a 

case can be decided on any other grounds. However, we still 

need a decision as to whether security hearings must provide 

all the constutional rights guaranteed to persons accused of 

crime. Justice Douglas, in a dissenting opinion, strongly 

condemned the use of anonymous informers in such hear 

ings. 

niON IN ABUNDANCE 

Taconite, a hard black rock containing about 25 per 

cent iron, will soon provide a big new business for northern 

Minnesota. For many years, industrialists and defense offi 

cials have been worried over the depletion of the Mesabi 

range, our chief deposit of high-grade (50 per cent) iron 

ore. After many years of research, complex processes have 

been developed for mining and processing taconite so that it 

can be used commercially. One company has nearly com 

pleted a processing plant on the north shore of Lake Su 

perior, and a mine fifty miles to the northwest. The plant 

will convert the taconite rock into small pellets of con 

centrated iron ore, which will then be shipped down the 

Great Lakes to the steel mills. Since the reserves of taconite 

are enormous, its development assures continued prosperity 

for northern Minnesota and greater security for our steel 

industry. 

COMMUNIST FAMINE 

Famine is raging in Red China, according to reports 

from Hong Kong and evidence furnished by local news 

papers. Last year's disastrous floods were followed by heavy 

frosts in the central portions, while the south has had its 

worst drought in one hundred years. Over four thousand 

peasants were arrested in Canton for the theft of small 

amounts of food, and there have been food riots in some 

towns when the peasants tried to storm the Communist 

granaries. China has always known famine, but the Com 

munist regime has made it worse by exporting 

as much 

food as possible to Russia, in return for industrial goods. 

Added to this is corruption, as bad if not worse than under 

any previous Chinese government. 

June 22, 1955 387

ministers' 

ances" 

Report of The Synod of 1955 

WHICH MET AT GENEVA COLLEGE, JUNE 8-14. 


THURSDAY 8:45 A. M. 

Those of us who have attended many Synods 

recognize it has a routine program. Prayer, roll call, 

devotional period, reading of minutes, etc. 

But the devotional periods are new every morning 

and refreshing. The program for the week follows ; 

While the praise and prayer programs are very im 

portant and the names 

interesting we will give only 

the condensed form and hope to print the addresses 

later. 

DEVOTIONAL SERVICES 

Theme : 

Having Done All, To Stand 

Thursday, June 9 

"How to be an Example" (I Pet. 5:1-4) 

Speaker: S. Bruce Willson, D.D. 

Presiding: Rev. T. Richard Hutcheson 

Friday, June 10 

"How to Meet Personal Discouragement" 

(I Kings 19:9, 10) 

Speaker: Rev. E. Raymond Hemphill 

Presiding: J. Renwick Patterson, D.D. 

Saturday,' 

June 11 

"How to Encourage the Flock" (II Chron. 32: 

6-8) 

Speaker: D. Howard Elliott 

Presiding: T. F. Harsh 

Monday, June 13 

"How to Redeem the Time" (Eph. 5:16) 

Speaker : M. K. Carson, D.D. 

Presiding: Rev. Harold Thompson 

Tuesday, June 14 

"How to Increase our Vision" (II Kings 6:15- 

17) 

Speaker: Dr. Remo I. Robb 

Presiding: D. Ray Wilcox, D.D. 

Thursday is the time for the Memorial Service ; 

ministers, wives, missionaries, and elders, 

called Home during the year are memorialized. The 

writer does not remember any former year when 

there were no ministers or ministers' wives on this 

list. There was but one missionary, but there were 

eight elders, as follows : 

Zenas McMurtry 

Thomas J. Armstrong 

Thomas M. Pattison 

John T. Doig 

George H. Arnott 

Edwin L. Dodds 

Andrew S. Brodie 

Timothy Sanderson 

ELDERS 

MISSIONARIES 

Dr. Ida M. Scott 

Morning Sun 

Third Philadelphia 

New Castle 

Walton 

Coldenham 

Los Angeles 

Delburne 

Walton 

Later: Word came Monday evening of the death of 

388 

Dr. Paul Coleman, and a memorial prepared by Dr. 

P. D. McCracken was read at a later session. 

Papers concerning matters of discipline or pol 

icy from sessions, or individuals are presented by 

the clerks. 

Reports Boards of Trustees, all 

treasurers, 

treasurers' 

etc. follow. All 

reports are concerned 

with four more important figures six column fig 

ures more or less, "Receipts," "Expenditures" "Bal 

at beginning and end of the year. But those 

details ! Much bookkeeping and headaches are a 

weariness to the flesh. Can you visualize two hours 

of 

figures, read rapidly If they were mimeo 

graphed, or microfilmed and projected on a screen it 

would be easier. Maybe some day we will have an 

auditing committee to examine all books and certify 

to the honesty and wisdom of the receipts and ex 

penditures. One hundred men, two hours each, mini 

mum wages $1.00 per hour- -count it yourself. Such 

is the expense of hearing the reports ! 

But there are more interesting intervals. Rev. 

Harold Harrington read the report of the Coordinat 

ing Committee's results of two grinding sessions of 

condensing the irreducible minimum requirements of 

the various Boards from $126,900 to $120,000, the 

maximum reasonable asking from the contributors. 

The report adopted will be published later. 

The Stewardship committee told us that 1066 

tithers were reported last year and 1700 enrolled 

during the current year. Synod voted to set a goal 

of 2200 for the coming year. The committee was 

commended for its efficient work of increasing the 

number of enrolled tithers, and promoting the over 

subscribed budget. Dr. D. H. Elliot was the chairman 

of the committee. 

THURSDAY P. M. 

Elder W. J. Adams of Kansas City opened the 

session with prayer. 

Representatives as follows were heard. Rev. 

Dilworth of Philadelphia brought a message 

from the American Bible Society, encouraging us to 

continue our co-operation in sending out 15 billion 

portions of scripture to all nations, tongues, kin 

dreds and languages. 

Rev. DeBoer of 

Washington, D. C. brought fra 

ternal greetings of the Christian Reformed Church. 

He told us he had just come from a meeting in their 

college 

Calvin, to our meeting in Geneva College 

which showed the close relation in faith of our two 

denominations. A request of our Synod of 1948 for 

their help in forwarding the Christian Amendment 

Movement had lain dormant until it was revived by 

the appointment of a committee to study the matter 

in their meeting of 1955. Also the proposal of our 

Synod of last year for a mutual study of each other's 

distinctive teachings was welcomed as a possible step 

toward union. 

Business resumed The Jewish mission. The 

Philadelphia building has been sold on a long time 

COVENANTER WITNESS

isk." 

saved." 

groups' 

service." 

will," 

message." 

contract. Synod voted not to continue the work for 

the present but to use funds to liquidate financial ob 

ligations now pending, and to hold the balance for 

later action. 

Rev. Norman Carson and Dr. T. C. Carson gave 

their impressions favorable of the immense work 

being done by the National Association of Evangeli 

cals, and of its worthiness as an instrument for our 

use and their use of us. 

The discussion of Making of Wills led by Elder 

Ross Latimer who recommended the building of an 

endowment fund of $100,000, out of the undesigna 

ted bequests, the income to be used for promoting 

such emergency requirements as may arise, brought 

an expression of opinions pro and con as to whether 

they should be invested in the present needs or 

stored for future needs. This was left for further dis 

cussion in the Covenanter Witness. 

Session closed with prayer by Rev. W. J. Mc 

Burney. 

THURSDAY 7:30 P. M. 

Elder William Dodds conducted a Round Table 

Discussion on methods of improving Midweek Prayer 

Services. Speakers were Mrs. A. A. Wylie, W. O. Hill, 

and Mr. Hemphill. One congregation found a ceme 

tery a suitable place for an inspiring and well at 

tended meeting (preceding Memorial Day). But take 

your prayer meeting to the cemetery, rather than 

bring the cemetery into the meeting. 

FRIDAY 8:45 A. M. 

This session was given over to the discussion of 

the Report of the Board of Foreign Missions. It was 

voted to approve the appointment of Lie. Gene Spear 

as Missionary to Japan, and of Eleanor Faris also, 

the latter without salary her own proposition. This 

latter provoked some discussion as a departure from 

"calculated financial 

The item that consumed the major part of the 

session was stricken out of the report. Should all 

students in the Latakia Schools be required to take 

Bible courses contrary to the government's regu 

lation that religious instruction must be given only 

according to the sect to which the pupil belongs, Mo 

hammedan, Jew or Christian. Expediency keeping 

the schools functioning, or risking the closing of our 

schools on the principle that we are commanded to 

preach the gospel to all, and ought to obey God 

rather than man. This question has troubled our 

Board and our missionaries for years and they 

wished Synod to take the responsibility of deciding. 

The matter was committed to members of Synod 

and the missionaries in an open conference. 

Recess. 

Thus far the report is prepared by the Editor. 

He is using a ghost writer from here on. 

The following notes on proceedings of Synod 

are prepared by the Rev. T. R. Hutcheson. Editor 

Friday Afternoon 

Dr. R. A. Blair opened the session with prayer. 

Rev. Paul Wison moved that, to complete the 

regular procedure, the paper from the Foreign Mis 

sion Board requesting the ordination of Gene Spear 

be granted. The motion was carried. 

Foreign missionaries present at Synod were 

then introduced by Rev. Charles Sterrett, Corres 

ponding Secetary of the Board. Each field had been 

June 22, 1955 

allotted 30 minutes, but Miss Blanche McCrea, the 

sole representative of the Cyprus field said she had 

been glad to hear of the progress being made on the 

building for the Girls' School in Nicosia, which is 

expected to be ready for use this September. The 

present school would not have endured the recent 

hurricane on the island, and is past repair. 

The aim of the school at Nicosia is deeper than 

teaching English, but English instruction is a big 

drawing card. The children there are normal children, 

with problems similar to those in American schools. 

But this school is special, a school for teaching 

Christianity. 

"Do you like it there ," Miss McCrea has been 

asked. Many things, of course, are not likable. There 

are many strange customs and attitudes. There is a 

lack of deep freezers, air-condition units, etc., but she 

loves the people, and recognizes prevailing living con 

ditions as part of the "joys of There is 

need for American teachers : a life- termer if possible ; 

at least a short-term teacher. 

Miss Elizabeth McElroy, who has been on the 

field in Syria for 35 years, spoke of the work in 

the mountain villages. She does not go into Moslem 

homes now the danger is great but she does teach 

in Alouite homes. Evangelists go from house to 

house and hold meetings for children after school 

hours. The children especially are hungry for litera 

ture and information. Twelve hundred villages, and 

no other denomination responsible for them. "Tell 

young people they will get happiness through Christ, 

and knowing they are doing His she said with 

conviction in appealing for people to prepare now for 

work in Syria. 

Mrs. Kenneth Sanderson observed that a time of 

furlough gave missionaries a new vision of the field, 

an encouraging vision. She expressed appreciation 

for support here of the schools and mission in Syria, 

and fine experiences in the home land. She once 

thought it was enough if teachers gave the Bible 

instruction, and let results be incidental. "I know 

now that that is not enough. We must approach 

people personally about their relation to Christ," she 

said, and then gave examples of how Syrian young 

people are doing that. 

Mr. Sanderson felt Syria was now home. There 

he and Marjorie were married six and one half years 

ago. He told of disappointment about students who 

had gone to other schools after being in Latakia Mis 

sion Schools, and had succumbed to liberal theological 

concepts and modernistic ideas. He quoted, "It is 

possible to come within 18 inches of salvation, and 

not be 

To convert Moslems is difficult, but 

so is it to convert anyone. And here is the attitude 

to take "If God worked a change in my heart, can 

He not change a Moslem's heart, too" 

Rev. S. E. Boyle, representing the Japan field, 

chose to talk on, "What I found in the American 

Covenanter Church." He found what first impressed 

him as tiny, lonely groups. But he came to recognize 

the quality of these sacrifice, working, and 

giving. "A church is not measured by the size of its 

roll, but by the size of its He found the 

church is missionary-minded, and found pastors with 

faithfulness and originality. We are a small church 

with a heavy load, but a great message. He, as Miss 

McCrea in Cyprus, finds in Japan strange customs 

uncomfortable customs, like sitting on the floor. But 

389

he finds also people with aching hearts, and lost 

souls. 

Women's Association 

Mrs. J. B. Willson read the 58th annual report of 

the Women's Association. Meeting from 10:30 a.m. 

to 5:00 p.m., the Board of this association, in charge 

of the Home for the Aged, has a tremendous work 

to do. Desirable projects have sometimes had to 

be left undone. Mrs. Agnes Synder who entered in 

1930, has the longest record membership in the 

home. The Rev. B. M. Sharp who deceased after 2 

days' 

residence had the shortest membership. There 

are now 35 members living at the home and all quar 

ters are filled. Guests cannot be accommodated for 

meals as the Home would like to do. 

But $65,000 are in the building fund, and draw 

ings are printed of a proposed $100,000 annex. Copies 

of the plans were distributed to pastors to give to 

members of missionary societies. 

Bible Reading Folders 

Rev. F. F. Reade, of Almonte congregation, re 

ported sales of 1,814 copies of Bible Reading Folders, 

a hundred less than in 1953. There was an excep 

tional demand however, for the Children's Reader, 

second series. Synod approved an increase in the 

price of the readers, to meet printing costs. Dr. 

P. D. McCracken, of Philadelphia, commented that 

this record does not tell the whole story. More than 

1,814 Covenanters are reading the Bible, since other 

systems of reading are being used. 

Dr. A. W. Smith, chairman of the Temperance 

Committee read the committee's report which warn 

ed of a plan by enemies of temperance to change the 

thinking of a church people about alcohol. Authori 

ties were quoted to show the relation of tobacco 

smoking to lung cancer. Dr. R. Paul Wright of 

Kansas City, a member of the committee, had in 

cluded in the report some comments on tobacco. He 

said, "It is a standard, 

rather gruesome wisecrack 

among the surgeons, that when one of the leg-aching 

smokers (suffering from a tobacco-caused disease 

of blood vessels) is told of the amputation conse 

quences facing him, the question the smoker asks is 

not, "How do I quit tobacco," but what is more 

likely to be, "How long before we'll need to ampu 

tate" 

The report was commended. D. H. Elliott re 

ported hearing Dr. Sam Morris, in one of his temper 

ance broadcasts, refer to the fine work being done 

by A. W. Smith in Florida. The moderator reminded 

Synod that the adoption of these reports requires 

corresponding action when delegates return home. 

Sabbath School Teachers Commended 

The report of the Board of Christian Education, 

presented by chairman F. H. Lathom, suggested a 

commendation for teachers, and a "Decision Day" in 

the Sabbath Schools. He reminded the church of 

services available from the Board of Christian Edu 

cation, which will appear in the printed report. The 

stimulus of hearing of work that has been done is 

an incentive to do like work, and no specific recom 

mendations were submitted. 

Seminary Board Report 

Dr. J. R. Patterson, secretary of the Board of 

Superintendents of the Theological Seminary, read 

390 

the report of that Board reviewing the work of the 

year. Two of the items, the election of seminary pro 

fessors and remarks by the president of the semi 

nary, were made the order of the day following the 

Publications Board report on Saturday, and Dr. H. G. 

Patterson was asked by the moderator to adjourn the 

court in prayer. 

Friday Night 

Mrs. Walter F. Mandeville of First Beaver Falls 

Church was in charge of an evening 

program in 

Geneva College chapel Friday night, one of the eve 

ning conferences planned by Synod's Committee on 

arrangements. The conference theme, "The Place of 

Women in the Local Church." The program was in 

the nature of a pageant, "Salt of the Earth," which 

was a dramatic demonstration of what women are 

doing in local churches. Parts of the pageant were 

performed by the Junior Society 

of Geneva Congre 

gation, directed by Mrs. Lucille Henery and Mrs. 

J. B. Willson; the Highlanders of College Hill Con 

gregation, demonstrating a missionary society; the 

Junior choir of the First Beaver Falls 'Congregation, 

under the direction of Mrs. Guy Spratley; the YTC 

of Beaver County led by Mrs. Stewart McCready; 

and Mrs. Kenneth Sanderson, missionary, presented 

the matter of consecration. Mrs. George Coleman, 

narrator, with Rhonda Coast, Susan Wood, and Mel 

Adams, of Eastville, took the part of a mother and 

children. The script for the pageant was written by 

Ellen Lathom. Hugh Barbour was in charge of 

lights. Mrs. Henery, Mrs. McCready, and Mrs. Rob 

ert Park comprised a trio. 

Saturday Morning 

The Saturday session began with prayer by Dr. 

George Coleman. Those taking part in the devotional 

exercises included Donald Crawford of Phoenix con 

gregation, Kenneth Kennedy of New Castle, and 

Paul Bennett of Allegheny, elders ; and Rev. Howard 

Elliott, pastor of First Beaver Falls, who gave the 

address. Rev. T. F. Harsh, pastor at Cincinnati, pre 

sided. The theme this morning was "How to Encour 

age the Flock," suggested by II Chron. 32:6-8. Under 

this theme, the speaker asked both "Why encourage 

the flock " Helpful answers were considered. 

Meeting the time of 

paper-presentation, a paper 

was presented by Rev. John Tweed requesting a defi 

nition of the proper relationship we should have 

with church councils and groups which are part of 

unorthodox organizations or in cooperation with 

such. This was referred to a special committee. 

Copies of the report of the Board of Publica 

tions were distributed (as were copies of most of the 

reports when they were presented) and read by Ross 

Latimer, secretary of the Board. Again, the over 

subscription of Synod's budget was reflected in the 

favorable balance in the account, and the Board 

was glad to have a part in the program of the Ste 

wardship Committee. 

It is still planned to publish a Memorial Volume 

of the Covenant of 1954, but publication has been 

delayed this year. The Board was grateful to God 

that in spite of the illness of Dr. Taggart, and the 

moving of Dr. Vos to Beaver Falls, the issues of 

both the Witness and the Blue Banner were publish 

ed regularly. 

Often resolutions are passed by Synod, 

and 

COVENANTER WITNESS

mittee," 

actions recommended, of which the church knows 

little, except for the people present at the meet 

ings. The Board had some proposals under the 

heading 

Expediting the Work of Synod, 

and M. W. Dougherty was appointed chairman of a 

special committee to prepare for a "Publicity Com 

to definitely publicize the various phases of 

the church's work. The body of the report mentioned 

such phrases as doctrine, and distinctives. With 

qualifications, the Witness will receive for publica 

tion articles on the oath question. The editor asked 

a good response to his request for pictures of small 

children. A page full of these could be used to tmphasize 

"The Stewardship of Your Children." Look at 

the response to articles on the stewardship of your 

dollars ! 

Theological Seminary 

Next in order was the election of professors 

to the seminary. Ballots were distributed with the 

names of three nominees, as provided by the report 

of the Seminary Board. In accord with the action of 

the Synod of 1954, the Board made nominations, and 

nominated the incumbents to succeed themselves 

Dr. S. Bruce Willson, Dr. J. B. Willson, and Dr. R. C. 

Fullerton. Delegates were to mark the ballots "yes" 

or "no." Later action on this election was taken the 

following Tuesday morning. 

Dr. Bruce Willson, President, was heard on 

behalf of the seminary. He reminded Synod of a 

predicted growth in population by 1972 of 26 million 

people. This should indicate a need for an increased 

number of ministers. 

There is also need for increased training in the 

Reformed faith, especially, in adherence to the Bible 

as the Word of God, with applications in all of life. 

There is need for a charter enabling the seminary 

to grant. a degree in theology; hence a need for an 

increase of $60,000 in the endowment fund, to an 

amount which would provide for the employment of 

three full-time professors. 

Recently Pittsburgh Presbytery prescribed that 

the moderator of a call should send a duplicate 

copy to the pastor-elect. This action was made a 

policy for the whole church by Synod's action in 

adopting a paper to that effect. 

The Saturday 

by Dr. J. A. Kempf, retired missionary to China. 

session was adjourned in prayer 

Picnic Canceled 

Normally, Saturday afternoon is for relaxing 

and recreating, a necessary part of Synod's program. 

But the picnic planned by the committee on arrange 

ments, for Bradys Run Park, was canceled due to 

showers (which were characteristic of this week in 

Pennsylvania) and a buffet supper was served in 

McKee Hall dining room. Recreation was provided: 

Volley ball in the field house ; shuffleboard and pingpong. 

Jim Bowers, alumni secretary, had it an 

nounced that it never rains on a golf course, and 

available courses were mentioned. 

However, many delegates used Saturday after 

noon to scatter to the ends of Pittsburgh Presbytery, 

in preparation for Sabbath appointments or to visit 

friends. Several were seen on Seventh Avenue wist 

fully eyeing the products of an advanced civilization. 

June 22, 1955 

Delegates in Near-by Pulpits 

On Sabbath morning, the names of ministers 

present for Synod were noted on the bulletins of 

most of the Pittsburgh area congregations. Some ex 

plained Psalms, some taught enlarged Bible classes, 

some preached sermons. Others delighted in the 

opportunity to sit in the congregation. Even out 

lying churches were happy hosts to people here for 

Synod. The Sabbath dinner had the least participants 

of any Synod meal, due to the scattering of the dele 

gates. 

At three o'clock Sabbath afternoon, Rev. Joseph 

A. Caskey led a prayer meeting in the College Chapel, 

always a blessing to the delegates in its effect upon 

Synod's business. 

The leader of the praise at the prayer meeting, 

as in Synod, was Dr. C. E. Caskey. This provided 

a father-and-son leadership of the afternoon worship. 

Lie. Gene Spear Ordained 

A highlight of the Synod was the ordination of 

Lie. Gene Spear, following the prayer meeting, to 

the Gospel ministry in Japan. This service was pre 

sided over by Rev. Bruce Stewart, moderator of Mid 

west Presbytery of which Mr. Spear is a member. 

Rev. Lester Kilpatrick preached on Ecclesiastes 3 :11, 

"He hath set the world in their heart." 

Then members of Midwest Presbytery laid their 

hands upon Gene Spear as Rev. S. E. Boyle led in 

the prayer of ordination. Rev. Charles Sterrett, cor 

responding secretary of the Foreign Mission Board, 

addressed the new minister briefly, and the people 

present, a mighty host, came forward to greet Mr. 

Spear and his wife, who sail this summer for Japan. 

Sabbath Night 

"Go Forward" 

Many of the congregations of the surrounding 

area united with Synod in worship Sabbath night 

in the College Chapel. Persistent rain may have kept 

some at home but the chapel was nearly full. A. W. 

Smith presided, George W. Price led in prayer, 

Licentiate Paul Robb read the Scripture, Exodus 14. 

Dr. P. D. McCracken brought the challenging 

message based upon Exodus 14:15, "Speak to the 

children of Israel, that they go forward!" To stand 

still is to die. There are barriers to going forward, 

but the question should be, "What is God's will, what 

is His command " Mr. McCracken recalled seeing an 

ox team pulling, and illustrated the need of united 

effort by the description of a fourteen-ox team pull 

ing a stalled threshing machine. He maintained, "Re 

sults are guaranteed when instructions are followed." 

Monday Morning 

Following the constitution of the court and the 

roll call on Monday morning, Dr. C. E. Caskey, clerk 

of Midwest Presbytery, introduced to Synod, as a 

new member, Rev. Gene Spear, ordained the day be 

fore as a missionary appointed to Japan. 

In the devotional period Monday, led by Harold 

Thompson, Southfield pastor, Dr. M. K. Carson, pas 

tor at Belle Center, Ohio, spoke on "How to Redeem 

the Time." Prayers were offered by Dr. John Peoples, 

Philadelphia, and Elder Irl McMahon, Topeka, and 

Missionary Kenneth Sanderson read the Scripture, 

Ephesians 5:1-21. A closing story in the address was 

391

quest," 

now," 

about the last words of showman P. T. Barnum, 

"What were the receipts today " The Synod was told 

to consider our receipts, but to think of better things 

than silver and gold. 

The order of the day was an offering to defray 

Synod's expenses. 

Then David M. Carson, chairman of the Witness 

Committee, presented a report telling of the special 

emphasis given, as for several years, to the support 

of the Christian Amendment Movement. Synod re 

joiced in the introduction of the Christian Amend 

ment Bill by three different members of the House 

of Representatives, none of them saying "by re 

but each of his own will. 

Dr. A. J. McFarland, field secretary of CAM, in 

his remarks following the report, testified, "We are 

in different times and indicated a changed 

attitude in Washington from the years the bill was 

first being presented. Rev. S. E. Boyle led Synod in 

prayer for the success of the Christian Amendment. 

According to the report of Dr. John Peoples, 

Philadelphia, the property of the Jewish Mission has 

been sold, after a long time of failure to secure a 

buyer. It is purchased by a mission congregation, 

and continues to be used for worship, which is grati 

fying to the Jewish Mission Board who feared it 

might be turned into a tavern. 

Synod expressed its appreciation to Dr. Peoples 

for his sacrificial work at the Jewish Mission, and 

later voted him a small monetary token of appreci 

ation. 

In the report of the House Mission Board, Ker 

mit Edgar, recording secretary, noted the change 

in objective in the work in Kentucky, and the work 

of all the fields was reviewed. Each year several 

congregations are granted salary supplements, and 

the recommendations of the Board were adopted, 

which are on the basis of paying pastors $2,700 a 

year plus parsonage or an additional $600. 

Remo Robb then spoke on behalf of Home Mis 

sions, and appealed for a worker in Kentucky, a wo 

man qualified to teach Bible in the schools, and able 

to drive a car. Supplements will be published later. 

Monday 8:45 A. M. 

The Home Missions Report 

Synod voted its appreciation to Rev. Kermit 

Edgar for his diligence as secretary of the Home 

Mission Board. Field workers were presented: Dr. 

Claude C. Brown of the Southern Mission, Rev. D. C. 

Ward of the Indian Mission, and Rev. E. Ray Hemp 

hill of the Kentucky Mission, each spoke briefly of 

the situation in his field. Dr. Brown said the South 

is going through another transition period as severe 

as the years following the Civil War. Rev. D. C. 

Ward explained that the Indian's worst problems 

came from his association with white men, especially 

the habit of beer-drinking. Mr. Hemphill expressed 

his appreciation of support and help given in Ken 

tucky and especially mentioned Dr. Remo Robb and 

Milton Harrington. 

Kentucky Not Abandoned 

Mr. Edgar emphasized that Kentucky has not 

been abandoned, but the objective modified. Synod 

voted appreciation to Mr. and Mrs. Boyd White for 

splendid work in New Mexico, and to the Hemphills 

who soon end nine years labor in Kentucky. 

392 

Then Dr. Remo T. Robb reported on his work as 

Home Mission Secretary and Secretary of Young 

People's Work. Approval was given the series of Bi 

ble Studies prepared this year and a committee was 

appointed to continue that work and extend it. Sev 

eral testimonies were given of the value of these 

studies, and how they are meeting a great need. 

The morning session closed with prayer by Dr. 

Robert Clarke. 

Monday Afternoon 

The attention of the church is anually called to 

conditions in the world which effect the church, 

through the work of the committee on the Signs of 

the Times. This was read by Dr. R. C. Fullerton, 

New Alexandria. 

The rest of Monday 

afternoon was given to dis 

cussion of the proper use of various translations of 

the Bible, in connection with Rev. S. E. Boyle's re 

port for such a committee, appointed last year. The 

report warned against considering anything as in 

spired except the original scriptures in Hebrew and 

Greek, but called upon the church to be alert to mat 

ters of accuracy 

and dignity. 

Dr. R. J. McKnight said of the Revised Stan 

dard Version, "It is a New Bible." He deplored the 

monetary aspect of the promotion of the RSV, and 

objected to the change from "Thou" to "You" in 

addressing God. 

It was pointed out that perhaps not officially, 

but in practice, we have adopted the King James 

Version as the authorized Bible, and we should dis 

courage the use of other versions, as confusing and 

misleading. 

Dr. F. E. Allen felt the committee had missed 

the object of its assignment, and pointed out evi 

dence of the bias of the RSV committee toward a 

liberal theology. 

Others maintained we need a Bible in the lan 

guage of the people, which is not satisfied by the 

King James Version. 

The discussion was interrupted by* the after 

noon recess. 

Monday Night 

The night session was opened by prayer by 

R. H. McKelvey, pastor of the Lochiel congregation. 

The report of the Board of Corporators of 

Geneva College was read by Rev. Robert Tweed, the 

secretary of the Board. 

Merril Robb, president of the college Board of 

Trustees, presented the proposed changes in the char 

ter and by-laws, including an increase in the size of 

the trustee board from 21 to 31. He also reviewed the 

work of the past year, noting six professions of faith 

by students, meetings of groups for prayer and de 

votions. The report had been prepared by Ethel M. 

Lytle, secretary of the board. 

Saddened by announcement of the death of Dr. 

Paul Coleman, Dr. R. A. Blair led Synod in prayer. 

Comments were made on the retirement of Dr. 

Robert Park, professor in the College since 1922. 

Dr. Park was asked to speak. "It is a great school. 

It could be the greatest in America," he said, in ex 

pressing 

appreciation of Synod's 

remarks. As a 

former student of Dr. Park, Dr. Bruce Willson paid 

tribute to influence of the retiring professor. 

In connection with the report, Dr. Lee, president 

COVENANTER WITNESS

see," 

stitution." 

will." 

of the College, was asked to speak, and told several 

interesting items. There are students of several 

races, religions, and 20 or 30 denominations. En 

dowment is now $924,542.01, goal is a one million 

dollar endowment. Rev. Willard McMillan, Parnassus 

pastor, has been elected to teach Bible in the College. 

Dr. J. G. Vos will be acting head of the Bible depart 

ment. The healthy financial condition was noted, 

past deficits being eliminated. 

Dr. Vos was also heard by Synod, 

with special 

attention to the Bible department. He reported en 

joyment of the work, and the busiest year of his life. 

Bible study is required, and classes are large. He was 

gratified by opportunities for personal counseling. 

Elder's Conference 

Elders who are delegates to Synod have a meet 

ing for consideration of the church's work from the 

viewpoint of the elders. A call was issued for 30 

theological students iii the next 5 years. A request 

was made for reconsideration of actions in the elec 

tion of seminary professors. The matter was post 

poned to come up Tuesday morning. 

Tuesday Morning 

Dr. D. R. Taggart constituted the court in 

prayer. The final devotional program of Synod was 

led by Dr. D. R. Wilcox, with Merrill Robb reading 

the Scripture and elders Dr. E. J. M. Dickson and 

Chester Fox leading in prayer. The topic of this last 

address was "How to Increase our Vision," 2 Kings 

6:15-17. Since Robert McMillan, whose name was 

on the program, could not attend, Dr. R. I. Robb had 

been asked to speak. He applied the verse, "Lord, 

open his eyes that he may to the Covenanter 

Church. 

It is sometimes asked, "What shall we do" 

essential" 

"What is 

Mr. Robb asked. "Is hair 

essential Ten fingers An appendix" 

He maintained that more is essential than mere 

life. We should grow. We should increase our vision. 

It was pointed out that we stand before the church 

as Elisha before his servant, who prayed for an en 

larged vision. This was a challenge to pray for our 

selves, and open our eyes to see. 

From back in the docket, the moderator called 

upon the Board of Pensions, which now had mimeo 

graphed outlines of theij suggestions. The board 

believed ministers should enroll under social security. 

But present pension contracts will continue: those 

with the Presbyterian Ministers Fund. A point of 

discussion was the discontinuance of the collection of 

1% of the salary of ministers now paying that 

amount into the pension fund, to allow the easier 

payment of social security tax of 3%, which will be 

increased to 6% eventually. 

Elder J. L. Wright led in prayer, closing this 

session. 

Tuesday 8:45 A. M. 

In the report of the Elders Conference it was 

suggested that Synod reconsider the election of Sem 

inary professors. This was done in executive session, 

and resulted in confirming the action of a previous 

session. 

Tuesday, 1:30 P. M. 

The roll call was omitted, to save the time of 

Synod. The last day, time was at a premium. 

June 22, 1955 

Dr. Paul D. McCracken read the memoir he had 

prepared of the life of Paul Coleman. Dr. H. G. Pat 

terson led Synod in prayer, which was followed by 

the singing of the 23rd Psalm. 

Resuming the consideration of the report of the 

Board of Corporation of Geneva College, comments 

were made about the proposed loyalty oath to be re 

quired of corporators and Covenators members of 

and faculty. This 

the trustees, and administrations, 

was in the form of a promise to live and teach the 

position of the Covenanter Church. The item was 

referred back to the Corporators, and the remainder 

of the report approved. 

Dr. J. R. Patterson, executive secretary of the 

National Reform Association, presented the report 

of the Covenanter members of the Board of Direc 

tors. This covered the areas of printing, liquor facts 

folders, the Christian Statesman, public addresses, 

10,000 letters mailed, a program of cooperation with 

Allegheny County, Pa., ministers, to promote Sab 

bath observance. Bible reading in schools was given 

considerable attention. 

One enterprise that got a fine response was the 

showing of the film "One in 20,000," which drama 

tizes the injurious effect of tobacco. This film was 

shown in the chapel last Friday 

night. It had been 

shown to over 7,000 high school students. Nine 

recommendations were offered, and adopted. 

Following the report, Dr. R. H. Martin, presi 

dent of the Association, related his experiences in 

Chicago, where he addressed the meeting of the Na 

tional Association of Evangelicals on the critical 

reflected in the inquiries 

situation in public schools, 

and pronouncements of various churches and coun 

cils. 

COMMITTEE ON THE OATH 

The committee on the Oath, read by Dr. S. Bruce 

Willson, 

gave particular attention to a paper re 

ferred to them by Synod on the distinctions between 

the Oath to the Constitution, and the Oath required 

of enlisted men in the Army. This presented a ques 

tion of conscience to one member of the church es 

pecially. In reply, the committee emphasized the dis 

tinction between "Country, or Nation," and "Con 

One recommendation extended the use of 

the "Explanatory Declaration" to the enlisted man's 

oath in case of conscientious scruples. A year's study 

is to be made of the limitations upon a Christian's 

obedience to governmental authority. 

Dr. A. J. McFarland of the Judicial Committee 

reported their action on the question sent from Cy 

prus about relations with the Armenian congrega 

tions there which are not Covenanter congregations. 

The question was about the meaning of "ecclesiasti 

cal fellowship and good The reply sent to the 

Armenians was approved. 

The committee on Church Union, reported by 

Dr. D. Ray Wilcox, stated they had correspondance 

with seven denominations, some of whom have ap 

pointed committees to consider our Constitution. The 

committee is continued, to negotiate with the same 

seven denominations. 

Dr. C. T. Carson presented the report of the 

committee on finance. Synod's Trustees are to out 

line proceedure in sale and disposal of church prop 

erty. Dr. Peoples was awarded $100 in recognition of 

his work in caring for the Jewish Mission property. 

Next each presbytery reported its situation as 

393

sin." 

pray 

to congregations, ministers, etc., reports read by the 

clerk of presbyteries. In connection with the report 

of New York Presbytery, J. A. Hill commended Wal 

ter J. Magee, new minister on the roll of that pres 

bytery, to the church. Mr. Magee had given a fine 

testimony 

of his belief in the principles of the Cove 

nanter church. Reports were also read from the Com 

missions in Cyprus and the Far East. 

Roy C. Fullerton is to be Fraternal Delegate to 

the next Synod of the Christian Reformed Church. 

Resuming the consideration of the use to be 

made of various versions of the Bible, the discussion 

centered on whether or not Synod should place re 

strictions on the free and proper use of translations. 

The emphasis of the report was upon the Greek and 

Hebrew Scriptures being the authority. The report 

adopted after discussion and amendments. 

Dr. C. T. Carson spoke for the committee that 

examines the church's task in the light of Biblical 

and creedal basis, a committee continued from Synod 

of 1954. 

THE CHURCH'S TASK 

The report, attributed largely to Rev. S. E. 

Boyle and Rev. W. G. McMillan, offered some ex 

planations for the recurring loss of membership in 

the Covenanter Church, and some definite sugges 

tions for improvement. After prayer, and praise 

from Psalm 25, the report was adopted. Dr. F. E. 

Allen conveyed the greetings of Kahlil Awad, pastor 

at Latakia, Syria. Remo Robb closed session with 

prayer. 

Tuesday Night 

R. I. Robb reported for the committee to con 

sider a petition from Santa Ana congregation pro 

posing changes in Chapters 25 and 22 of the Testi 

mony, to modify the position on close communion. 

The committee presented a plan for discussion 

through the Covenanter Witness, limited in amount 

and frequency, to be supervised by the Editorial 

Committee of the Publication Board. The principle 

of the plan and the method of carrying it out were 

adopted. The last item provided that the question 

may be discussed by Synod in 1956. Dr. F. L. Stew 

art registered his dissent to the action. 

An item referred to the Foreign Mission Board, 

about teaching Bible to all students in the Latakia 

schools, was reported as a recommendation that all 

students be given Bible instructions who wish it. At 

present the law forbids Bible instruction to any but 

registered Christians. It was voted to strike out the 

item. 

A motion was made that when the Budget is 

over-subscribed, the following Synod dispose of the 

surplus. This motion was lost, and the present pro 

rata policy continued. 

A motion was made that discussion of admission 

to the sacraments be limited to the plan for the 

Witness, prohibiting circulation of rejected material 

on private initiative. The motion carried. 

Traveling fund committee reported a deficit, 

and recommended a one-dollar assessment for 1956. 

It was agreed to meet again at Geneva College, in 

1956 on June 6. 

Dr. T. C. McKnight adjourned the court in prayer, 

Psalm 133 was sung. The moderator, Rev. W. C. Mc 

Clurkin, pronounced the benediction. 

Again the Editor thanks Rev. T. R. Hutcheson 

for his kindness in reporting the meetings of Synod. 

THE AMERMICAN MISSION TO GREEKS 

WHAT IT DOES: 

Has built and maintains the only Evangelical 

Orphanage in Greece. 

Has built and supports the only Evangelical Day 

School in Greece, with a capacity of 500 children. 

Supports the Macedonian Bible Institute in 

Katerini, Macedonia, the only full-time Bible Insti 

tute in Greece. 

Has established and maintains the only Protes 

tant Bookstore in the heart of Athens. 

Is the main supporter of the Greek Evangelical 

Church, the oldest body of Evangelical believers in 

Greece. 

Supports over 40 missionaries. 

Maintains two summer youth camps and a Bible 

conference in Greece. 

Is the leading Evangelical Publishing House in 

Greece. 

Has prepared the latest and one of the best 

editions of the Modern Greek New Testament, pub 

lished by the Million Testaments Campaigns and the 

American Bible Society. 

In cooperation with the Million Testaments 

Campaigns, the World Home Bible League and oth 

ers, has distributed over 300,000 New Testaments 

and Bibles in Modern Greek. 

Publishes the leading Greek Evangelical month 

ly, the "Voice of the Gospel," edited by the Rev. 

Spiros Zodhiates, and assists in the publication of 

two others, the "Children's Pages," edited by Dr. 

George A. Hadjiantoniou, and the "Star of the 

East," 

edited by the Rev. Michael Kyriakakis. 

Publishes two Gospel messages every Sabbath 

in the only two daily Greek newspapers of America, 

the "Atlantis" and the "National Herald." 

Sponsors nation-wide broadcasts of the "Voice 

of Greece." 

Maintains food and clothing centers throughout 

Greece. 

Provides large quantities of antibiotics and oth 

er drugs to individual patients and whole sanitari 

ums in Greece. 

"We ask for toys when we should ask for con 

tinents and be claiming the world for Christ. 

The United Brethren 

GLIMPSES .... Continued from page 386 

school, the church and Sabbath School have a part, but "it 

is basically the responsibility of the parents to teach obe 

dience to authority, to teach the fear of God and to point 

the child to the Lord Jesus Christ as the great Deliverer 

from 

Mrs. Hitt is quoted as saying: "Recently we had to go 

out for dinner and the evening, thus leaving the children 

a little while. When we returned, they told us they had had 

their own devotions one reading and the other 

The editor asks: "Is this like your home Are your children 

being fed by the Word of God, lifted by prayer and pointed 

day by day toward Christ" COVENANTER WITNESS 

394

spirit" 

am" 

principles,' 

sons,' 

converts." 

QUESTIONS 


CYPU TOPIC 

for July 10 

Second Study in Galatians 

Chapters 3 and 4 

by Alvin W. Smith D.D. 

Psalms: 

25:1-6, page 57 

32:1-6, page 74 

Prayers: 

1. For spiritual perception of the 

apostle's teaching. 

2. For faithful and true preaching of 

the gospel. 

3. For Vacation Bible Schools. 

REVIEW QUESTIONS BY THE 

LEADER 

Who were the Galatians Where did 

they live 

What were some of their characteris 

tics 

What shocking news 

reached Paul 

concerning the Galatians 

What charges had the Judaizers made 

concerning Paul With what success 

How did Paul meet those charges 

How had the Judaizers made neces 

sary the Council at Jerusalem 

To what extent did they comply with 

its settlement 

Was Paul's rebuke to Peter personal 

or strictly on principle 2:11. 

How did Paul back up his doctrinal 

teaching with the personal testimony of 

his life 

Recite the memory verses: Ch. 1:3, 

4; 2:20 (Tell where found). 

READ ALOUD 3rd and 4th Chapters. 

Note the content of their teachings. 

By this time you have observed doubt 

less, that the subjects treated by the 

apostle overlap 

chapter boundaries. As 

you can see from ch. 1:11 through 2:14 

Paul has well answered the first charge 

of his enemies that it was not from 

man that he had received the gospel, 

but from Christ. From ch. 2:15 through 

5:12 Paul answers the second charge 

concerning the way of salvation, (posi 

tively) THAT SALVATION IS BY 

FAITH ALONE AND NOT BY 

WORKS. 

Visualize The Situation 

Endeavor to imagine yourself in 

Paul's position, undertaking by appeal 

and reason and scripture to bring back 

the Galatians gone astray. Read care 

fully that series of questions one after 

another in 3:1-5. Note the contrasts: 

"works of the law" vs. "hearing of 

faith" v. 2. 

"begun in the 

vs. 

"made perfect by the flesh," v. 3. 

"works of the law" vs. "the hearing of 

faith," 

v. 5. 

June 22, 1955 

That is, the Galatians themselves had Abraham's two sons. Note how the 

Here we are treated to the allegory of way God commanded them to observe 

been saved by faith, not works. parts of the allegory are identified: 

bond-maid free-woman 

Abraham likewise was justified by faith 

(3:6-9). 

mount Sinai 

Agar Jerusalem above (free) 

"That is God's perpetual and unvary after the flesh by promises 

ing method. The gospel as preached to Ishmael Isaac 

Abraham announced blessings for all 

"So then, brethren, we are not chil 

nations, and that through faith." 

dren of the bond- woman (flesh law) 

but of the free (Spirit promise), v. 31. 

The Curse and the Blessing (3:10-14). Why then relinquish freedom in Christ 

"Those who remain under the law can 

to go back into the bondage of the law 

expect only the law's curse. Christ died 

This leads right on to the exhortation in 

in order to redeem us from that curse, 

the next verse . . . (next week) "Stand 

so that, instead of the curse, the bless 

fast therefore in the liberty wherewith 

ing promised to Abraham, the blessing Christ hath made us free . . 

of the promised Holy Spirit might come 

to all nations through faith." 

SECOND DEPOSIT IN MEMORY'S 

BANK. 3:22. 4:4,5. 

The Real Function of the Law (3:15-23). 

"The law as only a temporary pro 

1. Wherein had the Galatians made 

vision: it is not contrary to faith but 

themselves foolish 

was given in order to prepare men for 

2. What 

the era of faith." similar teachings of 'justifi 

Read carefully in this 

light, verses 22-26. 

In This Era of Faith We Are Sons of 

cation by faith' are found in Paul's 

other epistles (Romans, Ephesians, 

Titus). 

God (3:24-4:7). 

3. Why does Satan (through false 

"The law led us to Christ, in whom 

teachers) attack this truth so violently 

today 

we found justification by faith." We 

4. Wherein is Abraham the father of 

have come of age and have attained to 

all Christian believers 3:7, 29. 

the stature of sons and heirs of God." 

5. What is meant by 'the fulness of 

Note these expressions : all one in 

the time' 4:4. 

Christ Jesus (3:28), elements (rudi 

6. Contrast the status of the son-heir 

ments) of 

12, 'first 

time." 

. . . see Hebrews 5: 

"the fulness of the 

with that of the bond-servant; the sta 

tus of the minor under-age with that of 

the world 

(4:4) Here is emphasized the 

the mature come-of-age son. Apply to 

reality of the incarnation, so needed to 

law and grace and their privilege. 

day. Note also the expression 'the adop 7. Explain 

tion of v. 5. 

allegory of Ishmael and 

Isaac. 

The Foolishness of 

Wishing to be Again 

JUNIOR TOPIC 

in Bondage (4:8-11). 

July 10, 1955 

Had Paul's labor been all in vain by 

THE SCAPEGOAT 

their retrogression v. 9. See 3:4. What 

Mrs. Robert Russell, Walton, N. Y. 

do you think of the observance of days 

Scripture Text: Lev. 16:1-10; 20-28 

on the Church Calendar in 1955 

Memory Verse John 3:16. 

Memory Psalm for July Psalm 44:1-4, 

A Call to Remember Their First 

page 112. 

Reception of the Gospel (4:12-20). Psalm 22:1,2,3, page 49 

A strong personal appeal is made. v. Psalm 40:13, 18, 19, page 104 

12, "Brethren, I beseech you, be ye as Psalm 71:1,2, page 170. 

I (free from Jewish ordinances). Last week we learned how God taught 

"7 threw off the yoke of the Jewish law His people that they must worship Him 

in order to bring myself to the level of in the way and manner He had com 

my Gentile Write out a para manded. You remember how Nadab and 

phrase of verses 13-15. What may have Abihu were killed because they dis 

been Paul's thorn in the flesh How had obeyed God and came into God's holy 

it become the occasion of their having place in a drunken state, and for taking 

received him and the gospel 

fire which was not from the great altar 

as God had commanded. 

Another Appeal to the Scriptures To-day we are going to study about 

(4:2-31). 

the Great Day of Atonement and the 

395

away." 

away." 

the day. On this one day of the year, 

only the high priest could enter into the 

Holy of Holies," where the ark of the 

covenant was and where God was sup 

posed to live. 

We learn about this service from God's 

Word, the Bible. In those days there 

were no Bibles and God taught the peo 

ple then by acts which they could see. 

This service was to show the people that 

all are sinners and that they must seek 

from God forgiveness for their sins. 

The Day of Atonement looked forward 

to the day when Christ would shed His 

blood on the Cross to take away our 

sins. 

All the people were to appear before 

God as seeking for mercy and were to 

show a sorrow for their sins. Everyone, 

even children, were required to fast for 

a full day. No one could eat anything 

all that time. 

Early in the morning of the great day, 

the high priest offered on the altar 

before the Tabernacle what was called 

a "sin-offering." A young ox was burned 

on the altar and its blood was carried 

through the Holy place into the Holy 

of Holies and sprinkled on the lid of the 

Ark of the Covenant. This act was to 

show that the priest himself was a sin 

ner and that he was seeking mercy and 

forgiveness for his sins. The priest must 

have his own sins forgiven before asking 

forgiveness for others. 

Then the priest came again to the 

Great Altar before the Tabernacle. Two 

goats were brought to him. Lots were 

cast upon them and on the forehead of 

one was written "For the Lord" and on 

the other goat was written words that 

meant "To be sent 

These two 

goats were considered to be carrying 

the sins of the people. One goat was 

killed and burned on the altar; and 

the priest took some of the blood into 

the Holy of Holies and sprinkled the 

blood on the Ark of the Covenant as he 

had done before. He was really asking 

God to receive the blood and the offer 

ing and to forgive the sins of the people. 

Remember there two goats and now 

the high priest came out of the Taber 

nacle and laid his hands on the head of 

the goat marked "To be sent 

This act was called "The Scapegoat" and 

he was then led away into the wilderness 

to some desolate place where he would 

never find his way back to camp. There 

he was left to wander as he wanted. 

This was the way God took to teach the 

people that their sins were taken away, 

never to come back again. 

When the service was over the peo 

ple considered their sins were forgiven 

and forgotten by God. The people would 

go home happy and end their long fast 

with all the food they could eat. 

396 

God was trying to show the people 

that sin is terrible. It separates man 

from God; it brings death; it must be 

taken away by blood. 

Thus we see that God was teaching 

man the way of forgiveness and peace 

long before He sent His Son Jesus 

Christ into the world to take away our 

sins by His death on the Cross. 

For Your Note-Book 

Draw a picture of two goats. On the 

Scapegoat, list all the sins you can, 

which you need to ask God to take from 

your life. 

SABBATH SCHOOL, LESSON 

July 10, 1955 



Lessons ; the International Bible LeBsons for 



HABAKKUK'S FAITH TESTED 

Printed. Habakkuk 1:1-4, 12, 13; 2:1-4; 

3:17-19 

MEMORY, "The righteous shall live by 

faith." 

Habakkuk 2:4 

In the darkest hour, we know that the 

dawn is near, if we see signs of it, 

we know that the time has arrived. The 

or if 

old proverb, however, is not always true. 

The darkest hour is sometimes just after 

the sunset. 

The sunset in Judah did not come 

suddenly. It followed a long spiritual de 

cline. Habakkuk saw the past and the 

present in the light of God's revelation. 

What he foretold was the natural result 

of what was transpiring before him. 

Judah had merited her own doom, and 

the prophet shows them the folly of the 

way of sin and destruction. 

The Prophet Was Speaking for God 

The Revelation of Habakkuk is an 

explanation of what is going on, as much 

as a warning of what is about to come. 

God was destroying the power of the 

enemies of Judah one after another. If 

Judah would follow God's command, 

they would have every opportunity for 

their own prosperity and peace. Their 

time was fast running out, yet they did 

not heed the warning. Even in the wick 

ed reigns of Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim. 

the prophet still came to warn them. 

The affairs of Judah were a heavy 

burden on the heart of Habakkuk, and 

he took it to the Lord in prayer. There 

were some who shared the burden with 

the prophet. But many in the nation 

tried to cast off their fears. In this they 

only deceived themselves. They were 

like the drunk man that does not feel 

the blow that crushes him. The prophet 

is awake to their dangers. He questions 

the Lord: why is his cry not heard 

Why is all this evil shown to him And 

why is the Lord not enforcing the law 

against the wicked who are destroying 

the righteous. 

The Lord answers: Judah had only 

to behold God's work among the 

heathen, to see how He was allowing 

them to work their own destruction. 

Even the wicked Chaldeans were being 

used against Judah's enemies. Time and 

again the door to victory was opened 

to Judah, but was immediately closed by 

sin. They were followers, and chose bad 

leaders, instead of those God sent. 

A promise has been compared to a tele 

scope that brings distant objects near 

to our vision, if accepted in faith and 

at hu 

obedience. Those who look only 

man history see only human factors. 

God's promises show the future in its 

true perspective. Our own desires may 

be like an inverted telescope and make 

a hungry lion look like a tabby cat. 

Habakkuk's earnest questions were 

not in doubt. He took them to God, the 

author of Truth. The answer came. It 

was not for Judah alone. It was an ap 

plication of truth to the conduct of men 

and nations. He was to write it. It was 

for all who would come after. It is 

not simply the story of a nation. It is a 

study of the destiny of all nations. Just 

now its value is for us. It tells us how 

to meet national and world conditions. 

Until quite recently, we were quite con 

fident that we could meet any war that 

could be waged against us. Now we are 

faced with an instrument that we our 

selves introduced into the world war 

fare, that we cannot meet. Our only 

human hope is that no nation will ever 

use our own weapon against us. God's 

word offers us safety if we trust and 

obey Him. Destruction, if we trust in 

the arm of flesh. Judah never needed 

to heed the prophets more than we do 

today. Our safety is in God's eternal 

Holiness. We should wait for it (2:3). 

The Hand of God 

The blessing and doom of nations has 

been written in history. It has been 

analyzed in God's word so that we can 

know its meaning and profit by it. God's 

promises to Judah were not only of 

blessing, but also of doom. So far, they 

have all been fulfilled. Those promises 

are also to us. They are being fulfilled 

to us. If we had kept and enforced Pro 

hibition, our Pacific War would have 

lasted just one day. 

It is no sign of God's disfavor that He 

does not grant our requests as we desire. 

In the twelvth verse, the prophet re 

ceives assurance that they shall not die. 

He is shown that those who are oppress 

ing them, whom they so greatly fear, are 

themselves ordained for punishment and 

correction. 

The Lord Chastens Whom He Loves 

In verses 4-12 God gave Habakkuk the 

full story of the course Judah was fol- 


vation." 

earth." 

perfect" 

righteousness." 

lowing 

and that it led to captivity. They 

should have profited from what they had 

seen in Samaria. Those who will not 

learn from the experience of others, 

may learn in the school of fools, namely 

their own experience. It is an expensive 

school. Can we imagine more striking 

examples than what we have seen in 

ages past and present Our own experi 

ence has been very costly; Civil War, by 

oppression; 

strikes and lockouts on ac 

count of greedy unwillingness to recog 

nize common interests. Corruption, 

bribery, cheating, in the effort to provide 

a competent 

"security." 

In all these 

things, we are being chastened. We talk 

much about God as our nation's ruler. 

Talk is not sufficient. 

When the prophet had taken his ques 

tions and complaints to God, and had 

taken his place on the watch tower to 

see what God was doing, he received 

an answer. God was pleading 

with His 

people. There was encouragement for 

obedience, 

and doom for disobedience. 

The prophet, judging his people by his 

own faith, exclaimed, "We shall not die." 

He was speaking for all the faithful in 

the land. 

Century after century, the 

faithful have been preserved. In the 

darkest times, God has always had a 

faithful witness, so that the World has 

ever been without excuse. 

Some General Lessons 

When God seemed to be inactive in 

the deliverance of His people, the proph 

et exclaimed, "How long" God was not 

inactive. 

The prophet was shown in 

iquity and grievance at home. God's own 

people are the great obstacle in the way 

of progress. Complaint of wrong does not 

suggest doubt when it is carried to God 

in sincere search for the answer. When 

we take our questions to God in sincere 

desire for His answer, and are willing to 

accept His answer, we may expect an 

answer of peace. When Habakkuk cried, 

"How long, O Lord, shall I cry and 

thou shalt not hear" he found that the 

answer was in the very people for whom 

he was praying. 

"Unanswered yet The prayer your lips 

have pleaded 

In agony of heart these many years, 

Say not the Father hath not heard your 

prayers, 

Perhaps your part is not yet fully 

done." 

There are many lands today where 

those who know the truth are afraid to 

speak or act for fear of their own per 

sonal safety, or the safety 

of their 

friends. It is not often with us that one 

needs fear to speak the truth for physi 

cal danger. Many are afraid to speak 

the truth for lack of moral courage. It 

took spiritual courage to stand before 

the king and the people of Judah, and 

June 22, 1955 

deliver the message that God gave 

Habakkuk. Hudson Taylor was on an old 

sailing vessel caught in a typhoon that 

for fourteen days threatened every hour 

to break the vessel in pieces. He found 

his song in Habakkuk 3:18 and sang it 

continually. "Yet will I rejoice in the 

Lord. I will glory in the God of my sal 


July 13, 1955 

PRAYER FOR OBEDIENCE 

I Sam 15:10-16, 22, 23 

Rev. Paul D. McCracken, D.D. 

Psalms: 

18:19-22, page 32 

25:7-12, page 59 

26:1-4, 8, page 61 

89:14-17, page 217 

81:6-8, page 200 

References: Deut. 11:27; Josh. 24:24 

I Sam. 12:4; I Sam. 15:19; Jer. 7:23 

Jer. 38:20; Dan. 9:10; Zech. 6:15 

Eph. 6:1; Col. 3:22. 

COMMENTS 

The first sin of mankind was disobe 

dience, Gen. 3 :3, 11. The virus of that 

sinful act has poisoned the whole 

stream of humanity ever since (Rom. 

3:23; Rom. 3:10). And because of his 

sinful nature, the tendency 

of unre 

generate man has been to rebel against 

God's way, to refuse to do His will, and 

to substitute something 

of his own in 

place of what God has prescribed. Even 

the child of God has to struggle con 

tinually against this "tendency 

old 

of the 

man" 

which persists, and multitudes 

are sinning today along this very line. 

That's what is wrong with the world. 

It won't obey. It will offer sacrifice to 

gods known and unknown, to the one 

that is true, and to many that are false 

but it won't obey. Recall the Bible illus 

trations of Cain and Saul and Jeroboam 

and many others, and bring it up to 

date with what is in evidence all around 

us of disobedience to God's way and 

will. 

When God says "don't," as so often 

He does for our good and His glory, we 

too often listen to and follow after the 

devil who says "do," and of course pun 

ishment follows either 

immediately or 

ultimately. 

When God in infinite wisdom says 

"do this or that," like Moses we find 

excuses, or like Jonah we try to run 

away, or like David we follow heathen 

example and build a new cart, or like 

Israel we sit down and murmur, and 

decide God has made a mistake. When 

God wills, 

been "We 

continues to be 

the prevalent attitude has 

won't." 

Such has been, and 

the attitude toward 

Christ as God's appointed king: 

"We 

won't have this man to reign over us." 

Oh, the mess that this old world is in 

because of disobedience! 

Men, of course, have to know God's 

will before they can do it. But God has 

revealed His will clearly in the written 

Word which we call the Bible, and in 

the Incarnate Word, who is Jesus 

Christ, and multitudes across the world 

have been given these revelations. 

Other revelations in the realm of nature 

concerning God's eternal power and 

Godhead have left the remainder of 

humanity without excuse. Men know 

far better than they are ready to do. 

Over and over again these revelations 

indicate "To obey is better." God's way 

is best, and He has said "This is the 

way, walk ye in it." Commit to memory, 

and then follow the instruction God 

gave to Joshua in Josh. 1:8. 

Christ, in the Lord's Prayer, teaches 

us to pray "Thy will be done, in earth 

as it is in heaven" (Matt. 6:10). This is 

really a prayer for obedience. When 

that prayer is answered this world will 

be a different place, "a new earth 

wherein dwelleth 

When Richard Hooker, a great saint 

of God and a mighty 

minister in the 

church, was on his deathbed, a friend 

came to visit him and found him in 

deep meditation. The friend asked 

Hooker what his thoughts were and re 

ceived this answer: "I was meditating 

on the nature and number of angels, 

and above all on their blessed obedience 

to God without which there can be no 

peace in heaven." Then Hooker added 

so significantly: "Oh! that it might be 

so on 

That longing should fill every heart, 

and lead to action commensurate with 

the desire. Obedience to God's will and 

way is the secret of peace and joy in 

heaven, and likewise is the way to peace 

and goodwill among 

men on earth. 

Obedience took Abraham out, although 

not knowing whither he went, to be 

come the father of many nations and 

the progenitor of the One who is to be 

a blessing to the whole world. Obedience 

sent Christ to the cross, praying that 

submissive and obedient prayer "Not 

my will but thine be done," to pay 

man's debt, and to make sufficient and 

effective atonement for man's sin. 

Obedience meant for Paul the preaching 

of the Gospel to the Gentiles, and the 

obedience of faith among all nations. 

Such obedience is ideal for every child 

of God. 

Since God is omniscient it is logical 

to believe that He knows best, and that 

His revelation is the only infallible rule 

of faith and conduct. "The law of the 

Lord is 

(Ps. 19:7). He knows 

and has revealed what is best for man 

in all of his activities and relationships, 

and when that way is followed it brings 

397

om." 

sacrifice" 

east." 

us" 

name" 

come 

evil" 

blessing, and when it is ignored or dis 

regarded it means a curse, 

if not im 

mediately then surely ultimately. 

There are many problems and diffi 

culties abroad in the world. Someone 

has said that four-fifths of all the 

world's trouble is domestic. This could 

be remedied by 

obedience to the re 

vealed will of God for the home and its 

relationships (Eph. 5:22-6:9; Col. 3:18- 

4:1). The answer to the disagreements 

andjproblems between capital and labor 

are found in the Golden Rule (Matt. 

7:12). The reason and the remedy for 

the troubles in and among the nations 

are suggested in Isa. 60:12 and Psalm 

33:12. For every sin that can be named 

juvenile and adult delinquency, crime, 

drunkenness, immorality, gambling, 

Sabbath desecration, and all the rest, 

OBEDIENCE to God's Will is the an 

swer. 

"Thy Will Be Done" is a petition of 

far-reaching implications. The fulfill 

ment of far-reaching implications. The 

fulfillment of it will change the world. 

For this we must pray, even as Christ 

taught us to do. 

Topics for discussion: 

1. How wide-spread is disobedience 

today Give illustrations. 

2. What is meant by "To obey is bet 

ter than 

3. The effects of obedience. 

W. Mo S. Department 



W.M.S. Lesson for July 

By Mrs. G. M. Robb 

Choosing the Site 

"And Lot lifted up his eyes and beheld 

the plain of Jordan that it was well 

watered everywhere . . . Then 

Lot chose 

him all the plain of Jordan and Lot 

journeyed 

Gen. 13:10-11 

This is a question of accommodation. 

Lot surely had none of these thoughts 

about "Pitching his tent toward Sod 

any doubt. 

So we will give Lot the benefit of 

A Good Situation 

This is most important. We have the 

world to chose from. There is plenty of 

room although most of us feel we could 

use more. Before buying 

a home one 

wishes to get information concerning 

the vicinity, the schools, the church ad 

vantages, postal service, the highways, 

streets, type of neighbors, 

factors. Just recently 

and all other 

one of our 

churches was forced to move backward 

because the street was being widened. 

Homes often move and may 

398 

leave the 

church without members in the area. 

Then the church must move. 

There 

must be plans for growth and expansion 

in considering building a church. Even 

mission stations are forced to move be 

cause of changing times and conditions. 

At present our church is considering 

building up new churches 

in certain 

promising areas, also considering the 

closing down of certain stations where 

work has been carried on. 

Access to our own church 

In choosing a home this factor is most 

important. For the good of all a new 

home should be planned near the church 

where the family worships. 


1 Seeking divine guidance in choos 

ing a new site. 

2 Disappointment in building without 

God's guidance. Deut. 28:39; Jer. 14:19; 

Zeph. 1:13 

3 Results from following God's guid 

ance. Jer. 30:17; Proverbs 10:27; Is. 

3:10; Ps. 34:20; Matt. 6:33; Joshua 

1:6-9 

PITTSBURGH PRESBYTERIAL 

The seventieth annual convention of 

the Pittsburgh Presbyterial W.M.S. met 

at the Parnassus R. P. Church at New 

Kensington, Penna., Thursday May 19, 

1955. 

The theme of 

the convention was, 

"We are ambassadors for Christ," and 

the Psalm was the 146th. The president 

Mrs. John S. 

Mclsaac called the first 

session to order at 10 :30 a.m. The devo 

tional period was conducted by Mrs. S. 

B. Willson. Reports of officers and su 

perintendents were given and routine 

business was attended to. During the 

noon recess the delegates were invited 

to the basement rooms for lunch. Tea, 

coffee and salad were served by the 

women of the church. 

The afternoon session was opened 

with a devotional period led by Mrs. J. 

Paul McCracken. Seventeen memorial 

members were remembered in an im 

pressive service conducted by Mrs. J. P. 

Mitchell. Mrs. K. S. Edgar reported for 

the Women's Association, which is in 

need of our prayers and financial sup 

port. 

We were very fortunate to have sev 

eral missionaries bring brief reports of 

their work and relate incidents of some 

of the people with whom they work. 

They include, Miss Elizabeth McElroy, 

Latakia, Syria; Miss Blanche McCrea, 

Nicosia, Cyprus; Mrs. R. C. Adams, 

Sandy Hook, Ky.; and Mrs. D. C. Ward, 

Apache, Oklahoma. 

Mrs. R. H. McKelvey of the Lochiel 

congregation gave a very interesting 

message on the work they are doing and 

the opposition they 

receive from the 

Catholics. 

Mrs. R. H. George led in the 

closing prayer. 

A delicious turkey dinner was served 

by the Parnassus U. P. Church. 

The evening devotions were conducted 

by Mrs. J. G. Vos with Mrs. J. P. Hickey 

leading the praise service. 

Rev. S. E. Boyle of Kobe, Japan 

brought a very enlightening message of 

his work in Japan, of our responsibility, 

and the need for help to China and Ja 

pan through our money, literature and 

prayers. He suggests we go out in our 

neighborhoods and bring in people to 

become Christians. 

The Rev. Willard McMillan closed the 

convention with prayer and the benedic 

tion. 

New officers are: President, Mrs. D. 

Howard Elliott; Second vice 

president, 

Mrs. Bruce Willson; Corresponding Sec 

retary, Mrs. John Tweed; Treasurer, 

Mrs. Raymond Stahl. 

By Mrs. Fred Nahas 

HOW DO YOU PRAY THE LORD'S 

I cannot say, 

PRAYER 

"Our" 

if I live in a 

watertight spiritual compartment. 

I cannot say, "Father" if I do not live 

that relationship in daily life. 

I cannot say, "which art in Heaven" 

if I am so occupied with the earth that 

I am laying up no treasure there. 

I cannot say, "Hallowed be thy 

if I, who am called by His name am not 

striving for holiness. 

I cannot say, "Thy kingdom 

if I am not doing all in my 

hasten its coming. 

power to 

I cannot say, "Thy will be done" if I 

am questioning, resentful of, or disobe 

dient to His will for me. 

I cannot say, "on earth as it is in 

Heaven" 

if I am not willing to devote 

my life here to His service. 

I cannot say, "give us this day our 

daily bread" if I am an under-the coun 

ter-shopper. 

I cannot say, "forgive us our tres 

passes as we forgive those who trespass 

against 

any one. 

if I harbor a grudge against 

I cannot say, Lead us not into temp 

if I deliberately place myself in 

tation" 

face of temptation. 

I cannot say, "Deliver us from 

I do not put on the WHOLE ARMOUR 

of God. 

I cannot say, "Thine is the kingdom" 

if I do not render my King the loyal 

obedience of a faithful subject. 

I cannot say, "Thine is the 

I fear what men will do. 

I cannot say, "Thine is the 

I am seeking glory for myself. 

I cannot say, "Forever and 

if 

power" 

if 

glory" 

if 

ever" 

if 

my horizon is bounded by the things of 

time. 

Selected 


Church News 

Into our midst have returned Misses 

Ticia and Delia Patton of Washington, 

Iowa. They liked southern California 

well enough to come again. 

Other friends worshiping with us have 

SAN DD3GO NOTES 

San Diego just experienced a precious 

Communion Season. There were 15 re 

ceived into the Communion of the 

Church since last spring's Sacrament of 

the Lord's Supper; most of these by pro 

fession of faith. There were 13 Bap 

tisms, most of these were adults. We 

praise God for victories of faith. 

We have 61 communing members and 

about 25 baptized children. 

We need an election for Elders. Pray 

that God will raise up suitable men for 

this office. 

Plans are laid for our Vacation Bible 

School. We need more S. S. class room. 

Pray 

that God will soon provide for 

this. It will cost about $6,000. 


J. D. Edgar 

The May church supper was followed 

by a devotional period led by the Rev. 

Harold Harrington. Afterwards the an 

nual business meeting of the Congrega 

tion was held. 

Congratulations to our High School 

graduates Louise Marshall, David La 

thom and Murray Bishop. 

A representative from the Gideon or 

ganization gave a short talk on the 

work that they do. The offering 

of the 

morning was given to help them carry 

on their work. 

Paul Robb spoke at a recent evening 

service. He brought with him several 

students from Geneva who gave their 

testimonies. 

Miss 

Elizabeth McElroy from Syria 

spoke at our morning service June 5. 

She also brought a message to the Sab 

bath School. We are always glad to be 

brought closer to the work carried on 

by 

our missions. 

PHOENIX 

Our communion was April 17 with 

the Rev. Paul Faris of Quinter, Kansas, 

as the assistant. We were inspired by 

his messages and enjoyed the fellowship 

of him and his family. The following 

Monday evening a supper was given in 

their honor. Beautiful pictures of Japan 

were shown by Elmer Searle. 

Miss Elizabeth McElroy gave an in 

teresting account of her work in Syria 

during the services on Sabbath, April 24. 

The officers chosen for the Sabbath 

School for the following 

year are Elmer 

Graham, Superintendent; Esther Faris, 

Assistant Superintendent; Secretary, 

Fred Mackenroth; Treasurer, Robert 

Cox. 

Congregational Officers : Chairman, 

Don Crawford; Vice-Chairman, Robert 

Cox; Secretary, Mrs. Don Crawford; 

Librarian, Mrs. Arnold Wolfe; Precen 

tor, Mrs. Robert Cox. 

WMS officers : President, Esther Faris; 

Vice President, Mrs. Elmer Graham; 

Recording Secretary, Mrs. Orville Wol 

cott; Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. 

Fred Mackenroth; and Treasurer, Mrs. 

Robert Cox. 

Mrs. Wolcott's Beginners and Mrs. 

Cady's Primary S. S. classes enjoyed an 

afternoon of games on the lawn of the 

Wolfe home May 21. Glen Wolfe led the 

games which were followed by lovely re 

freshments. 

A weiner roast climaxed an afternoon 

of fun for the Junior and Intermediate 

S. S. classes at the South Mountain 

Park. These classes are taught by Mrs. 

Elmer Graham and Miss Lillian Mc 

Cracken. 

Mrs. George Killough from Denver 

worshiped with us May 22. She spent a 

few weeks getting 

acquainted with her 

new grandson. Mr. and Mrs. Ladd 

Kwiatkowski are the proud parents. 

The Adult Class enjoyed an evening 

of food and fellowship at Doyle's Smor 

gasbord during April. 

A hallway from the kitchen to the 

classrooms has been completed this 

spring giving lots of cupboard space 

which has been put to good use. Our 

thanks go to Delmar McGaffick and 

Melvin Means and all others who helped 

in the work. 

SANTA ANA 

W.M.S. officers for the new year: 

President, Mrs. Sadie Henderson; Vice 

President, Mrs. Effie McCrum; Record 

ing Secretary, Miss Viola McClurkin; 

Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. Mary 

Tippen; Treasurer, Mrs. Mary Linton. 

Beverly Jean Keys, four month old 

daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Keys, 

was baptized on Sabbath, May 15, by 

Dr. Samuel Edgar. 

On Sabbath, May 22, 

we welcomed 

into the pulpit our Pastor-elect Mr. 

Glenn McFarland whose ordination and 

installation followed on Friday, May 27. 

We rejoice in God's providence that has 

brought the Rev. Glenn McFarland to 

our congregation. 

Miss Margaret Crockett of the Syra 

cuse congregation worshiped with us 

two Sabbaths while visiting in the 

Crockett and Lindsey homes. Miss 

Crockett is a sister of Mr. M. J. Crock 

ett. 

been Mr. John Keys of Los Angeles on 

May 15, Miss Jean McElroy of Los An 

geles on May 22, and Mr. Marion Rich 

ardson of Fresno on May 29. 

ORDINATION AND INSTALLATION 

OF GLENN McFARLAND 

The Pacific Coast Presbytery met in 

special session on May 27 for the ordi 

nation of Glenn McFarland, and his in 

stallation as pastor of the Santa Ana 

Congregation. After presenting an ex 

pository lecture on Luke 14:15-24 and a 

textual sermon on Ephesians 1:7, Mr. 

McFarland was examined in Systematic 

Theology by Dr. Walter McCarroll, in 

Church History by Rev. John Gault, in 

Distinctive Principles by Dr. J. D. Ed 

gar, and in Personal Piety by Dr. E. G. 

Russell. Mr. McFarland was sustained 

unanimously in the examination, and 

several voiced their pleasure in the 

soundness and quality of his work. 

At 6:30 o'clock the out-of-town guests 

and members of Presbytery joined with 

the congregation in a delicious dinner. 

The church was filled for the Ordina 

tion Service at 8:00 o'clock. Many 

friends from the Los Angeles Congre 

gation were present. 

Following the Ordination Sermon by 

the Moderator, Rev. Robert W. Mc 

Millan, with the laying on of hands of 

the Presbytery, Glenn McFarland was 

ordained to the Gospel Ministry and 

installed pastor of the Santa Ana Con 

gregation. Dr. P. J. McDonald, our 

senior Presbyter, led in the Ordination 

Prayer, assisted by Dr. Samuel Edgar, 

former pastor of the congregation. 

Glenn McFarland graduated from the 

Seminary on May 3, and is now at home 

in the recently purchased parsonage 

(formerly the Ben Linton home), 522 E. 

Chestnut, just a few steps from the 

church. Robert W. McMillan, Moderator 

Pacific Coast Presbytery 

UNION CONGREGATION, MARS, PA. 

The assistant at our spring com 

munion was Dr. S. Bruce Willson who 

brought appropriate messages at all the 

services. 

We were glad to have also 

Mrs. Willson and their three children at 

the preparatory services. 

The Annual Congregational meeting 

was held May 27 when reports were 

read from all departments, officers were 

elected 

and other necessary business 

transacted. The congregation has in 

creased in membership and trebled its 

giving in recent years. Dr. J. B. Willson 

was also present as a representative 

of the Home Mission Board. 

Miss Elizabeth McElroy was a wel- 

June 22, 1955 399

come visitor at the Elliott home for a 

few days and spoke to the Sabbath 

School and the congregation on May 29. 

The congregation enjoyed a bountiful 

supper in the new recreation room of the 

church on June 3 and the annual sum 

mer picnic is planned for June 17 at the 

Eden Hall Farm which is operated by 

the H. J. Heinz ("57") Company of 

Pittsburgh. 

Mr. S. B. Woodruff, our newly elected 

elder, 

passed through a very serious 

operation some months ago and is still 

not fully recovered. This not only kept 

him from his work but has long pre 

vented his attendance at church. Mrs. 

Woodruff, by invitation, speaks each 

Tuesday at 11:45 a.m. (E.D.S. time) on 

the Jerry McConnel evangelistic pro 

gram over Pittsburgh station WPIT. 

Miss Patricia Sterrett, daughter of 

Mrs. Myrtle Sterrett, is graduating from 

the Oliver High School in Pittsburgh 

with high honor. 

Mr. W. R. McWhinney 

and his wife, 

Mrs. Jean Barr-McWhinney, since clos 

ing their work at the Aged Peoples 

Home have moved near to Evans City, 

Pa., which brings them into the vicinity 

of our church at Mars. 

WINCHESTER NEWS NOTES 

Mr. and Mrs. Ira Steuart celebrated 

their 50th wedding anniversary April 

26. Many friends called to extend best 

wishes at an open house, planned by 

their children, held at their home on 

April 30. 

The Father-Son Banquet, sponsored 

annually by the churches of the com 

munity, was held April 27. A good 

crowd attended. 

Graduates from our 

congregation this spring were Barbara 

Huston and Roy Freer from high school 

and Carol Wray and Garry Milroy from 

grade school. 

Paul Hensleigh, Jr. was a member of 

the Jefferson County 4-H Land Judg 

ing Team which went to Oklahoma 

City April 29 to participate in the Na 

tional Land Judging Contest. The team 

placed fourth among the 24 teams from 

over the nation entered in the contest. 

Mrs. Ross Keys was elected to the 

National Board of the Y.W.C.A. at the 

national convention in New York re 

cently. Mr. Keys visited his brother, Dr. 

Robert Keys and family at Darien, 

Conn. On their return trip they visited 

their daughter Mrs. Harry Clark and 

family in Detroit and were present at 

the baptism of their new grandson, 

Harry Meade Clark III. 

Mrs. Dale Curry rode part way with 

Mr. and Mrs. Keys and went on to 

Toronto, Canada, to visit her parents. 

Mrs. Zetta Huston was elected Y.W. 

C.A. president for the coming year. Mrs. 

Edith Milroy continues as secretary. 

Two local 4-H Clubs had good dele 

gations at our church on May 15 in ob 

servation of their National 4-H Sabti@i. Q qSjinqS Q. %J[ 

Mrs. Mary Ann McElroy and 

TommBAy Iltta^ BXf~h 

of Salina visited her sister, Mrs. Mark AXfitrflllQsi A H 

Dill recently. Mrs. Esther Amidon of ' 

Kansas City, worshiped with us May 1. 

Mr. and Mrs. John Madory and children, 

and Miss Mary Jane Curry of Denver, 

visited at the Neil Curry home. 

The Community Vacation Bible School 

was held from May 23 to June 3. Rev. 

Caskey was superintendent of the school 

this year. All previous attendance re 

cords were broken with a total enroll 

ment of 145. The demonstration program 

was held in our church on June 4. The 

church was filled with friends and rela 

tives for this occasion. 

THE REV. PAUL COLEMAN, 

Th.D., D.D. 

From 1923 Until July, 1954, He Was a 

Covenanter Pastor 

Last Week the Reformed National 

Synod Made Him Honorary Moder 

atorPresident of a Church Board. 

The Rev. Paul Coleman, 70, of 2421 

West Forty-ninth terrace, Kansas City, 

died yesterday at the University of Kan 

sas Medical Center. He was pastor of 

the Reformed Presbyterian church at 

4400 Wyoming street, from December, 

1923, until last July. 

Only last week the national synod of 

the church, now in session at Beaver 

Falls, Pa., made him honorary modera 

tor. He had been secretary of its Board 

of Publications and was President of the 

board of Church Erection. 

Born at Beaver Falls, the son of a 

minister and with three brothers in the 

same denomination, Dr. Coleman had 

forty-two years of professional life be 

fore retiring because of illness last July. 

His only other pastorate was at Blanch 

ard, la. 

Dr. Coleman formerly was treasurer 

of the Kansas City Ministerial Alliance, 

Chairman of the commission on leader 

ship for the Kansas City Council of 

Churches and worked seventeen years 

in the weekday 

church schools of Kan 

sas City, Kansas, both as a principal and 

a teacher. In 1938 his congregation sent 

him to Scotland for the tercentennial of 

the signing of the National Covenant of 

Scotland. 

Completing his undergraduate work 

as valedictorian of the 1905 class at 

Pittsburgh university, Dr. Coleman stu 

died at Harvard and completed his mas 

ter's work at Columbia in 1911. It was 

not until 1936 that he achieved his Doc 

torate of Theology at the Central Bap 

tist Theological seminary. 

Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Margaret 

Coleman, and a daughter, Mrs. D. G. 

Weimer, of the home; a son, Richard B. 

Coleman, San Luis Obispo, Calif.; two 

brothers, Dr. John Coleman, Philadel 

phia, and Dr. George Coleman, Beaver 

Falls, Pa., and a sister, Mrs. R. H. 

George, Bradfordwoods, Pa. K. C. Star 

LOS ANGELES 

May 22, Sabbath. Miss Jennie M. 

Dean and her sister, Mrs. Miller, wor 

shiped with us. They were the guests of 

Miss Alice Robb. 

May 29, Sabbath. Miss Margaret 

Crockett of Syracuse, New York, and 

Mr. Burney from Denver, Colorado, wor 

shiped with us. Mr. McBurney is visit 

ing his sister Mrs. Hamilton of Los 

Angeles. 

June 5 Sabbath. Mr. John Elliott of 

Phoenix, Ariz, worshiped with us. 

We are happy to welcome Mrs. Nash 

back after a long absence when she 

suffered a broken shoulder. 

Miss Edith Fowler has left for Van 

couver, Canada, for a vacation and will 

be visiting relatives there. 

Our delegate to the 1955 Synod was 

Elder Donald R. Dodds, who left by 

plane Wednesday evening, June 8. 

Mrs. Wilbur Aikin, our Sabbath School 

program chairman, was responsible for 

the fine Children's Day Program May 

12, and many children took part with 

scripture and psalms. Mrs. Arthur Rus 

sell, the superintendent of the D.V.B.S., 

was introduced and gave a fine rally 

talk on the D.V.B.S. which starts June 

20. 

July 14 is the date set for the ordina 

tion and installation of our pastor-elect, 

Lie. Paul Robb. We ask for your pray 

ers as we take up the work of this con 

gregation together. 


earth." 

earth." 

people" 

sin." 

LESSON HELPS FOR THE WEEK OF JULY 17, 1955 


THB 5CEO (S THE WORD OP GOD 

' 


This Nation 

Paul S. 

Rees 

Under 

God 

Lord, thou hast been favorable unto thy land. Psalm 85:1 

One hundred and seventy-nine years ago the 

thirteen original states adopted the Declaration of 

Independence. That this was one of the most amaz 

ingly significant days in modern times is admitted 

by every student of history. 

Ninty-two years ago the Union forces defeated 

the Confederate Army in the Battle of Gettysburg. 

Four months later the scene of that battle was dedi 

cated as a National Cemetery. The orator who was 

brought in for the ceremonies was Edward EVerett, 

who spoke for two hours. The world has long since 

forgotten his oration. But that day President Abra 

ham Lincoln delivered a two-minute speech which 

was destined to take its place among the immortal 

classics of human utterance "The Gettysburg 

Address." 

In the final seconds of the speech came 

these deathless words : "That we here highly resolve 

that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this 

nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom, 

and that government of the people, by the people, 

shall not perish from the 

for the people, 

Now here is a curious thing: times without 

number we have rung the changes on the eloquent 

phrases, "that government of the people, by the 

people, for the people, shall not perish from the 

but we have largely ignored the clause that 

goes before "that this nation UNDER GOD shall 

have a new birth of freedom." 

God Versus Tyrants 

"Under God !" Lincoln was speaking out of pro 

found conviction. He was speaking also out of an 

accurate knowledge of American history. He was 

persuaded that no nation can live and thrive in free 

dom and justice unless it pays ultimate homage to 

Almighty God. Lincoln had probably read William 

Penn. If he had, he subscribed, I am sure, to Penn's 

saying, "Men will be governed by God, or they will 

tyrants." 

be ruled by 

One of the many values of the Old Testament is 

that it gives us the history of a remarkable people 

the people of Israel who developed this controlling 

sense of the ruling and overruling of God in their 

affairs. They were, to be sure, a "chosen in 

a manner not claimed for any nation today. Yet I 

venture to say that any nation will be strong, where 

strength is measured in the highest terms, if it 

will follow the lead of the prophets and psalmists of 

old, and enthrone God at the center of its affairs. 

At any rate, I invite you to examine an inspired 

piece of patriotism that has come down to us from 

ancient Hebrew times, in which we shall see, I think 

some striking 

Americans. 

resemblances to our situation as 

I. 

One observes, to begin with, that this patriot of 

old sounds the note of praise to God for the past. 

Both the authorship and the occasion of the psalm 

remain obscure. If David wrote it, it might well have 

been at a time when Judah was overrun by the 

Philistines. If a later singer composed it, it perhaps 

had reference to the Babylonian captivity. In any 

case, it was a time of trouble. The people had broken 

God's law. They were now being broken under the 

rod of God's enemies. 

In this melancholy hour the psalmist, interpret 

ing the plight of the nation, turns to the Lord. He 

begins by recalling the yesterdays. He finds that the 

paths of the past are covered with the footprints of 

"Lord," 

the -Almighty. he cries, "thou hast been 

favorable to thy land." Then, remembering how de 

liverance came from former oppressions by the en 

emy, he adds, "Thou hast brought back the captivity 

of Jacob." Furthermore, "Thou hast forgiven the in 

iquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their 

That was Israel. What of America today 

No citizen of these forty-eight States could do a 


properly." 

practice," 



Facing Reality 

In Colorado beer industry lobbyists urged that state 

assembly to pass a law stating that 3.2 beer was non-alco 

holic. Commented the Colorado Springs Free Press: 

"We are not prohibitionists, but we do not believe that 

our legislators should make a laughing stock of the truth. 

The truth is that citizens can become as intoxicated on 3.2 

beer as on just about anything else, if they drink enough 

of it. Calling beer a soft drink, selling it in grocery stores, 

as it is in many states, does not help society one whit. It 

does help make laughing stock of our laws . . . for if the 

law can say with a straight face that 3.2 beer is non-alco 

holic, then there is something drastically wrong with the 

law." 

Youth 

Eastern German Communists 

The National Voice 

staged the first large 

"youth dedication" ceremonies throughout the zone recently, 

marking a climax in a new crisis between Church and State. 

The atheistic youth dedication ceremonies were timed to 

coincide with confirmation activities in most German church 

es, and have been attacked by both Evangelical and Roman 

Catholic leaders. The angle of the affair that caught our eye 

was a part of the ceremony itself. According to East Ger 

man newspapers, the ritual included the following questions 

asked by prominent Red leaders, with answers by the par 

ticipating youth: 

Q: Are you prepared to devote all your powers, togeth 

er with all patriots, to fight for a unified, peace-loving, 

democratic and independent Germany 

A: Yes, we do so vow! 

Q: Are you prepared to devote all your powers, togeth 

er with all peace-loving people, to fight for peace and de 

fend it to the last 

A: Yes, we do so vow! 

The most warlike brand of peace-making we've seen for 

a long time' 

Kagawa Overworked 

Christian Herald 

One of the most vicarious personalities in Asia is Dr. 

Toyohito Kagawa, 

of Japan. Since his conversion to Christ, 

he has applied himself without limit to the spiritual, ma 

terial, and social redemption of his fellow Japanese. On 

March 27, Kagawa collapsed from overwork in Osaka, 

Japan. The 67-year old Christian minister exhausted him 

self in preaching and in working late nights to raise money 

to transport American relief supplies to Japan. Unable to 

move for several days, he was at last moved to his Tokyo 

home. Although against his doctor's orders, Kagawa has 

resumed his preaching and other ministries for the relief 

of the unfortunate and the poor. Our prayers will surely 

rise to God on behalf of Japan's great evangelist. He is a 

preacher of the gospel in Japan who can at any time get 

large hearing from the Japanese. Many are converted in 

his meetings. Our prayers for him enable us to share in 

his ministry. 

402 

The Watchman-Examiner 

Opposed to Merger 

Missouri Synod Lutherans will never in the foreseeable 

future join in merger negotiations with any other Church, 

according to Dr. John William Behnken, St. Louis, Mo., 

their long-time president. 

He said that union of all Lutheran bodies in this. coun 

try would not be a good thing, even if it could be accom 

plished. "We hold that before there can be unity or altar 

fellowship there must be unity in scriptural doctrine and 

biblical Dr. Behnken said. 

Union of all Lutheran bodies in the country would be 

"too 

cumbersome," 

he said. "It would make effective work 

at conventions difficult. Or the conventions would be so 

limited that individual churches could not be represented 

Dr. Behnken did not foresee a closer fellowship even 

among the communions making up the Synodical Con 

ference, in which the Missouri Lutherans are loosely allied 

with the Wisconsin, Norwegian, Slovak and Finnish synods. 

The Preaching 

United Evangelical Action 

The Christian Herald has polled 1600 persons to see 

what they think about today's preaching. Ninety 

per cent 

of those questioned would like to have more Biblical and 

expository preaching. They are tired of book reviews and 

discussion of political and economic problems. They think 

the minister should help them with personal living 

and con 

crete life situations. Concerning the length of the sermon, 

a large number did not object to long 

sermons. One said, 

"If a preacher has anything to say to my heart's need, an 

hour is not too long; if he hasn't, five minutes is too long." 

Bible in Braille 

The Free Methodist 

An 11-year-old blind girl read the Scripture lesson in 

Braille at the 139th annual meeting of the American Bible 







through its. editorial office at 1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka1, Kansas 



Opinions expressed in our columns are those of the individual write ; 













Subscription rates: S2.50 per year; Overseas, S3.00 ; Single Copies 

10 cents. 

The Rev. R. B. Lyons. B.A., Limavady, N. Ireland, Agent for the 


Entered as second class matter at the Post Office in Newton, Kannas 



COVENANTER WITNESS

clause" 



OPERATION ALERT 

Fifty-nine American cities were "bombed" on June 15, 

in the nation's greatest air-raid drill. President Eisenhower 

led 15,000 key officials from thirty-one federal agencies in a 

three-day evacuation to secret hideouts around Washington. 

The President issued a mock proclamation of martial law 

for the entire United States, and other agencies participated 

as if it were a real emergency. This was the first test which 

assumed an attack with hydrogen bombs. Theoretically, over 

eight million persons were killed and six and a half million 

injured, with large areas contaminated by radioactive fall 

out. The general public cooperated well on a superficial 

level. But the test showed what most persons already knew 

that our civil defense personnel, shelter provisions, and 

emergency supplies are totally inadequate, for any actual 

attack. Since 1951, Congress has always slashed the Admin 

istration requests for civil defense funds, and most Ameri 

cans feel too secure to have any interest in volunteering for 

local defense assignments. 

TRADE AGREEMENT 

One of the Administration's key measures, the foreign 

trade bill, 

has finally passed Congress. Both houses ap 

proved a law extending the reciprocal trade act for three 

more years, and giving the President the power to lower 

tariff rates five per cent a year for three years. Congress 

compromised on the demands of special protection for 

certain industries. The bill includes an "escape by 

which the President can grant tariff protection to industries 

which are essential to national security if they are threat 

ened by foreign competition. Within the next few weeks we 

should have action on several other important bills, such 

as the military reserve plan, highway program, 

al minimum wage increase. 

TALKING POINTS 

and nation 

The Big Four are making intensive preparations for 

the "summit" meeting on July 18 at Geneva, Switzerland. 

British, French, and American officials began a series of 

conferences early in June, and preliminary talks continued 

at the celebration of the U. N.'s tenth anniversary in San 

Francisco. The Russians maintain their friendly approach, 

but still charge us with obstructing the peace. President Ei 

senhower holds a cautious attitude toward the conference. 

He sees little hope for any settlement on disarmament or 

German unification, but may bring up the matter of Russia's 

hold on her East European satellites. Eisenhower wants a 

brief meeting, of about four days, 

so that the Soviets 

cannot prolong it for propaganda purposes if they 

willing to make any real concessions. 

ARGENTINE REVOLT 

are un 

Dictator-President Juan Peron of Argentina has crushed 

a bloody revolt in Buenos Aires, his greatest crisis in ten 

years of power. Argentina has had economic difficulties in 

recent years, and a few months ago Peron began an in 

tense campaign against the Catholic Church. This finally 

led the Vatican to excommunicate Peron. A few hours after 

that announcement, several planes of the Argentine navy 

flew over Buenos Aires and dropped bombs on the govern 

ment buildings. Heavy fighting followed around the Presi 

dential residence and in some other cities. The army re 

mained loyal to Peron and some of his followers counter 

attacked by burning churches. Early reports indicated that 

over 380 persons were killed in the fighting. Some of the 

rebels fled to Uruguay, but over 800 were arrested and 

brought to trial. Even if no more revolts occur, Argentina 

may look forward to a period of tension and repression. 

HAD ENOUGH 

Three of the American soldiers who chose to stay in 

Communist China after the Korean War have changed their 

minds, Peiping reports. Two of them want to return to the 

U. S., while the third may stay in Japan. Low living stand 

ards, language difficulties, and homesickness were the 

reasons given for their decision. The Reds say that the 

seventeen remaining Americans are free to leave if they 

wish. 

Originally twenty-two American soldiers elected to re 

main with the Communists, but two have already returned. 

Both of these are now serving prison sentences for mis 

conduct while in enemy prisons before the armistice. The 

two new returnees probably will not be prosecuted, how 

ever. They cannot be punished for remaining in China, for 

the armistice specifically gave them that choice. They have 

been dishonorably discharged from the service and are now 

civilians. The services still claim the right to try discharged 

personnel for serious offences committed before their dis 

charge, but this right is now being tested in the courts. 

POWER CONTROVERSY 

The Dixon- Yates power contract has passed a hurdle in 

Congress, with House approval of an appropriation to fi 

nance construction of transmission lines to bring its power 

into the area of the TVA. The project still faces heavy op 

position, however, from local politicians, who nearly all back 

the T.V.A. The region's power needs are rising because of 

new atomic installations and general industrial growth 

for which T.V.A. can take most of the credit. T.V.A. now 

has 8 million kilowatts of capacity and 1,300,000 retail cus 

tomers. Its supporters point to the great benefits this power 

has brought to the area, 

and to the fact that three-fourths 

of the T.V.A. power is now used by government installations 

or by industries with defense contracts. But the Administra 

tion and most of the Republican Party are firmly committed 

against the expansion of public power. 

MASS WALKOUT 

Family desertion has reached the point where more 

federal action is needed, says the National Desertion Bu 

reau. More than 250,000 families which have been hit by 

desertion are now helped by the federal program of Aid to 

Dependent Children, part of the Social Security System. 

This involves nearly one million women and children, and 

costs over $267 million a year. However, only 22 per cent of 

desertion cases are handled by public assistance agencies. 

Only a few states have effective machinery for locating er 

rant husbands and forcing them to provide for the sup 

port of their families. The National Desertion Bureau wants 

the federal government to help the states train welfare 

workers and law enforcement officers in the problems of 

family desertion. Modern social workers try 

whenever pos 

sible to find what went wrong with the marriage and to 

restore normal family life. 

June 29. 1955 403

new." 

vote." 

citizen." 

A Letter To My Congressman 

by Barbara Ann Brodbeck, Peoria, Illinois 

(This letter and her record of citizenship activi 

ties won for Miss Brodbeck first place in Division B 

in the 1955 Christian Citizenship Award Contest 

sponsored by the International Society of Christian 

Endeavor.) 

Dear Mr. Congressman: 

All of us are alarmed by the rapid progress 

which Communism is making all over the earth. We 

have seen it swallow up much of Asia in recent 

years. We have noted its growing influence over 

some of our most important European allies in the 

past few years. As we look at these oppressed na 

tions we are forced to the conclusion that many of 

the evils which confront them, and us, are a direct 

result of man's failure to serve God. 

The creation of Godless ideals, the setting up of 

wealth, power and personal success as the chief aims 

of life, has contributed more than any other single 

factor to precipitate the moral and economic crises 

wTith which these lands are faced today, and with 

which we will be faced if Christians do not provide 

our country with leadership in its fight to preserve 

freedom. Yes there is a chance we might lose our 

freedom. Democracy is freedom, but you cannot con 

tinue to build a free country on lack of initiative and 

independence, on selfishness, on 

cowardice, 

or on 

Godlessness and immorality. Fortunately, democracy 

doesn't depend upon one wise leader, but upon thou 

sands of men, women and young people who will 

work together. 

A fundamental belief in God is the essence of 

citizenship, democracy and freedom. Our country 

was founded by Pilgrims who were seeking freedom 

to worship God the way they pleased. Our Constitu 

tion is based on the fundamentals of Christianity. 

The home and constitutional government depend 

upon it. Christianity is more, however, than good 

moral character; it is more than the belief that all 

men were created equal and that the government 

should be of the people, by the people, and for the 

people ; it is more than a sense of honesty and integ 

rity. Christianity is humble repentance by sinners, 

followed by belief in the Lord Jesus Christ as their 

personal saviour through His death on the cross and 

His resurrection. 

"For all have sinned, and come short of the 

glory of God." "For by grace are ye saved through 

faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of 

boast." 

God: Not of works, lest any man should 

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a 

newcreature: 

old things are passed away; behold, all 

things are become 

A Christian is a changed being through faith 

and the result of this faith is good works. Christian 

citizenship, therefore, is a logical and necessary ex 

pression of one who loves God. Our free enterprise 

system is great because Christians do not rely solely 

upon the FREE part but upon their OWN ENTER 

PRISE. Personal achievement which lies in devo 

tion to Christianity and freedom has made and will 

continue to make this great nation ! 

People do things because others do them. This 

places a great burden upon all of us to be always a 

proper example for others who might follow or imi 

tate. Unconsciously, 

even more than consciously, 

404 

young people are making this world a better or 

worse place. It's up to EACH YOUNG PERSON 

what SOMEBODY will be. Nothing has ever been 

done as well as it can be done. And it's up to Chris 

tians to improve their communities, the nation and 

the world. 

Mr. Congressman, this is the need for Christian 

Citizenship ! 

Daniel Webster once said, "Whatever makes a 

makes him a good It is 

man a good man, 

never hard to think of greatness in terms of heroic 

deeds, or of rising to dangerous opportunities. But 

too often men feel no responsibility for greatness 

in good citizenship. Everything we have came from 

God, our parents, and our community. Isn't it logical 

to put something back 

Yes .... 

There are always enough projects to go around. 

projects for young people in the commun 

ity. When there is an election, there is always work 

to be done to "get out the Churches vitally 

need Sabbath School teachers. Their city's recrea 

tional program offers many opportunities for young 

people to help by leading craft classes, supervising 

recreation for children, and doing general office 

work. Fund drives for the Community Chest, Red 

Cross, Heart, Boy Scouts, and so forth, require a lot 

of volunteer help. The many temptations for young 

YOUTH 

SPEAKS 

people in drinking, gambling, narcotics, class dis 

tinction, etc., can be overcome by group projects in 

the schools and churches. 

The greatest thing we can do is to make every 

possible effort to be a good citizen. We are fortunate 

people within a fortunate land. God has given us His 

only Son as our Saviour and has blessed us much 

more abundantly than we deserve. Our forefathers 

have given us a philosophy of government that gives 

every man, woman, and child the right to life, liberty 

and the pursuit of happiness. 

As we take these blessings and give them back 

measure by measure, so we become beautiful in our 

citizenry, 

much as the Sea of Galilee is one of the 

most beautiful spots in the world because it allows 

its waters to flow out into the other parts of the 

land. If our citizenship is not Christian ... if its goal 

is selfishness, personal success, wealth, honor and 

power .... it is no longer great and we become as 

miserable as the Dead Sea which harbors all of the 

water of the River Jordan to itself and gives back 

nothing. 

That to me is the great challenge of Christian 

citizenship. A Christian is A MIND through which 

Christ thinks, A HEART through which Christ 

loves, A VOICE through which Christ speaks, A 

HAND through which Christ helps, A LIFE through 

which Christ lives. 

That is why, Mr. Congressman, I speak for 

Christian citizenship. 

Sincerely, 

Barbara Brodbeck 

f< 

COVENANTER WITNESS

A Letter To My Congressman 

by Elda Ann Thornburg, Eudora, Kansas 

(This letter and her record of citizenship activi 

ties won for Miss Thornburg first place in Division 

A in the 1955 Christian Citizenship Award Contest 

sponsored by the International Society of Christian 

Endeavor.) 

Dear Congressman: 

It is my desire to speak for Christian Citizen 

ship, because I believe that Jesus Christ in the life 

of each individual is the answer to any problem that 

may arise anywhere. 

Christian Citizenship starts at home. When one 

is very small, parents with their Christian teaching 

and the help of a family altar start to sway his life. 

He learns consideration of his elders and most of all, 

respect and love for his Heavenly Father. He learns 

to get along with his friends and people about him 

in a loving and respectful manner. 

As he grows older, he takes on more responsi 

bility of the home, community, and school. He learns 

still more how to cope with his surroundings and 

people without the help of his parents. 

Sometime in his first years of school he takes 

Christ as his own personal Saviour. No matter how 

much training he has had, without this big step in 

:hristian citizenship 

his life he would be a failure in the things of the 

Lord and in Christian living. 

In his early teens he is beginning to meet up 

with more and more decisions which must be made 

by him. As he keeps up his daily devotions of prayer 

and Bible reading, he knows he has a Friend more 

dear to him than loved ones who will help him with 

these decisions. Without Him, he knows he could 

never be a good Christian Citizen anywhere. 

There come to him problems of good recreation. 

Although his parents have helped him along this line 

it now comes to him alone to really decide. No one 

can make his decisions for him. It is revealed to him 

that in being a good citizen he must always be help 

ful in a spiritual sense also. He must be a good sport 

in good wholesome activities to show others that 

Christians can be just as good citizens and have just 

as much enjoyment in this type of thing as others. 

He knows that some recreation would be harmful 

to him and would hinder him as a Christian. These 

decisions are made in the will of God. 

Some youth use narcotics. But the Christian 

knows his body and life must be kept a clean temple 

in which Christ may dwell. He must do his best to 

help others see the harm in the use of narcotics and 

the loss of money, time, and healthy bodies. 

Gambling is more prevalent as he grows older. 

He must also try to help his fellowmen see the harm 

in this. God gives us all we have and ever will have. 

He expects us to use our possessions to the best of 

our ability and not be taking chances. This is an evil 

and can never be practiced by any Christian Citizen. 

June 29. 1955 

He knows that a good Christian Citizen will find 

his place in worship services both evening and morn 

ing on the Sabbath Day. Only one day out of the 

week is set aside for this purpose; surely everyone 

should use it and worship God in this manner. As a 

person grows to be a better citizen, he must grow 

spiritually to help him be better fitted for the task 

of helping others in the role that God has given him 

to play. 

He feels the necessity of Christian Endeavor 

and knows this is an important feature in training 

young people. Here he fellowships with other Chris 

tian young people and learns the value of living a 

Christian life and being a good citizen. 

He loves those of different race and nationality. 

There is no bitterness in his heart toward them no 

matter what they may have done to his race or coun 

try. With Christ there is no respect of persons ; so it 

should be with the Christian, He feels this is im 

portant for every Christian Citizen. 

When he is a man, these ideas come to him more 

forcibly. His vision is clearer; he can see the need 

for more Christian Citizens greater than ever before. 

He also sees that his vote, votes of other Christian 

Citizens, and his interest in the country and public 

affairs will help keep his country from Communism 

or being atheistic. When he was young he could only 

stand out against the liquor traffic, narcotics, etc., 

but now besides this he can place his vote and en 

courage others to do so also. He must do his best as 

a Chritian Citizen to stand up for what he knows 

is right and keep faithfully the laws which he is able, 

to keep. 

As he becomes an older man, he finds he no 

longer can do the things he once did for the cause of 

a Christian country. As he thinks back over his life, 

he knows he has overcome many things: hardships, 

temptations, prejudices, and hard feelings. He has 

made mistakes in his life, but he has tried to over 

come them. With the help of his Heavenly Father 

he has tried to do his best to be a good Christian 

Citizen and to help others also in like manner. 

Mr. Congressman, I firmly believe that without 

Christ and the Church, this country would be a com 

plete failure. What a big part a good citizen plays in 

the citizenship and laws of our country, but how 

much more a Christian Citizen can do with the stand 

ards he holds and the help of the God whom he 

serves ! 

The youth of 

today may think they cannot play 

a very big part in Christian Citizenship, but a good 

Christian Citizen is not born, neither is he made in 

one day. It takes a period of learning and striving 

to procure the knowledge of what a Christian Citi 

zen can do, will do, and must do. 

I, as a member of today's youth, want to do my 

best to be the kind of Christian Citizen that God 

would have me be; one that He can use, maybe 

not in a great part on this big stage of life in which 

we play, but in my home, school, community, and 

elsewhere. Christian Endeavor has been important 

to me in being a Christian and being a good citizen. 

May we as Christian Youth help those who are 

striving to be good citizens without the help of Jesus 

Christ that they may know Him as their Saviour 

and guide for living. 

Mr. Congressman, if you have not known the 

joy of having Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord, 


405

achievement." 

agency." 

earth." 

gift." 

welfare." 

own 

THIS NATION UNDER GOD . . . from front page 

better thing today, in his celebration of the Fourth 

of July, than to bow his head in fervent, humble 

gratitude and say, "Lord, thou hast 'been favorable 

unto (this) land." Glowing Phrases 

We have been favored with great ideals. John 

Gunther, in the closing chapter of his Inside U.S.A. 

says, "The United States became great largely be 

cause it was founded on a deliberate idea a complex 

and enveloping idea including equality of opportunity 

for all, government only by the consent of the gov 

erned, and the Bill of Rights." What Gunther fails to 

point out is the basic Christian philosophy out of 

which that idea sprang. This philosophy, 

or better 

still, this faith, which brought the Pilgrims to Amer 

ica in the early 17th century, was hammered into the 

glowing phrases of the Declaration of Independence 

in the 18th century: "We hold these truths to be 

self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they 

are endowed by their Creator with certain inalien 

able Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and 

the Pursuit of Happiness." 

This pattern of lofty ideals took further shape 

in the Preamble to the Constitution : "We the people 

of the United States, in order to form a more per 

fect Union, establish 

Justice, insure domestic Tran 

quility, provide for the Common Defense, promote 

the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of 

Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain 

and establish this Constitution for the United States 

of America." 

Here indeed is what someone has called "the 

American dream the dream of a land where life 

shall be richer and fuller and better, with opportun 

ity for every person according to his ability and 

But mark this : just as the dream was 

born "under God," so it must be kept alive "under 

God." 

Editor's Note: Paragraphs, omitted here for the 

sake of brevity, concern God's favor to us in giving 

Incalculable Wealth and Great Leaders. 

Tokens of Providence 

In his First Inaugural Address George Wash 

ington has a beautiful passage in which he makes 

reverent acknowledgment of the guiding hand of 

God upon the development of the new-born nation 

and expresses his firm conviction that the Divine 

Goodness has superintended the brave venture. He 

then says: "In tendering this homage to the great 

Author of every public and private good, I assure 

myself that it expresses your sentiments not less 

than my own. . . No people can be bound to acknowl 

edge and adore the Invisible Hand, which conducts 

the affairs of men, more than the people of the 

United States. Every step by which they have ad 

vanced to the character of an independent nation 

seems to have been distinguished by some token 

of Providential 

The deluded disciples of Karl Marx may tell you 

otherwise, but the unshakable truth is that no na 

tion can rise to greatness which leaves out such 

sterling sentiments and such profound faiths as were 

expressed by our greatest American leaders. It is 

"under God," and only "under God," that America 

deserves to be called great. For this heritage of the 

past let us pay ungrudging tribute to the Giver of 

406 

"every good and perfect 

Indeed, "Lord, thou 

hast been favorable unto (this) land." 

II. 

Consider, next, how our ancient patriot sounds 

the note of prayer for the present. Look at verses 

4-7. 

The psalmist says in part: "Turn us, 0 God of 

our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to 

cease . . . Wilt thou not revive us again, that thy 

people may rejoice in thee" Such language is suited 

to America's situation today. We too have sinned. 

We need a national alarm clock to wake us up. 

Our National Debauch 

We have sinned against the law of sobriety, and 

we need a revival of temperance. Fifteen years ago 

the United States was spending a little more than 

a billion dollars on its liquor in one year. Steadily 

our national debauch has increased until now the 

outlay for liquor is approximately nine billion dol 

lars. For that sum of money you could place a $4 Bi 

ble in the hands of every human being in the world. 

You could support 4,350,000 missionaries at a rate of 

$2,000 each. 

Yes, America has sinned against the law of tem 

perance, and she desperately needs a revival of so 

briety. This need alone, if we were intelligent about 

it, would put America on her knees before Almighty 

God. 

America has sinned, too, against the law of the 

whole, and needs a revival of national unity. Perhaps 

the most completely forgotten clause in the Pream 

ble to the Constitution is the one which says: "To 

promote the general About the only place 

left where they remember it is the Supreme Court. 

Emotional Dynamite 

Today we are afflicted with the fanatical spirit 

of group interest expressing itself in high-powered 

propaganda and in the employment of extreme pres 

sure techniques to influence legislation. It has 

reached the point where, for example, if you use the 

initial "NAM" or "PAC" you are carrying emotional 

dynamite. The National Association of Manufactur 

ers is held by many to be a symbol of a state of mind 

a reactionary, labor-baiting mentality. Similarly, 

the Political Action Committee of the CIO is made 

the symbol of a radical, anti-capitalist labor mind. 

Thus we tend more and more to think and to act and 

to vote with our prejudices and our emotions, forget 

ting the while that what happens to America as a 

whole is more important than what happens to any 

one block or group within it. I want Mr. Lincoln's 

phrases to stand: "that government of the people, 

by the people, for the people shall not perish from 

the I do not want it altered to read : "govern 

ment of groups, by lobbies, for special interests." 

If Jesus Christ were permitted to take our wide 

ly split groups by the hand they with their narrow 

viewpoints, their stubborn prejudices, and, at times, 

their bitter hatreds He would say to them what 

He said long ago, as recorded in Luke 16:12, "If 

ye have not been faithful in that which is another 

man's, who shall give you that which is your 

To complete the list of America's sins is not 

within the scope of this message: 

There is the sin of wrong attitudes toward the 

colored peoples. 

There is the sin of immorality and adultery 

COVENANTER WITNESS

salvation." 

you" 

peace" 

repentance," 

other" 

people!" 

myself.' 

people." 

a foul blot on our national honor. 

There is the sin of broken homes and the re 

sultant warping of the lives of innocent children. 

There is the sin of our prayerlessness, our neg 

of the church 

lect of the Bible, and our by-passing 

of Christ. 

A New Spirit 

Leaving out the small children, if a hundred 

million Americans would get on their knees and, 

with no empty sanctimoniousness, would honestly, 

fervently, believingly pray, we could change the 

spirit of this nation in twenty-four hours and the 

history of it for God only knows how many years to 

come. The prayer you ask. Why, what better one 

could we offer than this one in verses 6 and 7 : "Wilt 

thou not revive us again: that thy people may re 

joice in thee Show us thy mercy, 0 Lord, and grant 

us thy 

III. 

See, finally, how this ancient patriot-psalmist 

strikes the note of promise for the future. Is it 

worth-while to pray for moral renewal and spiritual 

revival It is ! All the great leaders in the things of 

the spirit have told us so, including the author of 

our text. Such prayer, offered in faith and backed 

by works "meet for 

never fails to flag 

the train of God's mercy. Listen to the psalmist: "I 

will hear what God the Lord will speak : for he will 

speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but 

let them not turn again to folly" (v. 8). 

What else "Surely his salvation is nigh them 

that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land" 

(v. 9). 

Then what "Mercy and truth are met togeth 

er ; righteousness and peace have kissed each 

(v. 10). On this Maclaren remarks, "Righteousness 

and her twin sister, Peace, only come in the measure 

in which the mercy and the truth of God are re 

ceived into thankful hearts." If America's future is 

to be bright, here is the way. Nor is there any other 

way. 

A False Note 

We have some citizens among us who often 

shout "America First!" and they appear to think 

that because they yell it loudly their patriotism is 

of the "super" variety. That slogan strikes a false 

note -at least for the Christian. For the Christian 

has been taught, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God 

and his righteousness, and all these things shall be 

added unto (Matthew 6:33). 

"America First!" needs to be replaced with a 

higher slogan: "Righteousness First!" And that, of 

course, means going straight to God, through Jesus 

Christ, and exchanging our own unrighteousness for 

the righteousness of Christ. It is a gift from God re 

ceivable, if we only knew it, by child-like trust in 

Jesus Christ, our crucified Saviour. But it is a gift 

which, once we receive it, demands that we apply 

the law of righteousness to every relationship of our 

lives all the way from the treatment we accord the 

members of our family to the honesty and honor 

with which we pay our income tax. 

If we are to have peace in the world, we must 

have righteousness. If we are to have peace in our 

economic life, we must have righteousness. If we are 

to have peace in the hidden sanctuary of our own 

heart, we must have righteousness. Only as "right 

eousness and kiss each other within our 

borders shall "this nation under God" be assured of 

a useful and honorable future. 

The Demand of the Hour 

Has this wedding of righteousness and peace 

taken place in your life That is where it must begin 

if the country as a whole is to be preserved. Dorothy 

Thompson, whose recent writings have revealed an 

increasing sensitiveness to spiritual 

values, wrote 

recently in a national magazine: "Two weeks ago I 

interviewed a young man who told me that he him 

self had never come under the conviction of the Holy 

Spirit, but he worked for a man who was an elder in 

the Presbyterian Church, and the young man was 

sure of the reality of the Christian faith because of 

the way his employer lived. That young man had 

never had the pleasure of going to the Grand Canyon 

and of being inspired to say, 'Something has hap 

pened here.' But in the office of his employer he saw 

a common man plus God and he said to himself, 

'Something has happened here and I want the same 

experience for Those who have come to 

know God as Sovereign and who have submitted 

their wills to the Lordship and Saviourhood of Jesus 

Christ, can be depended upon to subdue the earth 

rather than be subdued by it. The demand of this 

present hour is for many more such 

Whatever mistakes Dorothy Thompson has 

made as a journalist she was never more completely 

and profoundly correct than when she wrote those 

words. "The demand of this present hour is for many 

more such 

Are you one of them If not, will you be God 

help you to say, "Yes !" 

United Evangelical Action. 

Dr. Paul Rees is Pastor of the Covenant Church 

in Minneapolis, and was for two years President of 

the N.A.E. He has also been a member for the past 

two years in the Billy Graham Team in Great Brit 

ain. 

YOUTH SPEAKS . . . Continued from page 405 

I encourage and invite you to accept Him. The task 

and responsibilities which you have as a leader of 

our country can only be met adequately with the help 

and wisdom of our Lord. May God bless you. 


Elda Ann Thornburg 

GLIMPSES .... 

from 

page 402 

Society. In a clear, confident voice, with her fingers skim 

ming lightly and swiftly over the page, Pauline Nodhturft, a 

student at the New York Institute for the Education of the 

Blind, read the first 12 verses from the Book of Genesis, 

recounting the story of creation. Her reading provided a 

moving dramatization of the fact that the Society's distribu 

tion of Scriptures to the blind reached a record high of 

55,076 volumes in 21 languages during 1954, the 120th year 

of its work for the blind. Pauline received her first volume 

of the Braille Bible from the Society when she was 6 years 

old. 

The Watchman-Examiner 

Increased Giving 

Members of Disciples of Christ churches increased their 

giving to missions and education by nearly $1,300,000 dur 

ing the last four years, Dr. C. O. Hawley, executive secre 

tary of Unified Promotion, reported at the biennial meeting 

of the agency in Indianapolis recently. Unified Promotion is 

the denomination's new 

"Community Chest." 407 

June 29. 1955

so." 

Booze Broadcasting Is a Beast 

Extension of Remarks of 

HON. EUGENE SILER 

of Kentucky 

In The House of Representatives 

Monday, April 18, 1955 

MR. SILER: Mr. Speaker, I have introduced 

H. R. 4627, which is a bill to prohibit the transporta 

tion in interstate commerce of advertisements of al 

coholic beverages. It is my hope and desire that my 

colleagues will study this bill carefully and then act 

favorably 

upon it for the sake of a more spiritual 

citizenship, a more stabilized American home, and a 

more serious-minded youth of tomorrow. 

There are some things that should be strictly 

regulated while they exist or else put in complete 

subjugation among civilized peoples, for example, 

the rattlesnake, the brothel, the stalking murderer, 

the insidious thief, the trouble maker at home or 

abroad, and the nice genteel advertisement of booze 

in whatever form may be best calculated to make the 

strongest appeal to our boys and girls. You say it is 

a legal subject matter. So is the rattlesnake. You say 

freedom of speech and press are inviolable. Yes ; but 

under exercise of police power we do not allow the 

free-speech man to use indecent language in the pub 

lic square nor do we allow the free-press man to pub 

lish obscene language in the Daily Times. Moral 

health, and welfare may be, ought to be, and must 

be closely and firmly regulated under the police 

concept breathed into our Constitution by our Found 

ing Fathers more than a century and a half ago. 

In the dusty annals of bygone history, there 

once lived a king named Belshazzar. He was a "man 

of distinction." So much so that one night he had a 

great feast and invited 1000 of his lords, not to speak 

of the many princes, wives, and concubines that also 

came along in great numbers. Now it looked like 

everybody wanted to be a man of distinction and get 

on a big binge on that occasion. I suppose about all 

the 1000 lords got tanked up and doubtless we have 

derived our current expression, "drunk as a lord," 

from the unseemly 

condition of Belshazzar's lords at 

that famous festival when wine flowed like a moun 

tain stream after a hard shower in the spring time. 

Strange handwriting suddenly appeared on the plas 

tered wall, old Belshazzar took a bad case of delirium 

tremens and on that very night the drunken king 

was killed and new and sober administration came 

into power under King Darius. Of course, the Bel 

shazzar Wine was perfectly legal. None whatever 

thought it could be regulated. "Let it flow freely," 

said everyone from the king on down. "Let it come 

into the very home of the king and let its free inter 

course be unmolested in the name of complete liber 

ty." 

But before that fateful night was over, there 

was some free writing on the wall, some free delir 

ium tremens among the men of distinction, some 

free rigor mortis on the regal throne of Babylon. 

In 1871 the Chicago fire raged over the city 

unregulated and caused $196 million in damages. 

In 1889 the Johnstown flood surged down the 

unregulated and cost 2,200 lives. 

valley 

And now, unrestricted and uninhibited, alcohol 

ic advertising may well, in my humble opinion, cost 

408 

much more than all the damage and loss of life of 

both the Chicago fire and Johnstown flood combined 

and then multiplied by two. 

During my lifetime my good State of Kentucky 

has continuously stood at the top 

of the list of al 

coholic producers and has frequently bragged about 

this, and yet during that same lifetime span I notice 

that whereas Kentucky once stood 11th in popula 

tion among the states, it now stands 19th in the list 

of states. Cause and effect Well you be the judge. 

The same handwriting that was once on the plas 

tered wall of Belshazzar may now be appearing on 

the plastered wall of Kentucky or on that of America 

if we persist in going ahead with our total indiffer 

ence toward the harmful influences that come within 

our homes and about our hearthsides in the form of 

alcoholic advertisements. 

Twenty million people in America are offended 

every day by the alcoholic advertising that comes to 

their homes consistently and continually without 

even knocking at their doors, entering the very im 

pressionable minds of boys and girls with the ob 

vious purpose of making customers for an industry 

that destroys, dooms, and damns human personality 

as it rolls along. 

We would not think of allowing an offending 

beast to come into the American home unrestrained 

and uninhibited. Yet, booze broadcasting by TV, ra 

dio, or publication is a beast and it sorely offends 

millions everyday in the American home. It is now 

time to illegalize it in interstate commerce. It may be 

later than we think. 

The Pre-eminence of the Lord 

Jesus Christ versus 

The United States Constitution 

Have we as a church grasped the significance 

of the great doctrine concerning the pre-eminence of 

the Lord Jesus Christ Dr. R. J. George has shown 

to our Lord in everything. Cer 

that it means loyalty 

tainly it means loyalty to Him as Ruler of nations. 

Our allegiance belongs to Him. We cannot give to 

another that which belongs to Him alone. 

The following statement is made in the 1954 

minutes of Synod, page 158: "There is no question 

but that we have departed from the early position of 

the church on the oath question. It does not follow 

that we have erred in doing 

The question is, has this departure from the 

early position of the church been made while main 

taining the pre-eminence of the Lord Jesus Christ 

in all things If we have compromised our loyalty 

to Him in any way, we have erred. If we have prom 

ised obedience to civil laws that are contrary to the 

law of God, we have erred. If we have accepted prin 

ciples that are contrary to the Bible, we have erred. 

Whenever we promise obedience to laws that are 

contrary to the law of God we do not give the Lord 

Jesus Christ the pre-eminence in all things. The 

same is true whenever we accept principles that are 

contrary to the Bible. 

In taking the prescribed oath to the United 

COVENANTER WITNESS

say" 

rulers" 

others." 

grace" 

you." 

you" 

you." 

church." 

you." 

you." 

with." 

States Constitution one is required to accept princi 

ples that are contrary to the Bible. The following 

antichristian principles must be accepted: Firstly, 

that nations need not acknowledge the sovereignty 

of the Lord Jesus Christ. That this is a principle of 

the constitution is shown by the fact that such an 

acknowledgment is not found in it, in fact it was 

purposely avoided. This principle is contrary to the 

Bible. "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all 

the nations that forget God." Psa. 9:17. 

Secondly, that Christianity is not a necessary 

qualification for holding 

office under the constitu 

tion. This unscriptural principle is embodied in the 

phrase "no religious test." Christianity 

as well as 

false religions is ruled out as a necessary qualifica 

tion for officers. But the Bible says, "Moreover thou 

shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as 

fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and 

place such over them, to be (Ex. 18:21). 

Thirdly, that nations should not recognize 

Christianity as the national religion. This unscrip 

tural principle is embodied in the phrase "no estab 

lishment of But religion." 

since it is the duty of na 

tions to recognize Christ, it is their duty to recog 

nize His religion 

by encouraging it in every legiti 

mate way and by exercising Christianity, not sec 

tarianism. 

It must be remembered that every one who 

takes the oath, whether for the purpose of taking of 

fice or for any other reason, must accept these un 

scriptural principles. This is true Whether it is taken 

with an explanation or an interpretation. As long as 

the constitution remains as it is, we cannot swear 

allegiance to it and give the Lord Jesus Christ the 

pre-eminence in all things. Only when the constitu 

tion is brought into harmony with the Word of God 

so that allegiance is in harmony with allegiance to 

Christ, can we take the oath and still give the Lord 

Jesus Christ the pre-eminence in all things 

R. H. McKelvy 


CYPU TOPIC 

For July 17, 1955 

STUDY IN GALATIANS, Chapters 5, 6. 

Psalms: 

by Alvin W. Smith, D.D. 

112:1-3, page 277. 

4:1-3, 5, 8, page 6. 

Prayers: 

1. For the ability to catch the spirit 

of the apostle in his effort to save the 

Galatians from error. 

2. For God's blessing upon the teach 

ing of the true gospel. 

3. For the CYPU CAMPS. 

THE LEADER'S RESUME 

Supposing some to be in the meeting 

tonight for the first time, let the leader 

in about three minutes review our study 

of the epistle to the Galatians, chapters 

1-4, pointing out the author, readers in 

tended, occasion, intensity of feeling re 

vealed in the epistle : give leading teach 

ings. 

Proceed to Read Aloud ch. 5, 6 

Note the apostle's appeals and exhor 

tations. V:l VI:18 

A. The call to steadfastness, 5:1-12 

Christ hath set us free, stand fast 

therefore in this liberty. Paul was using 

his final argument. "I Paul that is, 

"with all the authority of an apostle of 

Christ, and as one who knows from bit 

ter experience the truth of what I say. 

Submission to circumcision would mean 

going back to the method of seeking 

salvation by law-works and would thus 

mean accepting the obligation to keep 

the whole law, which requires a perfect 

fulfillment of all its precepts. See 3:10 

To this no man can measure up. 

June 29, 1955 

Examine carefully these expressions 

v. 4, "fallen from 

(fallen down 

from the higher plane of grace to the 

lower plane of law.) 

v. 7. "Ye did run well." 

ning well . . . before 

came). "Who did hinder 

(Ye were run 

the Judaizers 

(a meta 

phor from military operations, suggest 

ing the idea of the breaking up of a 

road to arrest the progress of an ad 

vancing army.) 

v. 9. "A little leaven." See 1 Cor. 5:6, 

15:33. (The influence of a few perverted 

converts to Judaism would soon prove 

far-reaching 

and pernicious.) 

v. 10. "I have confidence in you . . . 

Paul turns from reproof to encourage 

ment. See 2 Cor. 2:3; 8:22. Sometimes 

expression of confidence works when re 

buke would fail. 

v. 10. "he that troubleth v. 12, 

"they which trouble ch. 1 :7 there 

be some that trouble Acts 15:24, 

"certain have troubled The 

troubling was in the nature of 'unset 

tling." 

Paul expresses the wish that the 

troublers would not stop at circumcision 

but "entirely mutilate themselves" ... at 

least 'sever themselves from all con 

nection with the 

B. The works of the flesh and the fruit 

of the Spirit, 5:13-26 

vs. 13-15. "Freedom from the require 

ments of the law does not mean disobe 

dience to its spirit, which is that of 

love to 

We hear so much about 

liberty. How terribly it is abused! 

life 

vs. 16-26 

"The spiritual and carnal 

contrasted." 

Recall the teachings 

in Romans 7th and 8th chapters. 

Works of the flesh. "Lightfoot classi 

fies them under the four headings of 

Sensual Passions v. 19. 

Unlawful dealings in things spiritual, 

v. 20. 

Violations of brotherly love, vs. 20, 21. 

Intemperate excesses, v. 21. 

Fruit of the Spirit. 'A lovely nine-fold 

cluster of fruit.' Again we make use of 

Lightfoot's classification. 

Habits of mind, v. 22 

Social qualities, v. 22 

General Principles of Conduct, vs. 22, 

23. 

In the exercise of these there is no 

restraint. 

C. Burden Bearing, Chapter 6:1-5. 

Here is an appeal for helping a broth 

er 'get 'back on the beam.' It is also 

the figure of 'repairing damage' . . . 

setting a broken bone or mending a torn 

net. v. 1. (Who can do it and in what 

spirit). Contrast 'bear ye one another's 

burdens' 

with 'every man shall bear his 

own burden.' Paul is dealing with selfcenteredness 

and that irritating thing of 

laying 

claim (in one's self)) to spiritual 

superiority, vs. 2-4, also the problem of 

personal responsibility, v. 5. 

v. 6. 

D. Sowing and Reaping 

that is, 

'Communicate' 

'share.' 

a. Give liberally for the financial sup 

port of their teachers. 

b. Share with the teacher in every 

good work. (Every pastor seeks both). 

vs. 7, 8. "The laws of God cannot be 

trifled Reaping is in kind with 

the sowing. Flesh and Spirit are the 

seed-beds. Then there is the waiting 

period before harvest. Do not faint from 

apparent lack of results. Sow lavishly 

NOW. 

E. CONCLUSION. 6:11-18. 

It appears that at this point, Paul as 

409

. . . 

namely 

eat." 

he often did, took the pen out of the 

hand of his helper and wrote personally 

in large letters the eight concluding 

verses, perhaps for the sake of emphasis 

to his final words. 

Here "the cat is let out of the bag," 

so to speak. The Judiazers are un 

masked, exposed in their real motives 

: 

a. To make a fair show. v. 12. 'to put 

on a good face.' 

b. To escape persecution, v. 12. 

c. To glory in your flesh. Through 

it all showing their inconsistency (not 

even themselves rigidly observing all 

the requirements of the law). Jesus had 

unmasked the hypocrisy of the scribes 

and Pharisees just so, Matt. 23:3-5. 

(Not lifting a finger). 

Paul's life the clinching argument, 

verses 14, 17. (They could not gainsay 

that.) Paul crucified, recalling 2:20. 

Bearing in his body the stigmata, 

brands, marks of the nails. The Juda 

izers had sorely troubled him. They 

could do no more. If they doubted fur 

ther his apostleship let them examine 

the scars on his body suffered from 

the stoning at Lystra. 

"The soft tongue breaketh the bone.'' 

The severity of the epistle is softened 

by Paul's final touch, BRETHREN. 

v. 18. Upon them he gives his benedic 

tion. 

Memory Verses 

5:1. 

6:1. 

Questions 

1. What have you learned about Paul 

which you did not know before 

2. What five things can you take with 

you from these studies Write them in 

your notebook and share in the meeting. 

3. Review all the memory verses as 

signed. 

Acknowledgment: Liberal quotations 

have been drawn from various sources, 

such as Davis' Dictionary of the Bible, 

New Bible Commentary, Introduction to 

N. T., Study by Kerr, Life and Times 

of Paul, by Conybeare and Howson, and 

Dummelow's One Volume Commentary. 

JUNIOR TOPIC 

July 17, 1955 

A COMPLAINING PEOPLE 

Blanche Gilchrist, Walton, N. Y. 

Scripture Text: Numbers 11 

Memory Verse: Numbers 10:29, "Come 

good." 

thou with us and we will do thee 

Psalms: 

Memory Psalm for July: Psalm 44, 

1-4, page 112 

Psalm 55:12, 13, 17-18, page 140 

Psalm 4:1-3, 8, page 6 

Psalm 103: 5-8, page 247 

God had done so much for the Israel 

ites as they traveled through the wilder 

ness. He had saved them from the 

Egyptains. He had guided them with a 

cloud by day and a pillar of fire by 

night. He had provided a great leader 

for them in Moses. Every morning they 

had received delicious manna to eat. 

Wouldn't you think that they would 

be very thankful for all this But they 

grumbled, "We are tired of this manna. 

In Egypt, we had such wonderful things 

to eat. Do you remember the melons, 

the leeks, the onions, the garlic, and the 

fresh cucumbers Why didn't we stay 

there We are tired of the manna. We 

would like meat to 

Moses was discouraged. All he heard 

was complaining. The people were 

standing 

in their tent doors with tears 

rolling down their cheeks. They were 

feeling so sorry for themselves. Moses 

did not know what to do. He no longer 

wanted to be their leader. He even said 

he would lather die than go on with 

these people. 

God Himself became weary with the 

grumbling and complaining. He decided 

to give them what they asked for. First, 

He would help Moses with his tiring 

work of caring for this people. So, God 

told Moses to pick out seventy 

of the 

best men of Israel. God said He would 

help Moses govern the people. 

Moses selected the seventy 

men as 

God commanded. He told them to rule 

justly. He warned them against favoring 

the rich more than the poor. 

God told Moses that He would give 

the people meat. Moses could hardly be 

lieve it. Where would the meat come 

from There were six hundred thousand 

men among the Israelites not counting 

the women and children. But God prom 

ised to send meat. There would be 

enough meat to last a month. There 

would be so much that the people would 

become sick of it. God sent a great wind 

which brought birds, called quails, from 

the sea. There were so many and they 

flew so low that the people had no 

trouble catching them. They had far 

more than they needed. So they spread 

them out in the hot sun to dry. The 

person who caught the least had ten 

homers. This would be equal to eighty 

bushels. The people ate so much that 

they became sick of the meat. God pun 

ished this rebellious people. They be 

came ill and many died. 

The Bible tells us of still other peo 

ple who complained. You remember that 

Moses' 

brother Aaron and his 

sister 

Miriam were with this company of 

people. Aaron and Miriam became jeal 

ous of Moses. They grumbled about him. 

God was displeased with these two. He 

asked Aaron and Miriam if they were 

not afraid to find fault with Moses. 

Aaron suddenly saw that Miriam was 

as white as snow. He realized that she 

had the dreadful disease leprosy. Aaron 

pleaded with Moses to forgive them for 

their jealousy. He pleaded that Miriam 

need not suffer this terrible disease. 

Moses prayed mightily 

to God. God 

told them to shut Miriam out of the 

camp seven days. The Israelites halted 

in their journey 

until Miriam could go 

on with them. 

Why did this people grumble so when 

they had been so blessed They became 

dissatisfied with their food and their 

leader Moses. Since Moses had been 

chosen of God, they were really finding 

fault with God. 

Do we ever grumble about things 

I'm afraid we do. We find fault about 

our food, our clothes, our friends, our 

homes, our lessons, and the weather. 

We are really finding fault with God. 

This is a terrible thing to do. 

Our memory verse suggests doing 

others good. We cannot do good to oth 

ers when we are always complaining. 

The Israelites found that the thing 

they prayed for was not best for them. 

This is often true. Sometimes God with 

holds from us what we ask, knowing 

that it will not be good for us. Some 

times we-are given what we ask for in 

our prayers to teach us a lesson. 

In your notebook, you might make a 

list of the things the Israelites grumbled 

about. Make a list, also, of the things 

we grumble about. Then, make a list 

of some of the things we may trust God 

for. 

SABBATH 

SCHOOL LESSON 

July 17, 1955 


(Lssons based on International Sunday School 



national Council of Religions Education.) 

EZEKIEL AND THE EARLIER 

CAPTIVITY 

Ezekiel 1:1-3; 2:1-4; 3:11-15; 11:14-20; 

18:30-32; 2 Kings 24:8-16; 25:27-30 

Printed Text, 2 Kings 24:ll-15a; Ezek 

iel 1:2, 3; 3:11; 11:16, 17, 20; 18:30, 32 

Memory verse, Ezek. 18:30: "Repent, 

and turn yourselves from all your 

transgressions; So iniquity 

your ruin." 

shall not be 

The capitivity of Judah was complet 

ed in three stages. The first was under 

Jehoiakim. That was when Daniel was 

taken. Jehoiakim was left as King under 

heavy tribute. The tribute was not be 

ing paid to the satisfaction of Nebu 

chadnezzer, so he came again in the 

reign of Jehoiakim's son, 

Jehoiachin. 

He gave up without a struggle, went out 

with all his household and the princes 

to meet the invader, and gave over all 


uin." 

you." 

place." 

evil" 

the vessels that Solomon had made for 

the temple and the other furnishings 

that were of gold. All the strong and 

rich were carried with them to Baby 

lon. Ezekiel was taken in this captivity. 

One more king, Zedekiah, 

was allowed 

to come to the throne, 

strong 

but he was not 

enough to support his rebellion 

against Nebuchadnezzar, 

treated most cruelly 

and he was 

and all but the 

weak and poor of the land were carried 

to Babylon, 

as we shall see next week. 

Ezekiel in Babylon, Ezekiel 2:1, 2 

Carried to Babyon in the second cap 

tivity, Ezekiel seems to have been treat 

ed quite well. In fact, it seems that 

these captives were not abused if they 

were obedient. Favoritism was shown 

to Daniel which caused jealousy and 

stirred up plots against his life. Then 

hatred for Mordecai because of his 

prominence led Haman to plot the masacre 

of all the Jews. These plots are an 

evidence that the captives were, as a 

rule, treated in a way 

that gave them 

an incentive and a fair chance to win 

favor. Of course those captives that 

showed a rebellious disposition would 

receive no mercy. Any slavery is oppres 

sive, but we read of no such cruelty be 

ing practiced on the captives as a group 

as was practiced in Egypt. 

It seemed to be the purpose of Nebu 

chadnezzar to carry away the leaders 

so as to disorganize the nation, and the 

strong so as to weaken it. Then he 

sought out those skilled in industry and 

the arts that he might have their serv 

ices, and learn from them. 

After five years of captivity, Ezekiel 

received his commission from the Lord, 

and was given his message to deliver 

to the captives. The narrative of our 

lesson is taken from 2 Kings, 24th chap 

ter. Then some scattered verses from 

chapters 1, 3, 11 and 18 of Ezekiel. In 

the first chapter is Ezekiel's vision of 

the Living Creatures, and the wheels. 

These visions came as a preparation 

for the message that was to follow. 

Both the vision and the message are hard 

to understand. Let us pass them with 

this suggestion: These visions proclaim 

ed the Mystery, Knowledge, Power and 

Glory of the Author of the message he 

was to deliver. Everyone who faces the 

job of being 

vision. 

a Christian needs such a 

The Character of the People, 

Ezekiel 2:3, 4. 

Here we have God's evaluation of the 

Children of Judah in captivity. It was 

probably very different from the way 

they judged themselves. A young man 

just through school took a job in his 

father's mills. In a few days he re 

ported to his father a very harsh opinion 

of his overseer. Indeed he advised his 

June 29. 1955 

father to discharge him. His father re 

plied, "I am more interested in what 

your overseer thinks of you than in 

what you think of him." We need the 

power to see ourselves as God sees us. 

The Masons, with their "Compass and 

Square," 

might build the Leaning Tower 

of Pisa. The Masons, like the Israelites, 

neglected the one essential instrument, 

the plumb line, which points straight up, 

to God. 

Ezekiel was sent to a people who re 

belled, transgressed and were stiff-neck 

ed. He was to say to them, "Thus saith 

the Lord." That's the Plumb Line. "To 

know, obey and submit to God's will on 

Heaven." 

Earth, as the angels do in 

Ezekiel's Sustaining Vision, 

Ezekiel 3:11-15 

The message was to be delivered to 

the people, 

"Whether they 

will hear 

or whether they will forbear." An easy 

task if they will hear, what if they for 

bear For the Prophet's encouragement, 

the Spirit took him up, and he heard a 

voice behind him, saying, "Blessed be 

the Glory of the Lord from this 

With the consciousness of this backing 

he feared not the face of man. This 

is the secret of the Christian's cour 

age in all ages. 

God's Plan, Ezekiel 18:30 

"There will I judge God's plan 

is not for our condemnation, but for 

our salvation; for immediately he says, 

"Repent ye, and turn yourselves from 

your transgressions; so iniquity shall 

not be your 

Why does not God send a prophet to 

us as he did to Israel He does. It is 

probable that very few of the captives 

had the opportunity to see Ezekiel or 

hear him speak. There would be very 

few if any copies of his message, and 

very few of the people could read. We 

may each have a copy 

of His message 

today and we are able to read it, and 

study it and measure it's truth by its 

fulfillment in the lives of men and na 

tions from that day to this. If we will 

not hear Moses and the prophets, why 

send another But God, in His infinite 

mercy has sent another. Christ came 

not to condemn the world, but to give 

life. And to prove His power, He even 

rose from the dead, 

Satan offers sin, the destruction of 

nations as well as of men. God offers 

repentance and obedience for the peace 

and prosperity of the world. If warn 

ings seem harsh, they are accompanied 

by 

gracious promises. 

Our Part in Salvation 

I may be lost and my country saved. 

My country may be lost, while I am 

saved. But how can I be saved if I have 

no interest in the salvation of my coun 

try and the world The Law of Sal 

vation requires love for both ourself 

and our neighbor. Righteousness in 

national life is an aid to all those with 

in the nation who would live righteously. 

And the character of the nation is de 

termined by the people who live in it 

The people to whom Ezekiel was sent 

were in captivity in Egypt, because they 

were spiritually disobedient. Our Nation 

has never been in bondage to any other 

nation, but what about bondage of sin 

Ezekiel was in bondage to Neubuchadnezzer, 

but his spirit was free. Nebu 

chadnezzer held nations in bondage, but 

was himself in bondage to sin and death 

and ripe for destruction. 

Psalms : 


July 20, 1955 

THE RICH FOOL 

Luke 12:16-21 

Rev. W. C. McClurkin 

49:4-9, page 123 

49:11-13, page 126 

39:3, 4, page 100 

37:30-33; page 94 

References: Exod. 20:17 Prov. 28:20; 

Psalm 119:36; Eccl. 4:8; Isa. 5:8; 

Ezek. 33:31; Micah 2:2; Hab. 2:9, 10; 

I Cor. 5:11; Eph. 5:5; Col. 3:5; I Tim. 

6:9, 10; Heb. 13:5; I Peter 2:3. 

In this parable of the Rich Fool is 

moral medicine prescribed by the Great 

Physician for the covetous. It is here 

administered at His direction by Dr. 

Luke. A dose of it would be good for 

what ails every one, or is likely to : cov 

etousness. 

Though it makes the covetous wince, 

those healed by it find it pleasant to 

take as a preventative against further 

trouble. Some (Job 23:12) esteem it 

more than their necesary food. They 

find it to be not only medicine, but food, 

good food for thought and life. In the 

fellowship of the saints, such as our 

prayer meetings, testimonies of its ef 

fectiveness and blessing are often heard. 

In many of the Psalms of their worship 

the Lord is praised for His treatment 

and healing 

of the covetous. 

A COMMON SIN 

Covetousness is very prevalent. The 

malady is not peculiar to the rich. The 

poor also have it. Those of the middle 

class are not immune from it. It is an 

innate corruption in every one since the 

Fall, though in varying degrees. 

Covetousness is just as aggravating in 

the picket lines of ordinary laborers on 

the sidewalks as in the offices of mana 

gers higher up. 

Covetousnes is very prolific. Among 

the many ills flesh is heir to, this one is 

basic, being "a root of all kinds of 

and productive of "many 

hurtful 

lusts" 

foolish and 

(I Tim. 6:9, 10, R.V.). 

411

eward" 

company" 

rights," 

possesseth." 

eousness" 

you." 

soul" 

provided" 

not" 

grace." 

world." 

Alcoholism, the sexual perversions, the 

ungodly arts which ungodly advertisers 

are ungodly displaying, et cetera, run 

ning "greedily after the error of Balaam 

for (Jude 11), are largely the 

fruit of covetousness. 

Covetousness is 

victim of it may 

very insidious. The 

not be aware of its 

existence within himself. Apparently, 

in Luke's account (12:13) the "one of 

the 

that interrupted Jesus' 

sermon with a civil complaint, was not 

conscious of his own covetousness. He 

saw symptoms of it in his brother, but 

not in himself. 

Ordinary covetous folk are just as 

likely to figure on a stroke of business 

during a sermon, if they are present. 

But they usually wait until after the 

sermon to carry it out. But this ambi 

tious man got in his stroke, or tried to, 

during the sermon, and schemed to use 

the Preacher to help. It may be noted 

here that this solicitant was not alone in 

requesting a preacher to speak a word 

to check 

some* 

one else's injustice, to 

correct another's fault, or maybe 

even up an old score, 

or sore. 

While Jesus was interested in folks' 

temporal affairs, in His preaching here 

and everywhere, as well as in His every 

day life, He left us an example of keep 

ing temporal affairs in their proper 

place. So this aspirant, keen on getting 

his share of an earthly inheritance, got, 

along with the whole company, a more 

emphatic word on obtaining the riches 

of the heavenly inheritance. Doubtless 

this was what they all needed. The word . 

was, not to "beware of injustice and 

stand up for your 

heed, and beware of covetousness : 

to 

but, "Take 

for a 

man's life consisteth not in the abun 

dance of things which he 

And then 

Jesus' 

THE PUNGENT PARABLE 

parable of the Rich Fool de 

picts a course of thought and action 

that is quite familiar. But let us look it 

over again as presented in the Record. 

and remind ourselves of some of its 

plain and deductible lessons, among 

them a few "Don'ts." 

Don't get so wrapped up in your tem 

poral affairs that you forget duly to 

consider your latter end. 

Don't depend on material social secur 

ity to be sufficient protection against 

all the uncertainties of life. 

Don't regard all the products of your 

labor and investments as just being for 

your own or your family's selfish plea 

sure. 

Don't miss the current opportunities 

to share your income with the needy 

and to contribute to the Lord's work. 

Don't fail to "BE READY," for none 

of us knows when we shall be called 

412 

to render our final accounts. 

Don't aim to live on Easy Street 

when you retire, and like it. 

Don't set yourSELF as the pole star 

of your life. 

Don't fail to give God an early and 

important part in the drama of your 

life. 

Don't waste your life accumulating 

worldly wealth, for as they say, "You 

can't take it with 

Don't forget that a good go-getter 

will not overload himself with things he 

gets. 

And, better words it would be well to 

remember, are in Proverbs 3:27; 11:24- 

28. Also, Mark 8:36 "What shall it 

profit a man, if he shall gain the whole 

world, and lose his own 

After the man in the parable had 

dialogued with himself, and settled his 

affairs to his own liking, an uninvited 

unexpected Interlocutor is heard: 

"Thou fool, this night thy 

soul shall be 

required of thee : then whose shall those 

things be, which thou hast 

No answer is given. Unprepared to meet 

his God! So 

The LOGICAL 

" 

CONCLUSION 

"So is he that layeth up treasure for 

himself, and is not rich toward God" 

just as foolish! Not only his labor, but 

his soul is lost! 

"Wherefore do ye spend . . . your la 

bor for that which satisfieth 

(Isa. 

55:2). Christ offers us Himself and His 

Word, 

"the riches of His 

In 

vesting these in "the life that now is," 

we become, not only rid of the deadly 

sin of covetousness, but have eternal 

life, are "rich toward God," and have 

treasure laid up in heaven. 

So let us resolve that we will "seek 

first the Kingdom of God and His right 

tate. 

and not our own worldly es 

And this will include a regular use 

and sharing of the means of grace which 

will keep us "rich toward God" and fit 

for His service, and safe from the virus 

of Covetousness. 




W.M.S. LESSON FOR AUGUST 

by Mrs. E. G. Russell 

Selecting 

the material. 

I Pet. 2:1-5 

The recent atomic tests on the Yucca 

flats of Nevada established the fact that 

the kind of materials used in building 

our material homes is most important. 

Certain materials withstood the blast 

fairly 

well and occupants could have 

survived, but where less durable ma 

terials were used the buildings were 

totally destroyed. If this is important in 

material building, how much more im 

portant it is to build our lives of most 

durable materials. 

Beautiful, Ps. 84:1 

Most people enjoy the beautiful things 

of life, lovely scenery, lovely lives, any 

area in which we see beauty. Undoubt 

edly our Heavenly Father, Creator of 

all things material, loved beauty, as wit 

ness His creative work of beauty in 

nature, the flowers, green verdure of 

forest and field, the firmament above 

with the sun, 

heavens declare the glory 

moon and stars. "The 

of God and 

the firmament showeth His handiwork" 

(Ps. 19:1). "He hath made everything 

beautiful in His time" ((Eccl. 3:11). 

None of these things would have beauty 

were it not for the light in which they 

of the sun. If life 

exist from the shining 

could continue without light it would 

be monotonous and colorless. How 

dreary 

and drab the world would be 

without the red rays of the dawn and 

glorious colorings of the sunset 

If our Creator loved beauty in nature, 

how much more must He desire beauty 

in the lives of His children. Christ is the 

Light of the world. He gives us life. He 

cleanses it and makes it lovely. The 

Psalmist prayed, "Let the beauty of the 

us." 

Lord our God be upon Jesus said, 

"Ye are the light of the That is 

only 

true of us when we reflect Him 

and His loveliness. There is much ma 

terial available to accomplish this. The 

fruits of the Spirit, love, 

joy, peace, 

longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, 

meekness, faith and temperance adorn 

ing one's life produce beauty and at 

tract others to the Christian life. The 

beauty of holiness, humility and unself 

ishness are chief qualities to acquire 

and make life winsome. 

Permanent, I Cor. 13:13 

These three things are lasting, 

faith, 

hope and love. In building for perma 

nency we must begin with Jesus Christ 

as our foundation." For other founda 

tion can no man lay than that is laid 

which is Jesus Christ" (1 Cor. 3:11). 

God's word suggests that some build of 

wood, hay or stubble, all easily and 

quickly destroyed. The contrast is gold, 

silver and precious stones, all of more 

enduring quality, with inherent beauty 

as well. When we combine beautiful and 

durable materials in building our spirit 

ual lives, surely we please our Heavenly 

Father and become fit members of His 

wondrous household. 

Several years ago as we passed 


wisdom." 

joy and value of our W. M. S. "Greeters." 

through Vermont we admired the beau 

tiful buildings of glistening white mar 

ble, which were so enduring in appear 

ance and will doubtless stand for years 

to come. Also while living in Indiana we 

often passed the beautiful and sturdy 

structures of the state university built 

of limestone, 

erected to serve future 

generations and at the same time to 

present a beautiful picture to the eye. 

They 

stand permanently in the place 

chosen for them. 

The Lord has a chosen place for us in 

which to stand and serve. "Stand there 

truth," 

fore having your loins girt with 

etc. He expects us to be in our place, 

at our tasks, in His cause, exercising 

faith, maintaining hope, constrained by 

love. Should we not in our spiritual 

building try to combine both beauty and 

permanency, thereby honoring Christ 

and making attractive to the world the 

life lived in Christ and for Him. 

MEETING OF OHIO PRESBYTERIAL 

Ohio Presbytery and Presbyterial met 

in Southfield Reformed Presbyterian 

Church on Tuesday Evening, May 10, 

1955. The retiring moderator, Dr. M. K. 

Carson, preached from I Corinthians 15 : 

58, taking for his theme, "The Dynamic 

of Christian Service." Following this 

inspiring sermon, the address of wel 

come was given by Mrs. George Hen 

ning of Southfield and the response by 

Mrs. M. K. Carson, Belle Center. The 

joint meeting 

was then adjourned to 

continue throughout the next day. 

The Devotional theme of the meetings 

was "Christianity and Life." The presi 

dent of the Presbyterial, Mrs. J. R. Ste 

venson of Southfield, addressed that 

group separately on the subject "A life 

Obedience," 

of 

I John 5:2. Devotional 

periods at the beginning 

of the three 

sessions on Wednesday were based on 

the topics "Christianity, a New Life," 

"Christianity, a Life of 

"Christianity, a Life of 

taken from I John 5. 

Love," 

Victory" 

and 

all 

Present at all of our meetings were 

Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Sanderson, home 

on furlough from the Syrian Mission 

field. They spoke of the work there at 

both the afternoon and evening meet 

ings on Wednesday. The afternoon talks 

were given in the form of question and 

answer periods, questions being asked 

by one and answered by the other. In 

the evening each spoke separately and 

gave us a very 

clear picture of what 

our schools are trying to do and what 

needs to be done. 

At the memorial service conducted by 

Mrs. Ed. Roby of Hetherton, the names 

of five former members of the Presby 

terial who have passed to their reward 

since our last meeting were read. They 

are: 

ter. 

Mrs. Agnes Coleman Wilson 

Mrs. Margaret Stewart Hardesty 

of New Concord 

Mrs. J. B. Forsythe 

Mrs. Daniel C. McLean of Belle Cen 

Mrs. Elizabeth Ann McDonald of 

Southfield who on February 14 celebra 

ted her 100th birthday. 

Officers elected by the Presbyterial 

for the coming year are as follows: 

President, Mrs. T. F. Harsh of Cin 

cinnati 

1st Vice President, Mrs. R. H. Reed of 

Belle Center 

2nd Vice President, Mrs. L. M. Har 

rington of Southfield 

Recording Secretary, Mrs. Ed Roby of 

Hetherton 

Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. Harold 

Thompson of Southfield 

Treasurer, Miss Frances McKelvy of 

Hetherton. 

Superintendents : 

Foreign and Home Missions Mrs. 

Howard Keys of Belle Center 

Lit. and Mission Study 

Beardslee of Southfield 

Mrs. Emerson 

Temperance Miss Edna Elsey of 

Southfield 

Thankoffering Mrs. Clara Elsey of 

Southfield 

Standard of Efficiency Miss Grace 

Wagner of Cincinnati 

Juniors 

Center 

Mrs. M. K. Carson of Belle 

Junior Camp Director for '56 Mr. R. 

Hemphill of Hetherton 

The Juniors were not forgotten, for 

at the evening meeting on Wednesday 

the group from Southfield under the 

leadership of Mrs. L. M. Harrington pre 

sented a fine program of Bible verses, 

psalms and readings. They showed that 

through Junior activities, children learn 

to be Christians. 

After the singing of the 133rd Psalm, 

Ohio Presbytery and Presbyterial ad 

journed to meet at Belle Center in May, 

1956. 

YOUR PRESIDENT'S LETTER 

Dear Synodical Friends, 

We have just completed our mission 

ary year of "seeking God's indispensible 

We trust that all have bene 

fited in this search and are living closer 

to the Lord, so that in this coming year 

we, on this foundation may "arise and 

build." 

For this new year's building, we have 

among others the following foundation 

stones upon which to build. 

We published 500 "Taught of the 

Lord" 

books by Mrs. Hayes McKelvey at 

$691.20 and on April 23 we had sold 

266 copies or $274 worth. These books 

should be on 

used for Daily 

the market NOW and 

Vacation Bible School. 

Has 

your society 

ordered her share 

This is an opportunity to build soundly 

upon God's Word. 

We have been witnessing for Chris 

tian education in donating to the Cyprus 

Building Fund. Larnaca's new school 

building was dedicated Saturday, April 

30, upon which occasion a message from 

your Synodical president was read. 

On stated occasions there have been 

in our Women's Missionary Column in 

the Witness reports of our Aged People's 

"Home's activities. Although the Home 

for the Aged does not come under our 

jurisdiction, for it is a separate organi 

zation, 

yet your president gave this 

permission until Official Board Meet 

ing, Saturday, June 11, at which time 

the Board may condemn or affirm this 

action. As we saw it, it saved the ex 

pense of mailing reports to our many 

members. 

The question comes again, "What may 

we call Missionary Books 

I feel we have done too much quib 

bling about the exact type and I favor 

the approval of devotional, biography, 

or any good missionary novel that sets 

forth the cause, the remedy or the re 

sults of missionary effort. Missionary 

characters in a novel will remain longer 

and speak oftener in one's mind than 

statistical facts, I feel. 

Temperance Superintendents imply 

that they do not feel their report blanks 

fit a congregation where there is no 

W. C. T. U. Nevertheless write your re 

port on the back and we shall ask the 

Temperance Superintendent to consider 

the matter of revision. 

Many missionaries who have sailed 

to or from our shores testify as to the 

According to our new Yearbook, we 

have added eight Memorial and thirteen 

Life Members to our Synodical Memor 

ials, the fund of which was voted at 

Grinnell to be used to pay $25 per month 

to married missionaries, and $10 a 

month to a single missionary to be used 

for rent during their furlough year. This 

past year the amount paid out was 

$1,075, while the intake was only $475. 

There were more missionaries than 

usual at home on furlough this year. 

When one "arises to build" he is 

somewhat concerned if the money cal 

culated does not materialize. This year 

the Church Budget plus the $500 has 

been raised but our Women's Synodical 

treasury is more than $4,400. less than 

last year. 

The Official Board will have problems 

to meet concerning our continued pro 

gram. May we be much in prayer for 

those who must make decisions June 


June 29, 1955 413

. 

Church News 

J. L. McCartney Prize: Medal offered 

by Prof. McCartney's sons for the best 

work on some assigned topic in the De 

partment of science, to Tom B. Jones, 

Aliquippa. 


COMMENCEMENT 

Honorary degrees were conferred on 

three persons by President Charles M. 

Lee at the Geneva College commence 

ment exercises in Reeves field, June 7. 

C. Lee Austin, president of Jones and 

Laughlin Steel corporation, gave the 

commencement address. Dr. Austin's 

topic was "Facing Up to Our New 

World." 

Bachelor degrees were presented to 

117 seniors, including 

12 who completed 

their work in January, and four stu 

dents received secretarial certificates. 

Those receiving honorary doctor of di 

vinity degrees were the Rev. Howard C. 

Emrick, pastor of the First Methodist 

Church, Ellwood City; and D. Ray Wil 

cox, assistant professor of Greek and 

Bible at the College. Rev. Emrick has 

served as president of the Geneva alum 

ni association the past two years. Rev. 

Emrick was graduated from Geneva in 

1929, and Rev. Wilcox in 1928. David C. 

Park, president of Smith and Caffrey 

Steel company, Syracuse, N. Y was 

awarded an honorary doctor of laws de 

gree. Mr. Park is a brother of Dr. Park, 

retiring Dean of the College and acting 

head of the Bible department. He has 

been a member of the Geneva Board of 

Trustees since 1949. 

Ten students were graduated with 

honors including 

highest honors. 

three seniors with 

Of the 117 bachelor degrees awarded, 

31 were bachelor of science; 28 were 

bachelor of arts; 24, bachelor of science 

in business administration; 21 bachelor 

of science in education; and 13, bachelor 

of science in industrial engineering. 

Prizes were awarded by Dr. . 

the following students: 

Lee to 

Valedictorian's Prize: Interest on a 

trust fund given by Dr. S. C. Milligan, 

of Pittsburgh, in memory of his father, 

the Rev. J. S. T. Milligan, D.D., amount 

ing this year to $54.67, to Celeste A. 

Battilocchi, Ellwood City. 

Alumni Prize: $50 given by the Alum 

ni Association to the person in the sen 

ior class, recommended by the faculty 

and chosen by the alumni council, for 

Your President's Letter, from page 413 

11, remembering Psalm 127:1, "Ecxept 

the Lord build the house, they labour in 

vain that build it . 

414 

Your servant in 

Mrs. A. J. McFarland 

Synodical President 

Christ, 

superiority in character, scholarship, 

leadership and participation in college 

activities, to Guy Dille, Rochester. 

General Excellence Prize: $50 offered 

by Dr. Robert M. Young 

and awarded 

on the basis of the highest scholastic 

average for the year, with general char 

acter and conduct considered, to Janice 

C. Martin, East Liverpool, O. 

Senior English Prize: $20 offered by 

the College Hill Women's club for the 

best work in senior English, to Celeste 

A. Battilocchi, Ellwood City. 

W. A. Bliss Economics Prize: $50 

given by Mr. and the late Mrs. W. A. 

Bliss to a senior in the department who 

is high in scholarship and outstanding 

in character and usefulness, to Guy 

Dille, Rochester. 

R. W. Redpath Memorial: $25, do 

nated by Mrs. R. W. Redpath, is given 

in memory of Dr. R. W. Redpath to a 

student planning to enter Christian 

service, to R. Paul Mathews, Wilkins 

burg. 

Isabella Stewart Memorial Award: 

$25 given in memory of Miss Isabella 

Stewart, the former head of the Modern 

Foreign Languages department and As 

sociate Dean of Women, by her family, 

to a senior whose character, scholarship, 

religious and social activities are in ac 

cord with the ideals of Geneva College, 

to Erla Jean Willson, Beaver Falls. 

Pep Club Prize: $10 presented by the 

Pep Club to a senior student contribut 

ing the most to the life of the college 

during his Geneva career, to Nancy F. 

Mandeville, Beaver Falls. 

Christian Service Union Prize: A 

gold-lettered Bible, awarded to the sen 

ior chosen by the Christian Service 

Union as having 

contributed most to the 

spiritual life of the college in his or her 

four years as a student, to R. 

Mathews, Wilkinsburg, Pittsburgh. 

American Association of 

Women Award: Membership 

Paul 

University 

for a year 

offered by the National chapter to the 

young 

woman student considered out 

standing in character, scholarship and 

leadership in college activities, to Mar 

jorie L. Houston, Beaver Falls. 

Accounting Prize: An accountant's 

handbook offered by the Pennsylvania 

Institute of Certified Public account 

ants to the senior who has thirty hours 

and the highest average for the entire 

four years in accounting, with character 

and leadership taken into consideration, 

to Peter R. Gault, New Brighton. 

Edwin F. Wendt Greek Prize: $10 of 

fered in memory of the late Dr. Edwin 

F. Wendt for the best work in the de 

partment of Greek, to be divided be 

tween Kenneth E. Miller, Beaver Falls, 

and Loukis C. Theocharides, Larnaca, 

Cyprus. 

John Lincoln Downie Prize: $25 of 

fered by the late R. M. Downie in honor 

of his son, John Lincoln Downie, to the 

most successful student in oratory, to 

Robert H. McFarland, Sterling, Kans. 

Engineering Prize: Set of drawing in 

struments offered by Mr. Joseph M. 

Steele, of Philadelphia, for the best 

work in mechanical drawing, to Richard 

M. Ramer, Beaver Falls. 

Bible Prize: $25 offered by Dr. and 

Mrs. John Robertson McCartney in hon 

or of their mother, Catherine Robertson 

McCartney, for the best work in Bible, 

to Donald H. Mullinnix, of Indianapolis, 

Ind. 

History Prize: $50 offered by David 

C. Park, Syracuse, N. Y., brother of Dr. 

Robert Park, for the best thesis in the 

History Seminar course, to Loukis C. 

Theocharides, Larnaca, Cyprus. 

French Club Prize: $5 offered by the 

French club to the upperclassman mak 

ing the most progress in French during 

the year, to Erla Jean Willson, Beaver 

Falls. 

Christian Service Award: $10 offered 

by Mr. and Mrs. Isaac McKee, of Al 

monte, Canada, in memory of their 

daughter, Agnes, who at the time of 

her death was a freshman at Geneva 

College and a member of the Christian 

Service Union. The award is given to 

the freshman who in the opinion of the 

Christian Service Union has rendered 

the most valuable service to that group 

during the year, to John H. White, New 

burgh, N. Y. 

Freshman English Prize: $30 offered 

by the late Mr. Hayes Euwer, of Pitts 

burgh, for the best essay on an assigned 

topic in English composition, to Donald 

E. Lutz, Ellwood City. 

Old Testament History Bible Prize: 

$25 given in memory of Dr. J. Boyd 

Tweed, former head of the Department 

of Religious Education, by his wife and 

family to the student doing the best 

work in Old Testament History, to 

Louis T. Deverka, Aliquippa. 

Engineering Prize: $10 offered in 

memory of the late Dr. Edwin P Wendt 

for the best survey and map of the cam 

pus made by a second year student in 

engineering, to Mauro Chiaverini,. New 

Castle. 


CLARINDA 

Mr. J. Ren Lee has had several rela 

tives visiting him helping him recuper 

ate from his recent 10 days in the hos 

pital. His sister Mrs. Paul Paddock and 

husband from Marshalltown, Iowa, 

spent Memorial Day week-end with Mr. 

Lee and Gertrude. William Boyd Berggren 

from Omaha spent two weeks with 

his great uncle Mr. Lee and attended 

the Covenanter D.V.B. school. Mary 

Alice Price from Hollywood, California, 

spent a week with her uncle Mr. Lee 

on her way to the 25th reunion of her 

class at Parsons College. During her 

visit the Sabbath School Class that she 

belonged to when she lived in Clarinda 

entertained at a party 

in her honor. 

There were 35 guests who spent a very 

happy hilarious evening reviewing old 

friendship. 

ESKRIDGE 

Alice Mable Caskey, 

youngest mem 

ber of the Eskridge congregation, ac 

companied her parents, Rev. and Mrs. 

Joseph Caskey 

to Beaver Falls where 

she will get acquainted with her ma 

ternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Hill, 

attends Synod. 

while her daddy 

The Evangelical churches of Eskridge 

held their D.V.B.S. this year, the last 

two weeks of May. 

Rev. Joe Caskey was Superintendent. 

Transportation was furnished for all 

who could attend. Many 

people in the 

community worked hard and faithfully 

to help make this school a success. 

Some, who have never been associated 

with any church helped with this work. 

Busy housewives and mothers did 

their washings in the afternoon so they 

could teach classes. 

Eugene 

Stevenson and Roy Carson 

were chosen by the Kiwanis club to be 

guests for a week at a boys camp in 

Wichita the first week of June. 

Mrs. Myrtle McDowell spent a few 

days in Research Hospital, Kansas City, 

recently and come home much improved, 

for which we are all very thankful. 

Ross Latimer is attending Synod in 


We enjoyed the Louis McCulleys from 

Hutchinson worshiping with us recently. 

David McKnight finishes his fourth 

year at Manhattan this spring. He is 

in the Veterinarian school so has two 

more years before he gets his degree. 

We always welcome him home on his 

vacations. 


COVENANTER 

IN 

PHILADELPHIA. PA. 

The May meeting of 

the Women's 

Missionary Society was held in the 

church with Mrs. Robert J. Crawford 

leading the devotions on "The Architect 

of Our Lives.'7 Following the devotional 

June 29, 1955 

period all went to the downstairs room 

where a social was given in honor of 

Mr. 

and Mrs. Gene Spear and Carol 

and Bruce. This wonderful little family 

has worshiped with us while Gene was 

making further study of God's Word in 

preparation for the ministry in the 

foreign field. Their faith and sincerity 

of purpose have been an inspiration to 

us 

and their charm and friendliness 

have endeared them to our hearts. We 

are grateful to our Heavenly Father 

that He blessed us with their presence 

and we send them to their chosen field 

in His Vineyard with our loving thank 

ful prayers. A token gift of our affec 

tion was 

presented to them by the 

Society president, Miss Jane McCleary. 

We were glad that so many of the 

United Congregation joined us in this 

social hour. Gene occupied our pulpit 

on the Sabbath before their departure 

and gave us a memorable challenge to 

deeper spiritual life and 

service to our Lord. 

more effective 

The Mother's Day exercises in Sab 

bath School included selected Scripture 

readings of the Bible Mothers, with 

comments by Mrs. Thomas Gill. Flower 

ing plants were distributed at the close 

of the exercises. An information talk 

in Sabbath School about our Missions 

in Syria preceded the offering taken for 

the work there. Many 

of our younger 

Sabbajth School children have been at 

tending morning worship recently the 

incentive being credits to be earned in 

anticipation of a trip to White Lake 

Camp. For some time our teenage boys 

have been serving the Lord in the sanc 

tuary by assisting the deacons in the 

collection of the tithes and offerings. 

At the annual Congregational meeting 

held May 10, encouraging 

reports were 

made by the various organizations of the 

Church. Extensive repairs to the roof 

were authorized; also the purchase of 

more new Psalm Books. It was agreed 

that special offerings for Synod's bud 

get would be continued on the first 

Sabbath of each month. The Pastor's 

salary was increased retroactive to 

April first. Mr. James Finlay was elect 

ed to a three-year term as trustee 

serving with Elder George J. Fisher and 

church Treasurer Walter McClay. 

Our minister's report to the congre 

gation disclosed a very 

active program 

of pastoral visits, neighborhood visiting 

(500 cards were distributed in 1954); 

junior girls weekly meetings; Junior 

boys club meetings; and teen-group de 

votional and social meetings. 

The sacrament of Baptism was ad 

ministered to one adult and four chil 

dren and there were three accessions to 

church membership. The total church 

membership of 67 remains the same as in 

1954. 

Mr. Price attended the meeting of 

Presbytry held in Orlando, Florida, ac 

companying Dr. and Mrs. McCracken 

of the United Congregation. 

Miss Isabel Crawford represented our 

Women's Missionary Society at the 

Presbyterial held in Orlando also. 

We are thankful to our gracious God 

for the recovery of several of our older 

members. 

Elder James MacKnight is 

home again and slowly regaining his 

strength. Miss Anna Taylor, recently 

hospitalized, is now recuperating at the 

home of her nephew William McClurken 

in Hatboro, Pa. And our beloved Mrs. 

Finley M. Wilson has shown some im 

provement these past few weeks lean 

ing heavily on the Great Physician for 

strength and healing. Miss Matilda Walfert 

who suffered the effects of a fall is 

also now on the mend. 

Our minister has begun a series of 

sermons on the Ten Commandments by 

refuting the prevailing present-day 

theory that these laws of God are out 

moded; were given exclusively for the 

Jews; and are not necessary to our 

times. 

Visitors to our morning worship ser 

vices 

during May included Mr. Samuel 

Jamison of our Home in Pittsburg, who 

was the guest of Miss Annie Forsyth; 

and serviceman Norman Hutcheson, 

nephew of Dr. Finley M. Wilson; and 

Mr. Robert Wilson, of Ocean City 

J. 

HEBRON, KANSAS 

Hebron Congregation greatly rejoices 

that Rev. Milton Harrington has been 

duly ordained and installed as our min 

ister. In connection with this, we were 

happy to have a large number of 

friends who came to witness this serv 

ice and welcome Rev. Harrington. We 

were especially glad to make the ac 

quaintance of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Har 

rington and son Gordon, and to meet 

other relatives of Rev. Harrington. 

W.M.S. members who attended 

Kansas Presbyterial were: Mrs. Ray 

mond Milroy; Mrs. Clyde Goodin; Mrs. 

George Craig and Mrs. Ray Milligan. 

Y.W.M.S. were represented by Mrs. 

Ronald Hammel and Elva Mann. These 

all gave fine reports of unusually inter 

esting meetings the inspirational sing 

ing, the joyful hearts, the impressive 

Spirit-filled messages and the bounti 

ful hospitality. Thank you, Denison W. 

M. S. 

Mrs. Sadie Greenlee, a former mem 

ber, has been spending some time at the 

home of her son John, Maxine and 

Lynn. Other visitors in the Greenlee 

home were Mr. and Mrs. Harold Green 

lee. We were glad to have these folks 

with us again. 

Mrs. Clarence Milligan is home from 

N 

415

nite" 

a several weeks stay in a Wichita hos 

pital, and able to attend services. Mrs. 

Byron McMahan and Mrs. Albert Henry 

are also able to be out again following 

surgery. 

Mr. Raymond Milroy is still unable to 

work full time following 

weeks ago. 

a fall several 

Several of our young people are stu 

dents in the Clay County Community 

High School. They 

are really proud of 

the school's track team which won 

State Championship in a Wichita meet 

on May 22. Jerry Milroy, a Junior in 

High School, 

is a member of the team 

and did much to help the team 

win this rating. He brought home a 

medal as well. Jerry is also a fine bas 

ketball player, sings with the Boys 

Quartette, and plays the clarinet, as 

well as being an active CYPU member. 

Miss Myrtle Tippin is convalescing, 

following major surgery at the Clay 

Center hospital. 

Ronald Dunn recently enlisted in the 

Clay 

Center National Guard unit. 

Ronald Hammel has been rehired as a 

teacher for a rural school Northwest 

of Clay Center. 

Mrs. Hazel Root of Kansas City spent 

two weeks visiting with her mother 

and sister, Mrs. E. Jameson and Maime. 

Rev. Milton Harrington is helping 

with the Victory Bible Camp in Ken^ 

tucky, then will attend Synod. 

Hebron Bible School was held May 

23-27. All day sessions were held with 

three classes of youngsters keeping 

busy. About 21 

pupils were enrolled. 

The closing program was held the fol 

lowing Sabbath evening. Several of our 

ladies and young women were able and 

willing teachers and Rev. Harrington 

also had a share in the work. 

On the evening of May 21, Miss 

Barbara Chapman and Mr. Bob Cope 

land were united in marriage in the 

Methodist Church at Riley, Kansas. A 

large gathering of relatives and friends 

were present for the ceremony. Mrs. 

Copeland is the daughter of Mr. and 

Mrs. Carl Chapman of Riley. Bob is 

the youngest son of Mrs. Effie Cope 

land of Riley, 

and a member of our 

congregation. Congratulations and best 

wishes to the newly weds! 

Rev. Harrington is assisting with the 

Junior soft-ball games at Idana, Kansas. 

This is a small town near our church 

and the parsonage is located there. We 

are glad for this opportunity for him 

to become acquainted with his commun 

ity. 

Janice Henry, daughter of Mr. and 

Mrs. Albert Henry, was graduated from 

the Idana grade school, and will enter 

Clay County Community High School 

in Clay Center next fall. 

416 

Recent improvements at the parson 

age include a new electric water heat 

er, replastering and redecorating a bed 

room, and other minor repairs. 

Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Tague and family, 

Mr. and Mrs. Ross Latimer, and Harold 

McCrory were recent visitors at church. 

Our East side prayer meeting group 

has been having covered dish suppers 

preceding their meetings. 

Our W.M.S. was entertained in the 

home of Mrs. George Craig, who with 

Mrs. Delber Copeland are our newest 

members of the society. 

The first "family 

covered dish 

supper was held at the church, June 1. 

Several June birthdays were acknow 

ledged, a short program and devotions 

were held. 

Mr. Joe Cor)eland led prayer meeting 

on Sabbath morning June 5. Mr. Harold 

Milligan will have charge of the serv 

ices on Synod Sabbath. 

Mrs. James Hatfield was a youth lead 

er at the 4-H Round-up, held on the 

campus of Kansas State College at 

Manhattan. She has been an active 4-H 

leader in various capacities for eight 

years, and was among others who were 

recently given recognition for this valu 

able contribution to the community. 

HETHERTON, MICH. 

On April 23, in Alpena, Mich, Miss 

Dorothy Brown was married to Mr. 

Russell Phillips. Mr. and Mrs. Harold 

Phillips, brother and sister of the groom 

and his bride, were the only attendants. 

Dorothy, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. 

Thad Brown of Johannesburg is a 

member of the Hetherton Congregation. 

The couple are making their home in 

Flint, Mich. The best wishes of the 

congregation go with them. 

Rev. Raymond Hemphill, our pastorelect, 

preached for us on May 15. At this 

time, Patricia Ellen, daughter of Mr. 

and Mrs. William Leino, 

and Ron Alan, 

son of Mr. and Mrs. Ed. Roby, were 

baptized. 

Spring Communion was held on May 

1 with Dr. R. I. Robb officiating. He 

brought some very timely 

messages. 

and helpful 

Gordon Harrington has retuned home 

after receiving his release from active 

duty 

in the Army. He spent sixteen 

months in Korea. Since his return home, 

he visited his brothers and sisters in 

Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and then 

with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hugh 

Harrington, 

installation services of his brother Mil 

attended the ordination and 

ton at Hebron, Kansas. While in the 

west, they visited many points of in 

terest in the Rockies and spent Sabbath 

with the Covenanters at Hot Springs, 

N. M. 

Donald Harrington, who has been in 

the service and located at Fort Dix, 

N. J., has also received his release and 

after visiting with other relatives, plans 

to be at Hetherton for the summer with 

his wife Marie and son Steven. They 

will be living with Donald's parents, Mr. 

and Mrs. Hugh Harrington. 

Joyce Hoy has returned home after 

the close of the school term at Geneva 

College. 

Mrs. 

Haddie Hagadorn and grand 

daughter Carol are leaving June 11 on a 

month's vacation. They expect to visit 

at Detroit, Niagara Falls, Philadelphia, 

Washington, D. C, and Orlando, Fla. 

Hetherton Congregation is looking 

forward with pleasure to the near fu 

ture when Rev. and Mrs. Raymond 

Hemphill and family will be coming to 

make their home here and minister to 

our spiritual needs. 

Guests at the home of Mr. and Mrs. 

Ed Roby on June 11 and 12 were Mr. 

and Mrs. Robt. J. Westmore, Mrs. Wal 

ter Westmore and Mr. Robt. S. Westmore, 

all of Detroit. Mrs. Roby's mother 

and aunt stayed the remainder of the 

week and returned to Detroit accom 

panied by Mr. and Mrs. Ed Roby and 

son Ron. 

Election of officers of Hetherton 

W.M.S. resulted in the following: Presi 

dent Shirley Roby; Vice President, Dol 

ly Hagadorn; Secretary, Olive Harring 

ton; Treasurer, Haddie Hagadorn. 

SERVICE 

A Brahman while visiting a mission 

ary saw on the wall of his home a pic 

ture of Christ washing the disciples' 

feet. After studying the scene for a- 

while he turned to the missionary and 

said, "Your Christians pretend to fol 

low Christ, but I have never seen any 

of you washing people's 

feet." Then 

with measured words the missionary re 

plied, "But that is just what we are 

doing here in India all the time! Ac 

cording to your sacred books the Branmans 

sprang from the head of your god, 

Brahm; the soldier caste from his 

shoulders, the merchant caste from his 

loins and the low caste from his feet 

We are daily washing India's feet. Some 

day when you see the low caste and the 

outcast clean, educated and holy, you 

and all India will say to Christ, like the 

Apostle Peter, 'Lord, not my 

but also my hands and my head.' " 

feet only, 

Selected 

COVENANTER WITNESS

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